iRobot Roomba S9+ Review 2026: Still Worth It?

iRobot Roomba s9+ Review: Premium Performance With a Premium Price Tag

The iRobot Roomba s9+ arrived as iRobot's flagship robot vacuum, packing their most powerful suction, the most advanced edge-cleaning geometry in their lineup, and the Clean Base auto-emptying dock that kicked off a new era of hands-off vacuuming. Years after its debut, it remains a compelling — if expensive — option. But in a market now crowded with mopping combos and laser-precise navigation from Roborock and Dreame, does the s9+ still justify its price? We break it down.

Design and Build Quality

The s9+ ditches the traditional round shape that has defined robot vacuums for decades. Its flat front edge and D-shaped body are purpose-built to push the vacuum flush against walls and into corners — areas where circular robots always leave a crescent of debris. The flat front is paired with PerfectEdge technology: a side brush angled to sweep corner debris inward combined with an edge-hugging sensor array that navigates within millimeters of baseboards.

At 3.5 inches tall, the s9+ can slide under most furniture and bed frames. The build quality is distinctly premium — the top shell has a glossy black finish that looks sharp but shows fingerprints. The Clean Base dock is tall and boxy, requiring roughly 12 inches of clearance on each side. The dock's disposable AllergenLock bags hold up to 60 days of debris before needing replacement, which at around $15 for a 3-pack adds a real ongoing cost you should budget for.

Suction Power and Cleaning Performance

iRobot rates the s9+ at 40x the suction of their Roomba 600 series — an internal comparison, but the real-world impact is noticeable. On hardwood and tile, it picks up fine dust, pet hair, and cereal without leaving residue trails. On low-pile carpet, performance is excellent. On high-pile or plush carpet, the dual multi-surface rubber brushes — which replace bristle brushes to reduce hair tangles — dig deep and extract embedded grit effectively.

The three-stage cleaning system (edge sweeping, rubber brush agitation, powerful suction) works together in a sequence that rivals and often beats corded vacuums on routine cleaning passes. Tom's Guide concluded the s9+ is "powerful enough to replace a human using a corded vacuum cleaner" — a high bar the unit genuinely clears for everyday messes.

One honest caveat: it is loud. The motor noise at full suction is among the loudest in the premium robot vacuum segment, and the Clean Base emptying cycle adds another burst of high-decibel noise every time the robot docks. If you run scheduled cleanings during the night or early morning, this matters.

Navigation and Mapping

The s9+ uses iRobot's Imprint Smart Mapping system, which builds room-by-room floor plans using vSLAM (visual simultaneous localization and mapping). Setup is straightforward: let the robot explore freely on its first run and it constructs a labeled map within one cleaning session. Tom's Guide found that "mapping was quick and easy" with "easy-to-use mapping controls in app."

Once mapped, you can name individual rooms, create custom cleaning zones, and set Keep Out Zones to block off areas like dog bowls or charging cables. The robot stores up to 10 separate floor plan maps, making it suitable for multi-story homes.

Navigation is reliable and methodical, using a row-by-row pattern rather than random bouncing. It handles doorway thresholds and transitions between floor types cleanly. Where it lags behind newer competitors is obstacle detection — the s9+ lacks the forward-facing cameras or solid-state LiDAR that newer models use to identify and avoid objects like socks or charging cables. Expect occasional run-ins with low-lying obstacles.

Auto-Empty Base and Ongoing Costs

The Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal is the defining feature of the s9+ package. After each cleaning run, the robot docks and the base uses a powerful vacuum to suck debris from the robot's bin into a sealed disposable bag. The bags are rated for approximately 60 days of capacity, meaning you may only need to empty the trash once every two months.

The downside is cost lock-in. AllergenLock disposal bags run approximately $4–5 per bag when bought in multi-packs (roughly $15 for a 3-pack). Over a year of use, that adds $30–60 in consumable costs. The replacement filter ($15–20 each) should be swapped every 2 months. These aren't dealbreakers, but they're real costs that cheaper competitors don't impose at the same rate.

App, Smart Home, and Connectivity

The iRobot Home app is mature and well-designed. Scheduling, zone selection, suction level adjustment (Eco, Normal, Power Boost), and cleaning history are all accessible with minimal friction. The app integrates with Alexa and Google Assistant for voice commands — "Alexa, ask Roomba to clean the kitchen" works reliably once the skill is configured.

Imprint Link technology allows the s9+ to coordinate with iRobot's Braava Jet m6 mop: the Roomba vacuums a zone first, then automatically triggers the Braava to mop the same area. This is a useful pairing if you own both, but it's a separate $300+ purchase — unlike competitors who bundle vacuuming and mopping into a single robot.

Pricing

The Roomba s9+ launched at $1,099 and is now widely available at $599–$799 depending on retailer and sale events. The standalone s9 (without the Clean Base) typically runs $449–$549. Replacement AllergenLock bags are approximately $15 for a 3-pack. The HEPA-style filter replacement costs around $15–20 each.

At its current street price of roughly $650, it competes directly against newer platforms that include mopping and more advanced obstacle avoidance. That context matters when evaluating value.

Real User Pros and Cons

Pros

• Exceptional edge cleaning: The D-shape design and PerfectEdge system genuinely outperform round robots in corners and along baseboards — a difference pet owners and allergy sufferers notice immediately.
• Strong suction on all floor types: Handles hardwood, tile, low-pile, and medium-pile carpet without swapping settings or modes.
• Reliable multi-room mapping: Stores up to 10 floor plans, with intuitive room labeling and zone cleaning in the app.
• 60-day hands-off operation: The Clean Base auto-empty system is legitimately convenient for high-traffic households or pet owners.
• Premium build quality: Durable construction with rubber brushes that resist hair tangles better than bristle alternatives.
• Mature app ecosystem: Scheduling, history, and Imprint Smart Mapping controls are polished and stable.

Cons

• No mopping: At this price, the absence of any mopping capability is a significant gap compared to combo robots from Roborock, Ecovacs, and Dreame.
• Loud operation: Both the vacuum motor and the Clean Base emptying cycle are among the noisier in the category.
• Ongoing consumable costs: Proprietary disposal bags add $30–60/year on top of the purchase price.
• No solid obstacle avoidance: Lacks forward cameras or structured-light sensors found on newer models — will occasionally bump into or run over small items.
• Aging navigation vs. competitors: vSLAM navigation is effective but not as precise as LiDAR-based systems now available at similar or lower prices.

How It Compares to Top Competitors

The s9+'s most direct iRobot competitor is now the iRobot Roomba Combo j9+, which adds obstacle-identifying camera navigation and an optional mopping pad at a comparable or slightly higher price point. For most buyers upgrading today, the j9+ is the better choice within the iRobot ecosystem.

Against the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra, the s9+ loses on suction power (10,000 Pa vs. ~2,600 Pa), mopping capability, and LiDAR-based navigation precision — but retains an edge in corner coverage thanks to its D-shaped body, and iRobot's app ecosystem remains more polished for multi-room management.

The Ecovacs Deebot X2 Omni mirrors the s9+'s square-body corner approach but adds simultaneous vacuuming and mopping, auto-wash and hot-air dry for the mop pads, and stronger suction at a similar price. For hard floor owners who want a true all-in-one, it's a compelling alternative.

Who Should Buy the iRobot Roomba s9+

Buy it if: You have a primarily carpeted home, own pets, and want exceptional edge cleaning with a proven, mature app platform. If you've bought into the iRobot ecosystem and already own a Braava Jet m6, the Imprint Link integration makes the s9+ a natural pairing. It's also a smart buy if you find it discounted below $600 — at that price, the performance-to-cost ratio improves substantially.

Look elsewhere if: You have significant hard floor space and want mopping included. At this price, robots like the Roborock Q Revo MaxV or the Narwal Freo X Plus offer vacuum-mop combos with self-cleaning docks that reduce maintenance further. If obstacle avoidance is a priority — you have cables, small toys, or pet waste risk on floors — the newer j9+ or a LiDAR-based competitor handles this significantly better. Budget-focused buyers should also consider that the s9+'s suction specs have been eclipsed by newer models at lower prices.

Verdict

The iRobot Roomba s9+ is a genuinely excellent vacuum robot that earns its "premium" label with outstanding edge and corner performance, reliable smart mapping, and a Clean Base system that makes maintenance nearly invisible. Tom's Guide put it plainly: it's "powerful enough to replace a human using a corded vacuum cleaner."

The problem isn't what it does — it's what it doesn't do. No mopping, aging navigation technology, loud operation, and proprietary consumable costs make it harder to recommend at full price in 2025, when competitors at $700–$900 deliver vacuum-mop combos with LiDAR precision and camera-based obstacle detection.

Our recommendation: if you can find the s9+ at $550 or below, it's an excellent buy for carpet-heavy households and pet owners who prioritize edge cleaning and iRobot's mature app ecosystem. At $750+, the iRobot Roomba Combo j9+ or a competing combo robot from Roborock or Ecovacs will serve most buyers better in 2025.

Rating: 4.1 / 5