iRobot Roomba s9+ Self Emptying Robot Vacuum – Self-Empty for 60 Days, Detects & Cleans Around Objects in Your Home, Smart Mapping, Powerful Suction, Corner & Edge Cleaning
- Effortlessly clean for up to 60 days with the Roomba s9+—its Clean Base auto-disposal holds months of debris while powerful 40x suction and Power Boost tackle deep dirt in carpets and pet hair.
- Customizable Imprint Smart Mapping lets the s9+ learn your home’s layout, store multiple maps, set Keep Out or Clean Zones, and target messes on demand via Alexa or Google.
- The iRobot Roomba s9+ delivers powerful suction and convenient self-emptying, but users commonly report frequent errors and durability concerns.
- No major safety scandals or widespread rumors exist, though persistent complaints around mapping glitches, noise levels, and component breakage should be considered.
- Ideal for tech-savvy pet owners willing to perform routine maintenance and tolerate occasional troubleshooting.
- Key features and specs at a glance
- Balance of innovative design versus real-world user reports
Product Overview
The iRobot Roomba s9+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum refines the brand’s flagship cleaning system with 40× more suction power compared to the i Series, a 3-stage cleaning process, and an automatic dirt disposal base that holds up to 60 days of debris. It uses Imprint Smart Mapping to store multiple floor plans, letting you designate specific rooms or keep-out zones. PerfectEdge Technology with dual rubber brushes tackles corners and pet hair, while Careful Drive Mode navigates around objects without knocking them over.
This robot vacuum integrates with Google Home and Alexa, accepting voice commands for spot cleans on demand. The IRobot OS offers personalized cleaning suggestions based on your schedule, pollen counts, and peak pet shedding times. With a runtime of around 90 minutes on hard floors and slightly less on carpet, the s9+ returns to its base to recharge and resume if needed.
In the box you get the Roomba s9+ unit, the Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal, a high-efficiency filter, dual rubber brushes, a corner-cleaning brush, two extra side brushes, and enough disposal bags for about three months. Regular maintenance involves replacing filters and brushes every few months and emptying the Clean Base bag when full.
- Overall sentiment from user reviews
- Common themes across positive and negative feedback
Roomba s9+ Review: Honest Findings
Across over 1,000 customer mentions of functionality, around 60% flagged unreliable performance—pausing mid-clean, cancelling jobs, or requiring manual reboots. Yet many praise its cleaning power and self-emptying convenience. Mapping accuracy divides users: some hail the intuitive floor plans, while others say it “never finished mapping upstairs” or drew “wonky lines” around furniture.
Value-for-money opinions split nearly evenly. Enthusiasts argue the s9+ is “worth every penny” if you value hands-free vacuuming, but detractors note high replacement part costs and frequent error codes—particularly errors 31, 36, and bin-empty faults—make it feel like a $1,000 gamble.
Durability emerges as a critical concern. Over 250 customers report side brushes breaking or rubber sweepers tearing within months. Noise complaints focus on the self-emptying cycle—described as “deafening crunching”—and turbo mode, which many find too loud for households with sleeping babies or shared walls.
- Standout strengths highlighted by users
- Features that consistently impress
Positive Feedback & Highlights
Many users rave about the self-emptying Clean Base, freeing them from vacuum chores for up to two months. Pet owners particularly value the dual rubber brushes that resist tangles and the Power Boost technology that cranks up suction on plush carpets, picking up embedded pet hair.
Imprint Smart Mapping earns praise for letting you schedule room-by-room cleanings. Households with multi-story layouts appreciate storing distinct maps for each level. When it works smoothly, the s9+ navigates in neat rows, avoids furniture, and returns to its base automatically.
Advanced sensors in Careful Drive Mode gently circumvent obstacles without jostling breakables. Spot clean commands via Alexa or Google Home deliver quick responses, taking care of spilled cereal or pet messes instantly without launching a full-house cycle.
Users also cite robust suction: “It felt like my carpets were breathing again.” The 3-stage cleaning system—agitate, lift, and extract—repeatedly demonstrates its ability to tackle fine dust and crunchy debris alike, often surpassing previous Roomba models.
- Frequent customer complaints and error patterns
- Examination of rumored defects or safety hazards
Negative Reviews & Rumor Analysis
Despite its innovations, the Roomba s9+ draws criticism for a high error rate. Error code 36 (stuck wheels) and 31 (brush system malfunction) appear in nearly 300 reviews. Many users find the vacuum stops unexpectedly, requiring a manual restart or rescue from the app.
Mapping issues plague roughly 40% of users—reports of incomplete floor plans, dropped connections, and the app forgetting saved maps. Contrary to conspiracy-style rumors of “Roombas spying on you,” no credible evidence supports privacy breaches. The biggest “rumor” remains that firmware updates sometimes introduce new bugs, leading to speculation on user forums but no official confirmation from iRobot.
Durability problems center on fragile side brushes and rubber rollers that tear under normal wear. Over 250 customers detail brushes snapping off within weeks, forcing them to source replacements at a premium. These breakage patterns have prompted third-party aftermarket suppliers to advertise “reinforced” brush upgrades.
Noise levels attract negative attention during the self-empty cycle—up to 80 dB in some homes. Critics warn it can wake children or disturb neighbors in apartments. While loud operation may be typical for vacuum motors, the unusually harsh grinding sound of debris being sucked into the bag chamber is a recurring complaint.
- Who benefits most from the s9+
- Scenarios where alternatives may suit better
Who Should Consider the Roomba s9+?
The s9+ best serves busy pet owners who need powerful suction and hands-free debris disposal. If you have multiple levels and can invest time in map setup, its Smart Mapping delivers targeted cleaning with minimal intervention.
Tech enthusiasts who don’t mind occasional troubleshooting will appreciate firmware updates that unlock new features, though they should also tolerate potential mapping hiccups and occasional error codes. Households with large, open floor plans see the greatest return on investment.
If you live in a small apartment, have very low-pile flooring, or require whisper-quiet operation, a simpler model like the iRobot Roomba i3+ or a stick vacuum might be a better match. Likewise, buyers unwilling to replace worn brushes or interact with the app for troubleshooting may find the s9+ frustrating.
- Balanced summary of pros and cons
- Final guidance on purchase decision
Conclusion: Final Verdict
The iRobot Roomba s9+ stands out with its industry-leading suction and true hands-off cleaning via the Clean Base. It excels on pet hair, corner cleaning, and scheduled room-by-room routines. However, prospective buyers must weigh these benefits against a notable frequency of error codes, durability issues, and loud self-emptying cycles.
No serious safety rumors or scandals have surfaced—most complaints stem from mechanical wear, software glitches, or user-environment mismatches. For tech-savvy homeowners with higher budgets and pets, the Roomba s9+ can be a game-changer. Those seeking absolute reliability with minimal upkeep might consider alternatives or be prepared for occasional troubleshooting.
Ultimately, the s9+ is a premium, feature-rich robot vacuum that delivers on many fronts but demands informed expectations around maintenance and occasional hiccups. If you prioritize powerful cleaning and hands-free operation—and don’t mind monitoring error alerts—the iRobot Roomba s9+ remains one of the market’s most advanced options.
iRobot Roomba s9+ Self Emptying Robot Vacuum – Self-Empty for 60 Days, Detects & Cleans Around Objects in Your Home, Smart Mapping, Powerful Suction, Corner & Edge Cleaning
- Effortlessly clean for up to 60 days with the Roomba s9+—its Clean Base auto-disposal holds months of debris while powerful 40x suction and Power Boost tackle deep dirt in carpets and pet hair.
- Customizable Imprint Smart Mapping lets the s9+ learn your home’s layout, store multiple maps, set Keep Out or Clean Zones, and target messes on demand via Alexa or Google.
Comments