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No—the Roomba s9+ is not the best robot vacuum overall in 2026. It remains a capable specialist for carpet, pet hair and edges, but newer robots generally map better, avoid obstacles more reliably and offer mopping. Consider an s9+ only if those vacuuming strengths matter most and you find a substantial discount with a dependable return policy and warranty.
Quick verdict: buy it only for the right job and price
| Choose the s9+ if… | Skip it if… |
|---|---|
| Your home has a lot of carpet, pet hair or corners that are hard to clean; you can clear floors before runs; and the unit is discounted, tested and warrantied. | You want an all-around robot, mopping, dependable obstacle avoidance, quiet operation or strong confidence in long-term parts and support. |
The s9+ is best understood as an older, vacuum-only carpet specialist—not a current premium all-rounder. There is no reliable current street price in the cited review material, so do not treat old review prices as today’s value. Compare the listing you are considering with current premium alternatives: if the s9+ approaches their price, the newer machine is usually the more complete purchase.
What the s9+ still does well
Its strongest case is dry pickup. The s9+ has two rubber rollers, a powerful vacuum motor and a D-shaped body whose straight front edge is designed to reach along walls and into corners. RTINGS describes iRobot’s S series as its most potent-suction line; its comparisons also find the S9 can clean more effectively than the j9+ in some tests, even though the newer j9+ is better at recognizing hazards. These findings support a specialist verdict, not a claim that the S9 wins every surface or every current comparison. RTINGS: iRobot robot-vacuum reviews · RTINGS: Roomba S9 review
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#1 Best Overall
- A DEEP, DETAILED CLEAN. Groundbreaking technology makes the s9+ our legacy powerhouse robot vacuum. With 40x more the suction power*, the 3-Stage Cleaning System lifts, loosens, then eliminates debris and pet hair from deep within your carpets for a clean you won’t believe — with no effort from you. Automatically increases suction to clean even deeper into carpets with power boost technology. *Compared to the Roomba i Series robots
- EMPTIES ITS VACUUM BIN, SO CLEANING IS OFF YOUR MIND - Cleans up after itself, emptying its Vacuum Bin into an enclosed bag that holds up to 60 days of debris, which means two whole months of not thinking about vacuuming.
- CLEANS WHEN AND WHERE YOU WANT - Only IRobot brings you Imprint Smart Mapping allowing you to control and schedule which rooms are cleaned and when, while storing multiple maps for easier cleaning on each level of your home. Plus, customizable Keep Out Zones and Clean Zones allow you to tell them the exact area to avoid and clean.
- A POWERFUL CLEAN - PerfectEdge Technology with advanced sensors and a specially designed Corner Brush optimize cleaning deep into corners and along edges. Ideal for homes with pets. 40% larger Multi-Surface Dual Rubber Brushes that don't get tangled with pet hair. *Compared to the Roomba i Series robots
- GUIDED BY SERIOUS SMARTS - The s9+ learns the layout of your home and builds personal Smart Maps, enabling it to expertly clean and navigate in neat, efficient rows. Careful Drive Mode detects objects in its path and cleans around them without jostling or nudging. (objects taller than 2.5 cm)
The D shape helps with edge reach; it does not make the robot smarter at navigating a whole home. The squared front can also be awkward around chair legs and tight furniture. The dual rubber rollers avoid some of the tangling associated with bristle brushes, but hair still needs to be removed from roller ends, wheels and the side brush.
Cleaning performance, by task
| Task | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Carpet and pet hair | A standout use case, especially for homes with substantial carpet and routine fur accumulation. Results still depend on pile, debris and maintenance. |
| Hard floors | Good for ordinary dry debris and routine upkeep. The side brush may scatter some debris, and the s9+ cannot mop. |
| Edges and corners | The D-shaped front and edge-focused design are meaningful advantages for reaching close to walls and corners, but do not guarantee perfect coverage. |
| Hair management | Rubber rollers help, but long human hair and pet hair can wrap around roller ends, the wheel and side brush. It is not maintenance-free. |
| Noise | Tom’s Guide found both the robot and its Clean Base loud enough to interfere with conversation. Schedule runs for times when the noise will not bother occupants. |
Even a strong robot is a maintenance cleaner, not a complete substitute for a full-size vacuum. Expect to handle large spills, heavy debris and spots the robot cannot reach yourself. For a broader view of how robot vacuums fit into routine cleaning, see RTINGS’ robot-vacuum guidance.
Navigation is not the same as obstacle avoidance
The s9+ uses camera-based vSLAM to map rooms and navigate cleaning jobs. That enables room-based cleaning, but current LiDAR-equipped competitors generally build maps faster and operate more reliably in darkness. Camera-based navigation can also be less dependable when lighting is poor. RTINGS compares iRobot’s optical navigation with LiDAR alternatives.
Rank #2
- A DEEPER CLEAN—EVEN WHERE DIRT LOVES TO HIDE. With advanced DualClean Mop Pads and PerfectEdge technology the Roomba Plus 505X reaches deeper into corners and along walls, covering 18% more floor area* so spills, crumbs, and sticky spots don’t get left behind. * Compared to standard vacuum & mop mode on coffee and grime.
- THE DOCK THAT HANDLES THE DIRTY WORK. The AutoWash Dock empties debris for up to 75 days and washes, refreshes, and heat‑dries mop pads—so you enjoy up to 4 weeks of hands‑free mopping* with consistently fresh results.
- POWERFUL ENOUGH FOR REAL‑LIFE MESSES. From scattered cereal to muddy pawprints, enjoy confident cleaning with up to 70× stronger suction* paired with dual mop pads, a multi‑surface rubber brush, and edge‑sweeping brush. * As compared to Roomba 600 series robots.
- AVOIDS CORDS, SOCKS—EVEN PET ACCIDENTS. PrecisionVision AI instantly recognizes common household obstacles and steers around them. It also detects wet and dry messes ahead and automatically makes extra passes for a noticeably cleaner result.
- SMARTER NAVIGATION, FEWER WORRIES. ClearView Pro LiDAR maps your home precisely and cleans efficiently day or night, while built‑in cliff sensors help prevent falls near stairs and ledges.
Most importantly, mapping a room does not mean recognizing every object on the floor. The s9+ predates the stronger real-time hazard-recognition systems found in newer robots. Clear cords, socks, small toys and pet accidents before a run; homes with puppies, kittens, children or frequently cluttered floors are better served by a newer obstacle-avoidance model. If a robot gets stuck, loses its position or cannot find its dock, sophisticated-looking maps do not remove the need to intervene.
What the “+” adds—and what it costs to own
The “+” package pairs the s9 with a Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal dock. After a cleaning run, the robot empties its onboard bin into a disposable bag in the base. That reduces how often you empty the robot by hand, and bagged disposal helps contain dust during ordinary emptying. It does not eliminate ongoing consumable costs: you still need compatible bags, filters and other replacement parts, and the dock’s emptying cycle is loud.
Tom’s Guide reported iRobot’s claim that a bag can hold about 30 robot bins. Treat that as a manufacturer claim, not a promised interval: pet hair, debris type, cleaning frequency and bin fill level change how quickly a bag fills. A used-unit inspection should include the dock, its power cable, bag seating and the evacuation path—not just the robot itself. iRobot’s s9+ product fast facts
Rank #3
- DUAL BRUSHES, DOUBLE DIRT DESTRUCTION. Patented rubber brushes flex and adjust, staying in constant contact with all floor types. Paired with extreme power-lifting suction to loosen and lift any kind of mess.
- ELIMINATES DIRT & DUST. Powers through pet hair and more with anti-tangle Dual Rubber Brushes, an Edge-Sweeping Brush, Carpet Boost, and 180x more* extreme power-lifting suction. *In Spot Clean mode with a full battery, compared to Roomba 600 series robots
- CLEARVIEW PRO LIDAR. Expertly maps your home for maximum coverage and thorough cleaning, day or night- Plus, specialized sensors prevent your Roomba robot from tumbling down stairs.
- PRECISIONVISION AI TECHNOLOGY. Immediately recognizes and swiftly navigates around objects of all shapes and sizes, including cords, socks, and pet waste.
- UP TO 75 DAYS HANDS-FREE CLEANING. AutoEmpty Dock traps and contains debris as small as 0.7 microns in an enclosed bag, keeping you dust cloud-free for 75 days.
No built-in mop
The s9+ is a vacuum-only robot. It can work in sequence with a separate Braava jet m6 through iRobot’s Imprint Link system, but that means buying and maintaining a second machine. Modern vacuum-mop systems can combine vacuuming with water management and, on some models, dock functions such as washing and drying mop pads. If most of your floors are hard surface, a current combination robot may provide more useful automation.
Maintenance: what an owner should expect
Regular upkeep is part of the bargain, especially in a home with pets or long hair:
- Remove hair from both rollers and inspect their end caps and axles.
- Clean the side brush and check the front caster and drive wheels for wrapped debris.
- Clean sensors and charging contacts so navigation and docking are not impaired.
- Check the onboard bin and Clean Base bag; replace a clogged filter or worn part with a compatible component.
- Keep the dock’s evacuation path clear and confirm the bag is seated properly.
If pickup drops, check the simplest causes first: empty the onboard bin; remove and clean the rollers; inspect roller ends and the side brush; check the suction channel and filter; then confirm the Clean Base bag is not full or mis-seated. Reboot the robot and dock if needed. Re-map only after checking for blockages, dirty sensors or hardware problems. Replacement intervals depend on use, floor type and hair, so follow the current product guidance rather than assuming a fixed schedule.
Rank #4
- Compatible with: iRobot Roomba s9 (9150) s9+ s9 Plus (9550) s Series
- Package Includes: 2 x set individual extractors6 x 5-Armed Side Brush4 x Hepa Filter1 x Cleaning Tool5 x Screw
- Using Suggestion: Please clean the filter frequently, and replace the brush, filter every 2-3 months to keep your vacuum cleaner working all the time in high-performance.
- Warranty: Full Money Back after-sale service for any dissatisfaction, please just feel free to contact us if you have any problem for the products or the service,we will do the best to offer every client a fantastic shopping experience in our store.
Buying used, refurbished or old stock
Because the s9+ is an aging model, condition and purchase protection matter as much as the headline price. Before paying, establish whether the unit is new, refurbished or used; what warranty applies; and whether the seller accepts returns. Ask whether the app can be set up and the robot transferred to your account. Check battery runtime, drive-wheel wear, rollers, side-brush operation, charging contacts, camera mapping, Clean Base emptying and the dock’s bag sensor. Confirm compatible bags, filters, rollers and batteries are actually available from a source you trust.
iRobot’s future availability, support and parts situation warrant extra caution. RTINGS flags concerns after reporting a late-2025 bankruptcy filing; Tom’s Guide has also reported corporate changes, including a 2026 acquisition. These are third-party reports, not proof that support for the s9+ has ended. Before buying, verify current warranty terms, replacement-part supply and customer-support coverage with the seller or manufacturer. Tom’s Guide: current Roomba landscape
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| Alternative | Consider it when… | Trade-off versus the s9+ |
|---|---|---|
| Roborock S8+ | You want better navigation, dark-room mapping, obstacle handling and mopping alongside strong vacuuming. | RTINGS finds it better overall in those areas, while the S9 can collect more debris on many surfaces. If maximum carpet pickup is the priority, compare relevant tests rather than assuming the newer combination model wins at everything. |
| Roborock Qrevo Curv | You want a newer upper-mid-range vacuum-mop with a more automated dock. | Its broader automation may be unnecessary if you only want a vacuum and the s9+ is substantially cheaper. |
| Roborock Saros 10R or Saros 20 | You prioritize current-generation navigation, obstacle handling and advanced dock automation. | These are premium alternatives, not obvious budget choices; the s9+ may still appeal for its focused carpet-cleaning strengths. |
| Dreame X50/X60-series | You want a premium vacuum-mop platform, LiDAR navigation and automated dock features. | A more complex system is not necessary for someone who wants a simple vacuum-only robot or prefers the iRobot app ecosystem. |
| Roomba j9+ Combo | You want to stay with iRobot, need mopping and value better hazard avoidance on mixed floors. | Tom’s Guide notes that its mop pad needs manual removal and cleaning; it is not a fully self-maintaining mop system. |
| Roomba Plus 505 Combo | You want a newer iRobot vacuum-mop platform. | Check current price, features and warranty directly. It is a different proposition from the s9+’s vacuum-only, carpet-focused design. |
| Dyson Spot+Scrub Ai | You want a premium bagless dock and Dyson ecosystem. | RTINGS says the Roborock Saros 10R offers better overall debris pickup and more navigation aids, so compare the full feature set and price. |
Alternative rankings and product details change; confirm current configurations and local availability before choosing. RTINGS’ current robot-vacuum rankings provides additional context.
Final buying advice
- Carpet and pet hair are the priority: the s9+ can still be a strong buy if it is meaningfully discounted, in good condition and covered by a credible return policy or warranty.
- Mixed hard floors and carpet: compare a current vacuum-mop model; the s9+ offers no mopping.
- Clutter or pet accidents are common: choose a newer robot with stronger obstacle avoidance, and still prepare floors appropriately.
- Quiet, low-effort ownership matters: the s9+’s loud dock and recurring bag and maintenance needs are drawbacks.
- Long-term support confidence matters most: verify parts, warranty, setup and service before purchase; the available third-party reporting raises questions but does not establish that support has ended.
In short, the Roomba s9+ remains a capable carpet-and-pet-hair vacuum, not the best robot vacuum overall in 2026. Its value depends on getting the right unit at a price that reflects its age and limitations.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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