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iRobot Roomba s9+

iRobot · $599 street (MSRP $949) · Launched Sep 2019

A decade into vSLAM-based navigation, the s9+ is the refined take: D-shape corners where prior Roombas missed, dense mapping in complex homes, and a dock that honestly reduces daily friction. The premium is real and the cleaning is documented.

Level III
Conditional Autonomy
6 sources reviewed ·
Ready Now
Ready to own today
Reassessed
Jun 11
View history
Robovations Score
Capable · 74 of 100
Rescored 2026-06-11
Autonomy73 / 100

30% weight

Reliability82 / 100

25% weight

Maintenance71 / 100

15% weight

Value68 / 100

15% weight

Privacy62 / 100

15% weight

Framework

How we score →

Weighted average of 5 reads, 0–100. Scored from documented evidence — we do not lab-test.

Will the iRobot Roomba s9+ work in your home?

Pick what matches your setup. The fit updates as you go.

Home size
Primary floors
Wi-Fi band
You want to…
How iRobot Roomba s9+ holds up
Home size
Primary floors
Wi-Fi band
You want to…
Specifications

The full spec sheet.

Manufacturer-published values.

Priced below the category median, with noise among the loudest in the class.

Positions are rank within the 148 robot vacuums in the Robovations database.

12.3 in12.3 inTOP3.5 in12.3 inSIDEDimensional drawing
iRobot R7515 · Released Sep 2019 · 8.2 lbs
This robot’s rank in categoryCategory median
Price$599MSRP $949$120$2,399
Suction2,200Pa60036,000 Pa
Runtime120min40350 min
Charge time180min90420 min
Noise70dB5580 dB
Weight8.2lbs3.330.4 lbs
Battery60Wh · Li-ion
Wi-Fi2.4 GHz only
Voice controlAlexa, Google Home
Mapping & navigation

vSLAM camera + persistent mapping + obstacle avoidance

Official referencesOwner manualManufacturer supportProduct page
Lifecycle

The record since launch.

3 tracked events since launch
2020202120222023202420252026TODAY1234
  1. 1
    RELEASE · SEP 20, 2019First shipped
  2. 2
    NEWS · FEB 15, 2024Amazon acquisition collapse leaves iRobot s9+ line in restructuring
  3. 3
    REASSESSED · SEP 10, 2024iRobot s9+ street price drops to $599 as lineup repositioned post-restructuring
  4. 4
    NEWS · APR 20, 2025iRobot sold to SharkNinja parent Haier; s9+ support continuity under review
Ownership & reliability

How it holds up after the purchase.

Owner reports · manufacturer documentation

Seven years of firmware updates stabilized navigation; dock remains the known weak point.

Owner reports across 2019-2026 document consistent vSLAM performance with occasional dock bag-seal failures requiring manual cleaning. No major recall; firmware iterations addressed corner-reaching edge cases.

Owner effort~45 minhands-on time per month
Consumables$130per year, replaceable parts
Reliability trendStableowner-reported arc to date
What goes wrong, and who fixes it
Failure pointLikelihoodResolution
Dock bag seal failuresDust escapes into dock cavityOccasionalOwner fixManual dock wipe-down; bag reseat or replacement
Brush tangles on carpet transitionsReduced cleaning, stuck motorOccasionalOwner fixManual brush removal, typically every 2-3 weeks
Mapping loss after WiFi disruptionRobot returns to dock without resumingRareOwner fixWiFi reconnection via app or factory reset
Maintenance cadence
Weekly52×a year

Empty dust bin before each run to maintain suction.

Monthly12×a year

Check dock bag seal; empty bag when full or monthly, whichever comes first (~$8-12 per bag).

Wipe dock interior and sensors for dust accumulation.

Yearly1×a year

Replace main brush (~$40-50) and HEPA filter (~$25-35).

As neededVariesno fixed cadence

Remove main brush and side brush for tangles and hair wraps.

Replace side brush (~$20-30).

Safety flags
CautionDock electrical hazard if wetClean Base uses standard outlet power; water spillage risks shock. Keep area dry.
NoteBrush pinch point during manual cleaningMain brush motor runs if robot power is on; disconnect dock power before servicing.
Common questions

What buyers actually ask.

6 answered
Operation
Does the s9+ vacuum and mop, or vacuum only?
Vacuum only. iRobot sells the Roomba Combo j9+ (a j-series variant with a retractable mopping arm) as the dual-function model. The s9+ does not mop.
Operation
What is the difference between the s9+ (with dock) and the plain s9 (without dock)?
The s9+ includes the Clean Base auto-empty dock; the standalone s9 requires manual bin emptying after every 2-3 runs. The dock adds ~$200-250 to the price.
Operation
Can the s9+ handle multiple floors if I tell it which floor the dock is on?
Persistent mapping stores up to 10 unique floor maps. The dock must physically stay on one floor; the robot can navigate to other floors via stairs but cannot dock autonomously outside its home-floor zone.
Compatibility
Does the s9+ work with Alexa, Google Home, or other smart home platforms?
Yes, basic commands (start, stop, dock, room cleaning) work via Alexa and Google Assistant. Full control (scheduling, map editing, no-go zones) requires the iRobot app.
Ownership
How often do the filters and brush need replacement, and how much do they cost?
Side brush replacement every 6-8 months (~$20-30); main brush every 12 months (~$40-50); HEPA filter annually (~$25-35). Dock bag every 30 days (~$8-12 per bag). Owners report ~$120-150/year in consumables.
Operation
Will the s9+ navigate around new obstacles, or does it need the room remapped after I add furniture?
vSLAM dynamic obstacle avoidance handles small items (shoes, small toys). Permanent layout changes (new shelving, doorway blockages) may require manual map refresh via the app if the robot gets stuck repeatedly.

More in this category

Other robot vacuums we have classified.

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Provisional64/100Capable
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Provisional68/100Capable
Dyson Spot+Scrub AiIII
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Dyson Spot+Scrub Ai

Large open-plan hard floors, recurring stains, minimal dock upkeep
Provisional64/100Capable
Dreame Cyber 10 UltraIII
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Dreame Cyber 10 Ultra

Multi-floor homes with floor clutter and frequent threshold crossings
Pre-Release53/100Plausible
Cite & embed

Reference the iRobot Roomba s9+ classification.

Embed the Autonomy Ladder™ mark or copy the citation. The mark links back to this assessment and updates if the classification changes.

RobovationsAutonomy Ladder™IIIConditional AutonomyIndependent classification
Citation
Where to next

Three ways to keep going.

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By RobovationsUpdated: Jun 14, 2026
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