RELEASED 2019.09REASSESSED 2026.09.02

iRobot

iRobot Roomba s9+

Name: iRobot Roomba s9+
Brand: iRobot

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 reduces daily friction. The premium is real and the cleaning is documented.

Autonomy Ladder

Why Level III.

One five-rung scale, every category, from acting only on command to working unsupervised anywhere.

VGeneralized AutonomyAny task, any setting. No consumer robot has reached it.
IVEnvironmental AutonomyCopes with everyday clutter and frees itself, shown by independent testing.
To reach Level IVIndependent testing shows it avoids ordinary obstacles before contact, copes without the space being cleared, and frees itself when stuck.
IIIConditional AutonomyThis robot

iRobot Roomba s9+ finishes whole jobs in a space it already knows, and still needs a person at the edges.

Navigation and control

vSLAM camera + persistent mapping + obstacle avoidance
Why this level
- vSLAM camera navigation + persistent room mapping + no-go zones + app-scheduled returns to dock = Level III conditional autonomy.
- The robot completes routine multi-room cleaning autonomously within its mapped environment but needs remapping for layout changes or seasonal furniture moves.
Autonomy dimension 76 / 100 · 6 sources reviewed
IIAssisted AutonomyRuns preset routines; stalls at anything new.
IManual AutomationOne action on command; no independent operation.

How we assign a level →

Behind the classification

Sources we reviewed.

Provisional6 sources reviewed

Enough has been reviewed to classify, but gaps remain across source types.

Sources reviewed

Firmware release notes1 sourceOngoing

iRobot publishes firmware releases and software notes through its support portal; reviewed on an ongoing basis.

iRobot home support & software updateshomesupport.irobot.com

Specification sources3 sourcesReviewed

Pages the published specifications were read from.

Monitoring record3 sourcesReviewed

Sources behind the tracker entries following this robot.

Also monitored, nothing listed yet

Manufacturer documentationPending

iRobot product page, spec sheet, dock manual

Press & video reviewsPending

Third-party vacuum reviews from major tech and home robotics outlets covering navigation, dock durability, and long-term mapping stability

Owner reportsOngoing

Amazon, Reddit (r/RoombaClub), iRobot forums documenting navigation success rates, dock bag replacement cadence, and corner-reaching behavior on various floor types

Longitudinal signalOngoing

iRobot firmware version history and published release notes spanning 2019-2026 documenting navigation refinements and dock reliability updates

How we evaluate evidence →

Human Readiness

Discontinued.

One question: what does buying this robot today walk you into? The state is computed from the record, and recomputed daily.

DiscontinuedThis robot

iRobot Roomba s9+ is discontinued. Remaining listings are old stock at uncertain prices, which no buying-today tier describes.

Listings under Availability are shown for reference, not as a purchase path.

On the record

Released September 2019; since discontinued
6 sources reviewed

The scale, for reference

Ready NowAssessed, with a clean record on file. A successor may be shipping; the page says so when it is.
New to MarketOn sale under 90 days; the ownership record is still forming.
WaitA successor is announced and has not shipped; re-read the decision when it arrives.
Known IssuesDocumented problems stand on the record; read the case before buying.

How we assess readiness →

Robovations Score

How this number was reached

79of 100

StrongAt or above 95% of the 432 robots we scoreand 92% of the 214 scored robot vacuums

DeficientLimitedCapableStrongExemplary

What moved itpoints gained or lost against a typical robot

Carried by

Software stability100+4.9
Field failure rate88+2.9
Routine maintenance87+2.4

Held back by

Support longevity52−1.0

Capability40% of the score74What it does without you.

Task completion16% of the score80

Evidence

PCMag's hands-on found that with the Clean Base emptying the robot after every session the process becomes "truly hands-free", with the base holding about 30 cleanings before a bag swap. Tom's Guide's own drop tests measured 95 percent of Cheerios recovered on carpet and 90 percent on hardwood, and 100 percent of kitty litter on both surfaces.

Coverage and navigation10% of the score85

Evidence

WIRED reported the smart map was 90 percent complete after two cleaning runs plus a training run, that mapped area stayed "remarkably consistent" over time while run time fell, and that rooms could be divided and Keep Out zones placed and retained. Consumer Reports adds that it learns the layout of the home and "navigated quite well around the obstacles in our lab tests".

Edge-case recovery10% of the score50

Evidence

Consumer Reports reports a staffer running it in his own home found it "prone to getting snarled on the edges of rugs", and the only related feature it lists is "a find mode for when the robot is lost", so a human resumes the run. No fetched text describes the s9+ freeing itself from a snag.

Operating envelope4% of the score80

Evidence

Forbes watched it "back up for leverage and force itself right up onto a high pile rug several times" while other robots "flail helplessly at the first sign of a different flooring surface". BestReviews' test team scored carpet 10 for suction including pet hair and concluded "it can also clean homes of most sizes", though it needs more prep than the j series because it cannot detect and avoid obstacles.

Dependability40% of the score83Whether it keeps doing it.

Field failure rate16% of the score88

Evidence

Seven years of high-volume field record with no recall and no systemic defect. One recurring mode is documented, neither universal nor job-stopping: dock bag failures that occasionally leak dust into the cavity requiring manual cleanup. The evidence is broad rather than retail-only, with four third-party reviews, ongoing r/RoombaClub coverage and a linked iRobot support portal, so no cap applies.

Software stability14% of the score100

Evidence

A strong software record. The evidence_sources carry a longitudinal entry citing iRobot firmware version history and published release notes spanning 2019 to 2026 documenting navigation refinements and dock reliability updates, with the support portal linked, and the record states a seven-year firmware track record with stability and refinement and no major regressions. Short of the top anchor because the corroboration is seven years of owner-forum silence rather than a published independent analysis of update behavior.

Support longevity10% of the score52

Evidence

Scored as commitments, on a discontinued line. It is no longer offered on iRobot's own product page, superseded by the j and Combo series and then the Max naming, and remaining retail stock is clearance and third-party. Clean Base bags, HEPA filters and general brushes remain the widely stocked shared iRobot consumables, but the D-shaped main brush and its side brush are s9-specific parts on a narrower channel. The January 2026 Picea Robotics acquisition adds uncertainty.

Ownership burden20% of the score79What it asks of you.

Routine maintenance12% of the score87

Evidence

Light in kind, with one unscheduled item. The Clean Base evacuates the bin automatically on a 60-day bag rating; the recurring physical tasks are pulling the main and side brush every two to three weeks for tangles and hair wraps and a monthly dock interior and sensor wipe. No water, no pads, no wash tray. Marked down slightly from its siblings because the documented dock bag failures put an unscheduled cavity cleanup on the owner.

Consumables8% of the score66

Evidence

The record carries an owner-reported figure rather than an estimate: (priced by the consumables engine), made up of a side brush at $20 to $30 every 6 to 8 months, a main brush at (priced by the consumables engine), a HEPA filter at (priced by the consumables engine) and dock bags at $8 to $12. That is about 22 percent of a $599 street price annually, or 14 percent of the $949 list.

middle half of the databaseits medianthis robot

Reported, not scoredneither measures how well the robot works

Five-year cost$1,274

Upper third at list, mid-range on clearance. About $599 at current street pricing against a $949 list, plus the owner-reported $120 to $150 a year in brushes, filters and Clean Base bags. No subscription, and mapping and room selection have never been gated on this model.

Data postureCloud-linked

Account required. Maps and telemetry leave the home; core function survives an outage.

What leaves the homeNot documented

Read the full methodology →

FIT CHECK

Will the iRobot Roomba s9+ work in your home?

Describe your home using the controls. Each choice reads the spec sheet for you, flagging where the iRobot Roomba s9+ is built for your space and where it isn’t.

Home size

Primary floors

Mopping needs

You want to…

See every robot vacuum suited to these conditions

A classification of fit for the conditions you set, not a recommendation. Verdicts describe engineering design intent, not test results.

SPECIFICATION

The full spec sheet.

Priced above the category median, with every figure charted against the category below.

Dimensional drawing

Key specificationsManufacturer-published

Footprint: 12.3 × 12.3 in · 3.5 in tall✓
Weight: 8.2 lbs✓
Battery: 60 Wh · Li-ion
Wi-Fi: 2.4 GHz only
Voice: Alexa, Google Home
Onboard dustbin: 500 mL•
Dust bag capacity: 2.4 L•
Dock type: Auto-empty
Threshold climb: 0.6 in✓

Where it lands · ranked across 240 robot vacuumsThis robotMedianTypical range

Suction2,200Pamode not stated

1,000 Pa42,000 Pa

Bottom of range

Runtime120min

60 min360 min

Near median

Price$949

$160$2,599

Near median

Noise70dB

43 dB80 dB

Above median

Charge time180min

90 min420 min

Near median

Weight8.2lbs

3.6 lbs25 lbs

Near median

Position shows where the figure sits across the tracked category, not a quality judgment. Suction in Pascals has no standard test method, and the published figure is a peak-mode claim, so it is comparable only within a brand and generation.

Official referencesManufacturer support Product page

OWNERSHIP

Living with it.

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 per month

Consumables$121 of 2 parts costed / yr

Reliability trend Stableowner-reported arc

What goes wrong · 3 documented · 0 self-recover

Occasional

Dock bag seal failuresDust escapes into dock cavity

Owner fixManual dock wipe-down; bag reseat or replacement

Occasional

Brush tangles on carpet transitionsReduced cleaning, stuck motor

Owner fixManual brush removal, typically every 2-3 weeks

Rare

Mapping loss after WiFi disruptionRobot returns to dock without resuming

Owner fixWiFi reconnection via app or factory reset

Step-by-step fixesWon’t Return to Its Dock or Charge?Brush Not Spinning?Keeps Getting Lost or Resetting Its MapAll robot vacuum guides

Upkeep routine

Monthly12×/yr

Remove main brush and side brush for tangles and hair wraps. · Wipe dock interior and sensors for dust accumulation.

Seasonal4×/yr

Swap the Clean Base bag; the dock evacuates the robot's bin into it automatically after runs.

Yearly1×/yr

Replace side brush. · Replace main brush and HEPA filter.

Cost over time · past the sticker

PurchaseRunning cost

Year 1

$961

Year 3

$985

Year 5

$1,009

$949 to buy, then about $12 a year for the replaceable parts below. Over three years that is roughly $36 past the sticker price. Excludes electricity and any repairs.

What you replace

Side brush
Main brush

Replacement cadence from the maintenance schedule; prices shown where the source documents them.

Safety notes

CautionDock electrical hazard if wet: Clean Base uses standard outlet power; water spillage risks shock. Keep area dry.

NoteBrush pinch point during manual cleaning: Main brush motor runs if robot power is on; disconnect dock power before servicing.

RECORD

How the assessment has moved.

Every announcement, release and reassessment behind the current classification.

Coming soon

Just launched

Active updates

Settled

Discontinued

Aug 2026 · AssessmentRobovations Score rescored under v4.2: 78 → 79
Aug 2026 · AssessmentRobovations Score rescored under v4.0: 76 → 78
Jul 2026 · AssessmentRobovations Score revised 73 → 76
Jul 2026 · AssessmentRobovations Score recorded at 73 of 100
Feb 2024 · NewsAmazon acquisition collapse leaves iRobot s9+ line in restructuring
May 2019 · ReleaseiRobot launches Roomba s9+ with corner-reaching design and Clean Base dock

Common questions

What people actually ask.

6 answered

OperationDoes 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.

OperationWhat 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.

OperationCan the s9+ handle multiple floors if I tell it which floor the dock is on?

Imprint Smart Mapping stores up to 10 floor plans. The robot cannot climb or descend stairs; its cliff sensors detect the drop and steer it away from the edge. Cleaning another floor means carrying the robot up and setting it down, and the Clean Base stays on whichever floor it is installed on.

CompatibilityDoes 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.

OwnershipHow 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.

OperationWill 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.

Availability

Where it's sold

We may earn commission from qualifying purchases. This does not influence classification.

Amazon See current listings

Cite / Embed

Reference the iRobot Roomba s9+ classification.

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Citation

Robovations. "iRobot Roomba s9+: Autonomy Level III (Conditional Autonomy)." Autonomy Ladder™, assessed September 2026. https://robovations.com/robots/irobot-roomba-s9/

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A classification, not an endorsement. It may not appear beside language implying Robovations recommends, rates, or approves the product.

Where to next

Three ways to keep going.

For evaluators

Compare with a peer.

See the iRobot Roomba s9+ and bObsweep UltraVision side by side: autonomy level, Robovations Score, readiness, and price. Classification, not a verdict.

See the full comparison

Or compare with Ecovacs Deebot T30 Pro Omni, iRobot Roomba Plus 678 Combo, Narwal Freo 20.

For browsers

See every Level III.

Every robot we’ve classified at conditional autonomy. Sorted by readiness, score, and price. Filter by category, manufacturer, or release date.

Browse the database

Updated weekly with new entries and reclassifications.

iRobot Roomba s9+

Will the iRobot Roomba s9+ work in your home?

The full spec sheet.

Living with it.

How the assessment has moved.

What people actually ask.

iRobot Roomba s9+ in the analysis archive.

Does a Higher Pa Suction Rating Mean a Robot Vacuum Cleans Better?

Do robot vacuums really handle pet hair? The brush-tangle problem explained

What Repairing a Robot Vacuum or Robot Mower Involves After the Warranty Ends

Other robot vacuums we have classified.

Dreame L10 Pro

Ecovacs Deebot T30 Pro Omni

Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra

iRobot Roomba 105 Combo

Where it's sold

Reference the iRobot Roomba s9+ classification.

Three ways to keep going.

Get the next reassessment.

Compare with a peer.

See every Level III.