Any reviewer taking a closer look at the s9+ by iRobot can’t help but be impressed. This is, by any measure, one of the most capable robot vacuums on the market. The self-emptying feature, along with the suction power and other notable design improvements show that robot vacuums are getting ready to get competitive with upright vacuums.
Features of the iRobot Roomba s9+ (9550)
iRobot touts the s9+ as its most technologically advanced vacuum. They want you to believe that about the only thing it doesn’t do is take the trash out. They may be right.
Dimensions: 12.25 x 12.25 x 3.5 inches
First off, this is a very sexy looking vacuum. Yes, I just called a vacuum sexy. The copper top, low profile and sleek charging station are head turners.
The redesign is interesting. Instead of a standard round robot vacuum, the s9+ has a D-shape. This allows it to sneak deeper into corners where the usual round robotic vacuums can’t go.
The AntiAllergen system prevents the Roomba from shooting debris back into the air. This gives your rooms a much cleaner feeling. How many times have you vacuumed and then felt like you were going to have to dust again because of all of the fine particles that came out of the exhaust fan? This is real game changing design.
Dustbin Capacity: 550 ml
You can access this from the top of the vacuum. The filter is on the top and the dustbin can be emptied by hand. A push button mechanism releases the enclosure.
If you hate to vacuum because you know you’ll eventually have to empty it, this is the vacuum for you.
The s9+ is a self-emptying robotic vacuum. You can go for up to 60 days before having to deal with disposal. The dustbin is emptied into disposable AllergenLock bags. That means you won’t have to wear a mask when pulling out the debris.
Brushes: Three
The main suction area along with the dual rubber brush rollers are now closer to the front. This only makes sense and I’m surprised more vacuums don’t take advantage of this design. It’s also thirty percent wider than the previous model. Very little hair gets left behind or tangled in this dual brush design. You’ll still have to watch out for hair collecting on the axle area.
iRobot PerfectEdge Technology with a “Corner Brush” The edge brushes have been redesigned as well. Reduced RPMs on the edge brush means the s9+ doesn’t scatter debris before it sucks it up like it used to do.
Click Here to Learn More About the iRobot Roomba s9+ (9550) on Amazon
Charging: Charging Station
This is where you’ll need a little more head room for your robot vac as the base stands at just over 19 inches high.
The Clean Base™ Automatic Dirt Disposal charger holds the bags where the dustbin discharges its contents.
The s9+ will empty its contents about thirty times before you’ll have to grab the bag and toss it out.
You’ll need 1.5 feet of room on both sides of the station, 4 feet in front and you’ll also need to keep the station at least 4 feet away from any stairs.
Battery: 3300mAh Lithium-ion
It has a recharge and resume feature. If the battery starts to run low, it will go back to the base, recharge and then head back to where it left off to finish the cleaning session.
The charge time is three to four hours.
If the s9+ has an Achilles, it’s the battery. For all it does, the batteries not only need to be charged often, they seem to permanently die out quickly.
Power: 2500Pa
That’s a massive power number which partly explains the short battery life. It also explains how this vacuum rises to the top of everyone’s Top 10 List. It simply picks up more dirt.
The two power modes are Quiet clean or Max Power. Max is what most people use as Quiet doesn’t have anywhere near the same suction power.
Runtime: Average is 75 Minutes
Runtimes are a little light but with the recharge and resume feature, it’s something the vacuum can handle.
Max Power suction stalls out at 50 minutes.
Quiet Clean suction can go for 120 minutes. This isn’t bad but the problem is that low suction isn’t even worth running unless you’re doing more like a quick touch up before company arrives.
Cleaning Modes: Standard, Spot, Dirt Detection
The iRobot Roomba s9+ (9550) runs in an up and back pattern. It has a Dirt Detection feature through its camera sensors. When it comes across a mess, it will work the area until it’s cleared and then resume its normal path.
You can also have it clean a mess with a Spot clean feature. Just send the vacuum to the area and tap the Spot button. The Roomba will then clean that area.
Click Here to Learn More About the iRobot Roomba s9+ (9550) on Amazon
Sensors: LIDAR (Infrared)/Cameras
The vSLAM technology is one of the most advanced in the industry. Cameras assess the room and the infrared sensors negotiate around objects, even in very low light situations.
It’s another reason the battery life is so suspect.
Anti-Drop Sensor: The vSLAM technology will ensure that the s9+ doesn’t fall downstairs.
Control Interface: Phone App, Voice Command or Remote Control
The iRobot Roomba s9+ (9550) can be controlled with iRobot Home App, Google Assistant or Alexa.
It includes the popular vSLAM navigation system. Creates Smart Maps for every room. This technology allows you to create voice commands like, “Roomba, clean the Great room.”
The app allows you to completely customize the cleaning schedule and designated rooms.
It can also map objects. If there’s a particular place that needs cleaning more often than the rest of the house, such as getting up the glitter underneath the craft table, you can command it to clean there.
It has Keep Out Zones and will work with Dual mode virtual boundaries. This will keep the s9+ from accidentally scooping up pieces of Grandpa’s model tank that he dropped on the floor. You can also keep it from getting stuck under that futon in the guest room by simply drawing a barrier around it in the app.
It stores ten floor plans in memory.
It has a recharge and resume feature. If the battery starts to run low, it will go back to the base, recharge and then head back to where it left off to finish the cleaning session.
The Self-adjusting cleaning head ensures that it tracks at the proper height every time.
You’ll need a solid Wi-Fi connection for this vacuum to work the way it should.
This also works with the Braava jet m6 robot mop with the Imprint Link Technology. This is a great tag-team duo. Once the s9+ has done its job, the Braava will take over and mop your floors.
Warranty: The iRobot Roomba s9+ (9550) comes with a one year warranty.
Click Here to Learn More About the iRobot Roomba s9+ (9550) on Amazon
Feedback on the iRobot Roomba s9+ (9550) Robot Vacuum
What Consumers Like
There’s some speculation that some reviewers believe the s9+ is smarter than other members of their household. The Keep Out Zones, Smart Mapping and self-empty feature have won over their hearts.
Drawbacks
It’s currently the highest priced robotic vacuum on the market. One of the most popular questions on Amazon is if it comes with a house.
It’ll negotiate transitions but may leave a little debris near the edge since it can’t get a good seal for suction.
The battery life is suspect, especially since running the s9+ on Low isn’t even worth the effort.
Our Thoughts
The deep cleaning results are spectacular. These robot vacuums are finally figuring out how to (gasp) clean carpets.
We were wowed by the results on all surfaces and just fell in love with the app.
Minimal interaction with the dustbin, rollers and all of that dirt was heavenly.
Yes, it is a pricey vacuum but you do get what you pay for. Calculate out how many hours you would spend on vacuuming and how much you’re paying for a vacuum that can get most of the heavy lifting (and unloading) done for you.
We’re convinced that the iRobot s9+ is the shape of things to come and would recommend you give this robot vacuum serious consideration.
Click Here to Learn More About the iRobot Roomba s9+ (9550) on Amazon
Resources
As you would expect, iRobot spends a lot of time and effort to keep their customers happy. There are a lot of ways to get answers to your questions and find replacement parts for your cleaning partner.
Manuals for the s9+ Vacuum
You can download the User Guide here.
Tech Support
Online Support
Visit www.irobot.com for answers to questions and to find replacement parts.
This information can also be found in the iRobot HOME App.
Phone Support
Call their Customer Care team at (877) 855-8593.
Monday to Friday, 9AM – 9PM Eastern Time
Saturday and Sunday 9AM – 6PM Eastern Time
