iRobot - Roomba s9 Wi-Fi Connected Robot Vacuum - Java Black
Model: S915020
SKU: 6344783
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Bought this because I had a Roomba 980 previously that impressed me and I wanted to try out the new mapping features. What a mistake, just problem after problem, absolutely no quality control from Roomba anymore. I replaced mine over 4 times not only did they all have trouble mapping with any bit of success they each had different issues aswell. Ghost mapping, mapping through walls, repeatedly hitting the same spot on the wall over and over (and hard sometimes), spinning in circles endlessly, parts breaking/wearing way too quickly, rubber wheels being worn down in a few weeks due to getting stuck or trying to repeatedly push an object, the rubber brushes/rollers get tangled in long hairs and wear down MUCH quicker than my old Roomba's do in the same area. I could go on but I've wasted enough of my time, trusting surely this 4th replacement will work. It seems like iRobot/Roomba's quality control is abysmal, how can you launch an over $1k product like this. I would avoid all iRobot products at all costs. Unless it's maybe a used 980, that thing is a beast on carpet, no fancy mapping features but it just works, unlike iRobot's newer offerings...
Posted by Andy
The robot did most of the job I want it to do. It creates an OK smart map. The noise is not quite high, it is quieter than my Dyson V6. I like it, but it sometimes still got stuck on my rugs and it scratches itself very much. I am not sure if it supposes to keep scratch itself with hitting the wall with its backside. I bought another s9 clean base to make it be able to charge on both my 1st and 2nd floors. The clean base and the D shape are nice. It needs light to do the job which is kind of annoying when you are not home. Overall, I like it but I hope it can improve better with a software update or something. If we can have a live time location of the robot on the smart map, that would be nice.
Posted by ShakehandTW
PROs: - The new D-shape visibly allows for deeper penetration & better cleaning into corners than the previous circular shape--it also sports bigger/longer roller brushes to clean more with each pass - Room mapping & object avoidance was stellar...hugged walls/furniture edges much closer than I expected & managed to wiggle between table/chair legs, underneath couches, between bed posts, around speakers & decor...and the corner brush pulled gunk away from baseboards & actually left the rooms about as clean as I would get with a manual vacuum - Sensitive/responsive front bumpers help prevent damage to items close to the floor...automatically backs up, routes around obstructions, and remembers or avoids obstacles on future passes—very cool! - Shocking amount of suction for such a small device--initial cleaning pass covered 750+ sq feet and pulled up so much dirt I wasn't sure how it still managed to cram it all into the dirt bin - Roomba app gets five stars and a parade for usefulness, user-friendliness & intuitive design/interface--a multitude of helpful status indicators & messages, step-by-step pictorial guides for maintenance/troubleshooting, scheduling wizard for cleaning times and even specific locations if you'd like, customizable maps, power level adjustments, locator functions, tutorials and FAQs...it's quite extensive but not overwhelming in presentation - Charging or attention required (close lid, empty bin, etc.) doesn't cancel cleaning job...returns to its base on its own for any necessary re-charge or to await user intervention and then resumes the last job already underway (unless cancelled manually in the app or at the unit) - Outstanding smart home integration--we added Roomba to Alexa's skills and could then use voice control to clean specific rooms, start a whole-floor cleaning job, schedule new cleaning routine, return to home base when company arrived, play a locator tone, etc.—having so much control without needing the app elevated the “hands-off” experience to a whole new level - Automatically detected transitions between hardwood flooring, carpeting, gel standing pads, & area rugs—you could hear it adjust suction and brush action; never once fell down the stairs or failed to keep moving past shallow flooring features/bumps - Despite (advertised) massive increase in suction power (supposedly 4-40x over previous models), the s9 never faltered on our runners & rugs, even going so far as to back out of situations where a tassel started getting hung up in the rollers—hats-off to the AI programmer - Battery life was very impressive--a single charge lasted more than 5 hours of continuous use that included 3 hours of mapping (no suction/cleaning) and 2+ hours of “quiet clean” vacuuming covering just under 2000 square feet (the app helpfully tells you how much area was covered)...and there was still at least 1/4 charge left when it returned home and it was back up to 100% in less than 2 hours - Dust-bin removal/emptying is an easy, one-handed job: open the top of the unit, lift out the bin by the integrated handle, press the release button once you’re over a garbage bag—this will remove nearly all nastiness that accumulated during the last cleaning run (a more complete bin cleaning that includes the filter will require a little extra effort--see below) - On-board spot-clean button allows for a spiral vacuum routine in any room or non-mapped area without needing to schedule a select/all-rooms cleaning - Maps that are stored on board get more detailed & precise each time the unit does its business but cleaning can handle minor changes in the landscape—even when we trained the Roomba in a location with a large box on the floor, it still vacuumed up the carpet below once we removed the box later CONs: - I didn't get the automatic dirt disposal station, but I can see where once you’ve invested in the s9, you might as well pony up for it—the s9’s dust bin is pretty small and if you have an area requiring lots of attention due to pets, kids, high traffic, etc., you might get tired of all those trips to the garbage can - Speaking of the automated disposal station, that thing better have a jet engine for a motor in it. The design of the dust bin is such that the bottom of the air filter is open-faced against the area where dirt is collected--the tight folds of the filter material holds the dirt in even tighter clumps so you need to remove the filter from the housing and shake/bang the dust off to restore air flow/suction. Those of you with visions of never having to sweep out a vacuum’s dust bin by hand will still find yourselves scraping away dirt clumps & hairballs to get the bin clean again - You can adjust the suction power for “Quiet Clean,” but even then the unit is still a bit loud in operation—unless it’s operating a floor away or behind closed doors, it was loud enough to be intrusive; we couldn’t have it running during dinner, while were in the next room watching a movie, etc. - Okay, this part I didn’t see coming—the air filter needs replacing every few months as does the rotating corner brush; the multi-surface brushes and rear caster wheel also need annual refresh. iRobot sells a kit with 3 filters, 3 corner brushes & 1 main brush set for $75; the rear caster will set you back another $6 (plus shipping). I don’t necessarily begrudge needing to replace these parts given that the payoff is virtually hands-free floor cleaning—I just didn’t know going in that the cost of ownership would be an ongoing burden - The soft-touch plastic finish gets marred pretty easily, especially when the unit is cleaning near/underneath kitchen cabinetry or low-slung furniture like couches or upholstered chairs…after the first use, there was a huge scuff running all the way across the “Clean” button; by the end of the first week it looked like I had dragged the Roomba behind my car. Mind you, it’s just my vanity talking here—but it’s still a mildly disappointing cosmetic development for an otherwise really good-looking robot vacuum clocking in at nearly a grand…and because it needs quite a bit of clearance on all sides for its base station, you kind of need to keep it in the open where others might see it (if stuff like that even matters to you) Summary review: Okay, for our first robot vacuum, the s9 was admittedly an indulgence that went a bit over the top…but man alive, does it do its job well! The new design seems much better suited to corner cleaning and hugging walls than the older circular design, and putting the larger rollers way up front near the rotating corner brush means baseboards & edges came away surprisingly clean. Like any vacuum, stray cords bound the unit up just slightly, but I was impressed to see it back out of the dilemma without any manual intervention. In fact, other than emptying the dust bin (okay, we actually have to do that a lot) and initially putting the Roomba on its charging station, I haven’t touched the unit with my hands since I opened the box. The companion app also has enough features, customization settings, and helpful indicators that you actually feel like it’s a useful and even necessary part of the experience, rather than just an appi-fied wrapper for the manufacturer’s website. Better still, Alexa integration went smoothly and affords you voice control that ranges from utilitarian (“Alexa, ask Roomba to vacuum the master bedroom”) to whimsical (“Alexa, ask Roomba to play dead”—which paused the current cleaning job). As to the unit itself, its methodical navigation routines mean that in open areas, you still get those cool, lawnmower-style vacuum carpet marks where the deep cleaning took place--but the s9 is equally at home on hardwood & tile flooring and the results are every bit what you’d expect from a top-of-the-line robo-vac. My wife actually admitted yesterday that she is starting to understand the allure of what is otherwise a pretty spendy indulgence because she’s noticed she no longer feels those little crunchies and dirt particles underfoot. Given that she normally doesn’t wear shoes in the house, this alone is a glowing endorsement to how well the Roomba keeps our floors clean and tidy. While there will always be those occasions where you simply need a manual cleaning, for regular upkeep, this unit really goes to 11 across a broad range of hard and carpeted floor coverings. My only “complaint” really centers on the price of admission. In exchange for virtually effortless & hands-off vacuuming, I do have to engage in some occasional hands-on maintenance & semi-regular purchases of consumable parts. Knowing that now, I might suggest a slightly cheaper model that provides similar results given that you’re probably going to be buying replacement parts across the entire Roomba line anyway. But there’s no denying that this unit has a more effective cleaning design than its circular brethren—add in the increased suction power, better navigation camera and 3D sensor, better edge-hugging mapping & cleaning routines, and other in-app capabilities that are reserved for the premium-priced models, and you start to understand why and how the s9 commands its premium price. Is all that worth it? Given that my spouse stays at home, the time returned to her by not having to clean the floors, and the comfort the Roomba’s results affords her in our home, definitely make it a worthwhile proposition for me. If you’ve already got your sights set on a unit in this price/performance tier, the s9 should definitely be on your short list!
Posted by WyldeBlue
Customers love the superior cleaning and impressive suction power of the Roomba s9, frequently praising its ease of use. However, some customers point out that the robot can be noisy and has occasional navigation challenges, while others mention issues with mapping and the dustbin size.