What to know first
- The iRobot Roomba S9+ is the quieter variant in the S9 line while keeping premium cleaning performance.
- It does a superb job picking up pet hair on bare floors and performs quite well on carpets.
- The self-emptying dock reduces how often you deal with dust and debris day to day.
- It uses a HEPA filter to trap allergens as it cleans.
- It does not have a hazard detection system, so you still need a basic “pick up the floor” routine in mess-prone rooms.
- Expect regular upkeep: several parts need periodic servicing or replacement, and hair detangling is part of ownership.
What the iRobot Roomba S9+ is
The iRobot Roomba S9+ is a premium robot vacuum that’s built around two things: strong cleaning performance and less day-to-day fuss. The “plus” in S9+ matters because it indicates the version that comes with a self-emptying base, so the robot can dump its onboard bin into the dock instead of making you empty it by hand after frequent runs.
This is a vacuum-only robot, not a vacuum and mop combo. That makes it a better fit for shoppers who want reliable, repeatable vacuuming for dust, crumbs, and pet hair, and who are not trying to replace real mopping with a robot.
In daily life, the S9+ is meant to be a maintenance cleaner you run often. It will not replace a full-size vacuum for deep carpet cleaning, stairs, or upholstery, but it can keep floors looking consistently “caught up” so you do fewer big vacuum sessions.
Why it stands out
The main reason to pay for the iRobot Roomba S9+ is cleaning performance. It’s particularly strong with pet hair on bare floors, and it also holds up well on carpets. If your biggest day-to-day problem is that gritty feeling in the kitchen or tumbleweeds of fur along the hallway, this robot can make a noticeable difference when you run it regularly.
The S9+ is also the quieter way to buy into the S9 line. If you like the idea of a premium Roomba but you do not want a robot that sounds like a small appliance running in the next room, the S9+ variant is the better fit within this family.
Finally, it feels well-built for a premium robot vacuum. That matters because higher-end robots tend to be long-term appliances, not gadgets you replace every year. The catch is that “premium” here also means more routine upkeep, not less.
What it is like to own
With the iRobot Roomba S9+, the self-emptying dock is what changes the day-to-day experience. Instead of emptying a small dustbin constantly, you let the robot return to the base and offload debris there. For most people, that is the difference between running a robot occasionally and actually running it on a schedule.
Pet owners should also know what “good at pet hair” really means in practice. The S9 does a superb job picking up pet hair on bare floors and performs quite well on carpets, but hair still wraps around rollers over time. The good news is that you can remove the brushroll to detangle hair wraps. The not-so-fun news is that you will be doing that periodically if you have long hair in the house, shedding pets, or both.
It also uses a HEPA filter, which is helpful if you are trying to keep allergens down while you maintain floors. Just remember that filters are consumables. Keeping performance consistent means staying on top of routine servicing and replacements.
What to know before you buy
The biggest limitation to understand is obstacle handling. The iRobot Roomba S9 does not have a hazard detection system that would allow it to spot and react to obstacles like pet messes. In plain terms, you should not count on it to safely navigate a floor with surprises. If you have a house where cords, socks, and pet accidents are common, you will either need to tidy before runs or choose a robot designed around more advanced obstacle avoidance.
Maintenance is part of the deal. The S9 has several parts that need to be serviced or replaced over time. That is normal for premium robot vacuums, but it is still a real ownership cost and a real time cost. If you want the most hands-off experience possible, newer dock systems and newer robots may fit better.
Also, do not buy this expecting it to replace your regular vacuum completely. Robot vacuums are best at frequent maintenance cleaning. You will still want a full-size vacuum for deep carpet cleaning, edges, corners, stairs, and upholstery.
The specs that matter
This is what makes daily or near-daily runs realistic. You deal with debris less often because the robot empties itself at the base instead of relying on a small onboard bin.
If you have pets, the robot needs to actually pull hair into the bin instead of pushing it around. Strong bare-floor pickup is especially noticeable in hallways, around litter boxes, and near pet beds.
A quieter robot is easier to run while you are home, on calls, or after dinner. That usually leads to more frequent runs and cleaner floors overall.
HEPA filtration helps trap allergens as the robot cleans, which is useful in pet homes and for anyone sensitive to dust.
Hair wrap is inevitable in many homes. Being able to remove the brushroll makes routine cleanup more doable, which helps keep performance from dropping off.
You cannot count on it to avoid the stuff you forgot to pick up. That affects whether you can run it unattended in kid rooms, offices with cables, or pet areas.
Who this product fits
You have a shedding dog and mostly hard floors
The iRobot Roomba S9+ is a strong match because it does a superb job picking up pet hair on bare floors. Run it frequently, let the dock handle emptying, and you will spend less time chasing fur tumbleweeds.
You want a premium Roomba but you are sensitive to noise
The S9+ is the quieter way to get the S9 line’s high-end cleaning approach. That makes it easier to run while you are home, which is how robot vacuums actually earn their keep.
You have carpeted rooms that always look a little dusty
The S9 performs quite well on carpets, so it can keep high-traffic carpeted areas looking better between full vacuum sessions. It is still maintenance cleaning, not a replacement for deep cleaning.
You are busy and hate emptying dustbins
The self-emptying base is the feature you will feel every week. Instead of babysitting a small bin, you can schedule runs and deal with debris less often.
What else to compare
If the Roomba S9+ is close but not quite right, these are the other premium, quieter-leaning options to consider.
iRobot Roomba S9+ FAQ
Is the iRobot Roomba S9+ good for pet hair?
Yes, it’s particularly strong with pet hair on bare floors and it also performs quite well on carpets. You should still expect some hair wrap over time, but the brushroll can be removed to detangle it.
Does the iRobot Roomba S9+ have a self-emptying dock?
Yes. The S9+ variant includes a self-emptying base, which reduces how often you have to empty the robot’s onboard bin by hand.
Can the iRobot Roomba S9+ avoid cords and pet accidents?
Do not count on it for that. The Roomba S9 does not have a hazard detection system to spot and react to obstacles like pet messes, so you will still want to pick up the floor before running it in mess-prone areas.
Does the iRobot Roomba S9+ replace a regular vacuum?
Not fully. It’s best for maintenance cleaning that keeps dust, crumbs, and pet hair under control between deeper cleanings. You will still want a full-size vacuum for deep carpet cleaning, stairs, and upholstery.
Does the iRobot Roomba S9+ have a HEPA filter?
Yes. It uses a HEPA filter, which helps trap allergens as it cleans, especially useful in pet homes and for dust-sensitive households.
Should you buy the iRobot Roomba S9+?
Buy the iRobot Roomba S9+ if you want a premium Roomba that you can actually live with day to day: strong cleaning on bare floors and carpets, excellent bare-floor pet hair pickup, and a self-emptying dock that makes frequent runs realistic. The quieter S9+ positioning is also a real quality-of-life upgrade if you plan to run it while you are home.
Skip it if your home is usually cluttered with cords, socks, or pet accidents and you want the robot to reliably avoid hazards on its own. And if you do not want to keep up with routine servicing and replaceable parts, you will be happier with a model designed to be more hands-off in maintenance.