Deebot X1 Omni vs Roomba S9+: They are among the most expensive robots on the market, and I’d only advise investing in them if you have significant expendable income. But the most important thing is whether they are worth your money. Yes, that’s a big thumbs up from me!
The Deebot X1 Omni is among the most fully-featured hybrid robots available. With a high-performing spinning mop, a two-way audio-enabled onboard camera, an integrated voice assistant named Yiko, and intelligent obstacle avoidance, the Deebot X1 Omni is a standout in the realm of hybrid robots. But does its impressive spec sheet warrant the steep price tag? Is that enough to justify its sky-high price?
Like its rival, the Roomba S9+ also comes with a Clean Base for hands-free emptying. Its unique D-shaped frame is very effective in cleaning corners and edges, while its dual rubberized roller brush is good at resisting tangles. This one doesn’t have many bells and whistles, but its cleaning performance is very respectable.
Deebot X1 Omni Vs Roomba S9+: Comparison Chart
Deebot X1 Omni Vs Roomba S9+: Differences
The Deebot X1 Omni emerges victorious over the Roomba S9+ with a notable 4-1 lead. Read on for an in-depth look as we dissect the differences between them.
Cleaning Performance
Winner: Roomba S9+
Hard Floor
| Deebot X1 Omni | Roomba S9+ |
|---|---|
| 97 % | ≈ 99% |
Both the X1 Omni and S9+ excelled at picking up nearly everything on my hardwood floor and left almost nothing behind. Those are respectable results for robot vacuums.
Carpets
| Deebot X1 Omni | Roomba S9+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Low-pile Carpet | ≈ 94% | ≈ 99% |
| High-pile Carpet | ≈ 96% | ≈ 99% |
They also had very high scores across the board regarding cleaning low- and high-pile carpets. The Roomba S9+, once again, stole the show, and the amount of debris left behind wasn’t even sufficient to measure on my digital scale.
Hair Pet
| Deebot X1 Omni | Roomba S9+ | |
|---|---|---|
| 5-inch Strands | ≈ 74% | ≈ 89% |
| 10-inch Strands | ≈ 66% | ≈ 78% |
When it comes to hair pickup, both robots delivered respectable, though not exceptional, performances. But the S9+’s dual rubberized rollers emerged nearly tangle-free, in stark contrast to the X1 Omni, where a considerable amount of hair got wrapped around its bristled brush roll.
Design & Usability
Winner: Deebot X1 Omni
Dimensions & Weight
| Deebot X1 Omni | Roomba S9+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions (W x H) | 14.3 x 4.1 inches | 12.25 x 3.5 inches |
| Weight | 9.6 lbs | 8.15 lbs |
The distinction in design between these robots is immediately noticeable. I mean, anyone can easily recognize that the X1 Omni is a silver-topped robot with a hockey puck shape, while the S9+ features a D-shaped frame. They are generally handsome guys with low profile, so they can effortlessly navigate beneath most low-clearance furniture. The X1 Omni’s slightly wider frame can be a hindrance since it tends to get stuck amidst the legs of certain chairs.
Incidentally, the S9+ is iRobot’s pioneer model to adopt a D-shaped frame, which could be likened to a circular disc that’s gently stretched into a squarish form on one side. Combined with PerfectEdge technology, it excels in rooting out grime from corners and along edges. But the chink in its armor is its struggle in tight spaces, and maybe that’s why it remains the only model with a square front in iRobot’s lineup.
And by the way, these robots come with Clean Bases that charge them and empty their dustbins. The one that comes with the X1 Omni can even automatically fill its water tank for mopping.
Extractor & Side Brush
The X1 Omni uses a spiral-bristled brush roller, whereas the Roomba S9+ boasts iRobot’s proprietary dual green rubberized roller brush, which is my favourite. The bristle-free design of Roomba’s rollers holds the upper hand in resisting tangles, while its broader width allows for a more extensive sweep in a single pass.
Focusing on the side spinning brush, the X1 Omni has a duo of 3-arm sweeping brushes on each side to catch things and throw them into the cleaning path. The Roomba S9+ uses a 5-prong corner brush. Paired with its unique D-shaped frame, this one has superior efficacy in collecting dust from corners and edges.
Navigation
These good-looking housekeepers can map out and memorize the layout of various floors in your house using different technologies: The Deebot X1 Omni uses LiDAR technology, whereas the Roomba S9+ uses vSLAM technology.
First off, the LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology regards a laser turret on the top of the X1 Omni that adds to its height and uses laser beams to scan its surroundings during its initial run. This laser-based navigation technology can offer advantages over other sensing technologies, like the camera-based one on Roombas, since it can map out your home faster. Furthermore, it can work well in environments with low lighting.
On the flip side, the Roomba S9+ relies on iRobot’s vSLAM (Visual Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) technology for its primary navigation. Using a combination of a camera and optical sensors, vSLAM builds a comprehensive map of the robot’s environment. Intriguingly, this navigation technology was originally engineered to locate landmines, but now it helps the robot learn the intricate layout of your home.
It’s also worth noting that the S9+ can remember 10 maps at once, while the X1 Omni can only store 3. So when you carry them to another floor and put them down, they’re instantly aware they’re in a new location and begin crafting a fresh map accordingly.
Last but not least, the X1 Omni is advertised as using an RGB camera and 3D structured light to detect objects on the floor and avoid them, just like the Roomba J7+ with its Precision Vision Navigation sensor. So, if you are a pet owner, I highly recommend this robot because of its obstacle-avoidance ability.
To check this lip service, I put the X1 Omni through my obstacle avoidance test, from fake pet feces (made from putty) to headphone cables, a mug, and a shoe. It did an excellent job of detecting and circumnavigating everything I placed in the cleaning path. So pet parents can completely rest assured and let the robot go out to play without supervision.
As for camera-less models like the Roomba S9+, pre-cleaning your floor is crucial before sending it out. Otherwise, it will get stuck on something and move to a new zone or, worse yet, inadvertently drag unsightly messes like pet droppings across your floor.
Battery Life
| Deebot X1 Omni | Roomba S9+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Life | ≈ 62-146 mins | ≈ 63–112 mins |
| Charging Time | ≈ 256 mins | ≈ 196 mins |
Both the X1 Omni and the S9+ come equipped with a 5200 mAh lithium-ion battery. But I found the S9+ to have a significantly shorter work life and require more trips back to its Home Base for recharging, regardless of what mode it is in. Yes, if these robots run out of juice during a cleaning trip, they will automatically head over to the base and resume their duties to complete the task once they are fully charged.
Control
Winner: Deebot X1 Omni
Manual Control
Regardless of how advanced robotic technology becomes in the years ahead, I wager there will always be at least one physical button for manual control. After all, you never know when you’ll be without your smartphone or facing connectivity issues with your home Wi-Fi. Of course, the X1 Omni and Roomba S9+ are no exceptions.
The X1 Omni only has a single button on the top that can be used to start/stop cleaning or send the unit home. Meanwhile, the Roomba S9+’s control panel includes three buttons for specific functions: starting and stopping the cleaning, sending it back to its home base, and performing spot cleaning.
App Connectivity
The initial setup is a walk in the park: you have to use a smartphone to connect to your Wi-Fi network. Once they’ve mapped out the contours of your living space, you can use the Ecovacs Home or iRobot apps to view virtual maps where you have the freedom to segment, consolidate, and name various areas. Then, a plethora of control options are at your fingertips.
As always, both apps enable you to set keep-out areas to keep the robot away from tricky or sensitive zones. You can also send both robots to the exact room where you want them to clean. The Ecovacs app offers the option to create some invisible walls and no-mop areas, whereas the iRobot app offers the ability to create clean zones, the reverse version of no-go zones.
You can toggle between 3 suction modes (and 3 levels of water flow on the Ecovacs app), check out cleaning history, and schedule cleaning. I also loved that both are compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control: It’s incredibly convenient to be able to verbally instruct your robot to start cleaning instead of fumbling with your phone when you stumble out of bed.
Here are three worthy additions that give the Ecovacs app – and, by extension, the Deebot X1 Omni – an edge in this comparative round: 3D mapping, CCTV function, and virtual assistant Yoko.
The Ecovacs app can generate a 3D map where you can drag and drop furniture and appliances into their actual positions. This enables you to give the X1 Omni precise cleaning directives like “clean under the kitchen table” or “clean around the sofa,” all conveniently managed through the virtual assistant.
Speaking of CCTV, you gain a robot’s-eye view via its front-facing camera and maneuver it through your home much like you would an RC car. The app can even save photos and videos for later inspection. This one is equipped with a microphone and speaker, making it possible to chat with anyone near the robot. Driving the robot this way can be challenging, but this is indeed an amusing feature.
Finally, the X1 Omni has its own virtual assistant, and her name is Yiko. Basically, she is an alternative to Alexa or Google Assistant and can understand various languages, including Italian, German, French, Korean, and English. To engage with her, just say, “Okay Yiko,” and proceed with one of the 36 voice commands available in the app (there’s no need to keep the app active to chat with her). But tread carefully—her charming interactions may just make your spouse green with envy!
Cleaning & Maintenance
Winner: Deebot X1 Omni
The X1 Omni’s dustbin has a capacity of 0.4 liters, slightly smaller than the 0.5-liter bin on the Roomba S9+. Their bins are on the small side, but this is much less important since they are self-emptying robots, meaning you don’t need to remove their bin to empty them manually.
As mentioned above, they all come with self-cleaning bases, where they will return to deposit the collected dirt and debris into a disposable dust bag, which only needs swapping out once every one to two months. The base of the X1 Omni is slightly more cumbersome but for good reasons. It looks good enough that you won’t feel like you need to tuck it out of sight, but finding the ideal location for it may present a challenge.
The Clean Base of the Roomba S9+ has a singular function: to store the dust bag. The X1 Omni’s base, however, accommodates a dust bag and two detachable 4-liter water tanks for clean and dirty water. Also, there is a nice little alcove for hiding the robot, tucking it away more discreetly than most home bases, just like a puppy taking refuge in its house.
Other Features
Winner: Deebot X1 Omni
Noise
| Deebot X1 Omni | Roomba S9+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Working | ≈ 46-62 dB | ≈ 63-72 dB |
| Self-Emptying | ≈ 74 dB | ≈ 81 dB |
While the Deebot X1 is certainly the quietest robot vacuum I’ve tested, the S9+ is loud enough to be somewhat intrusive in your daily life of taking video calls, listening to music, and watching TV. Still, they are both too loud when self-emptying their dustbins. In fact, they are so loud that you’d think they are about to take flight, which will terrify your little ones, pets, and anyone else in your area!
Mopping Ability
The mop function is really a big selling point of the X1 Omni. While most hybrid robots out there just drag a single cheap-feeling pad that’s dampened from a water tank for a quick mop, the X1 Omni elevates the game with twin spinning static mops. These pads attach to the robot’s body magnetically, making it a cinch to clip on or remove them.
The Deebot X1 Omni’s dual mop pads spin in opposite directions at 180 RPM to give your floor a nice scrubbing. In my real-world tests, I found this model to easily handle light spills and clean up super fine debris the vacuum inlet missed.
But to handle tougher jobs like dried-up milk or ketchup, mopping by hand is still the best way to go. There is no denying that it boasts superior mopping capabilities compared to most hybrid robots, but it still falls short when compared to heavy hitters like the Roborock S7 MaxV Ultra.
Quick Rundown Of Deebot X1 Omni
- All-IN-ONE OMNI STATION. A first in the industry. After vacuuming, your DEEBOT returns to station and automatically empties the dustbin. After mopping, it automatically washes the mop heads and dries them with hot air. Experience a whole new level of freedom from cleaning.
- 5000PA DEEP CLEANING AND ALL-NEW MOPPING. With superior 5,000PA suction power, your DEEBOT picks debris more effectively from both hard floor and carpets. The all-new OZMO Turbo rotating mopping system works doubly hard in removing stubborn stains and debris, leaving the floor clean as new.
- MAXIMUM COVERAGE, LESS MISSED SPOTS. With TrueMapping, the most advanced laser-based navigation system, your DEEBOT scans home environment to create the most efficient and fastest cleaning paths. Unmatched precision mapping and navigation result in methodical coverage with fewer missed spots.
- SAY GOODBYE TO PRE-CLEANING. Didn’t pick up your shoes No worries. AIVI 3D Technology automatically identifies, recognizes and avoids obstacles above 2 inches in height with the utmost accuracy and precision-even in the dark.
- INTUITIVE VOICE CONTROL. Using your X1 OMNI will feel like second nature. The voice command system makes cleaning your house as simple as saying, “Ok YIKO, vacuum under the sofa in the living room.” YIKO is a natural control system that’s even easier than the push of a button.
Quick Rundown Of Roomba S9+
- A DEEP, DETAILED CLEAN. Groundbreaking technology makes the s9+ our legacy powerhouse robot vacuum. With 40x more the suction power*, the 3-Stage Cleaning System lifts, loosens, then eliminates debris and pet hair from deep within your carpets for a clean you won’t believe — with no effort from you. Automatically increases suction to clean even deeper into carpets with power boost technology. *Compared to the Roomba i Series robots
- EMPTIES ITS VACUUM BIN, SO CLEANING IS OFF YOUR MIND - Cleans up after itself, emptying its Vacuum Bin into an enclosed bag that holds up to 60 days of debris, which means two whole months of not thinking about vacuuming.
- CLEANS WHEN AND WHERE YOU WANT - Only IRobot brings you Imprint Smart Mapping allowing you to control and schedule which rooms are cleaned and when, while storing multiple maps for easier cleaning on each level of your home. Plus, customizable Keep Out Zones and Clean Zones allow you to tell them the exact area to avoid and clean.
- A POWERFUL CLEAN - PerfectEdge Technology with advanced sensors and a specially designed Corner Brush optimize cleaning deep into corners and along edges. Ideal for homes with pets. 40% larger Multi-Surface Dual Rubber Brushes that don't get tangled with pet hair. *Compared to the Roomba i Series robots
- GUIDED BY SERIOUS SMARTS - The s9+ learns the layout of your home and builds personal Smart Maps, enabling it to expertly clean and navigate in neat, efficient rows. Careful Drive Mode detects objects in its path and cleans around them without jostling or nudging. (objects taller than 2.5 cm)
Product Videos
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References:
- Deebot X1 Omni: https://www.ecovacs.com/id/deebot-robotic-vacuum-cleaner/DEEBOT-X1-OMNI
- Roomba S9+: https://www.irobot.com/en_US/roomba-vacuuming/robot-vacuum-irobot-roomba-s9-plus/S955020.html
Richard B. Schmidt is a prominent figure in the vacuum cleaner industry, boasting over 15 years of expertise. Armed with a Robotics Engineering degree from Northeastern University and a Master’s in Consumer Science from Harvard, his unique blend of technical knowledge and consumer insights positions him as a sought-after authority in vacuum cleaner evaluation. Richard’s career began at Dyson, where he contributed to the development of innovative vacuum models. Transitioning to advocacy and reviews, he co-founded the first Vacuum-focused blog in 2008, offering comprehensive analysis and user guides for various vacuum cleaners. In 2020, he founded RoboMop.net, providing ongoing insights through columns and buyer’s guides.