Roborock S7 vs iRobot S9 is too close when it comes to price, and they share a lot of characteristics, such as top-tier cleaning performance, bristle-free rollers for better resistance to hair tangles, and working with a super smart app. Both also don’t have a self-emptying feature, requiring manual emptying.
The Roborock S7 is equipped with LiDAR navigation technology, meaning it can draw maps quickly and accurately, even in low-light conditions. In addition, it is equipped with an excellent mop unit that can be lifted when the robot detects a carpet.
The iRobot S9, on the other hand, excels at cleaning up corners and edges owing to its groundbreaking D-shaped design. Additionally, it can memorize up to 10 different layouts, making it exceptionally suited for buildings with multiple stories.
Roborock S7 Vs iRobot S9: Comparison Chart
Roborock S7 Vs iRobot S9: Differences
The Roborock S7 wins 4-2 against the iRobot S9. Delve deeper into my comparison for a more in-depth insight into the differences between them!
Cleaning Performance
Winner: iRobot S9
Hard Floor
| Roborock S7 | iRobot S9 |
|---|---|
| ≈ 95% | ≈ 99% |
I tested these robots on my hardwood floor and found they both performed superbly, leaving behind almost zero debris after the run. The S9 was a bit better, thanks to its more powerful suction motor.
Carpet
| Roborock S7 | iRobot S9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Low-pile Carpet | ≈ 92% | ≈ 99% |
| High-pile Carpet | ≈ 96% | ≈ 99% |
These vacuums also did an impressive job of handling debris on my low- and high-pile carpets with almost the same results, and the S9 maintained its superiority, securing high 99s scores on both carpet varieties.
Hair Pet
| Roborock S7 | iRobot S9 | |
|---|---|---|
| 5-inch Strands | ≈ 72% | ≈ 89% |
| 10-inch Strands | ≈ 56% | ≈ 78% |
My hair removal tests were where their rubber brushes really shined. The S9 still had better results, picking up a good amount of hair of both lengths, while the S7 experienced some troubles with 10-inch strands. Not every strand of hair collected found its way into their dirt boxes, and a few longer strands wrapped around their brushes. The good news is that detangling these brushes was a breeze, thanks to their absence of bristles.
Design & Usability
Winner: Roborock S7
Dimensions & Weight
| Roborock S7 | iRobot S9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions (W xH) | 13.8 x 3.8 inches | 12.25 x 3.5 inches |
| Weight | 10.3 lbs | 8.15 lbs |
A standout difference between the Roborock S7 and the iRobot S9 is their distinct shapes: the S7 adopts a circular design, whereas the S9 features a squared front. But what implications does the shape have on cleaning capability? Well, the square front and sides of the S9 allow it to excel in cleaning edges and corners, as iRobot calls it, “PerfectEdge.”
Extractor & Side Brush
There is a huge variance with their side brushes and brush rolls. The S9 boasts a pair of broader, all-rubber brush rollers that rotate in contrasting directions. Meanwhile, the S7 marks the first from Roborock to incorporate a single rubber roller instead of a combination brush – but it is positioned between the wheels rather than extending along the square front like the S9.
My real-world tests showed that their brush rollers were highly effective in minimizing hair tangles due to their lack of bristles, albeit not flawless. They can be effortlessly removed to facilitate thorough cleaning as well.
Both are also equipped with a spinning brush to clean corners and along edges where dirt tends to accumulate. The S7 features a 5-prong side brush, while the one on the S9 has five shorter arms. The slower rotation of the S9’s side brush minimizes dust dispersion, while the fully rubber construction of the S7’s brush endows it with superior durability.
Navigation
Both the S7 and S9 are smart navigating robots that move in straight lines for strategic cleaning, in contrast to lower-end models such as the Roomba 675 or 690, which move in random directions. Before they can do that, they have to familiarize themselves with the layout of your living space, but with different navigation technologies.
The Roborock S7 utilizes LiDAR laser-based technology for mapping and navigation, compared to the iRobot S9 with vSLAM laser-based technology. I loved LiDAR since it doesn’t rely heavily on a light source to function properly, unlike the built-in camera on the S9. That means while the S7 is capable of mapping accurately and efficiently in poorly lit areas, the S9 can’t complete the map-drawing phase without adequate lighting.
Another advantage of LiDAR over vSLAM is its rapid mapping capability. Indeed, the S7 was able to map out my living space immediately after the first run, while the S9 required up to four cycles to accomplish the task. The S9 can be set to “training runs” mode via the app, so it doesn’t actually clean, so they don’t encroach on “keep-out” areas using this stage. Speaking of the ability to save maps, the S7 can save four layouts, while the S9 can remember up to ten to prevent cross-influence.
However, these bots don’t recognize objects, such as socks, charging cables, and pet waste, and navigate around them. So you should remove them before the vacuuming process commences, or they may get stuck on those objects.
Battery Life
| Roborock S7 | iRobot S9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Life | ≈ 91-194 mins | ≈ 69–125 mins |
| Charging Time | ≈ 234 mins | ≈ 182 mins |
Both the S7 and S9 use the same 5200mAh lithium-ion battery with the same claimed working time of 180 minutes between charges. My tests show that the S9 has a shorter actual battery life, largely due to stronger suction power, but that doesn’t matter. Both have a “Recharge & Resume” function, allowing them to return to their docking stations to recharge and then continue cleaning from where they left off.
Control
Winner: Roborock S7
Manual Control
The user interface on both is simple and user-friendly, including a few buttons for manual control. I know you will find yourself spending most of your time controlling them remotely via your phone or your voice, but don’t forget that there might be occasions when your phone is problematic or unable to establish a WiFi connection.
The S7 and S9 share three buttons for turning on the vacuum and initiating a cleaning cycle, directing the robot to the charging dock, and executing spot cleaning. The “Spot Cleaning” button, as its name suggests, allows the S7 or S9 to clean a small zone – so you can have your robot programmed to clean an isolated mess in your kitchen instead of conducting an entire cleaning cycle, for example.
App Connectivity
To access more setting options on the S7 and S9, you need to connect them to the Roborock and iRobot, respectively. The range of features is nearly analogous for both apps, but the Roborock app offers more control than the iRobot app.
Concerning the similarities, both apps enable you to view a digital map and partition it into rooms, allowing the scheduling of cleaning for each room at designated times. You can start/stop cleaning or send the robot back to the charging base as an alternative to using physical buttons. These two apps also allow you to observe the ongoing cleaning report and review the cleaning history.
These apps are compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home, a feature I really loved. So you can simply say, “Alexa, ask Roomba to start cleaning,” bypassing any need to interact with your phone. In fact, it’s akin to asking your home to self-clean, which evokes the sensation of living in a smart home brought straight out of a sci-fi movie.
Both apps also allow you to set “no-go” or “keep-out” zones to designate areas where the robot vacuum should not go. This feature is particularly useful for areas with delicate items, pet bowls, or cords and cables that could be disturbed or damaged by the robot vacuum. You can track the status of components like the brush roller, side brush, and filter to know when they warrant replacement.
Regarding the differences, the Roborock app has the option to draw invisible walls, which block the S9 from going past them (just like virtual walls). As you guessed, this option is similar to no-go zones but is particularly useful to block off linear areas like the entrance to a room or a line of tiles that you don’t want your robot to cross. Well, it offers a live map as well, showing the robot’s location in real-time.
The iRobot app has the “Clean Zones” option, which is basically the reverse version of no-go zones. Specifically, instead of blocking the S7 in a few areas, this feature directs it to them for concentrated cleaning. You can also enable the “When I Leave Home” feature if you prefer the S9 to initiate automatic cleaning when you leave.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Winner: Tie
The S7 is equipped with a 0.47-liter dustbin and an E11 filter, whereas the S9 comes with a 0.5-liter bin and a HEPA filter. They don’t come with self-cleaning bases or automatic disposal systems. What you receive is a compact, standard dock solely for recharging—no more, no less. So you need to manually empty their dust boxes when they become full.
Fortunately, both iRobot and Roborock offer upgraded clean bases for the S7 and S9, which automatically empty their dust boxes into disposable dust bags. That way, these units allow for weeks of hands-free cleaning, given the large capacity of these dust bags, which can endure multiple cleaning cycles. So individuals with severe allergies can breathe a sigh of relief!
But the self-cleaning base is a separate purchase or only included in the package with the Roborock S7+ or the Roomba S9+. In either scenario, be prepared to dig deeper into your pockets to enjoy a hands-free emptying experience!
Other Features
Winner: Roborock S7
Noise
| Roborock S7 | iRobot S9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Working | ≈ 57–62 dB | ≈ 60-74 dB |
| Self-Emptying | None | None |
One disadvantage of having stronger airflow is the higher noise levels, which is the scenario for the iRobot S9. Meanwhile, the Roborock S7 is also not sufficiently silent to be operated during the late hours of the night, especially inside apartment-style residences where your neighbors are in close quarters.
Mopping Ability
The Roborock S7 is a vac-and-mop, undoubtedly saving more time than operating two separate devices like the Roomba S9 and the Braava M6 mopping bot. Better yet, the mopping function on the S7 is really a plus instead of just a nice-to-have feature.
I’ve indeed waited for the advent of a specialized mop robot or a hybrid bot capable of meticulously avoiding the dampening of my carpets, and, at last, the S7 is that extraordinary machine. This robot has the ability to discern whether it’s navigating over a carpet, momentarily lifting the mopping pad as it traverses the carpeted area, and resuming the mopping function once it returns to hard-surface flooring.
However, this mop-lifting system still has room for improvement. It can’t save thick-pile carpets and doormats from getting damp during mopping, necessitating the establishment of no-mop zones around them via the app. It would be better if this one could raise the mop pad even higher or put it atop the machine like the J7+ Combo.
And rather than dragging a mop cloth across the floor, the Roborock S7 uses an ultra-sonic scrubbing system: its mop unit vibrates at a high frequency (up to 3000 times per minute), thereby effectively scrubbing the floor and releasing the most stubborn stains. That means you will have a cleaner house with this one.
Quick Rundown Of Roborock S7
- Sonic Mopping Technology. Roborock S7 robot vacuum mops with the power of sound, scrubbing up to 3,000 times per minute. Fed by a 300 ml electronic water tank, stains from coffee to mud and more can be cleaned deeply and effectively.
- Intelligent Mop Lifting. S7’s VibraRise mop lifts when a carpet is detected, so you can mop hard floors and vacuum carpets in a single clean. It also raises when cleaning is finished to avoid spreading dirt, and when docked so you can say goodbye to ugly plastic mats and dirty streaks.
- Roborock S7 robot vacuum is the Winner of 17 Best of CES 2021 Awards, from Business Insider, Digital Trends, Newsweek, How To Geek, and many more.
- Upgraded Brush System. Multi-directional floating brush keeps the brush closer to the ground for deeper cleaning even on uneven surfaces. Roborock S7’s all-new rubber brush is more durable and resists hair tangling better. It’s perfect for homes with pets.
- Powerful Performance. With 580g mop pressure and 2500PA HyperForce suction, Roborock S7 easily lifts dust and hair from floors and pulls it from deep inside carpets. It is the most powerful and the most convenient robot vacuum Roborock has ever made.
Quick Rundown Of iRobot S9
- DEEPEST CLEAN - With 40X the suction power, the superior 3-Stage Cleaning System lifts, loosens, then eliminates debris & pet hair from deep within your carpets. Increases suction to clean even deeper into carpets with power boost technology.
- DETAILED POWERFUL CLEAN - PerfectEdge Technology with advanced sensors & a specially designed Corner Brush optimize cleaning deep into corners & along edges. Ideal for homes with pets. 30% wider Dual Rubber Brushes don't get tangled with pet hair.
- GUIDED BY SERIOUS SMARTS - With vSLAM navigation, the s9 learns the layout of your home & builds personal Smart Maps, enabling it to expertly clean & navigate in neat, efficient rows. If it’s running low on battery, it recharges & resumes cleaning.
- VACUUMS MESSES IN THE MOMENT - Cleaning crumbs is now as easy as “Roomba, clean under the kitchen table.” A simple request to your voice assistant or via the app enables the s9 to clean messes for you, right when they happen.
- COMPLETE CONTROL OF YOUR CLEAN - With Smart Mapping, your robot knows your kitchen from your living room, so you can decide where it cleans & when. & with Keep Out Zones, your robot knows to avoid sensitive areas like pet bowls or play areas.
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References:
- Roborock S7: https://us.roborock.com/pages/roborock-s7
- iRobot 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.