Roomba J7+ Combo vs S9+: They are some of the more innovative Roombas, and I will help you choose the one that aligns perfectly with your needs. If you’re short on time, my recommendation leans towards the J7+ Combo for its all-around excellence.
Both share many bells and whistles, such as sophisticated mapping technology, storage for up to 10 layouts, a self-cleaning base, and an app that offers a plethora of customizable settings.
The Roomba J7+ can really mop your floors, even though that’s not great and is just a half-baked approach. Its real standout feature is a front-facing camera that excels at spotting obstacles, allowing the robot to deftly avoid them.
The Roomba S9+, on the other hand, is the first and only Roomba with a D-shaped design. This one also excels in delivering top-notch cleaning results on any flooring and boasts an exceptional ability to avoid tangles.
Roomba J7+ Combo Vs S9+: Comparison Chart
Roomba J7+ Combo Vs S9+: Differences
The J7+ Combo wins 4-2 against the S9+. Let’s dig deeper into my following comparison for more information!
Cleaning Performance
Winner: Roomba S9+
Hard Floor
| Roomba J7+ Combo | Roomba S9+ |
|---|---|
| ≈ 96% | ≈ 99% |
The S9+ proved to be a powerhouse on my hardwood floor, nearly eradicating all debris, thanks to its wider extractors and higher airflow. Meanwhile, the J7+ Combo also demonstrated a notable advancement when compared to its predecessors, the original J7 and J7 Plus.
Carpets
| Roomba J7+ Combo | Roomba S9+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Low-pile Carpet | ≈ 97% | ≈ 99% |
| High-pile Carpet | ≈ 95% | ≈ 99% |
The S9+ once again took the lead when it came to my carpet tests, with incredible scores of 99% on both low- and high-pile carpets. The J7+ Combo is slightly inferior with a marginal variance but still stands as one of the more effective robot vacuums for carpets.
Hair Pet
| Roomba J7+ Combo | Roomba S9+ | |
|---|---|---|
| 5-inch Strands | ≈ 52% | ≈ 89% |
| 10-inch Strands | ≈ 39% | ≈ 78% |
I also tested them to see how much hair they could pick up and resist with 5- and 10-inch strands and then found the S9+ to be remarkably more efficient. Not only did it excel at gathering hair, but its dual rollers also showed greater resistance to tangling. Their extractors are conveniently removable for hassle-free cleaning. The real trouble spot is hair getting caught around their side brushes, and you’ll need a screwdriver to remove them to disentangle hair.
Design & Usability
Winner: Roomba J7+ Combo
Dimensions & Weight
| Roomba J7+ Combo | Roomba S9+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions (WxH) | 13.3 x 3.4 inches | 12.25 x 3.5 inches |
| Weight | 7.49 lbs | 8.15 lbs |
The Combo J7+ is basically the original J7 version with a Clean Base and a mop that is hidden under the top cover and is lowered when needed. There’s no other area to place the pad due to the placement of the auto-empty port below and the dustbin at the back. Of course, it maintains the classic round design, measuring 3.4 inches in diameter.
On the other hand, the S9+ is among the more innovative Roomba and remains the only Roomba with a D-shaped frame. I initially assumed this design would be adopted by future Roomba generations, but it surprisingly wasn’t. The likely drawback of its square front hindering tight-space navigation might be why iRobot decided to discontinue this design despite its efficiency in collecting debris in corners and edges. This one comes with a quite high self-cleaning tower as well.
Extractor & Side Brush
On the underside, both are equipped with a pair of rubberized, bristle-free rollers that counter-rotate to enhance grime collection and reduce tangling, complemented by a side-spinning brush that guides debris into their primary cleaning routes. Spoiler alert: Based on my tests, their performance outshines the majority of single-brush roller models.
Notably, the S9+ positions its dual rollers closer to its unique D-shaped front, as opposed to the J7+’s placement between the wheels. This results in a wider cleaning path on the S9+ and definitely fewer passes required to cover the same area.
Regarding the side spinning brush, the J7+ uses a 3-arm side brush versus the 5-prong one of the S9+. And, by the way, they have distinct tire patterns, and I suspected that iRobot modified the J7+ Combo’s tire design specifically to enhance traction during mopping activities.
Navigation
These petite household helpers are self-propelled and use iRobot’s Imprint Smart Mapping technology to familiarize themselves with your home layout. Contrary to iRobot’s one-run claim for complete mapping, my experience showed they usually require two to three runs for optimal accuracy. The icing on the cake? They can memorize up to 10 maps, which is a boon for those living in multi-level residences.
They don’t really perform as effectively in dark areas, even though the J7+ is equipped with a front-facing LED headlight. Hence, you’ll either need to ensure adequate lighting in the space for better results or consider switching to models that feature laser-based LIDAR navigation technology from Roborock, such as the Roborock Q5+.
What makes the J7 stand out from the S9+ and all older Roombas is its obstacle-avoiding function. The original J7 was the first to incorporate iRobot’s on-board Precision Vision Navigation sensor, along with their Pet Owner Official Promise (POOP). So it’s gratifying to see these innovative features carry over to the J7+ Combo. This technology enables the robot to detect a wide range of objects and avoid them. Even if it accidentally hits pet poops, you have the right to ask iRobot to replace it at no cost.
During a few test runs, I found it to be smarter than its predecessor. I mean, it could detect more common household obstacles than the earlier version—kudos to iRobot for making valuable upgrades. Of course, it’s still not perfect and will occasionally ask your opinion about objects it’s unsure about by taking photos of them and sending them to you via the iRobot app, giving you a chance to contribute to its learning process. Anyway, the J7+ Combo passed my fake dog poop tests with flying colors and not every robot supports such a feature. So, I strongly recommend this one for all the pet owners out there.
Battery Life
| Roomba J7+ Combo | Roomba S9+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Life | ≈ 98 mins | ≈ 38-63 mins |
| Charging Time | ≈ 120 mins | ≈ 96 mins |
The J7+ Combo uses a 2210 mAh Li-ion battery, while the S9+ has a 5200 mAh one. Interestingly, the S9+ has a shorter actual battery life despite being powered by a larger battery. I suspect this discrepancy is possibly due to this one having a higher airflow initially, which could consume more power.
Now, you might be curious why the S9+ exhibits varying battery life in real-world tests. That’s because it has 2 cleaning modes: Quiet Clean (12 CFM) and Detailed Clean (22 CFM). In my experience, the Detailed Clean mode was particularly effective on my hardwood main floor. I found that for my mostly hardwood main floor, the Detailed Clean mode worked great. Meanwhile, the J7+ Combo has only one mode (9.8 CFM).
But does how long they can run between charges really matter, given that they have a “Recharge and Resume” feature? Well, that’s something you’ll need to decide for yourself. I can attest that whenever they run out of power, they smartly navigate back to their Home Bases to recharge before resuming their tasks. And their memory is impressively accurate: they pick up right where they left off rather than starting anew.
Control
Winner: Roomba J7+ Combo
Manual Control
Even though you can manage these robots remotely through a smartphone or voice control, the inclusion of physical buttons on their upper surface is a thoughtful touch. You will find yourself not using them often, but they’re a lifesaver when WiFi is out of reach for whatever reason.
The S9+ has a trio of physical buttons located in its right corner, including Home (sending the robot to the dock), Clean (turning the robot on/off), and Spot Cleaning (cleaning a small zone). In contrast, the J7+ Combo opts for simplicity with a single-button control, which can either start or stop a cleaning cycle with a quick press or send the robot back to the dock with a prolonged hold.
App Connectivity
Now is the time for the star of the show – both can be connected to your phone via the iRobot app for more control. Right off the bat, the app is universally compatible, supporting both iOS and Android operating systems, and comes at no additional cost.
Once connected, you can access up to 10 stored maps of your home’s layout—assuming you have a 10-story building! You have the freedom to partition and label individual rooms for targeted cleaning down the line. Plus, compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Google Home allows you to kickstart or halt cleaning sessions or even direct the robot to focus on a specific room without getting your phone out and opening the app.
Through the app, you can designate no-go zones by using red virtual boxes so the robot will forget them during the cleaning process. Likewise, you can also use blue boxes to pinpoint areas that need spot-cleaning attention. If you own the J7+ Combo, you can additionally set no-mop zones, choose from two cleaning configurations (either just vacuuming or a combo of vacuuming and mopping), and fine-tune the water volume with three different settings. And let’s not forget – you can schedule these Roombas to autonomously clean either the full floor or selected rooms at specific times or days of the week.
The J7+ Combo enables you to review the obstacles they detect and take pictures throughout the entire cleaning process. The app shows carpeted areas it can detect during the mapping run as well, informing it not to mop them during future cleaning cycles.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Winner: Tie
At first glance, I initially thought they shared a 500-ml dust container. But in hindsight, I realized that the dust bin that comes with the J7+ Combo has a 210-ml tank to house water, and water distribution is electronically controlled through the app. Both are also equipped with a HEPA filter. It isn’t washable, and you should tap it over your garbage bin once or twice a month to remove any lodged debris.
While it’s true that their dust bins are on the smaller side and need frequent emptying, you can cross that off your worry list. These robots are programmed to autonomously return to their clean bases to empty their bins and then pick up right where they left off – just like their recharge-and-resume feature. The S9’s base station is taller than the Roomba J7+, but they actually use the same disposable dust bag. It is reusable, but I recommend replacing it when it gets full because, you know, it’s incredibly cheap.
Other Features
Winner: Roomba J7+ Combo
Noise
| Roomba J7+ Combo | Roomba S9+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Working | ≈ 61 dB | ≈ 63-72 dB |
| Self-Emptying | ≈ 78 dB | ≈ 74 dB |
They aren’t really quiet when vacuuming, with the S9+ being a bit louder than the J7+ Combo, likely due to its higher airflow. The self-emptying feature is even louder, so it’s wise to avoid scheduling cleaning during the late-night or early morning hours when it could disturb sleeping loved ones.
Mopping Ability
The term “Combo” in the J7+ Combo name just signifies that it can both vacuum and mop simultaneously. To be frank, it’s just a decent mop but not a life-changing factor – I’ll discuss this in more detail later. It comes bundled with two mop pads, an integrated water tank that’s part of the dustbin, and two specialized cleaning solutions—one for hardwood floors and another for hard floors.
The J7+ Combo’s water tank is somewhat limited in capacity, so expect to refill it frequently if you have a larger area to mop. Once it runs out of water, it’s smart enough to automatically switch to vacuum-only mode. Refilling the water is simple enough as long as you are always at home because it requires manual intervention: you have to take the dust bin and water reservoir assembly from the back of the robot to fill it up.
Interestingly, this one features a smart retractable mechanism that moves the mop pad from its top position down to the base for mopping and then automatically retracts it back to the top when encountering rugs or carpets. I’ve also seen this nifty feature in the Roborock S7, which can also automatically lift its mop pad.
So, how well does the J7+ Combo mop? If you’re expecting it to rival manual mopping or a specialized mopping device, you may be a bit disappointed. It has no vibration element to scrub the floor and doesn’t scrub the floor. Instead, it just drags its wet mop pad across the surface, akin to wiping a surface with a damp cloth. This is just enough to remove small splashes of liquid, lightly de-grease the floor, and stop dirt from building up over time. If you’re looking for something that actually works, I highly recommend the Roborock S7.
The Roomba S9+, on the other hand, can’t double as a mop, but you can buy the Braava M6 mop robot separately and pair them together via the app. That way, after the Roomba S9+ has finished its vacuuming job, the Braava M6 can be automatically turned on to mop your hard floors.
Quick Rundown Of Roomba J7+ Combo
- SMART TECHNOLOGY FOR DRY CARPETS. The Roomba Combo j7 plus seamlessly transitions from carpet to hard floors and vacuums, mops, and empties itself in the same mission without any intervention from you. It cleans your floors without needing to avoid carpets or requiring you to change cleaning modes.
- KNOWS WHEN TO MOP AND WHEN TO VACUUM - On hard floors, it mops and vacuums at the same time. On carpet, it lifts its mop pad safely away and continues with powerful vacuuming avoiding wet carpet messes.
- MOPS THE FLOOR, KEEPS CARPETS DRY. - Only from iRobot, your carpets stay dry with D.R.I. (Dry Rug Intelligence): The Roomba Combo j7 plus robot and Auto-Retract Mopping System lift the mop high away from carpets
- SMART SCRUB MOPS BACK AND FORTH WITH CONSISTENT PRESSURE AND 2X DEEPER SCRUBBING. Some areas of the home need a deeper clean–pawprints in the mudroom, spills under the kitchen table, tiles in your bathroom. Simply enable SmartScrub and your Roomba Combo j7 plus will scrub back-and-forth, just like you would. *Compared to standard vacuum and mop mode for coffee and grime.
- AUTOMATICALLY EMPTIES ITS BIN ON ITS OWN FOR UP TO 60 DAYS - You can forget about vacuuming for months because it empties itself into the Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal with enclosed bags. Dust stays out of sight and your hands stay clean.
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)
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References:
- Roomba J7+ Combo: https://www.irobot.com/en_US/roomba-combo-j7plus-robot-vacuum-and-mop/C755020.html
- 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.