Both the Roomba S9+ vs Roborock Q5 offer similar features, but they also boast distinct differences, and this comparison will show how these differences might influence your choice between the two.
Both have the ability to “recharge and resume” to ensure you don’t have to get your hands involved in recharging them. Plus, when paired with your smartphone, they unlock a range of intelligent features for enhanced convenience.
The Roomba S9+ takes the lead with greater overall cleaning performance, thanks to higher airflow and a self-cleaning base station for hands-free emptying of the bin. Those láo are the main reasons placing it in a higher price bracket than the Roborock Q5.
Roomba S9+ Vs Roborock Q5: Comparison Chart
Roomba S9+ Vs Roborock Q5: Differences
The Roomba S9+ wins 4-2 against the Roborock Q5. There’s a wealth of details to delve into, so let’s read on!
Cleaning Performance
Winner: Roomba S9+
Airflow
| Roomba S9+ | Roborock Q5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Quiet/Low | ≈ 9.4 CFM | ≈ 11.4 CFM |
| Balanced/Mid | ≈ 11.2 CFM | ≈ 14.2 CFM |
| Turbo/Max | ≈ 13.4 CFM | ≈ 25.3 CFM |
| Max | ≈ 16.2 CFM | NA |
The S9+ doesn’t have many power settings for you to choose from, but this bot reaches a very high airflow of 25.3 CFM in its max setting, almost doubling the Q5’s maximum airflow. It is among the bots with the highest airflow I’ve tested to date. Combined with wider extractors, the S9+ performed sublimely on both my hardwood floor and carpets.
Hard Floor
| Roomba S9+ | Roborock Q5 |
|---|---|
| ≈ 99% | ≈ 99% |
Thanks to super high airflow, the S9+ got an excellent score of 99%, on par with the Q5. The Q5 tended to take longer to achieve the same result, but it still got the job done well after all.
Carpet
| Roomba S9+ | Roborock Q5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Low-pile Carpet | ≈ 99% | ≈ 95% |
| High-pile Carpet | ≈ 99% | ≈ 93% |
The S9+ continued to achieve a score of 99% on my low- and high-pile carpets, becoming among the top-performing robot vacuums I’ve reviewed. The Q5 picked up significantly less debris on both types of carpets, but it still achieved above-average scores and outperformed a few robots within its price bracket.
Hair
| Roomba S9+ | Roborock Q5 | |
|---|---|---|
| 5-inch Strands | ≈ 89% | ≈ 79% |
| 10-inch Strands | ≈ 76% | ≈ 54% |
This was also where the S9+’s incredible airflow and bristle-less rollers shone. The Roomba S9+ did an excellent job on both 5- and 10-inch hair, while the Roborock S7 was decent with 5-inch strands but faced challenges with the 10-inch ones. Another advantage of the S9+’s bristle-less rollers is the ease of removing hair wraps without using scissors.
Design & Usability
Winner: Roomba S9+
Dimensions & Weight
| Roomba S9+ | Roborock Q5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions (W x H) | 12.25 x 3.5 inches | 13.78 x 3.78 inches |
| Weight | 8.15 lbs | 7.05 lbs |
The S9+ is the first and only Roomba robot with a D-shape chassis similar to the Eufy X9 Pro, while other Roombas feature a round, puck-shaped body. I wasn’t sure why iRobot adopted this design and then abandoned it forever, at least for now. Maybe they were trying to tackle corner cleaning more efficiently but found it challenging in tighter spaces. Whatever, only a handful of brands, such as Neato, are adapting this frame type for most of their models.
On the flip side, the Q5 features a traditional round design that is characteristic of all Roborocks. Put this one and the S9+ side-by-side, and I found it is slightly wider than the S9+, but the difference is not significant enough to affect its ability to navigate through tight spaces.
Extractor & Side Brush
Another distinct difference is underneath these machines. The S9+ uses a pair of all-rubber brush rollers that span along the square edge, compared to a single combo bristle-and-fin roller on the Q5. The S9+’s dual counter-rotating roller approach not only optimizes debris collection but also makes the untangling process straightforward, thanks to the absence of bristles.
As for the side brush, the S9+ is also the only Roomba with a redesigned corner brush with five shorter arms to reach the edges, whereas the Q5 uses a 3-prong side brush. Their design and diameter vary, but they both don’t spin fast, so they aren’t prone to scattering grime during cleaning, thereby helping with efficiency. My only gripe is that they are bristle brushes, meaning they aren’t as durable as all-rubber ones.
Navigation
Both the S9+ and Q5 are smart-navigating robot vacuums, but navigation technology is the most significant difference between them. The Q5 relies on a top-mounted laser dome (called LiDAR), while the S9+ uses a top-mounted camera (or vSLAM) for mapping and navigation. Both work great, no doubt, but LiDAR is overall better for good reasons.
I could say LiDAR is a game-changer in a variety of ways. By using laser beams for mapping, the Q5 does not need to scout every corner like the S9+, resulting in a shorter amount of time spent on this job. What’s more, the Q5 can draw a map more accurately and doesn’t rely on light, meaning you can run the Q5 in pitch-dark zones without sacrificing efficiency.
So, does vSLAM have any advantages over LiDAR? Well, the only thing is that the S9+ has no top-mounted tower, so it has a lower configuration, giving it an edge in getting under low-clearance furniture. The S9+ also takes the lead in terms of multi-map saving, where it can save up to 10 maps, whereas the Q5 can only remember 4.
Both devices methodically navigate in straight lines to cover every inch of your floor. They aren’t gifted with the ability to detect and avoid obstacles – Just remember this if you have pets still learning to be potty trained or kids dropping Lego pieces everywhere.
Battery Life
| Roomba S9+ | Roborock Q5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Life | ≈ 64–81 mins | ≈ 82–181 mins |
| Charging Time | ≈ 124 mins | ≈ 189 mins |
The S9+ uses a 3600 mAh Li-ion battery, so it obviously cannot last as long as the Q5 with a 5200 mAh battery between charges. But this isn’t much of an issue with the S9+ since this one, or rather, both have a “Recharge and Resume” function. This allows these robots to automatically return to the charging station when the battery is low, and after recharging, they will then resume cleaning from where they left off, ensuring that the entire floor gets cleaned without any manual intervention.
Control
Winner: Tie
Manual Control
Both the S9+ and Q5 share a set of three physical buttons for manual control: one to kick off or halt cleaning, another to send the bot home, and the last one for spot cleaning – all of them are useful if you don’t have your phone to hand or your WiFi network has something wrong. To get all the smart features, you need to download the app.
App Connectivity
The Roomba S9 is compatible with the iRobot app, while the Q5 can be paired with your phone via the Roomba Home App, and they share a long list of features.
After the S9+/Q5 finishes creating the map, you can add dividers to divide rooms and name them by choosing names from a list or using custom ones. Then the room cleaning feature is unlocked, enabling you to clean just one or some rooms rather than the entire floor. This feature is even usable with Alexa or Google Assistant. So just say, “Alexa, spruce up the kitchen,” for example, and watch the magic happen.
Both apps allow you to set no-go zones by drawing rectangles or square boxes to signal regions your robot should steer clear of. The sky’s the limit when it comes to how many such zones you can add, and remember, adding too many virtual boxes may hamper the robot’s route-finding ability.
Another shared feature is the option to set clean zones, which is essentially a spot-cleaning feature. Other things you can do with both apps are check the cleaning history as well as keep an eye on the condition of important parts like the roller and filter.
Regarding the difference, you can set invisible walls on the Roborock app. It’s also basically used to block the Q5 from getting into a certain area, but you use straight lines instead of boxes. It can also display the map in 3D and allows you to track the robot’s location in real-time.
As for the iRobot app, you can enable the “Clean when I leave” option so the S9 Plus will automatically do its work when you leave home. What’s more, you can pair this one with the Braava Jet m6 mop robot right on the app, so it will vacuum your floors, and then the Braava Jet m6 will mop them, all without any intervention from you.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Winner: Roomba S9+
One of the main reasons why the S9+ is so expensive is that it comes with a self-emptying base station, which, as its name suggests, takes care of emptying the dust bin. I don’t know about you, but I don’t like removing its bin and emptying it with my bare hands. This is bound to get your hands dirty no matter how careful you are, not to mention that the formation of dust clouds can be particularly troubling for those with allergies.
The automatic emptying feature, combined with the recharge and resume function, makes the S9+ a fully hands-free robot. I mean, whether you’re relishing a Starbucks drink or engaging in other activities, this one is off playing its own game of “Return, Recharge/Emptying, Resume.” It’s not just a robot – it’s your own housekeeper, ensuring a hands-free experience for you.
The S9+ boasts a HEPA filter that requires a gentle tap against a trash can once or twice a month to dislodge accumulated debris. Meanwhile, the Q5 features an E11-rated filter that should be washed under the tap biweekly.
About the differences, the Roborock app has an invisible wall option, which essentially serves the same purpose as no-go zones, but you’ll draw straight lines instead of using boxes – it is a game-changer for homes with more elaborate layouts. On the other hand, the iRobot app allows you to program the S9+ to automatically start a cleaning trip every time you leave home.
Other Features
Winner: Roborock Q5
Noise
| Roomba S9+ | Roborock Q5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Working | ≈ 62-72 dB | ≈ 59-64 dB |
| Self-Emptying | ≈ 75 dB | None |
As expected, while the Q5 isn’t very noisy, the S9+ is the noiseier robot, especially when it’s in its maximum setting, since it has super high airflow. The process of auto-emptying its dustbin even further amplifies its noise level.
Mopping Ability
Both the S9+ and Q5 have no mopping functionality and are limited to vacuuming. So, of course, they can’t vacuum and mop at once like hybrid robots. By the way, this one can be teamed up with the iRobot Braava M6 mop through the “Imprint Link” feature within the app.
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)
Quick Rundown Of Roborock Q5
- 【Deeper Cleaning with Powerful 2700Pa Suction】: Roborock Q5 is the upgraded version of S4 Max.With powerful 2700Pa suction, the Roborock Q5 easily picks up pet hair, dust and finer dirts from floors or carpets. When a carpet is detected, it will automatically increase its suction to the maximum for deep cleaning.
- 【Convenient App Control】: Control every element of Q5 through the Roborock app, including viewing the exact vacuuming route, setting cleaning schedules, adjusting the suction power, creating No-Go Zones, Invisible Walls, and much more. All from anywhere you have internet.
- 【Precision Mapping with PreciSense LiDAR】: LiDAR navigation creates accurate maps, and Q5 can save up to 4 maps. Use 3D Mapping to view your home in 3D and add furniture and floor materials to recreate your home virtually.
- 【Handle Large Homes Easily】: 180mins runtime using a large onboard battery means up to 3230 sqft of cleaning on a single charge. A Large dustbin (470ml) means less emptying so you can tackle a large home without pause.
- 【Close to Floors】: The multi-directional floating rubber brush stays close to the ground, ensuring effective cleanup even on uneven surfaces.
Product Videos
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References:
- Roomba S9+: https://www.irobot.com/en_US/roomba-vacuuming/robot-vacuum-irobot-roomba-s9-plus/S955020.html
- Roborock Q5: https://us.roborock.com/products/roborock-q5
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.