iRobot Roomba j9+ vs s9+

By Naila Syifa
Updated September 2023

Roomba recently added a new model to its upper mid-range robot vacuum j series lineup, the Roomba j9+. How does this new model compare to its higher-end counterpart, the Roomba s9+? How do they stack up against each other in terms of performance, features, design, and price? Let's find out.

Specs	iRobot Roomba j9+	iRobot Roomba s9+
	Buy on Amazon	Buy on Amazon
Price	$899.99	$999.99
Dimensions	3.4 x 13.7 x 13.7 in	3.5 x 12.25 x 12.25 in
Weight	8.98 lbs	8.15 lbs
Camera	Yes, front-facing	Yes, on top
Suction	20x Power-Lifting Suction	40x Power-Lifting Suction
Brush Type	Dual Multi-Surface	30% wider Dual-Multi Surface
Edge Brushes	Yes	Yes, with 5 angled arms
Dirt Detect Technology	No	Yes
Dirt Detective	Yes	No
PerfectEdge	No	Yes
2 Cleaning Passes	Yes	No
PrecisionVision	Yes	No
Careful Drive Mode	Yes	Yes
Smart Mapping	Yes	Yes
Keep Out Zones	Yes	Yes
Self-Empty	Yes	Yes
Voice Control	Alexa, Siri, Google Assistant	Alexa, Siri, Google Assistant

Key Takeaways

Roomba s9+ has 2x more powerful suction and 30% wider brushes than Roomba j9+. It also has PerfectEdge technology for comprehensive edge cleaning. However, Roomba j9+ is better at object avoidance with its PrecisionVision Navigation and front-facing camera.

On our list

#1 Price

#2 Design

#3 Cleaning Performance

#4 Smart Features

iRobot Roomba j9+

Advanced Cleaning and Object Avoidance

✓ 3-Stage Cleaning
✓ Dirt Detective
✓ 2 Cleaning Pass
✓ PrecisionVision Navigation

Buy on Amazon

iRobot Roomba s9+

Powerful and Comprehensive Cleaning

✓ 3-Stage Cleaning
✓ 40x Suction Power
✓ Perfect-Edge Technology
✓ Careful Drive Mode

Buy on Amazon

#1 Price

iRobot Roomba j9+

Roomba j9+ is currently priced at $899.99. If you want a robot vacuum with added mopping capability, the Roomba Combo j9+ is also a great option available at $1399.99.

Roomba s9+, on the other hand, is a bit more expensive at $999.99. However. it is often on sale at around $699.99. There is no Combo s9+ with an added mopping capability at this time, but you can also opt for a vacuum and mop bundle consisting of Roomba s9+ and Braava jet m6, which costs $1499.98 as a set.

#2 Design

iRobot Roomba s9+

Roomba j9+ has dimensions of 3.4 x 13.7 x 13.7 in, while Roomba s9+ measures 3.5 x 12.25 x 12.25 in. The j9+ is slightly shorter, making it more capable of fitting under low furniture. However, the s9+ is lighter at 8.15 lbs, while the j9+ is slightly heavier at 8.98 lbs.

Roomba j9+ comes in a round shape like a typical robot vacuum, while the s9+ has a special shape that combines a rectangle and a semicircle. This design helps it clean corners and walls more easily and efficiently, making the s9+ especially good at cleaning edges.

Another difference to note is that the j9+ features a camera on the front side, while the s9+ has a camera on top of the body. A front-facing camera helps the j9+ to better navigate and map your home, including detecting and avoiding obstacles and furniture.

#3 Cleaning Performance

iRobot Roomba j9+

Both the j9+ and s9+ offer a 3-Stage Cleaning System, which combines a Power-Lifting Suction, Dual Multi-Surface Brushes, and an Edge Sweeping Brush to lift, loosen, and eliminate debris and pet hair from multiple surfaces including carpets and hard floors.

However, the s9+ has a more powerful cleaning performance. Its Dual Multi-Surface Brushes is 30% wider and its Power-Lifting Suction is 40x stronger compared to the Roomba 600 series. The Roomba j9+, on the other hand, has 100% stronger suction compared to the Roomba i series. As the Roomba i series offers 10x more suction power than the Roomba 600 series, the Roomba j9+ only offers 20x stronger suction power than the Roomba 600 series. This means, the s9+ is two times more powerful than the j9+ in picking up dirt and debris.

Roomba s9+ also features PerfectEdge Technology for optimal cleaning performance along edges and corners. The robot's Maximized-Edge Design, advanced sensors, and an Edge Sweeping Brush with 5 angled arms allow it to grab dirt and debris from corners and walls and direct it into its path for vacuuming.

iRobot Roomba s9+

Furthermore, the s9+ is equipped with Dirt Detect technology, which allows the robot to recognize areas with a higher concentration of dirt and debris and focus more cleaning power on those areas.

Despite the superiority of s9+ in cleaning performance, the j9+ also has some advanced features that make it an excellent choice for a thorough home cleaning. It features Dirt Detective, which learns past cleaning patterns to create a cleaning plan that prioritizes the dirtiest rooms and uses the most optimal cleaning settings for different areas.

The j9+ also offers a 2 Cleaning Passes feature, which uses advanced navigation to allow the robot to clean your home in neat and efficient rows with overlapping passes for a more thorough cleaning.

#4 Smart Features

iRobot Roomba s9+

The Roomba j9+ and s9+ can learn and map your home, allowing you to schedule specific areas for cleaning and set Keep Out Zones to avoid areas you don't want the robot to clean. The robot's ability to understand the layout of your home also means that you can spot-clean messes exactly where and when they happen, such as cleaning spilled milk under the dining table.

Both robot vacuums also come with a Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal, which enables the robot to self-empty its bin for up to 60 days. This feature makes the task of emptying the dustbin a lot easier and less often.

Another smart feature that both models share is Careful Drive Mode, which enables both the j9+ and s9+ to easily maneuver around your furniture and glide along walls, giving you peace of mind.

iRobot Roomba j9+

Both robot vacuums also have voice control for hands-free operation. Roomba s9+ supports voice control via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, while the j9+ supports Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant.

Roomba j9+ also features PrecisionVision Navigation unavailable in the s9+. This feature helps the j9+ to detect and avoid objects on your floor like shoes, cords, socks, and more, so pre-cleaning preparation will not be necessary. It can even detect and avoid pet waste, which is a great feature for pet owners with pets that may have frequent accidents around the house.