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Roomba S9+ vs. S9 vs. i7+ vs. i7 vs. e5

Derek Hales

Written By: Derek Hales

Updated on:

Within the past year, Roomba has been busy, releasing a number of new models with innovative capabilities. The newest launched Roomba models include: Roomba S9+, Roomba S9, Roomba i7+, Roomba i7, and the Roomba e5.

Roomba S Plus Vs S Vs I Plus Vs I Vs E
It’s Roomba S9+ vs. S9 vs. i7+ vs. i7 vs. e5 – what’s the best iRobot robot vacuum?

This guide is going to be looking at these newest models to explore similarities, differences, and which models are the best value.

There’s a lot to cover within these models so let’s go ahead and dive in.

The chart below is a full comparison of the Roomba S9+ vs. S9 vs. i7+ vs. i7 vs. e5.

Roomba S Robot Vacuum Overall
Roomba S9+
  • Cleaning: 99%
  • Runs: 75 mins.
  • Recharge & Resume? Yes
  • Smart Maps: Yes
  • Empties bin? Yes
Roomba S Robot Vacuum Thumb
Roomba S9
  • Cleaning: 99%
  • Runs: 75 mins.
  • Recharge & Resume? Yes
  • Smart Maps: Yes
  • Empties bin? No
Roomba I Robot Vacuum Product Small
Roomba i7+
  • Cleaning: 99%
  • Runs: 75 mins.
  • Recharge & Resume? Yes
  • Smart Maps: Yes
  • Empties bin? Yes
Roomba I Robot Vacuum Thumb
Roomba i7
  • Cleaning: 99%
  • Runs: 75 mins.
  • Recharge & Resume? Yes
  • Smart Maps: Yes
  • Empties bin? No
Roomba E Robot Vacuum Thumbnail
Roomba e5
  • Cleaning: 99%
  • Runs: 90 mins.
  • Recharge & Resume? No
  • Smart Maps: No
  • Empties bin? No

RELATED – Want to see how the S9+, i7+, and e5 compare to other Roomba models? See our deep dive Roomba reviews comparison here.

What’s New From Roomba?

All of these models listed above represent the best-of-the-best that Roomba currently has to offer. There are a few similarities that these models share and a few differences that only particular models share.

Roomba E Logo

Some of the newest and best features that these new releases offer include:

  • D-shaped body style: allows for better cleaning at corners and edges as well as a wider cleaning path (Roomba S9+ and Roomba S9 only)
  • Imprint smart mapping: allows for zoned cleaning and advanced digital cleaning reports and maps (Roomba S9 series or Roomba i7 series only)
  • Self-emptying dust bin: debris bag integrated into CleanBase charger which can hold up to 30 loads of debris from the on-board vacuum dust bin (Roomba S9+ and Roomba i7+ only)
  • Imprint Link: enables pairing between robot vacuum and mopping robot, the Braava Jet m6 (Roomba S9 series or Roomba i7 series only)
  • More efficient filter: uses a smaller, more efficient version of the AeroForce filter as well as a washable dust bin for improved filtration (all models listed in this guide)
  • New brushroll and lime green accents: slight redesign to the brushroll and spinning side brushes as well as an update to the aesthetic (all models listed in this guide)

Below, we’ve included additional details about the similarities and differences of each model.

Roomba S9+ vs. S9

The Roomba S9+ and Roomba S9 are the newest models to hit the Roomba lineup, and bring a number of unique features to the table.

These two vacuums represent the best that Roomba currently has to offer.

Roomba S Robot Vacuum Overall
Roomba S9+
  • Cleaning: 99%
  • Runs: 75 mins.
  • Recharge & Resume? Yes
  • Smart Maps: Yes
  • Empties bin? Yes
Roomba S Robot Vacuum Thumb
Roomba S9
  • Cleaning: 99%
  • Runs: 75 mins.
  • Recharge & Resume? Yes
  • Smart Maps: Yes
  • Empties bin? No

Pros

  • D-shaped body style offers improved cleaning performance
  • Wider cleaning path
  • Imprint smart mapping + link technology

Cons

  • Expensive price point

Roomba S9+ / S9 Design

The design of the S9+ and S9 is pretty unique compared to previous Roomba models, for a number of reasons. Some of the highlighted features are listed below:

D-Shaped Body

The Roomba S9+ and Roomba S9 are currently the only two Roomba models that have a D-shaped body style. This shape is designed to have better cleaning performance along edges and corners while also navigating more efficiently.

The D-shaped body also allows for a wide brushroll, since the brushroll is located closer to the front of the vacuum instead of being positioned between the wheels.

Roomba S9 underside
Roomba S9 underside

The S9+ and Roomba S9 also come integrated with Imprint technology, which includes two parts:

  1. Imprint Smart Mapping
  2. Imprint Link

Imprint Smart Mapping allows these vacuums to create digital maps of your space. The S9+ and S9 also have the ability to set up advanced Zoned Cleaning.

The Imprint Link technology pairs the Roomba robot vacuum with the new Braava Jet m6 mopping robot (read our Braava m6 review). If you are interested in a duo mop / robot team that works together, Imprint Link technology lets these two devices alternate which one cleans which spaces.

First, the Roomba S9 will clean the space. When it is done, the vacuum can digitally communicate with the m6 mopping robot to let it know what it is time for mopping.

October 2019 Update – several weeks ago iRobot released an update for s, i, m, and 900 series robots, allowing these models to now take advantage of Keep Out Zones. These keep out zones can prevent Roomba from entering certain rooms or areas of your home. You can activate Keep Out Zones via the iRobot app.

App Control

The Roomba S9 and S9+ can both be controlled via app when connected to a wifi network. The app control works the same as other app-controlled Roombas, like the Roomba 980, Roomba 690 or the Roomba 675.

iRobot Roomba smartphone app
iRobot Roomba smartphone app

How big is the Roomba S9?

The Roomba S9 and Roomba S9+ both have the same size body. The robot vacuum is:

  • 12.25″ diameter
  • 3.5″ tall
  • 8.15 pounds
iRobot Roomba S9+ size dimensions

The charging base on the Roomba S9+ is the CleanBase charger, which is:

  • 19″ tall
  • 15″ deep
  • 12″ wide
Roomba S Robot Vacuum Cleaning
Roomba S9+ parked at CleanBase

The charging base on the Roomba S9 is the standard low-profile charger, which is:

  • 3.5″ tall
  • 5.75″ deep
  • 5.5″ wide
Charger included with the Roomba vacuums
Standard Roomba charger

How long can the Roomba S9+ / S9 run?

The Roomba S9+ and S9 both have a run time of 75 minutes per cleaning cycle.

These models are also equipped with Recharge & Resume which allows for two additional cleaning cycles within a single run.

Roomba S Robot Vacuum Front View
Front view of the Roomba S9+ robot vacuum

This increases the combined run time to up to 225 minutes, spread out over 3 separate cycles.

Roomba S9+ / S9 Differences

The main difference between the Roomba S9+ and the S9 is the charging base. The charging base on the S9+ is the CleanBase, which has the ability to automatically empty the dust bin as it fills up.

Roomba S Robot Vacuum At Charging Base
Roomba S9+ at charging station with CleanBase

There is a disposable dust bag designed into the CleanBase. When the robot vacuum docks back at the base, suction power relocates the debris from the dust bin canister on-board the vacuum into the dust bag in the charging base.

Roomba i7+ robot vacuum Clean Base charging station
Diagram of how the CleanBase works
Bag that sits inside of the Roomba i7+ charging base
Detail shot of the dust bag that comes with the i7+ / S9+ CleanBase

The CleanBase can store up to 30 loads of debris from the robot vacuum itself before needing to be emptied.

RELATED What’s the best vacuum? Modern Castle answers.

Roomba S9+ / S9 Cleaning Performance

The Roomba S9+ and S9 models are new to the robot vacuum market and have not gone through the complete Modern Castle testing process.

That being said, we have run complete tests on comparable models, like the Roomba i7+ and Roomba i7.

Roomba S Robot Vacuum Edge Cleaning
Roomba S9+ edge cleaning

According to Roomba, the S9 has 40x the suction power (of the Roomba 600 series) while the Roomba i7 has 10x the suction power.

For this reason, we would expect the cleaning performance of the S9 to be as good, if not better than the performance of the i7.

But I’ve got to admit… the cleaning scores for the Roomba were near perfect all ready so I’m not sure the higher suction power would have even been that noticeable in our cleaning tests.

For reference, the results of the Roomba i7+ cleaning test are listed below:

Overall

99%

Hardwoods

99%

Low Carpet

99%

High Carpet

99%

Roomba i7+ hardwood cleaning performance test
Roomba i7+ hardwood cleaning performance test

RELATED – See our complete Roomba S9+ review here.

Roomba i7+ vs. i7

The Roomba i7 series are two vacuums that were released before the Roomba S9 series. Unlike the S9 which has the D-shaped body style, the Roomba i7 series still has the classic round body style.

Features also vary between the these two different series types. Let’s jump in.

Roomba I Robot Vacuum Product Small
Roomba i7+
  • Cleaning: 99%
  • Runs: 75 mins.
  • Recharge & Resume? Yes
  • Smart Maps: Yes
  • Empties bin? Yes
Roomba I Robot Vacuum Thumb
Roomba i7
  • Cleaning: 99%
  • Runs: 75 mins.
  • Recharge & Resume? Yes
  • Smart Maps: Yes
  • Empties bin? No

Top Features

  • Excellent cleaning performance on all floor types
  • Imprint smart mapping + link technology

Cons

  • Expensive price point

Roomba i7+ / i7 Design

The design of the Roomba i7+ has the traditional round body with a central “CLEAN” button located in the middle of the vacuum with smaller buttons to the right and left (one for Spot Cleaning and one for to send to the charger).

Roomba i7+ robot vacuum
Roomba i7+ robot vacuum

Imprint Technology

The Roomba i7 series has the same Imprint smart mapping and Imprint link technology as what is on the Roomba S9. This technology allows for zoned cleaning cycles and improved navigation.

Imprint Link technology makes it easy to use the Roomba i7+ or Roomba i7 in conjunction with the Braava Jet m6 mopping robot.

iRobot Braava m6 mopping robot cleaning mode
iRobot Braava m6 mopping robot cleaning mode

App Control

Like the Roomba S9, the Roomba i7+ can be controlled from a wifi-based app, accessible from any smartphone. It uses the same iRobot Home app as the S9 series and other Roomba models.

From the app, you can:

  • Schedule a cleaning
  • View digital map
  • Set up cleaning zones
  • See cleaning performance
iRobot Roomba App
iRobot Roomba App (3 primary screens)

How big is the Roomba i7+ / i7?

The Roomba i7+ and i7 robot vacuums have the same size body and the classic round Roomba shape.

The Roomba i7+ and Roomba i7 are both:

  • 13.34″ diameter
  • 3.63″ tall
  • 7.44 pounds
Size and dimensions of the Roomba i7+ robot vacuum
Roomba i7 / i7+

How long can the Roomba i7+ / i7 run?

Similar to the Roomba S9 series, the Roomba i7+ series can run for up to 75 minutes for each cleaning cycle. It also has Recharge & Resume which allows it to run for two additional cycles (returning to the last spot it cleaned each time).

Recharge & Resume combined with digital smart mapping, the Roomba i7 series is able to more efficiently clean the entire space.

Roomba i7+ / i7 Differences

Similar to the Roomba S9+ and Roomba S9, the i7+ and i7 Roombas have one main difference.

The charging base.

Roomba I Robot Vacuum Product
Self-emptying CleanBase charger
(comes with the Roomba i7+)
Charger included with the Roomba vacuums
Standard charger
(comes with the Roomba i7)

The Roomba i7+ comes with the larger CleanBase charging base (specs listed above) and the Roomba i7 comes with the standard low-profile charging base.

The CleanBase charger is significantly taller than the standard charging base and also has the on-board dust bag, which can hold up to 30 loads of debris from the on-board dust bin on the vacuum itself.

RELATED – See our full list of Robot vacuum reviews here.

Roomba i7+ / i7 Cleaning Performance

The cleaning performance of the Roomba i7+ / i7 is exceptional across all floor types. Compared to the Roomba S9 it does have less powerful suction (40x on the S9 vs. 10x on the i7 — compared to the Roomba 600 series).

Roomba i7+ cleaning hardwood floors

That being said, during our cleaning tests we found that the suction was more than enough to capture any debris type we tested.

The full results of the Roomba i7+ cleaning tests are listed below:

Overall

99%

Hardwoods

99%

Low Carpet

99%

High Carpet

99%

Roomba i7+ hardwood cleaning performance test
Roomba i7+ hardwood cleaning performance test
Roomba i7+ high carpet cleaning performance test
Roomba i7+ high carpet cleaning performance test

RELATED See our complete Roomba i7+ review for more information, in addition to our extended testing data.

Roomba S9 vs. Roomba i7 Differences

Wondering about differences between the newest Roomba S9 and the slightly older Roomba i7?

Roomba S9

Roomba S Robot Vacuum Thumb

Roomba i7

Roomba I Robot Vacuum Thumb

The main differences between the S9 vs. i7 models are:

  • BODY STYLE: The Roomba S9 has a D-shaped body while the Roomba i7 has the standard round Roomba body style.
  • SUCTION POWER: The Roomba S9 has 40X the suction power (compared to the Roomba 600 series) while the Roomba i7 has only 10X the suction power.
  • SPINNING BRUSH: The spinning brush on the S9 is located right at the corner and is designed specifically for cleaning corners, with shorter bristles. The spinning brush on the i7 has longer bristles to help capture more debris and pull it into the cleaning path of the central brushroll.

Roomba e5

The Roomba e5 is one of the newly released models that comes in as more of a budet choice compared to the i7 and S9 series.

This robot vacuum does not have the option to include the self-emptying CleanBase charging station, but it does have a number of nice features and is an excellent value.

Roomba e5 cleaning cereal on hardwood floor
Roomba e5 robot vacuum cleaning mode

Pros

  • More reasonably priced than the S9 or i7 series
  • Great cleaning performance on all floor types

Cons

  • No on-board camera so the performance of the navigation may be slightly diminished
  • No Recharge & Resume function

Roomba e5 Design

The Roomba e5 has the classic round body style with familiar button controls and wifi connectivity.

Roomba E

Like the Roomba i7, there is a central “CLEAN” button with smaller buttons on each side – one for Spot Cleaning and one to send the vacuum back to the charger.

There is no on-board camera on the Roomba e5.

The bottom of the e5 contains the rolling brushes, wheels, spinning brush, and dustbin
For comparison, here is the old brushroll style, located between the wheels.

Also similar to the i7, the brushrolls are located between the two large wheels, resulting in a narrower cleaning path than the Roomba S9, but still powerful performance.

App Control

Despite the lower price point, the Roomba e5 does have app-based control when paired with a local wifi network.

The app allows you to schedule a cleaning and start / pause a cycle.

The Roomba e5 does not have Imprint technology so there is no digital mapping or the ability to pair the e5 with any robot mop, like the Braava Jet m6.

How big is the Roomba e5?

The Roomba e5 is:

  • 13.3″ diameter
  • 3.6″ tall
  • 7.2 pounds
Size and dimensions of the Roomba e5
Size of the Roomba e5 robot vacuum

Roomba e5 Cleaning Performance

The cleaning performance of the Roomba e5 was excellent across all flooring types, capturing between 98-100% of each debris tested.

We ran a total of 12 cleaning tests, 4 on hardwood, 4 on low pile carpet, and 4 on high pile carpet. We tested the e5’s ability to clean cereal, rice, kitty litter, and sugar for a wide variety of debris sizes and densities.

Full cleaning results for the Roomba e5 are listed below:

Overall

99%

Hardwoods

100%

Low Carpet

99%

High Carpet

99%

Roomba e5 hardwood cleaning performance test
Roomba e5 hardwood cleaning performance test
Roomba e5 high carpet cleaning tests
Roomba e5 high carpet cleaning tests

RELATED See our complete Roomba e5 review for more information, as well as our complete testing data.

Which Roomba Should You Buy?

So overall which of these newly released models is right for you? Based on what exactly you’re looking for, one of the models listed below could be best for you.

You should buy the Roomba S9 if you…

  • Want a D-shaped body style: The Roomba S9 is the only current robot vacuum with a D-shaped body style. The D-shaped body makes it easier to clean along edges and corners.
  • Want a wider cleaning path: The D-shaped body also allows for a wider cleaning path since the brushroll does not have to be positioned in between the wheels. This could mean shorter cleaning cycles since it can clean a larger area with each pass.
Roomba S Robot Vacuum Thumb

For more information on the Roomba S9, check it out here.

You should buy the Roomba i7 if you…

  • Want Imprint technology: Smart mapping, zoned cleanings, and linking technology between the i7 and the Braava Jet m6 are a few techy features that come standard with the Roomba i7 series.
  • Want exceptional cleaning performance: For all floor types, the Roomba i7 had exceptional cleaning performance.
Roomba I Robot Vacuum Thumb

For more information on the Roomba i7, check it out here.

You should buy the Roomba S9+ or the i7+ if you…

  • Want a self-emptying dust bin: The Roomba S9+ and Roomba i7+ have a self-emptying dust bin integrated into the charger. The charging base on either of these models can hold up to 30 loads of debris from the on-board dust bin in the vacuum.
  • Have more to spend on a robot vacuum: With the advanced dust bin, both the S9+ and the i7+ are two of the most expensive robot vacuums on the market.
Roomba S Clean Base

For more information on the Roomba S9+, check it out here. For more information on the Roomba i7+, check it out here.

You should buy the Roomba e5 if you…

  • Want a new (but less expensive) Roomba model: If you’re looking for a Roomba hot off the manufacturing line, but don’t want to spend an arm and a leg for it, the Roomba e5 is a solid choice.
  • Want good cleaning performance: The cleaning performance of the Roomba e5 is fantastic. Overall, it scored a 99% on our in-house tests, which breaks down into 100% on hardwoods, 99% on low pile carpet, and 99% on high pile carpet.
Roomba E5

For more information on the Roomba e5, check it out here.

Questions?

Still not sure which model is right for you? Don’t be shy. Reach out to us or drop us a comment down below and we’ll be happy to make a recommendation based on your personal needs and desires.

About Derek Hales

Derek HalesDerek Hales is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of ModernCastle.com. He has been featured in Fast Company, Reader's Digest, Business Insider, Realtor.com, She Knows, and other major publications. Derek has a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Kansas State University. Hales has been testing and reviewing products for the home since 2014.