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Let’s talk about the Roomba 960 vs. s9. If you are not sure which one of these robots would be best for you and your home, don’t worry. We’ve got your back.
They are quite different and are suited to different environments. Maybe if we were to review and compare them, you would be able to make your purchase decision easier. Let’s do it.
Table of Contents
Quick Comparison: Roomba 960 vs s9
Roomba 960
- Mid-priced Option
- Wifi Compatible
- Good for all floor types
- Recharge & Resume Cleaning
Roomba s9
- Premium Model
- Advanced Mapping
- Recharge & Resume Cleaning
- Self-emptying dust bin
The s9 is a far superior robot. It is the best one from iRobot. The s9 is a cleaning genie in a bottle.
It is fully loaded with all the best that iRobot offers, such as PerfectEdge Technology, super suction, and Clean Base compatibility. The s9 robot does cost significantly more than the 960, but boy is it worth it.
What are the differences between the Roomba s9 and 960 models?
The devices are different in so many ways. They are both great models with some shared features, but let’s take a look at some features that set them apart.
PerfectEdge Technology
PerfectEdge Technology works with the specially designed Corner Brush to clean corners remarkably well for the Roomba s9. The 960 is not built with this feature
Automatic Dirt Disposal
The Roomba s9 can empty itself. Well, it is compatible with the Clean Base Automatic Dirt Disposal unit that empties the robot . The s9+ model is even sold with this device. This Automatic Disposal unit can hold up to 60 bins from the s9 so you won’t have to dump garbage for months.
Price
Being the best device produced by iRobot, The s9 is more expensive than the 960, which is close to the middle of iRobot’s range.
Suction
The Roomba 960 is quite powerful. It is 5-times as powerful as the Roomba 600 series models, but the s9 is remarkably stronger at 40-times the suction power of the Roomba 600 series.
Imprint Smart Mapping
The s9 can create maps of your home and remember multiple floor plans to clean numerous levels of your home or different homes. These maps can be used to create areas that the robot should avoid. These Zones are called Keep out zones.
Update capable
The Roomba s9 can be updated in the future with software releases. These software releases can be anything from software fixes to added features.
30% longer brush
The Roomba s9 is designed with longer rubber brushes so that it can clean a larger surface area.
What is Imprint Smart Mapping?
The s9 is capable of creating maps of areas cleaned. It will store the maps and adapt to them to optimize each cleaning sequence for different rooms. The Roomba s9 also has a smart charge feature that works well with the smart mapping feature. The smart charge feature allows the robot to return where it left off on a map when it had to recharge so that it can resume its cleaning.
What are the Similarities
There are a few features that the Roomba robots share even though they are vastly different. These similarities are now essentials for most Roomba robots. Let’s review them.
Type of battery
Both of these Roomba robots are powered with Lithium-Ion batteries.
WiFi Connectivity
The Roomba s9 and the Roomba 960 are WiFi-compatible. They use a WiFi connection to connect remotely with the iRobot Home app.
Size
Both the s9 and the 960 are under 14” in diameter and under 4” in height.
Run Time
The Roomba 960 and the Roomba s9 can clean any room in your home even after the first charge is finished, the Roombas will return to the charger and then resume its cleaning after the battery is recharged to a suitable percentage that will complete the remaining area.
Great for Pet Owners
If you have a pet or thinking of getting one, both of these Roombas are good cleaners. They both have a 3-Stage Cleaning System with remarkable suction to pick up pet hair. The High-efficiency filters of these Roombas will remove up to 99% of allergens from your home.
This robot can clean and adapt to an entire level of your home. The Roomba 960 can keep track of itself and complete the cleaning process efficiently. It has a recharge and returns feature so it can resume cleaning after it recharges.
The Roomba 960’s rubber brushes clean pet hair quite easily, and its High-Efficiency filters remove most allergens from your home.
The Dirt Detect Technology of the Roomba 960 concentrates the robot on high traffic areas in your home.
PROS
- The Roomba 960 is quite easy to use, especially since it can be controlled from your phone.
- The robot can clean under furniture
- It has a long run time, and resumes work after recharge.
CONS
- It has a small bin
- It gets clogged easily
- Long recharge time
Let’s answer some of your unanswered questions about the Roomba 960.
Can Roomba 960 clean in the dark?
This is not the best situation in which to operate the robot. The Roomba 960 uses camera technology to map and adapt to your home while it cleans. This allows it to deliver the best performance, but without lighting, it will be ineffective.
Is the Roomba 960 worth it?
As a mid-range device with some above-average features, the Roomba’s price is not the best bargain, but it is not the worst.
Does Roomba 960 have mapping?
The Roomba 960 can map an entire level so that it can clean it properly. This Roomba iAdapt 2.0 Navigation uses Visual Localization to keep track of its location to remember where it left off and where it has been cleaned. Later Roomba models such as the s9 are capable of mapping multiple levels and save those maps for future use.
We’re sure that you will appreciate a robot that can clean itself. Well, the s9 can do this when paired with the Clean Base Automatic Disposal Unit, which is sold separately with the s9 but comes with the s9+.
This Roomba is the most powerful robot built by iRobot. It has a Superior 3- stage cleaning system and a vacuum that is 40-times the suction of the Roomba 600 series robots. The robot will automatically increase suction power when cleaning deep carpets.
If you are concerned about your robot not cleaning corners and edges properly, cast your worries aside. The Roomba s9 has PerfectEdge Technology and a corner brush that cleans corners and along edges quite well.
The Roomba s9 can intelligently map and learn your home. It can tell different rooms in your house, which makes voice control a lot easier. The s9 can work in sequence with your Braava m6 robot to vacuum then mop.
PROS
- Great for homes with pets
- Hassle-free operation
- This robot can empty itself
CONS
- It is easily clogged
- The robot is a bit noisy
- Misses some spots
Let’s answer some of your burning questions.
Is the Roomba s9 worth it?
The Roomba s9 is not cheap, but it is worth the money. It has all the latest features from iRobot and has the ability to get updates when they become available.
What is the difference between Roomba s9 and s9+?
They are the same robots, but the s9+ is sold with the Clean Base Automatic Dirt disposal unit.
Can a Roomba s9 replace a vacuum?
The Roomba s9 is a powerful vacuum and more. It can do the same thing as your floor vacuum.
The Roomba s9 vs. 960, the Ultimate Match Up
The Roomba s9 is the best one produced by the iRobot company, but the midrange Roomba 960 isn’t bad. Let’s put them side by side and see how it matches up.
Design
The Roomba s9 and the Roomba 960 were designed very differently. The Roomba 960 is circular and black with a gray top. On the other hand, the Roomba s9 was designed like an uppercase D. It has a square front half and a semicircular back half.
Accessories
Integrated home bases, replenishment kits, and High-efficiency filters can be purchased separately for the Roomba 960. You can also purchase replenishment kits and High-efficiency filters for the Roomba s9. You can buy the Automatic Dirt Disposal unit and specialized edge cleaning brushes for the s9 too.
Keep out Zone
The Roomba s9 has imprint technology that can create zones for the robot to avoid. The Roomba 960 can be controlled in that regard with The Dual Mode Virtual Wall Barrier to block entrances that the robot should not access.
Performance
The Roomba 960 is good for the class it is in. It has powerful suction, but the s9 has the most powerful Roomba vacuum.
IAdapt Navigation system
The Roomba 960 uses iAdapt 2.0 while the Roomba s9 has advanced vSLAM® navigation technology, that allows it to create maps and collect data to optimize coverage. The Imprint Smart Mapping of the s9 enables the robot to learn, map, and adapt to your home.
Cleaning System
Designed with pet owners in mind, the 3-Stage Cleaning Systems of these vacuums pulls in dirt, pet hair, debris, and 99% of allergens in your home. The cleaning system of the s9 is 8-time stronger than that of the 960, and it can clean deeper into carpets.
Conclusion
The Roomba s9 is stacked with all the bells and whistles, but it comes at a pretty penny. The 960, on the other hand, has some pretty advanced features but at a much lower cost. It will come down to your budget and the cleaning requirements of your home.
