iRobot Roomba S9 vs Roborock S4 Max

Which Robot Vacuum Is Better?

Products

iRobot Roomba S9
Roborock S4 Max

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Jun 25, 2025 02:42 PM

SEE PRICE
Walmart.com

Tested using Methodology v0.7

Updated Jan 20, 2025 06:51 PM

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Amazon.com
  1. Recommended in 1 article:
  2. iRobot

Our Verdict

iRobot Roomba S9

Roborock S4 Max

The iRobot Roomba S9 is a better robot vacuum than the Roborock S4 Max. The iRobot is better built, uses a larger internal dustbin, and charges in a little under a third of the time as the Roborock. The Roborock also delivers superior performance on all surface types.

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Variants

  • Roomba S9 (Black)
  • Roomba S9+ (Black)
  • S4 Max (Black)

Check Price

Black
Roomba S9
Amazon.com
Black
S4 Max
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Roomba S9+
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
S4 Max
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
 
Black
S4 Max
BestBuy.com
Read more

Main Differences for
Multi-Surface Household

Threshold 

0.10

Multi-Surface Household 

6.4
No major differences between these robot vacuums for multi-surface household. See full list of tests below.

Full Comparison

Design

Build Quality 
 

8.0

Vacuum Type 
 

Robot

Build Quality Picture  

Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

8.5

Build Quality Picture  

Vacuum & Mop Combo 
 

No
Show Text 

User Maintenance 
 

7.5
6.0

Maintenance Picture  

Brushroll Cleaning Video  

Show Text 

Recurring Cost 
 

4.5
5.0

Recurring Cost Picture  

Bag Part Number  

No bag
No bag

Filter Part Number  

4643682
E11

HEPA Filter Part Number  

4643682
No HEPA Filter
Show Text 

Storing 
 

8.9

Storing Picture  

Height 
 

3.98" (10.1 cm)

Width 
 

13.90" (35.3 cm)

Depth 
 

16.46" (41.8 cm)

Cord Storing 
 

Not Needed

On-Board Tool Storage 
 

Not needed

Vacuum Rack/Station 
 

Yes
Show Text 

Dimensions 
 

Robot Vacuum Dimensions  

Robot Vacuum Height  

9.6 cm (3.8")

Robot Vacuum Width  

31.6 cm (12.4")

Robot Vacuum Depth  

31.6 cm (12.4")

Docking Station Dimensions  

Docking Station Height  

10.7 cm (4.2")

Docking Station Width  

25.9 cm (10.2")

Docking Station Depth  

36.0 cm (14.2")
Show Text 

Dirt Compartment 
 

7.1

Dirt Compartment Picture  

Bagless 
 

Yes

Volume 
 

0.11 gal (0.42 L)

Full Indicator 
 

Yes

Bag Included 
 

No Bag Needed
Show Text 

Internal Dirt Compartment 
 

8.1

Dirt Compartment Photo  

Dirt Compartment Capacity 
 

0.50 L

Full Indicator 
 

Yes
Show Text 

Station Maintenance Capabilities 
 

0.0

Station Photo  

Auto Empty 
 

No

Bagless Station 
 

No Dirt Compartment

Dirt Compartment Capacity 
 

0.00 L

Automatic Tank Refill 
 

No

Mop Washing 
 

No

Mop Drying 
 

No
Show Text 

In The Box 
 

In The Box Picture  

Show Text 

Range 
 

10

Cordless 
 

Yes

Cord Length 
 

N/A

Hose Length 
 

N/A

Minimum Wand Length 
 

N/A

Maximum Wand Length 
 

N/A

Total Range 
 

N/A
Show Text 

Portability 
 

8.0

Total Weight 
 

7.21 lbs (3.27 kg)

Weight In Hand 
 

0.00 lbs (0.00 kg)

Carrying handle 
 

No
Show Text 

Battery 
 

9.2
8.8

Minimum Battery Life 
 

49 min
112 min

Maximum Battery Life 
 

155 min
207 min

Recharge Time 
 

92 min
300 min

Recharge Dock 
 

Yes

Battery Life Indicator 
 

Yes

Removable Batteries 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 

Quality-Of-Life Features 
 

Picture Of Controls  

Power Adjustment 
 

Yes
Yes

Easy On/Off 
 

Yes
Yes

Surface Type Adjustment 
 

Only Automatic

Rotating Head 
 

No

Self-Propelled 
 

Yes

Headlights 
 

No

Head Surface Type Adjustment 
 

Only Automatic
Show Text 

Brushroll And Tools 
 

Brushroll And Tools Photo  

Brushroll Setup 
 

Dual

Brushroll Type 
 

Rubber

Side Brush Setup 
 

Single

Side Brush Type 
 

Fixed

Tools And Brushes 
 

Tools And Brush Picture  

Brushroll 
 

Yes

Brushroll On/Off 
 

No

Removable Brushroll 
 

Yes

Turbo Brush 
 

No

Crevice Tool 
 

No

Upholstery Tool 
 

No

Soft Bristle Brush 
 

No

Hard Bristle Brush 
 

No

Extension Wand 
 

No

Ceiling Fan Tool 
 

No

Pet Grooming Tool 
 

No
Show Text 

Alternative Configuration 
 

Alternative Configuration Photo 1  

Alternative Configuration Photo 2  

Blower Mode 
 

No
Show Text 
Performance

Bare Floor Performance (Hardwood, Laminate, Tiles) 
 

9.3

Setting Used  

"Max"

Bare Floor Large Debris Graph  

Large Debris at 0 gal (0L)  

99%

Large Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)  

78%

Large Debris at 0.2 gal (0.75L)  

N/A

Large Debris at 0.4 gal (1.5L)  

N/A

Large Debris at 0.8 gal (3L)  

N/A

Large Debris at 1.6 gal (6L)  

N/A

Bare Floor Small Debris Graph  

Small Debris at 0 gal (0L)  

100%

Small Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)  

≈ 100%

Small Debris at 0.2 gal (0.75L)  

N/A

Small Debris at 0.4 gal (1.5L)  

N/A

Small Debris at 0.8 gal (3L)  

N/A

Small Debris at 1.6 gal (6L)  

N/A
Show Text 

Hard Floor Pickup 
 

8.5

Hard Floor Pickup Video  

Hard Floor Pickup Post Test  

Show Text 

Low-Pile Carpet Performance 
 

4.8

Setting Used  

"Max"

Low Carpet Large Debris Graph  

Large Debris at 0 gal (0L)  

40%

Large Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)  

≈ 39%

Large Debris at 0.2 gal (0.75L)  

N/A

Large Debris at 0.4 gal (1.5L)  

N/A

Large Debris at 0.8 gal (3L)  

N/A

Large Debris at 1.6 gal (6L)  

N/A

Low Carpet Small Debris Graph  

Small Debris at 0 gal (0L)  

24%

Small Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)  

≈ 23%

Small Debris at 0.2 gal (0.75L)  

N/A

Small Debris at 0.4 gal (1.5L)  

N/A

Small Debris at 0.8 gal (3L)  

N/A

Small Debris at 1.6 gal (6L)  

N/A
Show Text 

High-Pile Carpet Pickup 
 

8.0

High-Pile Carpet Pickup Video  

High-Pile Carpet Pickup Post Test  

Show Text 

High-Pile Carpet Performance 
 

6.0

Setting Used  

"Max"

High Carpet Large Debris Graph  

Large Debris at 0 gal (0L)  

46%

Large Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)  

≈ 45%

Large Debris at 0.2 gal (0.75L)  

N/A

Large Debris at 0.4 gal (1.5L)  

N/A

Large Debris at 0.8 gal (3L)  

N/A

Large Debris at 1.6 gal (6L)  

N/A

High Carpet Small Debris Graph  

Small Debris at 0 gal (0L)  

26%

Small Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)  

≈ 25%

Small Debris at 0.2 gal (0.75L)  

N/A

Small Debris at 0.4 gal (1.5L)  

N/A

Small Debris at 0.8 gal (3L)  

N/A

Small Debris at 1.6 gal (6L)  

N/A
Show Text 

Low-Pile Carpet Pickup 
 

7.5

Low-Pile Carpet Pickup Video  

Low-Pile Carpet Pickup Post Test  

Show Text 

Pet Hair Floor Performance 
 

8.1

Pet Hair Graph  

Bare Floor 
 

99%

Low-Pile Carpet 
 

68%

High-Pile Carpet 
 

68%

Pet Hair Pickup 
 

7.5

Pet Hair Pickup Video  

Pet Hair Pickup Post Test  

Show Text 

Suction 
 

0.0

Suction Video  

Maximum Hose Suction 
 

N/A

Maximum Head Suction 
 

0.1 inH₂O (0.02 kPa)

Normal Head Suction 
 

0.0 inH₂O (0.01 kPa)

Setting Used For Normal  

"Balanced" (App)

Hose Diameter 
 

N/A

Airflow 
 

8.2
3.6

Maximum Airflow Video  

Maximum Head Airflow 
 

16.0 CFM (0.5 m³/min)
19.1 CFM (0.5 m³/min)
Show Text 

Noise 
 

7.0
9.2

Noise Video 
 

Bare Floor 
 

65.2 dBA
63.2 dBA

Low-Pile Carpet 
 

64.7 dBA
63.5 dBA
Show Text 

Household Adaptability 
 

7.0
8.0

Household Adaptability  

Show Text 

Pet Hair Furniture Performance 
 

0.0

Sofa Pickup Video  

Sofa Pickup Post Test  

Obstacle Avoidance 
 

2.0

Obstacle Avoidance Technology 
 

Light-Based

Object Recognition 
 

No

Obstacle Video  

Bare Floor: Avoidance Rate 
 

0%

Bare Floor: Intervention Rate 
 

40%

Carpet: Avoidance Rate 
 

0%

Carpet: Intervention Rate 
 

42%

Always Avoided Pet Waste 
 

No

Height Clearance 
 

7.0

Height Clearance Video  

Lowest Height Cleared 
 

9.5 cm (3.7'')

Threshold Clearance 
 

7.0

Low Threshold Video  

High Threshold Video  

Max Threshold Height 
 

1.9 cm (0.7")

Air Quality 
 

Sealing Quality Video  

Anti-Allergy Filter (HEPA) 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 

Cracks 
 

4.5
4.5

Cracks Video  

Wood Cracks Post Test  

Show Text 

Stains 
 

1.0
1.0

Stain Video  

Stain Pickup Post Test  

Show Text 

Water 
 

0.0
0.0

Wet Compatible 
 

No
No

Water Video  

Water Pickup Post Test  

Show Text 
Automation

Physical Automation 
 

8.9
7.1

Recharge And Resume 
 

Yes

Automatic Recharging 
 

Yes

Automatic Bag Emptying 
 

No

Pathing Algorithm 
 

Smart
Smart

Physical Boundary Markers 
 

No
No

Scheduled Start Buttons 
 

No
No

Cycle Control Buttons 
 

On-Board Only
Onboard Only

Navigation Control Buttons 
 

Return To Base Only
Return to Base Only
Show Text 

Companion App Automation 
 

8.0
8.5

Companion App Screen Grabs  

App Name 
 

iRobot HOME
Roborock

Software Boundary Markers (No-Go Zones) 
 

Yes
Yes

App Scheduled Start 
 

Yes
Yes

App Cycle Control 
 

Yes
Yes

Navigation Control Within App 
 

No
Yes

iOS Availability 
 

Yes

Android Availability 
 

Yes
Show Text 
To Be Deleted

Check Price

Black
Roomba S9
Amazon.com
Black
S4 Max
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Roomba S9+
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
S4 Max
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
 
Black
S4 Max
BestBuy.com

iRobot Roomba S9

Roborock S4 Max

Comments

  1. Comparison

iRobot Roomba S9 vs Roborock S4 Max: Main Discussion

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