Products
iRobot Roomba S9
iRobot Roomba i3
Tested using Methodology v1.0
Updated Aug 27, 2025 02:57 PM
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iRobot
Tested using Methodology v1.0
Updated Aug 27, 2025 03:00 PM
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Wet Compatible
No
Lowest Height Cleared
9.5 cm (3.7'')
Obstacle Avoidance Technology
Light-Based
Max Threshold Height
1.9 cm (0.7")
Anti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)
Yes
Wet Compatible
No
Lowest Height Cleared
9.5 cm (3.7'')
Obstacle Avoidance Technology
Light-Based
Max Threshold Height
1.9 cm (0.7")
Anti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)
Yes
Our Verdict
iRobot Roomba S9
iRobot Roomba i3
The iRobot Roomba S9 is better than the iRobot Roomba i3. The S9 is better built, incurs fewer recurring costs, has a longer battery life, maneuvers itself more effectively, and performs better on all surface types. Meanwhile, the i3 has a self-emptying function, though it's worth noting that this feature is also available for the S9 at an additional cost.
Variants
- Roomba S9 (Black)
- Roomba S9+ (Black)
- Roomba i3+ EVO (Woven Neutral)
- Roomba i3 EVO (Woven Neutral)
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Black
Roomba S9
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Woven Neutral
Roomba i3+ EVO
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Black
Roomba S9+
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iRobot
Woven Neutral
Roomba i3 EVO
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Main Differences for
Multi-Surface Household
Multi-Surface Household
Threshold
Multi-Surface Household
6.4
6.4
Hard Floor Pickup
8.5
6.5
Station Maintenance Capabilities
0.0
6.4
Full Comparison
Design
Build Quality
8.5
8.0
Build Quality Picture
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Vacuum & Mop Combo
No
No
User Maintenance
7.5
7.5
Maintenance Picture
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Brushroll Cleaning Video
Recurring Cost
4.5
3.0
Recurring Cost Picture
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Bag Part Number
No bag
4640235
Filter Part Number
4643682
4639161
HEPA Filter Part Number
4643682
4639161
Dimensions
Robot Vacuum Dimensions
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Robot Vacuum Height
9.6 cm (3.8")
9.4 cm (3.7")
Robot Vacuum Width
31.6 cm (12.4")
33.9 cm (13.3")
Robot Vacuum Depth
31.6 cm (12.4")
34.3 cm (13.5")
Docking Station Dimensions
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Docking Station Height
10.7 cm (4.2")
48.4 cm (19.1")
Docking Station Width
25.9 cm (10.2")
31.1 cm (12.2")
Docking Station Depth
36.0 cm (14.2")
38.9 cm (15.3")
Internal Dirt Compartment
8.1
6.1
Dirt Compartment Photo
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Dirt Compartment Capacity
0.50 L
0.25 L
Full Indicator
Yes
Yes
Station Maintenance Capabilities
0.0
6.4
Station Photo
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Auto Empty
No
Yes
Bagless Station
No Dirt Compartment
No
Dirt Compartment Capacity
0.00 L
2.40 L
Automatic Tank Refill
No
No
Mop Washing
No
No
Mop Drying
No
No
In The Box
In The Box Picture
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Battery
9.2
8.9
Minimum Battery Life
49 min
87 min
Maximum Battery Life
155 min
87 min
Recharge Time
92 min
94 min
Removable Batteries
Yes
Yes
Quality-Of-Life Features
Picture Of Controls
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Power Adjustment
Yes
No
Easy On/Off
Yes
Yes
Surface Type Adjustment
Only Automatic
Only Automatic
Brushroll And Tools
Brushroll And Tools Photo
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Brushroll Setup
Dual
Dual
Brushroll Type
Rubber
Rubber
Side Brush Setup
Single
Single
Side Brush Type
Fixed
Fixed
Performance
Hard Floor Pickup
8.5
6.5
Hard Floor Pickup Video
Hard Floor Pickup Post Test
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High-Pile Carpet Pickup
8.0
7.5
High-Pile Carpet Pickup Video
High-Pile Carpet Pickup Post Test
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Low-Pile Carpet Pickup
7.5
7.0
Low-Pile Carpet Pickup Video
Low-Pile Carpet Pickup Post Test
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Pet Hair Pickup
7.5
8.0
Pet Hair Pickup Video
Pet Hair Pickup Post Test
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Airflow
8.2
5.7
Maximum Airflow Video
Maximum Head Airflow
16.0 CFM (0.5 m³/min)
5.8 CFM (0.2 m³/min)
Noise
7.0
7.6
Noise Video
Bare Floor
65.2 dBA
63.8 dBA
Low-Pile Carpet
64.7 dBA
59.5 dBA
Household Adaptability
7.0
8.0
Household Adaptability
Obstacle Avoidance
2.0
3.5
Obstacle Avoidance Technology
Light-Based
Light-Based
Object Recognition
No
No
Obstacle Video
Bare Floor: Avoidance Rate
0%
0%
Bare Floor: Intervention Rate
40%
20%
Carpet: Avoidance Rate
0%
0%
Carpet: Intervention Rate
42%
25%
Always Avoided Pet Waste
No
No
Height Clearance
7.0
7.0
Height Clearance Video
Lowest Height Cleared
9.5 cm (3.7'')
9.5 cm (3.7'')
Threshold Clearance
7.0
7.0
Low Threshold Video
High Threshold Video
Max Threshold Height
1.9 cm (0.7")
1.9 cm (0.7")
Air Quality
Sealing Quality Video
Anti-Allergy Filter (HEPA)
Yes
Yes
Cracks
4.5
4.5
Cracks Video
Wood Cracks Post Test
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Stains
1.0
1.0
Stain Video
Stain Pickup Post Test
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Water
0.0
0.0
Wet Compatible
No
No
Water Video
Water Pickup Post Test
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Automation
Physical Automation
8.9
8.9
Recharge And Resume
Yes
Yes
Pathing Algorithm
Smart
Smart
Physical Boundary Markers
No
No
Scheduled Start Buttons
No
No
Cycle Control Buttons
On-Board Only
On-Board Only
Navigation Control Buttons
Return To Base Only
Return To Base Only
Companion App Automation
8.0
8.0
Companion App Screen Grabs
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App Name
iRobot HOME
iRobot HOME
Software Boundary Markers (No-Go Zones)
Yes
No
App Scheduled Start
Yes
Yes
App Cycle Control
Yes
Yes
Navigation Control Within App
No
No
To Be Deleted
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Black
Roomba S9
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Woven Neutral
Roomba i3+ EVO
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Black
Roomba S9+
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iRobot
Woven Neutral
Roomba i3 EVO
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
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iRobot Roomba S9 vs iRobot Roomba i3: Main Discussion
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