Roomba s9 vs Botvac D7: Which Should You Buy?

One of the most common complaints about robot vacuums is that they leave behind dirty floors. Not all of them can reach corners or other tight spots, and they certainly don’t all have the advanced technology that the top of the line models have.

However, the Roomba s9 and the Botvac D7 are two of the best robot vacuums on the market. They feature a unique D shape design that can reach corners easier than circular robots, they have powerful suction, and they contain some of the advanced features you want at a price you can likely afford.

Main Differences Between Roomba s9 vs Botvac D7

The Main Differences Between Roomba s9 vs Botvac D7 are:

• Roomba s9 connects to Google Home and Amazon Alexa, whereas Botvac D7 can also connect to Neato Chatbot.
• Roomba s9 has a removable lid to lift the dustbin out by a handle, whereas Botvac D7 has a flap on a hinge that lifts the dustbin out.
• Roomba s9 has the best mapping technology, whereas Botvac D7 comes with No Go lines and physical boundary markers.

Roomba s9

The Roomba s9 may be iRobot’s most clever robot vacuum to date. It does not have the signature circular shape but instead sports the same D shape that the Botvacs have. It can reach corners easier with a corner brush, you can control it with the app on your phone, and you can even control it with your voice.

Onboard sensors will keep your Roomba s9 safe as it navigates furniture and stairs, and it can clean any flooring type you have. A high-efficiency filter will clean the air, the dustbin is top-loading, and the auto-resume feature ensures your robot will keep going until it’s done.

Design and Features

Unlike other Roomba vacuums, the s9 has a D shape that allows it to clean corners more efficiently. The shiny center on top provides an eye-catching contrast to the black surrounding it. This is the dust bin lid, and it has a light ring around it that tells you about its current status of operations.

You can perform limited functions via the buttons on the top including initiating spot clean mode, sending your vacuum to its dock, or start a clean. However, the most convenient way to use your Roomba s9 is via the smartphone app and voice control.

It doesn’t come with a remote, but it doesn’t need to. Just connect your Roomba s9 to Wi-Fi and download the app to your phone. With either an Android or an iPhone app, you can look at event history, get maintenance alerts, schedule your cleanings, or customize options like final edge cleans or number of passes.

After the s9 cruises your house a few times, it will create an interactive map that you can access via the app. With the map, you can label, combine, or split rooms for more efficient cleaning. It will allow you to schedule cleanings by room so you know exactly where your robot will be cleaning today.

Connect your s9 with Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa so you can control it with your voice. Many robot vacuums have voice control, but the s9 has expanded options beyond starting, stopping, or docking your unit. You can initiate a clean in a particular room by telling it which room to clean.

Imprint Smart Mapping

Imprint Smart Mapping is a technology unique to iRobot smart vacuums. It learns the layout of your home and can adapt to a dynamic environment, meaning even if you rearrange or get new furniture, your vacuum will keep up with you.

It will create a map that you can customize using your app. Test routes with training runs and your vacuum will go through the course without using suction so you can see how it navigates and if you need to make any changes to the route or the map.

Coupled with 3D navigation, the Roomba s9 can clean along your chosen routes without bumping into things or making movements that don’t make sense. The 3D sensor assists with navigation and will detect objects in its path so it can clean the room in the most efficient way possible and avoid that toy your son left in the middle of the floor.

Cliff sensors will prevent the s9 from falling down the stairs while the tread on each wheel gives it great traction on all surfaces in your home. It can move along carpet, tile, and hardwood with ease.

Performance

The Roomba s9 provides corner cleaning at its best. The PerfectEdge system and intelligent sensors are specially designed to get into the corners without leaving any dirt behind. There is one spinning brush at the corner of the vacuum that maximizes its reach with a 27-degree angle. The five propellers on the brush pull dirt away from corners and edges better than Roomba’s three-blade brush design.

The other two brushrolls help to deep clean carpets and hardwood. They’re made from flexible rubber that ensures close contact with every floor and the extra-wide design covers more floor every time it passes through.

The Roomba s9’s variable suction is automatic, so it can detect when to up the ante in the dirtiest spots. These dirt-detection sensors recognize thick carpet or large piles of dirt and will automatically increase the suction to eliminate the mess. The floor plate will adjust itself to get as close to the floor as it can without creating blockages.

Mobile App

The app allows you to choose from three different cleaning modes like quiet clean, custom clean, or detailed clean. A detailed clean will provide extra power for extreme messes while quiet clean is a great everyday vacuuming option. Custom cleans are perfect for small areas. Increase your cleaning power by connecting your Roomba s9 to the Braava Jet Mop via Imprint Link technology so your mop will clean the hard surfaces after the robot vacuum is done.

Dumping your Roomba s9 is easy with a top-loading dust bin. Just lift the lid off and pull the bin out by the handle. There is a dirt release hatch on the bottom so you won’t have to get your hands dirty. The filter is accessible from the top compartment, too, so you can easily clean it and reinsert it.

With powerful suction and 120 minutes of runtime, you’ll be able to clean your whole house with efficiency. But if the lithium-ion battery does run low, your unit will return to the dock for charging and then pick up where it left off with the auto-dock and resume feature. You won’t have to worry about telling it to clean again later.

The LED ring on top tells you the status of the charge if you’d like to know, and after about two hours of charging, it will keep up the good work.

Size

The Roomba s9 is 3.5 inches tall, so it’s a bit taller than other slim models. You may have trouble getting it under low lying furniture, but it’s worth it for all of the powerful suction and smart technology you get. Tuck the base into the corner out of the way when you’re not using it. With a width of 12.25 inches, it’s comparable to other Roomba vacuums.

Accessories

The Roomba s9 box comes with the vacuum unit and base, a power cord, an extra filter, and an extra corner brush. Depending on how dirty your home gets and how often you use the vacuum, these extras could last you for 6-12 months. If you have pets or kids, you may find yourself changing parts out more often, but Roomba robot vacuums are well-made and durable, so you shouldn’t have to worry about cashing in that warranty.

Setup and Usability

Out of the box, just plug the dock into the wall and let your unit charge until it’s full. It may come with some residual power, but it’s best to charge up the battery fully before using. In the meantime, you can download the smartphone app and it will walk you through how to connect it to Wi-Fi.

Once it’s done charging, use the app to run the vacuum and build a map. The intuitive interface will have you understanding how to interact and customize your robot vacuum in no time. Access all the features and options you need at your fingertips, anytime.

Build schedules and play around with your vacuum to get to know it better. The iRobot app is easy to use, making vacuuming less of a chore and more like a game.

Roomba s9 Pros:

• Long runtime
• Interactive maps
• Powerful suction
• Plenty of customization
• Compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa
• Unique shape

Roomba s9 Cons:

• Dust bin capacity is small
• Expensive

Roomba s9 Verdict

The D shape and powerful suction give you an incredible clean that you’ll love to come home to. With advanced technologies like Imprint Smart Mapping, 3D navigation, scheduling, a smart app, and plenty of customization options, almost anyone can enjoy the Roomba s9. It is on the pricier end of robot vacuums, so it may not be for those on a budget, but it’s well worth the price for all of the advanced features.

It’s great for large homes or for homes with multiple flooring types, kids, pets, and lots of messes. You’ll be amazed at this vacuum’s intuitiveness and the efficiency with which it can clean almost any space without you telling it to.

Botvac D7

The Botvac D7 comes from a different manufacturer, but it features the D shape as well. It features powerful performance and advanced technology, much like the Roomba s9, which may leave you wondering which is better.

Design and Features

The Botvac D7 is the best robot vacuum with the most technical features that Neato offers to date. The signature D shape allows it to clean into corners and edges more efficiently than other circular robot vacuums. It has scheduled cleanings, digital memory mapping, two-hour runtime, advanced navigation, Wi-Fi connectivity, and auto-dock and resume features.

Included with the Botvac D7 are No Go lines that allow you to create invisible barriers where you don’t want your vacuum to go. From the mobile app, you can use your finger to draw lines across your floor plan so that your Botvac D7 will avoid spots where you prefer it not to clean.

The Botvac D7 also has a button on the top that allows you to start a clean from the unit, and it comes with a remote as well. However, you can also use the smartphone app or your smart home assistant, so you can control your vacuum in a way that works best for you.

Performance

The full-width brush roll stretches all the way across the vacuum for more efficient cleaning and a wide cleaning path. It also features a smaller brush on the side so it can gather dirt and debris into the robot’s path for suction, making the cleaning path even wider than ever.

A built-in camera on top of the unit provides imaging for the navigation and digital memory mapping features. It uses this camera to clean in straight lines, making more efficient use of your battery and ensuring it cleans every inch of your floor without randomly moving to and fro.

The digital mapping feature allows the D7 to create a floor plan that you can view via the app on your smartphone. That way you can see where it’s been and track its performance. If it struggles with certain areas, you can send it back to clean them again.

The No Go lines on your smartphone app are easier to use than the virtual walls and other technology that other robot vacuums use. You simply drag your finger across the map to create these lines and then your unit will know where not to go.

Size

The Botvac D7 is slightly larger than the Roomba s9 at 13.2 inches in diameter, 12.5 inches deep from front to back, and 3.9 inches tall. The unit weighs 8 pounds and the extended brush roll on the side can reach 10.9 inches.

Accessories

The Botvac D7 comes with plenty of extra accessories and spare parts in the box. It has the unit and the base with an extra spiral combo brush roll, spinning brush, boundary strip, cleaning brush, and filter. The various brushes perform tasks like gathering dirt from corners and edges and moving everything in front of the suction.

If you prefer not to use the app or the No Go lines, you can restrict access by using the boundary stripe. Just place it on the floor and the Botvac D7 won’t pass over it. The high-performance filter is a great option for those with allergies, kids, or pets.

Setup and Usability

Setup and use of the Botvac D7 is simple. Open the box, plug in the dock, and let the unit charge. In the meantime, download the app and connect it to Wi-Fi. It doesn’t have very many moving parts so it’s easier to maintain than other models and you won’t have to worry about anything breaking easily.

The Botvac D7 gives you plenty of control options with the button on top, the smartphone app, or the remote control. It’s easy to find the way that works best for you from so many options. Connect your unit to Amazon Alexa or Google Home for voice controls.

With an on-screen guide that will prompt you to connect and begin using your new robot vacuum, you can set up the mobile application with ease. Once you connect it to Wi-Fi, you can use your phone or voice commands to control it. It will also help you set up No Go lines or create cleaning schedules. If you prefer not to use the app, use the boundary strips to set up off-limits areas.

Botvac D7 Pros:

• No Go lines and boundary strips for off-limits areas.
• Advanced mapping and navigation.
• Long runtime.
• Amazon Alexa and Google Home compatibility.
• Android and iOS mobile applications.
• Physical buttons, mobile app, and voice control options for controlling.

Botvac D7 Cons:

• Expensive.
• D shape might have problems with tight turns.

Botvac D7 Verdict

This connected robot vacuum is hard working with plenty of features and advanced technology. Smart mapping, navigation, connectivity, and superior runtime all give you great usability over other smart vacuums.

The Botvac D7 is easy to control without a lot of maintenance. The only other smart vacuums superior to the D7 are the Roomba i7+ or the Roomba s9+ with their self-emptying dustbins. You get a powerful clean with a small amount of effort, but the D7 is rather expensive.

Comparison Chart

Both vacuums offer a lot of technology and features. Here’s how they compare side-by-side.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Does the Roomba S9 work on deep pile carpets?

If you want to use your Roomba S9 to clean carpets, keep in mind that this robot has a clearance of 5/8″ and that it will be able to work with transitions up to 1/2″. If the carpet is deeper than that, you might have some mobility issues.

Can Neato clean multiple rooms?

The Neato Botvac D7 Robot won’t have any problems cleaning between rooms. It will move automatically between one room and another and when the battery runs low, it will return to the docking station by itself.

How loud is the S9 in decibels?

Even though, there is no information about the exact amount of decibels the S6 emits when cleaning, it is definitely not louder than other vacuums. The sound will vary between modes.

Conclusion

Both the Roomba s9 and the Botvac D7 have excellent suction, mapping, navigation, Wi-Fi, voice commands, a mobile application, and scheduling. They’re both fantastic robot vacuum options. While the Botvac D7 is slightly lighter, it’s also taller, so it may not fit under furniture as well.

Your Roomba s9 doesn’t have boundary markers, but it’s Imprint Smart Mapping feature eliminates the need for them because you can customize cleaning cycles in any room you want. It’s also slightly smaller than the Botvac D7.

Either vacuum is a great option for people with allergies or pets because of the high-performance filters. They can both detect ledges in the event that you have stairs and they work on all flooring types.

They are both a bit pricey, so the determining factor here is likely the superior mapping and smaller size of the Roomba s9 or the No Go and boundary lines of the Botvac D7. They are two of the best robot vacuums on the market, less superior to only those with self-emptying dustbins.

Both of these vacuums come from quality manufacturers. They’re well made and provide the performance you can trust. The choice is yours, but either option will likely give you exactly what you need and you’ll be very pleased with your decision.