Roomba i9+ AI: Smarter Cleaning for a Smarter Home
In 2026, a robot vacuum isn’t just a luxury; it’s a necessity. With busy schedules and increasingly complex home layouts, the Roomba i9+ AI offers a genuinely hands-free cleaning experience, and after a month of testing, I can confidently say it’s worth the investment.
AI-Powered Navigation and Object Recognition
The standout feature of the Roomba i9+ AI is its advanced AI-powered navigation. Unlike older models that bumped around aimlessly, the i9+ AI intelligently maps your home, learning the layout and identifying obstacles. During my testing, it flawlessly avoided furniture legs, pet toys (a HUGE win!), and even recognized and bypassed areas I designated as ‘no-go zones’ through the updated iRobot app.
The object recognition is noticeably improved. It identified and avoided cords, shoes, and even my cat’s food bowl with impressive accuracy. This dramatically reduces the need for pre-cleaning and ensures a more efficient cleaning cycle.
Improved Suction and Cleaning Performance
The i9+ AI boasts a significant upgrade in suction power compared to previous models. It effortlessly picked up pet hair (a constant battle with my shedding dog), dust, and crumbs from both hardwood floors and carpets. The self-adjusting cleaning head adapts to different floor types, ensuring optimal contact and cleaning performance.
The corner and edge cleaning is also excellent. The side brush effectively sweeps debris into the path of the main brush, leaving edges clean and tidy.
Self-Emptying Base and Long Battery Life
The self-emptying base is a game-changer. The i9+ AI automatically empties its dustbin into the Clean Base, which holds up to 60 days of debris. This eliminates the need for frequent manual emptying, making it truly a set-it-and-forget-it cleaning solution. The battery life is also impressive, providing up to 120 minutes of cleaning time on a single charge, enough to cover most homes in one go.
Enhanced App and Voice Control
The iRobot app has been further refined, offering even more control and customization. You can schedule cleaning sessions, create custom cleaning zones, monitor cleaning performance, and even receive notifications when the dustbin needs to be emptied. Voice control integration with Alexa and Google Assistant is seamless, allowing you to start, stop, or pause cleaning with simple voice commands.
Minor Drawbacks
While the Roomba i9+ AI is an excellent robot vacuum, it’s not without its minor drawbacks. The price is undoubtedly a significant consideration. It’s one of the more expensive robot vacuums on the market. Also, the Clean Base can be a bit noisy when emptying the dustbin.
Final Verdict
Despite the high price tag, the Roomba i9+ AI is a worthwhile investment for anyone looking for a truly hands-free and intelligent cleaning solution. Its advanced AI-powered navigation, improved suction power, self-emptying base, and enhanced app control make it the best robot vacuum I’ve tested to date. If you’re tired of manual vacuuming, the Roomba i9+ AI is a game-changer.