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  1. Table of Contents
  2. Top
  3. Main Differences
  4. Design
    1. Build Quality
    2. Build Quality
    3. User Maintenance
    4. Recurring Cost
    5. Storing
    6. Dimensions
    7. Dirt Compartment
    8. Internal Dirt Compartment
    9. Station Maintenance Capabilities
    10. In The Box
    11. Range
    12. Portability
    13. Battery
    14. Quality-Of-Life Features
    15. Brushroll And Tools
    16. Tools And Brushes
    17. Alternative Configuration
  5. Performance
    1. Hard Floor Pick-Up
    2. High-Pile Carpet Pick-Up
    3. Low-Pile Carpet Pick-Up
    4. Pet Hair Pick-Up
    5. Suction
    6. Airflow
    7. Noise
    8. Maneuverability
    9. Air Quality
    10. Bare Floor Performance (Hardwood, Laminate, Tiles)
    11. Cracks
    12. Stains
    13. Water
    14. Low-Pile Carpet Performance
    15. High-Pile Carpet Performance
    16. Pet Hair Floor Performance
    17. Pet Hair Furniture Performance
  6. Automation
    1. Physical Automation
    2. Companion App Automation
  7. To Be Deleted
  8. Comments

Roborock S5 vs iRobot Roomba S9

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Roborock S5
iRobot Roomba S9

Tested using Methodology v0.6

Updated Oct 17, 2024 02:33 PM

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Tested using Methodology v0.8

Updated Jan 10, 2025 04:39 PM

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Roborock S5 Picture
iRobot Roomba S9 Picture
  1. Recommended in 1 article:
  2. iRobot

Variants

  • S5 (Black)
  • S5 (White)
  • Roomba S9 (Black)
  • Roomba S9+ (Black)

Our Verdict

Roborock S5

iRobot Roomba S9

The iRobot Roomba S9 is a better overall robot vacuum than the Roborock S5. The Roomba is better built, charges faster, and performs much better on carpeted floors. That said, the Roborock is easier to maintain, has lower recurring costs as well as longer minimum battery life, and performs slightly better on bare floors.

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Notice: Two or more of the products selected have been tested with different test methodologies, so some of the results below aren't directly comparable. Learn how our test benches and scoring system work, and read more about the latest changes to our robot vacuums test methodology.

Main Differences for

Threshold 

0.10

Bare Floor 

7.6
7.4

Noise 
 

9.3
7.0

User Maintenance 
 

5.5
7.5

Full Comparison

Design

Build Quality 
 

8.0

Vacuum Type 
 

Robot

Build Quality Picture  

Roborock S5 Build Quality Picture

Show text

Build Quality 
 

8.5

Build Quality Picture  

iRobot Roomba S9 Build Quality Picture

Vacuum & Mop Combo 
 

No

Show text

User Maintenance 
 

5.5
7.5

Maintenance Picture  

Roborock S5 Maintenance Picture
iRobot Roomba S9 Maintenance Picture

Brushroll Cleaning Video  

Show text

Recurring Cost 
 

4.0
4.5

Recurring Cost Picture  

Roborock S5 Recurring Cost Picture
iRobot Roomba S9 Recurring Cost Picture

Bag Part Number  

No bag
No bag

Filter Part Number  

E11
4643682

HEPA Filter Part Number  

No HEPA Filter
4643682

Show text

Storing 
 

8.9

Storing Picture  

Roborock S5 Storing Picture

Height 
 

3.98" (10.1 cm)

Width 
 

15.35" (39.0 cm)

Depth 
 

16.93" (43.0 cm)

Cord Storing 
 

Not Needed

On-Board Tool Storage 
 

Not needed

Vacuum Rack/Station 
 

Yes

Show text

Dimensions 
 

Robot Vacuum Dimensions  

iRobot Roomba S9 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  

iRobot Roomba S9 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")

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Dirt Compartment 
 

7.1

Dirt Compartment Picture  

Roborock S5 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  

iRobot Roomba S9 Dirt Compartment Photo

Dirt Compartment Capacity 
 

0.50 L

Full Indicator 
 

Yes

Show text

Station Maintenance Capabilities 
 

0.0

Station Photo  

iRobot Roomba S9 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  

Roborock S5 In The Box Picture
iRobot Roomba S9 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 
 

7.9

Total Weight 
 

7.82 lbs (3.55 kg)

Weight In Hand 
 

0.00 lbs (0.00 kg)

Carrying handle 
 

No

Show text

Battery 
 

9.1
9.2

Minimum Battery Life 
 

112 min
49 min

Maximum Battery Life 
 

195 min
155 min

Recharge Time 
 

173 min
92 min

Recharge Dock 
 

Yes

Battery Life Indicator 
 

Yes

Removable Batteries 
 

No
Yes

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Quality-Of-Life Features 
 

Picture Of Controls  

Roborock S5 Picture Of Controls
iRobot Roomba S9 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  

iRobot Roomba S9 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  

Roborock S5 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  

Roborock S5 Alternative Configuration Photo 1

Alternative Configuration Photo 2  

Roborock S5 Alternative Configuration Photo 2

Blower Mode 
 

No

Show text

Performance

Hard Floor Pick-Up 
 

8.5

Hard Floor Pick-Up Video  

Hard Floor Pick-Up Post Test  

iRobot Roomba S9 Hard Floor Pick-Up Post Test

Show text

High-Pile Carpet Pick-Up 
 

8.0

High-Pile Carpet Pick-Up Video  

High-Pile Carpet Pick-Up Post Test  

iRobot Roomba S9 High-Pile Carpet Pick-Up Post Test

Show text

Low-Pile Carpet Pick-Up 
 

7.5

Low-Pile Carpet Pick-Up Video  

Low-Pile Carpet Pick-Up Post Test  

iRobot Roomba S9 Low-Pile Carpet Pick-Up Post Test

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Pet Hair Pick-Up 
 

7.5

Pet Hair Pick-Up Video  

Pet Hair Pick-Up Post Test  

iRobot Roomba S9 Pet Hair Pick-Up Post Test

Show text

Suction 
 

0.0
5.7

Suction Video  

Maximum Head Suction 
 

0.1 inH₂O (0.03 kPa)
0.2 inH₂O (0.05 kPa)

Setting Used For Maximum  

"Max"(App)

Normal Head Suction 
 

0.0 inH₂O (0.01 kPa)
0.0 inH₂O (0.01 kPa)

Hose Diameter 
 

N/A

Setting Used For Normal  

"Balanced" (App)
"Detailed Clean", (App)

Show text

Airflow 
 

8.2

Maximum Airflow Video  

Maximum Head Airflow 
 

16.0 CFM (0.5 m³/min)

Show text

Noise 
 

9.3
7.0

Noise Video 
 

Bare Floor 
 

61.0 dBA
65.2 dBA

Low-Pile Carpet 
 

61.2 dBA
64.7 dBA

Show text

Maneuverability 
 

8.0
8.5

Maneuverability Video  

Show text

Air Quality 
 

Sealing Quality Video  

Anti-Allergy Filter (HEPA) 
 

No
Yes

Show text

Bare Floor Performance (Hardwood, Laminate, Tiles) 
 

9.4

Setting Used  

"Balanced"

Bare Floor Large Debris Graph  

Roborock S5 Bare Floor Large Debris Graph

Large Debris at 0 gal (0L)  

100%

Large Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)  

80%

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  

Roborock S5 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

Cracks 
 

4.5
4.5

Cracks Video  

Wood Cracks Post Test  

Roborock S5 Wood Cracks Post Test
iRobot Roomba S9 Wood Cracks Post Test

Show text

Stains 
 

5.0
1.0

Stain Video  

Stain Pickup Post Test  

Roborock S5 Stain Pickup Post Test
iRobot Roomba S9 Stain Pickup Post Test

Show text

Water 
 

0.0
0.0

Wet Compatible 
 

Mopping Only
No

Water Video  

Water Pickup Post Test  

Roborock S5 Water Pickup Post Test
iRobot Roomba S9 Water Pickup Post Test

Show text

Low-Pile Carpet Performance 
 

5.3

Setting Used  

"Max"

Low Carpet Large Debris Graph  

Roborock S5 Low Carpet Large Debris Graph

Large Debris at 0 gal (0L)  

47%

Large Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)  

≈ 46%

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  

Roborock S5 Low Carpet Small Debris Graph

Small Debris at 0 gal (0L)  

31%

Small Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)  

≈ 30%

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 Performance 
 

5.9

Setting Used  

"Max"

High Carpet Large Debris Graph  

Roborock S5 High Carpet Large Debris Graph

Large Debris at 0 gal (0L)  

44%

Large Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)  

≈ 43%

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  

Roborock S5 High Carpet Small Debris Graph

Small Debris at 0 gal (0L)  

23%

Small Debris at 0.07 gal (0.25L)  

≈ 22%

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

Pet Hair Floor Performance 
 

9.8

Pet Hair Graph  

Roborock S5 Pet Hair Graph

Bare Floor 
 

99%

Low-Pile Carpet 
 

99%

High-Pile Carpet 
 

99%

Pet Hair Furniture Performance 
 

0.0

Sofa Pickup Video  

Sofa Pickup Post Test  

Roborock S5 Sofa Pickup Post Test
Automation

Physical Automation 
 

7.1
8.9

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 
 

Onboard Only
On-Board Only

Navigation Control Buttons 
 

Return to Base Only
Return To Base Only

Show text

Companion App Automation 
 

8.5
8.0

Companion App Screen Grabs  

Roborock S5 Companion App Screen Grabs
iRobot Roomba S9 Companion App Screen Grabs

App Name 
 

Mi Home
iRobot HOME

Software Boundary Markers (No-Go Zones) 
 

Yes
Yes

App Scheduled Start 
 

Yes
Yes

App Cycle Control 
 

Yes
Yes

Navigation Control Within App 
 

Yes
No

iOS Availability 
 

Yes

Android Availability 
 

Yes

Show text

To Be Deleted

Roborock S5

iRobot Roomba S9

Comments

  1. Comparison

Roborock S5 vs iRobot Roomba S9: Main Discussion

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