Sometimes it gets stuck for no reason and needs intervention to continue. The point is for it to be able to clean without any intervention and not get stuck, especially for the price it costs. When it doesn't get stuck, it cleans satisfactorily.

My experience with robotic vacuums starts with the Roomba 980. It was followed by the Roborock S5max, and my latest purchase is the Roomba S9+. I used all three of them heavily on a daily basis in a 240sqm gym, both in the morning and evening.

Lidar VS Vslam

It depends on the usage hours and the lighting conditions of the space.

Regarding the usage hours:

After about 1.5 years of daily use for cleaning a 250sqm area, the Roborock needed a lidar replacement. A simple consumable (rotating belt - rubber) is not available anywhere. Something similar might be found on the market. In case there is a problem with the radar's rotating motor, the replacement from Amazon costs 100 euros at best. While mine was still under warranty, it failed in the lidar motor, fortunately the seller refunded me as they did not take responsibility for the repair. I note that the first Roomba 980 robot still works flawlessly in the house, covering thousands of square meters.

VSlam = fewer moving parts compared to lidar = fewer points that can have accuracy issues from use.

Regarding the lighting conditions:

The S9+ and any robot vacuum with Vslam cannot operate in complete darkness. Low lighting is sufficient for trouble-free operation (leave a light on). In this case, lidar technology is the only solution. From videos of other users, I have seen that this issue is resolved in the J7 and models with front LED lighting. However,

On the other hand, lidar technology in high brightness conditions and near glass surfaces that start from the floor can lead to navigation problems for the robot. My personal experience consistently confirmed this. Practically, I do not consider it a very common scenario for household use.

Finally, with the Roborock S5Max, my experience with restricted zones was not good at all. They were often ignored (day and night), and I ended up using physical obstacles. It may have been specific to my model, but I have to mention it. The S9+, after the latest app update, moves flawlessly and has never violated a restricted zone.

Battery Life

The worst has been written about the battery performance of all Roomba models, especially the S9+, S7, and J7. I present some data for consideration.

The Roomba 980 became one of the favorite robots, at least among the Amazon community, precisely because it could operate for 120 minutes at medium suction intensity. The S9+ can work for 130+ minutes with the minimum suction intensity setting. When working at maximum suction intensity, the operating time does not exceed 60 minutes.

It charges to 100% in about 120 minutes. Not in 6 hours as stated in the product description on the Skroutz page. Here, I must add another advantage regarding battery management by the S9+ software (the Roborock S5max did not have it, possibly more advanced Roborock models have it).

The S9+ app, after a certain number of cleaning tasks, accurately calculates the time needed to complete the cleaning of the space. So when it returns to the charging base, it will remain there until the battery is charged enough to complete the remaining work.

Example:

The robot returns to the charging base while it needs another 15' to complete the programmed task. The robot will charge as much as it needs in order to return as quickly as possible, complete its task, and return. That is, it will not stay 120' at the base, until full charge, but 25'.

Someone might think, yes but the roborock lasts 180' at medium suction intensity. Yes, but it takes 360' to fully charge (and it will stay at the base until full charge) and continue its work, unless it is given a new command through the application before full charge.

Without much thought and from personal experience, I would prefer the approach of Irobot. Here I must mention that the S9+ is so good at removing dirt that even with the lowest suction setting, it leaves almost nothing on the floor after the first pass.

Noise pollution

All roombas except the J7 and later models of irobot are very noisy when working at maximum suction intensity. The S9+ with the minimum suction intensity setting is easily tolerable with a similar noise to that of the Roborock S5max.

Cleaning speed

Clearly, lidar navigation excels.

Furniture friendliness, navigation

Here I may surprise you. After upgrades to the software of the roomba 980 & S9+, both have become much friendlier with objects in the space at the height of the infrared sensor placement. Before the upgrade, the roomba 980 was a real disaster. It hit hard on every surface and yes, it could damage more delicate objects. Not anymore.

The S9+ is incredibly improved. I will also upload a related video where you will see with your own eyes that it can now make slalom-like avoidance maneuvers of objects in its path as if it has a front Vslam camera like the newer j7 and the highly advanced models of Roborock S7, S8. I note that its upgrade cannot do anything to avoid pet waste, cables, socks, and generally objects shorter than the height of the infrared sensor placement.

Cleaning in corners

Yes, the shape of the S9+ leads to improved cleaning in corners.

Performance of the dirt collection bin

Simply excellent. It frees your hands. Many may think that it increases maintenance costs because you have to buy bags. My suggestion is to empty the bag whenever necessary with a vacuum cleaner (Dyson or similar bagless).

Service, consumables

The official exclusive importer of Irobot in Greece does not recognize the warranty of robots purchased outside the network of partners (see their website for more information).

Outside the warranty, all irobot vacuums can be repaired in Greece.

Consumables

You can find everything genuine and non-genuine, both in and outside Greece.

Build quality, ergonomics

The build quality and ergonomics of the S9+ compared to the Roborock S5max are visibly and substantially superior. Personally, I consider it a work of art. Of course, with the corresponding cost.

Cost and final opinion

Even at 999 euros (initially 1450), I consider the cost of it very high for household use. In general, all irobot products have higher prices compared to the competition without always offering more.

For heavy professional use, based on my experience so far (roomba 980, S9+ & Roborock S5max), I believe that the S9+ might be one of the best, if not the best, choice.

Questions

I can't understand why the exclusive importer hasn't promoted the real advantages of irobot products compared to cheaper and very effective models from Chinese brands.

I have this particular model for a year. I am very satisfied and consider the purchase to be very good. I have forgotten that I have the previous vacuum cleaner!
However, in order to clean properly (both this model and any other), it needs to find as few obstacles as possible (cables, socks, small objects).
Attention needs to be paid to frequent cleaning of the long hairs that get tangled in the rollers at the bottom of the vacuum cleaner. If they are not cleaned properly and often enough... it will probably need to go to the technical department, or at some point it may even burn out.

I have this specific model for 2 months. The motherboard broke during the first week and they replaced the vacuum cleaner for me. It doesn't find the areas I send it to clean at all. If it is 2 meters and above from its base, it never returns to it. It wanders aimlessly until it stops at some point. Money wasted! Stay away!