## iRobot Roomba s9+ vs. Dreame L20 Ultra: An in-depth comparison
Choosing the right robot vacuum cleaner can seem like a daunting task, especially with so many options available. Today, we’ll take a closer look at a comparison of two high-end models: the iRobot Roomba s9+ and the Dreame L20 Ultra. Both promise top-notch cleaning, but each has its own pros and cons. Let’s take a closer look at them.
The Roomba s9+ is a beast when it comes to carpet cleaning. Its exceptional deep cleaning capabilities are highly praised, and in one test, it sucked up 96% of embedded sand. Its powerful 22 CFM suction is the best I’ve seen from a robot vacuum cleaner, and its D-shaped design and wide brush rollers ensure suction in all edges and corners. However, it sometimes struggles when trying to suck up large debris as it can make a “crunching” sound.
The Dreame L20 Ultra, on the other hand, provides excellent cleaning performance on both hard floors and carpets. It also boasts superior mop capabilities and effectively cleans dry stains such as grape juice and coffee. The innovative Mop Extend technology is revolutionary and cleans edges more effectively than other products. Another great feature is the automatic raising and lowering of the mop pad and optional base removal, which prevents carpets from getting wet when cleaning. Despite its high suction power, it didn’t perform as well as expected in our crevice cleaning and deep cleaning tests.
Navigation and mapping
The Roomba s9+ uses a smart mapping feature that allows it to clean room by room and maintain multiple floors. However, its navigation is a bit clunky and it may bump into obstacles more often than a robot on wheels. It uses a camera to map the house, which is not as accurate as the rider. It can be a bit clumsy and frustrating when close to obstacles.
In contrast, the Dreame L20 Ultra uses advanced navigation with LiDAR and artificial intelligence to avoid obstacles. The result is more efficient cleaning and a larger area that can be covered on a single charge. It avoids toys, shoes and even fake dog poop. The navigation is really smart and allows you to cover more area on a single charge. The app is easy to use and has options to customize virtual walls, clean rooms, and specific zones. You can also view live video from the cameras.
Self-Cleaning and Maintenance
One of the outstanding features of the Roomba s9+ is the self-cleaning bin (clean base). This is a lifesaver as the robot automatically empties it after every cleaning. The bag lasts for about 30 cleanings, so you only need to change it once a month. However, this means you’ll have to buy new bags, which adds to the long-term costs. However, the upgraded filter is a nice touch.
The Dreame L20 Ultra takes self-service one step further with its automatic base station. Not only does it automatically empty the waste bin, but it also cleans and dries the mop head and automatically fills the water and solution tanks. It’s like a cleaning assistant that never rests. However, the base station is quite large and may not fit in some rooms. Also, the self-cleaning base station requires regular manual cleaning of the wash area.
Noise and battery life
The Roomba s9+ can be quite loud, especially at maximum power. Battery life is also shorter than some competitors, requiring charging and restarting in larger homes. We found that using the automatic settings optimizes battery life, but if you have a large home, it’s worth looking into.
The Dreame L20 Ultra has good battery life and can cover a large space on a single charge. It’s not the fastest robot, but it gets the job done efficiently. The noise level is moderate and doesn’t seem as loud as the Roomba s9+.
Pros and Cons
Benefits of Roomba s9+:
- Excellent deep carpet cleaning: Outperforms most other robot vacuums in carpet cleaning.
- Very powerful suction: Power 22 CFM on high power.
- Excellent cleaning of edges and corners: Thanks to the D-shaped design and brush arrangement.
- Efficient hair collection: with minimal tangling on the brush roll.
- Intelligent mapping function: Cleaning every room and multi-floor compatibility.
- Self-cleaning container (clean base): provides convenience and reduces maintenance.
Disadvantages of Roomba s9+:
- Very expensive: more expensive than most robot vacuums, making it a premium investment.
- Short battery life.
- Bumps into obstacles more often compared to robots on wheels.
- Especially at maximum power.
- May not be able to handle large debris: Sometimes makes a crunching sound.
- Need to change bags: Self-cleaning base, which incurs long-term costs.
Advantages of Dreame L20 Ultra:
- Excellent performance: on both hard floors and carpets.
- Superior mop capability: Effectively cleans dry dirt.
- Innovative mop extension technology: For better edge cleaning.
- Automatic lifting and removal of extra pad: Automatic carpet cleaning base.
- Automatic base station: With automatic emptying, mop washing/drying and water/solution refilling.
- Advanced Navigation: LiDAR and artificial intelligence to avoid obstacles, providing wide area coverage on a single charge.
Disadvantages of Dream L20 Ultra:
- High price: Compared to other robot vacuums.
- Limited consumer reviews.
- Average performance: Despite high suction power in crevice cleaning and deep cleaning tests.
- Rubber brushes: Not as effective as bristle brushes at picking up fine hair from carpets and rugs.
- Base Station: Despite its rich feature set, it is large and may not fit in all rooms.
- Self-Cleaning Base Station: It is necessary to manually clean the washboard area on a regular basis.
Final Thoughts
Roomba s9+ and Dram L20 Ultra are impressive machines, but they accomplish different tasks. The Roomba s9+ is a champion carpet cleaner, with powerful suction and efficient hair collection. However, it’s expensive, noisy and with a short battery life. The Dram L20 Ultra, on the other hand, does a great job of mop cleaning and offers a more comprehensive self-cleaning system. It also costs more, but has a more advanced navigation system and a wider variety of cleaning options. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your specific needs and priorities. If the focus is on carpets and you need a deep clean, the Roomba s9+ is a better choice. If you have mixed hard floors and carpets and want a less time-consuming cleaning experience, the Dram L20 Ultra would be a good choice.