The j7+ camera is genuinely useful — the s9+ still gets tangled

The Roomba j7+ has the best object avoidance in the lineup because its camera actually identifies what it’s looking at — cords, socks, dog poop — and navigates around each one. The s9+ has a less capable obstacle-detection system and both can get tangled in the same things the j7+ dodges.

This creates a weird situation where the more expensive s9+ is worse at avoiding obstacles than the mid-range j7+. The s9+ wins on suction and edge cleaning (its D-shape is unique), but if you’re buying a Roomba specifically to avoid pet waste and cables, the j7+ is the right pick. Object avoidance isn’t a premium-tier feature — it’s a j-series feature.