iRobot

[YouNeverKnow]

Those of you that have an iRobot or any other brand how do you like it?
Looking for comments and suggestions on how you like it and what the best one might be.

[villagetinker]

As for best to buy, you will probably need to look at consumer reports, we have one and like it, middle of the road Irobot.

[bluedivergirl]

We've had a Roomba for about two years. I like it very much. It memorizes your house layout and methodically cleans the areas. The first (cheaper) brand we tried just bounced around from obstruction to obstruction, leaving uncleaned patches.

Roomba can get under my bedroom furniture and clean every inch of cookie crumbs and popcorn the DH leaves when he forages.

You need to buy refresher kits every so often ~ filters, new rollers and brushes. I find the knock-offs to work as well as the brand name replacements, for much less money. The rollers are a bit noisier at first, but that stops.

Good luck!

[oldtimes]

We are on our 3rd. The early ones had trouble maneuvering around objects and different types of floors but they have gotten much better. We find they are ideal here because the floors are all one level. The second one we had was not an iRobot and did not last long so this time we went back to iRobot and it cleans the entire house.

[Kahuna32162]

Our Roomba, "Hazel", is our 2nd and this one self empties itself into a disposable bag that lasts about 6 weeks. She does a great job hitting all the areas that really need sweeping. She runs 3 days a week and is controlled vis a phone app.

[DAIII]

We've had a Roomba for about two years. I like it very much. It memorizes your house layout and methodically cleans the areas. The first (cheaper) brand we tried just bounced around from obstruction to obstruction, leaving uncleaned patches.

Roomba can get under my bedroom furniture and clean every inch of cookie crumbs and popcorn the DH leaves when he forages.

You need to buy refresher kits every so often ~ filters, new rollers and brushes. I find the knock-offs to work as well as the brand name replacements, for much less money. The rollers are a bit noisier at first, but that stops.

Good luck!

Exactly! mine is the RYBOT3000 (named it) and works like a charm. Besides life is too short to push/pull a sweeper.

[stevecmo]

We have the Rumba and like it a lot. The cat not so much.

Definitely get one with mapping capability.

[n8xwb]

We have used NEATO robots for at least ten years. We chose NEATO originally because all of their models use ladar to map each room. They methodically vacuum around obstacles. I notice Rumbas have been mentioned in several of the replies -- look closely before buying -- I dont believe all Rumbas map. Also compare price and reviews -- do you have carpet, laminate, tile? Do you have pet hair? Different brands are better for different homes. Also note the crazy price you pay for a Rumba that empties automatically -- add maybe $300 -- is it worth the price? With all brands, check the difference in their models -- often the cleaning ability of a lower priced model is as good as the higher priced model -- the difference may be the bells and whistles ie. Do you really want to pay an extra $100 to be able to check on your robot using your smartphone?

Bottom line we have a dog, we have all tile flooring with a few throw-rugs and Neato is the only brand we would buy. We run the robot daily and be are happy with our purchase(s)!

[DAVES]

We have the Rumba and like it a lot. The cat not so much.

Definitely get one with mapping capability.

I do not have one. As far as a cat. We had a cat and a dog. I think one of the ads shows a cat riding on it. I imagine our cat would have ridden on it with it's cat grin while our dog would go nuts. Who would destroy it first the dog or me? As we have never had one I cannot say how the tale would end. I doubt the warranty covers dog or HAMMER damage.

[dewilson58]

Mapping/Memories are "ok".............not as good as consumers think.

Place Cheerios around the house and see how long, if at all, before they are picked up.

Jus say'n.

[Joe V.]

Mapping/Memories are "ok".............not as good as consumers think.

Place Cheerios around the house and see how long, if at all, before they are picked up.

Jus say'n.


Less than 5 seconds before my Jack Russell's get them.

[dewilson58]

Less than 5 seconds before my Jack Russell's get them.

Perfect tag team, Jack gets the tasty morsels, Robo gets some of the nasty morsels.

:coolsmiley:

[fdpaq0580]

Mapping/Memories are "ok".............not as good as consumers think.

Place Cheerios around the house and see how long, if at all, before they are picked up.

Jus say'n.

I am not sharing my Honey Nut with the robot!!!
😕

[2newyorkers]

We have a Euly for about 3 years and are very happy with it.

[Djean1981]

After having all versions of Roomba, we have the Shark IQ which self empties and cuts hair off the roller. We love it!

[daniel200]

I have an irobot i7+. I am very happy with it. So far its history map shows it has cleaned a total of 270,000 square feet (that represents cleaning my home about 150 times).

The mapping function is very helpful as it allows me to define particular areas of the house (for example main bedroom or kitchen) and then send it to clean only that area. I have found that the robot works methodically and covers the entire area very well.

The i7+ also has an automatic dirt disposal system that automatically empties the robot dust bin once its full. This allows the robot to continue working if you are not home (otherwise the robot stops until you are able to manually empty the dust bin). The auto dust disposal system works very well and has never caused problems.

The robot is about 3 1/4 inches tall …. So it will not go under things if there is not enough clearance.. I ended up purchasing some 3/4 inch wooden risers so that I could raise some furniture so that the robot was able to clean underneath.

Occasionally, you will need to perform some simple maintenance. For example if it picks up some string, a paper clip or a rubberband … it may get caught in the rollers or wheels causing extra noise and poor performance. But it is very easy to flip the robot over and do the required maintenance.

The i7+ is expensive but when I consider it has cleaned the home more than 150 times …. I would not hesitate to purchase again,

I do not have any pets. So I have no experience with pet hair or other pet related issues.

[Baldbaron]

Cat likes to ride on it...wife doesn't.

[jedalton]

had mine for 7 years and love it. replaced battery twice

[JoelJohnson]

We have a knock off, but it works good enough. Don't have to get under the bed.

[togabill]

Which vacs avoid electrical wires?

[CosmicTrucker]

I've owned Romba's and other knockoff models. Currently own a Shark that self empties it's bin at the charging base. The Shark does a very good job at mapping your home. After the mapping process, you can then select individual areas or rooms for the vac to clean. You will be amazed at what this vac will find during it's routine. None of these are perfect and the Shark has gotten stuck under a dining room chair or under a piece of furniture, but it's rare for this to happen. The Shark also has a smartphone app that works very well too. The cost may sting a little at around $500, but if you're a busy person, Lazy person or one who just would like a helping hand, then I recommend the Shark.

[fireman]

Those of you that have an iRobot or any other brand how do you like it?
Looking for comments and suggestions on how you like it and what the best one might be.

Love our Roomba. Get a 600 or higher model and it comes with mapping. Worth the extra money.

[plhami24]

The I robot cleans great. But, it gets stuck under furniture, in the tracks of the slider doors, and on electrical cords. I bought it to clean while I was gone. That doesn’t work. So, it runs for an hour and a half while I’m home watching it and is quite noisy

[PoolBrews]

We had a Neato, and while it worked OK, we sold it. Every time you want it run, you need to pick up anything small on the floor, tip up the kitchen chairs, end tables, etc or it doesn't clean those areas, or gets stuck under the chairs or end tables.

It was as much work to prepare the area as it was to run the robot - and it doesn't do as good a job as the full size vacuum.

[Redwood8300]

There are a couple good YouTube channels that test them. Take a look at this one.
Top 5 Best Robot Vacuums 2021- Vacuum Wars! - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRZLcft2PBc)

[toeser]

Mapping/Memories are "ok".............not as good as consumers think.

Place Cheerios around the house and see how long, if at all, before they are picked up.

Jus say'n.

I have a direct-from-China brand that was cheap and came with instructions in Chinese, it's 3 1/2 years old, has intelligent mapping - which produces an actual map - and has been flawless.

Sadly, I think it is no longer available.

[LonnyP]

Make sure you get one that has a memory and it programmable for areas. Ours has neither and is borderline useless without that feature. Does not remember spots where it gets stuck, goes over the same areas etc..

[Dilligas]

We had an early roomba but didn’t like the random cleaning pattern. We got a Eufy 2 years ago with up-back cleaning pattern and love it. Our Eufy is much quieter and cleans better than our roomba (And was much less expensive). Our G30 Edge goes over tile/hardwood/area rugs effortlessly.

[rnicholis]

Purchased these expensive but worth every penny. Programmed house and tell Alexa to have Roomba vacuum an area, kitchen, tv room, hallway etc or entire house and Alexa asks if I want it mopped when vacuuming done and I say yes or no. I prepare areas removing glass vases on floor because this robot is strong and can move some chairs, small curio tables if it finds itself “cornered” and my floors get done. If it needs recharging it returns itself then completes the job. We love it. About 9 months experience with it.

[Nannyof3]

Those of you that have an iRobot or any other brand how do you like it?
Looking for comments and suggestions on how you like it and what the best one might be.
I have an old one, probably 8-9 years, at the time it was the top of the line, it still does a good job. the new ones can be programmed from your phone and have a much larger dust bin. when it dies I'll definitely get another one.

[Proveone]

Those of you that have an iRobot or any other brand how do you like it?
Looking for comments and suggestions on how you like it and what the best one might be.
Robotic vacs are the best, especially if you don't have wall to wall carpet. With carpet you have to clean the main brush and replace the side brush(s) periodically. Before I go shopping, I will turn it(them), I have two of them, on and when I come back two hours later the house (2300 sq. ft.) is done. Replacement parts are very inexpensive online. Well worth the money. I already put in central vac years ago, but like this much better. Can't wait until they come out with a robotic furniture duster!

[lennythenet]

Love my iRobot. “Rosie” vacuums and will return and empty it’s dust bin. You can map the rooms in your home and it will clean the whole house or only the rooms you designate. It will adjust itself to carpet or floor.

[Ptmckiou]

Mapping/Memories are "ok".............not as good as consumers think.

Place Cheerios around the house and see how long, if at all, before they are picked up.

Jus say'n.

Our Deepot Ecovac has the new technology lidar for mapping the house. She even has mapped outdoor spaces and of course never been out there. Excellent robot.

She cleans daily on a schedule I set up, different parts of the house. We have a large dog, so lots of dog hair which sometimes doesn’t all get out in the auto empty feature in to the docking station after each task. However, not a problem, I just manually empty the dust bin if needed.

She is controlled by an app, and also has a security camera feature that you can have her roam the house while you are gone to check on things and you can watch on your app.

Since I got the robot, my house has never been so clean. She gets every crumb and dog hair, and for the first time in my life even under the beds get cleaned. LOL

[Paula]

I've had a few and they're so much better than a real vacuum! Certain features are necessary, deal breakers. Having a smartphone app is a must. You can choose areas to vacuum, you can set a schedule, and you can also see where's she's been - or not. Virtual boundaries are totally a must. You don't want to have manually block areas where you don't want her to go. Some vacs have strips to put down but one, there may not be enough, and two, again that's manual labor. Also, you want it to resume cleaning if your house is too big for 'one swell foop.' You want her to go home and charge and then pick up from where she left off. Mine also has a mop feature, which isn't great, but at least better than me not mopping!

[gabby1010]

We have a Shark here and back North. Love them and the job they do. Be sure tiger one that exhausts itsel

[philoret]

User 20 years, contributor RobotReviews.com. For higher suction on carpet and better construction I prefer Samsung, major electronics supplier. Also use a unique mopper iLife w400 which extracts water after mopping unlike others with just pads. Wide range of prices now; "premium" brands will map the house with camera or lidar scanning, WiFi smartphone apps add to cost.
Samsung now has cameras which avoid small objects on floor.
All of them may require little fixes and adjustments to furniture to avoid trapping.
Presenting end of March at The Villages Science and Technology club on this subject.

[MandoMan]

Those of you that have an iRobot or any other brand how do you like it?
Looking for comments and suggestions on how you like it and what the best one might be.

I live alone without pets and only have to vacuum every few months, so I don’t need one of these things. However, here are the first three pages of Consumer Reports recommendations for robotic vacuum cleaners:

[kettlecove]

Determine if a mopping attachment would work for your home. After vacuuming my floors in Florida, I always damp mopped as the next step to remove the gray residue. Now Rosie, my Roborock brand, does it for me. Obviously, this won’t work if you have carpet in some rooms unless the device maps and can be specific to some rooms. I love the mopping feature. Rosie vacuums one day, mops the next while I golf. She is the perfect retirement companion!

[PaulinTV]

I suggest getting one that you can have send an audible signal when you can't find it. Mine "hides" on me and she's good at it (I only refer to her as she when she's hiding, when the vac does a great job it's him......)

[nn0wheremann]

Those of you that have an iRobot or any other brand how do you like it?
Looking for comments and suggestions on how you like it and what the best one might be.
Junk . Trash. Batteries don’t last long and are expensive to replace. Gets stuck under some furniture.

[pdmracing18]

Those of you that have an iRobot or any other brand how do you like it?
Looking for comments and suggestions on how you like it and what the best one might be.

Got one for Christmas and we are absolutely amazed at the technology in the device and the cleaning ability it has. Yes, touch ups and spots not cleaned are present, but minimal. Absolutely the best device since seat heaters.

[Mlogan22@tampabay.rr.com]

I hated mine and gave it to my sister-in-law. It would get caught up on electrical cords and furniture.

[JoanTski]

Those of you that have an iRobot or any other brand how do you like it?
Looking for comments and suggestions on how you like it and what the best one might be.

I bought the latest model that self empties… love it… does a great job twice a week on my vinyl floors.

[Polarlys]

Curious about these robotic vacuums and have a couple of questions that apply to our home.

How do these robotic vacuums handle throw rugs with a fringe on them ???? Are they able to transit from hard flooring past the fringe onto the carpet without causing any damage to the rugs ??

ThanX,
Roger from a cold New Jersey

[Barborv]

Our Roomba, "Hazel", is our 2nd and this one self empties itself into a disposable bag that lasts about 6 weeks. She does a great job hitting all the areas that really need sweeping. She runs 3 days a week and is controlled vis a phone app.

I have a roomba named Rosie(from the Jetsons) and I also have the Braava mopping one from I robot named Hazel!

[Barborv]

I like my roomba. It has the self cleaning bag which is great. The other machine I have the Braava from roomba-I Robot is also handy. But if you are looking for REAL HEAVY DUTY CLEANING, you will need to take out your regular vacuum and your mop. But for evry other day or so cleaning, the I robots are great.

[richardc1947]

We have two Neato’s - one for Florida and 1 for Tennessee. No problems.

[HJBeck]

They work pretty good. We only have one in our court yard villa and it runs out of juice before it can do the whole house. We don’t have any dogs so the dirt level is not too bad. The unit can run two times before one has to empty the bin and clean the filter. I see no value in the real expensive ones the have their own cleaning station since cleaning must include cleaning the filter. I have to use my compressed air machine to blow out the filter. The other complaint is that the unit gets lost and can’t find the charging station in a guest bedroom, which requires us to pick the unit up and manually place in back in the charging station. It does keep the floors clean.

[Petersweeney]

I have 2 - a rumba and an iRobot - I square them off together in the living room, wear my tin foil hat and pretend I’m in a giant game of pong

[Paula]

Curious about these robotic vacuums and have a couple of questions that apply to our home.

How do these robotic vacuums handle throw rugs with a fringe on them ???? Are they able to transit from hard flooring past the fringe onto the carpet without causing any damage to the rugs ??

ThanX,
Roger from a cold New Jersey
It's likely that the fringes could get caught in the robo, just as they could with a real vacuum. That's why you get one with virtual boundaries. Caveat: when it's first running and mapping, you need to manually block off areas where you don't want her to go. Once you have the map, and create your boundaries, you needn't worry about fringes or other areas where she may get stuck or shouldn't go.

[Carlsondm]

We have a Eufi that is super thin and much cheaper. It goes under more furniture and is programmable. Mapping version is preferred, large debris holder or self emptying, low noise ..if that is an issue. Ours had a ‘thing’ with shag rugs in the bath. It got stuck and eeped all night. Also had a problem with different height rugs. Ours did not like 0.75 inch jumps. Layering area rugs solves that. We have 3 cats and only one would ride it! The others stalk it. 😊

[Traveling lady]

Those of you that have an iRobot or any other brand how do you like it?
Looking for comments and suggestions on how you like it and what the best one might be.

I have the Shark Robot that has a tower. It stops and empties into the tower when necessary and all I have to do is empty the tower every few weeks. I hold the tower over the garbage and press a button. I have had it about 2 years and love it.

[christiewright]

Those of you that have an iRobot or any other brand how do you like it?
Looking for comments and suggestions on how you like it and what the best one might be.

I love my iRobot. I have had it for 6 years and could not live without it. It is the 900 series. I plan on getting a new one when this one breaks down. I have ordered replacement parts periodically and it is a cinch to replace.

[Two Bills]

Pushing your vacuum cleaner around every room in the house requires some serious calories. Vacuuming for 30 minutes zaps 99 calories if you're 120 pounds, 124 calories if you're 150 pounds, and 166 calories if you're 200 pounds. Do dance moves or lunges while you push to pump up the burn.+

It's my go too keep fit class!!