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iRobot Roomba Review
iRobot Roomba Vacuum 500 Series
Being the gadget freak that I am, my wife surprised me earlier this year and bought me an iRobot Roomba automatic vacuum cleaner. I had of course seen all of the various infomercials for this product in the past, but never gave it a second thought to purchase one of these vacuums because I wasn’t so sure it could actually clean as well as they showed. And at a price of just over $300, I didn’t want to risk spending that much money on a gadget that I was pretty sure wouldn’t be useful for anything much more than showing off to friendswhen they stopped by to visit. But since my wife bought it for me, I was happy to now own it and looked forward to seeing what all the “hype” about it was.
Ok, let’s get started with my iRobot Roomba Review:
The model package that my wife bought for me was the iRobot Roomba 500 series Vacuum Cleaning Robot. It consisted of an iRobot Roomba device, a self-charging “Home Base”, and a single “Virtual Wall”.
Basically, the way the Roomba works is it rolls along in a somewhat random pattern in each room and vacuums up any dirt in it’s path. As the Roomba “bumps” into different items, such as walls, appliances, chair legs, pets, etc., it then changes directions. Because of the randomness of the path that the Roomba travels, an average sized room (10′ x 12′) takes approximately 30-40 minutes to fully clean.
iRobot Virtual Wall
The way it only cleans one room at a time is by the use of a “Virtual Wall”. The virtual wall is a small device that sends out an infrared beam from itself to another location…in my case, it’s usually a wall. The infrared beam that is sent out blocks the Roomba from passing through the beam, thus acting as a wall. I can adjust how far out the beam is sent from a choice of 3 ranges which are 0-3 feet, 4-7 feet, and 8+ feet.
I have found that most of the time, the beam does a good job of preventing the Roomba from passing. There have, however, been some instances of the Roomba completely passing through the beam. This usually doesn’t cause a problem for me because I prefer to run the Roomba when I’m home and usually notice it has crossed the beam right away and can intervene. For those who run the Roomba while they are away from the home, I’d recommend they have certain safeguards in place to prevent the Roomba from traveling to areas you’d prefer it not go to. I have found that lining up a row of shoes or sneakers does a good job of stopping the Roomba from traveling through to the next room.
Roomba charging in the Home Base charging station
When the Roomba has either finished cleaning a room, or has almost depleted it’s battery, it automatically travels back to it’s “Home Base”, where it begins the recharging process. If the Roomba was not finished cleaning a room prior to recharging, it will back out of the Home Base once fully charged again and will continue cleaning the room where it left off at.
The first time I watched the Roomba travel back to it’s Home Base, I was really amazed. It’s pretty cool to see the Roomba find it’s way home and drive right into the exact spot needed in order to recharge. And as of yet, I have not had any occasions where my Roomba could not find the Base Station. (If the area you block with the Virtual Wall prevents the Roomba from traveling back to the Home Base, it simply turns off and waits for it’s owner to pick it up and place it in the Home Base charger.)
How good of a job does the iRobot Roomba do?
First of all, I must disclose that our family owns 4 cats (don’t ask). And although these are short-haired cats, they still shed a lot of hair. I also have 3 young daughters, who love eating snacks in all rooms of our house…especially popcorn, although I don’t think they actually put the popcorn into their mouths, but rather instead create some type of new modern art on our living room floor with it.
Accumulation of cat hair in the Roomba
The Roomba does an excellent job of keeping my ceramic-tiled kitchen floor clean. I used to have to sweep my kitchen floor almost daily in order to clean up cereal, toast crumbs, raisins, ramen noodles (after they’ve hardened of course), etc. I’ll usually run the Roomba 3-4 times per week in my kitchen. When the Roomba is finished with the kitchen, I’ll then empty it out and think to myself how gross our household is as I pour the Roomba’s vacuumed-up contents into my trash can. The amount of crap that accumulates on our kitchen floor is shocking to say the least.
After my Roomba has fully charged, I’ll then run it in my living room. I run it in the living room about once per week, although I should be running it at least 2-3 times per week. Because we own 4 loving, adorable, well-mannered cats that I love so much (again, don’t ask), if I only run it once per week, I usually end up having to clean out the Roomba’s brushes halfway during the cleaning process. (The Roomba detects the accumulation of hair and debris in the brushes and will stop and sound an audible alarm to indicate it needs cleaning.) The cleaning of the Roomba’s brushes is very simple and only takes about 2-3 minutes.
iRobot recently came out with “Pet Series” versions of the Roomba made especially for households with pets, although, I’m not sure if does a better job of preventing pet hair from getting stuck in the brushes or not. These models are named Roomba 532 Pet Series and Roomba 562 Pet Series.
Roomba Collection Tray - Contents from cleaning a single room
When the Roomba has finished cleaning my living room, I’ll empty out the contents it vacuumed up. Again, the amount of crap that I find in the collection tray is startling. I’ll find popcorn, popcorn kernels, Nerds candy pieces, sweet tarts, as well as a ton of cat hair. The Roomba leaves my living room floor looking freshly vacuumed with the appearance of vacuum-trails and a fluffed-up appearance.
Overall, I’d say the Roomba does a fantastic job of keeping hard-surfaced floors, such as ceramic tile and vinyl, clean. If you despise having to sweep your kitchen floor daily, I can’t say enough good things about the Roomba.
For carpet, I’d have to say that the Roomba does a pretty good job. I can’t say it does an excellent job because I’ve run my Roomba on my living room floor before and then immediately ran my regular upright vacuum and was still able to get a lot more cat hair up. However, I wouldn’t look at the Roomba as a replacement for your current vacuum. I would instead recommend you use the Roomba as a supplement to your regular vacuum cleaner, as it will do a great job of picking up most small particles that accumulate on your carpet each day.
Additional tidbits you might like to know:
- The Roomba 500 series has a built-in dirt sensor that causes the Roomba to circle around a continuous spot until it no longer senses any dirt in that area. If you have a rug in your foyer that you run the Roomba on, you’ll find that the dirt sensor indicator will illuminate often. I actually like it when I see that my Roomba senses the extra dirt.
- The Roomba has visual sensors on the front which cause it to slow down just before it “bumps” into walls, appliances, furniture legs, etc. to lower the possibility of scratching/damaging these items with continuous use. iRobot also recently modified the design of the Roomba’s front bumper by applying a soft, rubber strip across it which further helps lessen the possibility of damaging items it comes into contact with.
- There are fancier, more expensive, models of Roomba’s which come with additional features/accessories that make it even more impressive. For example, instead of a Virtual Wall, they have “Lighthouses”, which act just like a virtual wall while the Roomba cleans a single room. However, when the Roomba finishes with one room, it sends a signal to the Lighthouse indicating that it’s done. The Lighthouse then turns off the infrared beam and allows the Roomba to pass by it. Once the Roomba passes by it, it turns the beam back on and again blocks the Roomba from returning to the previous room it just finished cleaning. This allows the Roomba to then fully clean the next room. If you have more than 1 lighthouse, you can effectively set up your home so that the Roomba cleans every room…one-room-at-a-time. (Because the Roomba’s battery won’t last long enough to allow it to clean more than 1-2 rooms at a time, the Lighthouses are smart enough to let it back through so it can reach the Home Base, charge itself up again, and then return to finish cleaning where it left off at.
- The Roomba has built-in sensors that prevent it from falling down stairs. I have stairs in my house and have tested this. My findings are that the stair sensors do an excellent job at stopping the Roomba.
- I did have a charging problem with the initial Roomba unit that I received. Upon contacting iRobot, they sent me a new one. I did have to return the defective unit, however, I did NOT have to pay any shipping/handling charges.
- Since the Roomba unit itself is circular in shape, it’s not able to travel tightly into the corners of walls. To combat this issue, there is a rapidly spinning side-brush, which extends out past the Roomba unit and sweeps the dirt/debris out of the corners and into the path of the Roomba. Overall, these do a pretty good job of cleaning out the corners.
The side brushes that my Roomba model came with were easily damaged and often needed to be replaced. This was a known issue, which I believe has been corrected now with a new type of side-brush design. When I contacted iRobot about this, they shipped me out 3 additional side-brushes to help me get by until the newly designed side-brushes were available. They again paid all shipping and handling charges. (I have yet to receive the newer style side-brushes from them, so it’s just a matter of time before I need to contact them again.)- There is a handle that is built into the Roomba unit. Unfortunately for me, I just discovered this when putting this review together. Doh!
- I often catch myself staring at my Roomba while it’s cleaning a room. I’m not quite sure why, but there is something hypnotic about watching this gadget travel around a room by itself. After 10-15 minutes of staring, I’ll realize what I’m doing and will remind myself that by watching the Roomba vacuum, I’m defeating the whole purpose of owning it.
For more information on the iRobot Roomba, including videos that illustrate how the units work, you can visit the main IRobot website at www.iRobot.com. Or, if you’re like me and always like to find a good deal, then checkout the iRobot Clearance Center, where you can find the latest promotions and offers that iRobot is featuring.
53 Comments
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Excelent Review, im a college student and just got a first generation one. It was more for the novelty than because I really cared to have my room clean but i love it.
Maybe ill get a top model one later
I stumbled upon your review when I googled “roomba review” and I just wanted to say thank you. Your review was comprehensive and very descriptive. I also appreciate the links at the bottom. I’m about to check out the “outlet” and see if I can get my hands on a roomba.
Thanks again!
I got my roomba 560 in October-09, it is set to do the living room (aprox 30 sq.m.) every day around 11 am, I have a lot of furniture and plants standing around, so it has to slalom its way around, It works perfectly. It doesn’t catch every thing but it, keeps down the worst, so during the weekend I can just do the corners and panels, the old fashioned way. I haven’t used my old vacuum cleaner since I got the Roomba.
It handles my carpets very well, it might move them a little around and once in a while it get it self into a trap between carpets and chairs so I have to rescue it, but surprisingly often it gets it self out of trouble. When I want it to do the “grand tour” I just put the chairs on the table and move big things away.
Just remember to clean it or it will stop doing a good job (average once a week in my case)!!
Thanks for the great review! This helped us decide to get a Roomba and now I too find myself watching the Roomba work for 15+ minutes at a time… who needs meditation when you have a Roomba to space out to?
Great review! I just bought a roomba today, so I have yet to use it b/c the first time use has to have a 16 hour charge. It might be silly to check the reviews after I have already bought one but I came up on a deal that I couldn’t pass up, retail price $379.99 my sale price $113! I thought it was so funny when you said you catch yourself watching the roomba, b/c Im sure I will be the exact same way. haha
Thanks!
-J.P.
excellent comprehensive review. Thanks!
Have they fixed the design flaw of all of the Roomba models, i.e. that the brush engages into a plastic drive piece that quickly rounds out and is not replaceable? I bought one of the early models, used it happily for 4 – 6 months and then began having problems with it not picking things up. As I maintained it religiously I was confused. Then I noticed that where the brushes engaged into the drive mechanism was all rounded out meaning that the drive motor could run all it wants but the brushes won’t spin. I called Roomba and they didn’t have a replacement part. I just recently called them again to see if the part was replaceable yet and they told me that my only option was to upgrade. Why would I upgrade after this experience?
So, I warn anyone that is considering a Roomba product. Turn the thing over and take the brush out as if you were going to clean it. Look to see if the point where the brush engages into the drive mechanism is plastic. If it is, box it up, send it back and tell Roomba you want a refund so that you do not end up like me, sitting with an expensive toy that doesn’t do what it was supposed to do.
Oh, and by the way, after voicing my complaint through their customer service (good luck understanding the accent!) I was forwarded up the tree to a supervisor who proceeded to place me on hold without saying a word. I promise you that I was voicing my complaint in a very civil tone and polite voice. She just hit the hold button in the middle of my sentence. I worked retail for 11 years…that is not what customer service is about.
Rich,
I never experienced the problem that you described. I did recently order a replacement brush mechanism, but that was because the one that came with my Roomba had become a lot louder after just over a year of use. The new one that arrived did look a bit different, but I think the portion of the brush that engages with the motor is still plastic.
I submitted a customer testimonial on the iRobot site applauding their product, but did also mention that I wish their replacement parts weren’t so darn expensive, as they do tend to wear out just like anything else.
I have a 550 with the old cleaning head module, I have a dog that sheds alot and while under warranty irobot replaced the module twice; however it was a design flaw so the replacements only worked a few months then failed. After my warranty ended I found out they had a redisgned cleaning head module and called them about it, at first they refused to send me one since I was out of warranty but when I pointed out to them that the problem was from a design flaw not just wear and tear, they did provide me one and it works much better. But, now I have a new problem. I had to get a new battery and it won’t charge. when I put it in the docking station it quickly changes from amber to flashing red…To be honest I am really getting sick of irobot products. If the newest problem is not a bad battery then I will have to change the units circuit board. I didn’t spend $250 in anticipation of having all these problems
sorry about your struggle my friend… i recently bought my roomba a week ago and the first time a used it i really amazed of what it can do. b4 i decided to buy a roomba 560 i did my research its a lot of money that’s why i don’t want to waste it. mostly of the roomba parts now you can purchase it online at protechrobotics.com. there’s a ton of parts and accessories. and you can repair it by yourself if you want. i hope this help.
I bought one of the 400 series models then found a 500 series on sale and bought it with the idea of returning the first. I ended up keeping both – one for each floor. I am thrilled with my Roombas! My downstairs has three rooms with hardwood and one with carpet. I never worry about the invisible walls. I just turn them on when I leave in the morning then again in the evening. My house always looks clean. I have to admit that I do like the 500’s ability to self-dock and charge so it is ready to go again when I return home. They both do a great job of cleaning, though. I don’t have a single complaint.
I’m very curious to know what your cats do when your run the thing? I have 6 of the fur-depositers scurrying around my house and am thinking that this gadget is pretty close to a dream come true… The cats are terrified of the regular vacum, but knowing these nuts I have, I can see them trying to ride the thing! LOL!
Hi Stacey,
All 4 of our cats run and hide when I use our regular vacuum, but none of them seem to be bothered by the Roomba. In fact, they sometimes sit still and the Roomba bumps into them.
I just purchased my roomba and love it. But after talking to a coworker I’m considering returning it. She has 4 roombas all packed away. She told me that they work great when you first get them but when you need to replace parts it gets very expensive. She also told me that when she had to replace the batteries they did not last as long as the original batteries and cost around $100. I didn’t expect to have to keep paying for this over and over again. I’m not sure how long the replacement batteries last but I am considering returning my roomba.
Hi Kay,
It’s true that replacement parts are expensive, but you shouldn’t have to replace too many of them. I’ve now had my Roomba 530 series for over a year and I’m still using the same battery. I run my Roomba an average of 3 times per week in my kitchen and the battery still holds up just fine.
The replacement filters are $19.99 for 3 but I’m still using the filter that came with my Roomba. I just tap it clean every time I empty the canister and it still works great.
You can view the full list of accessories for the iRobot Roomba 500 series by clicking here. This page will also show you the prices for the accessories so you can make your own decision on whether or not they are within your budget should you need any of them. (Let’s hope you don’t!)
Hello Kay – I got a rep’l battery from “all-battery.com” which is at least as good as the original. It is Nickel-metal-hydroxide. On line about $40 inc’l shipping. Ben
Great review, thank you very much for the information. I have a question regarding switching from one surface to another, particularly into a room like a bathroom. The transition from carpet to tile includes a little metal edge that is usually slightly downhill. Is the roomba able to move smoothly from the tile onto the carpet and vice versa, or will it’s edge sensors prevent it from crossing into the other room?
Hi Marian,
I don’t think the edge sensors will prevent the Roomba from the transition from carpet to tile. In my house, we have several areas with fluffy carpet that transitions to ceramic tile and it’s never been an issue. I should note though, that we recently purchased an area rug that is really fluffy and the Roomba’s edge sensor does in fact prevent it from making the transition to any other surface. Because the situation you asked about is how almost all homes are setup, I’m pretty sure you won’t have an issue with it.
Hi Scott – Thanks for such a comprehensive review !
Just wondering what the filter costs – I know the instructions speak about changing the filter every couple of months, but not sure how heavy on the pocket that would be.
Hi Pau,
A set of 3 filters is around $19.95 on the iRobot website at this link. I, however, have been using the same filter that my Roomba came with. Each time I empty the bin, I just tap on the filter a couple of times and it cleans up very well. I realize it’s probably not as effective as it used to be but I’m not too worried about it obviously.
I am happy that so many have had good luck…I am not as happy…After 18 months I have had to replace the battery and the side spinner wheel and the front wheel will not stay on anymore and the bumper has fallen off…It is falling apart and it all happened right after the 1 year warranty…
What about noise? I had imagined it to be pretty distracting, but no one seemed to address this. I guess it’s a non-issue?
Hi Miranda,
It’s not as loud as most standard vacuums, but I wouldn’t call it quiet either. It’s probably too loud to run while on the phone in the same room, but the beauty behind it is that you can let it run in rooms you’re not in.
Thanks you for your review of the Roomba. I have been thinking about getting one ane wondered how such a little thing could do well. I think I’ll try it!
Hi Scott
As everyone else has mentioned..thanks for the great and thorough review! My question is do you have the 530 series or the 500 series? You had mentioned in the beginning that your wife bought you the 500 but then in your reply #14 to Kay you mention about the 530 series. Just wondering because I have the Roomba 530 and wanted to see if mine would be just like yours or possibly have differences from your review. Thank you for your time.
Hi Angela,
I have the Roomba 530. When I mentioned that I had a “500 series”, I just meant I had a version of the Roomba that was one of the models within the 500 series. (If you visit the iRobot website, you’ll see that there is also 400 series of Roombas.)
I have a Roomba model 560 from Costco. I thought it did a good job most of the time, but it still has some access issues around my dining furniture. I second that the parts are expensive and need replacement more than I would like. Currently mine is not moving and I know when I call, its going to be $100 to get it up and running again.
I have found that they do a good job of keeping an area clean because of the number of times it cleans. If you use it only once a week, then I found I was disappointed in it. I had mine scheduled to come on 3 times a week at 2:00 am and it did a better job. Plus, it was always an adventure to see if it made it back to its base or where it got stuck.
They also make a mopping robot (Scooba or something like that). I just got a Hoover Floor mate, so I’m not going to spend on the Scooba, but it seems like an interesting idea.
The product lacks in several areas. Most of the users above have one thing in common: their units require a great deal of attention. There’s always something to clean, to change, to take apart. Everybody is ordering parts for their one-year-old machine. And yet a real vacuum cleaner can go a decade without any new parts except bags! As for capacity, I can hold more lint in my hand than the Roomba can hold in that tiny dirt cup. Roomba has to find a way to burn, compress or dissolve the dirt it picks up. The real problem is that the Roomba engineers aren’t vacuum cleaner people but robotics and electronics people. There’s a reason a really good vacuum is expensive—there’s a lot more going on in a good machine than one would think. As a vacuum cleaner the Roomba is a toy. Of course, there’s no vacuum generator, so it’s really a floor sweeper, a mechanical broom. The engineering is still not too good: after all these years on the market the machines still fall apart, vary in performance and need constant maintenance.
Cleaning Tips: using a can of air helps clean the Roomba after emptying. Works well for tight areas, around wheels, ect…just take outside and blow out dust.
Missed out on getting a 536 with an extra on HSN Saturday. It was for $299 for the pair and free s/h. So, was checking your review and as I need help daily with kids, 3 cats and 2 dogs, I think this would work to help keep things under control. Now, on the Clearance link you posted, they have a reconditioned 560 for $249. Do I take a chance on a reconditioned model from their site? Thanks.
If the reconditioned one comes with the same warranty, I’d say go for it!
Remember though, don’t expect the Roomba to replace your current vacuum. Use it to do a light cleaning throughout the week until you have time to run your regular vacuum.
rather than buy new filters, I’ve found putting mine in the dishwasher make them work like new again. The Roomba came with 2, so I’ve always got a “clean” one in.
Thanks for a great review. Our kids just sent us a SCOOBA model but I am thinking of returning it in exchange for the ROOMBA. We have a lot of hard surfaces and this sounds like just the thing for keeping after the dust and dirt.
I enjoyed your review. I just received the iRobot Dirt Dog, although we only have cats, lots, don’t ask. I guess this unit is supposed to be for a garage or shop but so far it works very well in the house with the constant cat hair. It is fun to watch! Thinking about getting a Scuba for the kitchen floor, any reviews or comments?
A great idea, but I too am having problems, my second unit a 500 series has died, the first units small brushes motor died, now the second units main brushes motor died. This time I took it apart, interesting to find that the motor compartment was full of dust, fibers and hair, even though I clean it completely after every use.
Well, maybe not so supprised, I found that the motor is not sealed or protected from the dust, I’m guessing the brushes in the motor are now coated in dirt and grime and the brushes are not making proper contact. I did remove alot of dirt, hair, fibers and caked on dust/grime from inside the motor. We will be returning ours, too much maintenance… I can vacuum manually in the same time it take to clean the unit, so a moot point. I think if they property sealed the devices electronics and motors the device would last longer.
Again in mine its the motors that kept failing and after seeing how it’s assembled I think I understand why. I think the real 110volt vacums last longer as the dust/ grime is burnt off the bushes, as the brushes do ware down on these motors. Again I’m assuming, but I am tired of returns and the extensive maintenance.
Thanks, Scott for the thorough review. I have been contemplating buying one since I saw Jeff Lewis play with one on Flipping Out!
ARE THERE PROBLEMS WITH ROOMBA NICKING OR SCRATCHING FURNITURE LEGS, OR GETTING CAUGHT GOING OVER FRINGE IN ROOM RUGS, OR ELECTRICAL CORDS THAT MIGHT BE ON THE FLOOR? WILL IT AUTOMATICALLY SHUT OFF IF IT RUNS INTO A PROBLEM? MY CONCERN IS TO LET ONE RUN UNATTENDED IF IT MIGHT CAUSE A FRICTION FIRE OR CUT ELECTRICAL CORDS, OR BEAT UP THE EXPOSED WOODEN LEGS OF THE FURNITURE OR PIANO. CAN YOU TELL ME YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH THESE THINGS?
Hi Marcia,
I haven’t noticed any nicks or scratches on my furniture from the Roomba. I do have three daughters though, so my furniture isn’t in the best of conditions. A nice thing about the most recent versions of Roomba vacuums is that they have a rubber strip that you apply/stick to the bottom front lip of the unit which helps to further protect things the Roomba bumps into.
The Roomba should be able to operate properly when going over fringe rugs. If the Roomba senses any type of debris that get’s caught and/or tangled, it automatically turns off the brushes and backs up. I still however would not operate the Roomba unattended. I usually run my unit while I’m upstairs working, so if something should happen, I’m here to handle it.
It did scratch up my furniture legs. The bumper that they sent me didn’t stick and they wouldn’t send me a new one, even when i offered to pay for it. I stopped using the Roomba because of the scratching, but recently I got off my butt and did something about it. I went to Lowe’s and got some “Marine & Auto All Climate Rubber Weatherseal” (5/16″). I put it along the bottom of the bumper edge. It seems to work really well. It hasn’t seemed to affect the sensors or docking. I am happy again. I am considering putting a lower profile bumper along the top, because it can still hit stuff. Admittedly, I am very picky about my furniture, but I think I have it licked. I think it definitely a design flaw and they need to address it.
Another issue is that static would cause dust to accumulate along the front bumper and it would deposit it on furniture legs. I haven’t used the new bumper long enough to know if it fixed this problem too, but in the week that I have been using it, I haven’t noticed it doing it anymore.
I do like my Roomba and I would/will buy another one. Other than the bad experience with customer service related to the bumper, other experiences with them have been positive.
Hi Scott, I am wondering if this is actually a VACUUM with suction, or is it just a sweeper that picks up the surface only. Thanks in advance!
Hi Amy,
Yes, the Roomba is actually a vacuum with both suction and two brushes that spin in opposite directions. One of the brushes has bristles and the other looks more like a squeegee. (it does not function like a squeegee though.)
Scott,
I have only one cat but the amount of litter that gets caught in his paws and spread in our home is a pain. I have a couple of thick pile rugs – runner in the hall, rug at the sink and large rug on hardwood floors.
I looked thru the review and don’t see much mention about going up, over and around rugs. How is the performance there? I just purchased the 530 but it is still in the box. Thanks.
try the roomba 610 or the roomba 536. the roomba 536 has better cleaning technology because of the aerovac bin. it increases the vacuum suction and “guides” debris to the bin. it also reduces the hair and other debris getting tangled on the brushed and rollers.
Roomba is expensive in the long run. I loved my Roomba at first, but with cost of replacement brushes, faulty front spinner, extravagent cost to ship to Canada ( % of order value not cost to ship !!! ), replacement battery and sweeper bin, and now a problem with the message “inpect and clean roomba’s left wheel” but the wheel is clean and turns freely… I’ve probably already paid for the thing twice over and am not interested to keep paying to keep the thing running. Will try iRobot tech support about the wheel ( but tech support is not open after 7PM… duh… we work, hence the housekeeping robots ! How effective will a call be from work when I don’t have the robot with me to troubleshoot? Now, that’s just not going to work. ) I will probably throwi the thing out and go back to a traditional sweep / vacuum routine.
I have had the 530 for a month and it is the best thing I have ever bought. I take my three dogs for a walk and come back and all the floors are clean. I have not found any problem with damaging furniture. I have a 1700 circ grandfather clock and so I was definitely watching it the first time I used it but no problem at all. I have a dyson but have not used it since I got this. No need. I have wooden, tiles and carpet surfaces and it is good on all.
Hi Susan,
We’re soon going to be replacing our living room carpet with either hardwood or laminate flooring and I can’t wait because I know it will be much easier to keep clean by using the Roomba every day or two.
this robot DOES NOT VACUME OVER DARK CARPETS. They do not tell you this when you purchase so now I have an expensive item that will not work
Althea, what do you mean by “dark carpets”?
Thank-you Scott for a most excellent and comprehensive review. If one could review a review, I would give you five stars. The dialogue following the review was also enlightening. I’ve asked my husband for a Roomba for Christmas, and this information really helped us decide which model is best for us.
My husband bought me one of the original Roombas as a present. I hated it. I could vacuum efficiently in a fraction of the time it took to wander to and fro. The idea is a great one and I hope they will make a strong, efficient model so I can buy another. I am not convinced they have done so yet from the reviews and from friends’ comments about theirs.
Great review Scott. I have had my roomba for a little less than 2 months. After reading several reviews and watching youtube.com about problems with the 500 series I was concerned. I decided to purchase the 4 year contract from best buy for $40.00. I also had a %20 off. My wife (and I) loves it. I did buy a 5/16” very soft weather stripping and attached one to the top and bottom and I don’t see it bumping my furniture any more and it doesn’t seem to be causing any issues with cleaning or docking.
We have a lab and it picks keeps the carpets and hard wood floors clean, we run it almost daily, but we have a 5400 square foot house … could probably use two of them.
We have a rug on top of our carpet and it has a little trouble getting up on the rug. If it comes in at an angle it is ok, and it seems to be keeping it pretty clean. It has cut down on our (my two kids) chore of vacuuming from every 3 days to once every two weeks. I got 6 filters for $10 off e-bay, but still using the original, I just rinse it under water every 3 or 4 days. It is a little more work keeping it clean than I expected, but 5 minutes a day doesn’t seem like a big deal when it saves us a couple of hours a week.
Happy roomba user… so far.
We have two lab dogs, so I’m glad to hear from a happy roomba user who also has a lab. Thanks for the detailed review, Scott.
My question is: Is it worth it to pay extra ($75-100) to get the Pet series, or will the regular 560 roomba do the job? I’m hesitant on buying one at all because it’s so expensive, but think it will help the family keep the floors clean (we have mostly tile and hardwood, with a few area rugs.)
Thanks for your advice.
Hi Elaine,
I just visited iRobot.com to see exactly what the differences were between the Roomba 530 and the Roomba 532 Pet Series. The Roomba 532 Pet Series is only $20 more than the version that I reviewed on this page. ($319.99 vs $299.99)
Based on what I saw and reviewed, it appears the main difference between the two versions are:
Roomba 532 Pet Series battery covers up to 4 rooms per charge. The Roomba 530 covers only 3 per charge.
Roomba 532 Pet Series has a high capacity sweeper bin. The Roomba 530 doesn’t and the regular vacuum bin on mine is almost always full after cleaning just a single room.
The Roomba 532 Pet Series includes 3 extra brushes and 2 extra filters. If you were to purchase those separately, they’d cost you $49.99.
Based on these factors, I’d say it makes sense to spend $20 more. (You mentioned it was $70 more, so I bet you were comparing the Roomba 530 with the Roomba 562 Pet Series, which is $369.99 and includes on-board scheduling.)