Product Review: IRobot Roomba: Vacuuming Robot

In short, it's a great idea, but I am not happy with iRobot's bad quality control and slow customer service. The great idea was to have the Roomba scheduled to vacuum every morning at 9AM, while we are at work. We would come home and find the floor cleaner than it was when we left. It's happening, but it took three attempts to get a Roomba with all of its parts working.

Roomba #1: This little robot vacuum charged itself and we let it run around the tile floor for an hour or so. The next morning it refused to start vacuuming. It spun in circles, beeping out the code for "Help! Help! I'm on a cliff!" The sensors that detect stairs and prevent the robot from hurling itself into the basement were broken. We returned it to the retailer and came home with another one.

Roomba #2: This little robot vacuum was DOA (Dead on Arrival). More accurately, it was dead about 30 seconds after we plugged in the charger. The indicator lights faded and the acrid stench of burning circuits filled the room. The power converter was too hot to touch. We returned it to the retailer and came home with another one.

Roomba #3: This little robot vacuum is charging itself and vacuuming, but the scheduler died within a day or so. While we waited for a new one the Roomba had to be started manually every morning. We can't schedule the "virtual wall" accessory that is supposed to keep Roomba from wedging itself under the dishwasher, so we used the kitchen trashcan as a roadblock.� The scheduler finally arrived after 3 weeks and multiple calls to customer service.

Cleaning power:

Roomba is not going to clean as well as a standard vacuum cleaner. It has a small motor and small collection bin. However, its mediocre daily effort keeps the floor cleaner, overall, than the thorough cleaning that we all know how to do and never have time to do. It collects a 1/4 to 1/2 cup of dirt and lint every day, and has exterminated the dustbunnies that used to lurk in the hallway.

Random Roomba Observations:

• The noise level is about as high as a small stick vacuum. It's OK if Roomba is behind a closed door, but I wouldn't want to have it running in the room I am reading or sleeping in.<
  
• Roomba gets trapped under our dishwasher's door because the dishwasher is 1/2 inch lower than most dishwashers. It is programmed to recognize when it is trapped - it stops trying to vacuum and beeps for attention.
  
• The revolving brush tangles in the fringes of rugs and the Roomba stalls. Tucking the fringe under looks ugly, but it works for the fake Navajo rug's tassels.
  
• Roomba stalls trying to get onto deep plushy bathmats. It's easy enough to pick up the mats on the days it vacuums the master bedroom and bathroom.
  
• Long (shoulder-length) human hair wraps around the rotating brush. This could be a serious problem in a house with several long-haired occupants. The hair is difficult to remove.
  
• Roomba got lost looking for its charger because we didn't leave enough clear space in front of the charger.
  
• The home office is still not Roomba-friendly. It tangled with a charger cord and spun in circles under my desk.

Tips for Better Cleaning:

• Vacuum thoroughly before you start using a Roomba. It can keep up with the daily dirt, but it can't catch up with weeks of neglect.
• Clean the collection bin every day that you use the Roomba and remove and clean the brushes at least every week. If you have long-haired humans or pets, clean the brushes more often.