iRobot Roomba 530 Robotic Vacuum

To be honest, my expectations were not that high to begin with. I was expecting a high tech toy more than a good vacuum cleaner. I was impressed by iRobots online demonstration and the unique programming more than anything else.

What I got was indeed "unique programming", but also a vacuum that is fairly effective. I have never owned a Roomba before, but have read various reviews. Apparently this unit has a few of the bugs worked out from it predecessors. My concern would be the ongoing maintenance costs. The parts are lightweight and I question the durability over the long haul. Regardless, it is a trade off, your time or the cost of a few parts from time to time. That is the way I look at it.

The Roomba takes about 30-45 minutes per room, depending on the size. The virtual wall feature is excellent in keeping Roomba in a designated area. Roomba will not fall down stairs and is quite good at navigating through some very tight and awkward spaces. Roomba can get stuck if a coffee table, kick-plate or sofa is at just the wrong height. So far I have only run into one problem area, but was able to resolve the issue by adjusting the couch. The automatic re-docking feature after the area is cleaned and/or the battery is low is really nice. You can start Roomba, go away only to find the designated area clean and the unit re-docked and recharging for the next use. Recharge time is around 3 hours or for a deep charge, 16 hours is recommended. The manufacturer recommends cleaning the filter and catch-bin area after every 3-5 uses. For best results, I try to clean it after each session. It is very easy to detach the cleaning compartment and filter area. It is about as quick and simple as cleaning the lint catcher on your dryer.

Time will only tell if I run into any problems going forward. I will try to report back after about 1 year of use.