bit-tech Shopping: iRobot Roomba 530 Vacuum

• Bare Floors
• Carpets

Rating: 8

Time with product: 3 Days

Strengths: It cleans the wood, tile or carpet, it also does a really good job picking up pets hair, especially if you have pets. Quieter than pervious models

Weaknesses: It gets stuck once in a while and you need to be there to help it out. It can't reach the corners.

Summary: This is my 2nd Roomba, and I have to say I am quite impressed. The robot does quite well with moving around furniture and it has dealt well with pet hair. I would guess we have to clean the brushes more often than a pet-free house.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 25

Strengths: Cleans rooms effectively, easy to maintain

Weaknesses: Expensive

Summary: I bought this for my mom for mother's day and she absolutely loves it. When you first get it you have to charge the battery for 16 hours. Once the charging is done you can set it loose to clean your house. It comes with 2 virtual walls so you can limit where it can go. It cleans very well and picks up dirt from carpet or hard floors. It is fun to watch it do its thing.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 2

Strengths: Quiet and efficient. Goes where normal vacuums don't.

Weaknesses: Can't do inside corners.

Summary: I have been looking at these since we got a long-haired cat. We love the cat but are growing tired of the puffs of hair that kick up occasionally despite our vacuuming. When a great deal came along on the Roomba, I thought I would give one a shot making sure the return policy was easy at the store. I didn't tell my family I was getting one because I thought it seemed kind of frivolous and I had my doubts that it would do the job. Well, I've had it for 2 weeks and there is no way it is getting returned. Even if I wanted to get rid of it, my wife won't part with it. My cat on the other hand don't seem to appreciate it too much. We have carpet and hardwood floors. Carpet: I was concerned about it's ability to get around on our carpet since it is on the thick side. The only trouble it has on the carpet is docking to the charger occasionally since the docking station tips around slightly as the Roomba tries to dock. But it has always managed to dock. (Typically on the first attempt but sometimes requiring multiple attempts.) It not only leaves the carpet clean and gets underneath all furniture (including our couches with skirts), but it leaves the carpet nap looking better than any vacuum ever has. I can't explain it. The carpet just looks real nice when it is done. Hardwood/Vinyl: We have a slight drop from hardwood to vinyl and it handles it great up and down. On the vinyl is a rug since this is the entrance door. It gets right up on the rug and cleans it. Quite often it detects the extra dirt on that rug and deep cleans it. Back onto the hardwood, I was concerned at first because the side brush often just flings the material a ways ahead since the debris moves so easily on the hardwood floor, but with the "random" and repetitive vacuuming it seems to eventually get to it. (I think it would have been better if the side brush speed was slower on solid floors.) My wife thinks it might have a slight polishing effect on the floors and likes that effect. Again it always finds it's way back to dock. The only time it did not dock without some help is when the docking station was too close to the virtual wall kiosk. It would approach the docking station but would not dock. I moved the kiosk slightly and it docked. This was operator error. Examining the dirt trap each time, we are surprised how much it picks up. Lots of cat hair and dirt.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 2 Days

Strengths: All on itself! Doing a good job of cleaning.

Weaknesses: So far so good. Not much complaint.

Summary: We bought the Roomba becuase when you look at the price for a good vacuum sweeper, you are looking at about the same cost and you still have to push it yourself! The Roomba really does seem to have a personality of it's own and endears itself to you. It's wonderful to have clean floors all the time and know that the roomba is always ready to work, whether we are or not. One thing to note is that this is is still a vacuum - it makes noise. My wife was surprised that it was loud although it is much quieter than most vacuum sweepers, it still makes noise, you'll have to turn up the tv if your watching it while Roomba does your chores...

Rating: 10

Time with product: 5 Days

Strengths: Heavier, more powerful, anti bumping sensor reduce the speed before hitting the wall. much quieter than previous modle.

Weaknesses: harder to clean the brush, accessories cost much higher than 400's.

Summary: I love the 500's model, you can tell a lot imporvment than 400's, I had 400 discovery model, will buy one more for my sister! Love it!!! well done iRobot Rommba 500's model, and thanks HSN offer great deal.