iRobot Verro 300 Pool Cleaning Robot Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I was on the fence about purchasing the IRobot Verro 300 OR the commonly recommended Polaris cleaners.With a $100 off coupon and a 30 day risk free trial, I decided to purchase the Verro 300.We have a large pool (20 x 44)and I was skeptical that this would work. After a couple weeks of using it and at least 3 calls to the technical support line, we decided to keep it and that overall it works very well.Though it isn't written in the manual (I learned this from my phone calls) periodic-filter-bag-cleaning (for my pool anyway) translates to machine wash cleaning after each use. For those of you reading this, buy extra filter bags and keep one clean at all times ready to go.I found the hose method of cleaning the filter bag doesn't work.Instead, I rinse the bag out with the hose and then I run it through the washing machine on the delicate cycle in cold water.It works great--climbs the walls to the tile line and gets both the deep and shallow end of my pool.Each time I use the Robot, it seems to go different patterns.Sometimes it runs vertically and others horizontally.My only complaint is it doesn't get my shallow end steps.Since I know that, I brush the dirt off the steps before using the Robot.

Because the IRobot filters the water, I definitely notice a difference in the water...it appears amazingly clean and we haven't needed to backwash our pool once.After the first couple weeks and learning the hose method doesn't unclogg the filter bag entirely, the Verro 300 cleans my pool in approximately 60-90 minutes.We're very pleased.It takes approximately 2 minutes to set it up and about the same amount of time to clean it when it's finished.

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Product Description:
Spend more time enjoying your pool rather than cleaning it. Get the Hands-free way to clean your entire pool from floor to waterline in 60 - 90 minutes with a push of a button. Durable, Easy to use, lightweight, designed for all pool surfaces and ideal for gunite pools. A powerful dual pressure Hyro-Jet system 'power washes' pool surfaces, deep cleaning pores, cracks, seams. The powerful vacuum and self-contained filtration system picks up and traps leaves, hair, sand, dust, algae and debris as small as 2 microns reducing run time of your pool filtration system.Circulates pool water; improving distribution of chemicals and temperature. Auto reverse feature allows the Verro 500 to navigate your entire pool while avoiding hang ups. Just drop in and let it go to work!Package includes: 1 iRobot Verro 300 Pool Cleaning Robot, 51' floating power cord with swivel detangler, Transformer, Mesh Bag (catches larger debris such as leaves and sand, etc.), Fine Filter Bag (Catches algae, bacteria, dust and debris as small as 2 microns).

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iRobot 610 Roomba Professional Series Review

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(More customer reviews)I've used the Roomba 610 and 560.I now have two refurbished 560s in our house, at the same price as one 610.And it's definitely a better value.

Before I talk about the 610, let me share what's good and bad about Roombas in general, based on my experience with both the 560s and 610:
Pros:
- You don't have to vacuum, the Roomba does it for you
- Scheduled cleanings so you don't even have to worry about it or be home to hear the noise
- Floors stay clean without much effort
- One button start it and forget about it

Cons:
- Absolute pain in the butt to clean these things.There's the two brushes, the front wheel, the spinning brush (which requires a screwdriver to remove), and the dust bin.All of these must be disassembled, cleaned, and reassembled, at least once per cleaning session.
- It's not effort free.As I said above, lots to clean, which requires 5-10 minutes each time you want to run the Roomba.
- With pets, the fur gets wrapped around EVERYTHING.Maybe without pets our cleaning of the Roomba would be easier, but the whole point of these devices is ease, and they do not deliver.

So the nice things about the 610 are:
- Easier brush cleaning than the 560.Not much easier, but easier.Hair & fur still get wrapped around the edges of the brushes and into the mechanisms, but it's 5% easier to clean on the 610.
- The accessories case and accessories.The brush cleaning tool is nice, but it doesn't clean the brush holders, where all the stuff actually gets wrapped up and is difficult to clean.

Not so good things about the 610:
- No carrying handle.This seems inconsequential, but after having a way to pick up my 560 without having to pick the whole thing up from the bottom, where all the dust and dirt accumulates, you appreciate a carrying handle.Why didn't they include this on the 610?
- Only two lighthouses.They say it can clean four rooms, but they only include two lighthouses.My experience has been that three rooms is pushing it, so unless you have small rooms two lighthouses may be OK.

So why did I get two 560s if I have so many problems?I hate to vacuum, and I'd rather clean all the brushes and edges once a day than push the vacuum around for 45 minutes.So it's a trade-off.

Read other forums and you'll see that the 610 is not recommended, it's basically a 560 with lipstick.

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Product Description:
Designed for small business owners or those with larger areas to clean, the iRobot Roomba 610 Professional Series vacuum cleaning robot covers up to 4 rooms on a single battery charge. It efficiently vacuums dirt, debris, pet hair, dust, allergens and more from carpets and hard floors into a bagless bin that's easy to empty. And it's amazingly simple to operate--just press the Clean button and the Roomba 610 does the rest. Finished with industrial strength paint and bumpers, the Roomba 610 comes equipped with an additional High Capacity Sweeper Bin, a complete set of replacement brushes, replacement filters, and a convenient storage case.
The Roomba 610's compact shape allows it to vacuum beneath beds, couches and other hard-to-reach places while its innovative, spinning side brush removes accumulated debris along kickboards, cabinet edges and corners. A sturdy bristle brush digs deep into carpet fibers to grab dirt, debris, pet hair and more, while a fine filter traps dust, pollen and tiny particulates inside the bin. It even detects dirtier areas and spends more time cleaning them.
You can schedule up to seven cleaning times per week at times when it's most convenient for you, and when the Roomba 610 is finished it automatically returns to its compact, self-charging Home Base to dock and recharge between cleanings. The Roomba 610 comes with 2 professional-grade Virtual Wall Lighthouses that create invisible barriers that block Roomba from entering off-limit areas or direct Roomba to completely vacuum one room before sending it to the next room.
You can choose between 3 cleaning modes--standard Clean Mode maximizes coverage for a room after calculating its size; Max Mode for cleaning larger areas until its battery is nearly depleted; and Spot Mode for concentrated cleaning in an area up to three feet in diameter.
The unit measures 17 by 18 by 5 inches and weighs just over 16-1/2 pounds. It's backed by a 2-year warranty.
What's in the Box
iRobot Roomba 610; Professional Series Virtual Wall Lighthouses (each requiring 2 C-size batteries, not included); self-charging home base; power supply; 2 brush cleaning tools; extra set of brushes; rechargeable battery; 2 extra filters; debris bin; high-capacity sweeper bin; storage case

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iRobot Roomba Pet Series 562 Vacuum Cleaning Robot Review

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(More customer reviews)We've had our Roomba since January 2010 and approx. 6 months later, I still love it and am really glad we made the purchase.It took a little convincing for me to get my husband to agree with the purchase, but now he calls it "his vacuum", and likes to show it off to our friends and family when they come over.For us, it really has reduced my weekly in-house workload.With two cats in the house, birds, bunny, and a dog, pet hair gets tracked throughout the house.With two young children, our kitchen (hardwood floors) gets nibblets of food all over the floor.Setting the vacuum up to focus on one room (by using the virtual walls) makes a big difference.Frequently ours is venturing throughout the entire house.

The only problem we occasionally have is when it gets stuck under our china cabinet, or stuck while trying to suck up a toy that was left behind, or shoelaces hanging off a shoe left out. All very minor issues.I will say, it's a bit odd, when in the middle of the night (like last night), I get woken up by it coming into our bedroom.My guess is it gets turned on by the cats while they're running around playing at night.I hope that's all it is.;)

I will say that I do still run my other vacuum cleaner (an old Rainbow) about once a month.We have a particular rug in our living room that the pet hair gets ground in after a while and it's hard to get it up with the Roomba, but in general, the carpets look like we regularly vacuum, and you can see all it picks up when you clean it out.Note that you do have to clean it out regularly, and by that I mean, every time it's done with a cleaning.This might seem a pain to some, but it really only takes about 5 minutes to do it.It's worth it to me if it means I can program it to come on whenever I want and come home to cleaned carpets.On another positive note, it has made my kids and husband do a lot better with tidying up better.

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Product Description:
iRobot Roomba Pet Series 562 Vacuum Cleaning Robot - Roomba 562 and Irobot Roomba VacuumThe iRobot Roomba Vacuum is designed especially for the hairy situations that pet owners face. That's why we designed the iRobot Roomba 562 Pet Series especially for pet owners. You'll be amazed at the amount of pet hair, kitty litter, paw prints, dirt, dust and debris that Roomba for pets picks up from your carpets and hard floors. The Roomba 562 systematically cleans up to four* rooms on a single charge and gets into hard-to-reach areas like wall edges and beneath furniture while avoiding stairs and other drop-offs. The 562 Roomba cleans on schedule, allowing you to preset up to seven cleaning times per week for Roomba to automatically vacuum wherever and whenever you want. iRobot Roomba Vacuum automatically adjusts from carpets to hard floors and back again. Auto Virtual Walls (2), designed to always be on, block Roomba from entering off-limit areas. When the cleaning is complete, or if the battery is running low, Roomba returns to its compact Home Base to dock and recharge. Two interchangeable cleaning bins - a Vacuuming Bin and a High Capacity Sweeper Bin - provide the option for everyday vacuuming or heavy duty cleaning in hairier, dirtier, high-traffic areas. A Replacement Brush Kit - an extra Bristle Brush, an extra Beater Brush and an extra Sidebrush - allows for easy replacement and cleaning of the brushes. Using clean, hair-free brushes ensures that Roomba for pets always cleans at peak performance. Two brush cleaning tools - a cylindrical tool and a bladed comb - provide fast and efficient removal of hair and debris from Roomba's brushes. Two replacement filters help trap dirt, dust and dander inside the robot.What's in the Box:1 iRobot Roomba 5622 Auto Virtual Walls (Each requires 2 C batteries, not included)1 Compact Self-charging Home Base1 Vacuuming Debris/Dust Bin1 High Capacity Sweeper Bin2 Brush Cleaning Tools1 Extra Bristle Brush1 Extra Beater Brush1 Extra Sid

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iRobot 110 Dirt Dog Workshop Robot Review

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(More customer reviews)Granted, I've had this thing for less than a week, but I can't quit raving about it.

I got the Dirt Dog for my enclosed patio, which is home to 12 messy caged parakeets and is also, of course, where my 4 cats like to hang out.I chose the Dirt Dog over the Roomba because I thought the sweeper would work better on the unfinished concrete than a vacuum unit, and it was cheaper.I liked the idea of the larger crud-holder than the vacuum, and I thought maybe it would be less tempramental, too.

The first time I turned it on, it wandered around exploring---I quickly learned that the fringed cotton rugs would have to go (no biggie, they just trap dirt anyway).I didn't move a lot of furniture---wanted to see how it would get along without much prep work on my part.

It quickly became my "Little Buddy" as it got stuck, or wrapped a string around its brushes and gently whimpered "Uh-Oh".I responded like the silly thing was one of my kids: "What's up, Little Buddy?Did you get caught on something?"Pathetic.

Anyway, he soon seemed to "learn" how to handle the edge of the platform my desk chair sits on and scoot under the shelves where the birds drop seeds & feathers.I learned to put barriers up so he couldn't get into trouble on the indoor-outdoor carpet that trends to unravel.We trained each other.

He's noisy...but I got used to it.The floor was looking better!

The cats seemed fascinated, but not afraid---they didn't freak out, just watched and stayed out of the way.At one point one of them actually sat on the floor and watched while he worked all around her.

By the time he finished, I was thrilled with my utterly brilliant purchase.I pulled out the hepa DustBuster http://www.amazon.com/review/R3DJL18LOJDRWI/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm and sucked up what little was missed or out of his range.Walking on the floor in my bare feet, I could feel how clean it really was---as clean as it gets when I spend half a day working on it with the big Shop Vac!

Next test:The bachelor son's house, equipped with three shedding dogs.Buddy whipped back and forth under two couches and a chair, scooping up fuzzballs like a champ.He cleaned the tile, the wood, and the (unfringed) area rug.He wanted to do the bedroom carpet, but I was afraid that might be just TOO much, even for him.

Buddy's next challenge was our garage---smooth concrete, but VERY UNclean.This is what he's built for, right?We set a timer and checked up on him about every 10 minutes to make sure he hadn't gotten stuck somewhere or pulled something into his brushes that made him stop.It took him a while, and I could tell by his yellow light that he was getting really tired, but he got it CLEAN.I emptied out his "dustpan" about 5 times.Yesterday I did some spray-painting in the garage, and the whole newly-clean floor was soon covered with overspray.So I put Buddy back to work.He swept up all the fine paint dust off the floor---no whining, no dust mask, no beer break.And now all that dust isn't getting tracked into the house.I can hardly wait to turn him loose the next time there are tiny metal shavings all over the floor from some drill-press project...

TBD is how well he'll last, but can you tell I'm pretty pleased with our newest family member?

Update June 23 2007:

It's now been six months, and we're on our second "Little Buddy".After a few weeks, Buddy I began just wandering around in a circle; it turned out he had an incurable wheel issue.It IS annoying that IRobot won't cover postage on a warranty return, but it was worth the hassle to get a new Little Buddy.The house just wasn't the same without him.....

Buddy II seems to be an even better and more energetic unit than his late, lamented sibling.He has earned the weekly task of sweeping our outdoor concrete courtyard.He gets a little rambunctious launching himself at some of the potted plants from time to time, but he does a wonderful job of cleaning up dirt, dust and leaves.It still amazes me how much stuff he picks up from what appears to be a pretty clean surface.

Buddy II has also been called into service for the above-mentioned drill press project.The scene begins as I step barefoot into the garage.I return hissing, swearing and bleeding on the floor.As I head for the tweezer drawer, I snarl to my husband, "Get Buddy!You've been drilling metal again and haven't cleaned up!"So Buddy has now succesfully taken on the role of marriage counselor.

He's also been on a couple of sleepovers at friends' houses, where he delighted his hostesses by cleaning their patios, decks and garages.One friend was so impressed she asked for her own Buddy as a birthday gift.He was apparently VERY well-behaved, even without parental supervision.

Buddy continues to work tirelessly, asking for nothing but a charged battery, a clean brush and an occasional (chaperoned) date with the air-compressor.

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Product Description:
Leave the cleaning to a robot with this convenient machine. Its 14.4-volt rechargeable NiCD battery provides the power needed to clean hard floors, shop carpets, garage and basement areas, as well as industrial-floor surfaces. In addition, specially designed counter-rotating brushes spin almost 1,000 times per minute, sweeping up dirt and debris that cling to rough surfaces. Simply press the "clean" button and the unit sweeps under workbenches, cars, and other hard-to-reach places, picking up nuts, bolts, dirt, and more. For added convenience, "cliff" sensors keep it from falling down stairs or other vertical drops. The unit offers an oversized, bagless, easy-to-empty debris bin, and its power supply fully charges in seven hours. Accessories include a standard battery, a standard charger, a cleaning tool, and an owner's guide. The cleaning machine measures approximately 13 by 13 by 4 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.
What's in the box:

iRobot Dirt Dog Workshop Robot
Standard battery--non APS
Standard charger
Cleaning tool
Owner's guide

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iRobot Roomba 530 Vacuum Cleaning Robot - Model# 72-94530 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The Roomba is fun.The 530 model doesn't use half of the owner's manual stuff (no special "lighthouses" to get it to do multiple rooms in series, no remote control, no scheduling function so it works while you are away), but it does clean.It can get out of any area it can get into unless it did it by moving shoes and jammed them up.Mine didn't get caught under the dining room table, but it spent a long time there hunting and pecking.It moved some slip on sandals to get under and then as it kept trying to get out they kept sliding in the way, but it eventually kept nudging them until it could get out.

It went under the cabinet where I store my flip flops to clean and ended up pushing them all over the room in different direction.

Don't sweat when it doesn't pick up "big stuff" like sweetener packets, the actual vacuuming area is smaller than the robot, so stuff gets nudged until it rides right over it in its pathing. (Does dropping stuff in front of the robot to make it clean more count as abusive harassment? :lol)

The wall/corner side brush does work well to pick up the junk along baseboards and corners, it also feeds it directly into the pickup area (it is the off side that has a problem with shoving small debris out of the way).

It can end up leaving little piles of debris if you let it range over a large area, the pathing algorithm would end up getting it, but when it moves out of the kitchen into the hall, gets excited about the front door rug, tries out the way to the kid's room, gets excited again about the front door run, then trundles back into the living room area, then finds the hall to the computer room and the computer room itself, it just doesn't make the full sweep.

It follow odd shapes it considers "wall" very well.It looks like it is missing bits, but the side sweeper brush is hitting the tight corner areas.

When you first start cleaning with it, unless you have just done a spring cleaning type of thing, check the debris box often, it isn't that big.

Open the debris box over the trash can and fiddle with the emptying, dirt/dust can hang by the filter tray hinge and dribble.Mainly empty away from the hinge while holding it sideways.

We have a Rainbow and it seriously would kick this little bugger's arse any day of the week for cleaning, but it is a lot bigger pain to set up to hit the high traffic areas only.This looks like it will be great for day to day maintenance of picking up hair.I'd have said pet hair (which was the first thing I noticed from both my long hair dogs), but after it worked the little corners around my computer chair and desk, I noticed that the majority of the hair was mine.I had picked up and stacked some of the various boxes of supplies, equipment and parts out of the way, so it had more access to areas that haven't been vacuumed in a while.

Not enough data, but it seems to have an issue where a wall to wall carpet meets a tile area.The little lip edging isn't enough to stop it, which means it doesn't sit and dig right there where dirt accumulates.It did quite a bit, but it was spending time with one wheel on the carpet and one on the tile and never could bring the side brush into play.That is a coding issue, but it probably would take more expensive discrimination circuits.

Another issue is that it can manage to get stuck under furniture that is just the "right" height if it hits it wrong.Did that under one of the wingback chairs, it turned under it where the bumper sensor wasn't, picked it up enough to jam itself.

If let it roam too widely, then when it loses charge it cannot find its docking station.Easy enough fix, I pick it up and take it where I want it to work and let it go, then check back on it and return it to the dock if it needs a charge.

Looks like it needs regular maintenance to keep it cleaning well.No big deal, everything pops out, cleans easily (need good pointy scissors to clear wrapped up hair) and goes right back together.I'd say at least after every second cleaning cycle when you first start up with it.Tip: the big wheels on the end of the big roller brush pop off so you can slide the brush cleaner thingy right over the roller after you have cut and pulled all the stuff wrapped around it off.

It is light enough to pick up and walk around with, so it looks like it is easy enough to just pick up the obstacles in a room, but it in there, shut the door and let it go when you leave the house.If you put the docking station in with it, you should get back to find it charged and ready for the next room that evening.I'll test that.Then just cycle it around the house doing a room or three every day and you should be good.

Overall a great little widget to keep the general level of dirt/hair/debris down between heavier duty cleanings.Bonus to that should be easier "heavy" cleanings without you having to do anything but move it and hit a button.

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Product Description:
The iRobot Roomba is a robotic vacuum that cleans your floor without your guidance. The Roomba 530 features the newest innovations in vacuum performance, room navigation, edge and corner cleaning, advanced anti-tangle technology and transitioning from carpets to hard floors. Simple to use; just press the Clean button and Roomba does the rest!

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Evolution Robotics Mint Automatic Hard Floor Cleaner, 4200 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I must say, I'm impressed with the mapping system on this little guy. I have a very large (20'X20') open living room/kitchen area giving plenty of obstacles to confuse it. There's a staircase (which it deftly avoids), an island, a kitchen table with chairs, a couch and a number of tables for it to go under, an area rug and a piece of curved beveled glass on the floor that serves as a stand for a fireplace (which it surprisingly does not ride up on). Also, the room is overall "U" shaped with several entryways. This is the only robotic cleaner that has been able to figure this room out in its entirety. Other things to note is the room has a large fan and high, sloped ceilings and it can still find it's way.

My Roomba did terribly. It would get stuck in one section, the Neato XV was OK but would miss some parts. This thing does a great job of freshening up the floor and getting at just about everything due to it's small size!

One thing I did not know is the Mint comes with wet and dry reusable cloths for cleaning. They are great! It does pick up a lot of stuff, even if your floors look clean it's going to find something!

Wet pads are very good and stay damp for a longer amount time than I would have imagined. The floor is drier behind the mint than if I were mopping the floor myself!

I have found some things that confuse it. It doesn't like heater vents too much, especially larger ones (like intake vents) because it thinks it is falling off of a ledge. It will eventually figure it out though. It will get stuck on vertical blinds, so you might want to block them with something and it might get stuck if it drives into an area that is very tight and it decides it can't back out. After a few runs of finding what confuses it, it pretty easy to mint-proof a room.

Noise levels are good. It drives about very quietly. It is a bumper-bot though. Which is where most of the noise comes from. Though every bump really matters as it is mapping the room.

Speed is good. Not the fastest but very efficient. It really gets at every spot in a methodical fashion. I was impressed with the final "edging" step. Once it cleans the room it will clean the edge. Not just the outside edge, but also the "inside" edges such as area rugs, tables, islands and so on.

What is the practicality of this? I wouldn't have thought much for a Swiffer bot but something about the speed and thoroughness of it's cleaning really brings out much more grime than I would get myself. I notice it gets much more cat fur than I would because it doesn't blow it out of the way before getting to it.

The personality of the bot is OK. It's more like a clinical, efficient nurse doing it's job. It isn't quite as chipper as other cleaning bots but it gets the job done.

Battery life is good. Not the fastest at charging but a long enough life to get through more than a couple rooms per charge.

Can these guys get on making a vacuum bot now?

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Product Description:

The Mint Automatic Floor Cleaner from Evolution Robotics is designed exclusively for sweeping and mopping hard surface floors for you. Using dry and pre-moistened cleaning cloths, Mint picks up the dust, dirt and pet hair that constantly accumulate on floors. Mint's compact design gets into tight spaces, under furniture and into other areas that are hard to reach with traditional mops and sweepers.

Guided by the NorthStar Navigation System cube, Mint tracks
where it cleans so it doesn't miss a spot (see larger image).

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