iRobot Roomba

[Phil C. McNasty]

Does anybody have one of these contraptions?? I'm thinking of buying one:

General PDP Template

www.canadiantire.ca

Are they worth it??
I dont like the fact they come with only a 1-year warranty.
At $300 + tax they're not cheap

 

[LTO_3]

Some people love them (and some don't) but they're hit and miss. Work ok on hard surfaces and low pile carpets but so-so on reliability. Think electronic version of a carpet sweeper. I'd rather save that money for something more worthwhile.

LTO_3

 

[oakvilleguy]

I have had 2 for over a decade.

They’re ok for a clean up in between actually vacuuming with a real vacuum.

Emptying the small dust bin when the job is done is a bit of a pain as it’s messy.

The replacement batteries, filters, rollers etc are expensive. You can go with the aftermarket parts on Amazon but they’re not as good as the OEM ones.

I recently bought a cordless Dyson on Boxing Day and haven’t used my roomba since.

 

[seanzo]

I have one but it's the shittiest model so my experience might not match others. Generally speaking it does a decent enough job considering it requires zero effort on your part aside from cleaning it after use.

I find it is extremely derpy and gets stuck easily. My couch, dresser and the radiators are all particularly troublesome, so much so that I block them off with 2x4s. It also has difficulty navigating around objects on the floor, chairs or coffee tables etc. It also has rather poor battery life, my apartment isn't really that big and it has a hard time doing the entire apartment and getting back to it's base station on one charge. It's seems to like to run out of battery under my bed as I'm constantly fishing it out from under it. Also as far as the job it does at vacuuming and mopping...I still tend to have to sweep a little after it's done. I do not use the mop function at all as it does a very poor job. I can do better in less time with a Swiffer WetJet.

If I actually paid money for it I'd be a little disappointed but I got it as a birthday present and I'm not the type to look a gift horse in the mouth. So I'll keep on using it as it does cut down on cleaning time

 

[Ponderling]

I have one. Use it mostly on the main floor hardwood, thought does ok on hallway runner carpets.

Mine I found in a dumpster, and already had a spare new battery from another earlier dumpster find sitting out in the garage.

I had to disasseble the vac motor to clear an error code. It uses current draw on vac motor to signal dirt box is full. Oiled the shaft bearings with a drop each of light oil and it is now happy.
Plus I had to wipe dog hair oil out of where a LED send/receiver looks for dirt in the box.

Other than that, I pick up a bunch of chairs and set them on tables and then turn the thing loose, usually when out to get groceries, etc.
Works as advertised and the zero dollar price of mine makes it cute to use.

Often it goes back to base with a full cannister, so it finishes the job once I empty that out.

 

[Shaquille Oatmeal]

iRobot has gone belly up.
They filed for Chapter 11 last month and are selling their business to their Chinese manufacturer.
I wouldn't buy iRobot anymore.
The best robot vacuums right now are either the Dreame X50 Ultra or the Roborock Saros 10.
They are both 2-in-1s by the way. They vacuum and mop.
I use the Roomba S9+ and it is really good. But the S9+ is just a vacuum.
Interesting fact is the best robot vacuum these days are all Chinese.

 

[Phil C. McNasty]

I recently bought a cordless Dyson on Boxing Day and haven’t used my roomba since

Thats interesting.

There's quite a few used Roomba's for sale on Kijiji, I might just buy a cheap used one and see if I like it.
If I hate I might go with a Dyson as well

193 ads for roomba in Buy & Sell in Toronto (GTA) | Kijiji Marketplaces

Find roomba in Buy & Sell in Toronto (GTA). Visit Kijiji Classifieds to buy, sell, or trade almost anything! Find new and used items, cars, real estate, jobs, services, vacation rentals and more virtually in Toronto (GTA).

www.kijiji.ca

 

[oakvilleguy]

Thats interesting.

There's quite a few used Roomba's for sale on Kijiji, I might just buy a cheap used one and see if I like it.
If I hate I might go with a Dyson as well

193 ads for roomba in Buy & Sell in Toronto (GTA) | Kijiji Marketplaces

Find roomba in Buy & Sell in Toronto (GTA). Visit Kijiji Classifieds to buy, sell, or trade almost anything! Find new and used items, cars, real estate, jobs, services, vacation rentals and more virtually in Toronto (GTA).

www.kijiji.ca

If you do go this route, find out how old the unit is and how often it was used. From my experience, the battery will last about 3-4 years, used once or twice a week. A fresh battery will run about 60 mins. When my battery started to die, the Roomba would drop to a runtime of 20 mins and want to return to the dock.

 

[xmontrealer]

How are they with electrical, musical, and other cables on the floor?

(I'm worried they may just chew them up...)

 

[Ponderling]

How are they with electrical, musical, and other cables on the floor?

(I'm worried they may just chew them up...)

It does not chew them up, but can get trapped by them.

 

[Butler1000]

Thats interesting.

There's quite a few used Roomba's for sale on Kijiji, I might just buy a cheap used one and see if I like it.
If I hate I might go with a Dyson as well

193 ads for roomba in Buy & Sell in Toronto (GTA) | Kijiji Marketplaces

Find roomba in Buy & Sell in Toronto (GTA). Visit Kijiji Classifieds to buy, sell, or trade almost anything! Find new and used items, cars, real estate, jobs, services, vacation rentals and more virtually in Toronto (GTA).

www.kijiji.ca

Um "quite few used" is a tell that they aren't that good.

 

[Phil C. McNasty]

Um "quite few used" is a tell that they aren't that good.

Doesnt necessarily mean anything.
There are 218 ads for used Samsung S22 phones, and its one of the best phones I've ever owned

219 ads for samsung s22 in Cell Phones in Toronto (GTA) | Kijiji Marketplaces

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www.kijiji.ca

 

[SaulGoodman777]

Doesnt necessarily mean anything.
There are 218 ads for used Samsung S22 phones, and its one of the best phones I've ever owned

219 ads for samsung s22 in Cell Phones in Toronto (GTA) | Kijiji Marketplaces

Find samsung s22 in Cell Phones in Toronto (GTA). Visit Kijiji Classifieds to buy, sell, or trade almost anything! Find new and used items, cars, real estate, jobs, services, vacation rentals and more virtually in Toronto (GTA).

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S22 rocks

 

[Butler1000]

Doesnt necessarily mean anything.
There are 218 ads for used Samsung S22 phones, and its one of the best phones I've ever owned

219 ads for samsung s22 in Cell Phones in Toronto (GTA) | Kijiji Marketplaces

Find samsung s22 in Cell Phones in Toronto (GTA). Visit Kijiji Classifieds to buy, sell, or trade almost anything! Find new and used items, cars, real estate, jobs, services, vacation rentals and more virtually in Toronto (GTA).

www.kijiji.ca

People upgrade phones. They don't upgrade roombas. Think about it.

 

[Phil C. McNasty]

People upgrade phones. They don't upgrade roombas. Think about it

Google Search

www.google.ca

Yes, people frequently upgrade their Roombas to access better technology, such as smarter navigation, self-emptying docks, and improved suction. Users often transition from older "bump-and-run" models to newer, app-connected, and self-emptying models (like the j7+, j8+, or s9+) to reduce maintenance and improve cleaning

• Upgrading to Newer Models (Full Replacement): Users often move from older, manual-bin-emptying models to newer ones with "Clean Base" technology, which allows for weeks of hands-free cleaning. Common upgrades include moving from 800/900 series to the i7+, j7+, or the high-performance s9+.
• Adopting Combo Models: There is a strong trend toward upgrading to 2-in-1 robot vacuums and mops, such as the Roomba j7+ or the newer Roomba Combo 10 Max, which can vacuum and mop in a single run.
• iRobot Trade-In Program: iRobot offers an official trade-in program for residents in the United States, allowing users to trade in older robots for credit toward a new model.

• Third-Party Upgrades (Parts): Instead of buying a new unit, many users upgrade their existing Roombas by replacing parts with non-iRobot alternatives, such as buying larger batteries, better brushes (e.g., swapping to rubber extractors), or new wheels to improve performance.
• Software/Feature Upgrades: For older models, users sometimes "hack" or modify them, or rely on firmware updates to enable features like scheduled cleaning or improved dock returning.

Reasons for Upgrading:

• Self-Emptying Capabilities: The desire to not touch the vacuum for weeks at a time is a primary motivator.
• Improved Mapping & Navigation: Modern Roombas use LiDAR and smarter mapping, reducing the chance of getting stuck.
• Better Cleaning Efficiency: Upgrading to models with 10x-175x more suction power and better, non-tangle dual rubber brushes

 

[Butler1000]

Google Search

www.google.ca

Yes, people frequently upgrade their Roombas to access better technology, such as smarter navigation, self-emptying docks, and improved suction. Users often transition from older "bump-and-run" models to newer, app-connected, and self-emptying models (like the j7+, j8+, or s9+) to reduce maintenance and improve cleaning

• Upgrading to Newer Models (Full Replacement): Users often move from older, manual-bin-emptying models to newer ones with "Clean Base" technology, which allows for weeks of hands-free cleaning. Common upgrades include moving from 800/900 series to the i7+, j7+, or the high-performance s9+.
• Adopting Combo Models: There is a strong trend toward upgrading to 2-in-1 robot vacuums and mops, such as the Roomba j7+ or the newer Roomba Combo 10 Max, which can vacuum and mop in a single run.
• iRobot Trade-In Program: iRobot offers an official trade-in program for residents in the United States, allowing users to trade in older robots for credit toward a new model.

• Third-Party Upgrades (Parts): Instead of buying a new unit, many users upgrade their existing Roombas by replacing parts with non-iRobot alternatives, such as buying larger batteries, better brushes (e.g., swapping to rubber extractors), or new wheels to improve performance.
• Software/Feature Upgrades: For older models, users sometimes "hack" or modify them, or rely on firmware updates to enable features like scheduled cleaning or improved dock returning.

Reasons for Upgrading:

• Self-Emptying Capabilities: The desire to not touch the vacuum for weeks at a time is a primary motivator.
• Improved Mapping & Navigation: Modern Roombas use LiDAR and smarter mapping, reducing the chance of getting stuck.
• Better Cleaning Efficiency: Upgrading to models with 10x-175x more suction power and better, non-tangle dual rubber brushes

OK. But think about it. Everyone here has pretty much said they aren't that good. Get caught under furniture, low charge times, have to redo places.

So you will be getting the equivalent of a tube TV.

As you said, An S22 works great. And so buying one for someone who can't afford a new model makes sense. It still works fine. You know it will.

What you are buying here is a Blackberry.......

It's obvious you want to avoid the housework. So bite the bullet, save the hassle and get a better model.

 

[luckyme101]

Does anybody have one of these contraptions?? I'm thinking of buying one:

General PDP Template

www.canadiantire.ca

Are they worth it??
I dont like the fact they come with only a 1-year warranty.
At $300 + tax they're not cheap

I have had one since when it first came out. Generally, it works fine except with the occasional getting stuck in thick carpets. My biggest complaint is the "tedious" cleaning of the little dustbin and the short life of the batteries. Cleaning involves a lot more than just emptying the dustbin. You need to clean the brush, the rotating sweeper and everything underneath to make it work well. Long hair is the main culprit. During the last ten years or so since we bought it, I had to replace the batteries at least 3 time - so much so that Amazon has my records and I just reorder the battery when it stops working. Moving forward, I might get a new one with the automatic dustbin (clean base technology).

 

[Phil C. McNasty]

From reviews I'm reading there's Roomba clones that do just as good a job as the real thing for a lot less money.
I might give them a try first. Just some examples:

Amazon.ca

www.amazon.ca

Amazon.ca

www.amazon.ca

 

[Muchadoaboutnothing]

Does anybody have one of these contraptions?? I'm thinking of buying one:

General PDP Template

www.canadiantire.ca

Are they worth it??
I dont like the fact they come with only a 1-year warranty.
At $300 + tax they're not cheap

I have two. One is a knock off roomba so less expensive. I like the Roomba can be set on a schedule and turned off when not home. Mine also have a “mop” function. I find the machine surprisingly loud (I’m incredibly sensitive to sound suddenly) and even with all the lights on it still seems to need to recalibrate the map and sometimes my cat will bring it his toys which get stuck and I can’t fix it until I’m home lol. also it’s not the best for going over thin rugs so i have to pile the rugs before turning it on as it already dethreaded a few hand loomed rugs. Lastly it sometimes decides to mount the bottom legs of my counter stools and then is stuck half airborne and twirling in circles and thus again defunct until I get home to lift it out of the bar stools area. This could probably be avoided if I updated its cleaning area to stick to one room or redid the map in some way for it. So it’s as useful as you make it and dependent on your situation. j can vacuum all thred levels of my place in thirty minutes or often less (cat hair is everywhere and so much dust daily) the Roomba for one level takes over an hour lol. So it’s more of a maintenance thing than a replacement for vacuuming.

 

[Muchadoaboutnothing]

OK. But think about it. Everyone here has pretty much said they aren't that good. Get caught under furniture, low charge times, have to redo places.

So you will be getting the equivalent of a tube TV.

As you said, An S22 works great. And so buying one for someone who can't afford a new model makes sense. It still works fine. You know it will.

What you are buying here is a Blackberry.......

It's obvious you want to avoid the housework. So bite the bullet, save the hassle and get a better model.

Yes the charge thing has happened when initially it’s trying to get a lay of the land and so then you end up walking over areas that aren’t vacuumed and dragging the dirt again making the job already done useless. It makes me feel bad when I start vacuuming next to it and I feel like I’m that passive aggressive partner telling it it’s a lousy worker