Let's Talk Robotic Vacuums Again

4 years ago

I bought a Neato a couple of years ago. Although I've had trouble with it off and on, the company has been wonderful about fixing it and sending g it back (a few times). But I'm finally deciding that it needs to be replaced.

I've been reading updated (2020) reviews and reports about brands and models; interestingly (or perhaps not), they all differ as do Amazon reviews. Consumer Reports had a good comparison, but customer comments on those that were rated high by CR gave, in general, conflicting reports.

So .... who has a new model robotic vacuum? What brand/model/features?

I need one that does hardwood floors and carpets, isn't very high (the Neato would get stuck under furniture). I don't at all care about a remote or whether it works with Alexa or wifi, etc.

So - - - your thoughts/experiences?

Thank you!

Featured Answer

M H

2 years ago

Coming into this conversation late but I also had a Neato D7. The robot broke just before the warranty ran up so the company repaired it for me. Six months later and it's dead again. You can't even get replacement batteries for this model right now. I ended up purchasing a Roomba i7 Plus that empties itself and couldn't be happier. It works great and is practically maintenance free.

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Comments (22)

glenda_al
4 years ago
I ran Robbie, my Neato, yesterday, and still love it. Especially cleaning under the bed.
Suzieque thanked glenda_al
Jody
4 years ago
I have just been researching these as well because I’ve decided I would like to have one. I wanted one that could mop too so that narrowed my search quite a bit. I had it down to either the Roborock S6 or the 360 S7. I ended up ordering the 360 S7, but it was a difficult decision because of all the mixed reviews. Plus they are both fairly new on the market. I really like how you can have different maps, schedules and areas you block off completely. I wish I could say I’ve tried it out but not yet. I’m still anxiously awaiting it’s arrival!
Suzieque thanked Jody
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My DH bought me one for my birthday (2?) years ago..He purchased it from Roomba and it was the 590? series. It came with a programable thing and several towers. He paid nearly $500 for it. The first few months, it had numerous problems (cant remember all of them but in general the brushes had issues and the battery would not hold a charge, also it would crash into the furniture when it was supposed to have sensors etc to avoid that. It was under warranty (very very limited warranty time wise) but they sent one part of the main brush thingie and a new battery. not too much later, something else went wrong with it, but now it was no longer under warranty so I had to purchase replacement parts. After talking to the customer service people, she conveyed that when the brush housing stopped working the first time or had issues, that the whole thing should have been replaced because by now it was completely damaged (so the replacement part was only a $40 bandaid) somehow, she managed to get permission to send me a whole new unit. This "NEW" unit would barely clean one room before pooping out. (the other one was designed to clean up to 3 rooms in one run and it usually came close unless I had too many obstacles for it). It is now not being used at all. I will say when it was working that it was handy for pet hair (houseful of cats and dogs) but it always had trouble transitioning from hardwood floors to rugs, and as such would half way "clean" itself off on its way up and over the edge of the rugs, leaving clumps of cat fur behind. If I had to do it over again, I would absolutely NOT spend $500 on it, but IF I could have gotten a decent one second hand, then I'd probably use it every now and then. I dont know if it was this forum or elsewhere but this topic has been discussed before and I do recall that someone had purchased one from some particular place that offered a lifetime warranty, knowing the multiple issues mine has always had, I'd DEFINITELY buy it from them over any other vendor, if I had a do over. I do not recall the place though.
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Suzieque
Original Author
4 years ago
Thanks to both of you. Glenda, I'm glad your Neato is working great. Ours was ok but had some serious "issues" and I'm not wanting to try that brand again. Jody, I'm not going to get one with mopping capacity. But I'll be interested to know how you like yours once you get it.

Anyone else?
desertsteph
4 years ago
I'll be watching here for reviews too. I've wanted to get one for years but also saw the very mixed reviews online and couldn't decide. so I didn't get one and had numerous surgeries in a 1.5 yr period and I didn't care so much if the floor even needed cleaned. I couldn't see the dirt anyway.
Suzieque thanked desertsteph
abbisgram
4 years ago
I've had this one on my list for a good while. I saw it recommended on another forum here. https://www.amazon.com/eufy-BoostIQ-Super-Thin-Self-Charging-Medium-Pile/dp/B079QYYGF1/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=eufy&qid=1586311066&sr=8-3

I've had a bObsweep Junior for 3 years. I was pleased with it for the most part. It's loud IMO, and lately it wants to just clean in the bedroom (the base is in there) and bathroom. When it dies...
Suzieque thanked abbisgram
jane__ny
4 years ago
I use three Roomba's. I've used them for many years. The three are old and have been accumulated over the years. They do a decent job, occasionally get stuck under my couch. The only problem I have is I have a large rug under our dining room table which is black and tan. The robots will not go on it as they see black as an edge. Once in a while one will go on it and have a fit and shut itself off. They will not go over anything black.

I like them and have not tried the other brands. Plus they last forever!

Jane
Suzieque thanked jane__ny
isitdoneyet
4 years ago
I have a Roomba I bought at least 10 years ago and it still works perfectly. I have had to replace the battery once and thought the replacement was better than the original.

I needed a second one for downstairs and bought this one from Amazon. eufy robo vac mainly because of the price (no wifi.) It is much better than the Roomba, thinner and way way quieter to the point where my dogs ignore it and I can make a phone call while its operating. It goes on my thick Karastan rugs with no problem not even bothering the fringe. The beauty of Amazon is the free return if you find you don't like it. It does have a remote control which is nice as I have it docked under my sofa and can send and start it remotely.
salonva
4 years ago
Following, and liking the eufy that @isitdoneyet shared.
Adella Bedella
4 years ago
My neighbor gave me her old roomba when she moved. We loved it. The downfall is it just kind of wandered around the room and maight miss a spot once in a while.

A couple of months back, dh bought a roborock. I'm not sure which model. It's even nicer than having the roomba. It is scheduled to run every day at 9 am. You do schedule the rooms and boundaries for it. It follows a logical path. We have a cat and dog and it does a great job picking up their hair.

The downfalls are it gets stuck under the armoire once in a while becuase of the design of the design of the armoire. It doesn't like the black patterns in the rugs.
Suzieque thanked Adella Bedella
Suzieque
Original Author
4 years ago
Thanks everyone. I ended up buying the Rudy in abbisgram’s post. It will arrive on Sunday and I’m enthused! Will let you know how it turns out.
abbisgram
4 years ago
Oh, good! I hope it works out for you.
ocscott
4 years ago
My Neato D7 bit the dust today and I'm in the market for a replacement. Unfortunately I was carrying it and dropped it from enough height that it shattered into several pieces upon landing. Overall I have been very happy with the D7. It maps out the house really well and I love being able to draw "No Go" lines on the iPhone app. Definitely beats virtual light towers or laying down magnetic strips. The only downfall is on a giant area rug I have in our family room. The brushroll completely clogs on carpet fibers from this rug that sheds nonstop.

I was wondering if anyone had the Roomba i7 or i7+ (the one that empties itself)? If so, is it effective in cleaning and mapping out the house? Can you set up virtual barriers on an iPhone app? Does the brushrolls clog? I was thinking it might handle the rug better since it doesn't have actual brushes.
Julie Schmooley
4 years ago
Seriously too funny been researching these myself!!! I have decided on the shark irobot bc it auto cleans. I have pets and I’m sure it will get full quickly. I heard the ones with lasers work really well. PLEASE update I may change after hearing a first hand account, I haven’t bought mine yet
Suzieque
Original Author
4 years ago
Well, it arrived yesterday and is charging now. My first impression is that the dust bin is extremely small. Less than 1/2 the size of the Neato, and the Neato filled up fast! (We have a rug that sheds a lot). So, we'll give it a go but I'm not thinking it'll be good for us. Drat.
Suzieque
Original Author
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
I am sorry to say that the eury is being returned. It is a definite fail for us.

Pros: VERY quiet, low profile so it fits better under furniture, returns accurately to the base when finished, it doesn’t make annoying sounds like the Neato did, it’s fast, the battery seems very good.

Cons: it doesn’t even have enough power to get over a very low threshold from my kitchen to living room (we give it a little boost with our foot and the it goes in a few feet and turns around and goes back into the kitchen. Grrr), it doesn’t have enough power to do the rug well, it’ll zoom right on by a dust bunny and never come back to get it, it has a very small dust bin but it doesn’t need to be emptied as often as it would if it was doing a good job.

So, unfortunately, it’s back to the drawing board.
ocscott
4 years ago
I ended up reaching out to Neato about my D7 and they actually offered to fix it for free even though it's out of warranty. They said it would be a one-time only fix but I'll take it! Based on the numerous reviews I've read/watched during quarantine I don't think I'll find a better robot. I'm super impressed with Neato's customer service too.
Suzieque thanked ocscott
Suzieque
Original Author
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Yes, ocscott, I had the same experience with the company (as I noted in my original post). They fixed it 3x - twice while under warranty and once out of warranty. Free shipping both ways. They were great. But let's see - I bought it in October/November of 2018, about 1 1/2 years ago. Now it's again not working (yes, I have "debugged" each time according to their guidance to no avail) and DH says "get rid of that blasted thing".

So --- I'm going to do my part today to contribute to the economy. HAHA! I just don't know which one I will buy!
ocscott
4 years ago
Maybe try the Shark IQ robot? Seems reasonably priced and got great reviews from this YouTube vlogger - Vacuumwars
Suzieque
Original Author
4 years ago
Oh, good - thanks. I'll check it out.
Suzieque
Original Author
4 years ago
Shoot - I see that my autocorrect (and/or my brain) has messed up the name of the one I bought and returned in my posts above. It was eufy, not Rudy, not eury. Sheesh. Can no longer edit those posts. Sorry.
abbisgram
4 years ago
Suzique I hate that didn't work out for you. Guess I'll take it off my wishlist now. My bobsweep sometimes gets stuck on thresholds here so probably eufy would, too.

Let's Talk Robotic Vacuums Again

M H

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