Roomba 535 review

lnd svyr · Joined: 26 Jun 2008 Posts: 4 Location: Virginia

Hey:

Here's a link to the Roomba telling you how to get the discount price at HSN (if you're a first time customer). It is the best price on the net--I've looked everywhere.

http://www.roombareview.com/buy/roomba535/

Ours is working great so far. You have to empty the bin and clean the brushes after each use but it's a whole lot quicker than vacuuming the entire house. I checked behind it yesterday after it did the bedroom and you can see an inch thick layer of dust under the bed where it couldn't get to because of junk we had under there (and I could never get the big vacuum under the bed and was too lazy to move the bed around to vacuum).

I let it run while working out and it did two bedrooms, the hall and the bathroom before needing a charge. If confined to the room with the charger base, it will return to the base by itself and start charging. If you're doing rooms beyond the base, though, you have to take Roomba back to the charger room. The little lighthouse thing will confine the vacuum to one room or area and won't let it go beyond that area until it is cleaned.

It has not had any trouble going over AC vents (even one of those wooden ones that stick up) and it fits under kitchen counter toe kicks perfectly. We haven't had but one or two instances of it getting stuck (once on a floor fan base, it's plastic and slick so I guess it lost traction).

It does not like black rugs because of the stair/step sensor that keeps it from falling down stairs.

It can get over bathroom rugs sometimes but they do give it some trouble (not as much as trying to use a full-size vac, though).

It likes to bump doors until they open and then Roomba keeps pushing until the door is closed and it can't get out of the room; so, if using the lighthouse to confine it to the room before going on to the hall or next room, you need to secure the door somehow.

You need to make sure you don't have a lot of junk just laying around so Roomba can get every nook and cranny.

It is great for pet and human hair (which is why you need to clean the brushes after every use).

Filters come in a three pack that cost $15 at Amazon.com with free shipping (they say change every 2-3 months).

Since we have berber carpet, it is hard to tell if every square inch is covered; but, the floor definitely looks completely clean when done. Before using Roomba the first time, I went over one room entirely with the full-size vacuum and then let Roomba go over it. Roomba still got hair and dirt off the floor.

It is a lot quieter than a full-size vacuum.

Doolittle (the cat) just stares at it when it's running--and runs when it's coming! Since it is summer, Doo pulls out more hair and you can see it drifting around on the hardwood floor. Since getting Roomba, though, the hair gets picked up regularly and thoroughly.

People have asked me about corners and edges of walls. Roomba gets them, too, with its little whirl-a-gig side brush.

Overall, the user reviews online (hundreds) are positive and so is our opinion of the Roomba.

I used to never find time to vacuum. Now I vacuum almost daily. I just wish I could get one for every room, get the optional scheduler, and just go room to room every couple of days and dump the bins and clean the brushes.

I think Roomba has a 12 month warranty. If your credit card is like ours, it will double the warranty for you.

Try it, you'll like it.

Fraggboy · Posted: June 26, 2008, 4:33 am Post subject:

lnd svyr, Welcome to RoombaReview!! :D

Thank you for your review on your Roomba!! When you get a second, take a look at the Read First section to get yourself familiarized with the Roomba. You will find alot of tips and tricks to help lengthen your Roomba's lifespan, and maybe answer any questions you may have. If you can't find the answer, ask us and one of the friendly members here will help you out!

Hope to see you soon!!

lnd svyr · Joined: 26 Jun 2008 Posts: 4 Location: Virginia

Thanks, Chris.

On update:

The side brush has broken off three of its arms but Irobot has replaced after a few weeks wait. The bumper strip peeled off and Roomba was eating it. iRobot is sending another.

Overall, I am still very happy with my purchase and Roomba is doing its job. I am looking for an excuse to expend the funds to get another dedicated master bedroom Roomba.

If we ever build another house, I am definitely designing it with built-in Roomba garages! In every room!