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Re:iRobot says robot vacuums now represent 20% of worldwide ... by rm999 on Monday November 07, 2016 @10:39PM (#12897417)
I feel the opposite. I bought a Roomba 650 almost exactly four years ago (one of the best purchases I've ever made) for about 350 dollars after a bed bath and beyond coupon. With a little bit of maintenance it still runs every day exactly as well as it did the day I bought it.

The 650 is the robovacuum Sweethome recommends and has recommended for years (http://thesweethome.com/reviews/best-robot-vacuum). The newest Roombas since then have been mildly incremental, and the competitors have struggled to offer something that works better. One of my close friends bought the exact same model last week for 370 dollars.

That's not to say there isn't room for a lot of improvement, but I think it's been a super slow moving space.

Re:iRobot says robot vacuums now represent 20% of worldwide ... by mulletbum on Tuesday November 08, 2016 @08:22AM (#12899971)
I own a 880 and 760 and I could not be happier with both of them. I had the 760 for over a year, but it couldn't properly do my entire upstairs (its rather large). So I moved it to my two room downstairs and bought the 880. With the 880 it comes with lighthouses that signal the roomba to know to do each room separately. I can not be happier. The 880 was a great upgrade too, the brushes are easier than ever to clear and maintain (basically you don't have to).
Re:iRobot says robot vacuums now represent 20% of worldwide ... by pravda on Monday November 07, 2016 @11:22PM (#12897637)
Another Roomba 650 owner here! Mine was $280 purchased from eBay, in March.

I also have a Roomba 555 bought for $200 in 2012. I spent about $100 to upgrade the older one to the newer sweeper/dustbin and to buy a new battery.

Love them both! Could not imagine life without them. To press a button, leave, and come back to a parked Roomba with a full dustbin is glorious!

The amazing thing is that they actually do a better job then using a broom and dustpan.

Re:iRobot says robot vacuums now represent 20% of worldwide ... by freehunter on Tuesday November 08, 2016 @09:16AM (#12900348)
I just got my first 650 yesterday. I was recommended away from the more expensive models because for a home as small as mine, the features didn't make sense for the price.

It's running right now, and with two dogs and a cat my floor is rarely ever this clean.