I'm wondering if anyone has had experience with any of the robotic vacuums (roomba, neato, etc.). We have hardwood floors on our main floor and husky hair piles just accumulate immediately. Yes, I COULD vacuum everyday, but I really don't want to. I'm considering one of those robotic vacuums to supplement my normal vacuuming and keep the husky hair tumbleweeds to a minimum. I know a lot aren't too good with long fur so I'm wondering if anyone has had experience with them and what brand/model?

I'll be following along just to see responses. With our baby girl demanding so much of my time, vacuuming has really taken a backseat unfortunately. Hubby and I have decided to buy a Roomba, I've read pretty good things about them. Now I'm just waiting for them to go on sale somewhere. Only thing though, from what I've read they can handle pet fur very well but that will require them to be emptied daily which is fine by me. I've read mixed reviews on the longevity of the Roomba so I want to purchase mine from someplace with a good return policy like Costco for example.

I am interested in hearing other thoughts and opinions from people with experience.

I know my parents have tried a couple. Not sure what brand (they are Costco whores so whatever they have sold) they have always ended up returning them.

If I recall Consumer Reports gave Roomba a pretty good review a year or two ago.

My advisor has a Roomba. She likes it because with the number of cats and dogs she has, it cuts down on how often she has to pull the big vacuum out. Only issue she has is that it gets stuck once in a great while when it wedges itself between stuff.

The Roomba lasted all of 50 seconds and cried mercy (even after daily swiffering!). We took it back to Target the next day. I wish I had the video somewhere, it was hilarious. And that was with ONE dog! "Empty now! Empty now!" or something to that manner....

My coworker has one of these and loves it - but only has a lab and little dog and I can't bring myself to spend that much:
http://www.amazon.com/Neato-XV-11-Robotic-Vacuum-System/dp/B003UBPB6E/ref=sr_1_2?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1341869175&sr=1-2&keywords=neato

I recall ours getting stuck often as well and not being very good at covering all areas.

Okay guys, I bought one off Woot! today. They have it up pretty regularly but I finally broke down and committed. Every review I can find has the Neato blowing the Roomba out of the water. I'll be sure to let you all know how it goes!

Neato XV-21
http://www.woot.com/offers/neato-xv-21-pet-allergy-robotic-vac-1
(This link might die since this is a daily deals site...)

Please do let us know, I still haven't bought one but I have mainly been looking at the Roomba. I am definitely going to get one eventually but in the meantime I am very interested in hearing how yours performs.

I'm interested in how it works for you Jenny.

My thoughts were:

1) the receptacle is very tiny, would it hold the hair from 1 dog let alone 4.
2) at least one of my boys loves to find out how electronics work (if you know what I mean)
3) how well does it maneuver different surfaces, wood to area rug transition, toy and other obstacles.

NadirCs wrote:

Okay guys, I bought one off Woot! today. They have it up pretty regularly but I finally broke down and committed. Every review I can find has the Neato blowing the Roomba out of the water. I'll be sure to let you all know how it goes!

Neato XV-21
http://www.woot.com/offers/neato-xv-21-pet-allergy-robotic-vac-1
(This link might die since this is a daily deals site...)

So funny! I ordered one TOO! We get our Neato tomorrow - it's $299 on Costco everyday, I got the regular one. Since it's just a filter and brush that are extra on the pet one, I took a chance. We can compare notes! My coworker loves his!

Lordbroll wrote:

I'm interested in how it works for you Jenny.

My thoughts were:

1) the receptacle is very tiny, would it hold the hair from 1 dog let alone 4.
2) at least one of my boys loves to find out how electronics work (if you know what I mean)
3) how well does it maneuver different surfaces, wood to area rug transition, toy and other obstacles.

Brian - I'll give my review when I get it. My coworker says it does well with flat rugs just not super shaggy rugs.

I'm following this just to read your reviews!
I've always wondered how it would perform for us husky owners.

I'm following too. Jeff has been looking at them for a while now, I would love to know if it would keep up with three dogs (and a cat!).

Ok - guys! It's only been a week but we LOVE this thing!

It's super loud (I started it up at the office when I got it and everyone stood up wondering where the jet engine was ) and takes about 40 minutes to do a large room, but totally worth it. It's like having another person do the vacuuming while you do something else in the house. It has this large 4x4 wheels in front that are great at getting around obstacles. It learns your house as it goes along, so it'll stumble the first few times and then get much better. Plus, it docks itself when it gets low on battery (about 30min or so).

It goes under furniture too, which *ahem* hubby doesn't.

Frosti hates it. Chili wouldn't move out of it's way and is mildly annoyed.
Video (dark until 25 sec in): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJlF32zgQ8s

Sam, how well does it pick up pet hair and how often do you have to empty it? What kind of regular vacuum do you use and how clean does the Neato get your floors compared to your regular vacuum? Also what surfaces is it cleaning (carpet, hardwood, tile, rugs)? How loud is it compared to your regular vacuum?

Huskyluv wrote:

Sam, how well does it pick up pet hair and how often do you have to empty it?

It picks up pet hair really well. It doesn't have a brush so it just sucks everything in. I empty it once a day. It's super easy to empty and pops right back in.

Huskyluv wrote:

What kind of regular vacuum do you use and how clean does the Neato get your floors compared to your regular vacuum?

We have a Electrolux Ergorapido that has survived two huskies for over a year and works quite well. However, I kinda feel the Neato picks up more stuff, plus it's easier to vacuum under things since it's slim.

Huskyluv wrote:

Also what surfaces is it cleaning (carpet, hardwood, tile, rugs)?

Hardwood floors and kitchen mats (they are kinda silky, with a short pile). My coworker has a shag run and he says his Neato has a harder time on that but is fine with regular carpets.

Huskyluv wrote:

How loud is it compared to your regular vacuum?

A tiny bit louder than the Electrolux, definitely not a quiet vacuum. However, I'll take that tradeoff for clean floors!

How well does it handle corners?

I have an iKleen, I bought it off E-bay earlier this year.

It does ok. It doesnt do as good as a regular vacuum, nor does it hold as much. It's dust recess is very small I have to empty it 2-3 times every time it is vacuuming the house. It also gets stuck on things, electrical cords under the couches, corners of rugs etc.
It makes it kind of inconvenient. As much as I enjoy not having to do the vacuuming I think a regular vacuum is better.

blueeyedghost wrote:

How well does it handle corners?

Not as good as my old S2000!

j/k

I'll have to check again at home, we have furniture in all the corners so I can't really tell.

Thanks for taking the time to share with us, Sam!

Huskyluv wrote:

Thanks for taking the time to share with us, Sam!

Yes, definitely! Aaron and I have been kicking around the idea but weren't sure how it would handle the hair. This definitely gives us something to talk about though

I'll keep you guys updated on how it holds up! My coworker has had his at least a year and a half and it's going strong.

Sam, does your Neato have room memory where it starts up where it left off if it has to charge before finishing?

You sold my husband! He came home with the Neato yesterday. Best Buy had the pet version on sale, and along with a few left over Christmas gift cards and our redeeming our Best Buy points, we got it for a bargain, lol!

Just finished for the day and I'm amazed how much hair it picked up....and I vacuumed yesterday afternoon! So far so good though....