iRobot Roomba 4210 Discovery Floorvac Robotic Vacuum, White
Strikingly modern and easy to use, this robotic floorvac includes an array of convenient features. Simply press the "clean" button and the unit will vacuum the whole floor, adjusting automatically to any floor surface including wood, tile linoleum, and low-to-medium pile carpet. The vacuum's artificial intelligence determines the room size and adjusts the run time to ensure that it cleans the entire floor. Integrated sensors detect dirt and will increase the focus and intensity of cleaning in that area, while infra-red cliff sensors in the non-marring bumper detect stairs to keep the unit from falling, as well as furniture and walls for cleaning right up to the edge.

The high-efficiency vacuum has a wide cleaning path and a three-stage cleaning system, which includes counter-rotating brushes that scoop large debris into the dustbin, plus a vacuum to pick up fine particles, dirt, and pet hair. This unit has one of the highest CPRs (coverage per room) in the industry and can get floors cleaner than conventional upright vacuums with the ability to clean where they can’t, like under beds, couches, and other furniture. Its edge-cleaning spinning sidebrush, combined with wall-following technology, removes dirt and debris from the base of walls, from corners, and other hard-to-reach places. The vacuum's stasis sensor detects when it's stuck and employs pre-programmed escape routines to free itself, while setting up a virtual wall, an invisible beam of light, confines the unit to a designated area, great for one-room cleaning.

The vacuum's advanced power system consists of a fast-charging battery, a three-hour charger, and a power source--it supercharges the unit for up to 120 minutes of continuous cleaning. When the battery is low or it has completed a cleaning cycle, the vacuum automatically returns to its charging Home Base so that it will be ready for the next cleaning session. The bagless unit is designed with an easy-to-empty debris bin that is three times the size of other robotic floorvacs so it doesn't have to be emptied as often. Turning the vacuum on, selecting a cleaning mode, and sending it off to clean is easy with the included remote control. Convenient cleaning modes include MAX mode, which sets the unit to clean multiple rooms in one cleaning cycle or for 120 minutes of intense cleaning in a given room, as well as Spot mode, which sets the unit to quickly and intensely clean in a 3-foot diameter. Replaceable air filters prevent dust and dirt from escaping back into the air, and removable-by-hand brushes allow for quick, routine maintenance. A rechargeable APS battery, a three-hour charger, two "virtual-wall" units, three filters, a wall mount for convenient storage, and a remote control are included. The vacuum measures approximately 13 inches in diameter by 4 inches high and carries a one-year warranty.

From the Manufacturer
The Roomba Robotic Floorvac has changed the way people clean their homes, and it’s the number one selling robotic vacuum in the world. Now, the next generation of Roomba’s are here: the Roomba Discovery Robotic Floorvacs. The Roomba Discovery line is designed to make cleaning more efficient and easier than using a traditional upright vacuum.

Roomba Technology
The Roomba Discovery Robotic Floorvacs utilize a 3-stage cleaning system. First, the spinning side brush cleans right along the base of a wall and in corners. Second, Roomba’s two counter-rotating brushes scoop up large dirt and debris into the particle bin. Third, a powerful vacuum pick ups the remaining fine particles, dirt, and pet hair. Also, Roomba now has the built-in intelligence to automatically return to its self-charging Home Base when its battery is low or it has completed a cleaning cycle. This means your Roomba will always be charged and ready for its next cleaning mission.
A Roomba vacuums most home floor surfaces including hardwood, laminate, linoleum, low-pile carpet, medium-pile carpet, tile, slate, and other hard surfaces. Roomba is not designed for shag carpet. Roomba's compact shape (it measures 3.5 inches tall and 13 inches in diameter) allows it to clean completely under beds, couches and other furniture, so Roomba cleans more of your floor than standard uprights.
Roomba’s integrated artificial intelligence allows the robot to determine the room size, and actually calculates how much time is needed to clean in a giving room.

Long Time Roomba User Extremely Happy with New Version / Report
I've been a Roomba user for almost two years, so I know the benefits of a little automated vacuum. However we had three primary complaints that iRobot has addressed in this new version:

1. Inconvenience of coming home to a dead battery
2. Difficult to clean
3. Noisy
4. Could not focus on dirtier areas; only cleaned randomly.

1. We have gotten into the habit of, as we are walking out the door, putting the Roomba to work. However, we always used to have the problem of coming home to Roomba with a dead battery (inevitably it would die in the worst spots, like under our bed just out of reach). Then we would have to plug him in to our charger (which we had to shell out sixty bucks for) and wait for two hours to use him again. That was complaint one for the old version.
iRobot has fixed the battery issue on the Discovery. The fast charger (which we had to pay for before) is now built in. Secondly, and what has proven to be my favorite new feature of the new Roomba, the little vacuum automatically finds his docking station when his battery is about dead. I do have two recommendations on this note, however. The docking station appears to work just like a virtual wall, Roomba doesn't know that it is there unless it crosses its path, so you make sure that it is in a wide open room where Roomba is sure to cross its path in its waning minutes of power. Secondly, now you have to be extra sure to Roomba-proof the room so that he doesn't get stuck. If he's stuck he won't be able to find his way back to the charger.
2. The new version has gotten much easier to clean, especially the main brush. All the pieces now pop in and out of place easier and there are no screws to remove any of the pieces that need cleaning. This has proven to be a huge benefit.
3. The Discovery is noticeably quieter than the older versions, especially on tile surfaces.
4. The new line of Roomba Floorvacs comes with sensors that can detect dirt. That was the first thing we tested when we got our Discovery. I had pieces of Styrofoam broken into small pieces and it detected it and automatically performed a spot clean on that area. Then I put him in the kitchen where I had accidentally dumped a bag of cereal on the floor and then managed to step on it...Roomba focused on that area and cleaned up every little crumb.
I love my Roomba. I 100% recommend that you get one. [...] I bought mine at a local store in the mall and had to return my Pro Elite version 4 times before I finally got one that wasn't buggy. Then, under the warrantee, after my fourth one went on the fritz I was able to upgrade to the Discovery for free. So far after 2 weeks, the Discovery has been bug-free.
Nevertheless, because of the many issues that I have had in the past, and as with any new and emerging technology, buy it where you can purchase an extended warrantee and easily return defective devices.
Notwithstanding, buy a Roomba. Even though my wife and I never have time to clean our floors have been spotless for the last two years.
I hope this helps.


Great, but don't expect miracles / Report June 29, 2006
I've had the Roomba for a couple of days and I LOVE it. I've never had this much fun vacuuming before. But reading other reviews I realized that some people have unreasonable expectations of the roomba. It won't leave your room spotless or find every nook and cranny to clean in, but it will do a great job covering 90% of the room.
So here are some pros and cons...

Pros
- Cleans very well. As well as any vacuum I've owned. Although its suction is weaker than most vacuums, it passes over the same area multiple times to get the job done. Picks up dust, hair, staples, rice, etc. with ease.
- Reaches places you never dreamed of reaching with a regular vacuum.
- Easy to use on a daily basis. All you have to do is push a button...or get the scheduler to make your life even easier.
- Quieter than most vacuums. The roomba can work w/o disturbing people in the other room. I can turn it on in the evening w/o my neighbors complaining about the noise.
- Good with pets. My dog, who hates the regular vacuum, was curious but not afraid of the roomba. My friend's dog had a similar reaction.
- Its fun to use! It makes a great gift.

Cons
- Bad for cluttered rooms or rooms with complex furniture arrangements. It just bounces off the furniture on once side of the room w/o ever finding the rest it. It has serious problems getting around chairs, I've had it stuck under a dining room chair for 10 minutes.
- Floor should be clear. Things like clothing, wires, papers must be off the floor or they will get stuck in the brush.
- Has low clearance and it can't get over things like dog food so it just pushes them around the room. I would estimate clearance at less than 1/4".
- May have problems moving from room to room if the transition isn't flat. My living room is about 1" higher than the kitchen and bedroom and it sometimes has trouble doing the climb. Its fine going down from the living room to the kitchen though.
- Very small dust bin. This is especially a problem for carpetted areas. Expect to empty the bin every 2-6 hours of run time. The first run of my bedroom (250 sq. ft., carpetted and VERY dusty) required me to empty the bin twice. But at least I know it's working!
- Long hair tangles in the brushes. It's a bigger problem for this vacuum than others. If this is an issue for you, expect to clean the brush once a week. This takes less than 5 minutes.
- You'll still need a regular vacuum for corners and other crevices that the roomba can't reach because its too big.


OK but could be better / Report June 28, 2006
Good for a quick pick up or if lifting/pushing a big vacuum is difficult. Could use heavier brushes to get edges and corners and maybe more suction.



Roomba Discovery a Winner! /Report June 15, 2006
I'm a guy that needs his home looking perfect every day of the week. I work, cook, clean, and try to enjoy life to it's fullest. For me? Being in the shower and knowing the Roomba is downstairs cleaning is HEAVEN for me. And when I'm downstairs watching TV, cooking, or answering tonight's e-mails...my Roomba is upstairs cleaning under the guest bed, cleaning the tile floors in the bathroom, and cleaning the sock-lint from the closet floor.

For me? This is the best home tool I've had in years.

If you are a "clean freak" like me...buy one tonight...or tomorrow...

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