iRobot - Roomba 985

Get the straight vacuum. No combo because you lose suction. I had a 985 that is still running but was relocated to my son’s campus housing. That thing was not smart, but did an outstanding job. I have a J9 now. I feel like it does the job more efficiently, but is not quite as powerful. I still love it for cleaning up after my cat and dog though.

My wife won a Roomba 981 as a sales target bonus in 2016. It’s still going strong, doesn’t seem like it will ever die. Which sucks because I want to buy a new one with all the bells and whistles but she thinks it’s a waste of money if we already have one. Not that her point isn’t without merit, but there’s a reason ours is called “50 First Dates” in the app. It will start a job in the home room for a random amount of time then switch to a different room and do that for 5-10 minutes, then come back to the original room and start it again. Even at low suction it’s so loud and annoying in its random cleaning methods that we can’t program auto cleans so we start jobs when we’ll be out for at least 3 hours so we don’t have to watch, listen, or point at it and laugh. That said, it cleans very well and despite its quirks we can’t seem to get rid of it. The thing won’t die. I desperately want it to, but it lovably keeps trucking along, getting all the pesky dirt we can’t even see and keeping the place tip top. With the new combo-mopping, auto dumping and filling, and obstacle avoiding features out now I may be able to convince her to get 50 First an assistant, but until she dies she will always run the house.

How do you check battery life? I have a 985 from Costco bought in 2019 and we went from a 1 bedroom apartment to a house and it’s still chugging along. I maintain it and clean it out after every run.

I’m own professional cleaning company and have been messing with vacuums forever so when I get home just want a robot not that they clean as well but literally NOTHING robot works like an iRobot that I’ve seen so far esp the j7 and the 988 those are the strongest in their class

I have a 900 series and a j7. I don’t really have an issue with either one. They rarely get stuck and complete jobs regularly. However I recently bought a Roborock and it is definitely better. The app is much more advanced and lidar seems to be more efficient and accurate.

Buy an old roomba instead, (500/600/700/800/900) they are the most reliable you can get.

Our roomba tries to keep up. Hal (main floor roomba) needs maintenance every few days. But man 2 days where Hal is off duty and you can see it. The tumbleweeds roll in. Hal doesn’t replace vacuuming or steam cleaning area rugs. He does however help keep the dusting down and limits the tumbleweeds . My better half will tell me don’t pause Hal he is doing https://preview.redd.it/7mmkuro4c1ef1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4fd808d8cc6c7e830934f5fb947860ae71518915 Gods work ROFL. We have 3 dogs 2 super shedders GSD and Husky/GSD mix and 1 wire hair terrier. This year we have had to even vacuum dogs as well. They are so worth it! ❤️❤️❤️