iRobot Roomba 53501 Vacuum Cleaning Robot

Thursday, November 26th, 2009 at 7:28 pm

Manufacturer: iRobot
Customer Rating:
List Price: $249.99
Sale Price: $284.99
Availibility: View Product Availability

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Product Description

With its enhanced design, including improved navigation, coverage, pickup, and filtration, this vacuum-cleaning robot makes it easier then ever to clean floors throughout the house--hands free. Simply press the "clean" button and the unit will vacuum the whole floor on its own, adjusting automatically to any floor surface including wood, tile, linoleum, rugs, and carpet. The vacuum's dual, high-speed, counter-rotating brushes pick up everything from tracked-in dirt by the front door to food crumbs on the kitchen floor to pet hair throughout the house. It also provides anti-tangle technology with auto reverse, innovative spinning side brushes to ensure thorough cleaning in corners and along baseboards, and a gentle-touch bumper that senses obstacles so that it can slow down and carefully clean around them. The unit's dirt sensor will direct the cleaning time and focus where it's needed most, and its low-profile design means easy cleaning under beds, couches, and other hard-to-reach areas. Another thoughtful detail includes its ability to schedule preset cleaning times--great for coming home to a clean house after a long day at the office. Even more, the cleaner comes with built-in cliff sensors that prevent it from falling down stairs and a Virtual Wall system, which allows for setting up invisible barriers that confine the unit to a designated area. The vacuum's large dustbin empties easily, and its improved filtration system traps dust, pollen, and other allergens, helping to ensure only clean air gets released back into the room. For added convenience, the vacuuming robot automatically returns to its self-charging Home Base to dock and recharge between cleaning cycles or when the battery starts to run low. Accessories include a bumper extension, a brush cleaning tool, a power adapter, a rechargeable battery, one extra filter, one Virtual Wall Lighthouse, and four "C" batteries for the Virtual Walls.

Product Details

Vacuum-cleaning robot with on-board scheduling for all floor surfaces
2 High-speed, counter-rotating brushes; anti-tangle technology; side brushes
Gentle-touch bumper; dirt sensor; built-in cliff sensors; self-charging home base
Includes bumper extension, cleaning tool, power adapter, rechargeable battery, 1 extra filter, 1 virtual wall, and batteries
Measures approximately 13 by 13 by 4 inches

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Customer Reviews

Amazing pickup, great coverage, and fun to boot

Review Date: April 24, 2010

Reviewer: Samuel Walters, Maryland, USA

I just received my Roomba 535 and I couldn't be more pleased. My primary concern before purchasing was whether or not it would have sufficient suction and coverage to really clean my carpets; after running it several times, this is no longer a concern. It's a hungry little devil, and I'm floored by the amount of dust, hair, and debris that it captures. On the first 4 runs alone, I had to empty the bin 7 times. At this point, it's picking up less as the carpets have become drastically cleaner, and daily maintenance should keep it that way.

Aside from pickup power, it also does a great job of navigating my nontraditional layout, and intelligently avoids things like my knotted leather rug that can't be vacuumed. Daily cleaning is as simple as tapping the "Clean" button with my toe on my way out the door each morning, and I come home to beautifully cleaned carpet.

It does seem to have a bit of trouble getting back to its dock from time to time, but it's pretty fun to watch it try. I'm a little embarrassed to say that I find myself quietly cheering it on to success when it goes looking for the dock.

I would highly recommend this product; not only does it do a great job cleaning and providing full-floor coverage, but it's really fun to have around as well.

Bigger and Better

Review Date: June 24, 2010

Reviewer: Glenda Steffee, Sewell, NJ USA

My green roomba has died - and this one came up with a great price. It's a bit larger and much quieter with several added features. Roombas don't do an intense job of cleaning, but it's enough to make the floors and carpet presentable even with a mega shedder pet in the house. I love the fact that I can be two places at once - having the roomba vacuum while I take care of other chores or run an errand.

Robo vacuum

Review Date: July 4, 2010

Reviewer: Debra Embry, Texas

Absolutely love this purchase. I have hard wood and tile floors and a doggy door so was constantly sweeping the floor,now I just turn on the Roomba and it is done. The best timesaver ever and works great. Highly recommend as a must have for wood floors.

iRobot Roomba 53501

Review Date: September 1, 2010

Reviewer: Food Addict,

I've had my Roomba for a few weeks now and overall am happy with this purchase. I think it's more of a robotic sweeper than a vacuum cleaner. It can't do the thorough cleaning as a good vacuum cleaner would do, but it's great for regular and (best part!) hands-free cleanup. I just turn it on and off it goes, gently humming and scooting around, as I do something else.

Two things about the product description though: this model - 53501 - DOES NOT have on-board scheduling, or any scheduling at all. According to the manual it's only for models 550 and higher. Also, contrary to description, it does not come with batteries for the Virtual Wall. Not a huge deal, but worth mentioning.

Love Hate Relationship

Review Date: June 16, 2010

Reviewer: dd, san francisco, ca

I really like that I can leave it in an area and it just goes for it. It's not perfect, but it is helpful. The downer is that it has scratched my beautiful darkwood dyed floors and really really roughed up my high end dark wood furniture that doesn't have perfectly vertical legs. Legs come down at a curve with a claw foot at the end and that didn't mesh irobot's powerful urges. The results were heavy scuff marks. I've learned to block off the area with the virtual wall that comes with it. Wish the virtual wall could be in two directions at a time rather than just one. I think regretfully that irobot will head up to the vacation home where things are less precious.