Robotic vacuum cleaners: mixed reviews

If you really don't like to vacuum, Roomba might have the right model for you. The iRobot Roomba is a robot vacuum that navigates by itself to clean carpets and floors. (Note: In order to properly control the Roomba and where it goes, you need small battery device called a virtual wall or lighthouse.  These are priced at about$40.  These devices that put out a beam the Roomba will not cross. I own a Roomba Model 570 and I have 4 light houses and would really like one more.  Several models are available, and prices vary depending on the base unit and the included accessories. All Roomba vacuums, even the most basic versions, share a few common features. They propel themselves around a room, sucking dirt and debris into a bagless bin that needs to be emptied periodically. They will also move  automatically between bare floor and carpet. Roombas avoid falling down stairs by turning around when they sense drop-offs. Some Roomba vacs come with virtual walls that can be set up to prevent Roomba vacs from getting into -- or leaving -- a certain area.

The iRobot Roomba 400 Vacuum Cleaning Robot (*est. $120) is limited to the set of basic features and includes a standard battery and charger combination that takes seven hours to recharge completely. The Roomba 410, estimated price $210, has the standard charger but adds one virtual wall and a dirt sensor designed to improve vacuuming efficiency. The Roomba 416 (*est. $200) adds a second virtual wall and a more efficient 3-hour charging system. All Roomba vacuums in the 400 series can clean about two rooms before needing to be recharged.

The iRobot Roomba 500 series addresses several common user complaints, including inefficient room coverage, lackluster edge and corner cleaning, as well as tangling with blind pulls and power cords. All robotic vacuums in the 500 series, including the Roomba 510, estimated price $250, and the Roomba 530, estimated price $325,  have dirt sensors, a spot cleaning mode, anti-tangle technology and a 3-hour fast charger. The 530 is the least expensive Roomba that returns itself to a self-charging base when it's finished cleaning or when battery power gets low. The 560, estimated price $350,  adds on-board scheduling, meaning it can be programmed to clean automatically at a pre-set time. The Roomba 570 (*est. $400) includes a remote control called the Wireless Command Center that's also available separately (*est. $50) and works with any 500-series Roomba. The Roomba 580, estimated price $530, called a virtual wall lighthouse. includes a bonus pack with an extra faceplate, a virtual wall and some replacement brushes and filters.