iRobot Roomba Discovery 4210

*Est. $250

Experts praise the iRobot Roomba Discovery 4210's sound-based dirt-detection system and ability to clean under furniture and in tight corners. Reviewers also say it's fun to watch as it scurries across the room. One source says this robotic vacuum is ideal for "in-between" cleanings.

The Roomba Discovery takes four or five times as long to vacuum a standard-sized room as a human being with an upright vacuum. There are mixed reports about its cleaning ability, and some owners are frustrated by its seemingly random behavior as it bounces off walls and furniture.

Where to Buy

(check price)

See All Stores

Our Analysis

The consensus of reviewers is that the iRobot Roomba Discovery 4210's novelty and entertainment value compensate for its flaws as a vacuum cleaner. This gizmo takes a long time to clean a standard-sized room compared to a human being with an upright vacuum, and there are mixed reports about its cleaning ability. However, the Roomba Discovery is often described as "fun," and many owners even give their iRobot Roomba a name. The Roomba Discovery runs for about 120 minutes per charge, and it can return to its charging base when finished. Other versions have more or fewer features (the Roomba Scheduler, *est. $300 or the Roomba Red, *est. $200, respectively).

Few writers can resist the urge to try out a robotic vacuum cleaner, which explains why the iRobot Roomba Discovery 4210 has been tested by sources as diverse as The Wall Street Journal, PC Magazine, Essence and Good Housekeeping. The Roomba Discovery also has a dedicated following on Amazon.com, where over 500 owners have posted reviews of this robotic vacuum cleaner.

Our Sources

1. The Wall Street JournalDetails/Subscribe

In this roundup, Kara Swisher tests and compares the iRobot Roomba Discovery, Karcher RoboCleaner and Electrolux Trilobite. She says none of the models performed particularly well, and is "underwhelmed" by the Roomba, which "often pushed the detritus around in circles as it cleaned."

Review: The Only Thing Latest Robot Vacuums Cannot Do Is Clean, Kara Swisher, July 15, 2004

2. PCMag.com Details/Subscribe

In this thorough review, Lance Ulanoff praises the iRobot Roomba Discovery's sound-based dirt-detection system, and he notes how easy it is to remove and replace the dust and dirt catcher. However, he can't help but notice that it takes a very long time to vacuum a room.

Review: Roomba Discovery, Lance Ulanoff, Aug. 26, 2004

3. Good Housekeeping Details/Subscribe

It's clear that this short blurb about the iRobot Roomba Intelligent FloorVac (an ancestor of the Discovery) is based on actual testing. It's "perfect for in-between cleanings," the writer says, but gets "stuck on dense, high-pile carpets."

Review: The First Affordable Robot Vacuum, Editors of Good Housekeeping

4. The Washington Post Details/Subscribe

Reviewer Joel Garreau doesn't actually try out the iRobot Roomba Discovery, but focuses instead on the emotional attachment owners have to this robotic vacuum, to the extent of giving their Roombas their own names. He does say that the Roomba seems decidedly male, in that "you wish it had a little more memory, and that its meanderings weren't so random."

Review: Robots That Fill an Emotional Vacuum, Joel Garreau, Dec. 29, 2006

5. Essence MagazineDetails/Subscribe

Bush tests and rates three popular vacuums -- the Oreck XL, Dyson DC14 Animal and iRobot Roomba Discovery. However, this short write-up doesn't include much testing data.

Review: Are These Vacuums Worth the Hype?, Vanessa Bush, Mar. 2005

6. Amazon.com

More than 500 owners have posted reviews of the Roomba Discovery, and they're mostly satisfied with its performance. The individual reviews vary a lot, so if you're considering this robotic vacuum, these reviews are worth exploring.

Review: iRobot Roomba 4210 Discovery Reviews, Contributors to Amazon.com