iRobot Roomba Scheduler Review

What the reviewers like:
Owners and reviewers agree that the iRobot Roomba Scheduler robotic vacuum has good entertainment value, and its scheduling option is a real convenience. Users especially like this robotic vacuum for "in-between" cleanings and say it's good at keeping pet hair under control.

What the reviewers don't like:
According to owners, the iRobot Roomba Scheduler takes a long time to clean an average-sized room, and it can't replace a thorough cleaning with an upright vacuum (pushed by a human being). Some say that the Roomba is noisier than advertised and that it doesn't clean well along walls. Loose debris such as coins or shoes can confuse it.

iRobot Roomba Scheduler review highlights

Reviewers say the iRobot Roomba Scheduler robotic vacuum has the same advantages and drawbacks as its less-expensive Roomba Discovery (which does not have the ability to schedule cleaning sessions). The Roomba is fun to watch, and its scheduling option works well, allowing users to sleep or go to work while it does its stuff. However, it doesn't deal well with loose debris (like coins or shoelaces), and some say it doesn't clean very well along the edges of walls. Most experts (and owners) agree that the Scheduler is good for in-between cleanings, but it can't take the place of a regular upright vacuum.

Perhaps because it's more fun to use than an ordinary vacuum cleaner, there are tons of in-depth reviews of the iRobot Roomba Scheduler robotic vacuum by owners eager to share their experiences. We especially took note of lengthy first-person narratives at SeattlePI.com, LisaShea.com and JusTech'n.com, as well as numerous posts about the Roomba Scheduler at Amazon.com.

Also see full report: Vacuum Cleaners

*In order of credibility (see our Ratings Criteria).

1. Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Humans vs. Robots: Sweeping Up Is a Dirty Job, but You Don't Have to Do It
Winda Benedetti
May 20, 2006

In this amusing article, Winda Benedetti tests out the iRobot Roomba Scheduler and iRobot Scooba (a robotic wet mop): "Careening here and there, the Roomba and Scooba eventually covered most parts of my floor many times over. In the end, the place was as clean as I'd seen it in a long time." However, she says you have to be sure to clear all the debris away from the surface to be cleaned, and one homemaker is quoted as saying the Roomba takes a long time to clean -- 45 minutes for an average-sized room that would take a live human with a vacuum only 15 minutes.

2. LisaShea.com
Review -- Roomba Scheduler Robotic Vacuum Cleaner
Lisa Shea

Lisa Shea -- who owns two cats -- goes into great depth about her day-to-day experiences with the Roomba Scheduler robotic vacuum. She says the Roomba is fun to watch and great at sucking up fur, and she likes its scheduling option that allows it to clean while she sleeps. However, she notes that the Roomba Scheduler is louder than advertised and isn't very good at cleaning along walls.

3. JusTechn.com
iRobot Roomba Scheduler
Ryan McLaughlin
Apr. 14, 2007

In this thorough, hands-on review, Ryan McLaughlin examines the iRobot Roomba Scheduler's features and evaluates its performance in his house. He says it's fun to watch and ideal for in-between cleanings (especially picking up dog hair), but the Roomba can't really replace regular cleanings with a standard vacuum.

4. Amazon.com
iRobot Roomba 4230 Remote Scheduler Review
Contributors to Amazon.com

Over 100 owners post comments about the iRobot Roomba Scheduler, giving it a high average score. One user raves about its performance with pet hair, but warns about clearing the space of small objects first.

Also see full report: Vacuum Cleaners

iRobot Roomba Scheduler Review