Dropped $400 on a robot vacuum and it's been a total dud on my area rugs

I live in a split-level with four different rug textures and the thing keeps getting stuck under my couch every single day. The mapping feature is supposed to learn but three weeks later it still can't handle the transition from tile to carpet. Anyone else have luck with a cheaper model that actually handles mixed flooring without needing constant rescues?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_jason29d ago

I feel your pain on that rug transition problem." My own robot vac has a great relationship with hardwood floors but acts like it's never seen a shag rug before. I think these things are more like cheap pets than smart devices, they learn just enough to be frustrating.

taylor66829d ago

Well, have you considered that maybe the robot isn't the problem but that your expectations are too high? I mean, the thing is a machine with a couple of sensors and a tiny brain. Of course it gets confused by a shag rug. That's like getting mad at a toaster for not making you a sandwich. And honestly, @the_jason, calling them "cheap pets" feels a bit unfair. They don't have feelings or learn from experience. They just follow the same pattern over and over until they crash into something. That's not frustrating to me, that's just predictable. If you want a vacuum that handles everything, you get a regular one with a cord.