Robotic vacuum cleaner on a budget - Roomba R630 or Hoover Performer 3240?

[busyandtired]

Hi,

I'm trying to decide between the above. I live in NZ, so we have a limited product range compared to the UK.

Basically it's a choice between saving and waiting a long time for the cheapest Roomba (and meanwhile having to limp along on our semi-broken vacuum), or buying a cheap and cheerful robotic cleaner right now.

Roomba R630 - about 12 months of saving before we can buy one

Hoover Performer 3240 - could buy right now. If it does the job well enough for a couple of years then I'd rather buy the Hoover now while saving for a Roomba (if Roomba is still required).

We have cat hair, crumbs under the table, long hair and mud to contend with.

I work from home for much of the daytime and can run it and deal with emptying or stalling issues fairly easily.

Anyone know why I should or shouldn't buy the Hoover now?

Thanks!

For anyone in NZ/Oz reading this: The Roomba is from Noel Leeming and the Hoover is from Godfreys. They are the only ones I could find (except that NL has some more expensive Roombas as well).

We're in NZ and bought a dyson cordless? Incredibly quick and easy to use - we love it and even fight over who gets to use it sometimes!

Sorry, I know not robotic...

Thanks! I've been reading reviews and maybe a cordless is the way to go rather than robotic. But I'm trying to save on time and energy (aren't we all?). Robotic seems the solution - but I'm starting to wonder whether it's a mirage.

I'm on my second robot. I had a very basic Roomba which lasted nearly 10 years and now have an Aircraft Pilot. I am on a limited budget and bought both because they were on special offer.

Both of them vacuum to a very high standard that would be very hard for me to achieve. There are some bits it misses, such as right in the corners, which I do with a mini Dyson.

The Aircraft is programmable but I don't use this, I just put it down in the room when I want it cleaned. You can set it to do the whole floor at a specific time. This doesn't work for me because rooms are on different levels.

They take a long time to do a room, so this needs to not be a problem. Also my dog doesn't like it and just barks at it, so I have to use it when he's out of the way. My worst area is the kitchen/family room and I used to put the robot down in the morning when I left for the school run/work and when I got back the floor was spotless.

Cannot emphasise enough how thorough the clean is.

I know this hasn't answered your question, but hope it's helpful.

I would just get the one that you can afford, and if it suits you, save up for a better one. But the basic one may be fine.

That's very encouraging! Quite honestly, reviews are all over the place. There are 'these things don't work well' anecdotes and 'these are life-changing' anecdotes.

With regard to trying the cheaper one, I think you're right. I've actually bid for a second-hand version of a couple of middle-of-the-road brands. If I don't win that, I'll pop down and get the cheap one.

It's a shame you can't hire them (at least not in my town) - I would love to try before I buy!