this post was submitted on 16 Dec 2025
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I've had a dumb Roomba (560? 650?) for years. The worst they can do is stop making replacement batteries and brushes available, and there's plenty of third-party alternatives.
Who buys a smart device when a dumb one is available and does the job just as well. π€·ββοΈ
Ya, hard disagree here, while 100% the new features could have been kept in device, vs cloud but the difference between our (770?) that just bounces around until it runs out of battery (and gets stuck in the SAME place Everytime it hits that spot vs. the newer one vacuums the whole floor and can be told to avoid the problematic area(s) is pretty huge.
Now, the new one has a host of its own issues but when it works it's a much better product that produces much better results.
All that said I think the software has gone to crap over the years and the newer (i7) actually is less reliable than it was the first 6-8 months we owned it.
I certainly see the appeal of being able to make it avoid certain areas. Sounds better than arranging furniture or using those little battery-powered outposts to repel the Roomba (can't remember what they're called).
But, for me, I don't see that outweighing the risks of cloud dependencies (and the inevitable expiration date).
Even assuming a solid internet connection, reliable cloud service and perfect software updates, you may still only get a year or two out of it before they decide to yank it or make it a subscription service. The last decade or so of shitty manufacturer behaviour has permanently jaded me, I think... π
Ya, I get it, and anything smart now needs to be able to work with home assistant locally.
If we had to do it over again we'd have likely gotten something different, but the features you do get can be useful!