What is your time worth?
In our last post, we rated the Roomba 650 as the best vacuum today. We made this claim based on not just the cleaning capabilities and features but also factored in the price. The Roomba 650 is not the latest and greatest, with all the bells and whistles. It is finds that sweet spot in the marketplace where it has the features and performance people want at a price most can afford.
Neato XV-21
Roomba may be the first successful domestic robovac maker but it isn’t the only one. Some of the newer entrants to the market are challenging the leader with great products at more cheaper price points. That’s were the Neato XV-21 Pet & Allergy Automatic Vacuum Cleaner finds itself. This vacuum is a bit less money that the Roomba 650, but by most accounts cleans almost as well. This model is specifically designed for pet owners and allergy sufferers. At last! A robot helper that can keep up with the hair constantly falling off most pets. The square front end does a great job at getting into corners. Dirt and hair have to place to hide. The Neato XV-21 has a unique pet and allergy brush that easily picks up pet hair, all while running quietly around your room in a methodical back and forth pattern.
The bagless dirt bin is large and easy to clean. The vacuum automatically adjusts between hard floors and carpets. Its size and technology allows it to maneuver around obstacles and under furniture while the Room Positioning System (RPS) uses lasers and mapping to constantly update its model of the room. When the room has been cleaned or the battery gets low, this robot vacuum is smart enough to automatically return to the base to recharge.
For Christmas 2014 I purchased a Neato XV-21. My wife and I are getting up in years and vacuuming is somewhat tiring. I could go on for hours, as could she, but suffice it to say we absolutely love this machine. We call it our “maid” who vacuums without complaint, sick days or requests for raises. It has been a godsend. As to the “running quietly around your room”, it is not as loud as a regular vacuum but I wouldn’t call it quiet…it is not disruptive but you are aware it is in the vicinity working. Great product! I’d recommend them, and have recommended them, to family and friends.
Hi Dave,
Thanks for sharing your first hand experience with the Neato XV-21.
Mark