We are now on our third Ecovac Deebot (see picture below). These things are not cheap but given how much our dog sheds hair, it saves from having to vacuum more frequently. Our model also mops, but after testing the use once we have never actually used the feature. Part of that is because switching between the two requires manual intervention. Given that it adds to the price tag, I am not sure why we keep getting the feature that we don’t use.

Probably about six years or so ago, we bought the first model. It lasted probably two or three years. In fact, we even sent it back to be rebuilt because it lost it’s way around the house. It did work, but shortly we found out that the dog hair was clogging the discharge. Consequently, every day I would manually empty the dust pan. It also had a propensity to lose its map and so every few weeks we would have to remap the house.

When it stopped working the second time, my wife decided to replace it with a newer model. I was very thankful that I no longer had to remember to empty the dust bin. This second generation seemed to remember it’s map so that was also a win. It was also more robust than the first one. I wouldn’t get stuck on carpets as an example. But is was also a brute. There have been several mornings I found it wedged (and stuck) under the toe kick.

So, while the second generation was significantly less likely to be stuck, probably several times a week I would find it stopped in the middle of the room. These things are not without maintenance. The first thing I would do is try to determine if something that wasn’t supposed to be wrapped up in the brushes. After that I would check to see if there was hair wrapped around the main spindle causing heat and friction. Inevitably, the battery would be dead. I never could quite tell if it died in place or kept trying to work which killed the battery.

For some reason, my wife decided to replace unit two. She said that she didn’t think it was working very well. I don’t know, I didn’t notice anything unusual. She installed unit three about two weeks ago. So far so good. This one must have a bigger motor because I feel like it uses the battery much quicker. However, the thing this one does is actually go back to the base station to charge. It will then pickup where it left off.

It hasn’t run long enough to notice any quirks. My wife is a big fan of the Ruggable product which is an area rug that is two pieces. There is a backing and there is the washable rug. These vacuums have a propensity to suck up the top layer. Most of the time it goes right over it, but then there are other times where it actually gets wrapped up in the robot. I am not sure that is the robot’s fault but every morning we have to flip corners back onto the velcro backing.

There must be a lot of feedback that goes back to the manufacturer. I am amazed at how quickly these things have become better in a short period of time. I count 64 models on their website and they are not the only people making such products. I know that I am certainly jaded, that comes from years and years of seeing inferior products continue to be inferior. I couldn’t believe that our second generation actually would empty the dust bin, that seemed like such a win.

End Your Programming Routine: If something happens to my wife, I will more than likely let the Deebot go. In my opinion, it is a maintenance hassle as well as a consumables are costly. You trade your time for the task in troubleshooting and keeping the robot running. It also is not a substitute for a manual sweeping or vacuuming. Things block the robot from doing a complete job. But with pets indoors, it does a pretty good job of knocking most of the hair down and it stays on top of it.