Review on Wi-Fi Connected iRobot Roomba E5 (5150) Robot Vacuum - Works with Alexa, Ideal for Pet Hair, Carpets and Hard Floors - Self-Charging, Black by Tracy Erickson

The e5 is the lower to mid-range model in the Roomba range and firmly places itself in the upper mid-range of all robot vacuums on the market. This e5 isn't perfect, but no robot vacuum is perfect. If you are lucky and create an optimal environment, you will never encounter any problems with the top-level model. If you want to get the most bang for your buck, I think the e5 is a good choice for most users. Having run several full cleaning cycles I am very impressed with the cleaning capabilities. I have a variety of shag pile rugs, shag pile rugs, and hardwood tops. Dirt, plant fibers and loose threads are removed with ease, even better than some full-size vacuums I've used. I have a bench and a rug to put on and take off shoes on, the latter has accumulated a lot of small rocks and other street debris in the past. After one cleaning cycle I couldn't find a single small rock. I thought the stones might be too heavy for e5, but I'm happy to report that they lifted with ease! Small protrusions and convex faces are nothing compared to e5. I even have an IKEA Poang chair with wooden legs on the floor; e5 can go over rails, move around tight spaces to clean up behind a chair, and back again. I've seen the e5 rock and wiggle back and forth before rolling off the rails, but it hasn't gotten stuck yet. One feature that might be worth considering for large areas (the area cleared by my e5 is around 600 square feet): home mapping, which is only offered in pricier Roomba models (as well as some competitors). This can result in more efficient routing, but e5 is constant and covers most of the range until the cycle ends. I'm sure that in two or three cycles e5 cleaned every nook and cranny at his disposal. The only issue I had was a low battery which prevented the e5 from returning to base and charging. I can't tell if he tried to get back to base and couldn't find it, miscalculated his remaining hours and got stuck, or just cleaned until he died. With the display, iRobot advertises a charge and resume feature that isn't available on the e5. Personally, I don't mind taking the e5 back to base for a charge from time to time given the increased cost of roomba with mapping. Overall I find it minor but certainly worth mentioning. Overall I think the e5 will be the best choice for most users. If you have a particularly large area to clean, want to run multiple cleaning cycles between emptying the bin, or can't stand the thought of occasionally chasing down a dead robot to get back to base, I wouldn't rule out a more advanced model yet. . Based on the industry ratings and benchmarks I found during my research, I'd be hesitant to downgrade or save on an older model. The e5 has vastly improved cleaning capabilities, which are a combination of a new brush(es) and improved suction power. But that's JustMe.