iRobot's Roomba Vacuum Goes Wireless
iRobot today introduced the Roomba 790, its first robotic vacuum to feature a wireless command center.
Is your current robotic vacuum cleaner not smart enough for you? iRobot is attempting to remedy that today, with the latest addition to its Roomba lineup of robovacs. The Roomba 790 introduces a wireless command center to the mix, which allows you to control the vacuum no matter where you are in the house.
The Roomba 790 is essentially the same device as the Roomba 780, albeit with a nifty new blue look and wireless remote (that'd be the command center). The remote uses radio frequency technology so you can control the 790 from pretty much any room in your home, or more likely, the couch. You can initiate cleaning, schedule repeated cleaning sessions, and even steer the Roomba using the remote.
Other than that, the 790 does all of the same work as the 780. It uses a three-stage cleaning process to vacuum carpets, hardwood, tile, and linoleum floors, automatically adjusting to different floor surfaces. Dual HEPA air filters capture dust particles as fine as 0.3 microns, and optical and acoustic sensors are in place to find dirt and debris, allowing the vacuum to spend more time in dirtier areas.
Ready to cut the cord on your current vacuum? The wireless Roomba 790 is available today from iRobot for $699.99. That's $100 more than the Roomba 780 and $200 more than the , which we reviewed last year (slideshow below). Is wireless control worth the extra money? Check back with PCMag for a full review of the Roomba 790 soon.