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- Review count4
- Helpfulness votes4
- First reviewJuly 25, 2016
- Last reviewJuly 25, 2016
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4
- Review comment count4
- Helpfulness votes2
- First review commentAugust 4, 2016
- Last review commentJune 27, 2017
- Featured review comments0
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- Answer count10
- Helpfulness votes2
- First answerJuly 25, 2016
- Last answerAugust 4, 2016
- Featured answers0
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GLNC's Reviews
Samsung POWERbot Essential Wi-Fi Robot Vacuum: Let this robot vacuum create a clean, healthy living space for you, with CycloneForce technology for consistent cleaning power. Scheduling presets let you set the most convenient cleaning times.
Customer Rating
4
Excellent When Design Flaw fixed
on July 25, 2016
Posted by: GLNC
All powerbots have a design flaw preventing cleaning randomly over several weeks use, easily fixed by customers. When the side bumps furniture legs, or backing into walls, the side lifts under motor torque and triggers the sensor for wheel extension, shutting down (protects when picking up off the floor). Some cardboard and tape in the wheel well can keep the wheels proper, so the Powerbot can be used with confidence. Instructions at robotreviews.
I would recommend this to a friend!
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-1point
1of 3voted this as helpful.
Samsung POWERbot Turbo Robot Vacuum: Let the vacuum clean for you. This robot vacuum's Visionary Mapping Plus system finds the best cleaning path around your house. Use your smartphone as a remote with Wi-Fi and Select & Go control.
Customer Rating
4
Excellent When Design Flaw fixed
on July 25, 2016
Posted by: GLNC
All powerbots have a design flaw preventing cleaning randomly over several weeks use, easily fixed by customers. When the side bumps furniture legs, or backing into walls, the side lifts under motor torque and triggers the sensor for wheel extension, shutting down (protects when picking up off the floor). Some cardboard and tape in the wheel well can keep the wheels proper, so the Powerbot can be used with confidence. Instructions at robotreviews.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
Clean your home with the touch of a remote with this Samsung POWERbot VR20H9050W robotic vacuum cleaner, which features CycloneForce technology for powerful suction and Visionary Mapping Plus for optimal navigation. Easy Pass Wheels offer versatile functionality.Discover the innovative features and effective cleaning technology of the Samsung POWERbot robotic vacuum. Learn more
Customer Rating
4
Excellent When Design Flaw fixed
on July 25, 2016
Posted by: GLNC
All powerbots have a design flaw preventing cleaning randomly over several weeks use, easily fixed by customers. When the side bumps furniture legs, or backing into walls, the side lifts under motor torque and triggers the sensor for wheel extension, shutting down (protects when picking up off the floor). Some cardboard and tape in the wheel well can keep the wheels proper, so the Powerbot can be used with confidence. Instructions at robotreviews.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Samsung POWERbot Essential Robot Vacuum: Spend less time doing chores with a vacuum that does the work for you. You'll be able to remove dirt, dust, debris and even pet hair from carpets and hard flooring. This robot vacuum automatically determines the appropriate cleaning path using Visionary Mapping Plus system navigation and avoids obstacles using a FullView sensor.
Customer Rating
4
Excellent When Design Flaw fixed
on July 25, 2016
Posted by: GLNC
All powerbots have a design flaw preventing cleaning randomly over several weeks use, easily fixed by customers. When the side bumps furniture legs, or backing into walls, the side lifts under motor torque and triggers the sensor for wheel extension, shutting down (protects when picking up off the floor). Some cardboard and tape in the wheel well can keep the wheels proper, so the Powerbot can be used with confidence. Instructions at robotreviews.
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share this review:
+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
GLNC's Review Comments
Clean your home with the touch of a remote with this Samsung POWERbot VR20H9050W robotic vacuum cleaner, which features CycloneForce technology for powerful suction and Visionary Mapping Plus for optimal navigation. Easy Pass Wheels offer versatile functionality.Discover the innovative features and effective cleaning technology of the Samsung POWERbot robotic vacuum. Learn more
Overall4 out of 5
4 out of 5Excellent When Design Flaw fixed
By GLNC
All powerbots have a design flaw preventing cleaning randomly over several weeks use, easily fixed by customers. When the side bumps furniture legs, or backing into walls, the side lifts under motor torque and triggers the sensor for wheel extension, shutting down (protects when picking up off the floor). Some cardboard and tape in the wheel well can keep the wheels proper, so the Powerbot can be used with confidence. Instructions at robotreviews.
GLNC
Newest 9350 Turbo improved
August 4, 2016
The 9350 Turbo model at least, has counter weights added to the front for improved suspension balance correcting this problem.
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
Samsung POWERbot Turbo Robot Vacuum: Let the vacuum clean for you. This robot vacuum's Visionary Mapping Plus system finds the best cleaning path around your house. Use your smartphone as a remote with Wi-Fi and Select & Go control.
Overall4 out of 5
4 out of 5Excellent When Design Flaw fixed
By GLNC
All powerbots have a design flaw preventing cleaning randomly over several weeks use, easily fixed by customers. When the side bumps furniture legs, or backing into walls, the side lifts under motor torque and triggers the sensor for wheel extension, shutting down (protects when picking up off the floor). Some cardboard and tape in the wheel well can keep the wheels proper, so the Powerbot can be used with confidence. Instructions at robotreviews.
GLNC
Suspension Improved
August 4, 2016
The 9350 Turbo model at least, added counter weights to the front for improved suspension balance likely preventing a lot of the traps against furniture legs.
0points
0of 0voted this comment as helpful.
Samsung POWERbot Turbo Robot Vacuum: Let the vacuum clean for you. This robot vacuum's Visionary Mapping Plus system finds the best cleaning path around your house. Use your smartphone as a remote with Wi-Fi and Select & Go control.
Overall4 out of 5
4 out of 5One of the best in the Market!
By Rakesh
It's great for what it does.
Improvement points:
- In the Turbo mode, the battery does not even last 30 minutes. This is not enough.
- The floor mapping function is great. But the user interface can be simplified greatly.
- To pair the Vaccum to the home network was very unfriendly in terms of user interface
Improvement points:
- In the Turbo mode, the battery does not even last 30 minutes. This is not enough.
- The floor mapping function is great. But the user interface can be simplified greatly.
- To pair the Vaccum to the home network was very unfriendly in terms of user interface
GLNC
Turbo mode not needed
August 4, 2016
The Turbo mode, with half the normal run time, is not really needed, from measurements I've made, with instruments. It still cannot get close to a full size vacuum with ten to twenty times the power, and keeps carpets clean when used frequently. So enjoy the full one hour run time. It also automatically boosts the power when extra dirt is detected in the intake -- really works, going off only now and then in spots. Also, the Turbo mode may wear out the battery faster, from the higher drain rate, when used regularly, and the battery is expensive, though will last a long time -- in the Normal mode anyway.
The Turbo mode is just a casual add on by the engineers, with the real addition being the WiFi app with mapping.
The Turbo mode is just a casual add on by the engineers, with the real addition being the WiFi app with mapping.
+2points
2of 2voted this comment as helpful.
Keep your floors spotless with this Samsung POWERbot Slim robot vacuum. Its sensors and mapping system automatically adapt to the pattern of floors in the home and effectively avoid obstacles. This Alexa-compatible Samsung POWERbot Slim robot vacuum provides maximum cleaning coverage including edges and corners thanks to its sophisticated edge-cleaning technology.
Overall4 out of 5
4 out of 5Well made with good suction; software needs work
By PhilipM
from Atlanta, GA
This new robot vacuum employs some great new technologies to help it effective clean large spaces autonomously, but not all of the elements are working perfectly together just yet.
Design:
The unit itself is well constructed with a high quality design. The top of the units features a camera which attempts to map your rooms by looking up at the ceiling and button to easily eject the dustbin. The dustbin is bag-less and includes a washable / reusable filter. The roller brush is at the front of the unit and spans most of the width of the front end, effectively reaching the edges of the device. There is also an interesting "shutter" that can be extended when the unit is facing a wall or baseboard to pull debris back from the very edge of the wall into the vacuum. The only minor negative here is that the bot is tall enough that it didn't quite fit under some of our kitchen cabinet doors, reducing the value of the edge cleaning function.
The unit itself is well constructed with a high quality design. The top of the units features a camera which attempts to map your rooms by looking up at the ceiling and button to easily eject the dustbin. The dustbin is bag-less and includes a washable / reusable filter. The roller brush is at the front of the unit and spans most of the width of the front end, effectively reaching the edges of the device. There is also an interesting "shutter" that can be extended when the unit is facing a wall or baseboard to pull debris back from the very edge of the wall into the vacuum. The only minor negative here is that the bot is tall enough that it didn't quite fit under some of our kitchen cabinet doors, reducing the value of the edge cleaning function.
Setup:
Setup is easy. Plug in and position the base station against a baseboard with about 1-2 ft of room either side and connect the vacuum to the dock to charge. The device can be connected to your home Wifi network using the free Samsung Smart Home app and following some quick and easy directions. Once connected, the bot can be controlled from your smartphone and can pull down software updates over the internet. Initial and subsequent charges take 2+ hours, so not the fastest charging battery out there. Samsung also includes an infrared remote which requires no setup (other than installing the included AAA batteries) and allows you to steer or otherwise command the robot.
Setup is easy. Plug in and position the base station against a baseboard with about 1-2 ft of room either side and connect the vacuum to the dock to charge. The device can be connected to your home Wifi network using the free Samsung Smart Home app and following some quick and easy directions. Once connected, the bot can be controlled from your smartphone and can pull down software updates over the internet. Initial and subsequent charges take 2+ hours, so not the fastest charging battery out there. Samsung also includes an infrared remote which requires no setup (other than installing the included AAA batteries) and allows you to steer or otherwise command the robot.
Performance:
There are two primary cleaning modes: spot clean (which does expanding concentric circles from the unit's current location) and automatic, which attempts to automatically clean one entire level of the house (apparently boundary markers are available separately). The spot cleaning mode worked fine for small cleanup jobs.
There are two primary cleaning modes: spot clean (which does expanding concentric circles from the unit's current location) and automatic, which attempts to automatically clean one entire level of the house (apparently boundary markers are available separately). The spot cleaning mode worked fine for small cleanup jobs.
Suction performance is excellent, and the device did a great job cleaning up spilled powder, cat hair, and anything in between. The rollers do a good job of getting pet hair out of shallow fiber carpet. The unit also automatically adjusts suction based on the type of surface (higher for carpet and lower for hard floors). Two settings are available, but I found the "normal" setting to be totally adequate and very quiet (at least as robot vacs go).
Where this device stumbles is in navigation. In theory, it will map your floor, navigate around obstacles, and come back to cover missed areas, moving from room to room until finished. It does successfully return to base after cleaning, so definitely maintains a good sense of location awareness. That said, I've run into several issues:
1. The unit often stumbles in trying to get up onto rugs when cleaning a hard floor. Sometimes it manages, sometimes it gives up and turns around.
2. When one side of the device hits an obstacle, it will sometimes spin around as the wheels keep turning and the free side rotates. It does appear to try to keep track of how much it turned, but its not always successful, and sometimes it will end up no longer cleaning in parallel lines as a result.
3. Sometimes when it misses an area (perhaps because of an obstacle), it won't go back to that area later even though it is accessible from a different direction. As a result, it does not necessarily cover your entire floor. I observed it miss several sections when watching how the navigation works.
4. It gets stuck too easily as it backs into things that might lift the rear wheels. Think certain kinds of chair or table legs, music stands, etc.
5. The brush wraps around even relatively short tassels on the edges of rugs, including some that didn't trip up other robots we've tried. This means those rugs need to be taken off the floor before vacuuming.
1. The unit often stumbles in trying to get up onto rugs when cleaning a hard floor. Sometimes it manages, sometimes it gives up and turns around.
2. When one side of the device hits an obstacle, it will sometimes spin around as the wheels keep turning and the free side rotates. It does appear to try to keep track of how much it turned, but its not always successful, and sometimes it will end up no longer cleaning in parallel lines as a result.
3. Sometimes when it misses an area (perhaps because of an obstacle), it won't go back to that area later even though it is accessible from a different direction. As a result, it does not necessarily cover your entire floor. I observed it miss several sections when watching how the navigation works.
4. It gets stuck too easily as it backs into things that might lift the rear wheels. Think certain kinds of chair or table legs, music stands, etc.
5. The brush wraps around even relatively short tassels on the edges of rugs, including some that didn't trip up other robots we've tried. This means those rugs need to be taken off the floor before vacuuming.
Of the 3-4 times I've tried so far to have it clean in fully autonomous mode, it has only managed to complete the process once, each of the other times getting stuck with one of the items mentioned above. I think the hardware is pretty good, but the navigation software needs more work to better tolerate these different situations. The good news is that the software is fully upgradeable, so hopefully we'll see improvements over time.
The battery provides a solid 1.5 - 2 hour run time, so in theory the unit could clean quite a large area if the navigation works correctly.
I really hoped I'd love this bot better, but the navigation issues are really unfortunate. It's still useful and will hopefully improve with time. If you have a relative simple layout in your home and few rugs / other obstacles, this device would probably do a great job, especially since the actual cleaning power is exemplary. If you have a lot of floor to carpet transitions, complex room geometry, and/or other obstacles, this unit is probably not the best choice.
Recommended with reservations.
GLNC
Raleigh, NC
fixing getting stuck
June 27, 2017
One way Powerbots get stuck, usually against furniture legs, is inadequate software shutting down when lifted off the floor for safety; lifting one side tripping a sensor on the suspension for wheel extension is interpreted as lifting off the floor -- without checking all the sensors, both wheels and cliff sensors etc. which other brands seem to do. The wheel sensors are easily disabled with some cardboard and tape in the wheel well to hold in the wheels a little. The robot can lift one side in contact with something f rom drive wheel torque similar to a motorcycle "wheelie". This problem was observed on the larger 9000 models and by some reports still affects the smaller 7000. A different problem with the 9000, insufficent bumper along the side, seems to be improved on the 7000, as part of moving the brush farther forward.
Having intensively tested -- and fixed -- a 9000 Powerbot for use on carpet, I find it the best available in the industry. The build quality and resources to manufacture electronics properly seems better. There are no reports of defects and repair problems after several years, compared to other brands. The price has come down to make it more competitive.
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GLNC's Questions
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GLNC's Answers
Samsung POWERbot Turbo Robot Vacuum: Let the vacuum clean for you. This robot vacuum's Visionary Mapping Plus system finds the best cleaning path around your house. Use your smartphone as a remote with Wi-Fi and Select & Go control.
What is the firmware version on this unit, as got mine today and failed to update and not sure what it's suppose to be.
Updates are infrequent, especially on the latest unit already equipped with the latest software. It is not like a general purpose PC with many complex programs, just one highly perfected one for a single function. A lot like printers. No updates needed usually.
I don't know this model but the 9250 model is up to 0.0.44 firmware,but lacks the more advanced room selection mapping on the newer 9350.
.
I don't know this model but the 9250 model is up to 0.0.44 firmware,but lacks the more advanced room selection mapping on the newer 9350.
.
7 years, 8 months ago
by
GLNC
Samsung POWERbot Turbo Robot Vacuum: Let the vacuum clean for you. This robot vacuum's Visionary Mapping Plus system finds the best cleaning path around your house. Use your smartphone as a remote with Wi-Fi and Select & Go control.
Setting this up for the first time, I cannot get it to charge. I have retried all the set up steps 3 times. Any ideas?
The only case where the hardware is not defective, is on certain carpets. The rear of the robot can sink a bit into carpet, and dock also depress in a way the dock terminals do not make contact. Elevating the dock on some cardboard can make the connection. The dock has a green light to indicate contact. If that is on and the robot does not charge -- and the battery switch on the bottom is turned on -- there is a defect. Actually, if the battery is turned off I don't think the dock light comes on.
7 years, 8 months ago
by
GLNC
Samsung POWERbot Turbo Robot Vacuum: Let the vacuum clean for you. This robot vacuum's Visionary Mapping Plus system finds the best cleaning path around your house. Use your smartphone as a remote with Wi-Fi and Select & Go control.
Can this unit be driven remotely (by smartphone or remote)? If a specific spot in a room needed immediate vacuuming can this unit be driven to that exact spot...
It is best to use the manual and "spot" following features for this. It follows a light spot on the floor from the remote, or can be steered by arrow keys. The same functions exist on the smartphone, but have some latency. Smartphone of use when not close to the machine as required by remotes.
The spot following feature is on models 9050 and above.
The spot following feature is on models 9050 and above.
7 years, 8 months ago
by
GLNC
Samsung POWERbot Turbo Robot Vacuum: Let the vacuum clean for you. This robot vacuum's Visionary Mapping Plus system finds the best cleaning path around your house. Use your smartphone as a remote with Wi-Fi and Select & Go control.
What type of carpeting works well for the unit
All vacuum robots, and even regular vacuums, can have problems with fringes on carpets. Generally robots cannot operate on deep pile carpets. Samsung even gives a specification of 1cm, too conservative found in practice. Samsung's larger wheels make it unique in handling slick carpets at which others fail. Very fluffy premium bath rugs still cannot be navigated.
One special problem applies to black carpets or black pattern sections. The light beams used to detect cliffs, stairs etc., are absorbed so the robot sees them as cliffs. The solution is to cover the cliff sensors with light colored tape for a false floor, and if there are cliff place a physical barrier. Most black materials do not produce this problem but carpet seems to be especially absorbent.
One special problem applies to black carpets or black pattern sections. The light beams used to detect cliffs, stairs etc., are absorbed so the robot sees them as cliffs. The solution is to cover the cliff sensors with light colored tape for a false floor, and if there are cliff place a physical barrier. Most black materials do not produce this problem but carpet seems to be especially absorbent.
7 years, 8 months ago
by
GLNC
Clean your home with the touch of a remote with this Samsung POWERbot VR20H9050W robotic vacuum cleaner, which features CycloneForce technology for powerful suction and Visionary Mapping Plus for optimal navigation. Easy Pass Wheels offer versatile functionality.Discover the innovative features and effective cleaning technology of the Samsung POWERbot robotic vacuum. Learn more
Does it clean cat litter, or get snagged by fringes on edge of area rugs?
Our cats track cat litter onto hardwood floor and tile. We have two Persian rugs with fringes on the end. Fringes are about 2" long and like white string and there are probably a couple hundred per side. Rugs are on hardwood floor, one w a pad, one w/o. Normal vacuums try and pick these up the way they'd pick up long hair. Any info re your experience much appreciated!
Also, can a virtual boundary be set (in case fringes are a tangle problem).
Also, can a virtual boundary be set (in case fringes are a tangle problem).
The 9350 Turbo model may come with a Virtual Guard packaged, otherwise they all can use those supplied for the Navibot line, or order from Samsungparts. Similar to the Virtual Walls for Roomba robots, but have a long range out twenty feet.
7 years, 8 months ago
by
GLNC
Clean your home with the touch of a remote with this Samsung POWERbot VR20H9050W robotic vacuum cleaner, which features CycloneForce technology for powerful suction and Visionary Mapping Plus for optimal navigation. Easy Pass Wheels offer versatile functionality.Discover the innovative features and effective cleaning technology of the Samsung POWERbot robotic vacuum. Learn more
Will it go over transition strips between rooms?
Samsung specifies Powerbots can climb thresholds about 1/2 in high except 3/4 in in the latest 9350 Turbo model, which has new wheel treads flexing for greater traction. When a robot is tilted up to climb, it is hard to get weight onto the wheel contact with the edge of an obstacle, so the wheels slip. Most transitions in houses satisfy the height limitation, but some houses have less common fittings. It is possible to add wedge shaped, window and door framing molding to extend threshold with a ramp if worth the trouble.
7 years, 8 months ago
by
GLNC
Clean your home with the touch of a remote with this Samsung POWERbot VR20H9050W robotic vacuum cleaner, which features CycloneForce technology for powerful suction and Visionary Mapping Plus for optimal navigation. Easy Pass Wheels offer versatile functionality.Discover the innovative features and effective cleaning technology of the Samsung POWERbot robotic vacuum. Learn more
Does it clean cat litter, or get snagged by fringes on edge of area rugs?
Our cats track cat litter onto hardwood floor and tile. We have two Persian rugs with fringes on the end. Fringes are about 2" long and like white string and there are probably a couple hundred per side. Rugs are on hardwood floor, one w a pad, one w/o. Normal vacuums try and pick these up the way they'd pick up long hair. Any info re your experience much appreciated!
Also, can a virtual boundary be set (in case fringes are a tangle problem).
Also, can a virtual boundary be set (in case fringes are a tangle problem).
All vacuum robots and even manual, regular vacuums with a powerhead brush can have problems with fringes on carpets. They can get pulled into the brush. You might tuck the fringes under the rug, pull up the rug or whatever. Some people fasten the fringes down somehow. They really are a special problem and it depends exactly one what type of fringe.
7 years, 8 months ago
by
GLNC
Clean your home with the touch of a remote with this Samsung POWERbot VR20H9050W robotic vacuum cleaner, which features CycloneForce technology for powerful suction and Visionary Mapping Plus for optimal navigation. Easy Pass Wheels offer versatile functionality.Discover the innovative features and effective cleaning technology of the Samsung POWERbot robotic vacuum. Learn more
Does the vac circle your home twice?
I just got the powerbot and so far I love it. It seems a little quirky though. It goes through my whole house until the battery is almost depleted and then returns to the charger. Once charged, it comes back off and re-vacuums the house again. Last night, it did it at 11:30 PM! I am using the automatic setting so not really sure why its doing that. It does it even when it seems to get the whole house covered (small house, about 1100 sq ft). Any advice or ideas? I don't really feel that it needs to cover the house twice in one day LOL.
Samsung specifies on some models that when the entire space is finished in less than fifteen minutes it will do a second pass. Otherwise it cleans only once. It overlaps the passage so in effect covers twice in each pass.
7 years, 8 months ago
by
GLNC
Samsung POWERbot Essential Robot Vacuum: Spend less time doing chores with a vacuum that does the work for you. You'll be able to remove dirt, dust, debris and even pet hair from carpets and hard flooring. This robot vacuum automatically determines the appropriate cleaning path using Visionary Mapping Plus system navigation and avoids obstacles using a FullView sensor.
does it resume cleaning after being low on charge and returning to the base for charging. best buy and samsung reps said it does not.
All current vacuum robots recharge automatically. Check the specs and manuals at Samsung's website.
7 years, 8 months ago
by
GLNC
Samsung POWERbot Essential Robot Vacuum: Spend less time doing chores with a vacuum that does the work for you. You'll be able to remove dirt, dust, debris and even pet hair from carpets and hard flooring. This robot vacuum automatically determines the appropriate cleaning path using Visionary Mapping Plus system navigation and avoids obstacles using a FullView sensor.
is it possible to update the software and firmware on this ?
Samsung has offered firmware updates only on the WiFi equipped models. There is not much need for updates -- except for the complexities of WiFi itself, and supplied apps. The robot operation has been perfected over many years and is only one function, unlike a PC with many programs.
7 years, 8 months ago
by
GLNC