...comparing vacuum cleaners...

...yes, I don't know why either.

But here goes my impression of Which? Magazine...

Today I'll be test driving my iRobot Roomba 560 with Momo's new Dyson DC25AllFloors Ball.

As I looked for my missing Milly Moo in the understairs cupboard, I discovered Momo's new purchase, the new in late 2008 Ball Vacuum by BallBarrow and cyclone, bagless vacuum inventor James Dyson. It's a perfect marriage of his two best creations. A dirty-cyclone-rolling-ball-carpet-&-hardfloor-upright-vacuum-thingy-ma-jiggy.

Only last month, or the month before, before that did I bring my iRobot Roomba 560 fully automated vacuum robot cleaner machine to Momo's to help her out. Since her Skeletal TB has left her with three half eaten vertebra, her surgeon's told her not to hoover, stand on chairs to change light bulbs and generally not do any housework of any type.

So it brings me to this test; a fully automated, schedule-programmed thing from a Japanese 80's video or Dyson's best.

So what's involved? Well, it's a fair test; the same house to be cleaned, with myself cleaning.

First, set up:
I wasn't there when the Dyson arrived but it's instructions to construct it into a functioning vacuum looks like a piece of p*ss on the label still flapping off the neck of the machine. A click here, a click there, done. Then plug the mother in, press the big red button on the neck and off you go, cleaning like a domestic sevant.
The Roomba is just as easy, if not a bit more. There is a dock, plug that into the wall. There are 'walls' you put the fattest of batteries in, sadly not included. Then pull a but of plastic tab from underneath of the actual robot to free it's battery and get it to sit on it's dock. Initially for 16 hours, or until the clean switch on it's centre glows from red, to orange then ideally, green.

Secondly, the first clean:
As for the Dyson, off you go, clean like you mean it. Unless you're a complete clot when clicking it all together, it should just go, sucking up everything in it's way. The first drive is accompanied with the burning smell, so very light of oil and other bits from the factory. It goes by the third or fourth go-round-the-house.
The iRobot has to be set up, you have to but in the day, time first. If you're a VHS-player-phobic, don't worry, it's like setting up a digital alarm clock after a power cut. Then program in the days and times you want you little friend to go around your house. Done. Well, not quite. I would recommend you press clean there and then and follow it, the way you would follow a new servant around when their CV is questionable. Roomba's not a thief but it is a vacuum. It'll suck up any loose gold earrings or other some but important bittibobbies left on the floor. Once you've made you home Roomba friendly, then it's all plain sailing forever on.

Thirdly, living with them longterm:
At the end of the day, the balled Dyson is just like any upright, a bit heavier than Momo's old DC01 and my old Hoover upright. The pivoting ball idea is clever but a tad gimmicky; you have to turn the thing on your wrist and being as heavy as it is to drive around the sofa as it is, you still only go stripy on the floor. Yep, after all that's said and done, it's too heavy to do anything but use it like any no balled machine. Shame really. It's a bit of genius design. The DC25 is a real improvement over the original bagless DC01 of nearly 10 years ago, in the way you empty it. The whole notion of Dyson's design was that his daughter or son or cat or monkey was all allergic to dust and things. Well the cleaning might be so when you're about the house but when it came to emptying the bagless tube, dust would go everywhere, plus you have to touch it's inner yellow cone which will be caked in dusty dust. I can't empty the DC01 because I too, am an 'allergic'. Now though, it's click to release the DC25's tube then another click for the tube's bottom to flap open over a bin or next to one if you're one of those dyspraxics. Then push the bottom closed and click back into the DC25 itself. Easy.
So to the 560 version of the Roomba that's been running about your home for months now. In the price we paid for this addition to the Dawson-Bartlett house, it came with 3 years parts, labour and full replacement warranty. So if like me, you have heard of other people's Roombas dying after a few months, then at least we have 3 years of complete peace of mind. It is also so easy to empty too. It, like the Dyson is bagless. Press a button in the top and pull it's backbox out, tip it's contents into the bin, the filter, included in this box flips out and the fluff just falls away, none of the Dyson DC01's finger rubbing either. If you want to be a complete Monica Gellar about it, you can turn the 560 over and press a pair buttons to release to the two brushes to de-tangle your hair from them. Only do it monthly as per instructions if you're more Rachel Green about the home, then you're in keeping with the warranty too. I'm a bit too Monica and do it everyday, same with emptying the back box.

Fourthly, cost:
At £300, including the warranty, the Roomba's not cheap, but I've also heard of Dysons dying or burning out too. They, in the price include a 5 year parts and labour guaranty. So at £290 for the basic DC25AllFloors, it wins on price and err, reassurance. But they both lose compared to any other vacuum cleaners; Hoovers start at £90 for a bagless upright. £60 if you shout. But the Dyson is a rounded bit of kit, pun not intended. It is solid, really well put together. Hard wearing and solid, like an 80's Merc saloon.
The iRobot is well made like a new Merc; built to a cost but it is designed to be easy to completely take apart and it's so stupidly simple too. Only a micro computer makes it more complicated then a hair-dryer. Don't take it apart though. Unless your qualified and certificated by the manufacturer to do so.

Fifthly, so which is best?
The iRobot Roomba 560 silly!
Apart from the initial follow about and Roomba proofing of your home, it's a doddle. Yes you have to pick it to take it upstairs (like every other vacuum) but it's only 1.5Kg unlike the Dyson, which is nearly 5.9Kg. Plus the Roomba won't fall back down them, it's clever.
But think about it; the Dyson or any other cleaner is like you're doing the housework, the Roomba is like you're Wooster from the 30's. Why do it when you have a servant to do it.
Simple.

Sixthly, the links:
iRobot Roomba 560
Dyson DC25

if you have domestic help, or are the domestic help....

....tell me I'm wrong below, in the comments box.