Vacuums gone rogue

Remember when robot vacuums were basically remote-control bumper cars with anxiety? They’d bounce around, get stuck under the couch and scare the cat. These days, they claim to do it all – vacuum, mop, empty themselves and learn your floor plan better than your dog has.

Here’s the thing no one wants you to know: Most of them still have quirks. The one that works great in your friend’s apartment might flail in your pet-hair-filled, two-story home with rugs and stairs.

Let’s break it down, so you don’t waste money on a cute little robot that ends up just sitting in the corner.

🐾 Got pets?

Pet hair gets everywhere, and the last thing you want is to clean the cleaner. Look for strong suction and a brush that doesn’t tangle every time it sees a tumbleweed of fur. 

The roborock Q7 M5+ and Shark AI Ultra are great picks. Dyson’s robot vac looks cool, but it misses corners and has a hard time with thick fur. Pretty but not practical.

🏠 Hardwood or tile floor?

You don’t need turbo suction here, but navigation is key. The eufy C10 is affordable, quiet and doesn’t ram into your baseboards. Roomba’s 105 combo is also solid but isn’t as good at avoiding obstacles. 

The best part? They both mop while they vacuum. Great for spills, paw prints and everyday grime. I’ll never forget my mom saying about her Roomba in that Brooklyn accent, “Watch out, Rosie’s workin’ for a livin’!”

🥿 Lots of rugs or thick carpet?

This is where cheaper vacs usually give up. The roborock S8 MaxV auto-adjusts suction and actually lifts dirt out of rugs. 

Roomba Max 705 can manage medium pile, but thick shag? Forget it. Eufy? Often skips the rug edges altogether.

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5 ways tech can make your Thanksgiving easier and more fun

The holiday season is here and you’re sending out family photos that include your pet. So is everyone else. Want to command the best real estate on your recipients’ refrigerators? Tap or click here for creative ways to include your pet in this year’s holiday cards.

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Presidents Day deals are already live

Tech is on sale, and so is everything else!

🫡 None of those up your alley? Hit the rest of the Presidents Day deals here!

Bonus episode: The Kim Komando Show, April 13

Open/download audio

A new tech ban is coming, this time it targets Russia. Trade your data for money? I tell you the real cost of cash-incentive offers (it’s not pretty). True crime lovers — here’s a side hustle you won’t want to miss. Plus, a gal wonders if her Roomba records her. Creepy! 

40 feet

That’s the size of a new submarine-hunting sea drone called the “BlueWhale.” It uses special sensors to spot underwater and surface threats, and can help clear mines. The cool bit? It’s fully autonomous and runs on batteries for weeks. Basically, a Roomba’s scarier cousin with serious military vibes. Here’s a clip of it.

⚡️ 3-second tech genius: You can send your Roomba back to its dock mid-clean by pressing the Dock or Home button. Or open the app and tap Send Home or Dock.