Yesterday in the office, Anne came over to my desk with a very large box and a mischievous grin. The box contained the new 560 model of the iRobot Roomba. Once let loose to clean our office, the helpful vacuuming robot charmed us as it tackled the crumbs, staples, and other bits of debris under our desks, as if it were something out of the Jetsons.

I know the Roomba has been around for a few years, but the 500 series models have been revamped with a few new features to make it more effective – most noteworthy being better mobility, more durable construction, and the ability to free itself from obstacles in its path. (Read the in-depth review from Business Week here.)

We were skeptical at first, but honestly, after the Roomba took a few trips around our office, I have to say that the floors were pretty clean! The Roomba was louder than I expected and frequently banged against our chairs while moving about the room, but all-in-all, it did do a good job without any help from us.

The 500 series of iRobot Roombas ($250-$400) carry a pretty hefty price tag for a vacuum that, in my opinion, is best used between manual vacuuming if you want thoroughly clean floors. However, if you’re thinking of investing in one, check the Home Shopping Network which is featuring one of the new models at a discounted price and free shipping - you certainly can't beat a deal like that!

Rachel