Tech News
← Back to articles

You probably shouldn't buy a Roomba vacuum this Black Friday (or any time after) - here's why

read original related products more articles

The iRobot Roomba 105 Vac (pictured) is part of the company's redesigned lineup. Maria Diaz/ZDNET

Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.

ZDNET's key takeaways

iRobot remains at risk of shutting down.

That raises questions about the future of Roomba vacuums.

Black Friday shoppers should proceed cautiously.

After announcing a product redesign earlier this year, iRobot is once again in the news for its risk of bankruptcy -- and its latest financial filing is eye-opening. The company had announced the reinvention of its complete product line this past March, as a Hail Mary move to regain its once-dominant share of the robot vacuum market.

Unfortunately, the latest SEC filing indicates that iRobot is hanging by a thread, rendering this effort futile.

Also: My picks for the best robot vacuums for pet hair: Eufy, Ecovacs, and more

Last spring, iRobot's SEC filings painted a bleak financial outlook for the company over the next 12 months. Now, the company is at risk of declaring bankruptcy in a matter of weeks. iRobot, the maker of Roomba robot vacuums, is facing severe financial challenges, including substantial debt, loan difficulties, market struggles, and declining revenue.

... continue reading