Last week we gave you the scoop on the iRobot Roomba vacuum cleaner, which has truly changed our lives for the better (read the full review here). We were going to make that post a double dose of cleaning fun by including the mop review too. But there was so much to say about the vacuum cleaner that we thought it wise to split the reviews out into two separate posts.
So here we are; a look at the iRobot Braava 380t mop, which is designed to whip around the house without you having to lift a finger. Well, not many fingers, anyway.
Sidenote: Our Roomba vac was named Rosie after the maid in The Jetsons. For the mop, we went with Melvin after the robot from Now You See It. If you don’t remember the game show from your childhood, this clip should refresh your memory. We also went with one male name and one female name because cleaning is not women’s work! #equality!
The iRobot Braava Mop Review: The Good
Getting the mop going is really easy, so that’s the first plus. I am terrible with technology, so let me assure you… it’s not confusing. You simply choose if you want to wet mop (blue cloth) or dry mop (white cloth, which is like sweeping the floor) and tuck the cloth into the cleaning pad. Once you insert the cleaning pad, you’re on your way. The pads a reusable too, which is great.
There are two buttons on top that make it really clear to choose if you’re wet mopping or dry mopping. The great thing about the technology is that the Braava will stop if it comes toward a rug or carpet, so there are no worries about damage there. It will also navigate around obstacles like table or chair legs.
Once you press the button to get it started, you just let it do it’s thing. You don’t need to monitor it, and you’re free to work, watch TV or even leave the house. If you are home, you’ll notice that the Braava mop plays a little song for you when its finished its clean, so you know to put it back on its charger. It’s also whisper quiet, so it won’t interrupt your Netflix marathon.
The mop itself, much like its vaccum cleaner cousin, looks quite sleek from a design perspective. We have both sitting side-by-side in our dining room; they’re not ugly units that you have to hide away.
The iRobot Braava Mop Review: The Bad
I don’t think there are any major downsides to using this mop, truth be told. A little while ago we were debating if we needed to hire cleaner to come in once a week (more on that debate here). But I don’t think we need to go down that path now that we have both the robot vac and mop.
What I will say, is that it doesn’t move quickly. Rosie our robot vac zips around pretty fast, but the mop is slow moving. So if you’re a last minute cleaner, and the type of person who’s mopping like mad as friends or family are on the way over, the Braava mop won’t help you there. So you need to think ahead.
The Verdict: Is it Worth the Spend?
If you have the money to spare, buy it. I am of the thinking that my time (and yours) is pretty precious, so I’d rather spend it doing anything but mopping the floor. If you had to choose between the vac and the mop because of your budget, go for the vacuum. As I said, the mop isn’t quick, so I tend to think that it’s easier to whip around the house with a mop than it is a vacuum. But if you can afford it, there’s nothing better than pressing a button on your vac and a button on your mop on a Sunday arvo without having to break a sweat!
The iRobot Braava 380t retails for $599AUD, and you can click here to find our more about it.
Do you have any questions about the Braava mop that I haven’t covered? Drop a comment below and ask away so I can give you the lowdown!
