iRobot Braava jet 240 Mopping Robot
$162.55
Pros
- The iRobot Braava jet 240 has an extremely competitive price for the world of robotic cleaning.
- Effective navigation abilities help the Braava jet clean around fixtures and under furniture.
- Your detergent comes in the pads, so all you have to add to the unit is water.
Cons
- For the best results, running sweeping mode before mopping mode is essential.
- The sweeping pads are not reusable, so stock up when you buy this iRobot.
- When mopping, the battery life is shorter and the unit takes a while to charge.
iRobot Braava jet 240 Mopping Robot Review
The iRobot Braava jet 240 entered the market in early 2016 as a welcome lower-cost alternative to some of the more expensive automatic cleaners. This little sweeping and mopping substitute is available at stores like Target, Home Depot and Best Buy. The best deal I saw on the Braava jet 240 was Amazon, where it’s available for $162.55 and is Prime eligible.
While automated vacuums like the LG Hom-Bot are much more expensive up front, with the iRobot Braava jet 240 you’ll pay more over time for the dry, damp and mop pads that must be used every time you run the mopping robot. One of the benefits to one-time-use pads is how easy it makes the mopping process. You just add water to the iRobot’s reservoir and the necessary cleaning solution is integrated in the pad. It also makes for mess free cleanup; just hold the iRobot over your garbage can with its built-in handle and you don’t’ have to touch the dirty sweeping or mopping pad.
The exception to the one-time-use pad is iRobot’s washable wet mopping pad. The downside here is that is doesn’t come with a cleaning agent, and you can only add water to the Braava jet, so you’ll be cleaning with water. One reviewer did spray the reusable pad with diluted apple cider vinegar before each mopping to help the robot remove stickier messes, but I haven’t tried this myself.
As far as every day operation, the iRobot Braava jet is a smart cookie, with built in sensors that don’t need your help to learn where the furniture is and does a good job of not spraying water all over baseboards or chair legs. It goes over everything between 1 and 3 times, depending on which mode you’re using (dry sweeping, damp sweeping or mopping). One thing the Braava jet 240 lacks is the ability to clean and clean and clean, like higher-end automated vacuums do. There’s a fairly small area it can clean, especially when mopping, without needing a charge, new pad and more water. If you want to use the unit for bathrooms, entry ways or a small kitchen, this limitation shouldn’t be an issue.
Overall, this little unit navigates and operates well in small areas without human intervention, making it a perfect accessory to keep hair and dirt off bathroom and mudroom floors. At less than $200, it’s worth adding to your cleaning arsenal.
