There are, in fact, certain people in our house that like to clean the floors. I don’t happen to be one of them. So, when I was asked to review the iRobot Braava 380t that I’d only seen on commercials, I was more than happy to give it a try.
Of course, I did have some doubts that a little floor mopping robot could win the battle of our dirty floors. It was up against some pretty tough competitors:
(clothing & hair-brushing = totally optional)
Since this was an official product review, I didn’t ask my husband for one bit of help putting it together. And, I’m happy to report that I did it all by myself without any trouble (which is saying a lot because I’m easily confused by instruction manuals. . .).
After charging it, I was eager to give it a try and just attached the dry cleaning cloth (which came with it, but can also be replaced with Swiffer and other store-brand dry or wet cloths).
This is the little magic box that comes with it. The Northstar Navigation Cube sits nearby and emits a signal, acting as a guide for your robot:
There are two settings—sweep and mop—that work on hard surfaces. It cleans in sections, first to the right and then returns to the left. After it does the open areas, it cleans along the edges of furniture and walls. Way more thorough than I am. . . When it’s done, it returns to the place it started and powers down automatically. (It also plays this little song that reminds me of that Simple Simon game when it starts and finishes.)
To say the least, we were all fascinated:
After about two minutes of running in the entry way:
(This, by the way, is usually one of the cleaner spots in our house. . . I was too ashamed to show you what it looked like after it tackled the kitchen.)
Fortunately, it automatically pauses if you pick it up or push any button during cleaning. Or, until he just loses interest and discovers other things. . .
This little holiday helper came just in time for our busy December. There’s about 124 things I’d rather be doing than cleaning my floors. . . Watching Elf with my kids, “pinning” recipes I’ll probably never try, plucking my eyebrows (yes, I hate cleaning floors just that much).
If you feel the same—or have somebody on your shopping list that does—you can purchase it on the iRobot website and at select national retailers. You can learn more about the iRobot (aka #holidayhelper) here:
Thanks to iRobot for sponsoring this post.
Oh wow…who doesn’t want a robot to help with the cleaning!?! Feels so Jetson’s to me, but I’m all about it. We have started putting up Christmas so there has been an explosion of glitter everywhere. Need this lil guy to help me out! ;) Jesse
that’s like a cleaning fairy! Love it. I’m afraid that would be working at my house all day long! xo Kristin
Oh I so want one! Love!
And what is it with kiddos and swiffers??? My daughter is obsessed
I know! I have to practically rip it out of his hands and there are all kinds of tears involved…
Please send that Swiffer loving kid over to my house…this week I could use all the helping hands I can get! Just curious…do the Robot cleaners work on carpet? I would love to rip all mine out…but in the meantime a robot cleaner would be fabulous!
He’d be happy to help :)
This one just works on hard surfaces.
I have the IRobotRoomba (which I won on the Rachel Ray show a few years ago) and its round. It works on carpet or hard wood floors and has two of the laser guides to keep it in the room you want to use it in. Maybe that model would be a better fit for your home Laura@ElegantNest. Just a thought. :)
I needed this in my life!
Do you think it did a great or mediocre job of cleaning your floors? I’m very intrigued by this but wonder how you would rate the final result.
I thought it did a good job. I haven’t tried the wet mop feature yet, so I’ll let you know, but it was great for getting up the loose dust and dirt (and I think I’ll like it even better when I learn to go away and just let it do its job instead of standing there gawking at it. . .).
We have one of those machines and we LOVE IT. Our cat likes to leave her own decorative touches throughout the house (i.e., all the fur she sheds) and this sweeps it right up.
I have the older model too and love it.. but, it broke so easily that I’m not thinking of buying a replacement. :-( Hope yours last longer
Sometimes I think we are the same person…
We have the regular roomba and my son and his recent bride bought one as well. They named theirs sparky and think of it as their dog. It eats their cell phone chargers and will get stuck under the bed. I guess this one could be their cat spiff.
We have the regular roomba and my son and his recent bride bought one as well. They named theirs sparky and think of it as their dog. It eats their cell phone chargers and will get stuck under the bed. I guess this one could be their cat spiff.
So totally cool!!! Love it! Lucky you!! Well deserved and the perfect person to test it! oxox