Colin Angle, iRobot chief: ‘The original Roomba algorithm is the same as the one our anti-landmine robots used’
IRobot Braava Jet 240 Review: An Affordable, Powerful Robot Mop
We evaluated the iRobot Braava Jet 240 as part of our larger tested best robot mops review, and we determined it to be the best value robot mop pick on the market. Read on to learn more about this efficient, budget-friendly device.
The iRobot Braava Jet 240 is one of the most affordable robot mops out there, retailing for just around $200. Despite being significantly smaller than many of the other models we rigorously tested in our search for the best robot mops, it delivers big when it comes to cleaning power—and it's especially helpful when it comes to cleaning up smaller spaces. After a thorough testing process, we've determined it to be the best value robot mop on the market today.
Small yet might, the iRobot Braava Jet 240 is the best budget-friendly robot mop on the market.
Camryn RabideauBecause of its compact size, the Braava Jet 240 actually boasts an added feature: It's able to get into nooks and crannies where other models can't. What's more, in addition to wet mopping, the robot can also be used to dry sweep or "damp mop," capabilities that are bound to come in handy for anyone with a variety of different messes to tackle. And while this particular robot mop may not have the longest battery life, it's perfect for maintaining small rooms like bathrooms and kitchens.
Ahead, read about the Braava Jet 240's top features, and scroll further for all of the details on how we tested and evaluated all of the top robot mops on the market.
Water tank: 15 oz.Pad type: Reusable or disposableVacuuming: No, but pairs with select Roomba robot vacuumsSmart features: YesBattery life: 160 minutesWarranty: 1 year
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Don't be fooled by its small size: The Braava Jet 240 can still stand up to tough messes. To set it up, you simply fill its water tank with a mixture of water and one of iRobot's floor cleaning solutions, then you attach either a disposable or reusable pad to the bottom of the mop. From there, set it in the room of your choice and let it get to work.
Unlike many robot mops that simply drive in straight paths across your floors, the Braava Jet 240 works in a back-and-forth "V"-shaped motion, spraying the mixture of water and cleaning solution as it goes. This movement allows it to pass over a given area multiple times, efficiently scrubbing away all sorts of stains. It was able to lift sticky messes and dried-on mud from the floor with no problem, outperforming many robot mops that are twice its size—and often more than twice as expensive.
The caveat, however, is that this mop works best in smaller rooms. Our main testing area was around 200 square feet, and the Braava was only able to complete around ¾ of the cleaning process before its battery died. (It can run for around 60 minutes per charge.) Once we moved it to a 100-square-foot bathroom, the mop did much better in terms of performance, cleaning the whole space in around 40 minutes.
Compact Form For Tight AreasThe Braava Jet 240 was the smallest robot mop we tested—it measures it at just 6.7 x 7 x 3.3 inches and weighs less than 3 pounds. (By comparison, most of the other mops we tested were around 12 inches in diameter and usually weigh around 8 pounds.) While this does mean it covers less area with each pass, it excels in ways other models can't. Chiefly, it's ideal for mopping in rooms with a lot of obstacles, as it can squeeze into hard-to-reach places. For instance, most of the robot mops we tested weren't able to fit underneath a standard dining chair without getting stuck, whereas the compact Braava easily navigated and cleaned around furniture legs with no problem. It also did a great job avoiding the small area rug in the middle of the floor, cleaning around the edges without getting tripped up.
One small downside worth noting: Because the mop has smaller-than-average pads, it wasn't able to soak up quite as much water as other mops we tested. When we challenged it to tackle a large water spill, its pad quickly became saturated, leaving behind quite a bit of liquid.
Multiple Cleaning Modes And Pad OptionsWhile we focused predominantly on the Braava's mopping abilities in testing, this cleaning robot actually has three different cleaning modes. It can be used to wet mop, damp mop or dry sweep, and the machine determines the correct mode based on the type of pad you attach.
The Braava Jet 240 works in a "V"-shaped motion, dragging either a reusable or disposable pad across ... More your floors.
Camryn RabideauWhen dry sweeping, the robot travels in a straight path, and when we tested this function, it did a good job picking up dog hair and dust from the floor. That said, the pad is fairly small so it did get somewhat bogged down with hair toward the end of its cleaning cycle. The damp mopping mode also uses straight cleaning paths, which results in less scrubbing than its wet mopping mode, and it also uses less water. This mode is ideal for everyday cleaning when there aren't large stains that need to be removed.
We also like that the Braava can be used with either reusable or disposable cleaning pads. There are reusable pads available for all three cleaning modes, and you can simply toss them in the washing machine after use. Alternatively, the brand sells single-use pads that you throw away after use for low-maintenance operation.
How Does The iRobot Braava Jet 240 Compare To Other Robot Mops?Out of the robot mops we tested, we determined the iRobot Braava Jet 240 to be the best value for your money. With a retail price of around $200, it's by far the most affordable option. (Every other model we tested was $400 or more.) And while it does have a shorter battery life, overall, it does a thorough job cleaning—especially small spaces.
If you're looking for a robot mop to clean that can tackle large areas, we recommend the Bissell SpinWave. This model has a longer battery life of up to 130 minutes, and we found that its rotating mop heads excelled at removing dirt, dust and stains from hard floors. Additionally, this model can be controlled via an app, allowing you to schedule cleanings and monitor its maintenance requirements. Plus, it comes with a vacuum attachment, which allows it to do double-duty as a robot vacuum.
How I Tested The Best Robot MopsWe tested a total of eight robot mops as part of our larger review, putting each one through a series of standardized cleaning tests in a 200-square-foot testing space. We ran each mop a minimum of four times, testing all cleaning modes available. Then, we evaluated how well each model was able to clean up messes such as spilled water, a sticky soda stain and dried-on mud. We also set up several obstacles within the space, including a small area rug and dining chair, to assess how well each mop could navigate around these items. Other factors we took into account during testing included each mop's ease of use, smart functionality and noise level.
Amazon Promo Codes30% Off In June 2023Forbes My ExpertiseI've been testing products professionally for more than six years, and in that time, I've reviewed a wide variety of cleaning products. While doing my initial research on robot mops, I also spoke with several cleaning experts, including Jessica Samson of Maids.Com, Andrii Gurskyi of HomeClean and Michael Silva-Nash of Molly Maid for insight into the workings and benefits of these machines. During the testing process, I spent several days testing the Braava Jet 240 and comparing it to seven other robot mop models.
I'm Ready To Throw Out My IRobot Roomba In Favor Of Samsung's New Jet Bot Combo AI Robot Vacuum
Recently, I've had a bit of a 'mare with my robot vacuum. I've been using the iRobot Roomba Combo J7 Plus since I first reviewed it almost two years ago, and while it's been a stellar sucker until the last few months, a litany of sudden issues has me wanting to try something new.
It's not the first iRobot Roomba I've tried, and I doubt it'll be the last, but given its lofty price, I'm pretty surprised by some of its issues. Despite my regular cleaning and maintenance, the mop function has stopped working almost entirely. Suddenly, the vacuum is rubbish at cleaning edges, and despite the really impressive navigation technology I observed during my test, my Combo J7 Plus somehow managed to gouge out a chunk of its camera lens during a cleaning job, meaning obstacle detection seems to be permanently marred.*
iRobot is facing increasingly intense competition in the robot vacuum space, and with news of its failed Amazon acquisition, there's less and less room for Roomba to continue its decades-long market dominance.
You may likeThat's especially true now some of the big-name household appliance brands like Dyson and Samsung are jostling for their slice of the pie, and doing so with increasing promise (though the Dyson 360 Vis Nav failed to impress us). I had the chance to see Samsung's new Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI robot vacuum in the flesh at its global Bespoke AI launch event, and I'm pretty excited by the promised improvements upon its predecessor.
When Samsung announced its first Jet Bot AI+ robot vacuum at CES 2021, all eyes were on the tech giant, waiting in anticipation to see if it could sweep the market with its new tech.
Unfortunately, at least based on our Samsung Jet Bot AI+ review, the OG Jet Bot robot vacuum lagged behind the competition with some pretty fundamental issues. For one thing, it's 3.9in / 13.7cm tall; compared to the best robot vacuums we've tested, which average around the 3.2in / 8.1cm mark, that makes the Jet Bot AI pretty chunky, which isn't ideal for cleaning under furniture.
Then there was the slightly sloppy navigation and less-than-impressive edge cleaning, all of which amounted to a very expensive bot that didn't quite warrant its lofty price tag, even with the armory of cool features Samsung built-in to the Jet Bot AI+.
Still, it was a decent attempt at re-entering the robotic cleaning market following a handful of earlier attempts that failed to fully take off (RIP Crubo and PowerBot), and the Jet Bot AI+ still managed to impress with its fantastic suction and ability to suck up debris many other robovacs would have simply brushed aside.
What's new, pussy cat?On the other hand, Samsung's new Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI is poised to deliver a much better cleaning experience - and not just because it can mop, too.
First announced at CES 2024, the Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI doesn't only include returning features like the ability to spy on your pets, but it's also seen some serious upgrades to both hardware and software.
Most noticeably, it's a fair bit shorter than the original Jet Bot AI+. By my eye, it looks to be around the same height, if not slightly taller than my iRobot Roomba Combo J7+ at 3.4in / 8.6cm tall. While I do prefer even slimmer robot vacuums, even the extra clearance space compared to its predecessor makes the Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI far superior.
Then there are the powerful spinning mop pads, which rotate at 170RPM to offer a thorough clean on even the toughest stains. Thanks to the vacuum's ability to recognize floor types and adjust the cleaning patterns accordingly, the Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI will automatically lift mop pads to avoid dampening carpets. The best part? The Clean Station will even steam, wash, and sanitize mop pads, neutralizing 99.9% of bacteria.
Speaking of the Clean Station, the Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI's auto-emptying home base features 3-litre tanks for dirty and clean water in addition to a compartment for the dust bin, which Samsung says needs replacing on average every 2-3 months. That does mean it's pretty enormous, which can be a real turn-off for some, but it's the nature of combination robot vacuum and mops that feature mop pad cleaning.
On the software side, things are looking up, too. This clever cleaner leverages a database of 1.7 million images to bolster its deep AI neural network for features like obstacle detection.
I can't speak to the performance of Samsung's new Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI, having only seen it leave its base, pirouette, and return, but I'm certainly ready to try something new.
Samsung's experience in home appliances combined with its software chops in theory makes for a strong contender, though I've no idea if the vacuum will outlast my presently-inept iRobot Roomba Combo J7+.
The Bespoke Jet Bot Combo AI is currently available for pre-order on Samsung's US website, with a list price of $1,699, which is reduced by $300 as of writing, but we've not got pricing or release date details for the UK or Australia right now. The US pricing does, however, give us an indicator for price comparison; it's $300 more than iRobot's most recent combination cleaner, the Roomba J9+, which retails for $1,399.99 / £1,249 / AU$1,999 and $200 more than the vacuum-only Dyson Vis Nav, which costs $1,199.99 / £1,399.99 / AU$2,399.
*Editor's note: It's worth highlighting that the iRobot Roomba Combo J7+ has a two-year warranty, though that doesn't often apply to review samples like mine. I've used iRobot's troubleshooting facilities to attempt to resolve the mop pad issues, but not yet contacted customer services.
You might also likeIRobot Braava Jet M6 Review
Recently I experienced the wonders of the iRobot Roomba i7+ and found it to be an effective tool to keep your floors clean, which is a good thing as that's what it's designed to do. But where the i7+ sweeps, the rather clunkily named iRobot Braava Jet M6 mops. Whereas some manufacturers offer products that combine the two iRobot doesn't, which, in my opinion, is preferable. I find hybrid products are invariably compromised in some way, whether it's washing/dryers, cars, or robot cleaners.
Of course, there are downsides, the first of which is cost. The Braava Jet M6 costs £559/$499 (at the time of writing), which is a heavy outlay on top of the vacuuming robot. You also have to have space for both. Some people locate them next to each other, like well-behaved pets, but my two needed their own space and are located at different ends of the lounge.
Whereas the i7+ is quite large, the Braava Jet M6 is smaller and is available in both graphite and white, the latter of which matched our décor better. It's also much quieter in operation than the i7+, making it less obtrusive to have running, but that's the nature of the beast – squirting cleaning fluid and mopping is just not as noisy as vacuuming.
The iRobot Braava Jet M6 is a robot mop that can recharge itself during jobs.
iRobotThe M6 has a tank that sits in the center of the unit and shoots out a mix of water and cleaning liquid from the tank that sits in the middle underneath a flap. A proprietary mopping pad attaches to the underside of the unit and the mop moves over the area it has just sprayed to clean your floors. Several cleaning pad types are supplied, one of which is washable, which you must do now and again to keep it cleaning effectively. You can buy replacements too and third-party options are available that are cheaper.
How often you have to refill the tank will depend on how large the area you need to clean is, and how much liquid you tell the device to use in the app. You do have to make sure the mop's tank is full – it can't refill itself yet, and you also need to ensure the contact points are clear for recharging.
There are three settings Eco, Standard, and Ultra – the latter being for dirtier floors. It also depends on the "Mop Path Overlay" setting in the app, which determines how often the device will go over the same area. You choose between "A little", "More", and "A lot". I found it took too long on the "More" setting and dropped down to two "A Little" and maintained satisfactory results while speeding this up considerably – it also saves detergent.
A small bottle of detergent is supplied but rather than the official iRobot solution I bought Bona floor cleaner and that did the job nicely. Tip – don't put too much water in as that makes the mop streaky.
The app is the same one used for the i7+ and both devices appear next to each other, and you tab between them. As a smart device once set up the Braava, will respond to voice commands – and if you tell the i7+ to vacuum via Alexa, you'll be asked if you want the Braava jet M6 to automatically mop straight afterward. This is a clever touch, and you can set it to do this in the scheduling section of the app too. However, on occasion, the i7+ would get stuck, which meant the mop would not start. That said, the mop also got stuck on occasion too, normally within the wheels of the office chair. That said, most of the time, the Braava did a good job navigating its way around the house. It uses the same camera-based "Imprint" smart mapping technology as the i7+ to build up a picture of the area and then navigate its way around it to clean. The initial mapping takes a long time, but once done the Braava moves up and down in straight lines while navigating furniture.
It even detects rugs and will not spray them with cleaning fluid, so you don't have to lift them. Naturally, if it is close to running out of power it will return to its charging base, and then resume the job once it has replenished itself.
It uses the camera to build up a map of your space and once done the app invites you to name each room so that you can then choose to send out the mop to just clean that room, via app or voice assistant. You have to name your robot in the app to do this – I went with "Moppie". I know, genius.
As with the i7+, the downside of using cameras, rather than lidar tech that some competitors use, is that the robot requires light to navigate the area, so you have to leave the lights on or let it do its thing during the day. At least you can set it in the app to start mopping automatically once you, or at least your phone, have left the house.
The ultimate test was how good a job it did – and is it worth the money. Ultimately, the Braava Jet M6 passed the greatest test I know of – namely my wife's judgment. She deemed it a success and hasn't felt the need for either of us to use the mop and bucket since Moppie entered the house.
On one occasion, I had brought in quite a lot of mud from the back garden, and the standard cleaning setting did not fully remove all remnants. However, increasing the spray amount and sending it out again very much did the job.
Overall, I liked the Braava Jet M6 even more than the i7+, if only because it was quieter. Yes, it did, on occasion get itself stuck somewhere, but most of the time, it did its thing, effectively, which is all you can ask of your smart technology.
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