iRobot Braava 380t Review

After spending my fair share of time with the IROBOT BRAAVA 380T and the Neato XV-21Best Price at Amazon, one thing was certain: My apartment floors were free of debris, but they still needed a good scrubbing. Unfortunately, my growing reliance on robot vacuums rendered the thought of mopping more painful than ever. Between the unwieldy mop and big drippy bucket of soap and water, not to mention the physical act itself, I'd be overjoyed if I never had to mop again. Luckily, there's a 'bot for that.


The iRobot Braava 380t is like a big sibling to the iRobot Braava. The Braava 320 costs $100 less, but the 380t has a bigger battery with faster charging, room-to-room cleaning capabilities, a pause button, a quick clean mode, and a furniture-protecting bumper. You'll still need a vacuum for large debris, as well as the occasional helping hand for tough spills, but it's a great accessory for the neat freak who hates to clean.

Design and Setup
The Braava 380t looks a heck of a lot like the Braava 320, with the same two-tier shape and dimensions. It measures 9.6 by 8.5 by 3.1 inches (WDH) and weighs in at 4 pounds. It comes in shiny black plastic instead of white, with the same matte black plastic along the sides. There are just three simple function buttons on top of the device: Power, Mop, and Sweep, along with navigation system indicator lights underneath. There's also a handle on the back that allows you to pick up and transport the robot easily. The only way you'd really know that this is a different model, aside from color, is the rubber bumper on the front. While both Braava models work slowly and gently enough that I wouldn't worry about it scuffing even the most delicate furniture, the rubber bumper makes for added peace of Before you can start cleaning, first you must charge the robot. Stand it up on its back to access the charging port, plug it in, and wait for a solid blue light to appear on the Power button. It takes about four hours to reach a full charge, which should last for up to four hours of sweeping or two-and-a-half hours of mopping. A Turbo Charge Cradle is available for $59.99, which charges the Braava to full capacity in just two hours. It's easier to use, too, since you don't need to stand the device on its back.