Scooba 380 Review

The latest version of iRobot's floor washing robots builds on the success of, and improves upon the weaknesses, its predecessors. The Scooba 380 handles up to 850 square feet, although the tank is good for 425 square feet, so there's going to be a refill of the cleaning solution and a dump of the dirty water in the cleaning cycle. To be fair that's a good thing, I'm always amazed by how much dirty water comes off my "clean" floor, even just a couple of days apart from cleaning. The Scooba 380 is not a vacuum, so it's a good idea to run a Roomba or sweep up the dust before you unleash it. The previous Scoobas required a special Clorox cleaning solution, this one can use vinegar and water.

I was skeptical of the Scooba's ability to clean, after all a mop and a bucket have been used for hundreds of years, how is a little robot going to do a better job? Well I found out. The Scooba 380 will make several passes over each area- how many times do you mop it by hand? If you're like most people (and me!)- once or twice. The Scooba hits those areas again and again. Next question, how many times do you change your mop water when you're doing the floor? Once? Twice if it's really dirty? The Scooba constantly puts out clean fluid, then suctions up the dirty water.

Here's a video of how the Scooba works:

Another reason the Scooba 380 beats a mop and bucket it because...well, it's easy. I'll run my Scooba two or three times a week, I used to mop once- because it's a pain. With the Scooba, I set up my virtual walls (think of it like little flashlights that create an invisible barrier for the Scooba), add the cleaning solution to water, prime the Scooba, and walk away. I come back when it has filled the dirty water tank, dump that water and rise the tank, refill with clean water, and after another cycle (I like to watch TV while it works, indulgent, I know) the floors are done.

So it sounds great, what's the catch? Well Scoobas aren't inexpensive. Also they can be temperamental- if you don't set the tank in properly, or prime the system using the included "mini turkey baster" it's not going to put out fluid. If you have deep scuffs, or something is caked on the floor which requires scrubbing with a brillo pad on your hands and knees, the Scooba 380 won't get that clean. Also if you have tile with deep grooves in the grout, the Scooba can't suction out all the water. All that being said, the convenience of having a chore that can on a good day be called boring and on a bad day be called tortuous virtually eliminated, is definitely worth it for me, and thousands upon thousands of Scooba owner like me.

Differences between Scooba models:
Scooba 5800

• Small room, about 250 square feet
• Includes 1 virtual wall

Scooba 350

• 1-3 Average Rooms, about 500 square feet
• Includes 1 virtual wall

Scooba 380

• 3-4 Average Rooms, about 850 square feet
• Includes 2 virtual walls

And here are the auction prices for comparison:

The High Capacity Robotic Floor Washer Scooba 380 US $449.95

iRobot Scooba 380 Floor Washer Core Replacement Unit US $100.00

NEW iRobot Scooba 380 Floor Washer 220v 240v Ready US $499.99

Battery for iRobot Scooba 300 330 340 350 380 385 45AH US $49.99

iRobot Scooba 380 Robotic Cleaner 6050 330 350 560 610 US $51.00

iRobot Scooba 330 Robotic Cleaner 5801 380 350 6050 US $102.50

iRobot Scooba 380 Robotic Cleaner 6050 330 350 560 610 US $100.00

iRobot Scooba 380 Floor Washing Robot Brand New $599 US $448.96

NEW Scooba Cleaning Head Brush Grey 5900 5800 350 380 US $20.00

1

Here are the current prices at Amazon:

	iRobot 330 Scooba Floor-Washing Robot List Price: $399.99 Average Rating:
	Features Floor-washing robot cleans sealed hardwood, tile, linoleum, and more Can handle up to 250 square feet on a single battery charge Uses water, water and vinegar, or Clorox Scooba cleaning solution Preps, washes, scrubs, and dries; cliff sensor; 1 virtual wall included Measures 14-3/4 by 14-3/4 by 3-1/2 inches; 1-year warranty

	Replacement Battery for iRobot Scooba 5900 5800 APS 3500mAH Average Rating:
	Features Compatible APS replacement battery for iRobot Floor Washing Robot Scooba 5800 and 5900 Battery life lasts for hundreds of cleaning cycles Charges in 3 hours with APS charger Powers Scooba for up to 90 minutes of continuous clean up. Keep a second battery on hand to double your Scooba's cleaning time

	iRobot 5950 Clorox Scooba Cleaning Solution Average Rating:
	Features Effective on all sealed hard floors Safe around children and pets Gentle enough to be used on sealed hardwood Strong enough to clean tough spills Contains no bleach

	Outdoor Sports Comedy Video Collection: Gone Fishin'; Captain Ron; Tim & Harvey in the Great Outdoors List Price: $44.99
	Features Enjoy the great outdoors in 3 hilarious comedy hits! Big laughs! Great for the whole family! Good clean fun! Rated PG/PG-13

	iRobot Scooba Accessory Kit with 2 Virtual Walls & Wet Suit
	Features 2 Scooba Virtual Walls 1 Scooba Mat 1 Replacement Brush and Cover 1 Vacuum Port 1 Squeegee, 1 Front Caster Wheel and 2 Tires.

	iRobot Scooba Castor Assembly

	Scooba® Accessory Kit

	I Love Scooba Embroidered Cap

	I Love Scooba T-shirt

	Tenergy Replacement Battery for iRobot Scooba 5900 Average Rating:
	Features Nickel-Metal-Hydride battery is environmentally safe Charges in less than 3 hours Lasts up to 80 minutes per charge Battery life lasts for hundreds of cleaning cycles

You are here: Home » Roomba » Scooba 380 Review