iRobot Scooba 230
The Scooba 230 is a mopping robot vacuum cleaner from iRobot. It's compact and features a wet cleaning function for small spaces. It's ideal for cleaning hard floors like tile, linoleum, and parquet in bathrooms, kitchens, and hallways. Learn more about the features and functionality of this robot vacuum cleaner in our iRobot Scooba 230 review below.
Equipment
The iRobot Scooba 230 package includes:
- The robot vacuum cleaner itself and a special stand for it.
- Nickel-metal hydride battery.
- Removable bottom panel with a scraper and brushes.
- Charger.
- Virtual wall.
- A detergent based on natural ingredients.
- Instructions.
- Warranty card.
iRobot Scooba Package Contents
Compatible components for the iRobot Scuba 230 (must be purchased separately) are an infrared remote control and a cleaning agent.
Appearance
The Scooba 230 has a rather unusual design. While the robot has a familiar round shape on top, it's the size of its body that sets it apart: at 9.2 centimeters tall, the device has a diameter of just 16.5 centimeters. It's one of the smallest robot vacuums by diameter. The color scheme is black and gray.
When viewing the robot vacuum from above, we see the mechanical "Power" and "Clean" buttons, as well as the status, charge, and error indicators. Also located here is the recessed plastic handle.
Top view
On the side there is a bumper that softens impacts with objects, a sensor for finding a virtual wall, a charging port, a battery compartment cover, a reservoir for clean liquid, and a separate reservoir for dirty liquid.
Side view
A look at the bottom of the vacuum cleaner reveals two powerful side wheels, height sensors, nozzles, suction channels and a turbine, as well as slots for attaching the bottom panel with a scraper and brushes.
Bottom view
Technical specifications
The most important features of the iRobot Scooba 230 and its performance parameters are listed below:
| Battery | Ni-MH |
| Battery capacity | 1300 mAh |
| Maximum battery life | 45 minutes |
| Charging time | 420 minutes |
| Average cleaning area per tank | Up to 15 sq.m. (the battery charge is designed to clean an area of up to 30 sq.m.) |
| Sensors | Optical (light and sound) |
| Overall dimensions (WxDxH) | 16.5×16.5×9.2 cm |
| Weight | 1.4 kg |
| Additional options | Bumper that softens collisions, height difference recognition system, detection of the dirtiest areas, option of remote control with its additional purchase |
Functional capabilities
The iRobot Scooba 230 robotic vacuum cleaner is designed for wet cleaning of hard floors in small spaces. It features two operating modes:
- Full Cleaning – This mode runs for up to 45 minutes in rooms up to 15 square meters. To start, press the "Power" button, then "Clean," and wait for the beep.
- Express Cleaning – designed for cleaning rooms up to 6 square meters in size with a run time of approximately 20 minutes. To activate this mode, press the "Power" button, then hold the "Clean" button until you hear a second beep.
The iRobot Scooba 230 features the iAdapt® artificial intelligence system, which allows the robot vacuum to adapt to its surroundings. Using basic algorithms, the robot monitors the room approximately 60 times per second using built-in sensors and adjusts its actions based on this information. The iRobot Scooba 230 can calculate the optimal route and select a cleaning pattern based on the room's characteristics. For a more thorough cleaning, the robot vacuum passes over each section several times. Its compact size allows the robot to reach even hard-to-reach areas and easily clean around furniture and plumbing fixtures.
Cleaning the floor under furniture
During operation, the Scuba 230 model moves according to one of the following movement algorithms:
- Spiral: used to vacuum the dirtiest areas.
- Along walls: the device cleans the space around the perimeter, avoiding objects and obstacles.
- Room Traversal: By traversing the room in different directions, the robot first explores the room and then cleans each area separately.
Operating instructions
The iRobot Scooba 230 manual is included with the robot and contains the following sections: safety precautions, operating tips, device, description of cleaning technology, modes, movement algorithms, main components, as well as recommendations for troubleshooting.
You can download the instructions in Russian by following the link: Scooba 230 manual.
Advantages and disadvantages
The iRobot Scooba 230 is noteworthy for its key feature: it's a cleaning robot. The manufacturer also offers the following additional positive features:
- Compact overall dimensions.
- Two separate tanks for clean and dirty water.
- The presence of a bumper that softens collisions with objects.
- The ability to determine height differences and identify the dirtiest spots in the room.
- iAdapt® intelligent system.
- Two operating modes, three movement algorithms.
- Availability virtual wall.
However, the robot vacuum cleaner has a number of disadvantages:
- The kit does not include a remote control, but it is compatible with the device and only needs to be purchased separately.
- The battery doesn't have a large capacity - only 1300 mAh - and the vacuum cleaner takes a very long time to charge.
- The water tank is only enough to clean a maximum of 15 square meters.
- The device must be charged manually; there is no charging base.
It should be noted that the model we are considering has long been discontinued and has been replaced by newer ones. robotic vacuum cleaners, which offer better navigation and functionality. However, the iRobot Scooba 230 costs only $100 in 2018, making it virtually impossible to find a robot capable of high-quality floor cleaning for that price.
Finally, we recommend watching a video review of the iRobot Scooba 230:
Analogues:
