Robot Models

12 Reasons Why Mint Cleaner is Better than the Scooba 230

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Mint vs Scooba

Trying to decide between buying the new Scooba 230 and the Evolution Mint? We can help. I was going to write a long article comparing the Mint Robot Cleaner with the iRobot Scooba 230, but the results with the Scooba 230 were kind of unfavorable – see our review. So instead of a Mint vs Scooba post like I did with the Roomba, I decided to make a list of reasons why a person would want to get an Evolution Mint instead. Here they are:

1) The Mint is less work, part 1. The Mint also sweeps as it mops, so it picks up hairs and dirt as it goes. Before running the Scooba 230, you have to sweep first, and even then it will find and deposit hairs around the floor. For me, I would find myself using the Mint to sweep up before running the Scooba, which made me wonder why I even bothered with the second robot.

2) The Mint cleans our bathroom in under seven minutes. The Scooba takes 45 minutes.

3) The Mint can clean more space on one charge. After finishing the bathroom, the Mint is ready to take on three more rooms (about 600 square feet). The Scooba needs to be charged.

4) The Mint cleans silently. In addition to the vacuum noise, the Scooba emits an annoying squeaking noise.

5) Mint works smart, not hard. The Mint maps a room as it goes, and gets every bit of the floor. iRobot fans will doubtlessly debate the relevancy of this topic, but you really need to see how the Mint cleans. It methodically goes back and forth over the whole floor, and then does the perimeters.

6) The Mint comes with everything you need to get started in the box. With the iRobot Scooba, you have to buy a bottle of the cleaning solution and some batteries. Sure the Scooba comes with four soap packets, but that’s only good for four cleanings.

7) Clean floors. According to our informal testing, the Evolution Mint does a better job of cleaning.

8) Clean floors, part 2: The Scooba 230 left a lot of water on the floor, and after the floor dried, a lot of streaks.

9) The Scooba is more work, part 2: When the Mint is done, you grab it by its handle, take off the cleaning pad, put the cleaning pad in the wash, and put the robot away. When the Scooba finishes, you have to open all the ports, rinse it out thoroughly (which means filling it up, closing the holes, shaking it, and then pouring it out several times – which you have to do with both sides), pull the bottom off and rinse the hairs and debris off of it, put the bottom back on, and then you can put it away.

Mint is Shorter

10) The Mint is shorter. It’s only by about 1/2 inch, but even that difference makes the Mint fit under more furniture.

11) Dual membership has its benefits. In addition to mopping, the Mint is also built to sweep. The Scooba just mops.

12) More for your dollar. The Mint is 1/3 less expensive than the Scooba 230.

Tips for using Mint Cleaner for Mopping

Here’s a quick tip on using the Mint as a mop: Before running the robot, pour or flick a little warm water on any dirty or sticky spots on your floor.

7 thoughts on “12 Reasons Why Mint Cleaner is Better than the Scooba 230”

  2. I think I too will get mint versus scooba. The cost difference is great and I think I will use it as a way to keep my floors clean between deep cleaning via old fashioned mopping. I have several pets so I need help in maintenance during the week while I am at work to help reduce the elbow grease and frequency of standard mopping.

    2. They are two diferent concepts. Mint is a mop with a dry system cleaning, and the scooba is water system cleaning. Its impossible or difficult than the mint clean a dry spot. And the 230 would clean it.

      1. Thanks for your comment! I’m assuming that by “dry spot”, you mean some mud or food that has dried and is stuck to the floor. :) I see your point, but in my experience, the Mint actually does do a good job of cleaning up spots that have dried. For spots where the dirt or food is large, it can help to sprinkle a little water on it to soften it up when you start the Mint. I’ve also got to say that the new Mint Plus does a way better job on this than the original Mint, which didn’t have a reservoir.

    1. The Mint is pretty good in tight areas, but this is one place where the Scooba 230 is better. It really fits behind toilets. The Mint does not.

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