Philips FC8796 SmartPro Easy
In this review, we'll be taking a look at the new Philips robot vacuum cleaner, the Philips FC8796/01 SmartPro Easy. It offers a number of useful features that allow it to automatically and effectively clean hard flooring (parquet, linoleum, and tiles). The robot isn't as friendly to soft surfaces (carpets, rugs), nor shiny, hard/dark floors: you'll need to keep an eye on the device to prevent any accidents. The robot vacuum cleaner retains the appearance and compactness of previous models.FC8792 and FC8794) and received an improved navigation system. More details.
Equipment
Before we look at the main parameters and functions of the Philips FC8796 SmartPro Easy, we suggest you familiarize yourself with the elements that are included in the package:
- Robot vacuum cleaner.
- Charging dock.
- AC power adapter.
- Remote control.
- Side brushes.
- Output filter.
- Floor cleaning cloth.
- Instructions.
Philips components
Remarkably, the packaging is made from at least 90% recycled materials, and the instructions are made from 100% recycled paper. This demonstrates the manufacturer's commitment to the environment.
Appearance
The design of the new Philips FC8796 SmartPro Easy is similar to its two predecessors: the robot vacuum cleaner is flat (only 58.5 mm high) and has a square shape with rounded corners. Its compact size and design allow it to clean even under very low furniture.
Top view
The color scheme uses three shades: gray (the main one), as well as purple and metallic.
Front view
The top of the robot vacuum cleaner features a single button to start the device, as well as the dust compartment lid. On the back are two side wheels, a front swivel roller, two side brushes with six brushes, a suction port, contact pads for charging on the docking station, a battery compartment, and a place to attach a moistened cleaning cloth.
Technical specifications
We suggest you review the characteristics of the Philips FC8796 in the table below:
| Power supply | Lithium-ion battery, 10.8 V |
| Battery life | 115 minutes |
| Charging time | 240 minutes |
| Suction power | 600 Pa |
| Navigation | A set of smart sensors (23 units) and an accelerometer |
| 24-hour cleaning schedule | + |
| Dust container type | Cyclone filter (bagless) |
| Dust collector capacity | 400 ml |
| Filter | UltraHygiene EPA12 |
| Overall dimensions | 300x300x58.5 mm |
| Weight | 2 kg |
Functional capabilities
To ensure high-quality cleaning, the robot is equipped with a three-stage cleaning system:
- A pair of long side brushes helps collect dust in corners and baseboards, removing dirt stuck to the floor, directing it to the suction channel.
- Thanks to its relatively high suction power (600 Pa), the robot vacuum cleaner removes dried dirt and directs it through the suction hole into the dust collector.
- A special cloth attached to the bottom of the Philips FC8796 SmartPro Easy allows you to wipe the floor clean, and when dampened, it can also be used for damp wiping.
Wet wiping of the floor
The modern UltraHygiene EPA12 filter captures over 99.5% of fine dust and filters the exhaust air. This allows dust to remain in the container, preventing the release of pollutants into the air.
The Philips FC8796 SmartPro Easy robot vacuum cleaner features Smart Detection 2 technology, a system of 23 intelligent sensors and an accelerometer. This system enables autonomous cleaning: the robot can analyze its environment and select the optimal cleaning mode for maximum cleaning speed. The robot never gets stuck in one area and automatically returns to the charging base when needed.
Cleaning under furniture
Overview of robot vacuum cleaner modes:
- standard – the mode of automatic cleaning of the space by the device (the entire available cleaning area), which is a predetermined sequence of two other modes: bouncing and cleaning along the walls;
- Bouncing – the robot vacuum cleaner cleans the room, making random movements in a straight line and crosswise;
- along the walls - Philips FC8796/01 moves along the baseboards, providing high-quality cleaning of this area of the room;
- Spiral - the robot vacuum cleaner moves along the trajectory of an unwinding spiral from a central point, which allows for thorough cleaning of this area.
The last three modes of the Philips FC8796 SmartPro Easy are independent and can be accessed using the corresponding buttons on the remote control. The robot also features a daily cleaning schedule, allowing you to plan cleaning for the next 24 hours.
Video review of the model:
Operating instructions
The Philips FC8796 SmartPro Easy user manual is available in eleven different languages, but it's relatively brief. It describes the robot vacuum cleaner's design, features, setup, operation, care, and maintenance, as well as troubleshooting tips.
You can download the instructions in electronic format in Russian here: Philips FC8796/01 manual.
Advantages and disadvantages
To summarize, we will provide an overview of the pros and cons of the Philips FC8796 SmartPro Easy robot vacuum cleaner.
Advantages:
- Slim case in an interesting color scheme.
- Several different cleaning modes.
- Three-stage cleaning system.
- Smart Detection Technology.
- UltraHygiene EPA Filter.
- 24-hour cleaning planning.
Flaws:
- The accessories do not include a movement limiter.
- Small dust collector capacity.
- Low suction power.
- The robot performs poorly when working with carpets (this can be confirmed by a test).
- There is no weekly schedule planner.
- No control via smartphone.
- Does not create a map of the premises.
That concludes our review of the Philips FC8796/01. Overall, this model is quite interesting and deserves attention. If you're looking for a slim robot vacuum cleaner for both dry and wet cleaning, but your budget is limited to $200, this model is one of the best! However, keep the following drawbacks in mind, as some similar models have far fewer drawbacks at a similar price.
Analogues:
