Some people remain hesitant – even skeptical – of robot vacuum cleaners due to fears of a lacklustre cleaning performance, while others can’t imagine life without one.

I’ve tested several robot vacuums but was particularly excited to get hands-on with the Philips HomeRun 9000 Series. At $2,499, it’s one of the pricier robot vacuum options on the market but does it live up to its premium price tag?

Simple set-up

Unboxing and setting up the Philips HomeRun 9000 Series was easy, despite its rather high-tech look and feel. It features a minimalist, modern design with premium black metal construction and a slim profile allowing it to glide under furniture and tight spaces with ease. It’s visually unobtrusive and blends seamlessly with any home décor style.

To get started, I downloaded the accompanying HomeRun app, connected to Wi-Fi and followed the simple step-by-step guide. The robot scans and maps your home to familiarise with its surroundings and work out the most efficient cleaning path.

Dual functionality

Like most robots at this price point, the Philips HomeRun 9000 Series is capable of vacuuming and mopping.

While it offers a maximum suction power of 8,000Pa – which is a 60% improvement on predecessor Philips robots but much lower than some competitor models – it still manages to remove dust, hair and dirt effortlessly, with the help of an anti-tangle brush.

The HomeRun 9000 Series is capable of cleaning across various floor types from hardwood and tiles to low pile carpets and automatically adjusts its suction accordingly.

An advanced navigation system combines laser-guided sensors and smart mapping, meaning the vacuum scans and learns your home’s layout for optimal cleaning paths, while avoiding obstacles efficiently and returning to its charging station when needed.

With up to 280 minutes (more than 4.5 hours) of continuous cleaning on a full charge, the HomeRun 9000 Series offers a seriously impressive battery life which is ample to cover large homes or multiple rooms in one session.

While robot vacuums tend to be quieter than traditional vacuums, the HomeRun 9000 Series operates particularly quietly, making it ideal for operation during work hours or in the evening.

When it comes to mopping, the HomeRun 9000 Series features the Philips PowerCyclone Aqua technology that removes dirty water immediately, meaning the mop only uses fresh water as it cleans.

The clever design traps dirty water in a built-in tank, allowing the robot to continually wash floors with clean water. Say goodbye to mop pads or rotating discs thanks to the new rotation roller mopping system!

In addition, the smart mop-lifting system means the robot will automatically lift the mop when carpet is detected.

Hands-free maintenance

A major pain point of any floorcare product is maintenance (unless it has an all-in-one dock like this one).

The Philips all-in-one station takes care of the maintenance, so you don’t have to, by providing hands-off care for up to three weeks, with 70 days self-emptying function, self-water refilling with 3.5L capacity, dirty water tank with 2.7L capacity, mop washing, hot air for mop drying and an S-bag hygienic closing system to lock in dust.  

The easily removable dustbin makes it simple to empty and clean as required. A high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter helps capture allergens and fine dust particles, ideal for allergy sufferers.

Even after a single use, you soon discover the all-in-one dock literally does it all and you don’t need to lift a finger during or after the clean-up.

HomeRun app

The HomeRun app, which works in tandem with the robot, is simple and intuitive. You can remotely control the HomeRun 9000 Series from anywhere, including starting, stopping or pausing cleaning, as well as directing the robot to specific areas of the home. It’s possible to set cleaning schedules if you want the robot to clean at specific times such as daily or weekly.

The app also lets you see a map of your home to monitor cleaning progress and see where the robot has cleaned, and which areas need attention. You can select different cleaning modes or intensities to tackle specific needs based on floor type, as well as set no-go zones to ensure it avoids certain areas like pet zones or delicate furniture.

Real-time updates include battery level, cleaning progress, maintenance and alerts you when the robot is finished cleaning or needs intervention.

Overall, the HomeRun app is designed to enhance the usability of the HomeRun 9000 Series by providing essential tools for optimal performance and convenience.

Verdict

The Philips HomeRun 9000 Series is the robot vacuum cleaner you didn’t know you needed. While it’s a considerable investment at $2,499, its advanced features and time-saving benefits make it well worth the price. It delivers a convenient, customisable and completely hands-free cleaning routine. What more could you ask for?

The Philips HomeRun 9000 Series Vacuum and Wash Robot is available to purchase at leading retailers including Harvey Norman, JB Hi-Fi, Amazon and Bing Lee.