Overview of the Philips FC8776 Robot Vacuum Cleaner: Cleaning without dust, noise and overpayments

The result of the development of household robotics has become a skilled and nimble robot vacuum cleaner. Taking on the function of cleaning the floor, it has become a tool for saving time.

A well-known Dutch company could not get past the new device and released several series of equipment, including the Philips FC 8776 robot vacuum cleaner, also known as SmartPro Compact.

Let's understand what is remarkable for this model of a robot vacuum cleaner and compare it with similar models from other manufacturers.

Introducing the FC 8776

The main feature of the Philips FC 8776 - compactness - is emphasized at every mention of the vacuum cleaner, it is even put in the name - Compact.

Thanks to a height of just over 6 cm, the unit easily penetrates into inaccessible places - under kitchen sets, wardrobes, beds with low seating and sofas with short legs.

Acquaintance with the FC 8776 model takes place in the store, at the time of purchase. Even by the box in which the vacuum cleaner is packed, one can judge the compact dimensions of the device. The packaging is made of hard cardboard and equipped with a plastic carrying handle.

The box design is not only beautiful, but also useful for the buyer: on the sides of a flat package the main technical characteristics and distinguishing features of the unit are listed

Inside a relatively small box is a vacuum cleaner body and accessories that may be required during operation. It is better to get acquainted with them, guided by the instructions that also come with the kit.

The export version involves documentation in Russian. PC users can read the instructions in the version, which is located on the company's website.

Some design features are clearly visible when viewed from the side of the vacuum cleaner.

For example, the beveled lower edges are noticeable, allowing the device to move freely on floor surfaces, on which there are small differences in height. Simply put, a vacuum cleaner easily climbs from a laminate onto a carpet and jumps back.

On the sides there are important elements of charging and control: an IR sensor, a connector for charging directly from the adapter, an on / off button, contacts for communication with the base

To protect the case from breakdowns during frequent collisions, the developers equipped it with a slightly spring-loaded bumper - a dynamic element.

On top of it is a small ledge that determines the maximum height of the device itself and, accordingly, the clearance of the hole into which it can penetrate - for example, under the sofa.

Thus, the manufacturer tried to create a model that could penetrate any corner and even with frequent use for a long time to maintain its performance.

Storage device - dust collector

The main purpose of the vacuum cleaner is to collect dust, so one of the central parts is a container for dirt and garbage. The device is compact, therefore the dust collector has a small size - 0.3 liters.

However, the developers thought over the design of the device in such a way as to make it as spacious as possible.

The lid under which the dust collector is hiding can be easily identified by the bronze color, as the manufacturer claims, - it is located in the center at the top of the device.

The filter - a thin piece of synthetic fabric - can be rinsed in water, but the manufacturer does not recommend abusing washing or frequent cleaning of this element.

The transparent container may be rinsed from time to time, but must be dried before use.

How does a robot perform its functions?

The compact vacuum cleaner is designed to collect dust in living rooms.It is not suitable for technical rooms, as it has an insufficient dust collector and a special “room” device.

The robot is quiet and neat. During his work, you can relax, read a book, cook or play with children - he will not interfere and distract

The device is designed to care for a relatively clean room, so it is not recommended to use it in a garage, in a warehouse or on the street.

In fact, a vacuum cleaner performs two tasks:

• moves around the room to cover the maximum possible floor area for cleaning;
• collects any debris encountered on the way - dust, small pieces of paper, hair and wool, threads.

The device will not cope with large debris, since neither the collection apparatus nor the air duct are suitable in size, and the power to tighten heavy objects is not designed.

Small wheels with a diameter of 4.7 cm adhere well even to a smooth floor surface thanks to rubber tires reinforced with lugs. The arrangement of the wheels is such that the vacuum cleaner rotates in one place without shifting to the side.

The wheels can be scrolled by hand to remove wound debris. Easy movement on the floor with elevation differences provides a body raised to a height of 1.95 cm.

As soon as the vacuum cleaner begins to move, the garbage collection device is turned on. On the sides are brushes that spin and pick up dust towards the center

The ends of the brushes go beyond the boundaries of the device, which allows you to cover a large area. By a stream of air, which is created by a fan located in the housing, the dust is sucked in through a long narrow opening and, after passing a short path through the air duct, enters the dust collector.

An overview of the main functions will visualize the video:

Key Specifications

The FC 8776 model collects dust by vacuum filtration, in other words, it is sucked directly from the floor, passing air through the fiber pad during the cleaning process.

This simple way of collecting dust is explained by its compact size - a more complex system would be difficult to implement, given the physical characteristics of the device.

The vacuum cleaner, despite its compact dimensions, has several cleaning modes:

• random (automatic) or with a choice of a trajectory of movement;
• with setting the time or until the battery is completely discharged;
• delayed start with a maximum interval of 24 hours;
• the cleaning process begins immediately after charging;
• limited space cleaning - local.

The manufacturer does not specify the speed of movement, since it is quite difficult to calculate it - this indicator depends on many factors, including the type of flooring and the degree of contamination.

The indicators of charging, switching on and filling, installed in the vacuum cleaner, help to transfer the device in time from one mode to another or to clean it.

The manufacturer is proud of its brand and considers the height of 6.1 cm one of the main structural achievements. But to make sure that the compact device is suitable for you, be sure to measure homes difficult to maintain.

FC 8776 model size chart, which will help determine whether a vacuum cleaner is really useful for your apartment. The warranty period and country of production are also indicated here.

The vacuum cleaner is oriented in space using an IR sensor, so it is important to monitor its serviceability.

The manufacturer took into account that everyone is accustomed to remote control, so he equipped the device with a remote control: without leaving the place, you can change the operating mode or simply turn off the device.

This manufacturer has a whole line of no less worthy robotic vacuum cleaners for the home, more about which we talked about in this rating.

Pros and cons in customer reviews

Thanks to the enthusiasm of modern users of household appliances for robots, the SmartPro Compact model quickly became popular.

According to reviews, it is actively acquired for various purposes:

• dry clean;
• save time allotted for economic affairs;
• accustom children to cleanliness;
• combine rest and restoring order in an apartment, etc.

Unlike bulky vacuum cleaners with a hose, the compact model does not need to be moved from place to place, carrying an electric cord.

A small round case with rapidly rotating brushes is very similar to a useful toy that simultaneously removes dust from carpets and hard surfaces, entertains children and animals

On the positive side, the following features of the device are noted:

• height - a little over 6 cm;
• wide nozzle for dust intake;
• spare filter pad;
• long battery life - more than 2 hours;
• additional wheels to help overcome thresholds.

Many customers liked the ease of maintenance of the vacuum cleaner. To remove dust from the container, you need to perform a few simple movements: open the lid, take out the dust collector by a convenient handle, remove the upper part, filter and empty the debris.

Then you need to return the container to its place, having performed the manipulations in the reverse order. From time to time, the filter and the plastic bowl should be washed with clean water.

In addition to the advantages, users note negative aspects. Some complain about the quality of the battery, which is why the vacuum cleaner works much less than the stated 2 hours 10 minutes.

Others point to the inefficiency of carpet cleaning. But this is easily explained: the passport says that the device is designed for cleaning hard surfaces. If you need a device that will cope well with cleaning carpets, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with following rating.

Also a minus is that the device does not always immediately find the base.

However, the SmartPro Compact model really has a lot of advantages, and there are few negative points - this is a nice bonus to the Philips piggy bank.

Comparison with competitor models

Of course, the popularity of robots affected the assortment of other manufacturers. Let out similar models of iRobot, Clever & Clean, Samsung, Neato, moreover, the first brand is a pioneer and leader in the field of robotics. Consider models with approximately similar functionality, designed to perform dry cleaning.

Competitor # 1 - iRobot Roomba 681

The model is designed for the production of dry cleaning. Equipped to work Li-ion battery, upon completion of charge independently returns to the base to restore energy resource.

IRobot Roomba 681 control tools are located on the front side of the device, as an option, a remote control for remote control can be attached. The limiter of the processing zone is a virtual wall. The unit is equipped with a soft bumper to minimize the consequences of an accidental collision with obstacles.

The capacity of the dust bag is 1 liter, so it is not necessary to empty it after each session. This model of automatic cleaner can be programmed to perform cleaning on specific days.

Competitor # 2 - Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum Cleaner

This model produces dry cleaning in several different modes. It can move in a straight and zigzag path, perform cleaning operations in a limited area and quickly process a large area. The capacity of a lithium-ion battery is almost twice that of the previous model.

From battery Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum Cleaner it works for 2 hours and 30 minutes, after the charge is depleted, the smart device returns to the parking without the participation of the owners.To fix obstacles, the robot is equipped with infrared and ultrasonic sensors, the total number of which is 12 pieces. The distance is determined by the laser sensor.

If the vacuum cleaner gets stuck, it falls into a position from which it cannot get out on its own, the unit emits a signal sound. Also signals when the battery is low. To perform cleaning on the days of the week, you can draw up a map, the device is integrated into the smart home control circuits.

Competitor # 3 - PANDA X500 Pet Series

The robotic vacuum cleaner is used in dry floor cleaning, “perfectly” copes with pet hair and resistant, hard to clean floor contaminants. Suitable for processing all existing types of flooring.

The dust collector of the PANDA X500 Pet Series model is only 0.3 l, but the LED indicator warns of its filling. A soft bumper protects against shock in possible collisions with objects.

The model is equipped with speech functions, but warnings and alerts are pronounced in English.

Conclusions and the best deals on the market

The acquisition of a household assistant should be taken responsibly, so that in the future there will be no disappointment due to a lack of useful functions. After analyzing the characteristics and capabilities of the FC 8776, we can conclude that it is a truly reliable and useful friend with smart behavior and easy maintenance.

Thinking about buying a Philips FC 8776, but have doubts about the appropriateness of such an acquisition? Ask questions of interest to our experts and other visitors to the site - the owners of vacuum cleaner robots will certainly share their experience in using them. Write your comments in the box below.