My favorite robot vacuum just got quieter, and more expensive
Matic has launched the Serene, its first new robot vacuum model since its 2023 debut, with lower noise as its main upgrade. It is designed to clean at full suction while producing a claimed 52 decibels, which could make it more practical to run while people are at home.
The Serene costs $1,695 and is available now; the original Matic remains on sale for $1,495 and is rated at 55 decibels on its highest setting. Existing owners can request a hardware upgrade in early 2027, paying the difference between what they originally paid and the Serene’s price. That means the upgrade could cost as much as $600 for early buyers.
In short
- Matic Serene runs at a claimed 52 decibels on max suction.
- It costs $1,695, $200 more than the current original model.
- Existing owners can pay the price difference for an upgrade in 2027.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The Serene’s lower claimed noise level could make it easier to run while people are at home, improving the usefulness of a robot vacuum beyond cleaning performance alone. For buyers who value a quieter household and want Matic’s latest model, the $200 premium may be worthwhile, while an upgrade option gives existing owners a route to the new hardware.
The case against
A three-decibel reduction may not justify a $200 increase for buyers if the original model already meets their needs, particularly since the noise figure is a company claim. Existing owners may also see the upgrade as poor value: early buyers could pay up to $600 to get the newer hardware, despite having bought the previous model only recently.
Explained simply
Robot vacuums move around a home and clean floors with little day-to-day input from their owners. Noise is one factor in how convenient they are: a quieter machine may be easier to run while people are working, resting or spending time at home.
Matic is a company that makes robot vacuums, and the Serene is its second model. Its price and noise rating can be compared with the original Matic, which remains on sale; existing owners also have the option of paying to upgrade.