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Trifo Max review: Not the best robotic vacuum cleaner

While reviewing the Trifo Max, I have observed that a robotic vacuum works best for homes that are slightly spacious with limited furniture.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Rs. 21990
Trifo Max, Trifo Max robot vacuum, Trifo Max robot vacuum review, Trifo Max robot vacuum price in India, Trifo Max robot vacuum featuresExpect the Trifo Max to last for up to 2 hours when fully charged. (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)

The market for robot vacuums has picked up quite significantly over the past few months, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic. This has led to the entry of Trifo, the Santa Clara, California-based robotics perception company in India. Its Trifo Max is a mid-range vacuum cleaner that is part robot, part security camera. While the Trifo Max seems interesting on paper, does it match the suction power offered by similar robot vacuum cleaners from the competition? We’ll try to find all that and more in our review.

Trifo Max price in India: Rs 21,990

Trifo Max specs: 3,000 Pa suction power|0.6L dust capture capacity|3.3-inches tall|120-minutes battery life|security camera built-in|Can be operated via a mobile app|Amazon Alexa support

Trifo Max review: What’s new?

The Trifo Max has the standard circular shape you see on most robot vacuums, except this one has a camera at the rear. The upward-pointing camera isn’t meant for navigation but acts as a security camera. This allows the robotic vacuum cleaner to be used as a monitoring home when you are not present or around. On the vacuum, you will also notice two physical buttons, one to start or stop cleaning and one to send it home to the charging station. Turn it over and there will be a single spinning brush bar and a hatch in the top that opens to remove the dustbin. The 0.6-liter bin is decent-sized, which can be pulled out easily. A flap at the front allows you to easily open it and get the debris and dirt out. Then there’s the charging base which needs to be plugged into a wall outlet, where the robot docks and charges.

The Trifo Max also comes with a 1080p Full HD security camera, though it lacks night vision capability. (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)

Setting up the Trifo Max is easy. Take out the robot vacuum from the box and plug in the charging base. Now, download the Trifo app from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store to your smartphone, create an account, choose the specific vacuum model, select your Wi-Fi network, and enter the password. Once connected, you can control the vacuum cleaner, change its movements, adjust the suction power, and manually control the Trifo Max.

Trifo Max review: What’s good?

Perhaps the strongest part of the Trifo Max is a 3000 Pa suction power, although a loud robot vacuum, it does the job well. The vacuum works best on tile and hard floors, though it should also work fine if you have wooden or carpeted floors. In my testing, I’ve found that the Trifo Max manages to suck up dust, hair, and other debris without many issues.

Like many other robot vacuums, the Trifo Max does also offer floor mopping functionality. To start mopping, simply fill the water reservoir and attach a mopping pad. Once finished cleaning, the robot vacuum automatically returns to its charging station. Expect the Trifo Max to last for up to 2 hours when fully charged. I also liked the Alexa integration wherewith one command where you can start the Trifo Max and use its features.

Perhaps the strongest part of the Trifo Max is a 3000 Pa suction power, although a loud robot vacuum, it does the job well. (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)

But one feature that makes the Trifo Max different from other robotic vacuums is the presence of a 1080p Full HD security camera and a motion sensor. It is a nice feature to have, especially since the device has a microphone and speaker allowing for two-way communication, but I am not sure how many people would want to use a robotic vacuum cleaner as a security camera.

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Trifo Max review: What’s bad?

I have had mapping issues with the Trifo Max and I think that’s the weakest part of this robotic vacuum. Even though the company claims the Trifo Max improves its mapping accuracy depending on how frequently you use the machine, its mapping capabilities remain problematic. Look, the reason why I would want to use a robotic vacuum in the first place is the comfort and peace of mind. The basic problem with the smart mapping feature is that it’s inaccurate in the first place – and the reason is the troublesome navigation. Many times during the testing I have noticed that the Trifo Max cleans a small portion of the room and instead of moving around the entire place. Another issue with the Trifo Max is that you need to map the entire room all over, if you want to clean another room. That’s frustrating in my opinion.

Trifo Max app. (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)

Trifo Max review: Should you buy it?

No. The reason: there are better options available in the market. Before you purchase any robotic vacuum cleaner, you need to understand that they are suitable for smaller families with pets or small children or for anyone who can’t devote time to clean the house on its own. While reviewing the Trifo Max, I have observed that a robotic vacuum works best for homes that are slightly spacious with limited furniture, because these devices often get stuck on small obstacles, and get confused in a room full of furniture.

Anuj Bhatia is a seasoned personal technology writer at indianexpress.com with a career spanning over a decade. Active in the domain since 2011, he has established himself as a distinct voice in tech journalism, specializing in long-form narratives that bridge the gap between complex innovation and consumer lifestyle. Experience & Career: Anuj has been a key contributor to The Indian Express since late 2016. Prior to his current tenure, he served as a Senior Tech Writer at My Mobile magazine and held a role as a reviewer and tech writer at Gizbot. His professional trajectory reflects a rigorous commitment to technology reporting, backed by a postgraduate degree from Banaras Hindu University. Expertise & Focus Areas: Anuj’s reporting covers the spectrum of personal technology, characterized by a unique blend of modern analysis and historical context. His key focus areas include: Core Technology: Comprehensive coverage of smartphones, personal computers, apps, and lifestyle tech. Deep-Dive Narratives: Specializes in composing longer-form feature articles and explainers that explore the intersection of history, technology, and popular culture. Global & Local Scope: Reports extensively on major international product launches from industry titans like Apple and Google, while simultaneously covering the ecosystem of indie and home-grown tech startups. Niche Interests: A dedicated focus on vintage technology and retro gaming, offering readers a nostalgic yet analytical perspective on the evolution of tech. Authoritativeness & Trust Anuj is a trusted voice in the industry, recognized for his ability to de-jargonize trending topics and provide context to rapid technological advancements. His authority is reinforced by his on-ground presence at major international tech conferences and his nuanced approach to product reviews. By balancing coverage of the world's most valuable tech brands with emerging startups, he offers a holistic and objective view of the global technology landscape. Find all stories by Anuj Bhatia here. You can find Anuj on Linkedin. ... Read More

 

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