Tapo just launched a cheaper version of its flagship robot vacuum – and the differences are surprisingly small
But which model should you choose?
QUICK SUMMARY
Tapo has quietly expanded its robot vacuum lineup with the new RV50 Omni, a more affordable alternative to the flagship RV50 Pro Omni.
It's currently available on Tapo's online store for £319.99, with an expected launch date of 30th July.
Tapo has quietly listed the RV50 Omni on its website as a more affordable alternative to the flagship RV50 Pro Omni, which launched earlier this year. Both models look almost identical and share many of the same standout features, including Tapo's anti-tangle brush system that automatically cuts and clears wrapped hair as it cleans.
The RV50 Pro Omni earned four stars in our review, although we found its 15,000Pa suction slightly underwhelming compared to some rivals. The new RV50 Omni features 12,000Pa of suction, making a small compromise on power in exchange for a lower price.
Both robot vacuums are now listed on Tapo's online store, with the new RV50 Omni expected to launch on 30th July.
In terms of pricing, the RV50 Pro Omni originally launched at a hefty £749.99, but it wasn't long before discounts brought it down to around £400. The new RV50 Omni has an RRP of £499.99, but it's launching with an introductory offer of £319.99, so even the two models' pricing is very similar.
Looking more closely, both use the same chassis, self-cleaning dock, LiDAR navigation and many of Tapo's cleaning technologies. The biggest omission on the RV50 Omni is DeepEdge Adaptive Mopping, which allows one of the mop pads on the Pro model to extend outwards and clean right up against skirting boards and into corners.
That said, the standard RV50 Omni still looks like excellent value. If you don't mind sacrificing the extending mop pad and a little extra suction power, you're getting a robot vacuum that delivers most of the flagship experience for significantly less.
On the other hand, if the price gap between the two models narrows during future sales, I'd be tempted to spend the extra and opt for the Pro. It really comes down to which features matter most to you.
