My favorite robot vacuum just got quieter, and more expensive

Matic, the company behind my favorite robot vacuum, is launching its first new model since its 2023 debut: the Matic Serene. The new robotic floor cleaner has one key upgrade: noise reduction. With a promised output of just 52 decibels at its highest suction level, the Serene claims to be about as quiet as a running refrigerator. It costs $1,695, $200 more than the original Matic's current price, and is available now. The good news is the company is offering an upgrade path for existing Matic owners.

The Serene targets people "who are extremely noise sensitive," cofounder and president Mehul Nariyawala tells The Verge. But beyond no …