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MSI 1080 TI Duke Unboxing & Review

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Today we get to unbox and review and new MSI 1080 Ti Duke. MSI released another version of 1080 TI Graphics Card recently under the brand name Duke. The new graphics card boasts 352-bit memory interface with a core base clock of 1480MHz, boost clock of 1582MHz, and 11GB of GDDR5X memory at 11016MHz. Today we’re going to do an unboxing of the MSI Duke 1080Ti, review the specs, and also do some real world benchmarking with it to see how it ranks amongst other 1080TI graphics card.

First, we want to make it clear that this isn’t MSI’s first 1080Ti graphics card, they have an entire lineup of them. You may be more familiar with the MSI Gaming X which features dual fan, a shorter profile, and has MSI’s signature red on the casing. We did an overview on the MSI Gaming X previously, you can check it out here.

Unboxing the MSi Duke 1080Ti

The MSI Duke ships in a beautiful carbon fiber skinned box with the essential letterings on the front side. The backside is more feature heavy and goes into details with all the offering you’re getting for a $750 graphics card.

One very nice and small touch that MSI added are the tabs to pull out the entire inside. Usually you’d have to do a little bit of wiggling to get everything out without ripping the box apart. Thanks to these little thumb tabs, you can pull the entire inside box easily.

Upon pulling everything out, we’re greeted with MSI’s subtle logo printed on the matted cardboard box. The top is a thin cardboard box containing the essential manual, some marketing materails, a 6 to 8 pin power adepter (if you’re using an older power supply, this is a nice little bonus), and the vestigial installation CD. If you’re building a gaming machine and throwing down $750+ on a graphics card, something tells me you’re not installing a CD drive. Not sure why manufacturers still include these in the higher end graphics card. For lower end cards it makes more sense.

 

The graphics card itself is encased snuggly inside the foam cushion wrapped in anti-static bag. Opening the wrap reveals a the magnificent looking MSI 1080 TI Duke. It’s construction is mostly hard plastic with carbon fiber print tastefully decorated on the face. Make sure you remove the plastic stickers on the fan plates before installing into your machine. The backplate is solid metal and features MSI’s logo and some more carbon fiber streaks for aesthetics.

 

Cooling

The graphics card features MSI’s proprietary Tri-Frozr fans. MSI claims the TORX fans have a combined of 2 different blade designs infused into one fan to give superior cooling capabilities. The unique about this card is that the fans actually stop spinning when temperatures are below 60C and only starts when temperatures are above 60C.  Keeping the graphics card cool is a cornerstone of design and one many third party manufacturers focus on optimizing.

In addition to the fans, MSI also put a massive 8MM heatpipes that also helps dissipate heat during intense operation. The heatpipes also connect to a reinforced metal plate that acts as an additional heatsink and also prevent flexing due to the size of the graphics card.

The MSI Duke is also noticeable larger than the MSI X gaming therefore flexing may be an issue. Take a look at the picture below and you’ll noticed there’s 2 layers of reinforced plating sandwiching the circuitboard to provide both optimal heat dissipation and also anti-flexing. The anti-flexing held true as we did try to bend the graphics card and to no avail.

The Ports

The MSI 1080 TI Duke comes with your standard DVI port for those with older monitors. It has 2 HDMI 2.0 that can support 4K at 60Hz. You also get 2 1.4 Display ports that can support 4K at 120Hz or 8K at 60Hz (currently we don’t have any 8K displays yet, but in the future when we do, you’ll have a graphics card that can take advantage of it). This is the perfect configuration if you’re planning to setup your machine for VR.

For power, this graphics card (like all 1080 TI really) requires two 8-pin PCI Express power connectors that’s rated at 250 Watts. If your power supply doesn’t support 8-pin PCI, MSI graciously included an adapter for your 6-pin.

 

RGB Lighting

MSI promised that this is an RGB model meaning there will be configurable lights. The back plate looks nice and clean featuring MSI logo in all white and carbon fiber streaks, however it doesn’t light up. We don’t mind this, as when installed, the backplate is hardly visible anyway.

 

On the side, the MSI DUKE logo does light up and can be configured. The Geforce GTX doesn’t light up, probably not a bad thing for us because our poor wiring covers it anyway. Overall, the lighting aspect of the MSI 1080 TI Duke is disappointing as only the DUKE logo lights up.

Benchmark

Now it’s time to put the card to test. We decided to test single-player games instead of going online to really test the graphics card capabilities. Online games have the added layer of internet connection that could mislead our results.

For testing, we installed the MSI 1080 TI Duke into our rig. Below are the specs for our rig.

 

Owner’s Magazine’s Custom Rig

Case Dark Base 900 Pro (Premium case, bit expensive but definitely worth every penny. Check out our first look HERE)

Power SupplyDark Power Pro 11 850W 

CPU – Intel 7700K Kaby Lake

CPU Cooler – Dark Rock 3 

Motherboard – MSI Z270 Carbon Gaming Pro

RAM – 32GB DDR4 G.Skill Ripjaws 32

Graphics Card – MSI 1080 TI Duke

Monitor of Choice

We chose Pixio’s new 347c Prime monitor to review most of the higher end graphics card. Pixio’s 347c Prime is a $600 34″ monitor with aspect ratio of 21:9 giving us ultra-wide 1440p viewing with up to 5MM pixels. This is considerably more challenging output than traditional 1080P monitors, however not quite as demanding as 4K monitors. We enjoy the sweet spot in the middle and also enjoy the extra wide dimension of the Pixio 347c Prime. Review for the Pixio 347c Prime is coming soon.

Pixio 347c Prime

 

Keyboard

For this review, we decided to use Das Keyboard 4 Professional keyboard. It’s a professional grade german-made keyboard that’s used by many pros in E-Sport. Review for Das Keyboard 4 Professional coming soon.

 

Disclaimer: Owner’s Magazine wasn’t paid by either MSI, Be Quiet! or Pixio to promote products. All of the parts in our PC were chosen due to their respected quality and value determined by our engineers. We used quite a bit of Be Quiet!’s products due to their products generally being whispers even during heavy operation. And we chose Pixio’s monitor due to it’s value and desirable pixel density for testing high end graphics card. 

Witcher 3

Max FPS: 100

Low FPS: 92

Avg Temperature: 66C

The witcher 3

Battlefield 1

Max FPS: 100

Low FPS: 77

Avg Temperature: 71C

Battlefield 1 high end graphics card 1080 ti test

Doom

Max FPS: 100

Low FPS: 74

Avg Temperature: 68C

Doom PC gaming test

Dishonored 2

Surprisingly dropped below 60FPS during intense fight scenes.

Max FPS: 100

Low FPS: 55

Avg Temperature: 64C

Dishonored 2 1080 ti test

 

Call of Duty Infinity Warfare

Max FPS: 80

Low FPS: 52

Average Temperature: 79C

Call of Duty infinity warfare 1080ti test

Tital Fall 2

Max FPS: 100

Low FPS: 66

Avg Temperature: 72C

Tltan fall 2 1080 ti test

 

MSI 1080 Ti Duke Verdict

After testing the MSI 1080 TI Duke for several hours the card never got over 77C, and fan speed was silent for the most part. The unit handle most games on the list without a hitch. However that’s not surprisingly since 1080 TI typically are made to handle higher end games. Cooling was not an issue with the triple Frozr fans silently doing their job. Frame-rate was capped at 100 for our testing, and most games remained at 100 FPS even during intense fight sequences. The only game that gave us any issue was Call of Duty: Infinity Warfare. The graphics card could only output 80FPS maxed and even dipped below 60FPS during a few sequences. All of this was on a 34″ 1440P ultra-side Pixio 347c Prime monitor, not a 4K monitor.

When you’re shopping for 1080 TI, whether you’re looking at Asus, PNY, EVGA, or MSI they’re all relatively great performing cards. What separates them are the options, features, and bonuses that they come with. At the time of writing, the MSI 1080 TI DUKE is priced at $750 shipped on Amazon and that’s quite a steal given everything you get with it. It’s a solid performing card that comes with all essential ports for VR, has phenomenal cooling, rigid construction with additional heat plates (why the cooling was so good), slim profile (much thinner than the Asus Strix 1080 ti) making it easy to have SLI configuration, and it runs at no louder than a quiet whisper. The only drawback is the lackluster RGB lighting which they may as well not have done at all. Other than that, we put the MSI 1080 TI Duke right up there with all the other big boys.

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1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. John

    July 3, 2018 at 4:36 am

    You really should be exhausting your tower cooler to the rear. It might cover your 1st ram slot but you wouldn’t be choking your cpu on hot air…

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Technology

VSETT 9+ Electric Scooter Review (2024)

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vsett 9 electric scooter

Do you need to get around the city without using a bike or going on public transportation? The scooter is the ideal mode of transport for you. However, not all scooters can take you anywhere without a hitch. One of the best in the market is the VSETT 9+ Electric Scooter. Check out the features of this amazing scooter before buying one for yourself.

Features of the VSETT 9+

vsett features
Image source: VSETT Shop

Engine

The VSETT 9 series has two models, the VSETT 9 and VSETT 9+. 

One notable feature of the VSETT 9+ is the double engines. This makes your scooter accelerate faster and climb slopes better. You can reach 31.06 mph with the VSETT 9+ and travel up to 50 miles in one ride. But the 50 miles depend on other factors, like weather, weight, and speed. Additionally, the battery is 48 volts with LG cells.

Suspension

The VSETT 9 model comes with the Spring-R suspension technology. It’s their patented shock absorption tech. Plus, it has pneumatic tires, too. With these two features, you’ll have a smooth ride anywhere! 

NFC Key Lock

VSETT 9+ prevents theft with the NFC key lock. The scooter has a tag allowing you to maneuver the VSETT 9+. However, make sure to keep all tags with you at all times since a display replacement is required if you don’t have them with you anymore.

Lighting + Horn

Do you love riding at night but are worried about safety? Don’t fret. The VSETT 9+ is equipped with brake lights, bright headlights, and turning lights. However, VSETT recommends wearing additional reflective clothing when riding at night. You can turn on the lights by pressing a button on the handlebar. Finally, it has an electronic horn to make other riders and drivers hear you.

Foldable Design

The VSETT 9+ is a foldable scooter, allowing you to carry it anywhere! The handlebars and stem are collapsible, and you can fit the folded scooter under dining tables!

Water-Resistance

Get caught in the rain during a ride? No need to alight the scooter and grab another ride. You can still have a safe ride even in the rain with its IP54 water-resistant rating. However, it’s only suitable for light rain or when there are puddles.

Weight

Are you using your scooter for work or school? It carries up to 265 lbs of weight!

Charging

It has two charging modes: standard and fast. On the standard one, you can charge up to 10 hours and 30 minutes. Meanwhile, fast charging can take up to 4 hours and 30 minutes!

Pricing

The VSETT 9+ is 2090.00€ ($~2291.79)

What Do VSETT 9+ Electric Scooter Users Think?

Vsett Scooter
Image Source: VSETT Scooters

Many VSETT 9+ users agree on one thing. The electric scooter is steady and sturdy. You don’t have to worry about wobbling; you’re safe whenever you use this on the road. The aluminum alloy frame also contributes to the robust design, making rides safe and smooth.

Plus, many users feel safe using the scooter, not only because of the light but also because of the rear disc brakes! 

Another pro of using the electric scooter is its comfort. Not only does the suspension offer comfort, but it also has palm rests. Additionally, the kick plate helps you balance your ride and controls your speed.

However, the VSETT 9+ isn’t the ideal scooter for everybody. For one, many users aren’t exactly happy with the scooter’s weight. Since the scooter weighs 58 to 59 lbs, it can be a drag to carry everywhere. Plus, unfortunately, the horn isn’t great since it’s not too loud. Finally, some squeaks could irritate the rider.

Alternatives to the VSETT 9+

Although the VSETT 9+ is an excellent option for a ride, what are the other electric scooters to consider before saying YES to the VSETT 9+?

Hiboy S2

hiboy s2 scooter

One affordable alternative to the VSETT scooter is the Hiboy S2. It retails at $599. You can choose to buy a seated version for longer rides. It’s foldable, too, so you can bring it anywhere or park it without taking too much space. Plus, you have a max speed of 18.6 mph. Finally, you can download the app to customize your rides.

NIU KQi3

NIU KQi3 scooter

One of the most lauded electric scooters of 2024 is the NIU KQI. One of its main features is the regenerative braking system. You power up as you slow down. Additionally, it’s one of the best rides at night since it has advanced dual-disc braking systems. Plus, it has a halo headlight and bell, so that you can be seen and heard by other motorists. Additionally, it has pneumatic tires that offer a good grip and a handlebar that allows you to steer easily. The pricing starts at 599€ (~$650).

Segway Ninebot Kickscooter MAX

segway scooter
Image source: Segway

Another fan-favorite electric scooter is the Segway Ninebot Kickscooter Max. Many riders experience a comfortable and long-lasting ride. It has 10-inch pneumatic tires, 18.6 mph max speed, and built-in front LED lights. Another reason many love the Segway is its 20% hill-grade capabilities and rear-wheel drive to get you uphill without a hitch. Plus, it has three riding modes: eco, standard, and sports.

Final Thoughts

The VSETT 9+ is one of the best in smooth and safe rides. Plus, it’s one of the fastest scooters on the market. And you don’t have to worry about any wobbling and losing control with the suspension and the kick plate. However, it’s pricey, and users have found issues on the horn and other small areas that won’t fully affect your ride. Still, the VSETT 9+ scooter is one to consider if you want faster and safer rides on the road.

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Technology

Roborock S8 Robot Cleaner 2024 Review

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roborock s8

Robot floor cleaners are becoming more advanced and efficient these days. New models come up at a rapid pace, which makes finding the right one a huge challenge. One of the most popular brands, Roborock, introduces model after model of these cleaners, choosing one can be overwhelming. Here’s a review of its Roborock S8 to help you decide if this is the one for you.

The Different Roborock S8 Models

The Roborock S8 is a series of robot cleaners that comes in three variants: the entry-level Roborock S8, the mid-range Roborock S8+, and the flagship model, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra. As expected from a series such as this, each robot has better features than its predecessors. In this instance, all of these robot cleaners can vacuum and mop your floors. 

The difference is that the Roborock S8+ and the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra have dust bins that automatically empty. And since the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra is higher up the ladder than the two others, it is equipped with an auto mop washing and drying capability.

Roborock S8 Overview

roborock s8

While the two other variants of the Roborock S8 have automated features, the Roborock S8 isn’t bad at all. It is the company’s entry-level model and is its most affordable option. It is not, in any way, inferior.

The Roborock S8 has impressive features and capabilities. Below is a quick overview of what it can do:

6000Pa Suction Power: this machine can easily tackle deep-seated dirt, pet hair, and debris from hard floors and carpets.

VibraRise Sonic Mopping System: it scrubs floors with 3,000 vibrations per minute, removing stubborn dirt and stains to leave your floors bright and shiny.

Reactive 3D Obstacle Avoidance: it uses 3D structured light and infrared imaging technology, allowing the robot cleaner to navigate obstacles precisely.

Multi-Level Mapping System: it can manage multi-level mapping for up to four floors. This means it uses its object recognition system to identify furniture or landmarks. This helps it determine which map it is currently on automatically.

DuoRoller Brush: dual brushes that reduce hair tangles to ensure that hair and dirt are swept away easily.

Adaptive Carpet Boost: This feature automatically increases the robot cleaner’s suction power when transitioning to carpets to ensure thorough cleaning.

Roborock App: allows easy control of the robot cleaner and sets your individual preferences.

Roborock S8 Setup

Unpacking and setting up your Roborock S8 is quick and straightforward. You can also configure it based on your preferences in the app. Firstly, you need to plug the power cord into the charging station. Then, fill the tank with about 300 milliliters of water, and it’s ready to clean! Just press a button at the top to get it started.

To set up the app, download it to your smartphone. Connect it to the Wi-Fi and map your home. Explore the app so you can set it for your preferred cleaning schedules and many more options.

Roborock S8 Features and Specs

roborock s8 features

Aside from those mentioned above, the Roborock S8 has many more features you’ll find useful. Below is a list:

PreciSense LiDAR Navigation: this feature creates accurate and detailed maps of your home for efficient cleaning and multi-level support.

No-Go Zones and Virtual Walls: you can set virtual boundaries to protect areas of your home you don’t want the S8 to go to.

Selective Room Cleaning: you can program the robot cleaner to choose specific rooms to clean, customizing it to your specific needs.

Auto-lifting Mop: the robot cleaner automatically raises its mop when moving from carpets to hardwood floors to avoid accidental wetting.

App Control and Voice Assistant Compatibility: this lets you manage cleaning tasks, monitor their progress, and adjust the settings from your smartphone or by using voice commands such as Alexa or Google Assistant.

Long-lasting Battery: this robot cleaner can do its job for up to 180 minutes on a single charge to cover a considerable number of areas efficiently.

Child Lock: to help protect against accidental activation by children or pets.

Washable Filters: keeps maintenance at a minimum and saves on costs.

Quiet Operation: a quiet mechanism to efficiently clean without disturbing the peace.

Here are the Roborock S8 specifications:

Color: black and white

Volume: 68.5dB

Suitable area: up to 300㎡

Rated power: 69W

Dustbin capacity: 400 ml

Battery Capacity: 5200 mAh lithium-ion battery

Runtime: Up to 180 minutes

Charge time: Approximately 4 hours

Weight: 4.7 kg (10.4 lbs)

Dimensions: Diameter: 353 mm (13.9 inches), Height: 96.5 mm (3.8 inches)

Water tank capacity: 300 ml

Connectivity: Wi-Fi: 2.4 GHz

Roborock S8 Pros and Cons

While the Roborock S8 offers many wonderful features, it still has its downsides. Here is a list of the pros and cons to help you make an informed decision.

Pros:

  • It has a powerful vacuum
  • Quick and easy setup
  • It provides effective mopping and scrubbing
  • Accurate mapping capabilities
  • Functional and feature-rich app
  • Precise navigation capabilities
  • It is more affordable than the other S8 robot cleaners
  • Lift function that dries carpets while mopping

Cons:

  • No auto-emptying and maintenance features
  • No replacement mop included
  • It may not be suitable for thicker carpets
  • There are reports of the app experiencing glitches from time to time

Roborock S8 Review

roborock s8 review

The Roborock S8 is an incredible robot cleaner with powerful cleaning capabilities, smart navigation, and convenience features. While it does not have the bells and whistles of others in its series, it is still a robot cleaner worth your money. It delivers top-notch performance with high levels of customization and control.

Its affordability is due to its lack of an auto-emptying dock. This option is excellent for those who want thorough cleaning but want to stay within a budget. However, this can be a dealbreaker for those who want a fully automated cleaning experience.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a powerful cleaning tool that’s also cost-effective, the Roborock S8 is an excellent option. It is a high-end robot cleaning machine with a good blend of strengths and a few minor drawbacks. 

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Technology

Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1: The Best Robot Vacuum of 2024

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robot vacuum

Robot vacuums stand out as a common element of smart living. This modern chore assistant helps achieve spotless floors at the tap of a button. However, dozens of robot vacuums are available in the market today, making your search for the most reliable device tricky. If you want to own one this year, consider the ultimate cleaning power of Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum

Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 Overview 

shark matrix plus 2 in 1

Source: sharkclean.com

The Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop represents an innovative cleaning technology catering to the diverse needs of modern households. This sleek device is more than just a vacuum. It is proof of Shark’s commitment to efficient and innovative cleaning. With features like Sonic Mopping, Matrix Clean, and a HEPA Bagless Self-Empty Base, it guarantees to transform how we think about household chores. 

The product is designed to work on various surfaces with precision and care. The Sonic Mopping Technology can tackle even the toughest dirt and stains gently and effectively. It uses a vibrating cleaning pad that mimics the motion of hand scrubbing. Coupled with the Matrix Clean system, it provides deep cleaning, ensuring no dirt, pet hair, or dust is left behind.

The Shark Matrix 2-in-1 does not just clean floors; it understands them. The Home Mapping technology feature creates a detailed map of your living space, ensuring every corner is covered and cleaned efficiently. It allows users to choose specific rooms for cleaning or set no-go zones, providing complete control over the cleaning process. 

Likewise, it offers a powerful solution for households that worry about pet hair and other allergens. Its HEPA Bagless Self-Empty Base catches and contains 99.97% dust and allergens, helping you achieve a healthier living environment. In addition, the CleanEdge technology tackles pet hair, making this robot vacuum an ideal choice for pet owners. 

But wait, the features don’t end there. The Shark Plus 2-in-1 is WiFi-enabled and compatible with Alexa for voice commands and remote control via an app. So, even if you are away from home, you can let your intelligent chore assistant make your home spotless. With a few taps on your smartphone, you can start, stop, or schedule cleaning sessions. 

Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 Technical Specifications 

shark matrix plus 2 in 1

Below are the detailed specifications of the Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum and Mop

Special Features: 

  • Self-emptying Base that can hold up to 60 days of dirt and debris 
  • Reliable HEPA Filtration that captures and traps 99.97% of dust and allergens

Brand: Shark

Model Name: Shark RV2610WA

Unique Feature: High Precision Sensors, HEPA Filter

Color: Black/Silver

What’s Included in the Package: 

  • Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 Robot
  • XL HEPA Self-Empty Base
  • 1 Filter
  • 1 Side Brush
  • 2 Microfiber Reusable Mopping Pads
  • 12oz. Starter VACMOP Cleaning Solution

Features: 

  • Tackle Stuck on Stains. The Sonic Mopping scrubs hard floors 100x per minute. Start Matrix Mop in the app to get 50% better stain cleaning in targeted zones for extra deep cleaning. 
  • Self-Cleaning Brushroll. It thoroughly cleans carpets and directly tackles hardwood floors, effectively removing debris, hair, and dirt from every surface in your home.
  • Precision Home Mapping. 360° LiDAR vision accurately maps your home so your robot can methodically clean. The device can also detect and avoid objects in its path, day or night, and adapt to everyday changes in the home.
  • Ideal for Homes with Pets. With powerful suction, sonic mopping, and Shark’s self-cleaning brush roll, the robot quickly picks up pet hair and eliminates stuck-on pet messes.
  • Ensures No Spots Missed. The robotic vacuum cleanses in a precision matrix grid with Matrix Clean, taking multiple passes over dirt and debris. The Shark RV2610WA delivers 30% better carpet cleaning versus the RV2610WD model.
  • Self-Emptying and Self-Charging. It has a storage capacity for up to 60 days of dirt and debris, and its bagless base eliminates the need for additional disposal bags. With the Recharge & Resume feature, the robot automatically recharges and resumes cleaning from where it left off.
  • Incredible Suction and Sonic Mopping. The device serves as a powerful whole-home vacuum for carpets and floors, with the added convenience of emptying its dustbin. Additionally, it functions as a potent vacuum that simultaneously sonic mops hard floors. The battery life extends up to 60 days.
  • HEPA Filtration and Anti-Allergen Seal. The True HEPA filtration captures and traps 99.97%* of dust and allergens, reaching as small as 0.3 microns, all within the base.
  • Cleans Edges and Corners.  The CleanEdge Detect technology uses blasts of air and corner recognition to effectively remove debris. This innovative feature pulls debris into the cleaning path, resulting in 50% better edge cleaning compared to the RV2610WD with CleanEdge turned off.

Pros: 

  • Accurate and fast mapping
  • A self-emptying base is reliable and convenient
  • Smartly avoids collisions and stuck wheels
  • Don’tWon’t leave wet floors a sopping mess

Cons: 

  • Tend to be too noisy for nighttime operation

Conclusion

If you’ve had poor experiences with vacuums wanting to switch or are a beginner, the Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 is the best option. Overall, the Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 Robot Vacuum & Mop RV2610WA is a marvel of cleaning technology, designed to make life easier and homes cleaner. 

It’s not just about the innovative features like Sonic Mopping or the HEPA Bagless Self-Empty Base. It is how Shark Matrix Plus 2-in-1 integrates these fantastic features to provide a seamless and efficient cleaning experience. Everything about the Shark Matrix Plus is crafted to enhance your cleaning routine. For those seeking a futuristic, efficient, and powerful cleaning companion, the Shark Matrix Plus is a clear choice. 

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