Photon vs Root
Side-by-side comparison of Photon (Photon Entertainment) and Root (iRobot Corporation (Amazon subsidiary)) — specs, pricing, Robo Score, and verified deployments. Updated daily.
Optimize comparison for buyer
Layer 1: Identity & Trust
Manufacturer Country
- PhotonPoland
- RootUnited States
Year First Available
- Photon2017
- Root2018
Verified Deployments
- Photon0 Deployments
- Root0 Deployments
Layer 2: Operational
Price
- Photon$215 USD
- Root$199 USD
Battery / Shift Runtime
- Photon8 hrs
- Root—
Availability Status
- PhotonACTIVE
- RootACTIVE
Layer 3: Category Specific
Max Speed
- Photon0.4 m/s
- Root0.1 m/s
Autonomy Level
- Photonsemi-autonomous
- Rootsemi-autonomous
| | |
|---|---|---|
| Layer 1: Identity & Trust | ||
| Manufacturer Country (values differ) | Poland | United States |
| Year First Available (values differ) | 2017 | 2018 |
| Verified Deployments | 0 Deployments | 0 Deployments |
| Layer 2: Operational | ||
| Price (values differ) | $215 USD | $199 USD |
| Battery / Shift Runtime (values differ) | 8 hrs | — |
| Availability Status | ACTIVE | ACTIVE |
| Layer 3: Category Specific | ||
| Max Speed (values differ) | 0.4 m/s | 0.1 m/s |
| Autonomy Level | semi-autonomous | semi-autonomous |
Insufficient data for full comparison
The following fields had no data for any of the selected robots: Payload Capacity, Reach, IP Rating
ROI Comparison
Same operating assumptions across every robot — the only difference is price. Set your numbers once to see which pays back fastest.
Annual labor displaced (per robot): $50,000
| Metric | Photon | Root |
|---|---|---|
| Investment | $215 | $199 |
| Payback period | < 1 mo | < 1 mo |
| Net savings (5 yr) | $249,785 | $249,801 |
| ROI (5 yr) | +116179% | +125528% |
Estimates labor-cost displacement only — not a full total cost of ownership. Actual ROI depends on integration, maintenance, training, downtime, and task fit. Converted currencies are indicative; USD is the price of record.
Trade-offs at a glance
Frequently asked
Who makes Photon and Root?
Photon is made by Photon Entertainment, based in PL. Root is made by iRobot Corporation (Amazon subsidiary), based in US.
When were Photon and Root launched?
Photon launched in 2017. Root launched in 2018.
How much does Photon cost compared to Root?
Photon is listed at $215. Root is listed at $199.
How do Photon and Root compare on the Robo Score?
Photon scores 58.9 on the Robo Score. Root scores 67.7. The Robo Score is a 0–100 credibility figure blending commercial maturity, verified deployments, company standing, and independent coverage — see methodology for the full breakdown.
Are Photon and Root in the same category?
Both robots are classified as Education on Robolist. Filters and ranking treat them as direct alternatives.
What should a buyer ask vendors when choosing between Photon and Root?
Spec sheets only show part of the story. Useful vendor questions cover support, lifecycle, integration cost, and references. We have a buyer-focused checklist: The Education Robot Vendor RFP: Questions and Red Flags.
Going deeper — picking the right robot
The Education Robot Vendor RFP: Questions and Red Flags
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A 90-Day Classroom Robotics Rollout Playbook
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Decision Framework: Matching Robots to Grade Band and Learning Goals
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Build vs buy vs lease: which model fits a first deployment
8 min readChoosing Your First Robot
The hidden specs vendors hope you'll miss
10 min readReading the Spec Sheet
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About this comparison
Photon vs Root compares two robots in the education category. All data is sourced from manufacturer spec sheets, verified deployments, and third-party filings; see our methodology for how the Robo Score is calculated.