Our Verdict
The Narwal Freo X Ultra excels where many robot vacuums fall short: mopping. While most robots treat mopping as a secondary feature, Narwal has engineered the Freo X Ultra to be a genuine floor washing solution. The DirtSense technology ensures thoroughly clean floors, the zero-tangling brush eliminates a major maintenance headache, and the EdgeSwing system tackles baseboards like no other robot.
At $1,199, it's positioned in the premium tier, and the price is justified for users who value exceptional mopping performance. The vacuuming capabilities are strong too, making this a well-rounded cleaning solution rather than a one-trick pony.
DirtSense Technology
DirtSense is Narwal's standout innovation. Optical sensors analyze mop water cleanliness in real-time. If the water is still dirty after a mopping pass, the robot automatically makes another pass until the water runs clear. This ensures floors are genuinely clean, not just dampened.
During testing, we intentionally created dirty areas with spilled juice and tracked-in dirt. The Freo X Ultra consistently made multiple passes on these areas while skipping additional passes on already-clean floors. This intelligent approach saves time and water while improving results.
Zero-Tangling Main Brush
Narwal's zero-tangling brush design is a game-changer for maintenance. The conical rubber brush channels hair toward the ends where it's automatically removed. After weeks of testing in a home with long-haired occupants and pets, we found virtually no hair wrapping - a dramatic improvement over traditional brushes that require cutting hair free weekly.
EdgeSwing Mopping System
The EdgeSwing feature extends one mop pad outward when approaching walls, allowing it to clean along baseboards and into corners more effectively. Combined with strong mopping pressure and the DirtSense re-cleaning, it achieves edge cleaning results that manual mopping would struggle to match.
The dual rotating mops spin at high speed while applying 12N of downward pressure - significantly more than most competitors. This aggressive mopping effectively removes sticky spills and stubborn stains that would challenge other robot mops.
Solid Vacuuming Performance
While mopping is the star, the 8,200Pa suction ensures excellent vacuuming too. It handled pet hair, cereal, and fine dust across hard floors and carpets with ease. The large dustbin capacity means less frequent emptying, and the self-empty base holds several weeks of debris.
Navigation and Mapping
LiDAR navigation combined with AI vision provides reliable mapping and obstacle avoidance. The mapping is accurate and fast, typically completing whole-home maps in under 20 minutes. Obstacle avoidance worked well during testing, though it's not quite as sophisticated as the top-tier systems from Roborock or Dreame.
Dock and Maintenance
The all-in-one dock is feature-rich but large - ensure you have adequate floor space. It automatically empties the dustbin, washes and dries the mop pads with hot air, and manages both clean and dirty water. The mop washing is particularly effective, keeping pads fresh for weeks.
Maintenance is minimal thanks to the zero-tangling brush. You'll need to empty and refill water tanks every 1-2 weeks and replace the dust bag monthly, but daily or weekly maintenance is virtually eliminated.
App Experience
The Narwal app provides good control over cleaning schedules, no-go zones, and mopping intensity. The interface could be more intuitive - we found ourselves hunting for some settings - but it's functional once you learn the layout. App updates have improved stability since launch.
Who Should Buy This?
The Narwal Freo X Ultra is ideal for:
- Users who prioritize mopping performance above all else
- Homes with mostly hard floors (tile, hardwood, vinyl)
- Long-haired households tired of brush maintenance
- Those wanting the best edge and baseboard cleaning
If you have mostly carpeting or need maximum vacuuming power for thick rugs, consider the Dreame X40 Ultra instead. For balanced vacuuming and mopping at a lower price, the Roborock Q Revo MaxV is an excellent alternative.
