Narwal Freo X Ultra Review: Beautiful, powerful and quiet!
Today we will get acquainted with the new robot vacuum cleaner NARWAL Freo X Ultra. Building upon the success of its predecessor, the Narwal Freo X Ultra sets a new standard in home cleaning, offering enhanced performance and convenience.
Retaining its core functionalities, the Freo X Ultra remains a versatile vacuum robot equipped with rotating mopping pads that self-clean with fresh water in the dedicated station. However, significant optimizations have been made to enhance performance. The suction power has been dramatically increased from 3000 Pascals to an impressive 8200 Pa, ensuring thorough cleaning on various surfaces.
Moreover, Narwal promises improved obstacle detection, ensuring seamless navigation even in cluttered environments. The main brush is now equipped with a hair prevention system, minimizing tangles and reducing maintenance efforts for users.
Narwal Freo X Ultra: Video Review
| Specs | NARWAL Freo X Ultra |
| Dimensions Robot Vacuum | 350 x 355 x 107 mm |
| Dimensions Charging Base | 415 x 370 x 434 mm |
| Weight Base Station | 8.5kg |
| Weight Robot Vacuum | 4.25kg |
| Battery | 5200mAh |
| Charging Time | Approx. 4 hours |
| Battery Life | 210 min |
| Sensors | Tri-Laser structured light, lnfrared, Ultrasonic |
| Suction Power | 8,200 Pa |
| Mopping Pressure | 12N |
| Mop Pad Design | Dual spinning & scrubbing, Reuleaux triangular mops |
| Auto Mop Lifting | 12mm |
| Roller Brush | Zero-Tangling, Floating Brush |
| Robot Built-in Dust Emptying | 1L disposable bag |
| Dust Bin/Bag Drying | Yes |
| Auto Mop Washing & Drying | Yes |
| Auto Detergent Dispensing | Yes |
| Freo Advice | Auto-detection of heavy dirt zones |
| Voice Control | Siri |
Unpacking
The Narwal Freo X Ultra is presented in a beautifully illustrated box, adding a touch of elegance to the unboxing experience. Alongside the vacuum robot and washing station, the package includes essential accessories such as a transparent dust container, three dust bags (with one pre-inserted), a bottle of cleaning agent, and comprehensive operating instructions.
Narwal Freo X Ultra: Design
The new Narwal Freo X Ultra stands as a testament to evolutionary refinement rather than radical redesign. While its appearance closely resembles its predecessor, subtle improvements in controls and lighting details enhance its usability.
Measuring 350 mm in width, 350 mm in length, and 110 mm in height, the Freo X Ultra is a mid-sized cleaning robot equipped with a laser tower. Crafted from high-quality materials with a smooth surface, it boasts durability and resistance to scratches, ensuring a pristine appearance even after prolonged use.
Atop the robot, the distinctive white, spring-loaded laser turret houses a purple LiDAR sensor, signaling the unit’s advanced navigation capabilities. Two controls, integrated within a chrome-colored frame, offer manual intervention:
- Power: Initiates, halts, or pauses cleaning operations.
- Home: Directs the robot back to its charging station.
The front features a shock absorber with a small window housing the Obstacle Avoidance or Laser Vision Sensor, along with side-mounted wall distance sensors upgraded to laser technology. Rearward, two charging contacts, an air outlet, and a control roller adorn the unit, distinguishing it from conventional vacuum robots.
The easily detachable white plastic hood, magnetically secured, reveals an unconventional interior. The dust container, resembling a plastic bag, deviates from traditional rigid designs. However, users have the option to forego bags, utilizing the included dust container, albeit without the mentioned dust compression feature.
Beneath the surface lies innovation. Steering wheel placement behind the mops minimizes noise and ensures smoother navigation. Unconventional side brushes, seemingly missing an arm, complement various cleaning modes for enhanced efficiency. Triangular mops at the rear, designed to eliminate unwiped streaks, along with six crash sensors, underscore the unit’s meticulous approach to cleaning.
The standout feature is the ingeniously crafted floor brush, comprising rubber slats and bristles designed to prevent hair entanglement. Engineered at a 50° angle and attached to one side, it effectively clears hair into the suction opening, akin to Dyson’s mite brush, ensuring uninterrupted cleaning performance.
Station
As for the washing station, everything seemed to be done correctly in the previous model. Therefore, the company has used this design again in the new Narwal Freo X Ultra.
The glossy plastic washing station, measuring 435 mm in height, 400 mm in length, and 370 mm in width, retains its sleek appearance, but with some changes.
Opening the hood reveals two sizable water tanks, a testament to Narwal’s commitment to thorough cleaning. The 4.5-liter fresh water tank ensures a constant supply of clean water to the mop wash, promoting optimal cleaning efficacy. During the cleaning cycle, the mops rotate within a knobbed washing bowl, immersed in water from the fresh water tank, rejuvenating them for subsequent tasks. Should the mops require further cleaning, the station autonomously initiates additional wash cycles, ensuring pristine results. The resulting wastewater is efficiently channeled into the 4.1-liter wastewater tank, requiring periodic maintenance for optimal performance.
Adjacent to the water tanks lies a connection for the provided cleaning solution, enhancing cleaning effectiveness while mitigating unpleasant odors in the wastewater tank. By introducing a measured amount of cleaning agent during mop cleaning, Narwal tackles dirt and odor buildup, maintaining a hygienic environment throughout cleaning cycles.
A noteworthy addition to the Freo X Ultra’s washing station is the hot air drying function, a testament to Narwal’s commitment to hygiene. Following the washing cycle, warm air circulates around the mops, expediting drying and inhibiting germ and bacteria growth. This proactive measure not only prevents foul odors but also mitigates the risk of mold formation, ensuring the longevity of the mops and preserving cleaning efficiency.
Despite opting against a traditional suction station within the washing station, Narwal ingeniously addresses dust disposal concerns. By positioning the dust bag within the robot’s dust container compartment, the Freo X Ultra utilizes a robust airflow mechanism to compress vacuumed debris. This innovative approach minimizes the frequency of dust bag replacement, streamlining maintenance tasks and enhancing user convenience.
Narwhal app
The Narwal Freo X Ultra offers a comprehensive app for Android and iOS platforms.
Setting cleaning modes and planning routines becomes effortless with the app’s intuitive interface. Users can specify cleaning schedules, adjust settings, and even designate specific rooms for cleaning or exclude certain areas. Real-time updates on cleaning progress and notifications alert users when cleaning is complete or when the robot requires charging, ensuring seamless integration into daily life.
A standout feature of the app is its 3D animation of the living space, providing users with a visual representation of their home and allowing for precise control over cleaning tasks. Moreover, users can specify the floor material of individual rooms, enabling the Freo X Ultra to adjust water usage accordingly, preserving delicate surfaces like wooden floors.
Navigation is intuitive, allowing users to access features effortlessly. The connection between the app and the robot is established via WiFi, with support for 2.4 GHz networks. To access the app’s features, users must create a user account with Narwal, ensuring personalized and secure access to their cleaning preferences.
Cleaning quality
With the integration of three lasers, ultrasound, and infrared light, the Freo X Ultra ensures meticulous mapping of its environment, creating accurate floor plans in record time. Even in my 65 square meter apartment, the initial mapping process took a mere 9 minutes, showcasing the robot’s speed and efficiency. Notably, the Freo X Ultra can seamlessly incorporate newly accessible rooms into its map, a convenient feature for spaces initially inaccessible due to locked doors.
Compared to its predecessor, the Freo X Ultra demonstrates enhanced intelligence in cleaning and navigation. It adeptly identifies and avoids obstacles, even navigating around small objects like toys with remarkable accuracy. The robot’s obstacle detection is exemplary, ensuring thorough cleaning without damaging delicate items. However, challenges persist with cable management, as the robot may occasionally become entangled, albeit infrequently during my testing.
The Freo X Ultra robot vacuum employs innovative features to maintain cleaning efficiency. By lifting its mopping pads when transitioning onto carpets, the robot prevents dirty areas from contaminating clean floors. Additionally, a carpet boost function enhances suction power on carpets, effectively removing visible dirt and debris. With a suction power of 8200 Pa, the Freo X Ultra outperforms its predecessor, particularly evident in carpet cleaning where it excels at deep cleaning.
The robot’s mopping performance is commendable, thanks to two rotating microfiber pads regularly refreshed in the washing station. The Freo X Ultra effectively removes footprints, mud, and small spills, surpassing conventional mopping robots with its superior cleaning capabilities. However, it struggles with stubborn stains or burnt-on dirt, a limitation consistent with its predecessor.
Autonomy
While specific battery capacity details are not provided by the manufacturer, the Narwal Freo X Ultra promises an identical runtime of up to 3.5 hours. In practical testing scenarios, cleaning a 30m² area consumes approximately 21% of the battery, indicating that the robot can effectively clean a 120m² area on a single charge. With a cleaning duration of 60 minutes, the Freo X Ultra showcases its efficiency in tackling larger spaces without compromising performance.
Moreover, users can expect the Freo X Ultra to surpass its advertised runtime, with theoretical projections suggesting a potential runtime of 4 to 5 hours. Charging the Narwal Freo X Ultra takes approximately 4 hours.
Narwal Freo X Ultra: Conclusion
The Narwal Freo X Ultra epitomizes excellence, living up to the reputation of its esteemed manufacturer. As a versatile cleaning robot, it showcases intelligent decision-making capabilities, ensuring efficient and effective cleaning outcomes. Crafted with precision and durability in mind, the Freo X Ultra operates quietly, making it an ideal companion for cleaning tasks, particularly on tiled surfaces.
One of the standout features of the Freo X Ultra is its remarkable pressure floor when mopping, which effortlessly tackles stubborn dirt and grime. Moreover, its innovative floor brush design prevents hair from becoming entangled, ensuring uninterrupted cleaning performance. The robot’s autonomy shines through as it autonomously determines the necessity for additional cleaning in particularly soiled areas, showing its adaptability and efficiency.
While the Freo X Ultra eschews a suction station in favor of dust compression technology, it delivers commendable performance in maintaining clean floors. Although not as robust as a dedicated suction station, the 1-liter dust bags offer a convenient solution, minimizing the need for frequent replacements. However, there is room for improvement in terms of suction power and climbing capabilities, as observed during testing. Despite these minor shortcomings, the Freo X Ultra remains a solid choice for those seeking a reliable cleaning solution with exceptional mopping functionality and an innovative floor brush.
You can also check out the best-selling Robotic Vacuums on Amazon:
