ORDER AND SAVE ON SEPT. 12: On Sept. 4, Narwal unveiled the Freo Z10 Ultra robot vacuum and mop combination. Starting Sept. 12, it will be available for purchase at an early bird price of $899, with a final retail price of $1,299 set to take effect after Sept. 28.
A gray self-emptying robot vacuum is important news for anyone looking to coordinate with stainless steel appliances. Nevertheless, the new Narwal robot vacuum and mop combo provides more than mere aesthetic harmony. Officially announced on Sept. 4, the Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra can be purchased for $899 on Sept. 12, which will rise to its actual MSRP of $1,299 after Sept. 28. My review unit arrived the evening before the announcement — here are my first impressions to keep in mind until then.
The self-emptying dock is capable of storing four months’ worth of debris — the largest capacity I’ve encountered in a robot vacuum.
Apart from one inexpensive Shark robot vacuum I tested last year, I seldom come across robot vacuums that aren’t black or white — Narwal wisely opted for millennial gray. The dock’s round shape is largely due to sizable water tanks for prolonged self-maintenance, though this likely excludes this model from being suitable for compact living areas (and because it would take considerable effort to carry up a walk-up). The touchscreen on the lid is a welcomed feature for those who prefer not to be reliant on an app all the time.
The Z10 Ultra appears to emphasize adaptive cleaning, a trait I first admired in the last Narwal robot vacuum I tested: the CleanTok favorite Freo X Ultra. One of my top suggestions to enhance a robot vacuum’s effectiveness is to schedule it for two cleaning cycles rather than one. This may seem straightforward, but many applications necessitate excessive toggling to locate that option. However, the Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra likely bypasses even that. Its entire methodology involves real-time decisions, utilizing dual RGB sensors and dual AI chips to assess the environment dynamically and respond to messes and obstructions accordingly. For example, if a liquid spill is detected, the Freo Z10 Ultra is said to modify its mopping and water flow approach.
I’m especially curious about the triangular rotating mopping pads featured here. They extend from beneath the vacuum like several other mopping robot vacuums, but will this distinct shape actually improve corner mopping compared to, say, the Roborock Saros 10R?
The Freo Z10 Ultra’s suction power of 18,000 Pa isn’t revolutionary, but it matches the performance of other leading robot vacuums within the $1,000+ price category. The Roborock Saros 10 and Saros 10R, which I frequently recommend, achieve 22,000 Pa and 20,000 Pa, respectively, and both are priced at $300 more than the Freo Z10 Ultra. It also exceeds the basic Freo Z10’s 15,000 Pa and significantly outperforms the Freo X Ultra’s 8,200 Pa. To me, a vacuum doesn’t need to boast the highest specifications on paper to be seen as a valuable purchase. Consistent attention to detail is equally important to the automated experience, and the Freo Z10 Ultra could be a well-priced vacuum cleaner for discerning users like myself.