Honest review of Narwal Freo x Ultra vacuum and mop, the ultimate two-in-one

The two-in-one gadget even avoids small toys left on the floor! 

With three kids and long dark hair, my light floors are always sticky or dusty. I'm constantly vacuuming, sweeping, or mopping in various combinations to keep my home sparkling clean, only for my kids to mess it up seconds later. 

So I was thrilled, delighted even, to welcome a vacuum (and mop) that I can set and forget while I sit on the couch or go out and do my other million errands. 

It was my first robot vacuum, and I was hesitant to get one, given the number of small toys blissfully abandoned on my floor. But I learned that the Narwal Freo x Ultra is clever enough to avoid toys and ooshies. You know who doesn't know that? My kids!

I used the robot vacuum to get them to pack everything away; I told them that I was turning it on and that if they didn't get everything off the floor - it would be sucked into a black hole. 

I love the vacuum already. Feel free to use it on your kids, but know that the vacuum will go around their toys. 

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What is the Narwal Freo x Ultra?

The Narwal Freo X Ultra is a 2-in-1 robot vacuum that makes cleaning a breeze. It's the big brother of Narwal Freo. This model steps up the game by introducing a higher suction power—more than double that of the previous model—with certified zero hair tangling and tri-laser navigation and avoidance. 

In one relatively compact unit, it is a vacuum and mop - complete with drying capabilities. Its AI technology detects different floor surfaces, so if you have a rug in your living room, it won't ruin it. I have a shag carpet, and it manoeuvred its way over it. It was kind of like watching Wall-E.

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How does it work? 

Don't let the big box scare you; it's pretty easy to set up; fill up the clean water tank, pop in the detergent, and remove a few protectors and stickers, and you're ready to blast off into the future. 

Once you download the app on your phone, the unit guides you through the setup—yes, it talks! Then, the little unit is ready to scan your space to understand the terrain and map out your house. It's not as creepy as it sounds. You can then add your furniture and define the carpet or "no-go" zones. 

After the mapping is done, it's time to start cleaning. The app is very user-friendly; you can choose to vacuum and mop or one or the other. You can even program the schedules so that once it's set, your floors will sparkle.  

If you have programmed your robot to vacuum and mop—rather than vacuum, then mop—the floor type adaption is especially useful. Instead of getting your carpets or rugs soaked with a wet mop, the Freo X Ultra lifts the mop pads by 12mm to initiate suction-only mode.

Additional options and settings in the app allow you to set the detergent, drying intensity, cleaning mode, and more. When a cleaning cycle has finished, the robot will return to the base station to wash and dry the mops.

The dust bags have a filter attached to ensure the same level of cleaning and filtration. The disposable bags can carry up to 1L of dirt and dust.

I'm not fussed about the disposable bags. Pressing the clip on the side of the dustbin releases the waste quickly. And dirt doesn't build up since the Freo X Ultra cleans and dries the bin when it returns to the base station.

The only thing it can't do for itself is replenish the water and clean out the dust and dirty water. But compared to physically mopping or vacuuming myself, it's manageable. 

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How much does it cost?

It's a hard pill to swallow because it costs a small fortune. It retails for $2,299. 

Now, this seems like a lot, and it is. But calculate how much you spend on vacuums and mops, factor in your time, and it's not as ridiculous as you think. 

My verdict? 

My other (name shall remain nameless) vacuum has seen better days with the build-up of my hair in the bristles, so I was eager to find out whether it could live up to its promise. 

It did! No hair was in the brush part, but plenty was in the dustbin, so I know it cleaned the floor. As the vacuum neatly compresses what it sucks up, you might not have to empty the dustbin for up to 7 weeks, which is very impressive. 

I have used it regularly, and I think it's wonderful. While I mainly program it to run while we are out, I've been there when it's on; it's quiet and gets the job done. 

Another feature that I loved was its child lock setting. I discovered this after my toddler sent the robot on its way. I wasn't too upset; it was a great energy burner for him as he chased it around the living room. You can also pause it from your phone! 

With my never-ending household chores, vacuuming and mopping are at the bottom of my priority list. But with the Narwal Freo X Ultra, I can stay on top of the cleaning with minimal effort. 

Now, if only a robot would wash and fold my laundry, I'd be set! 

Originally published as Honest review of Narwal Freo x Ultra vacuum and mop, the ultimate two-in-one