A whale of a clear

Robotic vacuums have come a good distance for the reason that early days when all they did was vacuum, and even then it was a barely satisfactory job. Lately, nevertheless, robotic vacuums have grow to be so good they’ll clear virtually in addition to you possibly can whenever you put in 100% of your effort. They’ll actually do it extra effectively. Enter the Narwal Freo X Extremely, the most recent robotic vacuum I’ve had the pleasure of testing, and, most actually the neatest. The Freo X Extremely is jam-packed with options that ship an virtually completely hands-off clear. Thoughts you, at a really steep value.

The one instances I ever interacted with it have been to begin the cleansing periods within the app, and to replenish the water container. Which you’ll must do now and again. I haven’t been utilizing it lengthy sufficient to undergo one of many included mud baggage. So I’ve but to wish to take it out and change it. The purpose is, I’ve barely needed to do something with the vacuum apart from hit the beginning button. And I haven’t needed to clear my flooring myself in weeks. With its laundry listing of options and the guarantees from Narwal of its cleansing prowess, I had excessive hopes going into this assessment. And I can proudly say I used to be not let down.

Let’s dive into this assessment additional to see how the Freo X Extremely stacks up and if it’s value your hard-earned cash. Since you’ll must spend fairly a bit to carry one in all these dwelling.

Narwal Freo X Extremely Overview: {Hardware} & Design

In laying eyes upon the Freo X Extremely for the primary time, the one factor going by my thoughts was how large it was. As a robotic vacuum, it’s concerning the measurement you would possibly count on. It’s an enormous spherical disc of a robotic. Not essentially a lot greater than different vacuums I’ve used. However actually not smaller. And that’s superb, actually. It leaves extra room for the parts that give this factor all the helpful features it presents. What actually caught my eye was how large the bottom station is.

It’s huge. And after I say huge, I imply huge. It takes up a big chunk of area on the ground. In distinction to the Switchbot K10+ mini robotic vacuum I examined final month, your complete factor might be at the least double the dimensions. Which suggests it might or will not be the most suitable choice for small flats. Definitely not those who don’t have laborious flooring that want a mopping system. Though, that’s actually true of any robotic vacuum.

The purpose is that it is a large unit. So that you’ll need to make certain you’ve a little bit of area for it on the ground. Even when it’s important to transfer some issues round, so long as you’ve someplace you possibly can tuck it away, you’re good. I do really feel although that it merely gained’t be workable for everybody. It will rely upon what your furnishings setup seems like. Some locations have little or no additional area and also you merely could not have room close to an outlet to arrange the bottom station. And if there have been any drawbacks to the vacuum other than the value, it must be this. Dimension apart, the design of the Freo X Extremely is clever and considerate.

Carry handles on the bottom station are a pleasant contact

I’ll briefly use the Yeedi Dice for example right here as a result of Narwal’s design selections are on this degree. Again after I reviewed the Yeedi Dice there was one factor I completely cherished about it. The deal with on prime of the vacuum served as a carry deal with to maneuver it from room to room and between flooring. The Freo X Extremely doesn’t have a carry deal with on the vacuum. However it does have carry handles on the aspect of the bottom station. And I’d wager that actually, that’s somewhat extra necessary.

We’ve already established that the bottom station is an enormous unit. Narwal is aware of this. So it designed handles into the aspect of the bottom station you possibly can seize to make transferring the bottom station a lot simpler. Now, you aren’t going to be transferring this factor rather a lot. However in the event you ever do want to maneuver it, equivalent to in the course of the preliminary setup, that is going to simplify the method. That is the one vacuum I’ve seen with this sort of design, and I feel was a really good transfer on Narwal’s half.

The bottom station will get even heavier when you have the water tank in there utterly full. And if for any cause it is advisable transfer it after you fill it up, it’s actually extra work to tug the tank out, then transfer the bottom station, after which put it again in. It’s extra environment friendly to simply choose up the bottom station and transfer it with out eradicating something apart from the vacuum itself.

The self-contained mud baggage are genius, hidden beneath a slick magnetic lid

Along with the handles on the aspect of the bottom station, there’s a tiny lid on the highest of the vacuum that may be pulled off to disclose just a few issues. Such because the QR code for the preliminary setup and the mud bag compartment. This lid is related with magnets so it’s tremendous easy to tug off when it is advisable. However robust sufficient to maintain it safe in any respect different instances. Plus, magnets are simply slick every time they’re carried out into any product design.

Narwal’s most genius design alternative although is likely to be the particular mud compression baggage with HEPA filters. These slot proper into the vacuum beneath the magnetic lid and so they compress mud, filth, hair, and the rest the vacuum picks up for as much as 7 weeks. When it must be changed you merely pull out the now full bag and toss it out, then put in a brand new one. It’s a course of that takes just some seconds. Most significantly, the HEPA filter and enclosed bag means no mud getting out and no dusty odors.

This does have a downside. The mud baggage are disposable, so you’ll ultimately have to purchase new ones. Assuming each lasts you the total 7 weeks, you possibly can count on to have to purchase new ones each six months, because the vacuum comes with three within the field. Narwal sells these in three-packs for $20 every. So after the primary yr with the Freo X Extremely, you’re taking a look at $40 a yr for the mud baggage. Admittedly, it is a very minor downside. As a result of it saves you the time of emptying a plastic mud bin, which the vacuum does include as nicely. $40 a yr additionally isn’t that costly. It’s extra cash although, and the vacuum isn’t low-cost.

Nonetheless, the baggage are a genius design. And so they undoubtedly simplify the cleansing course of. So I feel they’re value it.

Narwal Freo X Extremely Overview: Construct High quality

Construct high quality won’t be the very first thing you concentrate on with a robotic vacuum, or most merchandise for that matter, however perhaps it must be. You need the stuff you purchase to be made nicely, or in addition to it may be, and fortunately, Narwal has constructed a high quality product with the Freo X Extremely. I say fortunately as a result of it’s a robotic vacuum and mop combo that prices $1,400 at full retail value. And there’s no world the place paying that a lot for one of these product ought to end in something lower than a well-made product.

I can confidently say that the Freo X Extremely has nice construct high quality. It’s a really solid-feeling robotic vacuum and not one of the elements really feel or look low-cost. Even one thing so simple as the 2 water containers within the base station are designed nicely and don’t really feel like they might simply up and randomly break after regular use. They’re manufactured from thick plastic with sturdy hinges and lids. Even the latch that helps preserve them locked whereas within the base station feels good and durable.

On the subject of the vacuum itself, it’s clear that Narwal got down to make sure the Freo X Extremely provided top-notch construct high quality. The wheels, the no-tangle brush, basically every thing feels prefer it belongs to a product that instructions a premium price ticket. Briefly, I’ve no worries that in six months one thing on this vacuum goes to go defective, cease working, or bodily break. A minimum of not until there’s a human aspect to it. Similar to me choosing up the vacuum and transferring it and unintentionally dropping it for instance.

Narwal Freo X Extremely Overview: Cleansing

For those who’re shopping for a robotic vacuum and mop combo, greater than the rest, you need to know the way it cleans. As a result of there’s no cause to purchase one in all these if it doesn’t clear nicely.

I usually don’t suppose a lot of gadgets that attempt to do too many various issues. It simply makes me consider them as a jack of all trades however a grasp of none. That isn’t one thing I used to be instantly eager about the Freo X Extremely. However I used to be actually curious if it could do nicely with each vacuuming and mopping. In my previous experiences, it’s been both one or the opposite in terms of a great clear, or each have been first rate however nothing to put in writing dwelling about. With the Freo X Extremely, it’s a lot completely different.

Mopping

I’m going to begin with the mopping as a result of it undoubtedly feels extra distinctive. Any of the robotic vacuums I’ve personally used over time that include a mop all implement it just about the identical manner. They oscillate forwards and backwards to softly scrub stains on the ground. Some could have had a variation on how that works. However in the long run, they nonetheless oscillate forwards and backwards. With the Freo X Extremely, it’s completely different. The mop on the Freo X Extremely makes use of two virtually triangular-shaped mop heads that spin to wash because the vacuum strikes round. However it will get much more in-depth than that.

The mop heads additionally spin whereas the vacuum provides a downward pressure to the pads to assist with lifting cussed stains off the ground. To make issues even higher, the Freo X Extremely has what Narwal calls DirtSense know-how. This mainly identifies how soiled the flooring are and the Freo X Extremely will proceed mopping till the flooring are spotless. For exceptionally soiled flooring, it’s doable that you’ll have to refill the water within the clear water tank earlier than competitors. For instance, my first time utilizing the Freo X Extremely for mopping resulted in this sort of state of affairs.

It wasn’t till this time that I noticed we hadn’t mopped shortly. The clear water tank was emptied out in the direction of the top of the mop session and it wasn’t even completed but. At first, I assumed this was simply the way it was going to be each time I mopped. Perhaps it was the dimensions of the condo. Perhaps it was how a lot hardwood flooring there was. Or how a lot water I had set the Freo X Extremely to make use of on the mop heads. Seems, it was none of these issues. There was simply numerous filth and dirt that wanted to be cleaned up.

Mopping climate changes

What’s actually attention-grabbing is that the Freo X Extremely will even regulate how a lot water is used on the mop heads primarily based on the climate. For instance, it makes use of much less water within the mop heads when it’s wet or cloudy. That is to forestall standing water on the flooring. On the flip aspect of issues, when it’s sunny and heat the water is prone to evaporate extra shortly. So the bottom station applies extra water to the mop heads to account for this. I haven’t actually observed a lot of a distinction myself. However I feel that’s as a result of it’s been principally cloudy right here on daily basis for weeks. It’s that point of yr and all.

Nonetheless, I assumed it was cool that this was developed into the mopping system. As a result of I may completely see this being a state of affairs you run into.

Mopping with AI DirtSense Know-how

That is actually the perfect half about this vacuum. Now I’ve already talked about the DirtSense, however right here’s somewhat extra about the way it works. There’s a sensor contained in the robotic that scans for the filth degree within the water. If it detects any filth or if it determines the ground isn’t clear sufficient, it’ll exit for one more go and clear the flooring till it not detects any filth within the water. It’ll additionally periodically return to the bottom station to empty this soiled water into the wastewater tank. So if it wants to wash the flooring once more, it may well precisely sense the extent of filth within the subsequent batch of water.

This can be a genius thought. Since you’ll by no means must marvel how good of a job the Freo X Extremely is doing. It can return out for extra mopping till the water comes again clear. Not too in contrast to how you might be speculated to cease rinsing rice earlier than cooking. You cease rinsing as soon as the water runs clear. In my expertise, this works extremely nicely. The primary time I used it, the clear water tank was emptied out virtually utterly. And the image above is what the wastewater tank appeared like afterward. For those who’re doing the mopping extra usually, you gained’t must refill the clear water tank after each session.

And also you’ll extra simply have the ability to inform when the DirtSense is doing its job. This is likely one of the essential explanation why I feel that is such a great vacuum. As a result of I do know when the flooring have been mopped correctly primarily based on this alone.

Vacuuming

Now for the vacuuming. The opposite half of this machine’s supposed objective. I’ll say proper off the bat, that this has performed a greater job vacuuming than any robotic vacuum I’ve examined thus far. One significantly pesky drawback on this condo is the pet hair. It’s all over the place. However due to the Freo X Extremely I’d say about 99% of what’s on the ground will get sucked up. That’s alongside any mud or filth particles, meals crumbs, and the like. I’m not a fan of canine hair being all over the place round the home. Particularly all around the flooring because it finally ends up on my socks after which it will get in my sneakers, on my carpet, and… nicely you get the image. It feels somewhat like sand. You all the time discover extra.

Fortunately, the Freo X Extremely has performed an excellent job at cleansing up virtually all the pet hair on the flooring across the condo. The one space the place it doesn’t fairly get all of it is the rug that’s on the kitchen flooring. For no matter cause, nothing can utterly clear the pet hair off this rug.

Most of it goes away with the upright vacuum we now have. A bit bit much less with the Freo X Extremely. Ideally, it could be spotless. However I’ve come to phrases with the truth that that is simply the way it’s going to be with this rug. It does get most of it. And positively greater than another robotic vacuum has. In order that’s an enormous plus. And extra importantly, it will get every thing else. So in the long term, the flooring are nonetheless basically spotless save for this one space. Now the Freo X Extremely does have loads of suction energy at 8,200 Pa. And I need to be clear that it’s greater than highly effective sufficient to get nearly every thing.

I feel on different rug sorts, the Freo X Extremely would have zero points sucking up all of the hair it finds. General, it does a stellar job at vacuuming.

It actually does have a zero-tangle brush

I feel this is likely one of the finest revelations about this vacuum. Narwal wasn’t kidding after they mentioned the Freo X Extremely got here with a zero-tangle brush. After I say each different robotic vacuum I’ve ever used had some hair tangled round it, I imply it. You all the time find yourself having to make use of the included instrument they offer you to chop the hairs tangled across the brush. Which isn’t a enjoyable job. This isn’t one thing it’s important to do with the Freo X Extremely.

The rationale this works in accordance with Narwal is two-fold. The conical form of the comb paired with the bristles that sit at a 50-degree angle. This helps launch the hairs as they get sucked up. In order that they go all the best way to the mud bag or mud bin the place they’re speculated to. I’m simply so stunned at how nicely it really works. And I’m grateful that I not must take care of cleansing the comb off. That being mentioned, I need to be clear. Now we have one canine on this home. A small pug. So I can’t say how nicely this may work with different varieties of canine hair that is likely to be longer. I can nevertheless think about it really works simply as nicely.

You probably have a pet you like however you hate detangling its hair from the vacuum brush, that is the robotic vacuum you need.

Narwal Freo X Extremely Overview: The Base Station

The bottom station is simply as necessary to the entire expertise as the rest. Whereas it’s big, it’s an important base station as a result of it helps automate basically every thing. The one issues you find yourself having to do are empty the wastewater tank and refill the clear water tank. And naturally, change the cleansing detergent now and again. However the base station takes care of actually every thing else. It routinely washes the mop heads after a cleansing session. It routinely dries them too.

Plus, the app lets you set how robust you need the drying to be. You possibly can select to have it go full energy and dry the mop heads extra shortly. Nevertheless, this course of is louder, so you possibly can select to have the drying be quieter whereas the method takes longer total.

The bottom station additionally routinely sucks up any wastewater into the wastewater bin. Whereas deploying water and detergent to the mop heads. And, my favourite half, is that it compresses something the vacuum sucks up in the event you’re utilizing the mud bag. And it may well do that for as much as seven weeks. So that you’re not changing the bag for nearly two months.

When the mud bag does have to be changed, you merely slide it out of the vacuum and toss it. Then put in a brand new one. I additionally briefly talked about this earlier than however the base station has handles on it which makes it simple to maneuver. One other good little function is the contact panel on prime of the lid. You should utilize this for just a few issues. There are devoted buttons for laundry the mop heads in addition to compressing the mud bag. There’s additionally a button for turning on/off the Freo Thoughts function and a button for beginning a cleansing session.

Naturally, you don’t need this being messed with. So when you have youngsters, there’s a nifty Youngster Lock perform you possibly can allow. I by no means used this contact panel myself. However it’s good that it’s there if that is the way you need to work together with the vacuum.

Narwal Freo X Extremely Overview: Software program

The software program expertise is, I really feel like, all the time hit and miss. There’s by no means actually an in-between. The app that permits you to management the vacuum is both good or dangerous. Within the case of the Freo X Extremely, it’s good. Not solely is it well-designed visually, every thing is fairly simple to make use of and simple to seek out. I’ll say that I needed to poke across the app a bit to get to know the structure of the place all of the options have been. However this actually solely took me like 5 minutes. By all accounts, not very lengthy.

My solely gripe with the app is that it took a ridiculous period of time to get the vacuum arrange. With the Freo X Extremely, I attempted for a number of hours on the night I first tried to set it as much as get all of it up and working. To no avail. I ended up giving it one other strive the next night and every thing was superb. You can even arrange the vacuum utilizing the QR code that sits beneath the vacuum’s lid (not the bottom station lid). I might have performed this, however my assessment unit didn’t appear to come back with a sticker that had this QR code on it. So I had to make use of the app.

As soon as I acquired issues arrange although, it was easy crusing. First, the vacuum has to map your area. It feels prefer it’s essentially the most correct illustration of my condo setup that I’ve seen from any robotic vacuum. Each room can be properly color-coded.

If you’d like, there’s a method to show the ground plan and loads of choices for modifying as nicely. Within the map editor, that is the place you possibly can arrange room names, merge rooms, and designate no-go zones in the event you don’t need the vacuum to wash someplace. I as an illustration have it blocked off from two of the three bedrooms. However it has free roam over the remainder of the place. And in contrast to a number of the different vacuums I’ve used, the Freo X Extremely truly avoids these no-go zones each single time. It’s additionally doable to have a look at your duties and arrange schedules, in addition to overlook the historical past of previous cleansing periods.

Cleansing modes

The app makes every thing fairly easy in terms of cleansing modes. You’ve Vacuum and Mop or Vacuum then Mop choices. I principally simply used the vacuum and mop mode so every thing will get performed concurrently. That is extra environment friendly. Nevertheless, you’re prone to get a greater clear with the mopping in the event you set it to simply mop solely. This setting will mop till the ground is “flawless” Narwal says. And it does appear to do a greater job nevertheless it does take longer.

That being mentioned, it nonetheless does an important job when it does each without delay. There’s additionally a customized possibility that permits you to set completely different parameters for that particular time cleansing. Similar to taking out any rooms you don’t want to wash for that one session or eradicating the mopping from one room for instance.

Freo Thoughts

This is almost all of what makes this robotic vacuum so good. Now the good factor is that this may be toggled on or off. So that you don’t all the time must have it enabled. And there’s a cause to show it off as a result of it makes use of extra battery energy. Nevertheless, you’re seemingly going to need to depart it on. It gives a greater clear and in the long run, that’s what you need. When enabled, which must be by default, the Freo X Extremely will vacuum and mop on the identical time. However it additionally twists and swings on the identical time.

This mixture of actions helps to make sure a extra thorough clear in corners and alongside baseboards. Freo Thoughts mode additionally helps keep in mind the soiled elements of the ground across the dwelling. Freo Thoughts will use the DirtSense tech to maintain these dirtier elements in thoughts everytime you begin a cleansing session. And it’ll focus extra on these elements of the ground. Principally, you flip it on and let the intelligence of the vacuum deal with every thing. In my expertise, it undoubtedly gives a greater, extra noticeable clear in comparison with when it’s off.

I solely tried having the vacuum clear a few times with out it, and it simply gave the impression to be much less clear than after I had this feature enabled. I additionally suppose it’s value noting that I do have a smaller condo. So the battery by no means actually runs out utterly earlier than the cleansing session is over. You probably have a bigger dwelling, you could discover that the vacuum wants to return and cost, then return out to complete the cleansing session. Actually, I feel it’s value holding this on always.

Must you purchase the Narlwal Freo X Extremely?

It’s an costly robotic vacuum and if I’m being sincere, it’s not going to be proper for everybody. Nevertheless, if you’d like the perfect clear you will get, you must closely contemplate spending the additional cash. This has left my flooring cleaner than they’ve ever been in need of after I simply moved into this condo just a few years in the past. I feel whereas costly, the Narwal Freo X Extremely is well worth the cash. Palms down, that is the perfect cleansing expertise I’ve had. And I feel it’ll be laborious for anybody to prime what Narwal is at the moment providing.

On prime of all this, utilizing the Freo X Extremely is sort of completely automated. Most individuals don’t love cleansing. So if that occurs to be you, you’ll love the Freo X Extremely.

Purchase the Freo X Extremely if:

• You need an exceptionally clear flooring
• You need a vacuum and mop combo
• You’re keen to spend extra money

Don’t purchase the Freo X Extremely if:

• You’ve a completely carpeted condo or dwelling
• You don’t need to spend a ton of cash