Skip to main content

Narwal Freo X Ultra vs. Narwal Freo: What’s the difference between these robot vacuums?

The Narwal Freo X Ultra is the latest addition to the Narwal roster, offering big improvements over the old Narwal Freo. Along with more suction, an improved dustbin, and an updated sensor array, it also picked up a hefty new price tag. That begs the question: Is it worth upgrading to the Narwal Freo X Ultra? Or should you opt for the (now discounted) Narwal Freo?

From vacuuming and mopping skills to additional features and more, here’s everything you need to know about the Narwal Freo X Ultra and Narwal Freo before adding one to your home.

Recommended Videos

Pricing and availability

The Narwal Freo X Ultra working in a living room.
Narwal

The Narwal Freo X Ultra is available for $1,400. A launch promotion briefly discounted it to $1,000, and we’ve already seen other discounts bring it down to $1,200. It’s a bit interesting to see so many discounts for a recently launched product — and if you’re diligent, it shouldn’t be hard to snag it below its suggested retail price.

It’s a similar story for the Narwal Freo, which is now listed for $900. Narwal also offers the Freo with an optional Accessories Pack, which gets you a bunch of replacement parts and cleaning solution for an extra $100.

Winner: Narwal Freo

Vacuuming

The Narwal Freo X Ultra with its cover on.
Jon Bitner / Digital Trends

Thanks to its impressive 8,200 Pa of suction, the Narwal Freo X Ultra does a great job of vacuuming. Whether it’s on carpet or hard floors, it can adjust its power levels to tackle all surfaces. Couple that with its unique “Zero Hair Tangling” roller bar, and we were impressed with the robot during our in-home testing. It’s also nice that Narwal built the Freo X Ultra with support for both a reusable dustbin or one that’s replaceable, which allows you to go seven weeks before needing to replace the bin.

The Narwal Freo isn’t nearly as advanced. It only features 3,000 Pa of suction, and its dustbin won’t last nearly as long before needing to be emptied. That makes it much less automated than the Freo X Ultra — a big knock against a product that’s supposed to make cleaning as hands-free as possible.

Winner: Narwal Freo X Ultra

Mopping

Narwal Freo X Ultra cleaning up spill
Narwal

Both the Narwal Freo X Ultra and Narwal Freo apply up to 12 Newton units of downward pressure while mopping. They can also rotate their dual mopheads up to 180 revolutions per minute, allowing them to handle tough stains with ease. You’ll also find clean water and dirty water reservoirs in the docking station, along with support for an optional cleaning solution for a more robust clean. Once a cleaning cycle is complete, both products will wash and dry their mops automatically.

Winner: Tie

Additional features

The Narwal dustbin.
Jon Bitner / Digital Trends

The big selling points of the Narwal Freo X Ultra are its improved vacuuming prowess and unique dustbin design. However, it also featuredsimproved sensors and enhanced detection of heavy dirt zones. This helps to ensure a thorough clean and that all corners of your home are properly vacuumed or mopped.

Winner: Narwal Freo X Ultra

Which is the best robot vacuum and mop combo?

There’s no doubt the Narwal Freo X Ultra is a better robot vacuum than the old Narwal Freo, and most people will find it to be worth the extra cost. If you’re going to pay this much for a robot vacuum, you want it to be as automated as possible — and because you have to frequently empty the dustbin on the Freo, it’s not the best option.

But for just a bit more cash, you can step up to the Freo X Ultra, which is both more powerful and more automated. If you can snag a unit while it’s on sale, it’s an even easier recommendation. You should also consider the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra and Ecovacs X2 Omni, as they provide you with similar features and clock in at around the same price.

Jon Bitner
Jon Bitner is a writer covering consumer electronics, technology, and gaming. His work has been published on various websites…
The best pool robot vacuums
The Dolphin Premier on top of pool water.

Tired of the constant upkeep required to keep your pool in good condition? While there are some aspects that are hard to automate (such as chemical treatments or maintaining pumps and skimmers), you can delegate vacuuming to a reliable robot assistant. Pool robot vacuums have seen big improvements over the past few years, and they make it easier than ever to keep your pool looking brand new.

Built to run autonomously after a brief setup, pool robot vacuums will suck up all the dirt and debris lingering in the water. Most can run for over an hour before needing to be recharged or come with a wired connection for constant use. All of them are equipped with a variety of filters and scrubbers, ensuring your pool looks pristine the next time you go for a swim.

Read more
The iRobot Roomba Combo 10 Max might be the best robot vacuum for carpet
The Roomba Combo 10 Max lifting its mop.

iRobot is gearing up to launch a new robot vacuum, with the Roomba Combo 10 Max arriving in August. The robot makes big upgrades to its docking station, as it can automatically refill, wash, and dry the mopping pad -- making this the first multifunctional dock from iRobot. Best of all, it keeps its predecessors' swinging mop arm design, making it ideal for homes with both carpet and hard floors.

While much of the competition has offered self-cleaning docks for years (including Ecovacs and Roborock), this is a first for Roomba. After a cleaning cycle, the robot vacuum will return to its dock to refill its water tank and recharge its battery. It'll also get its mopping pad washed with water and dried with circulated air, preventing the buildup of mold and odors. You'll even have the option to run a manual self-clean and receive notifications if a deeper clean (or maintenance) is required.

Read more
Eureka J20 vs. Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra: Which robot is the better floor cleaner?
The Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra connected to plumbing.

When it comes to robot vacuum and mop combos, there's no shortage of products to choose from in 2024. Two popular choices are the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra and the Eureka J20. The former is one of the most premium robots from one of the most popular brands, while the latter is an innovative new product that employs a unique rolling mop design to better clean hard floors. Both are incredibly expensive -- clocking in over $1,000 -- meaning you'll want to do your research before adding one to your home.

If you're trying to determine which is the better robot vacuum and mop combo, here's everything you need to know about the Eureka J20 and Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra.
Pricing and availability

Read more