Most users of robotic vacuum cleaners rely on models from well-known brands such as Roborock or Dreame. However, lesser-known manufacturers also offer really good smart household helpers. The best example is Narwal. In the Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra test, we took a closer look at the company’s latest robot. Its impressive AI features are its main selling point. But does it also offer good cleaning performance? We’ll tell you!
Technical data
| Model | Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra |
| Suction power | 18,000 Pascal |
| Robot vacuum cleaner dimensions and weight | 355 mm x 350 mm x 109.6 mm and 4.5 kg |
| Dimensions and weight of base station | 430.8 mm x 388.3 mm x 462 mm and 12.2 kg |
| Mop function | – Yes, 2x rotating wiping pads – 8 Newton contact pressure – 1 extendable mop pad |
| Cleaning station | – Mop washing with hot water (45° to 75°C) – Hot air drying (40°C) – Addition of cleaning agent – Suction of collected dirt |
| Navigation | LiDAR |
| Obstacle detection | – TwinAI Dodge with 2x FHD cameras – AI evaluation for dirt analysis – Detection of more than 200 different obstacles (accuracy of 5 mm) |
| Battery | 6400 mAh |
| price | € 1,299.00 * |
Scope of delivery
- Robot vacuum cleaner
- All-in-one station
- 2x side brushes
- Cleaning tray
- power cable
- Ramp
- 2x dust bag
- dust filter
- insert container
- cleaning agent
Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra test: Risk of confusion with predecessor
In terms of build quality, Narwal once again delivers top quality with its latest model. The look of the Freo Z10 Ultra is clearly reminiscent of the Narwal Freo Z Ultra we have already tested (Review | € 949.00 *). Both the Robo and the accompanying all-in-one station are finished in an elegant matt gray.
A LiDAR sensor sits enthroned on the top of the Robo. Unlike other current flagships such as a Dreame X50 Ultra (Review | € 1,299.00 *) or a Roborock Saros 10 (Review | € 1,554.40 *), the tower cannot be lowered.
This results in a height of just under 11 cm, which is not exactly flat. Apart from the tower-shaped navigation unit, we only find a small control panel on the top for the rudimentary controls and a cover that gives us access to the dust container and the reset button. On the front, there is a bumper and the necessary technology for obstacle detection.
This consists of two cameras and an LED unit. On the back we find the charging contacts and on the sides sensors for keeping distances. The brush for cleaning skirting boards, which we were able to admire on the Z Ultra, no longer exists. However, as this was not really necessary in my opinion, it certainly doesn’t hurt much.
On the other hand, the Z10 Ultra can extend one of its mops, as we can marvel at when we look at the underside. In addition to the extendable mop unit, the two side brushes are also located here, which the Z10 Ultra unfortunately cannot extend. The whole thing is rounded off with the main brush, which makes a good impression with its high rubber content.
Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra test: All-in-one station
As with the Freo Z Ultra, the all-in-one station of the Freo Z10 Ultra also has a lot to offer. But first things first. First, let’s take a look at the top. This is where the familiar stylish circular display is located, which functions as the control unit.
This is once again much less elaborately designed than was the case with the Narwal Freo (Review | € 417.10 *), but in my opinion the manufacturer is welcome to make savings here and invest more elsewhere.
Under the flap on the top, we have access to the waste and fresh water tanks. At the front, behind a cover, we find the dust bag and the insert for the detergent container. According to the manufacturer, the dust bag is so large that it only needs to be replaced every 120 days or so.
The mop pads are then cleaned in the lower area. Hot water is used for this. The station determines how hot the fresh water used is depending on how dirty it is. Between 45°C and 75°C are possible, which is intended to dissolve dirt and kill bacteria.
A hot air dryer with 40°C hot air is then used. The two triangular mop pads are not only cleaned at the end of the cleaning cycle. Pit stops are also made during cleaning. How often exactly? The Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra also makes this dependent on the degree of soiling.
The AI has the power of decision here. Sterilization using the electrolysis process is rather uninteresting for our region. After all, our water quality is so high that additional electrolysis is not necessary. However, the Narwhal provides additional cleaning power by automatically adding cleaning agents as required.
Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra Test: Navigation
The Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra uses a LiDAR sensor on the top of the device. This uses laser technology to reliably measure your location even in complete darkness. You can see how well this works after the first mapping in the Narwal app. Although the details may not be able to match those of the well-known competitors Roborock and Dreame, this should be perfectly adequate for most users.
If you watch the Narwhal maneuvering through the living space, you’ll notice its good orientation. But apart from the fact that the smart household helper always finds its way around, it also scores with a commendable cleaning pattern. While most of the competition cleans the edges of the room first and then moves around the interior in U-shaped curves, the Narwhal sometimes works according to a different system.
For example, the Z10 Ultra cleans particularly dirty areas in a grid pattern. If the Freo AI determines that the dirt has still not been removed, the Robo can clean the area up to six times in subsequent washes. The prerequisite for this is, of course, that you let the robot drive in Freo-Mind mode. However, it is not only the orientation that is right here, but also the maneuverability itself.
The Freo Z10 Ultra can climb or overcome thresholds up to 2 cm high. Of course, it cannot keep up with the climbing ability of a Dreame L50 Pro Ultra (Review | € 1,129.00 *). It can overcome obstacles up to 4 cm high.
Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra test: obstacle detection with AI support
TwinAI Dodge based on two cameras is used at the front of the robot. As already mentioned, artificial intelligence plays a major role here. NarMind Pro is an autonomous system that recognizes floor conditions and dirt and adjusts the vacuum cleaner’s performance accordingly in Freo mode. This ensures, for example, that the Narwal Z10 Ultra reliably switches between wet and dry cleaning.
A practical example shows that the smart household helper works in dry suction mode for a pile of rice and switches to wet cleaning mode for a puddle right next to it. The mopping and suction units are raised and lowered respectively. However, as with the Z Ultra, the camera technology in combination with AI evaluation also has a positive effect on obstacle detection in particular.
This allows the Robo to distinguish between more than 200 different objects. Its predecessor was only able to distinguish between 120, and it is said to be able to recognize obstacles with an accuracy of 5 mm. This can be seen from the fact that it hardly touches any obstacles in practice, but in most cases skilfully avoids them. It tries to get as close as possible to the obstacle, especially around furniture edges and skirting boards, in order to ensure cleaning with as few edges as possible.
It does not avoid obstacles altogether. Instead, it first assigns them to a type from the database and then acts accordingly. In the case of immovable and harmless obstacles such as cables or shoes, it keeps a distance of 2 cm. In the case of people or animals, it keeps a distance of 4 cm. However, if the Robo registers dirt that it cannot process, it keeps a safety distance of 7 cm.
This means you don’t have to worry about nasty surprises such as smeared ketchup stains or even scattered droppings from your pets. The obstacle detection makes a really great impression in practice. Although I didn’t measure in detail whether the robot always kept the distance to the obstacle that the AI wanted, I can confirm that there were no collisions. The smart household helper even reliably recognized my ultra-flat USB cable.
Narwhal Freo Z10 Ultra test: Mobile surveillance camera
As already mentioned, the Narwhal relies on a camera system. This can be used for more than just obstacle detection and dirt analysis. You can also use the camera as a mobile surveillance system. At least if you want to. Because Narwhal has obtained a TÜV seal of approval for data protection – so you don’t have to worry about unwanted surveillance of you and your loved ones.
However, if you enable the camera function, the data will be sent to Narwal. As is so often the case, whether this bothers you or not is a subjective question. If you have given permission, you can use the app to track where the robot is and what it sees. You can also create videos and photos. Alternatively, you can also control the smart household helper in monitoring mode like a remote-controlled car.
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In “camera mode”, you can also use a “two-way audio function” and speak via the robot’s speakers. From my point of view, the whole thing is just a gimmick whose added value is not really clear to me. However, as the competition with a camera on board also offers such a mobile camera function, Narwal certainly owed its customers a debt of gratitude and reacted accordingly.
Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra test: Narwal app
The Narwal app can probably best be described as solid to good. This is certainly a rather subjective opinion, but I think that the competition from Roborock and Dreame simply has the edge here. This applies to the general look and feel as well as the overview. Although you quickly get to grips with the Narwal counterpart, other apps are definitely more intuitive.
However, this does not mean that the app is not convincing in practice. After all, you will find many different setting options for the smart household helper here. For example, you can set how intensively the Robo should vacuum or mop. Alternatively, you can let it, or rather the Narwhal AI, decide and select the corresponding Freo mode. You can also specify details about the all-in-one station here.
This includes, for example, determining the drying time. Adjustments can also be made to the map. For example, if the floor plan does not correspond to reality after the first mapping, you can adjust it. You can also define no-go zones and invisible walls. Another cool feature is the option to define special cleaning routines for certain rooms.
Narwhal Freo Z10 Ultra test: Performance in suction mode
Before we look at the cleaning results, let’s take a look at the bare facts. The Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra offers an impressive 18,000 pascals of suction power. That’s a real statement and a significant improvement on its predecessor, which swept across your floors with 12,000 pascals. In practice, only those of you who have one or more long-pile carpets will notice this.
I can attest to the Freo Z10 Ultra’s similarly good cleaning performance in suction mode, as was the case with its predecessor. Whether it’s dust, rice or animal hair – almost everything ends up reliably in the suction chute. The Narwhal only has its weaknesses when cleaning corners, which is not surprising given that it does not have an extendable side brush. Please allow the manufacturer to upgrade this feature on the next model.
What I really liked was the work of the main brush. It uses a combination of rubber and spiral brushes. The advantage: hair should not get stuck here, but instead land reliably in the dust container. And what can I say? The Narwhal did a really good job! As my household has two long-haired cats and a dog that likes to leave a considerable amount of its fur on the floor, I can certainly judge this well.
Narwhal Freo Z10 Ultra test: Performance in mop mode
The wiping mode is much more exciting. A look at the technical data reveals a deterioration compared to its predecessor. In contrast to the Z Ultra, the Z10 Ultra no longer has 12 but only 8 newtons of contact pressure. However, the new model also offers a retractable mop. Unlike most of the competition, Narwal has opted for triangular rather than circular mop pads.
In combination with its hip sweeps along furniture edges and skirting boards, this is intended to ensure cleaning with as few edges as possible. This actually works very well. In general, I was impressed by the mopping performance of the smart household helper. In particular, the Robo manages the targeted cleaning of heavily soiled areas with flying colors. Although it can’t keep up with a Roborock Saros 10R (Review | € 1,299.00 *), the mopping result is still really good.
Conclusion
With the Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra, the manufacturer delivers an all-round successful overall package for anyone who values smart and thorough floor cleaning. We were particularly impressed by the powerful suction power, the effective mopping function with clever AI support and the ingenious all-in-one station, which almost completely automates the cleaning process. The workmanship is also top-notch – as you would expect from Narwal.
Although there are minor weaknesses in app operation and corner cleaning, these are hardly noticeable in everyday use. The Z10 Ultra also stands out from many of its competitors with its outstanding obstacle detection. If you can live with the slightly higher height and the lack of an extendable side brush, you will get an innovative and powerful household helper that doesn’t have to hide behind the big names. A real insider tip away from the top dogs.
PRO
CONTRA
The Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra scored particularly well in the test with its impressive obstacle detection and also offers good cleaning performance.
Narwhal Freo Z10 Ultra
Design & processing
Ease of use
Cleaning performance
Equipment
Price-performance ratio
92/100
