A lot has happened since Rowenta launched its first vacuum cleaner in 1916. The brand, which is now in French hands, is considered to be extremely reliable in both the corded and battery-operated household helpers for combating dust, cobwebs and other debris. In the Rowenta X-Force Flex 13.60 test, we looked at a model that not only reaches comfortably under flat furniture thanks to its practical flex joint. It also aims to be the perfect household helper thanks to its reliable filter system and a special mopping attachment.
Technical data
| Model | Rowenta X-Force Flex 13.60 Animal Aerospin |
| Power output | 150 AirWatt |
| rechargeable battery | – Running time: up to 60 minutes – Charging time: 3 hours |
| Dust container size | 650 ml |
| Filtration | 99.99 percent |
| Weight as a handheld vacuum cleaner | Between 2.5 kg and 3 kg |
| Special features | – Motorized main brush – Aerospin suction wipe nozzle – LED lighting |
| Display | Yes |
| Price | € 458.30 * |
Scope of delivery
- X-Force Flex 13.60
- Charging cradle
- Charger
- crevice nozzle
- Upholstery nozzle
- Mini turbo brush with LED
- Aerospin vacuum-mop nozzle with 4 mops
Rowenta X-Force Flex 13.60 Test: Design and workmanship
The basic structure of the Rowenta X-Force Flex 13.60 corresponds to the look of conventional cordless vacuum cleaners. The heart is located in the upper section – the handpiece, which weighs just under 2.5 kg (with battery). The handpiece of the X-Force not only houses the powerful motor with a very good 150 AirWatt. The removable lithium-ion battery is also located here. If this is empty or defective, it can easily be replaced with a new one.
This not only ensures a long service life, but also sustainability. There is also a 650 ml dust container in the handpiece, which is preceded by an extensive filter system. This should be able to filter 99.9 percent of the allergens, dust, dust mites and other very fine particles on the suction surface.
The dust container can be opened quickly and easily at the touch of a button, which effectively prevents the formation of dust clouds. This should also please allergy sufferers. As displays are now standard on cordless vacuum cleaners, the screen on the Rowenta X-Force Flex 13.60 is also not surprising. The intelligent LED display not only provides information on important parameters such as speed, battery status and suction level.
Status information that is important for maintenance is also displayed here. For example, if the filter needs to be cleaned, you can see this here. The suction pipe is exciting and responsible for the name. This is where a sophisticated flex joint is located, which ensures that you can even get under flat furniture. The rod ends in the motorized main brush.
There is also an LED here, which brings light into the dark in dark areas. The build quality of the cordless vacuum cleaner is of a high standard. It doesn’t crack or creak at any point. The X-Force Flex comes with a matching wall bracket on which the cordless vacuum cleaner can be hung for charging. A floor-standing solution, such as the Tineco Pure One Air Pet+ (review), would offer more flexibility in terms of placement.
Rowenta X-Force Flex 13.60 test: Suitable attachments
The type designation “Flex” is not only earned by the cordless vacuum cleaner’s flexible suction tube. This model also comes with a range of practical attachments. These are designed to enable cleaning in different scenarios. In addition to a flexi hose, there is also a sofa nozzle, which should ensure optimum cleaning not only for upholstered furniture, but also for car seats.
The crevice nozzle is ideal for cleaning along skirting boards or hard-to-reach areas in the home. It can also be used in conjunction with the suction rod to clean the ceiling area. This makes removing cobwebs in particular child’s play. Unfortunately, the crevice and sofa nozzle cannot quite keep up with the rest of the build quality.
The situation is different with the other two attachments. The furniture brush enables deeper cleaning even on large upholstered surfaces. I like the fact that Rowenta has even given the furniture brush an LED strip. The mopping attachment with Aerospin technology is a real highlight of the household helper.
This quickly transforms the vacuum cleaner into a solid damp mop. Two rotating mop pads ensure deeper cleaning on wooden, tiled, linoleum and laminate floors. This is said to be the perfect complement to vacuuming and transforms the Rowenta into a 2-in-1 appliance. This means that even the smallest dust residues on the floor don’t stand a chance.
Rowenta X-Force Flex 13.60 Test: Practical test
The most important question is, of course, how the smart cordless vacuum cleaner from Rowenta performs in practice. This is where the household helper can flex its muscles. The vacuum cleaner can perfectly transfer a very good 150 AirWatt to the floor. At least on hard floors. This is where the vacuum cleaner really comes into its own. Even stubborn crumbs such as cat litter were reliably sucked up. A little patience required.
Finally, there were times when I would have liked a special attachment for hard floors, such as the one offered by a Dreame Z30 (review). This is not only gentler on the floor, but also works more efficiently and maneuverably. With a little patience, however, this disadvantage no longer hurts and you can grab even the most hidden crumbs.
After an extensive cleaning session, I missed the anti-tangle function that other cordless vacuum cleaners now have on board as standard. Pet owners in particular are likely to be annoyed by this. Hair got tangled up in the main brush of my test device after several cleaning sessions. However, as the main brush can be easily removed, cleaning it is very simple.
What worked well, however, was the automatic adjustment of the suction mode. In auto mode, the vacuum cleaner adjusted its performance to the degree of dirt with a slight delay. Cleaning on my carpeted floors was a big disappointment. It was simply impossible to roll over a carpet as the main brush kept getting stuck and had to stop rotating.
If you have a lot of carpets at home, you should definitely keep this in mind and choose a different model. Apart from that, however, the Rowenta scored with its ease of use. Firstly, of course, there is the flexi-joint. This ensures that the appliance bends smoothly when vacuuming under flat furniture. The LED also has a positive effect here, as even dark corners are clearly visible.
The mop attachment also performed well in the test. Nevertheless, it must be emphasized that the performance cannot keep up with classic vacuum cleaners. But that’s not what it’s supposed to do. Rather, Rowenta aims to completely remove dust from hard floors in order to live up to its branding as an allergy-friendly appliance.
Rowenta X-Force Flex 13.60 Test: Battery life
When it comes to endurance, Rowenta doesn’t shy away. According to the manufacturer, the household helper lasts up to 60 minutes in eco mode as a handheld vacuum cleaner – that’s a really good value. In practice, of course, you’re unlikely to achieve this runtime, because who uses a vacuum cleaner on the lowest setting all the time?
However, you can expect just under half an hour in standard mode. If the battery is empty, it takes just under 3 hours in the charging station until the battery is fully charged again.
Conclusion
The Rowenta X-Force Flex 13.60 impresses in the test with a combination of powerful suction power, high flexibility and well thought-out features. The flex joint of the suction tube in particular proves to be a practical feature that makes cleaning under flat furniture effortless. However, I also liked the mopping attachment, which is particularly helpful for allergy sufferers for whom comprehensive cleaning is important. With an output of 150 AirWatt, the vacuum cleaner works really well on hard floors. However, it is a disaster on carpets.
The design and workmanship of the appliance are really good, and the dust container is easy to empty, which benefits allergy sufferers. The extensive filter system, which filters 99.9% of allergens and dust particles from the air, also underlines the health aspect of the vacuum cleaner. The battery life of up to 60 minutes in eco mode is impressive, with a full charge taking around three hours. Overall, the Rowenta X-Force Flex 13.60 is a strong choice for carpet-free allergy sufferers who also want to clean areas under flat furniture extensively.
Rowenta X-Force Flex 13.60
Design & processing
Ease of use
Cleaning performance
Equipment
Price-performance ratio
86/100
The X-Force Flex 13.60 is a solid vacuum cleaner for carpet-free allergy sufferers.
