Narwal Robot Vacuums Reviewed

Let’s be real: Narwal is not trying to win the “budget robot” crown. Their lineup starts around the $390 mark and climbs well past $1,400 for the Freo Z Ultra. But what you’re paying for is deep automation — not just cleaning, but self-cleaning, thoughtful object avoidance, premium finishes, and fewer daily annoyances. If you just need something basic to scoot around and slurp up crumbs, this brand probably isn’t for you.

But if your dream is to never touch a mop or dustbin again and have your robot actually understand its environment? That value starts looking better with every chore you don’t have to do.

The Narwal Freo App is clean, intuitive, and surprisingly deep. You can tweak nearly everything — suction strength, mop pressure, drying time, room-by-room schedules, no-go zones, and more. Real-time mapping gives you a full view of what’s happening, and firmware updates bring frequent improvements. That said, we’ve noticed the occasional Bluetooth quirk or hiccup when switching Wi-Fi networks, so there’s still a little room to grow.

But overall, the app nails that sweet spot between user-friendliness and customization — you don’t need to be a tech nerd to get the most out of it, but you’ll feel rewarded if you are.

On the non-smart side, Narwal includes thoughtful physical features like magnetically-sealed water tanks that are easy to remove and refill, touch-sensitive buttons for basic control right on the unit, and clear LED indicators for water levels, Wi-Fi status, and cleaning mode. The docking stations have built-in UV-C sterilization for mop pads (on select models), helping reduce bacterial buildup between washes — a quiet but useful feature not all brands include.

Narwal’s bots are quick learners. Right out of the box, they use LiDAR (laser-based system) to scan and map your space with impressive speed — often within the first full cleaning cycle. The maps are sharp, zones are editable, and re-mapping is rare unless you start seriously rearranging your furniture.

But it’s the Freo Z Ultra that really flexes: with TwinAI™ vision, it doesn’t just sense the room — it sees it, identifying objects and planning smarter routes in real time. Cheaper bots might bump around more or miss edges, but here, even in lower-tier models, pathing is logical, deliberate, and rarely wasteful. If you've got a mix of open areas, tight corners, and stuff scattered around, Narwal handles it with above-average precision.

This is where Narwal leaves many brands in the dust — or rather, dodges the dust-covered socks entirely. The TwinAI™ system in the Z Ultra uses dual RGB cameras + AI chips to visually identify and avoid over 120 object types — think cords, toys, pet bowls, shoes, even pet waste (seriously). It’s not perfect, but it dramatically reduces pre-clean prep, which is half the battle with most robot vacs.

Entry-level models stick with standard LiDAR and infrared sensors — functional, but they still occasionally nudge things they shouldn’t. If you’ve got a cluttered household or pets with unpredictable habits, the difference here is huge.

Battery stamina is another Narwal strong suit. The Freo X Plus, equipped with a 5200mAh battery, can run for up to 254 minutes on a single charge — ideal for small to midsize homes with minimal interruptions. The Freo Pro also carries a 5200mAh pack, though with slightly more demanding features, it averages around 180 minutes, which still covers larger apartments or small houses with ease. The flagship Freo Z Ultra uses a larger 6400mAh battery, powering up its intense suction and advanced mopping while still delivering a solid 180 minutes of runtime.

That said, if you're running the Z Ultra on full suction with mop mode enabled, expect it to duck out mid-clean for a quick recharge or water refill. Luckily, auto-resume works seamlessly — it knows exactly where it left off and picks up without hesitation. Overall, these batteries don’t just last — they manage power smartly and keep performance consistent even late into the cycle.