It takes at least around 2500Pa of suction power to make a decent robot vacuum cleaner. That number comes after years of testing robot vacuum cleaners from big-name brands like Ecovacs, Dreame and Roborock. It’s the bare minimum if you want a robot vacuum that actually does what you want it to do.
And yes, some high-end robot vacuum cleaners now sport suction power much, much higher than that. But there comes a point when you just don’t actually need something that powerful and you’re paying for something you and your modest one-bedroom apartment absolutely do not need.
I feel like the Narwal Freo Z Ultra sets itself apart with a clear understanding of this balance. It’s an appropriately high-end robot vacuum cleaner and is priced as such. It also looks and feels genuinely premium and futuristic, bringing a bit of distinction to the Chinese company which is only now claiming a bigger presence in the Australian market.
The Freo Z Ultra doesn’t have 2500Pa suction power, though. It has 12000Pa, a number that seems a bit excessive for most users but is actually the sweet spot. When you start getting robot vacuums that have around 20000Pa, then it’s time to start asking “do I really need this?”
Do you really need the Freo Z Ultra? If you’ve got a fairly old robot vacuum cleaner that’s on its way out, it’s worth forking out a bit extra for this top performer, which fires on all cylinders with an obvious attempt to create the robot vacuum for the everyday user who doesn’t want to compromise when it comes to a device you’ll be using pretty much every day.
Design
Sleek, design-forward and contemporary. Robot vacuums are getting more attractive across the board now that just about every wealthy household owns one. And we all know how much wealthy people like treating their home tech like accessories. Design lovers should have no problem with this one.
The low profile certainly helps the overall look plus it has a functional benefit. This baby can slip under most furniture with ease, given the height of around 11cm. This also makes it look less like an eyesore when it’s parked up in the self-emptying charging dock.
Flip the robot over and you’ll see two large microfibre mops that stick to the base via velcro. They are located next to two rotating side brushes that are slightly longer than what I see with other products, again sporting an obvious functional benefit by cleaning in corners. This should be gold standard by now, but many robot vacuum cleaners still get it wrong when it comes to the length of their side brushes.
The mopping on this thing is fantastic, but so is the dusting. There’s a standalone duster that also attaches with velcro on one side of the robot. The underrated hack to keeping your spaces looking fresh, new and vibrant (for your mentality if nothing else) is dusting.
Performance
Obstacle avoidance is to the robot vacuum what a camera system is to a smartphone. The technology is continually being refined so that navigation is completely seamless, quicker, and comes with fewer issues like the robot vacuum getting stuck and confused – particularly frustrating when you’re not there to babysit your robotic babysitter.
The tri-laser mapping system works perfectly for my house, which is a four-bedroom historic terrace and has two floors. Yeah, you see this thing climbing stairs like a boss just yet, but once it’s on a floor, it’s the kind of set-and-forget perfection that all robot vacuum manufacturers scramble for. Blend this with a sophisticated cleaning system; the Freo Z Ultra starts to look like the one-and-done purchase anyone in the market for such a hefty investment would be looking for.
It took just 15 minutes for my robot to accurately map the bottom floor of my house, remarkably also including exacting dimensions with the rug I have in the lounge room. I’ve never seen a companion app do this before. Neither have I seen one that gives you a few options on what you want your robot to do, even if it’s just mop.
I live with three others so the kitchen floor can get sticky at times. Previous robot vacuums I’ve tested are good enough at cleaning up spills, but removing sticky residue is often a challenge. Not for this bad boy. In fact, I’d say this is the best mopper on the market right now, I just wish the mop reached a bit longer like the side brushes do.
Value
My main point when I’m reviewing a robot vacuum, is that, much like a good coffee machine, choose right here and this is one of those devices that’ll start actually putting money back in your pocket. I feel like the Freo Z Ultra does enough heavy lifting to perfectly slot into that position, making it one of the better robot vacuums on the market right now. The punchy price tag is moot in that regard; you want the best, here it is.
Highlights: Near-perfect obstacle avoidance; very quick at accurately mapping a home, beautiful design, long side brushes.
Lowlights: Side brushes may reach far corners, but the mop doesn’t.
Price: $2,499
