Robot Vacuum Tester: Narwal Flow Has My Top Useful Feature

Narwal, the brand known for our favorite mopping robot, recently unveiled its new lineup of robotic vacuums, with the Narwal Flow taking center stage as its flagship model.

As a big fan of cleaning gadgets and testing new tools, I previously used a robot vacuum/mop combo that worked well for vacuuming but struggled with serious mopping. So, when the Narwal Flow caught my eye—with its far more robust mop function design—I knew I had to try it out and see how it stacked up. Read on to find out how it performed long-term!

⬇︎ Jump to Summary (Pros/Cons)

🚀 Key Highlights of the Narwal Flow

Designed to tackle hard-to-reach areas, the Flow comes equipped with key features that elevate its cleaning performance:

• Innovative Edge Mopping: A track-driven mop pad that extends to reach wall edges.
• Dual Water Tanks: Keeps the mop clean while collecting dirty water for a truly “clean mop” experience.
• Anti-Tangle Edge Brush: A side brush that stretches to access corners.
• Smart Suction Boost: A brush cover that sits closer to the ground, capable of automatically boosting suction up to 20,000Pa on surfaces like carpets.

Beyond basic cleaning, the Narwal Flow integrates smart navigation and obstacle avoidance. It features dual RGB cameras combined with an AI chip, enabling it to detect and steer clear of over 200 different types of objects. The robot can also automatically adjust its height to climb over barriers up to $40\text{mm}$ (approximately $1.6$ inches) tall.

The Flow’s included docking station offers eight practical functions, all aimed at minimizing manual maintenance:

• Emptying the robot’s dust bin.
• Washing and drying the mop.
• Refilling the water tank.

💰 Basic Info: Price & Where to Buy

• Price: $1499.99
• Where to buy: Narwal official store and Amazon (a $200 coupon is currently available)

🌟 What Is the Narwal Flow?

The Narwal Flow is a robot vacuum/mop that comes with a large base station. This base consolidates all key storage needs in one place: it stores cleaning fluid, dirty water, and the dust/debris collected by the vacuum.

📦 What’s Included in the Box?

• Robot Vacuum main unit
• Dust Collection Bin (includes inner bin + HEPA filter)
• Base Station (with cleaning tray, clean water tank, and waste water tank)
• Accessories:
  • Anti-Tangle Side Brushes (left and right, labeled for easy installation)
  • Power Cable
  • User Manual
  • 2x Base Station Dust Collection Bags
  • Spare Inner Dust Collection Bin
  • Spare HEPA Filter
  • Replaceable Base Station Cleaning Filter
  • 200ml Cleaning Solution

📊 Tech Specs

✨ Design & Key Features

The Narwal Flow’s overall package is impressive. Here’s what stood out to me:

• Dual Tanks in Base: One holds clean water (with detergent), and the other collects dirty water from mopping—keeping clean and dirty water separate.
• Dust Collection System: The dust bag includes a sliding block, which lets you seal the bag before emptying it so you don’t spread dust everywhere.
• Removable Filters: All air filters (on the robot and base) are easy to access, remove, and replace—with clear instructions.
• Front Cameras & Lights: The robot’s front cameras (paired with lights) support obstacle detection and navigation.

🔧 Assembly & Setup

Setup is straightforward. Here’s the step-by-step process:

1. Install Side Brushes: Each brush is labeled “L” or “R” and color-coded—attaching them takes seconds.
2. Remove Protective Materials: Take out the foam pieces that secure the front bumper.
3. Clear Base Station Trays: Remove the paper trays from the base’s docking area.
4. Plug In the Base: If the robot is already docked, it will start charging immediately.
5. Insert Dust Bag: Slide the dust bag into place after popping off the base’s front magnetic plate.
6. Fill Clean Water Tank: Add water and the included detergent to the clean water tank.
7. Dock the Robot: Place the robot in the base station and let it charge.

App Setup

The Narwal app is available on both Android and iOS. After logging in:

• Add your device by either scanning the QR code on the robot’s bottom or putting the robot in pairing mode (press the top button).
• The app gives access to all settings (e.g., cleaning modes) and post-cleaning reports.

🏆 Performance

The Narwal Flow’s performance exceeded my expectations—especially in areas where my old robot struggled:

Mapping & Navigation

• Initial Mapping: It navigates easily to accessible areas and creates a topographical map (visible in the app).
• Customization: The app lets you edit/rename mapped areas, split rooms, and mark off-limits zones.
• Obstacle Handling: Thanks to its dual RGB cameras and AI chip, the robot detects $200+$ objects and avoids them. It only got stuck once—when my kid left a stool in an awkward spot—and worked perfectly after I moved the stool.

Mopping (The Star Feature)

This is where the Narwal Flow truly shines. I was shocked by how much dirt it picked up—and how it stored it all in the base’s dirty water tank. Unlike traditional mopping (where I often feel like I’m just moving dirt around), the Flow leaves floors truly clean.

✅ Final Thoughts & Pros/Cons Summary

Overall, I love the Narwal Flow. It delivers on its promise of powerful cleaning, and the thoughtful design makes maintenance easy.

What I Like (Pros)

• Exceptional Mopping: Picks up more dirt than my old robot, and the dirty water storage prevents floors from getting recontaminated.
• Quiet Operation: Doesn’t make loud noise while cleaning.
• User-Friendly Design: Emptying dust and wastewater is mess-free, and filters are easy to replace.
• Mop Maintenance: The base’s hot-air drying function prevents mildew on the mop pad—no more musty smells.

What Needs Improvement (Cons)

• Jokes aside: I genuinely can’t think of any flaws. The only minor note is the base’s size—but it’s a necessary trade-off for its storage capacity.

Final Details

• Price: $1499.99
• Where to buy: Narwal official store and Amazon (current $200 coupon)
• Disclosure: The Narwal Flow sample was provided for free, but Narwal had no input on this review and did not preview it before publication.

Have you tried any of Narwal’s products? What feature of the Flow’s edge mopping are you most excited about? Let me know in the comments!

Appendix: Narwal’s Other Models

Alongside the flagship Flow, Narwal announced three other robotic vacuums to cater to diverse needs:

• The Freo Z10: A robovac with mopping pads that revolve 180 times per minute for deep scrubbing.
• The Narwal S30: An all-in-one mopping robovac equipped with self-cleaning features.
• The Freo Pro: A more budget-friendly hybrid model that combines vacuuming and mopping capabilities.