Narwal Freo Z Ultra Review – Dual-Camera Robot Tested

In This Review
Cleaning Performance | Navigation | Build Quality | Noise Test | Usability | Maintenance | Size | Specs | Product Evolution | Comparison | FAQs

Performance Summary

At Modern Castle we test 14 different factors that impact the performance, build quality, and usability of the vacuum. Below is a complete list of our testing categories and their performance.

Test Type	Test Data
Overall Debris Tests	90.7%
Hardwood Floor Test	97.5%
Low Pile Carpet Test	85.0%
High Pile Carpet Test	89.5%
Long Hair Test	96.7%
Pet Hair Test	96.0%
Crevice Test	90.7%
Edge Cleaning Test	85.5%
Mop Test	Excellent
Cleaning Speed	50 min.
Obstacle Avoidance	Yes
Build Quality Test	Exceptional
Noise Test	66 dB

Video Review

Cleaning performance was excellent, but there is room for improvement. The biggest issue we saw with the Freo Z Ultra was its suction on carpet. Besides that, it’s an excellent choice for hard floor surfaces to maximize the vacuum mop combo capabilities.

To test the debris removal performance of the Narwal Freo Z Ultra, we put it through a series of 12 different cleaning tests consisting of 3 different floor types and 4 different debris types.

We measure 0.5 oz. of each debris type, spreading it evenly across the floor for the vacuum to clean. Next, we run the Freo Z Ultra over the debris on the highest suction power, letting it perform 2 complete cleaning cycles. After, we measure how much of the debris remains by weight and compare it to the starting amounts to determine cleaning performance.

Here are the overall results for the Roborock Q Revo Pro:

In our debris tests, the Z Ultra was able to remove 90.7% of debris by weight. This is 2% less debris than the average of 92.7%, based on all of our debris tests to date.

We do want to point out that there were some navigation issues in our testing lane during its evaluation. However, we did mitigate this factor by getting the Narwal Z Ultra to navigate over the entire testing lane with separate in-app navigation mapping.

We have full confidence that when navigating a home, the Narwal Freo Z Ultra will perform its complete cleaning cycle successfully.

Hardwood was the highest-scoring surface we tested. The robot’s brush and collection roller had no issues collecting the debris.

In our hardwood tests, the Narwal Freo Z Ultra was able to remove 97.5% of debris by weight. This is 0.3% more debris than the average of 97.2%, based on all of our debris tests to date.

The debris that remained was a small amount of kitty litter and sugar that was pushed around the testing surface. This is something we have seen before on hard floor surfaces for robot vacuums we test.

The low pile carpet was the worst performance on all of the debris tests.

In our low pile carpet tests, the Narwal Freo Z Ultra was able to remove 85.0% of debris by weight. This is 4.9% less than the average of 89.9%, based on all of our debris tests to date.

While the Freo Z Ultra did pick up the larger debris (rice / cereal), it struggled to get the finer sugar and litter. It’s our opinion that the robot struggled to get strong enough suction to collect the debris that was deeper in the carpet.

The high pile carpet did perform better than the low pile, however it still came in slightly below our average.

In our high pile carpet tests, the Freo Z Ultra was able to remove 89.5% of debris by weight. This is 1% less debris than the average of 90.5%, based on all of our debris tests to date.

Like the low-pile carpet, it struggled to collect the smaller debris. However, it was able to create a better suction seal with the high-pile carpet to collect more debris.

To test how well the Narwal Freo Z Ultra manages long hair and avoids tangles, we pit it against 0.3 grams of long hair. We lay the strands of the hair on the hardwood flooring and run the vacuum over it on the maximum suction power completing 2 cleaning cycles. After cleaning, we check the floor for hair and the brush roll for tangles

In our long hair tests, the Z Ultra had only 3% long hair tangle by weight. This is 38.8% less long hair than the average of 42.8%, based on all of our long hair tests to date.

This robot had only a few pieces of long hair in the brush roller. Barely any to measure when inspected and certainly was not tangled around the roller. In our opinion, the roller would have continued to collect the hair we measured without issue.

For our pet hair test, we embed 1.0 grams of pet hair into high pile carpet. Next, we run the vacuum over the carpet completing 2 cleaning cycles on the highest suction power. Finally, we measure the amount of remaining pet hair in the carpet and compare it to the starting amount to determine performance.

In our pet hair tests, the Narwal Freo Z Ultra removed 96.0% of pet hair by weight. This is 17.1% more, based on all of our pet hair tests to date.

The Z Ultra had excellent performance on the pet hair test with zero tangles, and it collected a significant amount of hair. The only remaining hair was some dog hair that was “floating” on the top of the carpet.

For our edge cleaning test, we test to see how close to the edge the Narwal Freo Z Ultra can clean. To test this, we place 0.3 oz of debris (sugar, kitty litter, and a little bit of rice) directly along the edge of the wall, to about 4.0″ away from the wall. We let the vacuum complete 2 cleaning cycles in our enclosed testing lane.

Finally, we measured in inches how close the vacuum was able to clean in proximity to the wall and how much of the debris remained by weight.

In our edge cleaning tests, the Z Ultra was able to remove 85.5% of debris by weight. This is 2.1% less debris than the average of 87.6%, based on all of our edge cleaning tests to date.

Unfortunately, the Freo Z Ultra did come in below our testing average. When observing the robot, it would move close to the edge, collecting a majority of the debris in its path. However, it would either push the debris away from the collection path, or the suction wasn’t removing enough of the debris along the baseboard.

As for the debris that was pushed around, we have full confidence that the Narwal Freo Z Ultra would collect it on subsequent cleaning cycles.

To test the crevice cleaning capabilities of the Narwal Freo Z Ultra, we fill 3 crevices in our tile testing lane with 0.1 oz of sugar each, totaling 0.3 oz. We then let the robot complete a single cleaning cycle on the highest suction power and check how much of the sugar remains by weight to determine performance.

In our crevice tests, the Z Ultra was able to remove 90.7% of debris by weight from the crevices. This is 7.0% less debris than the average of 97.7%, based on all of our crevice tests to date.

The remaining sugar we observed was primarily sticking to the grout in the crevice. In our opinion, we believe this is a sign of less-than-ideal suction inside the cracks to remove sticky debris.

To test the mopping capabilities of the Narwal Freo Z Ultra, we check how well it can remove small scale stains and remove dirt on a broader scale.

In our mop test the Z Ultra showcased excellent performance. On average, based on all of the robot mops we’ve tested to date, we find they have excellent performance. The Narwal Freo Z Ultra’s mopping performance is on par with other high-performance robot mops.

The Narwal Freo Z Ultra comes with a large clean and dirty water tank that helps keep this robot running. Additionally, the base station has a detergent supply added cleaning solution to mop water mixture.

How well a robot vacuum can navigate and clean the home can greatly impact the overall user experience. To check how well the Narwal Freo Z Ultra navigates, we focus on three key factors.

Our cleaning speed test showed the Z Ultra was able to clean our ~1,000 sq. ft. office space within 50 mintues.

The average cleaning speed we find, based on all robot vacuums we’ve tested to date is 61 minutes. The Nrwal Freo Z ultra is 11 minutes faster than the average.

Narwal stepped up their game in obstacle avoidance and detection with their new 2-eye RGB camera. They call it AI DirtSense 2.0. Just like humans have two eyes, this robot has double the vision to help navigate and detect cleaning areas.

Additionally, it has side sensors, front bumper, and “cliff” detection underneath to help “feel” its way around your home.

To test the obstacle avoidance of the Narwal Freo Z Ultra, we placed 4 objects in an area on the floor and sent the robot to clean around them. We observe the cleaning cycle, checking to see how well the robot vacuum navigates the space and avoids objects.

The Freo Z Ultra had no contact with any of the objects. It expertly navigated around all the obstacles and carefully cleaned its grid pattern.

We also test how well the Narwal Freo Z Ultra cleans on a broader scale. We have the robot perform multiple cleaning cycles in our office and studio space, focusing on 3 core requirements: can it fully clean the space, can it not get stuck, and can it return to the base.

The Freo Z Ultra had excellent navigational performance in our tests.

The navigation and cleaning efficiency is certainly a selling point. To have a robot with this level of intelligent navigation is impressive. It’s frequent for the robots we’ve tested to bump their way around, get stuck, or just have poor mapping. That is not the case for the Narwal Freo Z Ultra. Its design, hardware, and software give it all the necessary ingredients for incredible navigational performance.

Our build quality test is a subjective test where we examine and assess the major material and design components of the robot vacuum. Specifically, we are looking for build and design issues that are more likely to break and/or be difficult to use.

Our first impression of the Narwal Freo Z Ultra was that this robot is built with quality and style in mind. The plastic was thick and well weighted. The brush, roller, tanks, body plastic, all had a sturdy and well-constructed feel.

Part	Build Quality
Overall	Exceptional
Body	Exceptional
Dustbin	Exceptional
Display / Controls	Exceptional
Spinning Side Brush	Exceptional
Wheels	Exceptional
Brush Roll	Exceptional
Charging Dock	Exceptional

The vibe we got from this build quality was that it follows the path of other high-end robot combos like a Roborock or Ecovacs. It feels like a product that will last with repeated daily use.

Vacuums are loud while in operation. To measure how loud, we run them on high pile carpet on each power mode and measure the noise generated with a sound meter. Before the test, we take a measurement of the ambient noise in the room to use as a baseline comparison to the vacuum.

Power Level	Noise Level
Ambient	41.6 dB
Quiet	50.6 dB
Normal	52.6 dB
Strong	64.8 dB
Super Powerful	65.6 dB
Self Empty	68.2 dB

In our noise tests, the Narwal Freo Z Ultra generated 65.6 dB of noise on the max power mode. This is 2.98 dB lower than the average of 68.58 dB, based on all of our noise tests to date.

We do want to point out that while adjusting the suction level, there was only a noticeable change when switching from normal to strong. Quiet and normal had similar measured decibels, then Strong and Super Powerful had similar measurements.

One of the most unique features we see on the Freo Z Ultra is its dual RGB camera in the front. Narwhal’s AI DirtSense 2.0 did impress us with its navigation. As previously mentioned, we had to work around its navigation quarks when placed in our testing lane to get proper cleaning cycles. It knew there was an issue because the cameras and sensors saw it was in a mapped area, but could not move outside the lane.

Setup was easy and took no more than 10 minutes with unboxing and connecting the app. Just be ready to break down some boxes and save room in your trash can for the abundance of packaging material.

The Narwal App is easy to use and gives the user access to all Narwal devices and their cleaning options for your home. For the best possible experience, make sure your new narwhal device creates a home map that best represents your home layout.

With the app you can:

• Manage maps
• Create maps for multi-story homes
• Add furniture and obstacles to maps
• Adjust cleaning settings
• Adjust mopping settings
• Adjust cleaning sequence
• Change smart settings
• Create a custom cleaning schedule
• View cleaning history
• View through camera and speak through device
• Manually control the robot
• Turn on do-not-disturb settings

You’ll need the app to fully experience all the Narwal Freo Z Ultra has to offer with its cleaning settings and scheduling. It’s extremely user friendly and guides you through the setup process to get the Z Ultra up and running.

There are two buttons on top of the robot. The power button indicator is used to turn it on/off, and start/pause/stop the current cleaning cycle. The second is a smaller button next to the power button that recalls the robot to the base station

There are a few controls on the base station itself that expand the control, but still lack features that you can only use in the app.

In The Box

• Freo Z Ultra
• Base station
• Debris bags
• Side brushes
• Mop detergent
• Micro fiber baseboard cloths

The Narwal Freo Z Ultra has an estimated yearly maintenance cost of $25. If you choose to add the optional mopping detergent the estimated annual costs are $55. The following are the major maintenance tasks for the Z Ultra.

Task	Description	Est. Annual Cost
Robot Dust Bin	Empty dust bin as needed	$0
Brush roll	Remove tangles and any obstructions	$0
Filter	Periodically clean and replace as needed	$0
Dock Debris Bag	Replace as needed (2-3 times a year)	$25 (3-pack)
Mopping Detergent	Replace as needed (optional)	$30
Mop Pads	Wash and replace as needed	$0
Spinning Side Brush	Remove tangles	$0
Dock Water Tanks	Fill the clean tank and empty the dirty tank as needed	$0

Since the Narwal Freo Z Ultra has a wide range of auto maintenance features, the yearly maintenance cost is low. It comes with:

• Auto debris bag empty
• Auto detergent dispenser
• Auto mop pad cleaning
• Hot air mop pad drying
• Auto water empty and refill

Size & Dimensions

Compared to other high-end robot mop combos, the Narwal Freo Z Ultra is about the same size and dimensions as others. What we like most about the design is how they fit such large water tanks into the base station. Typically the larger the tanks, the taller the base station, but this isn’t the case with the Freo Z.

Size	Measurement
Dustbin Capacity	Unknown
Water Tank Capacity	Unknown
Dock Debris Capacity	0.7 gal. (2.5 L)
Dock Clean Water Tank Capacity	1.3 gal. (5.0 L)
Dock Dirty Water Tank Capacity	1.2 gal. (4.5 L)
Height	4″ (11 cm)
Diameter	14″ (35 cm)
Weight	Unknown

Specifications

The following table details the product specifications according to the manufacturer.

Manufacturer Specifications
Type	Robot Mop Combo
Manufacturer	Narwal
Model	Freo Z Ultra
Height	4″ (11 cm)
Diameter	14″ (35 cm)
Weight	0 lbs. (0 kg)
Floor Type	all (indoor)
Sensors	RGB & Obstacle Avoidance
Dustbin Capacity	Unknown
Water Tank Capacity	Unknown
Dock Debris Capacity	0.7 gal. (2.5 L)
Dock Clean Water Tank Capacity	1.3 gal. (5.0 L)
Dock Dirty Water Tank Capacity	1.2 gal. (4.5 L)
Run Time	50 min.
Suction Power	Unknown
Obstacle Avoidance	Yes
Zone Cleaning	Yes
Room Cleaning	Yes
Digital Mapping	Yes
Bagless	No
Warranty	1 year
Price	Check Price

Product Evolution

The Narwal Freo series currently has 3 other flagship robot vacuums, not including the Freo Z Ultra. In our opinion, the Freo X Ultra would be the closest model to the new Freo Z Ultra. The main difference is the camera. Each comes with a different set of features, specs, and prices to help you find the right fit for your home.

What sets the Freo Z Ultra apart from other models in this series is the dual RGB camera and obstacle avoidance. Its powerful mapping and navigation distinguish itself as the new flagship robot combo from Narwal. That and the addition of the fluffy microfiber cloth attached to the side to help clean off the baseboards.

How does Narwal Freo Z Ultra compare?

Below is a complete list of our vacuum tests and critical product data compared side by side to the average based on all of our vacuum tests to date.

Test Type	Test Data	Avg. Data
Overall Debris Tests	90.7%	92.7%
Hardwood Floor Test	97.5%	97.2%
Low Pile Carpet Test	85.0%	89.9%
High Pile Carpet Test	89.5%	90.5%
Long Hair Test	96.7%	57.2%
Pet Hair Test	96.0%	78.9%
Edge Cleaning Test	85.5%	87.6%
Crevice Test	90.7%	97.7%
Mop Test	92.0%	89.8%
Cleaning Speed	50 min.	61 min.
Obstacle Avoidance	Yes	Yes
Cleaning Efficiency	Exceptional	Exceptional
Build Quality	Exceptional	Exceptional
Noise Test	66 dB	69 dB
Type	Robot Mop Combo	Robot Vacuum
Bagless	No	Yes
Self-Empty	Yes	No
Auto-Wash	Yes	No
Dustbin Capacity	Unknown	15.0 oz. (442.2 mL)
Weight	Unknown	8.7 lbs. (3.9 kg)

While the Freo Z ultra did struggle to beat some of our debris averages, we do believe that the Freo Z Ultra would excel in any home in debris collection and mapping capabilities. The Navigation itself is so fantastic that it will be sure to cover every inch of your home.

It’s not uncommon for robots that have such high level navigation skills to have some issues with our testing lane. This was a similar case with the ECOVACS DEEBOT X2 Omni, Dreame X40 Ultra, or the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra, where they completed the cleaning cycles, but they knew they were “trapped” in our testing lanes.

Bottom line, the Narwal Freo Z Ultra is a fantastic robot mop combo when compared to others.

Other Vacuums to Consider

FAQs