Introducing: Narwal Flow, the robot vacuum that revolutionizes mopping

The Narwal Flow robot vacuum cleaner revolutionizes mopping.

INTRODUCTION

There have been few truly industry-changing developments in the world of robotic vacuum cleaners in the past decade. But the Narwal Flow is more than just another vacuum cleaner – it’s a paradigm shift in wet cleaning. When Narwal introduced this innovative device in 2024, many experts and testers immediately recognized that it would change the way we think about robot mops.

Mopping technology has seemed to stagnate for a while. Most robot vacuums can only mop with a simple MOP, but even the better ones have all repeated the same basic solution: two round, rotating mop pads that travel across the floor. Narwal has upended this archaic approach with its FlowWash system, which uses hot water, continuous cleaning, and smart filtration.

Narwal is an interesting story in itself. It has only been a few years since its founding, but it has managed to become one of the most significant players in the industry. Where large, traditional manufacturers spend years on development, Narwal has been able to respond quickly to market needs and create solutions that competitors only try to imitate later. Flow is the absolute culmination of these innovative efforts.

But what does this mean in practice? The Narwal Flow has a suction power of 22,000 Pa – a value that was previously the privilege of flagship models, or rather not even of them, since a robot vacuum cleaner with such suction power has never existed before. But suction power is just the beginning. This device promises what no robot has ever fully been able to do: truly clean floors, minimal human intervention, and an intelligence that learns to suit our home.

During the first tests, experts found that Narwal Flow can actually remove stubborn stains in one go, which would take 3-4 mopping sessions with traditional mops. This is not just a matter of convenience – it saves time, water and energy. The device is able to distinguish between dry and wet dirt and react to each differently.

The innovative FlowWash system uses 49°C hot water, 1,22 kg of pressure and 16 water jets that constantly wet the mop. But the point is: Narwal Flow doesn't pull dirt apart - it sucks it in. This is a paradigm shift in the world of smart robot vacuums.

EXTERNAL APPEARANCE, DIMENSIONS, CONNECTORS AND CONTROLS

When testers first unboxed the Narwal Flow, their first impression was that it was a pretty serious product. The device comes in a minimalist white and gray casing that fits perfectly into modern homes. Unlike other robot vacuums that have a confusing tower structure on top, the Narwal Flow has a relatively smooth surface — important because it can more easily slide under furniture.

In terms of dimensions, the Narwal Flow is particularly compact. With a height of just 9,5 centimeters – which is 3,74 inches in English – this smart robot vacuum cleaner fits under practically any bed, sofa or low cabinet. This makes maximum use of the free space above the floor: it cleans even in places that other devices cannot reach. The basic dimensions are as follows: the robot is 364 × 351 × 95 mm, while the docking station is 402 × 431 × 461 mm. Its total weight is only 13,2 kg, which is not too heavy to lift by hand, but it is still stable.

Narwal Flow has two bright, easily identifiable buttons on the top. One is for the on/off function, and the other is for returning to the docking station. In addition, invisible controls are located under and around the device: collision sensors, a radar sensor, an obstacle avoidance sensor and an edge sensor, as well as a fall arrester to prevent falls on stairs. All sensors are carefully integrated into the body, so no protrusions break the aerodynamic lines of the device.

In terms of connection point, the Narwal Flow works with a single cable, which connects to the dock. Under a flip-up lid on the top of the dock are two large water tanks: a 5-liter tank for clean water and a 4,75-liter tank for waste water. These are marked with bright purple and white labels, making it impossible to confuse which one goes in which.

Inside the robot, there is a 130 milliliter water tank and a 300 milliliter dust container. The latter is relatively small, but can be set via the app to empty in the dock before each vacuuming session. Underneath the Narwal Flow is a flexible mop pad that automatically lifts when it detects carpets. The pad can be lifted by 12 millimeters, ensuring that carpets never get soaked.

Thanks to EdgeReach technology, the mop pad can be extended sideways – up to 48 millimeters – as can the vertical side brushes. This means that the Narwal Flow can clean within 5 millimeters of walls, virtually eliminating the problem of leaving a 1-2 centimeter dust strip at the edges of the room.

The battery is a 6400 mAh lithium-ion cell that provides approximately 190 minutes of operation on low power – enough to clean an average 100-150 square meter apartment in one go. To detect neighboring areas, the Narwal Flow uses a dToF LIDAR sensor that can cross thresholds up to 4 centimeters high. The device also distinguishes over 200 household objects and accurately avoids them.

For voice control, the Narwal Flow supports Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri commands, as well as its own “Hey Nawa” voice command. You can easily schedule cleanings, customize modes, and track sessions through the app.

SPECIFICATIONS

The Narwal Flow's specifications clearly show that it is a flagship model. Among the basic data, the most striking is the suction power: 22,000 Pa, which is currently one of the highest in the industry. This suction power is capable of removing embedded dirt, pet hair and other debris from the cracks of hard floors with 99% efficiency.

The FlowWash mopping system is the heart of the appliance. The mop pad is oblong in shape, rather than the traditional round type. 16 water pipes spray it with hot water between 45 and 80°C, while a built-in scraper continuously sucks up the dirty water. This mechanism means that the mop pad never works with dirty water – it is always in contact with fresh water. The mop pad exerts 12 newtons of downward pressure, one of the highest on the market.

Obstacle avoidance is based on the TwinAI system. Two ultra-wide-field RGB cameras and a dedicated AI chip identify more than 200 types of household objects. The cameras have a 136-degree field of view, which covers almost the entire foreground. The AI ​​chip is an 8-core processor that allows for 750 times faster processing than the average robot vacuum cleaner. Point-cloud recognition is based on 1,5 million points, which means that the device can handle obstacles with millimeter accuracy.

The navigation uses an integrated LiDAR system, which is not mounted on the roof, but on the back of the robot. This allows for a profile of only 9,5 centimeters high. The navigation efficiency is about 0,63 square meters per minute – which is below average, but in practical tests the device is able to make intelligent decisions and thus finish the job faster.

CarpetFocus technology automatically detects when the device touches a carpet. In this case, the mop pad is raised by 12 millimeters and a special brush cover creates a sealed high-pressure zone. This mechanism can increase suction efficiency on carpets by up to two times.

The DualFlow Tangle-Free system uses two stage rollers to direct hairs directly into the dust bin, preventing tangles. The side brushes intelligently switch between V-shaped and II-shaped modes. The mop pad is removable and replaceable - a single unit, not a dual system. The battery has a capacity of 6400 mAh, which provides approximately 190 minutes of run time on low power.

The docking station holds a 2,5-liter dust bag that can last for about 120 days – essentially a quarterly replacement. AI-adaptive hot water mopping operates at temperatures between 45 and 80°C. The self-cleaning waste tank has an agitator to prevent residue. The maintenance-free filter and dryer use 38°C hot air to prevent fungus and bacteria.

The docking station measures 402 x 431 x 461 mm and weighs approximately 15 kilograms. The smart voice control supports Alexa, Google Home and Siri integration. Support for the Matter protocol is planned for the end of the year.

APPLICATION AND SOFTWARE

The Narwal Flow requires an app – available on both Android and iOS. When first launched, the user pairs the device via a QR code, which is a quick and intuitive process. Within the app, the robot automatically scans the home and creates a 3D map of all the rooms. Upon first scan, the AI ​​identifies the rooms within a few minutes and even recognizes the position of furniture – the table, the bed, and even the toilet.

On the main screen of the application, the user sees a detailed map, on which the areas that the robot has already cleaned are marked with a darker shade. The map is editable - it is easy to merge, divide, rename rooms. Automatic carpet recognition is a particularly useful feature: the application shows carpets in a lighter shade, and you can set expectations for these areas separately.

Scheduling is flexible. You can set which days and times to start cleaning, and you can give instructions on a per-room or per-zone basis. You can choose from several scheduling modes within the app: “Vacuum and mop” (simultaneously), “Vacuum then mop”, “Vacuum only” or “Mop only”. Freo Mind mode is an automatic optimization mode of the AI, which decides on the optimal cleaning strategy depending on the dirtiness of the room.

There is also a feature within the app that allows you to set up “No-go zones” – areas that the robot is not allowed to enter. These can be easily marked on the map with drawable tapes. In the same way, you can set up “carpet”, “kitchen”, “bathroom” or other room types and create separate cleaning profiles for each.

One notable aspect of the software is the “schedule cleaning strength” feature. Certain rooms can be automatically set to require more frequent cleaning – such as a kitchen or a living room where pets are present. The app will automatically respond with stronger suction and more intensive cleaning.

In addition to Freo Mind AI, the manual settings are also quite detailed. You can adjust the suction power (quiet, normal, strong, super strong), the wetting level (dry, normal, wet), and the mopping intensity (light, normal, intense). You can also set the frequency of mopping: per 20, 30 or 50 square meters, or on a per-room basis.

The app allows for live camera inspection – whether the user is at home or away, they can log in and get a live view of their home. In FPV (first-person view) mode, the robot can even be remotely controlled and even communicate with the camera via voice. Detections and obstacles are displayed on the map in real time with photos – so you can see what the robot has found.

Support for multi-level homes is also available: up to 4 different maps can be stored, making it possible to manage multiple floors. The app also indicates when maintenance is required - for example, washing the filter, replacing the side brush, or when it is time to empty the dust bag.

One of the software's curiosities is the "Pet Mode". If you mark that you have a pet, the app automatically activates more intensive cleaning in the zones where the animals usually stay. Furthermore, all "incident reports" can be viewed through the APP - for example, where there is a hairless bird nest or where the robot has detected sewage.

EXPERIENCES – WHAT I EXPERIENCED DURING TESTING

The Narwal Flow was tested in a variety of homes and environments. One of the most significant findings was that the FlowWash system actually works. When testing ketchup or coffee on floors that had been dry for 12 hours, the dirt was almost completely removed in the first pass. This is a performance level that traditional robot mops would typically not achieve in 3-4 passes.

In terms of suction power, the 22,000 Pa really made a noticeable difference. Pet hair and embedded dust were lifted from carpet fibers with an efficiency that is truly outstanding in the industry. One tester used the device in a home with a long-haired dog and found that the anti-tangling system really works – after almost six weeks, the main brush was virtually hair-free.

Obstacle avoidance was one of the most impressive features in practice. The Twin AI system was able to distinguish between a shoe, a rolled-up box of socks, a charging cable, and even a dog toy. In fact, in one test, the robot recognized a “wall” (which was actually a tall board) and automatically climbed over it—a functionality the reviewer had never seen in any other robot before.

The sensor isn't perfect, though. In a test on a black carpet, the cliff sensors sometimes misread brightly colored surfaces as vertical falls. However, this turned out to be a rare occurrence and has been fixed with software updates.

In terms of navigation efficiency, the Narwal Flow performed slightly below average in unidirectional movement tests – the device often “walked” around the area instead of moving linearly. However, in practical home testing, it also proved faster than the Roborock Saros 10R because the AI ​​made more intelligent decisions about route selection.

Battery performance was surprisingly good. With a 150-minute run time, it was able to clean a 100 square meter area in a single pass. Battery efficiency – which is how many minutes it runs per percentage point – was 3,0 minutes per 1%, which is exceptional compared to the average of 1,31 minutes.

Mopping in practice really did feel like using a wet cleaning device. One tester spilled sauce on the floor and the robot removed it in one go – something other devices usually can’t do. The “intelligent liquid detection” functionality means that when the robot detects liquid dirt, it automatically reduces suction and operates in mopping mode only, so it doesn’t splash up the spilled liquid.

One negative was that the app initially showed the entire home as a “no-go zone” – a software bug that was resolved after a map update, but it did cause some frustration when first setting it up.

The Narwal Flow performed well in terms of corner cleaning. The EdgeReach technology allows the mop to reach within 5 millimeters of the wall, which virtually eliminates corner dust streaks. And the side brushes pivot in corners, although one tester noted that they couldn't reach furniture legs that were almost parallel to the floor.

In terms of active filter replacement and maintenance, the device really requires almost zero human intervention. The 120-day dust bag capacity was realistic – in an intensively used home, it turned out to be almost saturated within 8-9 months, but did not exceed the stated deadline. The mop washing was automatic, and after five weeks of testing, no strange odors appeared – the 38°C drying and the self-cleaning waste tank worked well.

The app proved intuitive, although some settings – such as the carpet cleaning mode – were not immediately obvious. The AI ​​Freo Mind mode really “learned” about the home: after the first cleaning, it had some strange movements, but after the third or fourth, it started working optimally.

The noise level in practice was around the manufacturer's specifications: 55 dB on normal suction, 65 dB on high, and 72 dB on self-emptying. However, washing the mop took about 10 minutes - which seemed a bit long for some testers.

CONCLUSION

After six to eight weeks of intensive testing, the Narwal Flow is clearly one of the best robot vacuum and mop combinations you can buy today. The innovative FlowWash system delivers cleaning performance that is truly unique in the industry. The 22,000 Pa suction power is not just a number – you can feel the difference in practice, especially on carpets and when removing embedded dirt.

Obstacle avoidance and AI-based decision-making have been advanced to a level that allows for almost fully automated home cleaning. The fact that the robot can differentiate between liquid and dry dirt and react accordingly seems almost science fiction for a vacuum cleaner. The app is also well designed, although some of the settings could be better explained on first launch.

The most significant of the negatives is the price. At $1499 in the base configuration, it's not affordable for every household. Also, the lack of an automatic detergent dispenser feels like a step back from the previous Freo Ultra model. And the battery efficiency, while good, comes with slightly slower navigation - but this is not a significant drawback in practice.

Overall, however, the Narwal Flow is at the center of our recommendations. Anyone who values ​​the combination of innovation and practical performance and is not afraid of a higher initial investment will make a good decision with this device. The FlowWash technology and AI-based intelligence have truly opened the door to a new generation of smart robot vacuum cleaners.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Narwal Flow – 10 most common questions and answers

1. What height of threshold can Narwal Flow cross? Narwal Flow can cross a threshold of up to 4 centimeters. However, this works with a complex mechanism - the robot rises with its front axles, followed by the rear axles. A threshold or step higher than 4 cm in one piece is not possible, but a threshold consisting of several steps (for example 1,5 cm + 1,5 cm) is already possible.
2. How loud is the Narwal Flow when it's running? The Narwal Flow produces 55 dB (on normal suction) and 65 dB (on high mode). This is similar to a conversation at close range. The noise level during self-emptying is around 72 dB, which is still relatively low compared to a conventional vacuum cleaner. However, washing the mop takes around 10 minutes and is relatively quiet.
3. Is it really possible to go 120 days without emptying the dust bag? Yes, the 2,5 liter dust bag lasts for about 120 days – about 3-4 months. However, this depends heavily on the level of dirt and animal population in your household. In case of intensive use and a lot of pet hair, this period may be shorter.
4. How does intelligent liquid detection work? Narwal Flow cameras are able to distinguish between liquid contaminants. When a liquid is detected, it automatically reduces aspiration and operates in mopping mode only. However, this feature is not 100% reliable – in particular, opaque liquids (coffee, milk, sauce) are detected more easily than clear water.
5. Is the app required for the robot to work? Yes, the app is required for basic control. However, there are two buttons on the top of the robot – one for powering on and one for returning to the dock. If someone is standing next to the robot in person, these can be used to control basic functions. However, the app is essential for scheduling and detailed settings.
6. How good is the obstacle avoidance on the Narwal Flow? Obstacle avoidance is extremely good – the robot can recognize and avoid 200+ objects. However, it is not perfect: thin wires sometimes cause problems, and in one test it was only partially successful in recognizing a chair with metal legs. It sometimes recognizes black carpets as holes. Overall, however, it is one of the best obstacle avoidance systems in the industry.
7. Does Narwal Flow work on carpets? Yes, CarpetFocus technology automatically detects carpets, raises the mop pad, and raises the side brushes. It also automatically increases suction power to clean carpet fibers more thoroughly. The “intensive carpet cleaning” mode even goes in a zigzag pattern across carpets – both horizontally and vertically.
8. Do you need to replace mop pads often? The mop pad is a replaceable part, but it doesn't need to be replaced often. During one of the longer tests (after 6-8 weeks of intensive use) it didn't need to be replaced. The manufacturer recommends replacing it after approximately 150 hours of use, which is usually a replacement after 6-9 months of normal use.
9. What is the water consumption of Narwal Flow? Narwal Flow consumes a significant amount of water – approximately 1-1,5 liters of clean water when cleaning a 100 square meter apartment. This is more than traditional robot mops, but FlowWash technology compensates for this with better cleaning performance. Water consumption can be reduced via the app by adjusting the wetting level.
10. Is Narwal Flow compatible with smart home systems? Yes, the robot supports Alexa, Google Home and Siri commands. Support for the Matter protocol is planned for the end of the year, which will allow for even more integrations. However, Matter support was not yet active at the time of release, so full smart home integration had to wait.