Narwal's Self-Cleaning, AI-Enhanced Robot Vacuum and Mop From CES Is Finally Ready to Buy

CNET

6 days ago

Narwal has a pretty extensive lineup of robot vacuums, many of which we've tested in our roundup of the best robot vacuums. One of the latest additions to the lineup is the Narwal Flow, first announced at CES 2025. As the name suggests, the Flow is another high-end robot vacuum that focuses on mopping, but it also comes with more advanced AI navigation and the ability to self-clean and detangle itself. It's now available for sale at $1,499 full price and $1,099 for presale.
According to Narwal CEO Junbin Zhang, the goal is to provide a hands-free experience. Many robot vacuums aim for this by incorporating auto-emptying docks, self-cleaning and drying mop pads, and even robotic arms and lift systems to help sort items or navigate obstacles.
We're currently still testing the Narwal Flow in CNET's Louisville lab, but in the meantime, here's what we know the Flow brings to the table.
Narwal/ Zooey Liao/CNET
Narwal Flow features
There's a lot of jargon in robot vacuum technology, but ultimately, all the terminology is fairly straightforward.
The Narwal Flow can mop with 12 newtons of downward pressure.
Narwal/CNET
FlowWash Mopping System: Mopping is the selling point of the Flow. Its mopping system uses a track mop design that cleans itself in real time with 113-degree Fahrenheit fresh water while also collecting dirty water, so the mopping pads are always rinsed with clean water between cycles. It also applies 12 newtons of downward pressure to tackle tougher stains, though we're still testing its mopping performance using a new method where we spread raspberry jelly on various surfaces.
Mopping is the selling point of the Flow. Its mopping system uses a track mop design that cleans itself in real time with 113-degree Fahrenheit fresh water while also collecting dirty water, so the mopping pads are always rinsed with clean water between cycles. It also applies 12 newtons of downward pressure to tackle tougher stains, though we're still testing its mopping performance using a new method where we spread raspberry jelly on various surfaces. Twin-Al Dodge Obstacle Avoidance: Every robot vacuum is trying to incorporate AI obstacle avoidance in some capacity and Narwal is no exception. The robot comes equipped with dual 136-degree ultra-wide RGB cameras and an AI chip that allows it to recognize and avoid more than 200 different types of objects, including pet waste, socks, plastic bags and cables. According to Narwal, this system allows for precise navigation with 5mm accuracy.
Every robot vacuum is trying to incorporate AI obstacle avoidance in some capacity and Narwal is no exception. The robot comes equipped with dual 136-degree ultra-wide RGB cameras and an AI chip that allows it to recognize and avoid more than 200 different types of objects, including pet waste, socks, plastic bags and cables. According to Narwal, this system allows for precise navigation with 5mm accuracy. CarpetFocus Technology: This is an adaptive solution for cleaning carpets. When the robot detects carpet, its brush cover automatically lowers to create a sealed, high-pressure zone, which boosts suction power and extracts deeply embedded dirt. Think of it being similar to pressing down harder with a vacuum cleaner head. The robot also lifts its mop to avoid wetting carpets and uses a dual-pass zigzag cleaning path for a more thorough clean.
This is an adaptive solution for cleaning carpets. When the robot detects carpet, its brush cover automatically lowers to create a sealed, high-pressure zone, which boosts suction power and extracts deeply embedded dirt. Think of it being similar to pressing down harder with a vacuum cleaner head. The robot also lifts its mop to avoid wetting carpets and uses a dual-pass zigzag cleaning path for a more thorough clean. DualFlow Tangle-Free System: Narwal calls this a system, but it's a fairly common feature among robot vacuums, which use various methods to prevent brush tangles or to disentangle themselves. Narwal's system consists of a tangle-free floating roller brush and dynamic auto-detangling side brushes, both of which are SGS-certified to prevent hair tangles.
Narwal calls this a system, but it's a fairly common feature among robot vacuums, which use various methods to prevent brush tangles or to disentangle themselves. Narwal's system consists of a tangle-free floating roller brush and dynamic auto-detangling side brushes, both of which are SGS-certified to prevent hair tangles. Water hookup: This is a new feature we haven't seen on a robot vacuum before. Flow Series models offer an optional refill and drainage dock that connects to your home's plumbing to automatically refill and empty the vacuum's water tank. There's also a 480mm detergent reservoir that should last for two months before needing to be refilled.
The Narwal Flow's mop can pop out to clean edges up to 0.19 inches.
Narwal/CNET
Other features
Other parts of the Flow's feature set are more standard and ones we typically expect to see on robot vacuums. It comes with 22,000 pascals of suction, which should translate to solid performance on our sand pickup test if competitor results are anything to go by. While mopping, the Flow's mop pops out to clean within 0.19 inches of walls and corners for full edge-to-edge coverage. For corners, the side brushes will also dynamically reverse rotation to extend the bristles to widen their cleaning diameter.
Obstacle crossing is a big new addition. Like the Dreame X50 Ultra, the Flow has a lift system that lets it cross thresholds, table legs and other obstacles up to 1.6 inches. The robot itself is 3.7 inches tall, allowing it to navigate under lower furniture such as beds and sofas.
Narwal/ Zooey Liao/ CNET
As expected, there's also a multi-function base for the Flow, a common feature on most high-end robot vacuums. The 11-inch tall, 8-in-1 base will automatically empty the 2.5-liter dustbin, letting you store up to 120 days of dust before needing to empty. The base station is also where the robot will automatically do hot water mop washing, adjusting the water temperature from 113 degrees Fahrenheit to 176 degrees Fahrenheit for sterilization, followed by hot air drying and water refilling.
Finally, the Flow has a built-in voice assistant that's activated by the 'Hey Nawa' command and compatible with Alexa, Google Home, Siri and Matter.
The Flow comes with FlowWash mopping and EdgeReach technology.
Narwal
Pricing and availability
The Narwal Flow is available in two versions:
Water Tank Version: Priced at $1,499.99, it's available during the presale for a launch discount of $1,099.99.
Priced at $1,499.99, it's available during the presale for a launch discount of $1,099.99. Compact Version: This model's regular price is $1,599.99, but it's on sale for $1,399.99 during the presale period.
The presale runs from August 7 through August 27, 2025, after which the Flow will be sold at its regular price. Customers that buy during the presale can get an extended three-year warranty and an accessory bundle. Our testing and evaluation of the Narwal Flow should also be completed around the same time, so stay tuned as we put it through its paces.