The Narwal Flow is the closest I've seen a robot vacuum get to being perfect

Android Authority

15 hours ago

Narwal Flow
If you're considering a robot vacuum purchase purely based on its ability to leave floors of all types as clean as possible, the Narwal Flow is the best bot you can get. AI-powered navigation, EdgeReach Technology, and anti-tangle brushes clean carpets and hard floors all the way to the edges and into the corners with zero fuss. The multi-function base station, with self-cleaning and drying functions, also makes it a breeze to use.
Today, I looked at my floor and noticed it looked exceptionally good. I have been reviewing the very best robot vacuums for quite some time now, so they are constantly running in my home. What bot made me take notice? That would be the Narwal Flow.
Not only does the floor look great, but the edges and corners are super clean, and my rugs are clean and have not moved from where I placed them. A number of vacuums can accomplish all of these things, but this is the first time they have all happened at the same time.
And after testing it for a month, running it for well over 1,000 hours and 7,500 sqft of floor cleaning tasks, I'm pretty happy to declare that this is one of the best robot vacuums you can buy.
What's the Narwal Flow all about?
Paul Jones / Android Authority
Back at CES 2025 we awarded the Narwal Flow a CES 2025 Breakthrough award for its various innovations. The multi-function base station, and the new FlowWash System with EdgeReach Technology were top factors in that decision. It was obvious from those early demos that this was going to be the bot to beat for floor mopping in 2025, so I'm super pleased to have now had the bot in-house for live testing.
Traditionally, Narwal deploys dual spinning mop pads on its bots. With the Narwal Flow, the FlowWash Mopping System is an elongated roller system. This creates a full-width flat surface that can polish a lot of surfaces at once. The Flow also adds EdgeReach, which allows the roller to push out to the side so that the bot can clean completely to the edge of your room and into corners.
Jonathan Feist / Android Authority
The Flow is equipped with familiar folding front brushes and a zero-tangling main roller, powered by 20,000 Pa of suction pressure for all of your vacuuming needs.
Though Narwal has been a leader in terms of mapping and navigation in the past, the Flow steps that up, too. Combining powerful AI computing in their Twin-AI Dodge with the reliability of 3D modeling from LiDAR sensors, the Flow navigates my home better than any Narwal bot before it. Plus, the LiDAR sensor is now situated in the rear casing, making this one of the shortest Narwal bots as well, perfect for getting under furniture.
Jonathan Feist / Android Authority
The 8-in-1 multi-function base station houses clean and dirty water canisters, a large dry debris collection bag, and an assortment of self-cleaning and automation features. These features promise many weeks of maintenance-free and stress-free operation.
Many promises, but how does the Narwal Flow stack up in the real world?
Jonathan Feist / Android Authority
Let's start with the basics. The Flow is proving to be a very reliable vacuum, and that all starts with mapping and navigation. After setup, the Flow mapped my floors just as well as previous Narwal units did, and it continues to navigate with precision. It accurately identifies cords, shoes, furniture, and carpets that it should avoid running over. This includes my extra-thick bath mats that I always talk about; the Flow is the first bot to identify the mats as being too tall for it, avoiding them instead of getting stuck on them.
Jonathan Feist / Android Authority
Narwal vacuum suction systems were enough to pick up metal marbles, Lego, and other heavy debris back when the bots were around 8,000 Pa; now that the Flow offers 20,000 Pa, picking up debris and pulling things out of deeper carpets is better than ever. The Flow successfully gets those pesky pine needles from all the cracks and crevices.
Edge-to-edge, there are few bots as thorough as the Narwal Flow
The navigation and reach systems effectively clean the edges and corners of the room. These systems also ensure coverage around furniture legs, which is great. The Narwal Flow continues the tradition of Narwal bots successfully cleaning all the way under my kitchen table, navigating the chair legs and other obstacles. It helps that the bot is shorter than most, so it has no issue at all getting under the low bars and my other low furniture.
Jonathan Feist / Android Authority
Dry debris is cleanly pulled from the bot after each session, storing the dust and leaves in the 2.5L vacuum bag in the base station. That multi-function base station also does a great job at cleaning the mop pad, using heat and air.
For my wood floors, this is the best clean I've seen from any robot vacuum to date.
In terms of mopping, the roller pad presses into the floor with 12N of downward force to buff away any dirt and grime that might have still existed on my floors. My hardwoods and tile are looking fantastic. The cleaning solution that Narwal creates has always worked well with my floors, which might change your results, but this is, without question, the best result from a Narwal bot that I've seen to date, and, in fact, the best I've seen from any robot vacuum, period.
Jonathan Feist / Android Authority
Sadly, the base station does not have automatic detergent addition. You have to manually add the solution to the clean water canister each time you fill it. Speaking of, I'm having to refill the bucket (and empty and clean the used water bucket) for every 900 sqft of mopping. That's just over two full cleanings of my space.
Of course, the Flow has plenty of AI smarts baked in, too. I've been using the Freo Mind mode, which has been adjusting the cleaning strategy as it goes. The bot spends more or less time in certain areas based on previous cleaning needs, and may change up its flow, starting in one room or another, or cleaning edges first, then the middle. Narwal is still using its DirtSense technology, which very accurately detects the cleanliness of the water coming off the mop roller. The system overall knows how clean or dirty your space is by tracking the cleanliness of the roller at the time of cleaning in the base station. If the roller is too dirty, then the bot may go back out to clean again.
Jonathan Feist / Android Authority
What matters most to me is that I cannot see any spots on my floor that the Flow has missed, and I do not have to go around after it to put things back in place that it's run into or pushed around. Most modern high-end robot vacuums are really good at navigation, but the Narwal Flow stands out for precision.
In terms of navigation, the absolute only thing I've seen that the Flow could improve on is how it handles closed doors. If the bot knows there's a room behind that door, it's a little pushy at trying to get in there. It does not run into the door if it's completely closed, but if the door is just barely open, the Flow may try to push in. That was a startling experience when I was in the shower once, but it was worth the laugh.
Narwal Flow specifications
Narwal Flow
Expand
Robot
Dimensions: 368 x 330 x 95 mm
Functions
✔ Sweeps
✔ Vacuums
✔ Mops Expand
Narwal Flow review verdict: Is it worth it?
Jonathan Feist / Android Authority
At $1,499 MSRP, the Flow is definitely on the premium end of robot vacuum cleaners, but if I had the cash, I'd buy one as a gift for all of my family and friends. In particular, I know someone with three big dogs who is struggling to keep their floors clean. The Narwal Flow is the first bot I think can keep up with those slobbery beasts and their shedding hair.
For the overall cleaning experience, I am reminded of the Narwal Freo Z Ultra ($1499.99 at Amazon) and the Roborock Saros 10R ($1599.99 at Amazon).
The Freo Z Ultra is from an older generation of Narwal bots, which helped pave the way for what we get today. It included superb, LiDAR-driven mapping and navigation, and also produced a very pleasant polished clean on my hard floors. Automation and AI-smarts made the Freo Z Ultra a fantastic choice, but it only has 12,000 Pa of suction pressure, and the LiDAR turret on top made it fairly tall. The Narwal Flow feels better to me in almost every way.
The Flow is a no-fuss floor cleaner with great navigation.
The next best option in its price tier is the Roborock Saros 10R, which excels at navigation, even if the Narwal has it beat in terms of mopping. If you really want to have fun, the Saros Z70 ($2599 at Amazon) is also available, but most people won't want to pay an extra $1,000 for that bot's party trick: a robotic arm. If you want something below the $1,000 price threshold, the Eureka J15 Pro Ultra ($799.99 at Amazon) is also a great choice.
Jonathan Feist / Android Authority
I try not to get attached to review units I get sent to test, but I'm going to be sad when this bot moves on. That's about the best recommendation I think I can give.
Narwal Flow
Reliable, powerful vacuuming • Great mopping capabilities • Great hair anti-tangle • Precision navigation
MSRP: $1,499.99
Narwal's best in 2025 is a superb floor cleaner
The Narwal Flow is a robot vacuum with powerful mopping tools for a full-home clean. The tank-tread style mop roller has EdgeReach Technology to clean from edge-to-edge in your home, including into the corners and around tight furniture legs. With 22,000 Pa of suction pressure, 12N of mopping force, and AI-driven navigation, the Flow lacks for little. See price at NarwalSee price at Amazon
Positives Reliable, powerful vacuuming
Reliable, powerful vacuuming Great mopping capabilities
Great mopping capabilities Impressive hair anti-tangle rollers
Impressive hair anti-tangle rollers Precision navigation
Precision navigation Reliable mapping and navigation
Reliable mapping and navigation Self-cleaning and drying multi-function base station
Cons Consume water very quickly
Consume water very quickly Doesn't play nicely with doors sometimes
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