If there’s one thing that I never expected to be so obsessed with, it’s a robot vacuum. Sure, I knew it would mean less vacuuming and mopping for me, but what I didn’t expect was how frequently I jump into the app and set the robots off to do a task.
The nifty robots in question are the Roborock Saros 10R and Narwal Freo Z10. Both are robot vacuums and mops that claim to clean my floors (and themselves) with ease, all while I do literally anything else.
I put these two robots to the ultimate test over the past few weeks, and trust me, they’ve worked hard! Spoiler alert: I’ve become borderline obsessed – though, to be fair, it’s probably because they’re better at cleaning my floors than I am.
But before we start, I need to clarify that the Freo Z10 and Saros 10R aren’t direct competitors price-wise. The Roborock is the flagship model, so of course has many fantastic additional features and will sit at a higher price point.
That being said, this review will hopefully allow you to decide which robot vacuum is right for you within your budget. Roborock also offer the Qrevo L, Edge C, or Curv and other models that sit closer to Narwal’s price bracket, which may be better suited if your budget is closer to $2,000
So in the showdown that is Roborock vs Narwal, which comes out on top? Read on to find out!
Roborock Saros 10R
Our rating: 7.5 out of 10
Why we rated it 7.5/10: This device offers impressive cleaning performance and some great features, though it does come at a higher price point as it’s a premium, flagship model.
Roborock Pros
- Voice commands
- Camera capabilities
- Identifies and captures pets and other obstructions
Roborock Cons
- Can be noisy in certain modes
- Simultaneous vacuum and mop not as effective
- Does not come with floor cleaner
Narwal Freo Z10
Our rating: 9 out of 10
Why we rated it 9/10: The Narwal is a less expensive model and is a great option for families in smaller houses or apartments that don’t require all the bells and whistles.
Narwal Pros
- Maps house quickly
- Stickers on unit for easy instructions
- Quieter option
Narwal Cons
- Mop heads don’t detach
- Water tanks need emptied and refilled often
- Need to buy floor cleaner refills
Roborock Saros 10R
Narwal Freo Z10
What’s so special about the Roborock Saros 10R and Narwal Freo Z10?
Going into this review, you need to know that these aren’t your average floor bots. Beyond the regular vacuuming and mopping, both models come loaded with smart features: self-emptying and self-cleaning docks, tangle-free technology, high suction power, and even ‘extended arms’ to better handle corners and uneven spaces.
However, there are a few additional features to the Roborock Saros 10R that you won’t find in the Narwal model:
- Video camera capabilities
- Detachable mop heads
- Built-in light to help navigate
Roborock and Narwal size
One thing to note about these robot vacuums is that they are not small. Once out of the box, they’re light enough to lift individually, but the cardboard delivery box can be mighty hefty.
I found this out the hard way when my apartment building’s lift broke on delivery day — let’s just say hauling boxes (roughly 20 kg each) up several flights of stairs wasn’t ideal.
You’ll also need a decent amount of space to store these. I found in my small apartment that it was tricky to find a space where these docking stations wouldn’t be in the way.
Roborock:
Robot Vacuum: 264 mm L x 328 mm W x 110 mm H | Approx. 4.6 kg
Base Station: 450 mm L x 380 mm W x 480 mm H | Approx. 11.4 kg
Narwal:
Robot Vacuum: 355 mm L x 350 mm W x 107.7 mm H | Approx. 4.6 kg
Base Station: 431 mm L x 426.8 mm W x 461.5 mm H | Approx. 11.3 kg
Setting up the robot vacuums
Both robots were relatively easy to install, and had minimal steps to set up. Within about an hour, the vacuums were mapping the apartment and I was well on the way to having clean, sparkling floors.
The process included:
- Attaching mop heads and base station ramps — both of which clip into place quickly and easily
- Pair with the corresponding app — which is a straightforward process, but worth noting you will need to be connected to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- Using the app to start mapping the apartment or house
- Fill water tank and floor cleaner if needed (the Roborock needs to be filled, whereas the Narwal comes with it’s own container of fluid)
- Adjust vacuum and mopping intensity based on flooring and room
Once up and running, there were some distinct differences that I noticed between the two devices. Below is a comprehensive list.
Results from our Roborock vs Narwal test
Water tanks
I used both vacuums in similar capacity, but quickly noticed that the Narwal needed the dirty water tank to be emptied much sooner than the Roborock did. The clean water also had to be refilled a few times before I got the same notification for the Roborock.
For those who want to schedule the robots to clean while they are asleep or at work, having the empty or refill notification will interrupt cleaning so having a model like the Roborock is the best option in this instance. However personally, this wasn’t a deal breaker for me, as I live in a small apartment and only have the device running while I’m at home.
Pets
In a similar way, I also noticed very soon into using these devices that my cat — a little old man called Billy — was a lot more wary of the Roborock than Narwal. Even when vacuuming on standard mode, I thought that the Roborock was a little louder, but seeing Billy so hesitant confirmed that the whirring and buzzing was in fact… loud.
While the Roborock Saros 10R is noticeably louder, it’s largely thanks to its 20,000Pa suction — however it does also have a quiet or low-suction modes for lighter cleans, and even a Pet Mode to keep furry friends calm. In my tests, though, I often ran it at higher suction with the intention of deep cleaning the carpet and rugs, which meant the noise was more noticeable in my open-plan space.
On the other hand, the Narwal vacuum was a quieter option, and on a few occasions, I had to check if it was still running because I couldn’t hear it. Of course, on it’s highest setting (15,000Pa) it will still be quite noisy, but where I was using the Roborock on the highest setting for carpets and rugs, I could achieve the same result from the regular setting on the Narwal.
Again, the noise wasn’t a deal breaker, but for a family with kids, pets or shift workers, the noise may be worth considering.
Speaking of pets, the Roborock does have the additional camera capability, and will take a picture of any pet or obstruction it runs into (see below for hilarious compilation). Not only will it detect pets and other obstructions, but can also be used as a remote camera at any time.
The Roborock does also take pictures of plants, shoes and any other obstacles that it comes into contact with so that you can reference (and choose to ignore) if necessary.
Voice activation
The Roborock also has voice activation if you are busy doing other things (like cooking, or just watching TV) and don’t want to go into the app. Simply say, “Hello Rocky” and then the task you want it to complete e.g. vacuum only, vacuum and mop or vacuum harder. You can find suggested voice command options in app or manual booklet.
While it may not have voice control, it’s worth noting that the Narwal does have a cute jingle when turning on, similar to that of a Samsung washing machine.
Mopping the floors
Speaking of Narwal, a bonus was that it comes with its own container of washing fluid. I found that this left my floors exceptionally clean and without streaks, however, this is a double-edged sword, because now that I like the Narwal’s mopping capability, I will need to continue purchasing the washing fluid refill.
The Roborock on the other hand didn’t come with a washing fluid, which meant that my own washing fluid I inserted left the floors slightly streaky. However, I’m putting that down to my washing fluid! Roborock do have their own fluid that you can purchase in addition to the device.
That being said, the Narwal also did a great job of using AI to sense which floors were dirtiest, and re-cleaning those areas without prompts — but this AI function can be turned off in the app if you don’t want it. I found that the device would return to the kitchen, bathroom and laundry tiles time and time again to ensure they were thoroughly cleaned.
Another point of difference between brands is that the Roborock will detach the mop heads when vacuuming. This is extremely beneficial when going across rugs or carpet, as there is no risk of mop heads touching the softer furnishings. If your carpet or rug is relatively clean, this shouldn’t be too much of an issue, but I found that I was hesitant about the Narwal mop heads travelling over carpet that was covered in cat hair.
Overall, which product is better?
Both models bring serious cleaning power and genuinely useful smart features to the table. However, for my particular flooring and lifestyle — tiles, a few rugs, and a lot of cat hair — I personally prefer the Narwal. I found it did a better job of picking up cat hair and litter (a constant in my house), and left my particular tiles a little cleaner.
Needing to empty and refill the water tanks wasn’t a drawback for me, as using it suits my lifestyle and cleaning habits. I also enjoyed the way that it cleaned the bathroom and laundry tiles, which I found hard to scrub manually.
That being said, I absolutely see the overall appeal of the Roborock. The Saros 10R does sit at a higher price point, but for good reason: it delivers class-leading suction, advanced navigation, and premium features that power users or larger homes might find worth the investment.The water tanks lasting longer, camera for remote viewing, and pet detection also make it a brilliant choice for larger households, homes with kids and pets, or anyone wanting an extra layer of tech.
Ultimately, both are great devices and the choices comes down to your home, your floors, your lifestyle and budget — but either way, your days of pushing a manual mop around are numbered!
Where to buy Roborock Saros 10R and Narwal Freo Z10
Roborock Saros 10R
$2,899
Narwal Freo Z10
$1,999
