I’ve always been fascinated by how technology can simplify daily chores, and robot vacuums are at the top of that list.
After testing both the Narwal Freo and Roborock S8 Pro Ultra in my home, I’m excited to share a detailed comparison to help you decide which of these high-end cleaners deserves a spot in your smart home.
This article breaks down their features, performance, and quirks, weighing pros and cons to guide your choice. Whether you’re after spotless floors or minimal maintenance, let’s explore which vacuum reigns supreme.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | Narwal Freo | Roborock S8 Pro Ultra |
| Suction Power | 3,000 Pa | 6,000 Pa |
| Mopping System | Dual rotating mopheads | Single vibrating mophead |
| Mop Lift Height | 12mm | 5mm |
| Self-Cleaning Dock | Washes and dries mops | Washes, dries, self-empties, refills |
| Obstacle Avoidance | LiDAR-based | ReactiveAI 2.0 |
| Dustbin | Reusable or disposable | Self-emptying dock |
| App Features | Intuitive, customizable | Feature-rich, user-friendly |
| Price | ~$1,000 | ~$1,400-$1,600 |
| Battery Life | Up to 180 minutes | Up to 180 minutes |
| Noise Level | ~60 dB | ~67 dB |
My Journey With Robot Vacuums
As someone with a busy schedule, two shedding cats, and a love for clean floors, I was thrilled to test the Narwal Freo and Roborock S8 Pro Ultra.
Both promise to vacuum and mop your home with minimal effort, but they approach the task differently.
I spent weeks running these machines through my home—a mix of hardwood, tile, and medium-pile carpets—spilling cereal, tracking in dirt, and letting pet hair accumulate to see how they’d handle real-world messes.
My goal?
To figure out which one delivers the best balance of performance, convenience, and value.
Narwal Freo: Features That Stand Out
The Narwal Freo caught my attention with its sleek design and innovative mopping system. Its dual rotating mopheads spin at 180 RPM, scrubbing floors with a satisfying vigor. I noticed it tackled sticky coffee stains on my kitchen tile better than I expected, leaving no streaks behind.
The Dirt Sense Ultra Clean feature is a game-changer—it detects dirtier areas and spends extra time cleaning them. I spilled some ketchup in the dining room, and the Freo lingered there, ensuring every trace was gone.
The self-cleaning dock is another highlight. It washes and dries the mopheads, reducing manual maintenance. I appreciated the option to add Narwal’s proprietary cleaning solution to the water tank for tougher stains.
The dock’s LCD display is a nice touch, showing cleaning progress and maintenance alerts. Plus, the Freo’s dustbin design offers a choice between reusable or disposable bags, which is great for those who prefer eco-friendly options.
The Freo’s 3,000 Pa suction power is solid for most messes, though it’s not the strongest I’ve tested. It handled cat hair and dust on hardwood floors well but needed an extra pass for ground-in dirt on carpets.
Its LiDAR-based navigation mapped my home accurately, avoiding furniture and cords, though it occasionally bumped into smaller objects like socks.
Narwal Freo: Pros and Cons
Pros
- Superior Mopping: The dual mopheads excel on hard floors, tackling tough stains with ease.
- Self-Cleaning Efficiency: The dock washes and dries mops, minimizing upkeep.
- Flexible Dustbin Options: Choose between reusable or disposable bags, catering to different preferences.
- Quiet Operation: At around 60 dB, it’s quieter than many competitors, perfect for running during the day.
- Intuitive App: The Narwal app is straightforward, letting me schedule cleanings and adjust settings easily.
Cons
- Moderate Suction Power: 3,000 Pa is decent but struggles with deep carpet cleaning.
- Obstacle Avoidance Issues: LiDAR is reliable but less effective at spotting small hazards.
- No Self-Emptying Dock: You’ll need to empty the dustbin manually, which can be a hassle.
- Premium Price: At around $1,000, it’s not cheap, especially without self-emptying.
Roborock S8 Pro Ultra: Features That Impress
The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra feels like a futuristic cleaning companion. Its 6,000 Pa suction power is double that of the Freo, and it showed. Pet hair embedded in my living room carpet vanished in a single pass, and it easily sucked up cereal crumbs on hardwood.
The dual-roller brush design is a standout, loosening debris without tangling, even with my cats’ long fur.
The mopping system uses a single vibrating mophead that applies pressure to scrub stains.
It handled dried mud on my entryway tiles well, though it left slight streaks on glossy surfaces.
The mop lifts only 5mm, which meant it occasionally dampened my thicker carpets when transitioning from hard floors.
The all-in-one dock is a dream—it washes, dries, empties the dustbin, and refills the water tank.
I barely touched the robot for weeks, except to occasionally empty the dock’s dustbag.
Roborock’s ReactiveAI 2.0 obstacle avoidance is top-notch. It dodged shoes, cables, and even a stray toy with ease. The app is a powerhouse, offering 3D mapping, restricted zones, and deep carpet cleaning modes.
I loved the ability to direct the robot to specific spots, like under the dining table after a messy dinner.
Roborock S8 Pro Ultra: Pros and Cons
Pros
- Powerful Suction: 6,000 Pa makes quick work of dirt, hair, and debris on any surface.
- All-in-One Dock: Self-emptying, washing, drying, and refilling reduce maintenance to a minimum.
- Advanced Obstacle Avoidance: ReactiveAI 2.0 navigates complex homes with precision.
- Feature-Rich App: Offers extensive customization, from 3D maps to targeted cleaning.
- Versatile Cleaning: Excels on both hard floors and carpets, with strong vacuuming performance.
Cons
- Mop Lift Limitations: The 5mm lift can dampen thicker carpets during mopping.
- Louder Operation: At 67 dB, it’s noticeably noisier than the Freo.
- Higher Price Tag: Typically $1,400-$1,600, it’s a significant investment.
- Streaking on Glossy Floors: The vibrating mophead occasionally leaves minor streaks.
Key Differences Between Narwal Freo And Roborock S8 Pro Ultra
- Vacuuming
When it comes to vacuuming, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra takes the lead. Its 6,000 Pa suction power outmuscles the Freo’s 3,000 Pa, making it better suited for homes with carpets or heavy pet hair.
In my tests, the Roborock cleared a 40-gram mix of flour, salt, and rice on hardwood floors, picking up 37 grams (92.5%) in two passes. The Freo managed 39 grams (97.5%), which is impressive but slightly less consistent on carpets, where it left some debris behind.
The Roborock’s dual-roller brush is a key advantage, especially for pet owners. My cats shed like it’s their job, and the S8 Pro Ultra’s brush stayed tangle-free, funneling hair into the dustbin.
The Freo’s “zero hair tangling” design also performed well, but its single conical brush struggled with larger debris on medium-pile carpets, requiring multiple passes.
- Mopping
Mopping is where the Narwal Freo shines.
Its dual rotating mopheads apply 12N of downward pressure, scrubbing stains with precision.
In my kitchen, it erased dried coffee and ketchup stains in a single pass, leaving the tiles gleaming.
The Roborock’s vibrating mophead is effective but less aggressive, sometimes needing a second pass for stubborn stains.
On glossy tiles, it left faint streaks, which was a minor annoyance.
The Freo’s 12mm mop lift is a big win for mixed flooring. It kept my low-pile carpets dry, though it grazed thicker ones slightly when saturated.
The Roborock’s 5mm lift was less effective, occasionally leaving damp spots on my rugs. For homes with mostly hard floors, the Freo’s mopping prowess is hard to beat.
- Navigation and Obstacle Avoidance
Navigation is critical for a robot vacuum, and both models are impressive but not flawless. The Narwal Freo uses LiDAR to create accurate maps of my home, covering every corner systematically.
However, it struggled with small obstacles like socks or cables, bumping into them more often than I’d like. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra’s ReactiveAI 2.0 system is a step ahead, using cameras and AI to dodge hazards with ease.
It navigated around a stray shoe and a charging cord without issue, making it ideal for cluttered homes or those with pets and kids.
- Docking Stations: Convenience Factor
The docking stations are where these robots flex their automation muscles. The Narwal Freo’s dock washes and dries the mopheads, keeping them fresh and ready for the next run. I loved the option to add cleaning solution for extra stain-fighting power.
However, the lack of a self-emptying feature was a drawback—I had to empty the dustbin every few days, which felt like a step back from full automation.
The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra’s dock is a powerhouse, handling washing, drying, self-emptying, and refilling. I only needed to empty the dustbag every month or so, which was a huge time-saver.
The trade-off is the dock’s larger footprint and reliance on disposable bags, which add recurring costs. If you value maximum hands-off convenience, the Roborock’s dock is unmatched.
- App Experience and Smart Features
Both robots offer robust apps, but they cater to slightly different preferences. The Narwal app is intuitive, with a clean interface for scheduling, setting no-go zones, and adjusting cleaning modes. I found it easy to use, though it lacks some advanced features like 3D mapping.
The Dirt Sense feature integrates well, letting the robot focus on dirtier areas without manual input.
The Roborock app is a step above, offering 3D mapping, deep carpet cleaning modes, and precise control over cleaning paths. I could direct the robot to clean under a specific table or avoid a rug entirely.
It’s also more polished, with fewer quirks than the Narwal app, which occasionally lagged when updating maps. Both support Alexa and Google Assistant, so I could start cleanings with voice commands.
- Battery Life and Noise Levels
Battery life is a tie—both the Freo and S8 Pro Ultra last up to 180 minutes, enough to clean my 2,000-square-foot home in one go. Charging times differ, though. The Roborock charges faster (about 4 hours vs. the Freo’s 5), which is handy if you need quick turnarounds.
Noise levels are a clear win for the Freo. At around 60 dB, it’s quiet enough to run while I’m working or watching TV. The Roborock, at 67 dB, is noticeably louder, sounding like a traditional vacuum on low.
If you’re sensitive to noise or have pets that startle easily, the Freo’s quieter operation is a big plus.
- Price and Value
Price is a major factor when choosing between these premium robots. The Narwal Freo typically retails around $1,000, though I’ve seen it drop to $800 during sales. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra ranges from $1,400 to $1,600, with occasional discounts to $1,200.
The Roborock’s higher price reflects its self-emptying dock and stronger suction, but the Freo offers better mopping and quieter operation for less.
For budget-conscious buyers, the Freo delivers excellent value, especially for hard-floor-heavy homes. The Roborock justifies its cost with superior vacuuming and hands-off maintenance, making it worth the splurge for carpeted homes or those seeking maximum automation.
My Experience With Narwal Freo And Roborock S8 Pro Ultra
To put these robots through their paces, I created a gauntlet of messes: cereal crumbs on hardwood, pet hair on carpets, and sticky juice spills on tiles.
The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra was a beast on carpets, clearing pet hair and debris in one pass.
On hardwood, it matched the Freo’s performance but was faster thanks to its stronger suction.
The Freo’s mopping was a revelation.
It tackled juice spills and dried mud with ease, leaving my tiles spotless. The Roborock did well but required an extra pass for tougher stains.
Navigation-wise, the Roborock’s AI outshone the Freo, avoiding obstacles like a pro, while the Freo occasionally got hung up on small items.
Maintenance was where the Roborock pulled ahead. Its all-in-one dock meant I barely touched it for weeks, while the Freo’s dustbin needed emptying every few days. However, the Freo’s quieter operation and eco-friendly dustbin options were a nice touch for my environmentally conscious side.
Which One Fits Your Home?
Choosing between the Narwal Freo and Roborock S8 Pro Ultra depends on your home and priorities. If you have mostly hard floors, the Freo’s superior mopping and quieter operation make it a fantastic choice.
Its lower price and flexible dustbin options are bonuses for budget-minded or eco-conscious buyers. However, if carpets dominate your space or you want a truly hands-off experience, the Roborock’s powerful suction and self-emptying dock are hard to beat, despite the higher cost.
I found both robots to be game-changers, but the Roborock edged out slightly for its versatility and automation. Still, the Freo’s mopping prowess and quiet performance make it a close contender, especially at a lower price point.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra is better for carpets and hands-off maintenance, while the Narwal Freo excels at mopping and quiet operation. Choose based on your flooring and priorities.
The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra is pricier ($1,400-$1,600), louder (67 dB), and its 5mm mop lift can dampen thick carpets. It may also leave streaks on glossy floors.
Yes, the Narwal Freo is excellent, especially for hard floors, with strong mopping, quiet operation, and a user-friendly app. It’s less ideal for deep carpet cleaning.
Narwal, a Chinese company founded in 2016, manufactures the Narwal Freo, known for innovative robot vacuums and mops.
Conclusion: Your Path To Spotless Floors
After weeks of testing, I can confidently say both the Narwal Freo and Roborock S8 Pro Ultra are stellar additions to any smart home. If you’re like me, juggling a busy life with a desire for clean floors, these robots deliver.
The Freo is your go-to for hard floors and quiet performance, while the Roborock shines for carpets and minimal upkeep.
Weigh your flooring, budget, and maintenance preferences to pick the right one. Whichever you choose, you’re getting a top-tier cleaner that’ll make your home sparkle with less effort.