Having tested out the Narwal Freo a couple of years ago, it has been effective at cleaning the tile in our shop. Recently, however, we decided to expand its footprint and also have it do the tile bathroom, plus our LVP hallway and studio. The new model has some features we could really benefit from, and I had high hopes for testing them out in over 850 square feet of vacuumable space.
Pros
- Multiple vacuuming and/or mopping modes
- App-control and scheduling
- Corner-reach mopping & brushing
- Climbs over 1.5-in ledges
- Self-cleaning and self-drying
- Quiet (<60 dBA)
- 190 minutes of runtime
Cons
- Premium price
- No automatic detergent dispenser
Narwal Flow Robotic Mopping Vacuuming
Where the Narwal Freo could lift both the roller and its two rotating mops, the Flow lifts itself up to clear obstacles when needed. In this way, it not only has the functionality required to switch between mopping and vacuuming but also possesses the ability to clear ledges and thresholds up to 1.5 inches in height.
Like most mopping vacuums, the Narwal Flow returns to the dock to clean and dry the mops as needed. The difference is that the Flow also has an onboard “FlowWash” system. It uses a track-style mop that cleans itself in real time while mopping. Twin water tanks separate clean and dirty water, so the mop is constantly rinsed with warm 113°F water. That keeps it clean as it works. It also applies steady pressure (12N), which helps it clean effectively—often with just a single pass.
This helps you truly clean your floor as opposed to simply spreading around the dirt. It also has exceptional runtime—up to 190 minutes. This is thanks to the integrated 6400mAh battery—one of the largest I’ve yet seen in a robotic vacuum.
The height of the Narwal Flow lets it easily clean underneath our kitchen cabinet toe-kicks, couch, and office reception chair.
It also automatically mapped out the small rectangular carpet in the middle of our office without having to be told. In fact, when the robot senses carpet, it automatically adjusts to clean it more deeply. It lowers a special brush cover to concentrate and boost the suction up to 22,000 Pa (a 182% boost), creating a strong airflow that pulls up deeply embedded dust and even pet hair. It also lifts the mop to avoid getting the carpet wet and follows a zigzag pattern to cover the area more thoroughly.
Notably, Narwal dropped the navigation electronics into the main body, so they no longer stand elevated above the top of the unit.
Other Key Features of the Narwal Flow
Twin-AI Dodge Obstacle Avoidance
Using two ultra-wide cameras and built-in AI, the robot can recognize and avoid over 200 common household objects. This makes it great when encountering things like cords or small toys. It also avoids the potential for a “poo-pocalypse.” The system also lets the Narwal Flow get within a centimeter—much closer than most robotic vacuums I’ve used.
Full coverage cleaning
EdgeReach helps the mop clean right up to walls—within 0.19 inches—so it doesn’t miss edges or corners. When cleaning corners, the side brush reverses and extends to cover more space. This also lets the vacuum remove debris from the brushes as necessary. The robot can climb over 1.6-inch obstacles like thresholds or furniture legs and is only 3.7 inches tall, so it can clean under beds and sofas easily. Together, these features help it clean every part of a room.
Smart Voice and Home Integration
You can control the Flow hands-free by saying “Hey Nawa.” It also works with Alexa, Google Home, and Siri. Support for Matter (a new smart home standard) is expected by the end of the year to make integration with your smart home even easier.
Narwal Flow Robotic Mopping Vacuum Specs
- Dimensions (vacuum L/W/H): 13.8 x 14.3 x 3.74 in. (351 x 364 x 95 mm)
- Dimensions (base L/W/H): 16.9 x 15.8 x 18.2 in. (430 x 402 x 461 mm)
- Suction: Up to 22,000 Pa
- Max threshold height: 1.6 in. (40 mm)
- Volume: <60 dBA SPL
- Battery: 6400 mAh (Li-ion)
All-in-One Multifunction Base Station
The base station does a lot: it empties the dustbin, washes the mop with hot water (between 113°F and 176°F to kill germs), dries the mop with hot air, and refills the onboard water tank automatically. The dustbin can go up to 120 days without needing to be emptied. There’s also an optional compact 11-inch tall version that hooks into your home’s plumbing to refill and drain automatically.
About the only downside is that Narwal removed the auto-dispensing detergent. You now have to add it manually when you refill the water tank.
I like that Narwal both cleans and dries the mop, reducing bacteria. You’ll want to keep up with emptying the dirty water, as that’s a source for mold (not to mention a rather unseemly smell). Overall, I found the system easy to maintain and use.
Mapping the Room
The Flow creates a rather detailed map and can automatically divide spaces into rooms or zones. I adjusted our map to name areas and even create “off limits” sections where I thought the robot might have issues. Using the Narwal app on my iPhone (it’s also available on Android devices), I found I could set up schedules and even set the Flow to vacuum multiple days per week and mop on the weekend.
When the Flow vacuums and/or mops areas, the map indicates this with darker areas. You can see below where the Narwal Flow auto-detected our small office carpet.
Unlike the Narwal Freo, the Flow’s docking station lacks an LED screen. As I never really used the one on the former model, this removal made a lot of sense.
Available Narwal Flow Cleaning Modes:
- Vacuum and mop – Vacuum while mopping simultaneously
- Vacuum then mop – Vacuum first, then begin mopping
- Vacuum (only)
- Mop (only)
- Custom – design your own program
Pricing and Availability
You can get the Narwal Flow in three models. Pricing is lower during the presale which ends August 27, 2025. After that, the vacuums retail for $1,499.99 for the Water Tank version and $1,599.99 for the Compact auto-refill and drainage version.
Final Thoughts on the Narwal Flow Robotic Vacuum
The Narwal Flow is a premium product, priced at well over $1000. It is definitely one of the higher-end robotic mopping vacuums. That also means it operates a cut above most, has more features, and engages the room with a bit more intelligence and precision than entry-level products. If you have primarily tile and LVP in your home, this should be one of your first looks for a robotic vacuuming solution.
