Narwal Flow 2 Robot Vacuum Review

About Narwal Flow 2 Robot Vacuum and Mop

• Dimensions: Robot: 13.82 in. x 14.31 in. x 3.74 in.; base station: 17.71 in. x 14.17 in. x 20.86 in.
• Weight: Robot: 11.02 lbs.; base: 22.05 lbs.
• Navigation: NarMind Autonomous System 2.0 with dual RGB cameras for unlimited object recognition
• Self-empties: Yes, 120-day dust self-empty
• Mop function: Yes, FlowWash mopping system with 158°F real-time hot-water mopping
• Cleaning modes: Pet Care Mode, Baby Care Mode, and AI Floor Tag
• Comes with docking station: Yes
• Battery: 190 minutes, 7000 mAh battery
• Filter: Washable HEPA debris filter
• Voice assistant: Nawa AI Voice Assistant | Freo Mind Mode 5.0

How we tested

I let the Narwal Flow 2 run in my living room, kitchen, and foyer, which have rugs, runners, and anti-fatigue mats. I have two black rescue dogs and could knit a sweater with the amount of hair that accumulates in my carpets each and every day, so I was especially excited to put the DualFlow Tangle-Free vacuuming to the test.

The Narwal Flow 2 was used to vacuum my living room and to mop the wood floors in my kitchen and foyer over the span of a few weeks.

What we like

Setup is simple

As far as robot vacuums go, the Narwal Flow 2 is relatively plug-and-play. Everything you need is included in the box, so all you have to do is unpack, add the included cleaning solution, fill the clean water tank, plug the base in, and connect to your Wi-Fi. The connection process was seamless, and I was able to go from unboxing to mapping in less than 20 minutes.

Object avoidance is highly intelligent

I've seen other robot vacuums whose "object avoidance" just consists of bumping into an object until the robot can turn around enough to escape, or send an emergency recovery message if it's "trapped." That's not what happened with the Narwal Flow 2.

Right near the docking station, I have a dog kennel for when my uncle comes into town. It's large and bulky and blocks most of the walkway behind my couch, but there was still enough room for the vacuum to creep by and clean up the dust and dog hair that had accumulated.

There was no obscene banging, scraping, or unnecessary push notifications blowing up my phone, as the vacuum dodged the dog kennel altogether.

Operation is nearly silent

From sound alone, I couldn't even tell when the Narwal Flow 2 actually started vacuuming—and my dogs couldn't, either. Whereas bringing out my regular vacuum would cause them to run away, then bark the entire time it was on, they were undisturbed by the device.

The sound was quieter than the ceiling fan. It also helped that the object avoidance kept the Narwal Flow 2 at a healthy distance, so there were no bumped snouts or crushed paws to worry about.

What we don’t like

The box is heavy and can be hard to lift by yourself

As one would expect from the “heavy” sticker on the package, the box for the Narwal Flow 2 weighs 44 pounds. Most of that is coming from the base, as the robot itself is not hard to lift on its own.

If you’re looking into purchasing a robot vacuum to help with cleaning due to mobility issues or disabilities, you might need to find someone to help you carry the box inside and to your preferred setup location.

The cleaning solution is Narwal-specific

As is the case with most robot vacuums and mops, you can’t use just any cleaning solution to mop the floor. The Narwal Flow 2 includes just a single bottle for the initial setup, and additional bottles can be purchased for $29.99 each.

Warranty

Narwal products come standard with a 1-year limited warranty. If there is a defect, Narwal will either fix the issue or exchange the product. There are optional extended warranty plans for the Flow dock starting at $79 for one year or $119 for two years. Narwal also offers a 30-day unconditional return, provided the vacuum isn't damaged during use. Read the full policy at Narwal's website if you have more questions.

Should you buy the Narwal Flow 2?

Yes, if you live in a home with pets, children, or a combo of carpet and wood or tile

The Narwal Flow 2 (available at Amazon) executed extremely well upon testing. Not only did it show off serious cleaning power, but the robot vacuum also handled large amounts of pet hair and dirt tracked onto the carpets. Intelligent object avoidance kept the device away from my dogs and adeptly navigated around cords, shoes, and dog toys. The mop function is equally impressive, handling greasy oil drippings, coffee creamer, and yes, dog water bowl dribbles, seamlessly. And the best part? Since the vacuum self-empties and can handle up to 120 days of dust, I haven't had to intervene. Aside from the initial setup, this system is relatively autonomous and won't become yet another thing you have to manage.