When Narwal first contacted me, I was intrigued with their product, the Narwal T10, which includes a self-cleaning base station that will clean the pads for you. So it pushed me to accept and test out their product.
Is it as good as advertised? I’ve been using it for the past week, and let’s find out.
Does the Pad-Cleaning Feature Work?
Narwal T10 Review
One unique feature of the Narwal T10 is the self-cleaning base station that washes the pad, ridding you of this menial task. But the question is, how effective is it? This robot is different from other robot mops I’ve reviewed in the past. It has two spinning pads that provide better agitation than most options. It’s similar to the Bissell Spinwave but with a self-cleaning system.
Introduction to the Narwal T10
The Narwal T10 is one of the more unique robot vacuum/mop hybrids I’ve reviewed over the past few months. And I’ve tested some innovative ones like the Roborock S7.
While most only drag a wet pad, this robot is unique with dual spinning pads and a self-cleaning base station.
Narwal claims that their system will keep the pads clean, but how effective is it?
First, let’s see how this product works.
Inside the massive base station are two water tanks – one for clean and another for dirty water. The base station primes the pads before the robot heads out for the mopping task.
So there’s no water tank inside the robot itself. One advantage of this design is convenience.
The larger volume means you won’t have to refill as often.
I’d estimate refills in my small home at around once a week if I use it once per day.
Your mileage may vary depending on the size of your home and usage frequency. But what I’m trying to point out here is Narwal prioritized mopping convenience.
Despite the large base station, the T10 doesn’t have a self-emptying feature, which may disappoint some of you.
If you look closely at the base station from above, the two 1.3 gallon tanks take up most of the space.
After the mopping cycle, the robot docks, and the two pads spin against a specially designed tray (with a textured surface).
As the pad spins, water trickles down from the clean water tank down to the pads to aid in dislodging debris.
Dirty water flows through the different holes strategically located on the tray, then pumped out to the dirty water tank.
The system isn’t flawless (I’ll explain later on why), but if Narwal is committed to tightening up loose ends, it can get better.
Base Staton Design
The base station is massive. I put both the Roomba S9 and I6 base stations beside it, and this thing is big.
I guess it has to be to fit in the two large 1.3-gallon tanks. This device is more than a charging port.
It does multiple tasks that include priming the pad (explained above) and cleaning the pads.
However, it relies heavily on the base station.
I tried using it in an enclosed area for the noise test, but it did not work. And seems to be in re-calibration mode with the motor turned off.
There are two tanks for storing clean and dirty water separately. I like that each tank opens from the top, so it’s easy to clean.
Robot design
Unlike most robots with a round frame, the T10 has more of a squarish design with rounded edges. It’s not a totally D-shaped design like the Neato Botvac, but close.
The LIDAR sensor is located close to the back, and it has a single button interface.
You can use this robot in two configurations: robot vacuum and mop.
There’s the attachment with two side brushes for the vacuum configuration. And two triangular plates for the mopping configuration.
Here’s the T10 in its vacuuming configuration.
Two magnetized pins hold these in place, so switching from one mode to another is easy.
These two magnetized pins make switching between vacuuming and mopping modes easy.
You’ll notice that it doesn’t have a motorized brush and negatively affects cleaning floors.
Dustbin design and capacity
The T10 has a top-mounted dustbin with a 0.4-liter capacity. I like the quality plastic they used for it, and it should hold up over the long haul. The HEPA filter is washable, but you’ll have to replace it once every two months or so.
One unique feature is how the air flows inside the dustbin. Instead of directly flowing through the filter, Narwal redirects it through a small pocket above the container with another mesh filter.
This design reduces build-up on the filter. Also, that mesh filter I talked about is detachable, so it’s easier to give it a thorough clean.
Since this robot doesn’t have a self-emptying feature, you’ll have to pull the robot out manually to empty the dustbin.
It’s not a deal-breaker, in my opinion, but it’s an extra step.
Water tanks
Unlike other robot vacuum/mop hybrids where the water tank is inside the robot, the T10’s water tank is inside the base station. There are two – for clean and dirty water.
There are a few reasons why Narwal opted for this design.
The first one is convenience, as the massive size means fewer refills. Refill frequency will vary depending on the size of the home and how often you’ll use it.
Another reason is the self-cleaning feature. It will be more practical to use a larger water tank for this purpose.
Each one opens from the top, so it’s easy to clean.
Sensors are in place to notify users if the clean water tank is empty or if the dirty water tank is full.
App features
This robot is compatible with the Narwal app, and you can download it by scanning this QR code on the robot. Unfortunately, it’s not available in any of the app stores (Android or IOS).
Connecting the robot and app is a straightforward process. You’ll need a router for such. Once connected, users will unlock all the features, which I’ll enumerate here.
Live map
The Narwal app has a live map providing users real-time information of the robot’s location. It also shows the battery status and configuration – whether it’s mopping or vacuuming.
Off-limits
Containment is also available in the app. There are three options – no-sweep, no-mop, and no sweep/mop.
However, it doesn’t have the invisible wall feature, so you’ll be limited to squares and rectangles blocking areas. There’s no option to block diagonal areas.
Selective room cleaning
Users can choose a room to clean with this feature and also specify the number of passes in each room, which I think is a nice wrinkle. So you can increase the number of runs inside a room with a dirtier floor and reduce the frequency in another room.
Map saving
The good news is map saving is available with the Narwal T10. Unfortunately, users can only save one map. I’m guessing that Narwal thinks the base station’s massive size might discourage users from moving this around. But it’s always good to have more options.
Control number of passes
Another feature I like is controlling how many times it goes around – between one and three. You can access this feature by going to the quick tab or the down arrow on the upper right portion of the screen.
No scheduling
Unfortunately, the Narwal app doesn’t have a scheduling feature. It has the word schedule, but it doesn’t allow users to specify when the robot will clean automatically.
How much power does the Narwal T10 have?
Narwal claims the T10 has 1800 Pa of suction. I tried measuring airflow using an anemometer but could not since the robot doesn’t go full throttle on the box.
How does the Narwal T10 navigate?
LIDAR is the primary navigational sensor of the T10 and helps it traverse efficiently in straight lines. Like other brands with LIDAR and SLAM (Neato, Roborock, Dreame), it starts cleaning the edges before tackling the middle portions.
I did notice wider turns, which hampers its performance. Combining that with the roller-less design makes it hard for me to recommend this for vacuuming.
As I’ve said earlier, it lacks the auto-room detect feature and relies heavily on the base station.
The results in the coverage test were decent, but it needed all three passes to pick up most of the quaker oats. Yet, it still left debris, and the side brush scattering issue is evident in this experiment.
Cleaning performance
This robot’s lack of a brush roll negatively hampers it. I’ve tested it on debris types like quaker oats, quinoa, pet litter, and sand, but I didn’t complete it because of the lower-end scores.
First, here are the results.
- Overall: 75.16%
- Hard floors: 94.6%
- Carpet: 84.26%
- Sand on hard floors: 95.5%
- Deep cleaning: 26.3%
The 75.16% score is one of the lowest scores I’ve ever had since I implemented this testing system. It’s slightly higher than the Viomi V3, but the higher deep cleaning score saved it from becoming worse.
Hard floor results
- Quaker oats: 97%
- Quinoa: 93.4%
- Pet litter: 93.4%
This robot did best as expected on hard surfaces with scores in the 90s. One issue is the fast-spinning twin side brush system that scatters debris, which I noticed in most tests. Another issue is the wide turning radius that results in missed spots.
Carpet performance
Narwal claims this product will clean carpets well if you’ve watched the advertorials. Unfortunately, tests reveal otherwise. The lack of a brush roll severely hampers its cleaning performance on this surface.
Passes weren’t as clean as I’d hoped they would, which isn’t surprising for a robot without a roller.
Low pile results
- Quaker oats: 91.4%
- Quinoa: 88%
- Pet litter: 82.4%
It did best on quaker oats but not good with heavier stuff like pet litter. The side brush scattering issue is not as evident on carpet, but it’s still a factor.
Mid pile results
- Quaker oats: 82.4%
- Quinoa: 80.4%
- Pet litter: 71.2%
Narwal did worst on mid pile carpet, with an average score of 78% – easily the worst of all high-end robot vacuums I’ve’tested.
Expecting this robot to clean carpet would be a recipe for disappointment and shouldn’t be your primary reason to purchase this product.
Deep cleaning results
Even with my doubts, I still tested this robot how it does in deep cleaning tests. It picked up 26.3% of embedded sand on mid-pile carpet. The lack of a brush roll severely hampers it at cleaning anything below the surface.
Mopping performance
Before I reveal the results, I have to say that the T10 was built with mopping at the forefront. Every design aspect catered towards this functionality, from the front-mounted pads to the base station.
It’s the only robot mop I’ve tested so far capable of cleaning wet messes with minimal risk of liquid seeping through the motor.
Not even the Roborock S7, with its vibrating mopping pad and mop-only option, can do what this robot can on spills.
Here are some before and after shots.
Narwal T10 did well cleaning red wine stains.
The T10 did the best at cleaning red wine and grape juice stains.
It did best at cleaning red wine stains, cleaning most of it after the first pass. Although the photo didn’t reveal a clean result, it also did the best at cleaning sugary stains (grape juice and tomato juice), leaving a nonsticky surface.
Cleaning sugary stains were the biggest issue with all robot vacuums I’ve tested. While the robots removed the stains, the surface was sticky, and there was residue build-up.
However, there’s a limit to the T10’s effectiveness. It didn’t do well when I tried it on this large stain.
It didn’t do as well cleaning large stains.
Narwal’s detergent might help, but I haven’t had the chance to test it (yet). So I’ll reserve judgment once I get it.
Regardless, it’s still a pretty versatile mopping robot with the self-cleaning feature.
How effective is the self-cleaning base station?
Narwal’s biggest selling point is the self-cleaning feature. So how effective is it?
Watching this demo will lead you to believe it will clean the pads 100%, but here are some photos of the pad after mopping tests, and take note, it’s after going through the mop cleaning cycle.
Here’s how the pad looks after cleaning tomato and grape juice stains.
These photos reveal that it won’t clean the pads thoroughly enough for you not to wash them by hand. The textured tray doesn’t provide enough agitation to remove every crumb of dirt.
Narwal told me the detergent would help, but I reserve judgment until I test it again.
How noisy is the Narwal T10?
I used a sound meter to test the noise levels, and here are the results.
- Low: 59 dB
- Max: 63 dB
- Mopping: 48.4 dB
This robot isn’t noisy at all, especially in its mopping configuration, and didn’t breach the 50-decibel mark. I’ve tried using this robot while eating as a family or watching a movie together, and it didn’t bother us one bit.
How long will the Narwal T10 run?
This robot is equipped with a 5200 mAh lithium-ion battery and will run for up to three hours. Narwal says it has a fast-charging system and will take three hours to charge fully.
What comes in the box?
- Narwal T10 robot
- Vacuuming bracket (with two extra side brushes)
- Two mopping brackets with pads attached (plus two extra pads)
- Self-cleaning base station
- Clean water tank (1.3-gallon capacity)
- Dirty water tank (1.3-gallon capacity)
- Two extra foam filters (for clean water tank)
Availability of parts
One of my concerns with Narwal is the availability of parts. Right now, the only place to buy replacement side brushes or filters would be from them through their website. Only time will tell if this product will take off and gain popularity. So I can’t comment much on this.
Maintenance
Narwal’s unique design means a different method of upkeep, which I’ll summarize below.
- Side brushes: The bristled-tip side brushes will bend since it overlaps the width of the base station. Occasionally straighten it using your fingers and remove any hair wrapping around the base.
- Clean water tank: Avoid using harsh detergents. Narwal recommends using a low foam, pH-neutral cleaner if you decide not to use their product.
- Dirty water tank: Empty the tank once full and occasionally wash the base as there will be residue build-up in this area. The wide opening makes this task easy.
- Pads: Even with the self-cleaning feature, you’ll want to wash the pads at least once a week. My preferred method would be soaking it in a disinfecting cleaning solution then handwash to rid of any bacteria.
- Tray: Another area of build-up is the tray. Hair and gunk will accumulate here, so give it a thorough rinse at least once a week.
- Base station: Dirty water will gather under the tray, and make sure to wipe this area with a paper towel to remove any accumulation.
Product Specifications
Where can I buy the Narwal T10?
You can buy this robot mop from Amazon. Check the link below for the latest price.
- Narwal T10 on Amazon.
Disclosure: I’ll earn a commission if you purchase through the link above, but at no extra cost, so it’s a win-win for us!
Does the Narwal T10 provide excellent value?
Spending four figures on a robot vacuum is a lot, and with the T10 not performing as well as a robot vacuum, it may seem to be a stretch.
It’s more expensive than the Roomba S9+ with the self-emptying feature and superior performance.
So the question would be – is Narwal’s mopping performance and self-cleaning feature warrant the high cost?
There’s no question that the T10 mops well, but I feel navigation could be better by implementing a sharper turning radius and perhaps the crisscross pattern in the Roborock S7.
The self-cleaning feature is innovative, but the execution could be better. It’s not a totally hands-free system as you’ll need to clean the tray, wipe excess water from the bottom of the base station, and wash the pads manually.
4 Reasons to buy the Narwal T10
- Great on wet spills on dry stains: It’s the only option so far (I’ve tested) to clean both wet messes and dry stains well.
- Self-cleaning: Despite not cleaning the pads as thoroughly as I’d hoped it would, it extends the timeframe of having to wash them manually.
- Fewer refills: The 1.3-gallon tank requires fewer refills than other brands where the tank is mounted on the robot.
- Easy to clean: I like the modular design and top-opening of the tanks, making them very easy to clean.
The Verdict: Buy This Only If You Need the Mopping Function
Vacuuming shouldn’t be the main reason you buy this robot as it will disappoint.
Only consider this product if you need something autonomous to mop sealed floors and keep them clean.
The front-mounted spinning pads provide excellent agitation and leave clean floors. While it can remove stains, don’t expect it to match a hard floor cleaner in terms of thoroughness. It has a limit to the size of blemishes it can clean. As you’ve seen in my video review, it had a hard time with dried tomato juice stains.
But it’s still a good robot mop, in my opinion. The question is, are you willing to spend on it?
