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The Dreame L40 Ultra was officially revealed during IFA 2024, serving as the successor to the popular Dreame L20 Ultra. I had the opportunity to test out the new device in the weeks leading up to its debut, and I can say with confidence that it’s one of the best robot vacuums I’ve ever used. Nearly everything that made the L20 Ultra great has been improved for the Dreame L40 Ultra — including enhanced suction, improved roller brushes, and an extendable side brush for improved reach.
It’s still quite expensive at $1,500, but the Dreame L40 Ultra defied my expectations and is a serious challenger to other robot vacuums from Roborock, Ecovacs, and iRobot.
Like most robot vacuums, setting up the Dreame L40 Ultra takes just a few minutes. After downloading the app, plugging in the docking station, and syncing the robot to your smartphone, you can start a mapping run of your home. The mapping process was incredibly accurate — but if you need to make changes, you can tweak the layout in the Dreame mobile app
The Dreame app is also where you’ll set schedules or modify its performance by adjusting different suction levels, setting restricted areas, or allowing it to automatically change settings for the task at hand. In short, installing and using the Dreame is simple, quick, and intuitive (as you’d expect from a $1,500 vacuum).
The Dreame L40 Ultra uses two rotating mops to clean hard floors — one of which is capable of swinging outward to better reach near baseboards and cramped spaces. This worked well during real-world testing, allowing the Dreame L40 Ultra to scrub spots missed by other robots. The device also lifts its main vacuum roller brush and side brush to ensure they stay clean and dry during mopping operations.
That’s not a commonly seen feature, and it serves a few purposes. The main advantage is keeping its brushes dry so they don’t track liquids onto carpet. As a bonus, it helps prevent moisture from mixing with the rest of your debris (which can often result in nasty odors over time).
Another big win for the robot is its onboard water reservoir. This means it can continually wet its mopping pads without needing to head back to the docking station. If your home is largely composed of hard floors, you’ll notice much faster cleaning times than with rivals don’t ahve an onboard water reservoir, as the robot won’t have to make constant trips back to its dock.
Coupled with an optional cleaning solution, the L40 Ultra is well-equipped to tackle tough stains.
For an even more autonomous cleaning, you can pick up the Water Hookup Kit to connect the docking station to your plumbing. This is great if you want a truly hands-free cleaning experience, though it’s by no means a necessity to enjoy the benefits from the L40 Ultra.
Several robot vacuums offer more suction power than the Dreame L40 Ultra, but its 11,000 Pa is plenty for most types of floors. Even on the plush carpets in my living room, the robot had no problem pulling out trampled-down dog fur and other debris. Much of this is due to its Anti-Tangle Tricut Brush — a feature that helps it tackle hair, fur, and other gunk without getting clogged up.
One of the most useful features of the L40 Ultra, however, is its detachable mopping pads. Depending on how you set up your cleaning cycle, these can be automatically removed at the docking station before it heads out to vacuum. This prevents dirty mopping pads from dragging across the floor, a problem most robot vacuums have yet to fully solve. The mops can also retract 10.5mm, but homeowners with plush carpets will find it best to simply leave the mopping pads in the dock while vacuuming.
Rounding out the Dreame L40 Ultra is a docking station that handles most of your daily maintenance. Not only will it hold up to 75 days’ worth of dust from the vacuum, but it’ll clean the mop with hot water, dry the mop with air, and perform a rinsing of the docking station’s washboard with a duo-scraper system to ensure your robot isn’t sitting in a pool of dirty water while waiting for its next task. It’s a cool feature, and it’ll certainly help with the longevity of the device and limit any intense cleaning needed by its owner.
The Dreame L40 Ultra isn’t quite as expensive as the $1,900 Dreame X40 Ultra, but it’s still a big ask at $1,500. However, there’s no doubt it’ll give you a premium robot vacuum experience, making it a decent combination of pricing and performance. The detachable mopping pads, impressive vacuuming skills, and customizable nature of the L40 Ultra make it an easy recommendation for almost anyone seeking a robust, highly automated robot vacuum. There’s plenty of competition from Roborock, Ecovacs, Narwal, Eureka, and iRobot, but the Dreame L40 Ultra deserves a spot on your shopping list.
Outdoor security cameras are not always practical if you live in an apartment or rental. Drilling into an exterior wall may be off-limits, while pointing a regular indoor camera through a window can create another problem once reflections start showing up after dark.
Baseus is trying to solve both issues with the new PrimeSentinel W1, a $69.99 security camera designed specifically to monitor the outdoors through glass. It mounts directly to a window without drilling and uses a 4K Starlight sensor with an F1.0 aperture for full-color monitoring during the day and at night.
This post is brought to you in paid partnership with Best Buy.
Technology evolves every day, transforming how we live and work. Our devices are becoming more than tools we use. They are increasingly capable companions that help streamline day-to-day routines and spark creative ideas. If you have been waiting for the right moment to upgrade your tech setup, the Discover Samsung Shopping Event offers an opportunity to explore what connected, AI-powered living can look like.
With AI progressing so fast, it's only a matter of time before we start getting AI companions like the ones we used to see in movies like R2-D2, Wall-E, or Baymax. Now, Singapore-based OKA Technology has unveiled Mori, a cute little AI companion that looks less like a conventional home robot and more like someone turned the Pokémon Foongus into a table lamp.
Mori isn't meant to clean your house or control your smart home, but to serve as what OKA calls a "Nature Companion." It uses subtle movements, warm lighting, nature-inspired sounds, and small reactions to make its presence around the house feel calming rather than distracting. Mori can sit quietly while you read, sway along to music, welcome you when you enter a room, or encourage you to slow down for a moment without requiring a screen or a conversation.