Narwal launched the Freo X Ultra earlier this year, and we found it to be an exceptional robot vacuum and mop combo — though its $1,400 price tag made it a luxury item for most shoppers. Thankfully, many of the Freo X Ultra’s best features can be found on the newly launched Narwal Freo X Plus, which offers an affordable alternative to the flagship vacuum and mop combo.
The Freo X Plus should be much more appealing to frugal shoppers, as it clocks in at just $400. That’s a full $1,000 cheaper than the Ultra, yet it still holds up to seven weeks of dust, can lift its mopping plate when traveling on carpet, and produces up to 7,800 Pa of suction to pull out dirt and debris from your carpets. It can even apply 6 Newton units of downward pressure while mopping, allowing it to tackle tough stains with ease.
Other notable features include support for the Narwal app (allowing you to set restricted zones and customize your cleaning preferences), Siri compatibility, and detailed cleaning reports at the end of each cleaning event. It also uses Narwal’s zero-tangle brush, so you shouldn’t have to worry about hair or string clogging up its hardware. For homes featuring primarily of hard floors, you’ll be glad to know that the included water tank holds enough liquid for it to mop over 4,800 square feet before needing a refill.
Of course, a few concessions had to be made to hit the $400 price point, and cuts largely target the charging station. Unlike the Freo X Ultra, the Freo X Plus won’t automatically clean itself. That means you’ll want to keep a close eye on its mops, as the docking station doesn’t have the hardware to rinse them off like the Freo X Ultra’s station can. You won’t, however, have to babysit the dustbin, as it’s still rated to hold up to seven weeks of dirt.
All told, the Freo X Plus looks to be surprisingly well-rounded for this price point. It offers a bit less suction than the Ultra (8,200 Pa versus 7,800 Pa) and it lacks mop-cleaning skills, but beyond that, it’s remarkably similar. Be sure to give it a look if you’re in the market for an affordable robot vacuum, as it’s hard to find much else like it for $400.
For other great products, be sure to check out our roundup of the best robot vacuums of 2024.
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.