The Narwal Flow 2 takes the concept of a robot vacuum and elevates it to the next level. Autonomous robot vacuuming is not a new concept, with brands like Roomba being around since 2002. At first glance, the Narwal Flow 2 seems to be just another robot vacuum in the same vein as the many before it. Thankfully, due to actually smart AI, a sleeker design and some powerful cleaning capabilities, the Narwal Flow 2 stands above the competition.
One of the key pillars that sets the Narwal Flow 2 apart is the inclusion of its rather compact and sleek base and docking station, which takes up roughly 48.6L x 34.9W x 20.3H, or that of a small laundry basket or hamper. The compact design of the Narwal Flow 2’s base station is still larger than some of Narwal’s other SKUs, but more than makes up for the difference by offering a built-in, removable dust bag (up to 120 days of use), a compartment for housing the included cleaning solution, on top of a mechanism that can wash the Narwal Flow 2’s mop at 158°F (70°C).
The design of the Narwal Flow 2 docking station itself features a modern matte and metal finish. With its front facade being particularly eye-catching, accented further by an LED strip on the bottom of the base, the Narwal Flow 2 has a futuristic, almost Knight Rider-inspired look. Similarly, the vacuuming unit itself follows a similar design language as the base station, while opting for more of a simple approach, outside of the LED ring light on the top that operates similarly to a smart AI assistant while doubling as the wake-up button.
“…the Narwal Flow 2 has a futuristic, almost Knight Rider-inspired look.”
Setting up the Narwal Flow 2 is a relatively easy process. First, it requires the installation of the included brush attachment onto the bottom of the vacuuming unit, something that snaps in without much effort. From here, attaching the dust disposal bucket and filling the included detergent compartment and water reservoir that sit on the back of the dock will have you mostly ready to go.
Before starting a clean, first-time users will have to pair their Narwal Flow 2 to the app on their phone and their Wi-Fi network, which should prompt a firmware update for the device. My unit took around 10 minutes to install and flash the update. Once you’re updated and ready to go, the Narwal Flow 2 will map your living space. For me, this took around 20 minutes to map my 780 sq ft apartment, although your time may vary depending on how big your living space is.
Once your space is mapped, a floor plan will be generated within the Narwal app. I found that the Narwal Flow 2 was accurate in its labelling of various rooms, making it straightforward to see the device in action via the app. From here, users can engage the vacuum in different ways, including a full deep clean, which includes both vacuuming and mopping, either one, or options to only target specific rooms or areas of your space.
One of the coolest features of the Narwal Flow 2 is its built-in cameras, which not only use LiDAR functionality to better map your space but also allow users to remotely control or simply view the Narwal Flow 2 in real-time via the app. Setting up the cameras takes a few extra steps (rightly so), requiring three presses of the home button on the face of the vacuuming unit, which then prompts users to enter a 4-digit passcode before initiating the video feed. Once the password is set, there is an option to save it to the device for those who are comfortable with remembering their credentials.
“One of the coolest features of the Narwal Flow 2 is its built-in cameras, which not only use LiDAR functionality to better map your space but also allow users to remotely control or simply view the Narwal Flow 2 in real-time.”
Remote control of the vacuum is excellent and responsive, with the on-screen controls being straightforward and intuitive, making it possible to take over and reach hard-to-reach spots with ease. At least that would be the case if it weren’t for how good the Narwal Flow 2 operates on its own merits. Narwal has implemented what they’re calling their Narmind Pro Autonomous System, which uses AI (I know, but bear with me) to better articulate between objects within your living space, learning to navigate its better environment. A pet and baby mode is also present within the app, allowing for a quieter mode of operation around these special edge cases.
The Narwal app allows for a lot of flexibility, including setting up schedules in which the Narwal Flow 2 will run on its own, making it perfect for those who are too busy to even start a manual clean. Outside of the excellent sweeping capabilities of the Narwal Flow 2, the vacuum’s biggest selling factor is its solid mopping prowess. The underside of the vacuum features a rug-like roller that acts as the main cleaning element for wet treatments, working with the included detergent solution to saturate your floors and carpeting accordingly.
Of course, the idea of a wet robot spewing liquid everywhere is daunting, but the Narwal Flow 2 operates in such a way that it accounts for smearing or missing spots by a dual-directional mopping technique. In essence, the Narwal Flow 2 will go over the same area multiple times, making micro-adjustments to ensure total coverage and proper application of its cleaning detergent on whatever substrate it’s on.
One major concern I have with the Narwal Flow 2 is an overflow warning message I’ve periodically gotten while using the device. Despite following the instructions carefully, there have been two instances in which the docking station would report a leak or overflow in the tank, regardless of whether it was clean or even without any saturation or liquid in the reservoir. On the same note, there would be days when both the vacuuming and mapping cycles would occur without a hitch and run exactly as expected. Hopefully, Narwal can address this issue, as it seems to be common among even other models within the Narwal family.
The Narwal Flow 2 is an exceptional robot vacuum and mop, with thoughtful and intuitive features that just work. Outside of some frustrations with the water tank, it’s hard not to recommend the Narwal Flow 2 for those looking for the ultimate in cleaning automation.\
- Self-Cleaning Mop with FlowWash — Always Cleans with Fresh Water. Tired of robot mops spreading dirty water? This robot vacuum and mop combo continuously washes its track mop in real time, so only clean water touches your floors. With up to 7x more contact area and 15x longer stain scrubbing, it cleans deeper with every pass. 212°F hot water loosens dirt, 12N pressure scrubs it away, while a scraper removes residue and dirty water is collected into a sealed tank.
- 31,000Pa Suction for Pet Hair + Dual Tangle-Free Brush System. This robot vacuum for pet hair delivers 31,000Pa suction power to lift dust, crumbs, debris, and pet hair from hard floors and carpets. Its Dual Zero-Tangle System combines dual short rollers with an upgraded long-bristle side brush to reduce hair wrap and support a 0% hair entanglement rate, certified by SGS, making it ideal for homes with pets or long hair.
