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A few days ago, I reviewed the awesome Xiaomi Robot Vacuum X20 Max. While I have reviewed many robot vacuums, this was my first time reviewing one of these premium options with an all-in-one cleaning station that empties the dustbin and cleans/refills the mop.
We have mixed floors in our home, and our kitchen with a vinyl floor inevitably gets grimy from foot traffic and spillages when cooking and eating. Most of the robot vacuums I have reviewed have some sore mopping function, but all the more affordable options either have a gravity-fed mop or a very small water reservoir that you need to remember to refill regularly. With these robot vacuums, I inevitably end up giving up on the mop because I am too forgetful to top of the mop.
These new all-in-one robot vacuums eliminate that problem, and I find they are gentler on hard floors than manual mopping.
I have reviewed the Dreame L40 Ultra alongside the Xiaomi, and it has given me some useful insight into the differences between a mid-priced all-in-one robot vacuum and the premium solution that the Dreame L40 Ultra offers.
Related Reviews
- Xiaomi Robot Vacuum X20 Max Review
- Hoover HG4 Hydro Pro Robot Vacuum Review
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- Yeedi C12 Pro Plus Robot Vacuum Review
- Hobot Legee D8 Robot Vacuum and Mop Review
- Proscenic M9 Robot Vacuum Cleaner Review
- Trifo Lucy Robot Vacuum Review
Specification
| Dreame | Feature | L40 Ultra | X40 Ultra | L10S Pro Ultra Heat |
| Cleaning Functions | Vormax™ suction system | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Extendable and liftable side brush | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | |
| MopExtend™ technology | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| RoboSwing™ technology | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | |
| DuoScrub™ mopping system | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Mop lifting | 10.5mm | 10.5mm | 10.5mm | |
| Intelligent Docking Station | DualBoost™ 2.0 automatic emptying | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Self-cleaning mop with hot water | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Self-cleaning mop | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Automatic filling of the robot’s water tank | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Automatic filling/emptying of docking station water tank | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Automatic solution refill | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Automatic washboard cleaning | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | |
| Self-drying mop | Drying by hot air | Drying by hot air | Drying by hot air | |
| Fast charging | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Advanced Features | Pathfinder™ navigation | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Obstacle avoidance | Single Laser+AI+RGB+LED | Double Laser+AI+RGB+LED | Double laser+AI | |
| Route planning for multiple floors | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| CleanGenius™ multi-spectrum dirt detection | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Automatic carpet detection | Ultrasonic | Ultrasonic | Ultrasonic | |
| Smart Home Control | Control via app | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Voice control via Siri/Alexa/Google Assistant | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Remote video surveillance | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Integrated LED | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | |
| General | Maximum suction power | 11000Pa | 12000Pa | 7000Pa |
| Rated power of dust collection | 600W | 1000W | 1000W | |
| Mop type | Two rotating mops | Two rotating mops | Two rotating mops | |
| Battery capacity/charging time | 5,200mAh | 6400 mAh / 4.5 hrs | 5200 mAh / 3.5 hrs | |
| Maximum running time | 194 mins | 260 min | 200 min | |
| Noise level | ≤74 dB(A) | ≤74 dB(A) | ≤74 dB(A) | |
| Dust container capacity – Robot | 300ml | 300ml | 350ml | |
| Dust container capacity – Docking station | 3.2L | 3.2L | 3.2L | |
| Docking station water tank capacity – Robot | 80ml | 80ml | 80ml | |
| Docking station water tank capacity – Docking station (fresh/dirty) | 4.5L / 4L | 4.5L / 4L | 4.5L / 4L | |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) – Robot | 350x350x103.8mm | 350x350x97mm | 350x350x97mm | |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) – Docking station | 340×456.7×590.5mm | 340x457x590mm | 456.7x340x590.5mm |
Features
The Dreame L40 Ultra boasts an impressive array of features designed to make cleaning more efficient and hands-off:
- Low Maintenance: The L40 Ultra offers full self-maintenance capabilities. It can auto-empty dirt for up to 75 days, dry mops with hot air, refill water and cleaning solution, and clean the mop and washboard with 65°C hot water.
- Advanced Navigation: Equipped with an RGB camera for object detection and remote control, the L40 Ultra can navigate effectively even in dark conditions thanks to its built-in LED.
- Powerful Suction: With 11,000 Pa of suction power, the L40 Ultra can handle various types of debris on different floor surfaces.
- Intelligent Mopping: The OmniDirt Detection Technology uses a turbidity sensor to measure the dirtiness of used water, allowing for mop rewashing and floor remopping when necessary.
- Obstacle Handling: The vacuum can cross obstacles up to 22 mm high and features a 10.5mm mop lifting mechanism.
- Battery Life: A 5,200mAh battery provides up to 194 minutes of cleaning time in Quiet Mode.
Set-Up
Setting up the Dreame L40 Ultra is straightforward. The process involves:
- Unboxing and assembling the docking station
- Placing the robot vacuum on the charging contacts
- Downloading the Dreame app
- Connecting the vacuum to your home Wi-Fi network
- Following the in-app instructions to complete the setup
The app guides you through each step, making the process user-friendly even for those less tech-savvy.
Dreame App and Settings
The Dreame app is the control centre for the L40 Ultra. It offers a range of features and settings:
- Mapping: The app displays a detailed map of your home, which you can edit and customise with room names and no-go zones.
- Cleaning Modes: You can choose between vacuuming, mopping, or both, and adjust the suction power and water flow for each room.
- Scheduling: Set up regular cleaning schedules for different times and days.
- Remote Control: Manually control the robot’s movement and start spot cleaning.
- Maintenance Tracking: The app keeps track of consumables like filters and brushes, notifying you when replacements are needed.
Voice control compatibility with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri adds to the hands-free convenience and features like remote video surveillance provides added functionality.
Mapping / Navigation / Object Avoidance
The L40 Ultra uses a combination of LiDAR, an RGB camera, and AI algorithms for mapping and navigation. This system creates accurate maps of your home and allows the robot to plan efficient cleaning routes.
The object avoidance system is particularly impressive. The RGB camera, combined with AI, helps the robot detect and avoid obstacles like shoes, cables, and pet waste. This feature significantly reduces the likelihood of the robot getting stuck or spreading messes.
Thanks to the camera, the robot can also identify objects like wires and label them on the map which can help reduce it getting tangled up.
The built-in LED allows the L40 Ultra to navigate effectively in low-light conditions, which is useful for scheduled night-time cleaning.
I have not personally had this vacuum get stuck on anything yet, but like most robot vacuums, it may occasionally struggle with very thin objects or cluttered areas. Regular tidying of floors before cleaning can help optimise its performance.
Mopping Performance
The Dreame L40 Ultra performs impressively on both hard floors and carpets. With 11,000Pa of suction power, it can handle everything from light dust to heavier debris, including pet hair. One standout feature is its ability to automatically adjust the suction power when transitioning from one surface type to another, ensuring optimal cleaning without manual intervention.
The L40 Ultra’s mopping capabilities are a standout feature:
- Dual Rotating Mops: Two rotating mops provide a thorough clean, mimicking the action of manual mopping.
- OmniDirt Detection: This technology measures the dirtiness of the used water, triggering the robot to rewash the mop and reclean areas if necessary.
- Hot Water Cleaning: The docking station uses 65°C hot water to clean the mops, which helps remove stubborn stains and reduces odours.
- Automatic Mop Removal: For homes with mixed flooring, the L40 Ultra can automatically remove its mops when transitioning to carpeted areas.
The mopping performance is generally excellent, especially on hardwood and tile floors. It effectively removes most everyday dirt and light stains. However, manual cleaning might still be necessary for very stubborn stains or heavily soiled areas.
My home is a mixture of carpets and hard floors; for most of the review, I let the robot vacuum in its default mode, where it mops and vacuums at the same time. I have had no problems with the mop catching on the carpet, but you can optionally switch to mop then vacuum. With this mode, the mop should be automatically removed when it move to vacuuming, providing you a bit more clearance.
Vacuuming Performance
With 11,000 Pa of suction power, the L40 Ultra is a capable vacuum cleaner:
- High Suction Power: The powerful motor effectively picks up dust, hair, and small debris from various floor types.
- Obstacle Crossing: It can navigate over thresholds up to 22mm high, allowing it to move between rooms easily.
- Extendable Side Brush: This feature helps the robot clean along walls and in corners more effectively.
- Suction Boost: The vacuum automatically increases suction when it detects carpets.
The L40 Ultra performs well on both hard floors and carpets. It’s particularly effective at picking up fine dust and pet hair.
Similar to my Xiaomi review and other robot vacuum reviews, I attempted some synthetic tests with flour and rise, and the robot was able to clean up the mess with ease and in one passing.
It is difficult to say objectively how well the extendable side brush performs, but it does subjectively seem to help reduce the build-up of dirt around the edges of skirting boards.
Reclean Dirty Rooms
One of the L40 Ultra’s clever features is its ability to detect and reclean particularly dirty areas. This function is especially useful in high-traffic zones or after spills. The robot uses its sensors to identify areas that require extra attention and automatically returns to these spots for additional cleaning.
All-In-One Station for Mop Cleaning, Refilling and Dust Collection
The docking station is a key component of the L40 Ultra system:
- Large Capacity: It features a 4L used water tank, a 4.5L clean water tank, and a 3.2L dust bag.
- Hot Water Cleaning: The station uses 65°C hot water to clean the mops and washboard, effectively removing stains and reducing odours.
- Hot Air Drying: After cleaning, the mops are dried with hot air to prevent mould and bad smells.
- Automatic Dust Emptying: The station can hold up to 75 days’ worth of dust, reducing the frequency of manual emptying.
The all-in-one station significantly reduces the manual maintenance required, making the L40 Ultra a truly low-maintenance cleaning solution. However, the station is quite large and may require careful placement in your home.
Battery Life
The L40 Ultra is equipped with a 5,200mAh battery, providing up to 194 minutes of cleaning time in Quiet Mode. This is sufficient for most homes, even those with larger floor plans. When the battery runs low, the robot automatically returns to its dock to recharge and can resume cleaning from where it left off.
The app also offers a useful feature that allows you to schedule charging during off-peak hours, potentially saving on energy costs.
Looking at my cleaning records, the cleaning area is approximately 51m2 and the run time is normally 60-70 minutes. I use the default settings for cleaning and I have had no issues with the battery. The robot is more likely to return to the base to clean the mop than just to charge the battery.
Price and Alternative Options
The Dreame L40 Ultra has an RRP of £999 or $1300 in the US.
Dreame has several other options, including:
- Dreame X40 Ultra for £1300 – has superior suction and run time.
- Dreame L10s Pro Ultra Heat for £799 – This is effectively the same as the Xiaomi Robot Vacuum X20 Max
| Preview | Product | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| dreame X40 Ultra Complete Robot Vacuum Cleaner, 12000 Pa... |
£1,299.00 | Buy on Amazon | |
| dreame L20 Ultra Complete Robot Vacuum with Mop, 7000Pa... |
£837.07 | Buy on Amazon | |
| dreame L10s Pro Ultra Heat Robot Vacuum Cleaner, 7000Pa... |
£759.43 | Buy on Amazon |
The Xiaomi Robot Vacuum X20 Max is priced at €649.99, which works out at around £540.
Other robot vacuums with an all-in-one station include:
- Eufy
- Eufy Omni S1 Pro – £1300
- Eufy X10 Pro Omni – £680
- Roborock
- Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra: £1200
- Roborock Qrevo Master Robot Vacuum Cleaner: £1000
- Roborock Qrevo S Robot Vacuum – £520
- Roborock S7 Max Ultra Robot Vacuum Cleaner: 650
Overall
I am naturally lazy (technically, it is ADHD) and loathe housework, so I am probably a little biased towards all robot vacuums, but I absolutely love the Dreame L40 Ultra.
It has performed reliably consistently during my time testing it and I don’t think I have had to rescue it once from tangled up wires.
I suppose the big question is if the Dreame L40 Ultra justifies the £1000 price tag when you can get the Xiaomi Robot Vacuum X20 Max for €649.99, which works out at around £540.
I think that’s a difficult question to answer. Looking at the specifications, it is easy to write the Dreame off as poor value for money in comparison to the Xiaomi as the differences between the robot vacuums seem relatively small, certainly not worth the £400+ price difference. However, from my experience, you shouldn’t undervalue those features.
For me, it is all about obstacle avoidance. I am not a particularly tidy person, and due to the nature of my work, there is frequent clutter and cables on the floor, and I get unreasonably annoyed at robot vacuums getting stuck on things. Therefore, the single laser+AI+RGB+LED used on this for object avoidance is highly valuable.
Combine that with the superior suction, automatic washboard cleaning, and re-cleaning features, and you have a robot vacuum that maintains a cleaner house with much less regular maintenance. For me, that’s worth the extra investment.
Overall, if you have a home with mixed flooring and a challenging environment of obstacles and can justify the premium price tag, then I can thoroughly recommend the Dreame L40 Ultra.
Dreame L40 Ultra Robot Vacuum with All-In-One Station for Mop Cleaning and Dust Collection Review
Summary
The Dreame L40 Ultra is a top-tier robot vacuum that offers a comprehensive cleaning solution for those willing to invest in premium features. Its combination of powerful suction, intelligent mopping, and advanced self-maintenance capabilities make it a standout product in the high-end robot vacuum market.
Overall
97%-
Overall - 97%97%
Pros
- Excellent cleaning performance on both hard floors and carpets
- Advanced object avoidance system
- Comprehensive all-in-one station for true hands-off operation
- Long battery life
- Intelligent features like dirt detection and automatic mop removal
Cons
- High price point
- Large docking station may be difficult to place in smaller homes
I am James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Passionate about all things technology, my expertise spans from computers and networking to mobile, wearables, and smart home devices.
As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends.
In my academic pursuits, I earned a BSc in Information Systems Design from UCLAN, before advancing my learning with a Master’s Degree in Computing. This advanced study also included Cisco CCNA accreditation, further demonstrating my commitment to understanding and staying ahead of the technology curve.
I’m proud to share that Vuelio has consistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of the top technology blogs in the UK. With my dedication to technology and drive to share my insights, I aim to continue providing my readers with engaging and informative content.
Last update on 2024-10-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
