Dreame X40 Ultra: The Ultimate Hands-Free Cleaning Experience

Robot vacuum cleaners have significantly evolved since they were first introduced, transforming the cleaning habits of many. Whether for indoor use or outdoor environments, these devices aim to enhance daily life by alleviating household duties and mitigating stress. Available across various price ranges and tailored to different needs, robotic vacuums feature both vacuuming and mopping capabilities with minimal user effort, fostering a more peaceful atmosphere.

Xiaomi’s partner brand, Dreame Technologies, though relatively new, has been engaging the market since 2017 with intriguing smart home devices. Among its offerings is the Dreame X40 Ultra, an innovative hands-free robot vacuum that autonomously empties waste bins, refills mop tanks, and cleans as well as dries its mop pads, requiring minimal user involvement.

Over the last fortnight, we have been thoroughly testing the Dreame X40 Ultra. Our hands-on experience highlights both the strengths and drawbacks of this all-encompassing floor cleaning device. Equipped with self-emptying and self-cleaning features, along with MopExtend technology for the mop heads, it resembles typical vacuum and mop robots but arrives with an extended brush and mop pad.

With a price of Rs. 1,29,999, the Dreame X40 Ultra stands as the most costly robot vacuum we have evaluated thus far. Nonetheless, it can now be found for much lower prices, currently available for just Rs. 99,999 on Amazon. When purchases are made from Amazon (its official sales outlet), Dreame includes a one-year warranty. Although they lack physical service centers, we were informed that the company will handle the logistics for repair pickups and deliveries.

Dreame X40 Ultra: Unboxing and Design

The Dreame X40 Ultra retail package contains a tall docking station, cleaning solution, side brush, two debris removal tools, two mop pads, a power cable, and the robot itself alongside documentation. The base station is designed to hold both clean and dirty mop water containers. The robot features a circular design with a raised section on top, which houses its laser navigation system. This includes an auxiliary LED light, camera indicators, AI-driven infrared and HD cameras, a laser distance sensor, and 3D dual-line sensors. A lid on the top allows for easy access to the internal dust bin. On the top, there are three buttons: Spot Cleaning, Power (or Clean), and Dock. These controls permit basic operation without needing to use the app, although the complete range of features is accessible only through the paired application.

The design of the Dreame X40 Ultra conveys luxury, though it does not fundamentally differ from other market offerings.

The setup process for the Dreame X40 Ultra is seamless via the Dreamehome app (available on both iOS and Android). After app installation, users scan a QR code on the robot to connect it to their Wi-Fi network, and the app provides a guided setup experience. It encompasses various functionalities, many of which we previously covered in our review of the Dreame L10s Ultra (Review).

Following the installation of the ramp, users can plug in and charge the base station. Once activated, the Dreame X40 Ultra quickly maps the floor without any hassle. The map is regularly updated with each movement, reflecting the positions of furniture, laundry bags, and slippers. Offering both 2D and 3D map formats, the new curtain zone feature in the app facilitates cleaning under drapes without the risk of getting snagged. Furthermore, users can customize the map based on room divisions and set designated zones, virtual barriers, and more. I observed minimal mapping errors, and the navigational precision remained commendable even in low-light conditions, thanks to the 3D structured light technology.

The Dreame X40 Ultra’s base station boasts self-emptying, self-cleaning, self-drying, self-refilling, and self-dispensing capabilities, requiring no manual input. An additional highlight includes the automatic dispensing of cleaning solutions, paired with a spacious dustbin that can sustain hands-free operation for several weeks. After filling the clean water tank and adding the provided cleaning solution (200ml), the system is ready for action.

While the app is effective for initial setup, it could use some improvement. The interface appears outdated; commonly used settings are buried under several layers, and the camera feed experiences some lag. Moreover, the organization of the various cleaning modes could be enhanced.

Dreame X40 Ultra: Cleaning Performance

Dreame asserts that the X40 Ultra provides an impressive 12,000Pa of suction power, a remarkable feat for a robotic vacuum cleaner. This premium model offers diverse settings and custom options, spanning from thorough carpet cleaning to AI-optimized cleaning paths. It is capable of simultaneously vacuuming and mopping when necessary, streamlining the cleaning process. Users can choose between quiet, standard, turbo, and maximum suction levels; I predominantly utilized the middle standard and turbo settings. Additionally, it features a CleanGenius mode, enabling the device to select optimal cleaning settings for users.

The cleaning modes available for the Dreame X40 Ultra include vacuuming only, mopping only, simultaneous vacuuming and mopping, mopping after vacuuming, and tailored room cleaning options. In the customized mode, users can define specific suction and mopping preferences for each room. The sequence of vacuuming first and then mopping mirrors traditional cleaning methods, a feature I particularly appreciated. Compatibility with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Siri adds to its versatility, and users can choose moisture levels from slightly damp to fully wet options.

Users can customize the mop washing frequency based on area size, time, or individual rooms. The area can range from 10 square meters to 35 square meters, with the robot returning to clean the mop pad after completing the designated space. Alternatively, users can program the robot to return for cleaning based on time intervals, from 10 to 50 minutes. Zones can also be designated to allow the robot to head back to the base after cleaning a particular room. Various route options are available for vacuuming and mopping, including quick, standard, intense, and deep clean.

A notable feature of the Dreame X40 Ultra is its adjustable side brush, which efficiently adjusts between 10mm upward and downward to reach into corners and beneath lower furniture. In our tests, this side brush performed satisfactorily. An extraordinary element of this device is its magnetic mop pads, which the robot leaves behind at the docking station when cleaning carpets, preventing rugs from becoming wet from the mopping process. After completing vacuuming, the robot returns to the dock to attach the mop pads and clean the entire designated area, while its sensors ensure the mops are rinsed when necessary.

The Dreame X40 Ultra features an adjustable side brush.

Moreover, the new MopExtend RoboSwing cleaning innovation allows the mop heads to elevate up to 10.55mm square, ensuring they do not dampen the carpets during the process. This feature allows the mop head to maneuver effectively around challenging spots like chair legs, sofa corners, and kitchen cabinets.

Similar to other contemporary vacuum and mop combinations, Dreame incorporates AI to detect objects. Users can access the camera feed remotely to monitor their pets. The device performed admirably in collecting short human hair and lint, as I maintain a pet-free environment. However, longer hair strands did occasionally become entwined in the brush, necessitating light maintenance to remove the tangled hair from the primary brush at least weekly for homes with long-haired residents. Dreame offers an optional TriCut brush designed to cut hair and minimize tangles and clogs. Despite the higher price, it remains equipped with only a single roller rubber brush.

The base station houses a 300ml dust bag, promising to last up to 75 days between replacements. During my two weeks of testing, it was far from full, but this longevity may vary based on the user’s home size. At the end of each cleaning session, the base station efficiently empties the dust container.

The base station of Dreame X40 Ultra includes a 300ml dust bag.

The onboard water tank of the Dreame X40 Ultra has an 80ml capacity, complemented by large containers for dirty and clean water. Due to their volume, the clean water tank only needs refilling every couple of days. I opted to empty the dirty water container after two or three cleaning sessions to prevent odors, but it seldom exceeded half capacity. Additionally, the robot efficiently identifies dirty areas and prioritizes them for cleaning.

The Dreame X40 Ultra operates quietly on its lowest suction setting, but noise levels rise significantly at higher suction settings. After completing a cleaning cycle, it washes the mop pad with hot water and dries it with hot air to prevent odors. I found this process somewhat loud; for households with toddlers, the mopping and debris removal may disturb their sleep. The noise level of the vacuuming itself is manageable and can be conducted during naptime. The robot can intelligently skip auto-empty tasks when Do Not Disturb modes are active, and it performs self-cleaning routines before and after cleaning sessions, capable of determining when brush cleaning is necessary during operations.

Dreame X40 Ultra: Battery Performance

Equipped with a 6,400mAh battery, the Dreame X40 Ultra offers remarkable longevity. Under normal suction mode, it cleaned and mopped my approximately 1,200 square feet home in around 50 minutes and still maintained 90% of battery life. The effective range per charge varies depending on home size and cleaning conditions. In turbo mode, which demands more power for increased suction, it concluded its run with 78% battery remaining.

Final Thoughts

For residences featuring a mix of carpet and hard flooring, the Dreame X40 Ultra represents an excellent robotic vacuum solution. You need not worry about dirty mop pads dragging across your carpets, as the mop head elevates when cleaning soft surface areas. However, this sophistication does come at a cost. In homes with only carpeted surfaces, several budget-friendly vacuum-only alternatives exist.

The Dreame X40 Ultra excels in various aspects, showcasing cutting-edge cleaning technology, hot water mop washing, and an extendable mop pad, along with a liftable side brush. Nevertheless, minor issues exist, such as app usability, ongoing expenses, and cleaning solution requirements.

If space permits for the sizeable base station and budget allows, this robotic vacuum cleaner fulfills my cleaning desires. It is especially suited for families with children or multiple pets, as well as for individuals who feel overwhelmed in messy or cluttered environments. Currently, comparable options are rare from other manufacturers. For those on a budget, several great alternatives at lower prices from brands like Xiaomi and Ecovacs are available.

Rating: 8/10

Pros:

• Strong suction with excellent cleaning efficiency
• Base station with auto-emptying and mop cleaning capabilities
• Adjustable side brush and mop pads that lift
• Washing mop pads with hot water

Cons:

• Requires substantial space
• Less intuitive app interface
• Ongoing costs
• Priced high