By Bryan Wall
Product Test Journalist | Kaipūrongo Whakamātautau Hautaonga
Dreame recently launched its new range of robot vacuums. We trialled a top-of-the-line model with a unique track-style mopping system to find out: is this the best hybrid mopping robot vacuum currently available?
Features
The Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Tracks S robot vacuum is crammed full of tech, so it can:
wash and dry its own mop pads with 100°C water
empty its own bin into the dock
‘leap’ over 6cm thresholds
extend its brush and mop track to reach into edges and corners
detangle hair from its dual brushes.
When combined with its fully featured app, there is only one obvious feature missing – the ability to raise its mop when vacuuming carpets.
The dock contains two medium-sized water tanks: one for clean water, the other for the dirty water collected when the bot washes its mop pads. The tanks have large handles and are easy to empty and refill.
The Aqua10 has two additional tanks for holding two types of floor cleaner concentrate: one for standard mopping, the other for removing pet odour. Dreame kindly supplies a bottle of each in the box (take note Ecovacs!).
The vac’s dock houses an auto-empty dust bag, which Dreame states should last for up to 100 days before it needs replacing (a spare bag is supplied).
The Aqua 10 uses Lidar (which stands for light detection and ranging) to navigate and map your home. The housing for the Lidar unit can retract like a periscope to sit flush with the body; reducing the robot’s overall height to 97.5mm so it can clean under low furniture.
Going under the sofa.
The Aqua 10 also has a camera to help it identify and avoid obstacles, such as cables, toys and pets. The camera can be used as a remote viewer, enabling you to drive the bot around your house remotely, keeping an eye on things while you’re out and shouting at the cat through the speaker if it’s scratching up your sofa.
