Dreame X50 Ultra Robovac Excels at Cleaning but Misses Edges

Robot vacuums have become essential gadgets in modern homes, blending convenience with technology. The Dreame X50 Ultra stands out with its powerful vacuuming and mopping capabilities, sleek design, and advanced navigation features, yet it reveals some notable limitations that impact its overall effectiveness.

Powerful Cleaning Meets Stylish Design

The X50 Ultra delivers impressive suction power at 20,000 Pa, rivaling top competitors. Its dual roller brushes and extending sweeper arm efficiently pick up hair, large food bits, and even challenging debris like pistachio shells without crushing or scattering them. The vacuum’s dock is not only functional but also visually appealing, featuring a mop pad washing system that uses 176-degree Fahrenheit water to sanitize pads and dual large water reservoirs that rarely need refilling.

Setting up the X50 Ultra is straightforward, with a companion app guiding users through firmware updates and home mapping. The LIDAR turret retracts under low furniture and extends for navigation, while voice commands allow precise room-specific cleaning without relying on external smart home platforms.

Where the X50 Ultra Falls Short

Despite its strengths, the X50 Ultra struggles with cleaning edges and corners. Even with an extending mop pad and sweeper arm, it often misses debris near walls and furniture, requiring manual touch-ups. This limitation seems rooted in software rather than hardware, suggesting potential improvements through future firmware updates.

Additionally, the vacuum’s cleaning route can be inefficient, leading to longer cleaning times—80 minutes for a one-bedroom apartment, which is slower than many competitors. This slower pace also affects battery life, with about 30% charge remaining after a full deep clean, potentially necessitating mid-cleaning recharges in larger homes.

On the positive side, the mopping function is whisper quiet, a significant improvement over noisier models. The robot can also climb thresholds up to 1.65 inches high using extending legs, the highest among robovacs, enabling it to navigate varied home layouts effectively.

Smart Features and User Experience

The X50 Ultra’s object recognition is robust, identifying over 200 objects and avoiding cords, socks, and slippers with high accuracy. It can even photograph detected objects if desired. The companion app offers granular control over cleaning intensity, water usage, and sweeping arm aggressiveness, plus remote control with POV video, enhancing user interaction.

The vacuum’s ability to raise mop pads during vacuuming protects carpets from moisture, and the retractable LIDAR mast reduces height for better access under furniture. These thoughtful design choices improve convenience and cleaning coverage.

Overall, the Dreame X50 Ultra is a powerful and stylish robot vacuum/mop that excels in open areas but requires manual intervention for edges and corners. Its premium price reflects its advanced features, but buyers should weigh the edge-cleaning limitations against their specific needs.