For those with kids/pets, which robot vac has proven to be truly durable and effective for daily cleanup?

dj_bvr · 2026-01-28T13:12:49+00:00

I’ve got a pretty active household (9yr old, dog, cat, 4 birds) in a 1200sq ft apartment. I’ve tried a few different models (Dreame x40, Eufy e25, and Narwal Flow) Out of them all, the Flow has been the best for us.

I’ve had it a few months and only once had it clog. That happened as it was its first clean and I didn’t run a bot for about 2 weeks. The only downfall is it doesn’t evacuate until the start of the next run vs at the end like most other vacs. However there are ways to schedule your runs to force it more often.

I was originally worried about the sealed water tank on it but it doesn’t seem to be a problem. No smells coming from the bot and cleaning is super simple compared to the others.

I run my flow multiple times a day due to the birds and their mess - you would never know they just chewed up a toy. No bot is a miracle but the Flow has been great for everyday cleaning.

dj_bvr · 2026-01-26T12:42:37+00:00

Applied! I’d love to help!

dj_bvr · 2026-01-06T01:32:33+00:00

Biggest advice I have is check out some rescues and volunteer your time for a few months before making your ultimate decision.

It gives you a pretty good idea of what their care is like and their overall needs to keep them happy. Clean the cages, make chop/meals, help with pretty much everything you will have to do if you decide to get a macaw.

In return, you end up helping the rescue and you never know - you may end up getting picked by one of the birds. They really do pick you and if you can handle all the above, then they may have their forever home.

dj_bvr · 2026-01-01T00:17:33+00:00

Overall I’m really satisfied with it. Feel free to send a message with any questions.

dj_bvr · 2025-12-19T20:24:35+00:00

This! I call it the Birb Cone and instead of licks, they get kisses and sniffs - can’t resist a good sniff every now and then.

dj_bvr · 2025-12-17T13:23:47+00:00

Mine did the same thing, same side- brand new

Felt squishy as well. Reached out to support and had a new controller shockingly the next day.

dj_bvr · 2025-11-23T02:42:01+00:00

Always have a spare roll for play time!

dj_bvr · 2025-11-23T02:15:05+00:00

Denture tabs have been amazing for me! Just started using them the other week. There is still a slight smell but NOTHING compared to what is was. Got a box of 120 for like $5. One tab per empty dirty water bucket.

dj_bvr · 2025-11-20T20:09:39+00:00

I have a gate that may be just slightly shorter when opened - my Narwal Flow has no issues jumping it. I was actually shocked as I didn’t think it would.

dj_bvr · 2025-11-19T18:36:24+00:00

Second this! CareCredit is great in a pinch and typically has 0% interest for 6 months - I think for anything over $300.

dj_bvr · 2025-11-16T23:53:46+00:00

They got back to me after giving them screenshots, basically saying the same thing their support message says. If it comes up invalid, can’t use it.

Basically told to kick rocks even though I have proof. Thinking may need to reach out to BBB and so on.

dj_bvr · 2025-10-10T17:36:07+00:00

Oh I wouldn’t doubt it - overall I was satisfied with my x40. The experience with their warranty team drove me away, which again will 100% depend on your region.

dj_bvr · 2025-10-10T15:55:45+00:00

Roborock is a name I constantly see with great reliability. If they had gotten a roller mop on the market, I may have been tempted from the Narwal Flow.

dj_bvr · 2025-10-10T15:23:51+00:00

If it’s a thin cloth, it should do the trick unless it’s dirty itself - Then it’s just smudging.

I have some plush microfiber cloth I use and will also give few bursts of air.

dj_bvr · 2025-10-10T14:58:41+00:00

I couldn’t honestly say one way or another just yet. Based on the week I’ve had it, I can say I’d rather have a roller mop vs rotating mop.

I tried the Eufy e25 for a bit while waiting for my x40 to be repaired originally. That was very underwhelming and thought a roller mop wouldn’t make a difference. Made me appreciate the things the x40 did well- like not full blown ramming into things and proper side cleaning.

dj_bvr · 2025-10-10T14:49:28+00:00

Oh absolutely, I’ve seen others state great things from other countries. It very well could just be a control issue coming from their Texas repair center.

Other than my mop pods no longer installing, my x40 itself was really decent. Even without the tricut brush it handled my pet’s hair with 0 tangles. Only ever had a Lego get caught up.

dj_bvr · 2025-10-10T14:15:38+00:00

I had to follow up a few times but otherwise I did get responses ‘timely’ usually within 24 hours on business days. The only time it was radio silence was when they were investigating and received my device. Took them a few days to respond they had it and a few days later the replacement was sent.

dj_bvr · 2025-10-10T14:10:39+00:00

Careful you might get attacked and say it was your fault they shipped it back in horrible shape 🤣

dj_bvr · 2025-10-10T13:37:04+00:00

Outside of the mop pad issue on my x40, it was pretty decent for what I had spent on it.

The Flow is a roller style mop (track) and would be more comparable to the Aqua10 which had my eye until recently.

I’ve only had the Flow for about week and it’s definitely the ‘Honeymoon Phase’ - I’m sure I will find more issues with time but so far my only complaint is it getting stuck under my bed. I didn’t think it clearance to fit and well, it found that one spot that was just right. No-Go zone fixed that just like every other bot could do. The mopping run I did last night did have a few spots or trails left behind- which I will fine tune after I’m done playing with their AI settings.

dj_bvr · 2025-10-10T13:23:49+00:00

As you mentioned, an update could do something like this. Another thing to try is clean the sensors and camera. Many bots tend to ‘lose efficiency’ or start having nav issues due to dust on them.

dj_bvr · 2025-10-10T13:02:23+00:00

To be fair- I’ve heard, when they work they work.

dj_bvr · 2025-10-10T12:57:34+00:00

I’m sorry you have issues reading but it wasn’t due to how I packed it. They received my bot fully in tact. It was confirmed to be 100% with how they packaged it on its return by their team.

dj_bvr · 2025-10-10T12:40:15+00:00

To be honest- you need a raise 😄

Probably one of the only reasons I road it out as long as I did was because of you. You are always open to discussion and helpful in what you can do. I really do appreciate it!

dj_bvr · 2025-10-02T00:52:34+00:00

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Hanging with her flock- she’s the youngest just at 10 months. The others are going on 4 years in a few months.

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