It’s been almost a year since we tested the Dreame L20 Ultra, which at the time was the brand’s most advanced model, offering a taste of the future of mopping. Now the future is here – meet the new Dreame X40 Ultra! The fact that a robot vacuum cleaner can both vacuum and mop is no longer impressive, nor is the fact that they empty themselves of both dust and dirty water particularly revolutionary.
You can buy the X40 Ultra from Dreame in the UK for £1,299 and in the US for $1,899 or browse all our top robot vacuum recommendations.
The pace of development is fast, and new models with increasingly advanced features are being launched at a rapid pace. To attract both new and repeat buyers, you need something unique – something you just have to have.
Andreas Bergsman
X40 Ultra takes cleaning to a new level
A keener navigation system, more efficient obstacle detection and increasingly powerful vacuuming are some of the selling points. But the latest keyword is mopping – and we’re talking about really advanced mopping, in which oscillating pads take over after vacuuming to give a sparkling clean floor, even along edges and in tight corners. The Dreame L20 Ultra and Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra are shining examples of models that offer these innovative solutions to reach everywhere.
The new X40 Ultra offers all this – plus a little more. The base station is slightly slimmer than that of the L20 Ultra, but it still takes up some space. But that’s not surprising given all that’s inside: two containers, one for clean water and one for dirty water (4.5 and 4.0 litres respectively), a dust bag and all the mechanics to clean and dry the mops.
The robot cleaner has a design that we have become accustomed to in recent times – round in shape with a raised area on top that houses the laser-based navigation system. On the front is an RGB camera with AI and 3D structured light for effective identification of any obstacles.
Easy installation, extensive customisation options
Installation is quick, and all information on functions and setting options is presented in an educational way in the accompanying app. After an initial reconnaissance tour, your home is mapped and ready for cleaning. In addition to the usual settings – such as naming rooms and adding no-go zones or virtual walls – there are a variety of features to explore in the app.
Andreas Bergsman
Do you want the robot to vacuum your home’s carpets before cleaning other surfaces? Or should it avoid them altogether? How often should the mops be cleaned? Should it raise the mop pad and only vacuum when it recognises a carpet? Should it automatically recognise how dirty the surface is and do an extra pass if necessary? All these options can be customised to suit your needs.
At the same time, the X40 Ultra is equipped with a range of features that allow it to adapt to different types of floors and cleaning needs. The centrally located rubber brush automatically lifts when liquid is detected on the floor, allowing the mops to wipe it up instead. Both the side brush and the right-hand mop can be angled out to reach into corners and clean effectively along edges.
Andreas Bergsman
All these features can be customised in several ways in the app to best suit your home. You can choose whether dirtier surfaces should be cleaned more thoroughly or opt for a more thorough cleaning around table and chair legs. Most of this can be adjusted manually, or you can activate the Clean Genius mode and let the machine make all these decisions for you.
Another impressive feature is the powerful 12,000 Pa suction power, which is really noticeable on thicker carpets. This is where the X40 Ultra shines, and after a cleaning session, the carpets feel thoroughly cleaned.
Outstanding cleaning results
The Dreame X40 Ultra is equipped with a 6,400 mAh battery, which provides a long runtime per charge. This is needed, especially when the robot needs to perform a thorough cleaning, which can take some time – around 70 minutes for an area of 47 square metres. The working time is also affected by how often the mops are cleaned (with or without hot water), which can be easily set via the app.
Andreas Bergsman
I find that the manoeuvrability is excellent – it can handle obstacles up to 22 mm, which allows it to cross thresholds with ease. The obstacle detection is also absolutely top class. If a small cable or a sock is in the way, it avoids these obstacles while taking a picture that you can review afterwards.
The cleaning results are outstanding, and the folding side brush is magic – it effectively reaches areas where most other machines fall short. The mop function is also the most advanced and effective I have come across so far.
High price tag, but delivers in full
To summarise, the Dreame X40 Ultra is a state-of-the-art robotic vacuum cleaner that combines powerful suction with advanced cleaning features and innovative accessories. It’s perfect for those who want a reliable cleaning helper that can handle everything from everyday messes to more demanding jobs. With its advanced obstacle avoidance system and customisable cleaning options, it performs equally well no matter what your home looks like. If you can afford it – because it costs a pretty penny – this is one of the best options on the market right now.
