Goal-based/Robot Vacuums/4 robots compared/Reviewed Sep 21, 2026
Which new robot vacuum combos have independent reviews yet?
View recordNarwalIIIFreo 20
Full specifications10 measurements · 38 of 40 documented
The investigation
5 questions this comparison examines
How does each one map and avoid obstacles?
Three approaches to navigation are represented across four robots launched within weeks of each other, from dual LiDAR-camera systems to camera-only mapping.
Plus 678 Combo
Ecovacs Deebot X12S OmniCyclone
Narwal Freo 20
eufy Omni E35Trusted Reviews' lab test recorded the Omni E35 avoiding shoes, socks, pet mess and cables without becoming stuck; GearBrain and The Home Picker both state the Freo 20 has not been tested.
Ecovacs describes a mechanical Privacy Shield that covers the RGBD camera lens, a hardware option not documented on the other three cameras.
Narwal's own specifications list dual RGB cameras and an AI chip for navigation, with no LiDAR unit named anywhere in its launch materials.
How does the dock keep the mop clean?
All four launched with a dock that washes and dries a mop pad or roller between runs, but the mechanisms and wash temperatures differ.
Plus 678 ComboEcovacs Deebot X12S OmniCycloneNarwal Freo 20eufy Omni E35Narwal's press release describes 16 nozzles rinsing the FlowWash track mop with 140°F water while the robot is still cleaning, not only at the dock.
Ecovacs markets the OmniCyclone dock as eliminating the disposable dust bag entirely, routing debris into a reusable cyclonic chamber instead.
Trusted Reviews notes the Omni E35's detergent tank is refillable rather than cartridge-based, letting owners use their own floor cleaner.
How much independent testing exists for each one?
Coverage ranges from a full lab test to launch-week press coverage that explicitly declines to test the robot at all.
Plus 678 ComboEcovacs Deebot X12S OmniCycloneNarwal Freo 20eufy Omni E35Trusted Reviews and T3 both published full lab tests of the Omni E35, including a flour-plinth edge test and stain-removal passes across multiple floor types.
SGS, a third-party certification body, tested the X12S OmniCyclone's dust-mite allergen removal figure, separate from the launch-week press coverage covering its other specifications.
GearBrain and The Home Picker each state directly that they have not tested the Freo 20, and no outlet had published independent review coverage of the Plus 678 Combo as of this record.
What does each one cost at launch?
Launch pricing spans roughly $400 across the four, and one model's US retail window has not opened yet as this was written.
Plus 678 ComboEcovacs Deebot X12S OmniCycloneNarwal Freo 20eufy Omni E35Ubergizmo reports the Omni E35's US pre-order price of $999.99 running through 23 September 2026, with retail pricing rising to $1,299.99 on 25 September.
Vacuum Wars and Engadget both confirm the Plus 678 Combo launched at $899, roughly $300 below the sibling Max 875 Combo's $1,199 price.
What documented limits does each one have?
Manufacturer and lab documentation each name specific conditions where the robot's own materials or an independent test found a gap.
Plus 678 ComboEcovacs Deebot X12S OmniCycloneNarwal Freo 20eufy Omni E35Trusted Reviews found the Omni E35's uncovered roller lifts just 11 millimeters on carpet and flagged a risk of wetting some carpeted areas.
Trusted Reviews also reports the fixed LiDAR dome kept the Omni E35 from fitting under some low sofas and sideboards that lower-profile rivals reach.
iRobot's own specifications list a roughly 10-millimeter roller lift on carpet detection, with no independent high-pile carpet test yet published for this model.
In closing
What the evidence shows
Patterns that emerged across the questions above.
Independent testing exists for one machine
eufy's Omni E35 carries a published Trusted Reviews and T3 lab test; the other three launched within the same window with only manufacturer specifications and press-preview coverage behind their claims.
Dock mechanisms diverge more than navigation
All four dock designs wash and dry a mop element, but the debris path splits three ways: disposable bags, a bagless cyclonic chamber, and a mid-run rinse system.
Documented limitations track testing depth, not just design
The two robots with published independent findings, eufy's Omni E35 and Ecovacs' SGS-certified figure, carry specific named limitations that the untested Roomba Plus 678 Combo and Freo 20 do not yet show.
Common questions