Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Track S - Now This Is Technology

If you ever needed an example of how far we've evolved as a species, look no further than the robot vacuum.

Of all the gadgets I've reviewed over the years, I honestly believe the robot vacuum is one of the most significant. And I've reviewed electric cars. Sure, cars are clever - but I've never seen one automatically detect what kind of road it's driving on so it can clean that road accordingly. Oh... and then clean ITSELF when it gets back to its garage.

So I admit, up until now, I've given robot vacs a bit of leeway. Given they haven't even been able to come up with a reliable self-driving car yet, I was prepared to ignore a few minor shortcomings, vacuum-wise, as long as the job got done in the end.

Well, today there are no holds barred. Going easy, just because it's complex technology, is no longer acceptable. That's because I've found a robot vacuum that gets almost everything right.

Almost. The Aqua10 Ultra Track S from Dreame (pronounced, "Dree-Mee") is an extremely solid piece of kit. I'm not meaning it's well-built and reliable - although that certainly seems to be the case. No, I mean the device itself is fairly large and relatively heavy. There's a good reason; there's an awful lot going on under the hood, which we'll come to soon enough.

By comparison, the PowerDock (base station) is really quite compact and better still, it got the aesthetic thumbs-up from Domestic Manager. She approved of its subtle, elegant style - including the marble-like front panel. Definitely preferable to being able to see a couple of water tanks - one dirty - or a half-full bin of hair and dust. It may seem superficial but in my house, the most logical place to position the PowerDock is right in the middle of our open-plan living area, so it needs to look at least a bit nice.

Below that stylish upper facade, is an oddly removable access panel. I say, odd because it comes off completely - it's not hinged and it doesn't slide out like a drawer. Behind it, you'll find the dust bag the Aqua10 Ultra Track S empties itself into and a compartment containing tanks for cleaning solution and pet odour solution.

This is my least favourite thing about robot vacuums and it's no exception this time; there are a lot of consumables involved. While it's true traditional vacuums might still require replacement dust bags and perhaps a filter clean every now and then, not many of us would be happy if we had to regularly change out brushes and rollers. You also don't usually add cleaning solution or deodorisers to your vacuum - but that's not quite the same thing, because when you hand-mop a floor, you generally do add some kind of household cleaner to the bucket.

I'm uncertain how long it will take to fill the 3.2-litre dust bag - I've only been using the Aqua10 Ultra Track S for a few weeks - and at least there's a second bag included in the box. Perhaps the next generation will feature a bagless dustbin?

As for the brushes, I think I've got a lot less to worry about in terms of replacement. This is the first Dreame device I've tried so I'm not sure if some of the technology on offer here is completely new, or just new to me. In saying that, the detangling DuoBrush beats any other system I've ever seen, certainly on a robot vacuum, because guess what? It actually does what it claims; it stays tangle-free.

I know that sounds silly but I've seen a lot of hype about being able to suck up hair etc. and before now, few if any lived up to that hype. Dreame includes a fantastic multi-tool/cleaning brush in the box with a bladed hook on one end. I assumed this was going to come in handy as I struggled to free the brushes from the usual wads of long hair every other vacuum gets clogged up with at my house, thanks to its other long-haired inhabitants. But no. After several full runs, not one single hair has managed to wrap itself around either of the two counter-spinning brush rollers. That's incredible.

While we're taking a look underneath the Aqua10 Ultra Track S, let's check out the mop. The TrackSync system is also revolutionary to me. I'm used to either two rotating discs or a roller, much like a paint roller. Both options usually do a pretty good job, unless there's something particularly sticky or greasy on the floor. The TrackSync mopping system works more like a belt-sander, with the mop pad running over two smaller rollers, meaning much more surface area in constant contact with your hard floors. This also seems to result in more even water distribution, with hardly any drips or wet patches left behind, so floors are dry enough to walk on almost immediately.

In fact, Dreame has put an awful lot of thought into how much water is used and how hot it should be. The mop pad is constantly being sprayed through 24 nozzles by water heated to 45° - this, combined with the automatically measured cleaning solution, breaks down those greasy marks in no time and the Aqua10 Ultra Track S is smart enough to detect the more stubborn messes and will go back for a re-mop if necessary.

The water temperature goes all the way up to 100° back at the PowerDock, when it's time to clean the mopping pad itself. After which, 50° heated air dries everything out, ensuring no lingering, post-clean smells. As you'll see in the video below, this is very effective.

Stains aren't the only things this robot can detect, of course. Dreame's OmniSight system uses not one, but two HD AI cameras to first create an extremely accurate map of your home before setting about cleaning it, without getting tangled up in loose cords, curtains or just about anything else. That binocular vision seems to give the Aqua10 Ultra Track S a better sense of depth perception - apparently it won't even run over a piece of paper lying on the floor.

And yes, you can (if you want to) order the Aqua10 Ultra Track S around with voice commands, although I prefer to schedule it to clean when I'm not home.

But you know what I always ask before considering a robot vacuum? Will it take pictures of my pets while it cleans? Yes, this one can.

The innovations just keep coming - for example, the LDS sensor on top of the vacuum? That can retract down into the chassis if you're wanting to get under something 10cm or more off the ground.

Of course, the headline feature of this device is probably its legs. There, I said it. This is the first robot vacuum with legs as well as wheels. The wheels themselves already raise and lower and can clear things like the edges of mats and carpets with ease. If the going gets really tough, that's when the legs extend out and the Aqua10 Ultra Track S will literally climb over obstructions up to 6cm in height.

While that's not enough to go up and down stairs, it'll easily conquer folded-over rugs and the backs of U-shaped chairs.

Speaking of stairs, the first few times I used it, I was surprised when the robot stranded itself at the top of mine, precariously hanging over the edge, and complaining I needed to clean the cliff (drop) sensors. I'd do this, only for it happen again straight away. This was quite a letdown. The very least I want from my robot vacuum is for it to successfully avoid stairs. Oh well - thankfully the Dreamehome app is very user-friendly and it took a matter of seconds to create a no-go area on the map along the edge of my stairs and I haven't had any issues since.

Other than that, my only criticisms are battery life and noise levels. I have a fairly large home and the Aqua10 Ultra Track S struggles to get through a full clean on a single charge - not a major considering you can set it to continue cleaning as soon as it's charged itself back up. Similarly, the noise of the vacuum doesn't bother me because I'm not usually around. However, I find it interesting the Dreame website wants you to, "Unlock Powerful Yet Low-Noise Vacuuming." I've definitely heard quieter. Have I experienced more powerful? At 30,000Pa, I don't think so.

Between the incredible HyperStream detangling DuoBrush and the innovative TrackSync mopping system, I probably couldn't get my floors this clean if I did it manually. Both the mopping pad and side brush extend out when cleaning next to walls, so I can't even claim human superiority there. Meanwhile, the cleaning and drying process back at the base station is flawless and more importantly, odourless.

I'm not going to try and convince you the Aqua10 Ultra Track S is perfect - I'm over over-hyping robot vacuums that way. But I'm finally prepared to offer the same level of honest criticism in this product category as with any other because this robot is so very good. The below-par stair-detection, mediocre battery life and requirement for replacement dust bags keep this device from scoring a perfect ten. Just. Fix those three complaints and I'll even let it drive me to work.

Click here for more information and pricing on the Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Track S.