All-New Narwal S30 and S30 Pro Wet & Dry Vacuum

Summary

In this review of the Narwhal S30 Pro, the successor to the S20 Pro, the reviewer examines key upgrades like the built-in hair-cutting blade, improved self-washing and drying cycles, and a new disposable filter for easier maintenance. Despite the addition of these features, the reviewer notes the slight downgrade in the screen quality compared to the S20 Pro and the removal of some conveniences. Overall, the S30 Pro builds on its predecessor with incremental improvements, including better cleaning performance, faster drying, and enhanced features for homes with pets or heavy shedding. The review is sponsored but remains critical and independent.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Narwhal S30 Pro is the successor to the S20 Pro, with several key updates in features and performance.
• 😀 A new hair cutting blade in the S30 Pro targets heavy pet shedding and hair tangles, though the S20 Pro still handles hair well without it.
• 😀 The S30 Pro features enhanced self-washing and self-drying cycles, with higher temperatures for better cleaning and faster drying compared to the S20 Pro.
• 😀 A new disposable mesh filter bag makes cleaning easier by capturing solids in the dirty water tank, but users can still use the reusable plastic filter if preferred.
• 😀 The S30 models come with a deodorizing box to help eliminate odors during cleaning.
• 😀 The wood floor mode on the S30 uses less water for gentler cleaning on hardwood surfaces, an upgrade over the previous model.
• 😀 AI mode automatically adjusts cleaning power based on detected dirt levels, improving efficiency during cleaning sessions.
• 😀 The S30 Pro has a 'Max Mode' for intensified suction and water output, but the standard S30 lacks a manual trigger for this mode, relying on a button press.
• 😀 The S30 Pro’s improved drying technology reaches higher temperatures, providing faster and quieter drying, with an adaptive drying cycle that adjusts based on moisture levels.
• 😀 The S30 Pro’s screen has been downgraded from the S20 Pro’s advanced display, removing features like countdown timers and cleaning animations.
• 😀 The design of the dirty water tank has changed, with the handle removed, making it harder to remove the tank, though this is a minor inconvenience.

Q & A

What is the main difference between the Narwhal S30 Pro and S30 models?

The S30 Pro includes a built-in haircut cutting blade, which the S30 does not have. Additionally, the S30 Pro offers a higher self-cleaning and self-drying temperature compared to the regular S30.

How does the Narwhal S30 Pro perform compared to the previous S20 Pro model?

The S30 Pro builds upon the S20 Pro's strong performance with marginal updates such as higher temperatures for self-cleaning and drying, a disposable mesh filter for easier maintenance, and a deodorizing box. However, some features like the screen and the removable dirty water tank handle were downgraded.

Why does the S30 Pro have a hair cutting blade?

The hair cutting blade was added based on research indicating that some pet owners with heavy shedding pets were still experiencing tangles. The blade is designed to cut the hair off the brush roll, preventing tangles during cleaning.

How does the new self-cleaning and self-drying cycle work on the S30 and S30 Pro?

The S30 Pro heats up to 194°F (90°C) for self-cleaning and drying, compared to the S20 Pro's 104°F (40°C). The higher temperatures help clean and disinfect the brush roll more effectively, and the drying process is quicker, with the drying session dynamically adjusting based on how wet the brush roll is.

What are the benefits of the disposable mesh filter on the S30 and S30 Pro?

The disposable mesh filter bag separates solids from liquids in the dirty water tank, allowing for easy disposal of solids by throwing the bag away. This eliminates the need for cleaning the filter, offering a more convenient maintenance option.

How does the AI mode work on the Narwhal S30 models?

AI mode automatically adjusts the cleaning power based on the amount of dirt or debris detected on the floor. This feature is designed to optimize cleaning efficiency without needing manual adjustments.

How does the edge cleaning performance compare on the S30 models?

The S30 models perform well in edge cleaning, though not perfectly. They get reasonably close to the edges but may not reach as near as some other machines. However, the performance is considered decent.

How effective is the S30 Pro at removing tough stains?

The S30 Pro excels at removing tough stains, including dried ketchup and coffee. Multiple passes may be needed for tougher stains, but it generally performs well and quickly removes fresh stains in a single pass.

What is the difference in drying performance between the S20 Pro and the S30 models?

The S30 models achieve higher temperatures during the drying cycle, around 70°C for the S30 and 90°C for the S30 Pro, compared to the S20 Pro's 50°C. This leads to faster drying times and a better chance of disinfecting the brush roll.

Why was the screen downgraded on the S30 Pro compared to the S20 Pro?

Narwhal decided to replace the advanced, animation-based screen of the S20 Pro with a simpler, more basic screen on the S30 Pro. This change was mostly aesthetic and did not impact the machine's performance, but it was a feature that the reviewer particularly missed.