This is the first time that Rowenta has entered the ultra-competitive floor-mopping vacuum cleaner market. Developed in partnership with the Chinese brand Narwal, the Rowenta X-Clean 10 stands out as the manufacturer's very first foray into the sector, largely dominated by Chinese giants such as Xiaomi and Tineco. No need to play coy, the company has it under its belt, with years of expertise under its belt, and a host of technologies available. The brand's new model arrives with several promising features, including the now traditional intelligent modes as well as an essential self-cleaning mode. Coupled with a very accomplished design, capable of bending over backwards to clean as efficiently as possible, does Rowenta's first wet vacuum cleaner have what it takes to win?
Discover Rowenta X-Clean 10
Design and ergonomics: light and handy
This is one of the undeniable good points of the product: the design of the Rowenta X-Clean 10 is beautiful, slender and well finished. Handling is easy, light, but it remains robust, and also benefits from a few well-positioned non-slip areas. No doubt, we are dealing with a quality device. Delivered with its compact base and a single cleaning brush for any accessory, the X-Clean 10 is simple and effective. However, we would have preferred a few more brushes to complete the possibilities offered by cleaning.
On the design side, the Rowenta vacuum cleaner offers an effective mix between classic and modern: the overall shape of the device remains consistent with what is expected of this type of product, but offers some unusual fantasies, with a 0.79L clean water tank installed, not on the handle, but at the rear of the washing head, where he slips in from behind. This choice is far from being anecdotal, since compared to the competition, and in particular to similar products sold by Tineco, it allows the weight of the vacuum cleaner to be shifted to the ground, and to avoid discomfort after too long a session. cleaning. Weighing almost 5 kg with its tank filled, the Rowenta X-Clean 10 promises a felt weight of only 0.8 kg when handled. We must admit that the bet has paid off: generally speaking, there will never really be a need to lift the device with all its weight, except to position it on its base. For short breaks, a simple switch to static mode is sufficient. You should then tilt the vacuum cleaner forward to turn off the motors.
The other strength of the X-Clean 10 is its ability to be placed in a supine positionin order to vacuum under the narrowest furniture. With its maximum thickness of 15 cm, the vacuum cleaner offers an intelligent design, even if it has to reduce its suction power. In everyday life, this is a particularly practical and appreciable feature.
Performance: effective, but not always clear
Four modes are available on the X-Clean 10: automatic mode or “intelligent” (by default), a turbo mode, as well as a silent and liquid absorption mode. A max mode is also available to tackle stubborn stains, hold the mode button down. Generally speaking, the vacuum cleaner can be criticized for its lack of clarity: despite a relatively large control panel, access to certain parameters and details, such as max mode or language change for example, is not particularly ergonomic. It's a shame.
After this disappointment, we must admit that the Rowenta vacuum cleaner is very good at what it does. With pure water, automatic mode is usually enough to remove most dirt, even if there is sometimes too long a lag time when adapting the suction power. For once, it is ultimately towards the silent mode that we will turn most often, the latter managing quite well to make the compromise between discretion and efficiency. Whether it's hair littering the ground or thick debris — liquid or solid — the device never hesitates to complete its missioneven in silent mode. For the most stubborn tasks, you will need to have a little more patience, or turbo mode.
Compatible with all detergents, but…
In its instructions for use, Rowenta indicates that its vacuum cleaner is compatible with most detergents on the market. However, it is a shame that the brand does not provide a precise list of this compatibility. She also explains that we should avoid black soap and bleach, and that white vinegar can only be used for descaling, leaving us in a artistic blur not always very clear. You will therefore have to find the product that suits you best, or opt for clear water: a solution which proved very effective during our test.
Whether you choose clear water or the detergent option, the result is very effective. The X-Clean 10 cleans effectively, right up to the edges, since the roller extends to both edges of the wash head. Furniture and plinths are not resistant to it, it is a real time saver on a daily basis. Especially since even at full power, the vacuum cleaner does not exceed 70 dB, which remains very correct for a model of this power.
Autonomy: very good student
This is one of the first (and only) real faults of this first vacuum cleaner from Rowenta: the X-Clean 10 does not display no indication of its charge level. The screen never indicates the remaining battery percentage, and just a simple red icon to alert us when the device is about to fail. Same thing when the clean water tank is empty, since nothing alerts the user when it is time to empty the vacuum cleaner.
It's all the more a shame as the battery life of the device is very good. Rowenta announces until 60 minutes of cleaning depending on the mode chosen, and a complete charge cycle of around 3h30. In silent mode, this measurement is largely exceeded, and allows comfortable cleaning of around a hundred m2 before needing to be recharged. In intelligent mode, this time will have to be divided by two, with approximately 30 minutes of cleaning guaranteed depending on the level of dirt on the floor. You will then have to remember to change the water tank before switching to the charging base, the latter needing to be replenished every 20 minutes in Turbo mode.
Interview
It has become essential for this type of product: we now expect a vacuum cleaner to save us the chore of cleaning after each use. On this point, Rowenta stands out, with a system for separating solid waste and liquid via a removable handle, which avoids having to immerse your hands in wet waste. Practical on a daily basis therefore.
Finally, the brand recommends washing its accessories once a week in clean water. We chose to put it in the dishwasher (except for the filter), and the result is very satisfactory. The collector comes out as good as new, and the roller can be removed by pulling a simple side latch. Between two washes, however, the device can self-clean quite effectively. In addition to its anti-tangling system, which prevents hair and animal hair from getting wrapped in the roller, we also find a automatic maintenance cycle very well thought out. After each pass, it is thus possible to trigger a complete cleaning of the roller, followed by spinning and drying at 65°C. allow an hour of silent rotation to find your brush clean and dry. Once again, it's clever.
Price and availability
Available for several months on the brand's official website and at most resellers, Rowenta's X-Clean 10 is sold at a little less than 600€. A relatively expensive option for this type of product, but also very efficient.
Discover Rowenta X-Clean 10
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