A lot of robot vacuum for little money: Dreame L10s Ultra Gen 3 review

Another new feature is the AceClean DryBoard in the multifunctional and slim, but tall PowerDock. This now cleans the mops more thoroughly with 20 spray nozzles and also cleans itself, which works satisfactorily according to our test impressions. However, cold water is still used, whereas many more expensive models rely on hot water mop cleaning. This is followed by the usual drying process with warm air.

The Dreame L10s Ultra Gen 3 can also be optionally equipped with a water connection kit. This means that the 4.5 l fresh water tank and the 4 l dirty water tank no longer need to be filled or emptied manually from time to time, but the robot vacuum cleaner and mop works even more autonomously. The automatic dust extraction into a 3.2 l dust bag is of course still on board.

The kit version of the Dreame L10s Ultra Gen 3 includes the robot hoover and base station, a total of six mop pads, two dust bags (one pre-assembled) and 200 ml of cleaning solution.

As we already know from various other Dreame robot vacuum cleaners from previous tests, the L10s Ultra Gen 3 also established the connection and subsequent setup via the Dreame app without any problems. Once the Wi-Fi connection has been set up, the obligatory mapping tour follows.

The recognition of individual rooms was not at the top level in the test. However, after brief manual editing with numerous options such as exclusion zones, the virtual image of the real environment was created quite quickly.

The L10s Ultra Gen 3 can then be sent to work via an automated cleaning schedule, manual operation via the app or voice command to Alexa, Siri or Google Home. The model does not have its own voice assistant on board, which is not surprising in this price range. However, networking in the smart home via Matter is possible.

In addition to the CleanGenius assistant for automatic cleaning adjustment, various user-defined options are also available for cleaning. The Dreame L10s Ultra Gen 3 can vacuum or mop only, vacuum and mop and mop after vacuuming, with individual room adjustment if desired. The suction power can be adjusted in four levels (Quiet, Standard, Turbo and Max) and the humidity of the mopping function in 32 levels. The frequency of the return to wash the mops and the route (Fast, Standard) can also be set.

In addition to cleaning history, firmware updates and the like, the menu offers various other setting options relating to carpet cleaning, MopExtend and the dock. The selection is not as huge as some top models, but is absolutely sufficient for normal requirements. One practical feature is the option to charge during less busy night-time hours, for example to benefit from dynamic electricity tariffs.

In terms of navigation, the Dreame L10s Ultra Gen 3 left a more than solid impression in the test. Navigating through the test environment worked without any major problems, even in narrow passages. The robot hoover and mop was not one of the fastest in the test in terms of cleaning time, but ultimately cleaned systematically and thoroughly. So there is little reason for complaint here.

However, it should be noted that the laser tower is not retractable. This means that the robot can drive under less furniture at a height of just under 10 cm than, for example, the (more expensive) Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Pro (999 euros on Amazon) with a height of only around 8 cm.

When it comes to obstacle detection, Dreame only relies on a slightly slimmed-down solution in the front of the appliance, in line with the price. For larger obstacles such as chair legs and the like, this is completely sufficient to pave a safe path through the cleaning environment.

For smaller obstacles, however, the mid-range model (unsurprisingly) reaches its limits. Clamping bricks, shoelaces and the like fell victim in rows during the test. This is not perfect, but has also happened to many significantly more expensive robots. If you opt for the L10s Ultra Gen 3, you should therefore make sure that no small items are lying around before cleaning.

In the test, the Dreame L10s Ultra Gen 3 benefited above all from its significantly higher suction power compared to its predecessor. This results in good cleaning performance on smooth floors and short-pile carpets.

With longer pile, however, the model (like many others) sometimes reaches its limits. In the test, a few grains of sand remained on a test carpet despite the max suction power level, even though the carpet was quite clean on the surface. Another problem is that the mops can only be lifted by a good 10 mm and cannot be put down. It makes sense to activate carpet cleaning in the app first before mopping the remaining areas.

Short dog hair did not cause any problems in the test. Long hair was a different story. They got tangled up more often on the rubber brush, which is not surprising without any anti-hair tangling technology. Households with long-haired residents should therefore be prepared for regular manual removal. The extendable side brush is practical, but is now standard on many models, thanks to which very little dirt was left behind in corners during the test.

While there is little to criticize about the suction power, the mopping function worked well in the test. In general, the models with two rotating mops are inferior to the modern alternatives with a mop roller (such as the more expensive Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller), especially when it comes to stubborn, damp or greasy dirt. This is where the mid-range model reaches its limits, even though it can wipe right up to the edges thanks to the extendable mop. On a positive note, the Dreame L10s Ultra Gen 3 can automatically use cleaning agents.

According to our test impressions, the suction and mopping function of the Dreame L10s Ultra Gen 3 is perfectly adequate for regularly removing everyday dirt. For anything beyond that, other and more expensive models are more likely to be required.