It's shaping up to be a big year for robot vacuums. Some of the most exciting new robot vacuum tech we saw at CES included in-built claws for removing obstacles and customizable add-ons such as security cameras and even air purifiers. But one of 2025’s most anticipated robot vacuum launches comes from Dreame.
The brand’s new X50 Ultra robot vacuum has a host of clever features such as extended edge mopping and a retractable sensor that allows it to reach under low-lying furniture for a complete clean.
Perhaps the most exciting innovation is the Dreame X50 Ultra’s retractable legs, which enable it to lift up to 2.5 inches and surmount ledges around your home for multi-level cleaning.
Naturally, I was the first to put my hand up when it came to testing this new release and seeing if it deserves a spot in our guide to the best robot vacuums, but ahead of my full review, I was also able to see it in action at the opening of Dreame’s new store in Birmingham, England. The X50 Ultra is available for pre-order at Dreame and is set to be available to buy in February.
It's not cheap, retailing at $1,699 or £1,299. Here are three reasons why I can't wait to try it in my own home.
3 reasons why I'm excited to try the Dreame X50 Ultra
1. Retractable legs
Whether it's a particularly deep pile rug or a small incline between levels of your house, it can be frustrating when a robot vacuum can't access your entire floor plan.
The X50 Ultra aims to tackle this, with ProLeap retractable legs that allow it to elevate up to 2.5 inches and overcome obstacles or ledges. That's not quite enough clearance to climb up your stairs just yet, but it's an exciting innovation which I was excited to see in action.
Sure enough, the Dreame was able to surmount a six-centimeter ledge in the purpose-built showroom without absolutely no difficulty. It took about 15 seconds in total to identify the ledge, back up to get room for clearance, and then slowly elevate itself using these retractable legs and push forward safely onto the ledge.
I was surprised at how graceful the whole process was, it didn't seem clunky or dangerous and I didn't have any concerns about any damage being caused by repeated use. Notably, it also didn't fall off the ledge when cleaning this higher platform, and when it came to climbing back down it gently tipped itself forward and perched onto the main floor.
2. Extended reach
One of my least favorite cleaning tasks is mopping underneath my kitchen cabinets. Because they recede underneath the door of the cabinets, there's often a gap that's prone to getting dirty which can't be reached by my day-to-day robot vacuum.
The Dreame has a smart new extendable mopping pad called RoboSwing which allows its cleaning path to extend an extra four centimeters to extend its cleaning capabilities into those hard to reach places.
The X50 Ultra seemed to have nifty automatic detection for when this was required, but I’m interested to see if it will cut down a mopping time in my own home, and whether it will be able to reach into those little corners where crumbs often get caught.
3. Low-space cleaning
Many smart robot vacuums have a raised sensor on top of the machine to identify obstacles in its path. However, this sensor can sometimes prevent the robot vacuum from reaching under furniture, effectively reducing the area in your home where your vacuum can clean.
I've got a sofa that sits quite low and while my Dyson 360 VisNav can reach underneath it I've had to rescue it a few times when it's got stuck at a particularly low-lying part. The X50 Ultra comes with a retractable sensor called its VersaLift Navigation that allows it to reach under spaces as little as 9 centimeters high, ideal for getting underneath furniture and around coffee tables.
Will it reach under my low-lying sofa? I'm excited to see for myself. Another feature I like is that its built-in LED lights will automatically switch on when it reaches dark spots such as underneath furniture, so I'm hoping it won't get lost or require saving.
I’m currently testing the X50 Ultra to see if lives up to the hype, but if my first impression is anything to go by, this could be my new favorite cleaning gadget. You can pre-order now directly at Dreame, where there's a $390 off coupon for the first few weeks of the launch.