At IFA in September 2024, Dreame demonstrated a robot vacuum with retractable legs that could lever itself up and actually climb a step. It wasn’t quite the staircase-climbing robot of our wildest imagination but it’s an impressive feat of engineering that demonstrates just how far robot vacuums have come.
At CES 2025, the X50 Ultra Complete robot vacuum, which features the “ProLeap” system, launched. And now it’s available to buy.
We’ve already tested it, so you can check out our review to find out more about what it’s like to use. Or read on for all the facts about this model.
What is the ProLeap system?
While Roborock (with the Qrevo Curv) and Shark (with the PowerDetect Never Touch Pro 2-in-1) have already launched robot vacuums that can lift themselves up to cope with raised thresholds and thick rugs, the ProLeap system takes things a step further – quite literally.
The X50 series robot features two robotic legs that extend to angle the robot vacuum’s body upwards, allowing it to climb a step of up to 4.2cm, or a series of steps of up to 6cm. So no, it can’t handle a staircase. But if you have high thresholds, uneven flooring or a change of floor height between rooms that’s prevented you from getting the most from a robot vacuum, this tech could change the game for you.
Dreame
If you think that bumping around is likely to cause a lot of wear and tear on the robot, Dreame has tested it and reckons that the X50 Ultra Complete will be able to clamber over obstacles 30,000 times in its lifespan with no damage.
When will the X50 Ultra Complete be available to buy and what will it cost?
The X50 Ultra Complete is now available to buy in the UK. It costs £1,299 from Amazon and Dreame. If you buy it on 28 February, or for seven days afterwards, you can get it for just £1,199, as a special early bird offer.
The X50 Ultra is also available in the US. It’s priced at $1,699.99 but you can currently order it from Amazon or Dreame for $1,399.99, using an on-page coupon.
What other features does the X50 Ultra Complete have?
The ProLeap technology isn’t the only top-flight feature that the X50 Ultra has. Not only can it climb, but it can clean under low pieces of furniture, thanks to a clever piece of tech.
You’re probably used to seeing robot vacuums with a raised LiDAR tower on top, and that’s what you’ll get on the X50 Ultra. A raised tower of this kind is one of the best ways to assure accurate object detection and mapping, as it provides a 360-degree vantage point for the DToF (direct time of flight) sensors.
The downside to this feature is that it raises the height of the robot vacuum, which may limit its cleaning potential.
However, the tower on the X50 Ultra is complete with what Dreame calls “VersaLift” technology, which allows the DToF tower to retract into the body of the robot vacuum, so it can clean under low pieces of furniture.
Dreame
It also features another robotic limb – the “Dual Flex” arm, which lets it clean right up to walls and into corners, and beneath low furniture.
The X50 Ultra has 20,000 Pa of suction, which means it should be more than a match for serious mess, even on carpet. But thanks to a silent impeller, it should go about its work quietly.
It can also handle a range of flooring types, thanks to its automatic mop removal, mop lifting and suction boost, carpet avoidance and intensive carpet cleaning – depending on the job and the flooring type it encounters.
Emma Rowley / Foundry
To compare the X50 Ultra with our other top recommendations, see our round-up of the best robot vacuums we’ve tested. And for models that are a bit easier on the wallet, see the best budget robot vacuums.
