Dreame L40 Ultra Gen 2 Review: 25,000 Pa Power Beast or a Step Back? Full Honest Breakdown

The Dreame L40 Ultra Gen 2 is our 21st Dreame model tested and one of more than 135 robot vacuums we’ve reviewed overall. Dreame has consistently been one of our favorite brands, so we were eager to see how this latest release performs against both its predecessor and the broader competition.

Dreame sent this unit to us for testing, but this review is not sponsored. As always, what follows are our honest, unfiltered findings.

---

What’s Different From the Original L40 Ultra?

At first glance, the name suggests a straightforward upgrade. Typically, “Gen 2” means better across the board. In this case, it’s more complicated.

The biggest headline improvement is suction power. The Gen 2 delivers an impressive 25,000 pascals, more than double the original L40 Ultra and approaching flagship territory. On paper, that’s a massive leap forward.

However, that increase in power comes with notable trade-offs. Dreame removed the RGB AI camera and sensor system found in the original model. With it goes the built-in LED light and the advanced obstacle recognition that made the first version particularly strong in that area. The Gen 2 also no longer includes automatic mop pad removal when transitioning to carpet, and it drops the built-in cleaning solution tank. While automatic solution dispensing is still supported, the tank must now be purchased separately, adding to the total cost.

The addition of Matter support will be important for smart home enthusiasts, but overall, this release feels less like a universal upgrade and more like a shift in priorities. Whether that’s a positive change depends entirely on what features matter most to you.

---

Setup and First Impressions

Unboxing is straightforward. Inside, you’ll find the robot vacuum, the multifunction cleaning station with ramp, a power cord, pre-installed mop pads, a spare dust bag, and documentation.

Setup is simple: plug in the dock, attach the magnetic mop pad holders, fill the clean water tank, and allow the robot to charge. Once powered up, you connect it through the Dreame Home app and begin mapping. In our case, a firmware update was available immediately, which we recommend installing right away.

Design-wise, the Gen 2 closely follows Dreame’s L-series aesthetic. The overall shape and layout feel familiar, with only subtle differences in finish and trim. Navigation is handled by a single-line laser sensor system, and mapping was fast and accurate. Movement throughout the home felt smooth and controlled during testing.

---

Vacuum Performance: Impressive on Paper and in Practice

The standout feature of the Dreame L40 Ultra Gen 2 is undoubtedly its 25,000 Pa suction rating. That places it well above the category average and just shy of many flagship models.

Despite the higher power, noise levels remain reasonable. On max suction, it measured 73 dB, right around the overall average. Lowering the suction makes it noticeably quieter without sacrificing too much performance on hard floors.

Airflow measured 11.5 CFM, comfortably above the 9.0 average. However, our carpet airflow test recorded 370 FPM, slightly below the 424 FPM category average, and max in-use pressure peaked at 0.27 kPa, also below average. These numbers reinforce something we often emphasize: suction ratings alone don’t tell the full story. Roller design, airflow efficiency, and floor type all play significant roles in real-world cleaning performance.

In standardized debris testing, the Gen 2 scored 90% on coffee pickup, slightly above average. Sand pickup reached 60%, which falls below average, while cat litter performance was excellent at 98%, outperforming most competitors. Overall, vacuuming performance is strong, particularly for larger debris, though fine sand on certain surfaces proved more challenging.

---

Mopping and Dock Automation

The dual rotary mop system performs very well, especially on LVP flooring. Pads apply consistent pressure and leave floors clean and streak-free. The extension arm helps the robot reach edges and corners more effectively, which is always appreciated.

The base station automates nearly every aspect of maintenance. It washes mop pads with hot water, dries them with hot air, refills water, dispenses cleaning solution (if you purchase the tank), and empties the dust bin. This creates a largely hands-free experience that minimizes ongoing maintenance.

That said, the mop lift height remains standard at 10.5 mm, and unlike the original model, the Gen 2 does not support automatic mop pad removal when transitioning to carpet. It also lacks ozone water treatment, a feature designed to reduce odors in standing water tanks. These omissions aren’t dealbreakers for everyone, but they are worth noting.

---

Obstacle Avoidance: The Biggest Weakness

Obstacle avoidance is where the Gen 2 shows its most noticeable regression.

In our testing, it scored 30% overall, well below the 66% category average. Performance was particularly weak on carpet, where avoidance was nearly nonexistent. While it performed slightly better on hard floors, it still struggled with cables and simulated pet waste.

The absence of the RGB AI camera system clearly impacts performance here. Compared to the original L40 Ultra, this is a step backward. For households with pets, kids, or cluttered floors, this could be a meaningful drawback.

---

Battery Life and Real-World Efficiency

Dreame claims 231 minutes of runtime, comfortably above the 180-minute category average. But we focus less on runtime alone and more on real-world coverage.

In our best-case scenario—lowest suction on hard floors—the Gen 2 covered approximately 5,920 square feet. That’s over 2,500 square feet above the category average and the highest score we’ve recorded in more than 20 recent vacuum tests. It also surpassed the Gen 1 model by nearly 2,000 square feet.

In the worst-case scenario—max suction on carpet—it still covered about 1,538 square feet, again leading the category. The efficiency here is genuinely impressive. The power-to-coverage ratio gives this model a clear advantage in larger homes.

---

The Dreame Home App Experience

The Dreame Home app, available on iOS and Android, offers extensive control. Users can adjust vacuum and mop settings, create custom cleaning routines, set no-go zones, manage multi-floor maps, and integrate with Amazon or Google voice assistants. Matter support is included for those building a unified smart home ecosystem.

While the Android app rating currently sits below average, we’ve found it to be one of the most feature-rich and thoughtfully designed platforms available. It does have a slight learning curve due to its depth, but once familiar, it provides granular control over nearly every aspect of cleaning.

Among all the robot vacuum apps we’ve tested, Dreame’s remains one of our personal favorites.

---

Final Thoughts

The Dreame L40 Ultra Gen 2 is not a simple upgrade—it’s a rebalancing act.

On one hand, it delivers outstanding suction power, best-in-class efficiency, strong mopping performance, and a highly automated dock experience. For homes with primarily hard floors and users who prioritize cleaning power and coverage, it performs extremely well.

On the other hand, obstacle avoidance is a clear step back from the previous generation. The removal of the RGB AI sensor system, automatic mop pad removal, and the built-in solution tank may disappoint longtime Dreame users who expected a more complete Gen 2 evolution.

If suction, efficiency, and Matter integration top your priority list, the Dreame L40 Ultra Gen 2 is a compelling option. But if you value smarter obstacle handling and a more fully featured package, sticking with the original L40 Ultra may make more sense.

Ultimately, this model proves that “Gen 2” doesn’t always mean better in every category—it means different.