Introduction
When looking at the latest offerings from Dreame and its subsidiary brand Mova, we're dealing with three robots that share considerable DNA but target slightly different release windows and user needs. The Mova E40 Ultra arrived in 2025 as a competitively priced option, whilst the Dreame L10s Ultra Gen 2 launched in 2024 as a solid mid-range performer. The newest addition, the Dreame L10s Ultra Gen 3, hit shelves in November 2025 with several refinements over its predecessor.
All three models come equipped with multifunctional bases that handle autoemptying, mop washing with hot water, and hot air drying—features that separate a mediocre mopping experience from genuinely effective floor cleaning. They're designed for households wanting minimal intervention in their cleaning routine, though the specific differences between them will determine which suits your home best.
Suction Power and Brushing
The suction figures tell an interesting story about how these models position themselves. The Dreame L10s Ultra Gen 2 sits at 10,000 Pa, which handles everyday dust and debris without issue but might struggle with deeply embedded dirt in carpet fibres. The Mova E40 Ultra nearly doubles that figure at 19,000 Pa, giving it considerably more pulling power for homes with rugs or pets that shed heavily.
Then there's the Gen 3, which pushes things further with 25,000 Pa—the strongest of the three and genuinely useful if you're dealing with thick carpets or high-traffic areas that accumulate stubborn dirt.
All three use the SimpliCut brush design, which combines silicone fins with cutting blades to reduce hair tangles. None of them lift their main brush during mopping, so you'll want to ensure carpets are mapped correctly to avoid dragging a wet brush across them.
The side brush situation gets more interesting. The Gen 3 includes an extendable side brush that swings out when approaching edges and corners, improving coverage in those tricky spots where dust tends to gather. The Gen 2 and Mova lack this feature, though the Mova compensates with an anti-tangle side brush design that prevents hair from wrapping around the bristles. Neither the Gen 2 nor Gen 3 offer this anti-tangle capability, which might matter if you've got long-haired occupants—human or otherwise.
Mopping Performance
Mopping hardware is largely identical across all three. Each uses dual rotating mopas that extend outward to reach skirting boards, paired with the RoboSwing movement that angles the robot's rear end to push mops slightly under furniture overhangs. Mop lift reaches 10.5 mm on all models, enough to clear low-pile rugs but not thick carpet transitions.
The water used for floor mopping stays cold across the board—none of these models heat the water they dispense onto floors during cleaning. What does get heated is the mop washing process at the base station. All three wash their mops with hot water and dry them using heated air, which helps prevent that musty smell that can develop when damp fabric sits idle.
None of the models automatically detach their mops at the base when you want vacuum-only operation, nor do they detect dirt levels on mops or floors to trigger additional cleaning passes. These remain manual or scheduled tasks rather than fully autonomous decisions.
Navigation System
Navigation hardware is essentially uniform. Each robot uses a LiDAR turret for mapping combined with a frontal 3D laser sensor for obstacle detection. There's no AI camera on any of these models, which means object recognition relies on laser-based shape detection rather than visual identification.
All three recognise pets and can adjust behaviour accordingly, though without cameras, they won't send you photos of your cat sitting on the charging dock. The CleanGenius AI system appears on each model, optimising cleaning patterns based on room layout and previous sessions, but none offer remote camera access, LED illumination for night vision, or curtain detection features.
In practical terms, you're getting reliable room mapping and obstacle avoidance without the premium features found on higher-tier models. That's perfectly adequate for most homes, particularly if privacy concerns make you hesitant about robots with cameras.
Battery and Runtime
Battery capacity sits at 5,200 mAh across all three models, but runtime varies slightly. The Dreame L10s Ultra Gen 2 manages 240 minutes on a full charge, whilst the Gen 3 drops to 231 minutes and the Mova E40 Ultra lands at 210 minutes. These differences likely stem from how power-hungry their respective suction motors are—the Gen 3's stronger motor draws more current, reducing overall runtime despite identical battery capacity.
For most homes under 200 square metres, even the shortest runtime proves sufficient. Larger properties might see the robot returning to recharge mid-clean, though automatic resume functionality means it'll pick up where it left off once topped up.
Smart Features
All three models can climb obstacles up to 20 mm high, useful for transitioning between rooms with slight threshold differences or mounting thin door bars. None include robotic arms for moving objects or proprietary voice assistants, though they all integrate with Alexa and Google Home for basic voice control.
These aren't showcase pieces for cutting-edge robotics—they're practical cleaning tools that focus on core functionality rather than experimental features that might not work reliably in real-world conditions.
Multifunctional Base Station
The base stations share most specifications: 3.2-litre dust bags, 4.5-litre clean water tanks, and 4-litre dirty water tanks. All three perform autoevacuation of the robot's 300 ml dust bin, wash mops with hot water, and dry them using heated air.
Where they diverge is in maintenance and expandability. The Dreame L10s Ultra Gen 3 introduces third-generation self-cleaning for the washing tray itself, reducing how often you need to manually scrub the base's internals. The Gen 2 and Mova lack this feature, meaning you'll be wiping down the tray every few weeks to prevent residue buildup.
Detergent dispensing comes standard on both Dreame models but remains optional on the Mova E40 Ultra—you'll need to purchase it separately if you want automated cleaning solution dispensing during mop washes. Both Dreame stations also support an optional plumbing connection kit (sold separately) that lets you hook the base directly to water supply and drainage lines, eliminating manual tank refills and emptying. The Mova doesn't offer this option at all.
None of the bases include UV sterilisation or automatic mop pad replacement systems, keeping things straightforward but requiring periodic mop pad changes when they wear out.
Physical Dimensions
The robots themselves are identical in size: 350 mm diameter and 97 mm tall. That height lets them slip under most sofas and bed frames, though particularly low furniture might still pose clearance issues.
Base stations measure 340 mm wide across all three, with heights of 590.5 mm for the Mova and Gen 2, and 590 mm for the Gen 3—essentially identical. Depth varies by half a millimetre between the Gen 2 (456.7 mm) and Gen 3 (457 mm), whilst the Mova sits at 456.7 mm. These are rounding-error differences that won't affect placement decisions.
What matters more is finding a spot with access to power and enough clearance for the robot to dock smoothly. All three need similar floor space, so if one fits, they all will.
Real-World Usage Scenarios
For smaller flats or homes under 100 square metres, any of these models handles the job comfortably. The Gen 2's lower suction might actually be preferable if you're mostly dealing with hard floors and light dust—it'll run quieter and potentially extend component lifespan.
Homes with pets benefit most from the Mova E40 Ultra's anti-tangle side brush or the Gen 3's raw suction power, depending on whether hair accumulation or embedded fur in carpets is your primary concern. The Gen 3's extendable side brush also helps if your pets tend to scatter food around their bowls in corners.
Larger homes with mixed flooring—hard surfaces plus area rugs—probably want the Gen 3's 25,000 Pa suction and extended side brush for thorough coverage. The self-cleaning wash tray also reduces maintenance frequency, useful when you're cleaning bigger spaces that dirty the mops more quickly.
If you're willing to manually refill water tanks and don't mind occasional base cleaning, the Mova E40 Ultra offers strong performance at what's typically a lower price point. Those wanting maximum convenience should consider the Gen 3's self-cleaning tray and optional plumbing kit, even if the latter requires additional purchase.
Conclusion: Which Should You Choose?
Choose the Mova E40 Ultra if you want solid suction power without paying premium prices, particularly if you value the anti-tangle side brush for managing hair. It's well-suited to medium-sized homes with pets where you're comfortable with basic maintenance routines and don't need the latest refinements.
Choose the Dreame L10s Ultra Gen 2 if you're cleaning mostly hard floors in a home without heavy dirt challenges, and you want the convenience of a built-in detergent tank plus potential plumbing connectivity. The longer battery life helps with larger floor plans, even if suction power sits at the lower end.
Choose the Dreame L10s Ultra Gen 3 if you need the strongest suction available here, appreciate the extendable side brush for better corner cleaning, and value the self-cleaning wash tray that cuts down on base maintenance. It's the best all-rounder for demanding environments—homes with pets, children, thick carpets, or simply high cleaning standards where you want the robot to handle as much as possible without intervention.
