Rowenta X-Combo GZ3039WO review: not really a winning combination

The Rowenta X-Combo GZ3039WO looks a lot like a classic stick vacuum, but in a multifunction format. Indeed, most of the weight is placed close to the ground, so as not to require too much effort from the user to manipulate it. This particular architecture also makes it possible to store the machine in the parking position, by pushing the handle sufficiently forward.

We pass the X-Combo with ease, although its weight of 3.16 kg can tire the arm if the cleaning session tends to be prolonged, despite the rotating pads which drive the floor scrubber. Good point, the joints of the head are very flexible; sharp changes of direction are no problem and you can take the tightest turns without skidding. However, we regret that the wheels are so small: it often happens that the largest waste jams them and prevents them from turning freely.

The Rowenta X-Combo GZ3039WO’s control panel shouldn’t pose an insurmountable problem. As often, there is a general power switch that turns the device on. Just above, a selector allows you to choose the operating mode, even during use: floor cleaner, vacuum cleaner or both at the same time. It should be noted, however, that even in suction mode only, the mops rotate on their own. The difference seems to be in the automatic water dispensing. In floor cleaner mode, the suction is not activated and this is particularly noticeable in the sound level. Finally, a last key activates the turbo mode as long as the pressure is maintained.

Due to the lack of a precise battery life indicator, it is not so easy to plan your cleaning session. The indications are limited to a flashing diode on the battery; it changes color when the remaining charge is very low. Fortunately, the battery is removable and you can therefore provide a spare battery, to be purchased separately, it is true.

We feel that the suction part is clearly not the most worked by the manufacturer. Indeed, the very small slot seems very unsuitable for the exercise and no rotating brush, like the one found on even the most basic vacuum cleaners, redirects particles and dust towards the opening. You would think that the mops would take care of this task but, after a few attempts, it turns out that they disperse the large particles a little everywhere instead of redirecting them effectively towards the suction port.

Obviously, without a rotating brush, we also forget the possibility of beating the fibers of high-pile carpets, for example, to extract dust and debris in order to vacuum them more easily. In a nutshell, the Rowenta X-Combo GZ3039WO is mainly intended for hard floors and owners of carpet or many rugs can go their way without regret.

The head of the Rowenta X-Combo GZ3039WO contains all the elements relating to floor cleaning, including the famous cleaning pads. Rowenta has chosen a velcro system to hang them and we attach them before removing them (and vice versa) without too much trouble. Positive point, these are flexible and go through the machine without causing noise, unlike the hard rollers of the Roborock Dyad Pro.

The water tank, for its part, is located on the upper side of the head. It is easily extracted from its housing to fill it with clear water, without detergents, specifies the instructions. This is not surprising since no rinsing system is provided. Attention, it is not so simple as that to proceed with the filling, the orifice being very narrow (1.5 cm in diameter) but with a little attention, we can do it without getting water everywhere.

If the accessories delivered with the X-Combo GZ3039WO do not revolutionize the genre, we will note all the same the presence of an additional foam filter and two pairs of wipes, including a special difficult stains. Finally, the manufacturer also provides a storage base to avoid soiling the floor when the scrubber is stored; it does not accommodate any electrical connection for charging, as can sometimes happen.

The maintenance of the Rowenta X-Combo GZ3039WO does not require too complicated handling.

Some floor scrubbers have an automatic pad cleaning system, but not this model. However, thanks to the Velcro system, you can hook and unhook the mops easily to put them in the machine.

We avoid the chore of maintaining the dirty water tank on the X-Combo, since the latter is not equipped with one. Instead, there is a dust collector, like the one that equips stick vacuum cleaners. But we don’t necessarily win the change. Indeed, you have to remove it from the main body, remove the cyclonic filtration system, then put everything back in place and insert the tray into the X-Combo. Maybe there was something simpler.

Compared to the four large rollers that equip the FC 7 from Kärcher, the small rotating pads of the X-Combo from Rowenta seem very modest and reluctant to overcome the four stains that constitute our test protocol: oil, sugary drink, lipstick. lips, carbon mixed with water (to simulate soot, a greasy black stain that sticks).

While most of the models in our comparison manage to eliminate soda stains in a single pass, it took three round trips to the X-Combo to overcome them. The oil stain is just as stubborn, also disappearing after three passes, not without leaving a very thin film of grease (hot, soapy water would completely remove it).

Unlike Kärcher’s FC 5, the carbon mixed with water left no streaks and completely disappeared after four round trips, which is a good performance. As for the lipstick marks, they are still a little visible after more than 20 round trips of the rollers, and we had to rub the floor energetically by hand to completely erase them.

Note that after a cleaning session, the floor is almost dry. The moistening of the rollers is such that the ground is not sprayed with water and the drying takes place quickly, which is a good thing.

Aspiration

As we expected, the suction performance of the X-Combo is disappointing. We only tested it on hard floors, but even on this easy surface, in turbo mode, it takes over a minute to pick up 100 grams of rice. The mops that tend to scatter the rice and the small size of the suction slot are of course on the docket, but the suction power and the absence of a rotating brush do not play more in favor of the X- Combo, in terms of suction anyway.