Dreame R20 cordless vacuum: two-minute evaluation
The Dreame R20 is a sterling light-weight compact cordless stick vac that delivers distinctive cleansing efficiency at a really aggressive worth. Its exceedingly highly effective suction, helpful blue gentle mud detection, excellent manoeuvrability and user-friendly design make it a really sturdy contender in opposition to costly premium manufacturers like Dyson and Miele.
A sub model of the large Xiaomi empire, Dreame (pronounced Dreamy) is quick turning into a lead participant within the area of modern flooring cleansing merchandise. Whether or not it is stick vacs, robotic vacs or moist and dry exhausting flooring cleaners, it appears the Chinese language firm has a product to swimsuit all pockets and functions.
At 2.7 kilos, the R20 additionally one of many lightest stick vacs presently available on the market, and that is not one thing to be sniffed at. A few of the best cordless vacuums available on the market are notoriously heavy within the hand and due to this fact tiring to make use of for lengthy intervals of time.
Regardless of one minor anomaly – particularly the over-sensitive on/off set off – the R20 is a pleasure to make use of (if vacuuming might each be thought-about a pleasure). If you happen to’re out there for a extremely achieved cordless stick vac that prices a fraction of the value of a Dyson and even some Shark fashions, step proper this manner. This is without doubt one of the very best budget vacuums I’ve examined. Learn on for my full Dreame R20 cordless stick vacuum evaluation.
Dreame R20 evaluation: worth & availability
- Checklist worth: $449.99 / £279
- Out there: UK, US, varied different territories (not Australia)
These dwelling within the US can head straight to the US Dreame store the place it has a listing worth of $449.99, however is presently promoting for simply $269.99. Amazon additionally lists the R20 although it is presently unavailable on its web site.
If you happen to reside within the UK, the listing worth is £279, discounted (very barely!) to £259 when buying direct on the UK Dreame store. Alternatively, it is stocked at a variety of third celebration retailers, together with Amazon, Currys and B&Q.
By the way, the Dreame web site lists 27 nations in all – together with most European territories – so head there you probably have bother sourcing this product in your nation. Though Dreame does have a presence in Australia, the R20 is not presently accessible there.
Within the US and UK, the Dreame R20 sits close to the underside of the mid-range worth bracket, and provides glorious worth for that worth, competing exceedingly nicely with premium manufacturers like Dyson and Miele when it comes to options and efficiency. In reality, it is turn out to be my new favorite vac, beating the wonderful Halo Capsule X for measurement and storability and the Dyson Gen5detect for worth and weight. It additionally ships with a variety of equipment, together with a brief flexible suction tube for reaching deep underneath beds and sofas.
- Worth for cash rating: 5 out of 5
Dreame R20 cordless vacuum specs
| Kind: | Cordless stick vacuum |
| Bagless: | Sure |
| Weight: | 6 lbs / 2.7kg |
| Bin measurement: | 0.6 litres |
| Max runtime: | 90 minutes |
| Cost time: | 2 hours |
| Instruments: | 2 x floorheads, motorised mini brush head, crevice nozzle, rectangular brush nozzle and flexible suction tube connector |
| Energy: | 570W |
Dreame R20 evaluation: design
- Compact cordless, bagless stick vacuum
- Mild within the hand and really straightforward to maneuver
- Overly delicate energy set off, simply by accident activated
Though I’ve solely reviewed two Dreame merchandise to this point – this mid-size cordless stick and the wonderful Dreame L40 Ultra robotic vac and mop – I’ve to say that I am suitably impressed by what I’ve seen to date, a minimum of when in comparison with a number of the competitors.
This mannequin arrived in a bigger field than the norm however that is solely as a result of it ships with a large number of attachments, together with two fundamental floorheads for exhausting flooring and carpet, a mini motorized head for upholstery and carpeted staircases, a ridiculously light-weight carbon fibre suction tube, a brief Shark-like articulating suction tube that bends forwards 90 levels for reaching underneath beds and sofas, plus the compulsory crevice device with pull-down brush for cleansing hard-to-reach areas and alongside skirting boards and, to high all of it off, an oblong dusting brush for cabinets and across the fire.
It additionally got here with a Dyson-style wall-mounted charger that’s fortunately far much less fiddly to suit, and an influence plug that appears equivalent to these offered by Dyson. Numerous Dyson-esque stuff, in different phrases. (See the way it compares to these manufacturers’ high choices in TechRadar’s guides to the best Shark vacuums and the best Dyson vacuums.)
The Dreame R20 weighs in at 6 lbs / 2.7kg – virtually a kilo lighter than my (admittedly very weighty) Dyson Gen5detect, and 26g lighter than the comparable Dyson V15 Detect. I put a lot of this decrease weight all the way down to the R20’s featherweight carbon fibre suction tube (a paltry 205g in opposition to the Dyson Gen5’s 387g) and the smaller measurement of its handheld motor and bin housing. Consider me, you will come to understand this mannequin’s decrease weight with regards to a full clear of the house; it not solely makes the R20 straightforward to push but additionally simply as straightforward to hold from room to room, and particularly up a flight of stairs.
The Dreame R20 wins no awards for distinctive design innovation because it adopts the identical motor housing and bin configuration because the overwhelming majority of different producers, Dyson however. Nonetheless, the hand unit feels comfy sufficient to carry when getting used, although the jury’s out on the place and sensitively of the on/off set off. It is not a serious bind however I discovered that my index finger inadvertently set it off when carrying it from one a part of a room to a different.
I am additionally not too enamored with the flat finger guard under the set off, which feels a bit uncomfortable at occasions. There’s, fortunately, somewhat button on the rear of the housing that engages the motor for continuous working however even this helpful characteristic is spoiled by the truth that you want to hover the index finger above the set off otherwise you would possibly mistakenly flip it off once more. In fact I would want to have seen a system like that used on a few of Dyson’s most up-to-date merchandise the place there is a single on/off button on the rear and no set off in any way.
Whereas we’re discussing the hand unit, I must also point out the lovable little elliptically-shaped LCD interface on the again. This offers battery info in proportion phrases and a fairly butterfly icon that signifies which suction mode is in use.
There are two fundamental modes – Customary (which lights up inexperienced) and Increase (which reveals up blue/white). You possibly can swap between the 2 manually by merely tapping a small button just under the rear interface. Nevertheless, the vacuum additionally accommodates sensors that imply it will robotically ramp up from Customary to Increase mode if there’s plenty of mud about. This works very well – I used the vacuum to brush my hearth log shelf and it switched out and in of Increase frequently. There’s additionally a supercharged mode for when the sensor detects a extremely filthy part (the butterfly icon turns purple for this).
Most trendy stick vacuums could have a low-powered mode to increase the battery life when coping with gentle cleansing duties, however that is lacking right here. Nevertheless, runtimes are nonetheless distinctive (extra on this within the Battery part).
Earlier than we have a look at the floorhead setup, let’s take a tour of the R20’s bagless mud bin. The bin itself has a 0.6-litre capability which is about 0.2-liters lower than a lot of the competitors. This implies the bin will fill quicker and maybe require an additional journey to the dustbin to empty it, particularly you probably have a family of shedding pets. It additionally signifies that this mannequin might not be appropriate for a bigger home, until you may have one on each flooring.
Like plenty of stick vacs, the R20’s bin-emptying system is a primary affair comprising a easy latch that opens the underside flap to eject the particles. When it is stuffed with normal detritus like mud, crumbs and the like, this technique works completely nicely. However when it is stuffed with principally pet hair you’ll virtually definitely want to succeed in into the canister along with your fingers or tweezers to extricate the clumps. This is not a slight on the product, thoughts, as a result of it is the strategy utilized by the overwhelming majority of vacuum producers – an exception being Dyson. In addition to, pet hair is without doubt one of the most obstreperous types of particles discovered within the residence and the nemesis of most vacuum cleaners.
One of many R20’s standout options is its distinctive suction energy. Geared up with a 190 Air Watt motor, it effortlessly tackles mud, particles, pet hair and even bigger particles like puffer rice cereal and biscuit crumbs on each exhausting flooring and carpets. Nevertheless, the motor does produce an annoying high-pitched whine in each energy settings.
It is not the worst I’ve ever heard and you may quickly get used to it, but it surely’s additionally a little bit of an irritant when vacuuming with another person within the room. Dreame lists it at 85dB however I measured a extra cheap 75.4dB in Increase mode at head top.
When it comes to filtration, the blurb says the R20 has a five-stage filtration system that supposedly offers with 99.9% of particles. All I can say is that it does certainly appear to successfully lure mud and allergens, guaranteeing cleaner air within the residence. Cleansing the filter is a doddle and easily includes urgent a latch and eradicating the principle cyclone housing, which you then rinse underneath a faucet together with its small round material filter. Simply make certain that each components are totally dry earlier than refitting, otherwise you’ll find yourself with a vacuum cleaner that smells.
Okay, let’s get all the way down to flooring degree and the enterprise finish of this mannequin. The Dreame R20 ships with two fundamental floorheads: a motorised 22.5cm curler fitted with exhausting plastic ribs and two curvy bristle brushes that is been designed for carpet use; and a 21.5cm bristle-coated head for exhausting flooring. The ribbed head can be used on exhausting flooring if you cannot be bothered to maintain swapping heads although I’ve to say that the exhausting floor-specific curler is extra environment friendly on picket and tile flooring. And moreover, it buffs up the flooring within the course of. Each heads swivel at a close to 90-degree angle for Dyson-like manoeuvrability.
Like many trendy stick vacs, this mannequin’s carpet floorhead can be fitted with two brilliant blue LEDs that venture onto the ground, illuminating hidden mud and particles which may in any other case go unnoticed. No, it is not as efficient as Dyson’s modern laser gentle system but it surely’s arguably higher than a lot of the remaining competitors.
Total building of the R20 appears superb, and the sleek shiny plastics used look like very sturdy, too. I particularly like the appear and feel of the carbon fibre suction tube, which provides a contact of sophistication whereas dramatically decreasing the burden of the entire package deal. Nevertheless, I am undecided the carbon tube would survive the burden of a misjudged foot had been the unit mendacity on the ground – let’s simply say that it has somewhat extra flex in it than I’d count on from carbon fibre. At the very least I am presuming it is genuine carbon fibre, on condition that it is talked about on the Dreame web site.
- Design rating: 4.5 out of 5
Dreame R20 evaluation: efficiency
- Wonderful suction efficiency on exhausting flooring and carpet
- Very good manoeuvrability
- Mild in weight
On check, the Dreame R20 delivered distinctive suction energy for its compact measurement and I have been extraordinarily impressed by its floorheads’ capability to steer round chair legs and swivel at virtually 90 to allow them to attain into the tightest of areas. High marks on this respect.
Nevertheless, the excessive suction mixed with the design of the principle carpet-specific floorhead signifies that it is troublesome to push the R20 on medium- and deep-pile carpet. I actually wanted to place my shoulder into it – a little bit of a exercise, in different phrases. However wait, I lie, as a result of I subsequently discovered a small, virtually invisible sliding air consumption that improved carpet resistance immeasurably with out affecting the R20’s cleansing energy. Simply want Dreame hadn’t disguised it so nicely.
This mannequin typically feels remarkably gentle in use and it is amazingly manoeuvrable – as straightforward to steer as any Dyson I’ve examined, I would say. The versatile hose attachment additional enhances its versatility, permitting for handy cleansing underneath furnishings and beds.
For my exams I caught to the standard TechRadar remit and scattered a mix of oats, flour and crushed digestives on each my picket kitchen flooring and medium-pile rug. I additionally scattered some Coco Pops for good measure (no, I have never grown up but).
I used to be frankly blown away by the R20’s efficiency within the exhausting flooring check as a result of, as quickly as its ‘clever dust detection’ system kicked in, the motor ramped as much as Increase and every little thing disappeared up the tube and into the bin, leaving a transparent path with zero proof of any flour remaining within the picket flooring’s grooves. Sure, it scattered a few items of rice cereal up in opposition to the skirting board, however I merely aimed the entrance finish at them and so they had been simply snatched by the quick revolving bristle head. High marks once more.
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I then carried out the identical process on my pet hair-strewn medium pile carpet rug and it sailed by means of the check accumulating virtually each final scrap in a single go. Once more, it flung some massive biscuit crumbs and some Coco Pops to the fore however these had been simply collected with a second go.
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I used to be additionally amazed on the enormous quantity of canine and cat hair it collected on the identical time with no proof of tangles on the floorhead. And that simply goes to show that this mannequin handles pet hair with aplomb – I would fee it amongst the best vacuum cleaners for pet hair. Nevertheless, it’s possible you’ll want to go to the kitchen mud bin extra actually because, as talked about above, the R20’s 0.6-litre mud container is a bit smaller than a lot of its opponents.
I had zero points utilizing the controls aside from by accident urgent the set off when carrying it. In reality, I discovered this one to be one of many best interfaces I’ve used. I additionally preferred the best way the digital show offered real-time suggestions on each battery life and vibrant data referring to its clever dust detection.
I additionally gave it a whizz in handheld mode, utilizing the lengthy suction tube and rectangular element brush to brush the cabinets, and it did not really feel too heavy within the hand. I additionally gave the mini motorized upholstery attachment a whirl on the canine’ mattress; it labored a deal with although I did want to use some vigorous backwards and forwards actions.
My remaining ideas? As near full marks as you may get, particularly given the commonly low asking worth. Sure, I’d recommend a mannequin with a bigger bin if being utilized in a 3 story home however for everybody else, the Dreame R20 will suffice simply effective.
- Efficiency rating: 4.5 out of 5
Dreame R20 evaluation: battery life
- Most runtime is 90 minutes (nicely above common)
- Count on shorter runtimes if the ground is soiled
- Recharge can be quick, at round 2 hours
Based on the producer, the R20’s most working time is a well-above-average 90 minutes. I believe this determine applies extra to laboratory circumstances than the true world, but it surely’s nonetheless extremely spectacular. To place that in context, most cordless stick vacuums supply 40 minutes to an hour, and previous to testing this mannequin, the longest most battery life I would seen was provided by the far costlier Dyson Gen5detect, with as much as 70 minutes.
In my exhausting flooring check I managed to eke 84 minutes out of the battery in commonplace mode with no automated enhance kicking in (I began by vacuuming, then propped the vacuum up with suction lock on, and timed how lengthy the R20 lasted earlier than working out of juice).
If used to scrub for the entire time, I believe the runtime can be nearer 75 minutes if used on a dusty exhausting flooring and quite a bit much less (between 45 and 60 minutes) when used on medium-pile carpet, which provides far more friction to the curler brushes. To be sincere, I don’t know anybody able to vacuuming for greater than 40 minutes in anyone session with out an arm falling off, so these figures are greater than adequate for my part. Because the battery is detachable, you may additionally buy a spare to swap in, in case you want even longer than that.
At this juncture I must also level out that the juice-hungry Increase mode is sort of too highly effective to be used in any state of affairs aside from cleansing hard-to-reach areas of the automobile as a result of the battery proportion drops by virtually one proportion level each 5 seconds or so. And which means Increase mode received’t get you far more than about seven minutes of use out of it. (It is common for a vacuum’s most suction mode to bleed the battery in a short time.)
- Battery life rating: 5 out of 5
Do you have to purchase the Dreame R20?
| Attribute | Notes | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| Worth | Decrease mid-range, and distinctive worth given the general efficiency, options and ease of use. | 5/5 |
| Design | Usually nicely designed with ergonomic hand unit and ultra-light suction tube. | 4.5/5 |
| Efficiency | Whether or not you are tackling pet hair, on a regular basis messes or deep-cleaning session, the R20 is as much as the duty. | 4.5/5 |
| Battery | As much as 90 minutes – nicely above common, and with quick recharge too. | 5/5 |
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
How I examined the Dreame R20 cordless vacuum
TechRadar adopts a strict testing regime for all its merchandise so potential patrons know precisely what they’re getting. As normal I caught to the remit and lived with the machine for a few weeks earlier than placing it by means of some rigorous carpet and exhausting flooring exams utilizing quite a lot of obstreperous elements, together with flour and uncooked oats. I additionally thought-about the unit’s ergonomics, general design and expertise of utilizing it earlier than alighting on my remaining verdict.
Learn extra about how we test vacuum cleaners
- First reviewed January 2025