Dreame R20 review: good vacuum, good price
28/6/2023
Translation: Veronica Bielawski
The Dreame R20 has no crazy innovations to offer. But it’s got all the key features of a top-of-the-line cordless vacuum cleaner – from a floor light to multiple brushes.
Certain cordless vacuum manufacturers are in a constant race to outperform each other with each new year. Some of their innovations are useful, others not so much. Dreame, which was founded in 2017 and belongs to the Xiaomi Group, takes a different approach. The brand’s focus lies on inexpensive vacuums.
This approach also applies to its latest top model, the R20, which I was able to test extensively before the official launch. With the R20, Dreame has packed nearly all the features found in today’s cordless vacuums into one device – and put it on the market for an intriguing 400 francs or euros. But how good is it really?
Top feature 1: light
Dyson relies on a green laser, while Philips and Miele have opted for white LEDs. Dreame, too, has lighting built into the brush, namely blue LEDs. They illuminate the floor directly in front of the nozzle, highlighting dust and dirt.
In fact, it reveals more than I’d care to see… Still, the light is really helpful in showing me where I haven’t vacuumed or got quite all the debris yet. It works best when the sun isn’t shining down through the widow; yes, with a vacuum like this, I prefer to clean in semi-darkness.
Source: Lorenz Keller
So, which is best: green, white or blue light? The green laser makes even the finest particles of dust shine in the spotlight, but its effect diminishes considerably with ambient brightness. White LEDs offer the best performance even in daylight and on light floors. The Dreame R20’s blue LEDs are somewhere in between, making them a solid option.
The big advantage of blue light is that you can immediately tell if you need to mop the floor. It reveals streaks and splatters that are easy to overlook.
In general, a brush with lighting makes vacuuming more efficient. Once you’ve had one, you won’t want to go without. In fact, I’m just waiting for a manufacturer to finally equip their ultra-narrow brushes with LEDs. Then I could finally judge my vacuuming of gaps.
Source: Lorenz Keller
Top feature 2: stability and a plethora of accessories
In addition to the LED brush that’s suitable for all surfaces, a soft roller brush for hardwood flooring is included. There’s also a narrow brush with a roller for furniture to remove fur, for example.
Two further accessories are included, and rare ones at that. The first is a bendable connector that allows you to vacuum under furniture without having to bend over backwards.
Source: Lorenz Keller
The second uncommon accessory is a thin nozzle that can also be extended. The extension is also bendy. It allows you to get into small spaces that I haven’t been able to reach with any other vacuum I’ve tested and saved me from having to move my furniture around.
Source: Lorenz Keller
It’s a shame that these two particularly valuable accessories, of all things, don’t feel quite as sturdy as the rest. The button to control the 90-degree joint is stiff and the thin nozzle is a tad too rubbery for sliding into tight spaces. Other than that, the click-in system for the tubes and nozzles works without a hitch and feels robust, as do the motor and control units.
Top feature 3: quiet and clever operation
Using the R20 is straightforward. There are only two modes that you can switch between with one button. Auto mode is on by default. It uses sensors to detect the amount of dirt and adjusts the suction power accordingly. If you need more power, you can increase to maximum suction at the touch of a button.
The new Dreame is pleasantly quiet in standard mode. Even at the higher suction level, the noise isn’t annoying. Not to mention, I found I only needed full power when there were loads of crumbs on the floor, for example. The somewhat oversized screen graphically displays the suction power.
Source: Lorenz Keller
So, what’s the second button for? A very clever function. You can use it to set whether you have to hold down the button to vacuum or whether it switches on with one click and off with the next. It’s great that Dreame gives you this option.
The less apt features
I won’t be mentioning any criticism here that’s universally applicable to cordless vacuum cleaners, like that the grip is heavy because of the batteries and motor. Instead, these are the aspects where Dreame performs worse than the competition – keeping in mind that some of the competition’s models are significantly more expensive.
I’m only moderately pleased with the emptying system. Push a button, and a flap bursts open downward – with enough momentum for the dust to literally shoot out. So, make sure not to hold the dust bin too high above the trash can; keep it as low as possible or even slightly inside the garbage can. On the upside, it’s easy to disassemble and clean. The manufacturer recommends washing the pre-filter every three months and the entire system every six months.
Source: Lorenz Keller
It’s also a shame that the set-up is all geared towards you drilling a base station into the wall. If you do that, you can easily latch it in to charge. But if you don’t want to drill into your wall, you have a problem: the R20 doesn’t stand on its own. Lean it against the wall, and it’s guaranteed to topple over. In addition, you have to bother with plugging in a conventional cable to charge it. A magnetic system would be so much more practical.
The lowdown: good vacuum for a low price
The Dreame R20 meets almost all the expectations I have for a high-quality cordless vacuum cleaner. What’s missing is an auto-emptying station, a stand and a HEPA filter. The Dreame filter’s 99.9 per cent performance is enough for me personally, but for allergy sufferers, the HEPA 13’s 99.95 per cent is preferable.
The manufacturer promises 90 minutes of battery life. In my test, I got just under 60 minutes. That’s fine – as with the competition, you can never expect a really long runtime. As is also usual, the battery took quite long to recharge – just over three hours.
Overall, the R20 offers good suction, clever extras and plenty of features at a fair price. There’s a fair bit of competition in the 400-franc or euro price range. The Dreame holds its own in terms of value for money.
Header image: Lorenz Keller
Lorenz Keller
Senior Editor
Lorenz.Keller@digitecgalaxus.chGadgets are my passion - whether you need them for the home office, for the household, for sport and pleasure or for the smart home. Or, of course, for the big hobby next to the family, namely fishing.
