Dreame Z20: A powerful upright vacuum cleaner with smart features

The new Dreame Z20 upright vacuum cleaner was introduced alongside the flagship Dreame Z30. This device is virtually identical to its flagship model in terms of design, construction, and features. The main unit has been recolored to bronze, two attachments have been removed, and the power has been reduced from 310 to 250 AirWatts, which is also a good figure in the cordless vacuum cleaner segment. All this allowed the price to be reduced from $680 to $550 at launch. For many, the savings will be worth it, while the younger model may not be inferior in performance. Below, I'll thoroughly test the Dreame Z20, compare the results with the older model, and then express my opinion on whether this upright vacuum cleaner is worth buying. So, let's get started!

Equipment

The Dreame Z20 package includes:

1. Main block.
2. Extension tube.
3. Operating instructions.
4. Power adapter.
5. Floor stand for storing a vacuum cleaner and attachments.
6. Basic floor nozzle with carpet roller.
7. Basic attachment with roller for hard surfaces.
8. Nozzle with turbo brush for cleaning upholstered furniture.
9. Flexible extension hose.
10. Bendable adapter.
11. Crevice nozzle.
12. Nozzle with rotating soft brush.

Compared to the Z30, the soft bristle attachment and pet grooming attachment have been removed. However, even this kit is sufficient for comprehensive cleaning in a home environment.

Appearance

Now let's take a look at the Dreame Z20 upright vacuum cleaner. The main unit is bronze. It houses a 715-watt motor, generating 250 AirWatts of suction.

The removable battery is definitely a plus! But there's one significant caveat: it needs to be charged via the port on the handle, just like the older model. Unfortunately, wireless charging on the floor stand isn't supported, as the necessary terminals are missing. This is the first drawback I've noticed with this model.

At the end there is an information display with control buttons: power on and off, as well as switching between operating modes.

The display will show you how much battery life remains, what mode is active, and even statistics on the debris you've collected. Built-in infrared sensors expertly detect the size and quantity of particles. That's how it works!

The Dreame Z20 has three operating modes: Energy Saving, Turbo, and Automatic. In Automatic mode, the vacuum cleaner automatically adjusts suction power depending on how dirty the floor is. Unfortunately, on carpets, the suction power doesn't increase automatically.

The dust container easily detaches from the main unit—a nice touch. The unit itself contains a HEPA-14 filter, and the dust container contains an additional fabric filter and a cyclone with a mesh screen. This entire filtration system is washable with water, but be sure to dry the filters thoroughly afterwards, otherwise the vacuum cleaner won't last long.

The dust container is emptied by pressing a release button that opens the bottom. Overall, it's convenient.

Let's take a look at the included attachments. The main attachment with a carpet roller is a familiar design. LED lights are mounted on the front to ensure every speck of dust is captured, and a switch raises the curtain to pick up larger debris from the floor. The roller is easily removed from the side without tools. It is equipped with short but flexible bristles for deep cleaning of carpets. Behind it is a "comb" to combat tangled hair and a large suction hole to ensure dirt doesn't stand a chance!

The kit also includes a floor nozzle with a fluffy roller for hard floors. It's equipped with a light. The roller can be removed by pressing a release button, without the need for tools.

The upholstery cleaning attachment features a turbo brush with silicone paddles. To access it, you'll need a flat-head screwdriver or coin. Unlike the previous model, there's no backlight. Dreame Z10 Station.

There's also a crevice tool with retractable bristles and a new nozzle for the Dreame line of upright vacuum cleaners, featuring a rotating soft brush. It can be used to pick up dust on textured surfaces.

The kit also includes a bendable adapter and a flexible extension hose. In short, there are enough attachments to clean any corner of your home!

Conveniently, all the attachments are equipped with locking latches. Here's how the vacuum cleaner is assembled and what it looks like when assembled:

This is what the floor holder looks like:

I have a question for it. Why is there space for only three of the included attachments? Where do the rest go? As with the Z30, this seems like an oversight on the part of Dreame's engineers. It looks convenient, but I still want more convenience!

My initial impressions of the vacuum cleaner are generally positive, but I do have some comments. I'd like to add that it's easy to use with one hand. The control buttons are positioned right under your thumb, so you don't need to hold them down. There's an automatic lock when the vacuum is turned on.

Technical specifications

The main characteristics of the Dreame Z20, as stated by the manufacturer, are displayed on the screen:

• The power consumption of the vacuum cleaner is 715 W.
• Suction power up to 250 aW.
• Li-Ion battery 2850 mAh.
• Dust collector 600 ml.
• Operating time up to 90 min.
• The noise level of the vacuum cleaner is 70-78.5 dB.
• Weight when fully assembled: 3.1 kg.

In terms of performance, the vacuum cleaner boasts high suction power. While it's slightly weaker than the Z30, it's still significantly better than most competitors. The battery is slightly weaker than the older model, but the runtime remains the same.

I personally measured the vacuum cleaner's noise level. It ranges from 70 to 78.5 dB, depending on the operating mode. This upright vacuum cleaner has a moderate noise level, but its high power is also worth considering. These parameters are interrelated.

Speaking of weight, the main unit weighs slightly more than similar models at 2,176 grams, the extension tube weighs 246 grams, and the main nozzle weighs 682 grams. The fully assembled vacuum weighs 3,104 grams. I can say that it's actually slightly heavier than similar models. It's not a huge deal, but it's a fact.

Testing

A detailed video review with all tests has already been prepared and published on the channel:

Opening hours

Let's move on to the tests. First, let's check the Dreame Z20's battery life in Turbo mode with the main attachment attached. It managed 11 minutes and 17 seconds. This is a fairly standard result. For example, the Z30 lasted 12 minutes and 42 seconds.

Suction power

As for suction power, even on minimum power, the Dreame Z20 was able to easily vacuum debris from a 10 mm gap. So, it's certainly a powerful upright vacuum. You might not need to use Turbo mode; the automatic power adjustment is sufficient for cleaning.

Collecting debris on laminate flooring

Now let's test how the Dreame Z20 handles cleaning hard floors. I scattered everything I could on the laminate floor: hair, fur, grains, and other small debris. And this machine did a fantastic job! I'm especially pleased that it easily picks up debris along baseboards and in corners. And the fluffy roller doesn't tangle up fur and hair—which is definitely a big plus!

Carpet cleaning

The same debris was scattered on a low-pile carpet, and the Dreame Z20 cleaned it well. It then cleaned the medium-pile carpet just as thoroughly. And again, the carpet roller is clean, with nothing caught on it.

Using additional attachments

It's also worth noting that the complete kit allows you to clean a sofa, areas beyond the reach of the main nozzle, and even the inside of a car. And thanks to the flexible connector, you can even clean under low furniture. Overall, this vacuum cleaner is suitable for a variety of applications.

Emptying the dust container

Finally, let's look at how to clean the dust container. The engineers kept it simple: press a button, and debris falls out through the bottom. But if the container is clogged with fur and hair, things aren't as rosy as they seem in the promotional video. In this case, you'll have to remove the dust container, take out the filters, and empty the contents manually. The process is simple and similar to solutions from other brands.

Personal opinion

The Dreame Z20 upright vacuum cleaner was thoroughly reviewed and tested. First, I'll highlight the pros and cons I discovered during my initial testing, then I'll share my personal opinion of this model. I liked the following:

1. In reality, the suction power is very high.
2. High-quality waste collection on various floor coverings.
3. Good complete set with all necessary attachments for cleaning.
4. High quality filtration system.
5. Illumination of the cleaning area in floor nozzles.
6. A system for counting the amount and size of trash. While not particularly useful, it nonetheless demonstrates a premium-level level of intelligence.
7. Automatic suction power increase mode.
8. Removable battery.
9. Removable dust collector.
10. Informative display on the body.
11. High-quality assembly and high brand reliability.
12. Ergonomic design and stylish design. The vacuum cleaner is easy to use with one hand and has a modern look.
13. Availability of warranty and service.

As for comments, I didn't like the following:

1. High price. The Dreame Z20 is no longer mid-price, as was typical for the Dreame cordless vacuum line, but rather premium. Not everyone can afford such a cordless vacuum.
2. There's no wireless charging on the floor stand. You have to connect the charger manually.
3. The floor holder doesn't have space for all the included attachments. It only holds three extra attachments. It's unclear where to put the rest. It's also unclear why they couldn't have made an extended holder rod with additional attachment holders.
4. The vacuum cleaner is slightly heavier than its competitors. This is especially noticeable when using it as a handheld vacuum, meaning the nozzle doesn't slide across the floor.
5. There's no vertical parking position outside the holder. This means if you need to take a break while using the vacuum, you'll have to bend over and place it on the floor or prop it up.

So, what can I say in conclusion? As a cordless stick vacuum, the Dreame Z20 is certainly a good one, and it does its job perfectly. It's not only powerful and convenient, but also smart. That said, I wouldn't say it's significantly inferior to its older sibling. Dreame Z30In everyday use, I didn't notice much of a difference in power. For me personally, the Z30's pet grooming attachment would be a strong selling point, as it's a necessity. But I think it would be an optional extra for this model as well. Otherwise, there are differences, of course, but they're not that significant. I've summarized everything in the table:

	Dreame Z20	Dreame Z30
Main block color	Bronze	Grey
Power consumption	715 W	855 W
Claimed suction power	250 Aut	310 watts
Battery capacity	2850 mAh	3200 mAh
Real time running in Turbo mode	11 minutes 17 seconds	12 minutes 42 seconds
Weight of the fully assembled	3104 g	3133 g
Actual noise level	70-78.5 dB	70-81 dB
Equipment	7 attachments	9 attachments (including a pet brush attachment and a soft bristle attachment)
Price	$550-$600	$680-750

Otherwise, I found no compelling reasons not to buy the Dreame Z20. Its advantages far outweigh its disadvantages, and overall, I had a positive impression of the vacuum cleaner.

I'd like to end this review on this note. If you have any questions or suggestions for a comparable upright vacuum cleaner, please leave them in the comments. Happy shopping, everyone. Bye!