Xiaomi Dreame V11: A powerful upright vacuum cleaner with an OLED display

In the summer of 2020, the popular and well-known manufacturer Xiaomi released the new Dreame V11 upright handheld vacuum cleaner. This device is currently the flagship of the series. Its predecessor, the V10 from the same line, was very successful and has received numerous positive reviews. Users praise its high power, suction power, efficiency, complete accessories, and wall-mountable design. The V10 truly deserves its place as one of the best cordless upright vacuum cleaners in its price range. Moreover, the new Xiaomi Dreame V11 offers even more features, with several technical improvements, improved ease of use, and ergonomics. Below, we'll provide a detailed review of the Xiaomi Dreame V11 and share our thoughts on this handheld vacuum cleaner.

Differences from V10

An overview of the main changes compared to the previous V10 model:

• new SPACE 4.0 engine with a higher speed (125 thousand rpm versus 100 thousand rpm);
• improved suction power (25 kPa versus 22 kPa);
• increased battery capacity (3000 mAh versus 2500 mAh);
• long battery life (now 90 minutes in eco mode, 40 minutes in standard mode, 10 minutes in maximum mode);
• reduction of noise and vibration levels;
• economical approach to filters;
• button press lock.

There's also a price difference. The Xiaomi Dreame V11 costs around $180-210, while the V10 costs around $160-170.

At the same time, the vacuum cleaner is a prototype of the V11 model from the equally famous brand Dyson, only in a significantly cheaper version, which cannot but please buyers.

Next, we suggest moving on to a review of the vertical vacuum cleaner’s delivery kit.

Equipment

This model was designed as a premium device. Therefore, the Xiaomi Dreame V11's package contents can be considered premium as well. Upon opening the box, we immediately notice several compartments where all the components are neatly arranged.

The first thing that catches your eye is the wide variety of brushes available:

• main wide nozzle (with a wide soft roller installed) - more suitable for hard floor coverings;
• An attachment with a mini bristle brush is more suitable for cleaning carpets and furniture;
• with soft bristles, narrow, used for cleaning household appliances and furniture, cleans surfaces from hair and pet hair;
• Crevice brush for cleaning hard-to-reach areas.

In addition, the kit includes: an aluminum extension tube, a flexible extension tube, a charger, as well as a wall bracket and mounting screws.

Appearance

As mentioned earlier, the Xiaomi Dreame V11 was inspired by a similarly named model from Dyson. However, since our cordless stick vacuum cleaner is much cheaper, the build quality and materials are certainly inferior. The plastic quality is slightly lower, but still high, in keeping with Xiaomi's best traditions. This is unlikely to be a major turnoff for users, as the device offers very similar technical features while still meeting the key value for money requirement.

The standard brush tube is not telescopic (retractable), so the upright vacuum's height will always remain constant. However, the manufacturer designed the device so that its 1.6 kilogram weight is barely noticeable during use.

The Xiaomi Dreame V11 handle has a built-in 3000 mAh battery with a charging time of approximately 240 minutes. Battery life will depend on the selected mode, which we'll discuss in more detail later in the review. The battery is not replaceable, which is a drawback. There's a charging indicator on the handle, but the charge percentage is displayed on the color OLED display on the handle. The display also shows the current cleaning mode and information about maintenance and filter cleaning needs.

One less-than-ideal aspect I'd like to point out is the bracket for our cordless handheld vacuum cleaner—it's designed to be mounted to the wall using screws. Unfortunately, this isn't always convenient, but there are no Velcro or other more secure mounting options. Conversely, the bracket can hold three brushes in addition to the vacuum cleaner itself. The bracket has a charging port, but there are no electronics inside. These are just conductive terminals.

The new product features a design improvement in the form of a locking button. This feature eliminates the need to constantly hold the button down while cleaning.

The dust container is emptied by pressing a button at the bottom, so your hands don't get dirty with debris when emptying the container.

Technical specifications

The main characteristics of the Xiaomi Dreame V11, as stated by the manufacturer:

• Battery: non-removable lithium-ion, capacity 3000 mAh.
• Battery life: 90 minutes (eco mode), 40 minutes (standard), 10 minutes (maximum).
• Charging time: 240 minutes.
• Engine: SPACE 4.0, 125 thousand rpm.
• Power consumption: 450 W.
• Suction power: 25 kPa.
• Dust container volume: 0.5 l.
• Weight: 1.6 kg.
• Noise level: 72-73 dB (at maximum).

Functional capabilities

The Xiaomi Dreame V11 cordless handheld vertical vacuum cleaner operates in three modes:

1. Eco mode (minimum) with reduced noise level and cleaning duration of up to 90 minutes, capable of collecting large debris.
2. The standard version, with a runtime of up to 40 minutes, will clean surfaces of spilled grains, dust, dirt from shoes after being outside, etc.
3. Maximum power for cleaning heavy soiling on carpets with a battery life of up to 10 minutes.

The device is not compatible with water, so under no circumstances should it be used on wet surfaces or to collect water from the floor.

The Xiaomi Dreame V11 cordless handheld stick vacuum cleaner features twelve organized cyclonic flows, which effectively filter out debris and fine dust while reducing filter contamination. This ensures uniform suction and reduces wear on consumables. It features a five-stage filtration system and an additional HEPA air filter, which prevents even the smallest dust and pollen particles (up to 0.3 microns) from entering the surrounding air with the exhaust air. All filters are washable.

The OLED display is especially noteworthy, as it displays battery status, operating mode, and other useful information. It's very convenient.

Let's sum it up

Before we evaluate the Xiaomi Dreame V11 vacuum cleaner, we'd like to point out that its price is around $200. This places it in the mid-price segment. Now let's evaluate the device based on key criteria.

Ergonomics: 8 out of 10The handle features a color OLED display that shows the battery level, the current operating mode, and information about maintenance and filter cleaning needs. The upright vacuum cleaner features a locking button. The plastic is of good quality, the handle is comfortable, the weight is light, and the brush is easy to maneuver. Emptying the dust bin and switching modes is not the most convenient. Furthermore, the battery cannot be quickly changed if needed. Otherwise, the vacuum cleaner is very ergonomically sound.

Cleaning quality: 8 out of 10The device handles its main task—cleaning surfaces—quite well and effectively. The dust bin quickly fills with dust and requires emptying, but the installed filters are washable. The power is high, easily enough for cleaning carpets. My only complaints are the short battery life in maximum mode and the lack of a replaceable bristle-petal brush for the main nozzle. A brush with a petal attachment is better suited for cleaning carpets.

Reliability: 8 out of 10In practice, it will be possible to test the reliability of this model only after some time has passed. This is currently impossible to do objectively, as the Xiaomi Dreame V11 is a new product released in summer 2020. Overall, considering the Xiaomi vacuum cleaners we've already tested and the quality of the plastic/build, this is a pretty good option for the price. Time and customer reviews will tell whether we're right or wrong.

Total: 24 points out of 30.

This model is significantly above average in terms of price, cleaning performance, and functionality. It's a good option for those under $200.

Finally, we suggest watching a video review of the Xiaomi Dreame V11 cordless upright vacuum cleaner:

Analogues:

• Dyson V7 Animal Extra
• Xiaomi Roidmi F8
• Bosch BCS 1ALL
• Samsung VS15T7031R4
• Xiaomi Dreame XR
• REDMOND RV-UR370
• Philips FC6726 SpeedPro