Dreame H11 Max
RRP $ 500.00
"The Dreame H11 Max vacuum cleaner is powerful, slim and easy to use and is equipped for dealing with hard floors."
advantages
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Strong suction power
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Slim, attractive design
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Adaptive suction
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Simple interface
disadvantage
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A bit expensive
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Does not clean carpets
As someone who hates Swiffers and is way too lazy to mop regularly, I was downright happy to have this Dreame H11 Max wet and dry vacuum cleaner for a twist. This cordless vacuum cleaner impresses with 36 minutes of running time, a self-cleaning roller brush and a slim profile. As the name suggests, it is a 2-in-1 combination vacuum cleaner that can remove both wet and dry dirt. Is it enough to clear my admittedly low bar? Probably! Let's dig in.
Out of the box
The Dreame H11 Max is very easy to assemble. All you really need to do is put the handle on and it clicks into place. It is equipped with buttons for switching on, switching modes and initiating self-cleaning. The orientation of the handle was a bit strange as it loops from the shaft outwards towards the front of the vacuum cleaner, more towards the rear towards the user. The secret of this design decision eludes me to this day.
Simon Sage / Digital Trends
Otherwise, the H11 Max looks pretty good overall. It has smooth and sharp lines that set it apart from many vacuum cleaners. I could leave this open as opposed to my current vacuum which remains shamefully hidden.
When the charging station is plugged in and you insert the vacuum cleaner for the first five-hour warm-up period, you will be greeted by an acoustic prompt confirming that the charging process has started. The sound can be annoying, but luckily there is a button on the back to completely ban the audio prompts. The stand has space for the supplied spare roll and cleaning brush, but there is no space for the supplied additional filter. Damned.
From here, it's a simple matter of topping up the 0.23 gallon fresh water tank. Once the vacuum is activated, the water runs through the brush, then the filter, before ending up in the 0.13 gallon dirty water tank.
power
What Swiffer pads have in terms of comfort, they lose in terms of cleaning power. Throwing out the mop is a huge effort. After examining my laminate kitchen floor with the Dreame H11 Max, I was pleasantly surprised at how little water it uses compared to conventional mopping and at the same time it picks up a significant amount of dirt. The 200W brushless motor did its job and provided enough traction that I took away a lot of the manual drudgery that comes with wiping. Dreame says it has its proprietary detergent in the box. Even if mine didn't, the H11 Max was still good at cleaning. In the long run, I can't resist the temptation to use another party's more readily available laundry detergent.
Simon Sage / Digital Trends
Some wet vacuums work on carpets, but this one doesn't. My hopes of creating some storage space by breaking free of a much larger vacuum were not only dashed, but completely reversed. I would have to make room for two monstrous devices in my life to maintain all of the floors in my apartment. This is a strike.
With all its power, I didn't find the H11 Max that loud.
At 10.1 pounds, the H11 Max may not have the maneuverability or light weight of a Dyson OmniGlide, but it has good performance and run time. However, my cleaning program is slack to the point of horror, so using the Dreame H11 Max's six 4,000 mAh batteries for 36 minutes is largely wasted. Dreame claims there's enough water to clean 2,152 square feet, but only in my haziest fever dreams will I ever own that much hardwood floor, let alone the change to clean it all at once. A lighter model may actually be better for something you only spill occasionally, rather than cleaning the entire house that some crazy people seem to be doing. With all its power, I didn't find the H11 Max that loud.
Simon Sage / Digital Trends
The LED surface keeps users informed about everything. Aside from the power levels, there is very little to consider. You can switch between Auto and Slurpy mode, which soaks up spills. Various error indicators light up when something goes wrong. The outer colored ring serves as a real-time contamination indicator that can help you find particularly problematic areas. This vacuum cleaner adjusts the suction power to remove new debris in a snap, and you can hear it in problem areas to scrub extra hard.
price
The $ 500 H11 Max is in the right range for new wet and dry vacuums, albeit in the slightly higher range. You can certainly find cheaper ones that are closer to the $ 200 mark, but they tend to be wired.
Our opinion
The Dreame H11 Max vacuum cleaner has proven to be powerful, slim and easy to use. A decent water tank and long battery life make it a viable option for larger homes. Unfortunately, without the support of carpet surfaces, the H11 Max is unlikely to be able to tackle every floor in every home. You need to assess whether you would like to have a second vacuum cleaner for carpets in the house.
Is there a better alternative?
Bissell has a number of upright cordless wet and dry vacuums that work on both hard and carpeted floors, and are also a little cheaper. I would consider that Bissell CrossWave before you take the plunge onto the Dreame H11 Max. I still give the H11 Max a notch for a more modern design. For dry soiling, the alternative solution is as cheap as a broom.
How long it will take?
Dreame offers a one year warranty so you are covered for at least that long. Since this vacuum cleaner is designed for larger households, it can be worn out more. However, the lithium-ion batteries are likely to lose primarily mechanical charge. Batteries last between three and five years, depending on usage.
Should you buy it?
Homeowners with a lot of flooring and a desire for cleanliness can use the large battery and the ample water supply of the Dreame H11 Max. It can be overkill for people who like to be content with the occasional broom sweeping to take care of their hard floors.
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