Dreame L20 Ultra Review: Most advanced robot vacuum cleaner
The Dreame L20 Ultra represents the pinnacle of autonomous robot vacuum cleaners. It belongs to the elite category of cleaning robots equipped with a generously sized docking station that goes far beyond mere recharging. This docking station is a multitasking marvel, capable of not only recharging the robot but also emptying the collected dust, cleaning its washing pads, and even refilling it with clean water. It’s a technological leap that aims to provide users with an unprecedented level of convenience and a perpetually clean home environment.
One standout feature of the L20 Ultra robot vacuum cleaner is its utilization of a specialized cleaning liquid in addition to water. This innovative approach sets it apart from the competition, as most robot vacuum cleaners rely solely on water for mopping tasks. The inclusion of a real cleaning liquid opens up new possibilities for achieving spotless floors, effectively tackling tough stains, and leaving surfaces gleaming with cleanliness. This unique proposition demonstrates Dreame commitment to delivering superior cleaning performance.
But does the Dreame L20 Ultra live up to its bold promises? Let’s dive into its performance to find out.
Dreame L20 Ultra: Video Review
| Specs | Dreame L20 Ultra |
| Robot Vacuum | |
| Dimensions | 350 x 350 x 350 x 103.8mm (13 x 13 x 4in) |
| Weight | 4.3kg (9.5lbs) |
| Battery Capacity | 6,400mAh |
| Dust Box Volume | 350mL |
| Water Tank Volume | 80mL |
| Maximum Suction | 7,000Pa |
| Threshold Crossing | 2cm (0.78in) |
| Lowest Noise | 63dB |
| Base Station | |
| Dimensions | 606.5 x 426 x 499mm (23.8 x 16.7 x 19.6in) |
| Weight | 13.3kg (29.3lbs) |
| Dust Bag Volume | 3.2L |
| Clean Water Tank | 4.5L |
| Maximum Runtime | 210 mins (vacuuming only or mopping only in Quiet Mode) |
| 180 mins (vacuuming and mopping in Quiet Mode) | |
| Cleaning Features | Auto Mop SelF-Cleaning & HoT-Air Drying |
| Navigation | Lds, 3d Structured Light + Ai, Auto Led Light Illumination |
| App Control | Dreamehome App |
Dreame L20 Ultra: Acquaintance
The Dreame L20 Ultra is an impressive cleaning machine, but it arrives with a noticeable weight and size that require a bit of muscle and plenty of space for installation. Weighing in at just under 18 kg (4.3 kg for the vacuum cleaner and a substantial 13.3 kg for the docking station), unboxing this beauty is a task that demands some dexterity and perhaps a bit of an ab workout for good measure.
The Dreame L20 Ultra is no lightweight when it comes to dimensions either. The docking station alone measures a substantial 60.65 x 42.6 x 49.9 cm, which dwarfs even its sizable competitors like the Ecovacs Deebot T20 Omni. This towering height is mainly due to the inclusion of sizable water tanks within the station.
This model boasts an impressive capacity, capable of holding 4.5 liters of clean water, 4 liters of dirty water, and a substantial 3.2 liters of dust in its integrated disposable bag. Additionally, there’s dedicated space to house the liquid bottle for floor washing.
All these components take up a significant amount of space, and that’s before considering the room required for the vacuum cleaner itself. Thankfully, the installation process is made relatively straightforward thanks to the illustrated instructions thoughtfully provided within the Dreame L20 Ultra box.
One notable feature during installation is the attachment of the cleaning pads to the back of the vacuum cleaner. Unlike most models that use clips to secure these pads, the Dreame L20 Ultra employs magnets to hold them in place. This unusual approach serves a purpose: the Dreame L20 Ultra possesses a unique feature that allows it to detach these pads when cleaning carpets, a functionality we’ll delve into further below.
Once the physical installation is complete, the next step involves setting up the Dreamehouse application on your smartphone. This app is vital for associating the vacuum cleaner with your device and establishing an internet connection for remote control. As is often the case with modern robot vacuum cleaners, you’ll be prompted to scan a QR code for a quick and hassle-free association. Incredibly, the entire setup process can be accomplished in under 5 minutes, streamlining your path to a cleaner home with the Dreame L20 Ultra.
Mapping and Navigation
Once the Dreamehouse application is successfully configured, the next crucial step is to map your home so that the Dreame L20 Ultra can navigate efficiently and effectively. During the initial use, there might be a hiccup or two. In a peculiar incident, the vacuum cleaner momentarily lost its way in a corridor, failing to complete the mapping task entirely. This mishap rendered it unable to divide the accommodation into distinct rooms. Fortunately, a swift update and a fresh mapping attempt quickly erased this initial hiccup from memory.
Dreame employs its innovative Pathfinder technology to accomplish precise mapping of each room, effortlessly identifying the boundaries and separations between spaces. This technology plays a pivotal role in ensuring that the Dreame L20 Ultra efficiently navigates your home without getting stuck or lost.
The robot vacuum cleaner is equipped with an LED lamp which allows it to illuminate in front of it. This helps optimize navigation by illuminating the path ahead, allowing the vacuum cleaner to make more informed decisions about its route.
Also, the LED lighting plays a crucial role in helping the Dreame L20 Ultra identify and classify objects within its path. Remarkably, it can distinguish among 55 different types of objects as it maneuvers around your home.
Cleaning Control
The Dreame L20 Ultra offers a wealth of cleaning functionalities through its feature-rich Dreamehouse application. Whether you prefer a hassle-free cleaning experience or enjoy fine-tuning every detail, this smart vacuum cleaner has you covered.
For those who want a quick and straightforward cleaning session, the simplest option is to select “Start cleaning” and let the Dreame L20 Ultra perform a standard cleaning of your home. If you prefer to skip the smartphone interface, there’s also a physical button on the station itself that allows you to initiate this type of cleaning—ideal for those moments when your smartphone isn’t readily available.
However, if you desire more control over the cleaning process, clicking on the vacuum cleaner icon within the app reveals a plethora of options. Among these, the “CleanGenius” mode stands out. In “Daily” mode, the Dreame L20 Ultra executes a simple yet methodical cleaning of different rooms in your home. Opting for “Ultimate” mode takes cleaning to the next level. In this mode, the vacuum cleaner meticulously ensures a thorough cleaning. If particularly dirty areas are detected, the device may make multiple passes to ensure everything is spotless.
For users who prefer a tailored cleaning experience, the Dreame L20 Ultra offers complete customization options. You can adjust the suction power to match the needs of different surfaces, configure the mop’s cleaning pattern, and fine-tune various self-cleaning parameters. Additionally, you have the flexibility to program the cleaning sequence, allowing the Dreame L20 Ultra to clean rooms in a specific order that suits your preferences.
Even in “CleanGenius” mode, you have the freedom to limit the cleaning to specific rooms. However, it’s essential to ensure that the mapping of your home is accurate and well-defined for this feature to work effectively.
Cleaning
The Dreame L20 Ultra is a robot vacuum cleaner that boasts a remarkable array of sensors, making it a smart and versatile cleaning companion. These sensors not only enhance its navigation but also enable it to interact intelligently with its surroundings.
One standout feature is its integrated camera, which, when activated, allows you to monitor its movements in real-time. This feature can be especially useful when you set it to work while you’re away from home, providing peace of mind and the ability to check on its progress remotely.
The camera also plays a pivotal role in object identification technology, known as AI Action. With this technology, the Dreame L20 Ultra can recognize a staggering 55 different types of objects and respond accordingly to each situation. This functionality proves invaluable as it prevents the robot from getting entangled in cables, capturing stray items like socks, or attempting to clean hazardous substances like pet droppings hidden under furniture.
During its cleaning cycle, the Dreame L20 Ultra displays the various identified objects on the map, offering you real-time awareness of its progress. While there may be occasional quirks, such as mistaking parts of a carpet for something else, it significantly reduces the likelihood of the robot getting stuck or encountering cleaning challenges common with other models.
This robot vacuum also excels in handling carpets, an area where many others fall short. It rarely gets stuck on thick carpets, and you can instruct it to remove its mop pads when cleaning rugs or carpets to avoid getting them wet. Adjusting the suction power ensures thorough cleaning of these surfaces, leaving carpets notably cleaner.
Furthermore, the Dreame L20 Ultra has a clever trick up its sleeve—it can move one of its cleaning pads to the side to clean close to walls and baseboards effectively. This addresses a common weakness in robot vacuum cleaners, which often leave dust and debris near room edges. The Dreame L20 Ultra, however, excels at attracting dirt into its suction module, ensuring a comprehensive clean.
Regarding maintenance, the generous water tank capacity is a significant asset. With scheduled cleanings throughout the week, you’ll find that refilling clean water and emptying dirty water are infrequent tasks. However, some users might find the dust bag’s location less ergonomic, as it’s situated low in the device, requiring users to kneel to access it. Thankfully, the dust bag is designed to last for several weeks before needing replacement, minimizing the inconvenience of this occasional task.
Not Quite the Perfect Dream
While the Dreame L20 Ultra certainly offers a plethora of impressive features, it’s not without a few noteworthy shortcomings that merit attention.
First and foremost, despite boasting a robust suction power of 7000 Pa, it occasionally leaves some dirt behind. Oddly, this isn’t necessarily due to its suction capabilities but rather related to obstacle detection. In some cases, dust tends to linger near certain objects, even large ones, as the camera seems hesitant to get too close. Additionally, it occasionally misidentifies certain larger debris as obstacles, which can be problematic.
Despite its inclusion of two DuoScrub scrubbing pads, the Dreame L20 Ultra falls short in fully addressing stubborn stains on the floor. It struggles with dried stains, such as milk or pet food sauce, even with meticulous cleaning efforts. In these scenarios, manual intervention remains necessary to ensure a thorough clean.
Also, Dreame L20 Ultra, like its predecessor L10s Ultra, uses a special cleaning fluid in combination with water to improve its floor cleaning capabilities. While this approach may enhance the scent during cleaning, its practical utility can be questioned. Moreover, it’s worth noting that this consumable comes at a relatively high cost, with Dreame pricing the 450 ml bottle at €15.99 on its website. This added expense is a factor to consider when using the device over an extended period.
Another thing that may disappoint the Dreame L20 Ultra is its overall cleaning speed. In the context of a 95 m² apartment, with 50 m² of floor space to clean, the robot requires a considerable amount of time to complete its task. In “Ultimate” mode, it demands 110 minutes of operation, while “Daily” mode takes 75 minutes. Additionally, for cleaning carpets, you need to instruct the robot to remove its pads, which adds approximately 5 minutes to each cleaning cycle. This extended cleaning duration might test your patience, especially if you’re looking for a more swift and efficient cleaning experience.
Dreame L20 Ultra: Conclusion
The Dreame L20 Ultra is a commendable robot vacuum cleaner with a robust feature set, but it’s not a panacea for all cleaning challenges.
It excels in many aspects but has room for improvement, particularly in terms of maximizing its suction power, refining its movement patterns, and enhancing the effectiveness of its mopping mode. With future updates and refinements, Dreame has the potential to address these concerns and further elevate the performance of this already impressive device.
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