I’ve wanted a cordless vacuum for years, but I don’t have Dyson money. There are many brands to choose from, but I took a chance on a budget Dyson dupe during Amazon Prime Big Deal Days last fall, and in the months since, I think I’ve made the right choice.
I chose a vacuum that looked the most like my in-laws’ Dyson V11 Total Clean. While the V11 is an older model, released in 2019, I’ve always found it sufficient when cleaning up after my daughter during our visits.
What I like about the Dyson V11 is the speed and convenience it brings to cleaning. Not having to fiddle with cables and outlets is a huge perk. Most cordless vacuums are also very customizable. Switching from a full-size vacuum to a hand vacuum and back with ease is another drawing factor for me. Lastly, the trigger as a power button is so much fun. The Dyson V11 has a little bit of kickback when you turn it on due to the sudden surge in motor speed, and it makes a delightful little “boing” sound when the trigger is released.
I have nothing against Dyson vacuums except the price. Even the V8 Origin, which is the oldest, least expensive model on the market today, will run you around $350, which is already ludicrous. On the high end, the latest model, the V16 Piston Animal Submarine, is $1,300. For me to spend that amount of money on a vacuum, it would also need to be able to wash my dishes and do my laundry.
The good news is, you don’t have to spend a small fortune on a basic cordless vacuum with similar functionality. The Uninell UV5 is just one of several affordable cordless vacuum options available. With the rise of “CleanTok,” it seems that both well-known and more obscure companies have caught on to the trend.
A simple search on Amazon will turn up dozens of items from made-for-Amazon brands. Their names are often a bit odd (e.g., YKYI, MQDXE, SVHT) because having a unique name makes it easier to obtain a trademark, which then allows the brand to participate in Amazon’s Brand Registry.
They don’t typically put a lot of effort into branding and marketing beyond their names, but instead aim to offer inexpensive options for products in categories where folks aren’t necessarily looking for a well-known name and instead want the highest-rated product with the right price tag.
Here’s the thing you need to know: most of these companies are using a lot of the same manufacturers based in China. Whichever vacuum you choose, it probably does the same thing as the other 20 brands on the first page of your search (including Dyson).
The Uninell UV5 was $170 when I purchased it, and it’s honestly been great. In addition to the main cleaner unit, it came with a long crevice nozzle, a combination brush nozzle, a hair removal tool, a wall mount, and one extra HEPA filter. That’s more than enough accessories to cover my needs, though Uninell sells many of the accessories separately as well if needed.
I would say the lithium-ion battery is true to the claimed 70 minutes of runtime on the lowest suction setting. The LED touch display makes switching between modes simple. The suction in Carpet Mode and Turbo Mode are great, but I don’t find Barefloor mode to be particularly effective.
The clasps and latches on the accessories and dustbin are easy to operate, making it very quick to go from one configuration to another.
One feature on the Uninell UV5 that I actually enjoy more than the Dyson V11 is that you don’t have to hold the trigger to run the vacuum. The press-and-release power switch allows you to adjust your grip without accidentally turning it off.
Maintenance is also easy. The removable dustbin is easy to dump over a trash can, and all the parts come apart and rinse easily. My family has a LOT of hair, and some of it does get caught up in the roller brush, but the included hair removal tool makes quick work of removing it.
I have no pressing complaints about the affordable Uninell UV5. It’s a very standard, run-of-the-mill cordless vacuum, just like all the others. My advice if you’re considering an upgrade to a cordless vacuum is not to overthink it. Keep it simple, and remember that the sub-$200 vacuum from the unpronounceable brand you’ve never heard of will probably do the exact same thing the $1,000 Dyson will, and you’ll save a ton of money for it.
You can find the Uninell UV5 on Amazon Canada for $179.99 at the time of writing.
