Yes — Dreame robot vacuums deliver genuine value if you want intelligent floor cleaning without premium brand pricing. Their range spans affordable entry-level models (£749) to flagship units (£1,700), all with strong suction power and smart navigation. The brand combines Chinese engineering efficiency with features traditionally found in much costlier competitors.
Why Dreame?
Dreame specialises in robotic cleaning solutions, primarily robot vacuums and mopping systems. Founded as a sub-brand of Xiaomi, they've built a reputation for solid engineering and aggressive pricing — typically undercutting Dyson and Shark by 30-40% on equivalent specs. Their strength is balancing capability with affordability: they don't cut corners on motor power (most models deliver 4,000+ Pa suction), but they're strategic about which features they include. Dreame vacuums use LiDAR navigation, HEPA filtration, and app-based controls as standard, even on mid-range models.
Top Picks
Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete Robot Vacuum — £1,699.99
The flagship. This is the vacuum to buy if budget is secondary to performance. Best for whole-home cleaning without intervention.
It combines 11,000 Pa suction with an auto-empty dustbin, auto-refilling water tank (for mopping), and 270-minute runtime. The LiDAR system maps your entire home and learns room layouts. It handles pet hair, thick carpets, and hard floors without tangling or clogging. The self-emptying and auto-refill system means you genuinely go months without maintenance.
Dreame L40s Pro Ultra Robot Vacuum Cleaner — £749.99
The sweet spot for most homes. Best for families wanting flagship features without flagship costs.
This mid-range model delivers 10,000 Pa suction, mopping capability, and 200-minute runtime — only missing the auto-empty and auto-refill functions of the X60 Max. Still includes LiDAR navigation, smart app control, and works on both carpets and hard floors. You'll manually empty the 570ml dustbin every 2-3 weeks depending on home size, but you save £950.
Battery For Dreame D9, D9 Pro, F9, L10 Pro, Rl55l, Rls5-bl0, Rls5-wh0, Rvs5-wh0, P2008-4s2p-mmbk — £78.02
Essential backup or replacement part. Best for extending your vacuum's lifespan beyond 3-4 years.
This compatible battery fits across Dreame's entire mid-range range, covering models from the D9 through to recent L-series vacuums. Dreame batteries typically hold 70% charge capacity after 500 cycles, so a replacement at £78 is far cheaper than replacing the whole unit (£400-800).
Dreame Robot Vacuums Multi-surface Cleaning Solution — £17.99 (membership)
Optional but recommended. Best for hard floors and maintaining hygiene between deep cleans.
Dreame's own cleaning formula works with their mopping tanks (on L-series and above). It cuts through dried food, grease, and dust better than plain water, and doesn't leave streaks. The 1-litre bottle lasts roughly 6-8 mopping runs on a typical 100m² home.
Dreame Robot Vacuums Pet Odor Solution — £21.99
Pet owners only. Best for households with cats or dogs to neutralise odours on hard floors.
Similar to the multi-surface formula but includes enzymes that break down pet urine compounds and faecal bacteria. If your vacuum picks up pet messes regularly, this prevents odour recycling back into your home. One bottle covers 8-10 mopping runs.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Price | Best For | Standout Feature | |---------|-------|----------|------------------| | X60 Max Ultra | £1,699.99 | Hands-off cleaning | Auto-empty and auto-refill water tank | | L40s Pro Ultra | £749.99 | Budget-conscious families | 10,000 Pa suction at half the flagship price | | Battery (Multi-model) | £78.02 | Long-term ownership | Fits 8+ Dreame models | | Multi-surface Solution | £17.99 | Hard floor cleaning | Cuts through grease without streaking | | Pet Odor Solution | £21.99 | Pet households | Enzyme-based odour neutralisation |
What to Look For
- Suction power (measured in Pa): Dreame's range spans 4,000 Pa (budget models) to 11,000 Pa (flagship). For pet hair or thick carpets, aim for 8,000 Pa minimum. Below 6,000 Pa and you'll hear complaints about embedded debris on carpets.
- Runtime and bin capacity: The L40s Pro offers 200 minutes; the X60 Max, 270 minutes. Bin capacity ranges from 570ml (L-series) to 540ml (mid-range). Larger homes (200m²+) need 250+ minutes or auto-empty functionality to avoid mid-clean stops.
- Navigation type: All current Dreame vacuums use LiDAR (laser-based mapping), which is superior to camera or gyroscope navigation. This means they won't waste time crashing into furniture or re-mapping every run.
- Mopping capability: Only L-series and X-series models include mopping. Entry-level vacuums don't. If you want an all-in-one, the L40s Pro Ultra is the minimum spend (£749.99).
The Bottom Line
Buy the Dreame L40s Pro Ultra at £749.99 unless you want hands-off convenience or have a home larger than 150m². It delivers 95% of the flagship experience (10,000 Pa suction, mopping, smart navigation, 200-minute runtime) without the £950 premium for auto-empty features. Stepping up to the X60 Max Ultra (£1,699.99) makes sense only if you despise maintenance or have pets covering 500m² of floor. Both are genuinely better value than Shark or Dyson equivalents at identical prices, and Dreame's component availability (batteries at £78) means you're not trapped in a disposable-vacuum cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dreame good value for money compared to Shark or Dyson?
Yes — Dreame undercuts both brands by 30-40% on equivalent specs. A Dyson robot vacuum at £1,500 delivers 8,000 Pa suction; Dreame's L40s Pro at £749.99 offers 10,000 Pa for half the price. The trade-off is fewer AI features and less premium materials, but cleaning performance is genuinely comparable.
How long do Dreame vacuum batteries last before needing replacement?
Typical lifespan is 3-4 years with daily use, or 500+ charge cycles. Dreame batteries retain 70% capacity after 500 cycles. At £78 for a replacement battery versus £400-800 for a new unit, they're designed to be user-replaceable — a major advantage over sealed competitors like Roomba.
Which Dreame model should I buy if I have pets?
The L40s Pro Ultra (£749.99) is the minimum if you need mopping for pet accidents. Pair it with the Pet Odor Solution (£21.99) for enzyme-based odour neutralisation. If you want fully hands-off operation (no manual emptying), upgrade to the X60 Max Ultra (£1,699.99), which auto-empties and auto-refills, preventing odour buildup in the dustbin.
Are Dreame accessories like cleaning solutions worth buying, or can I use third-party alternatives?
Dreame's own solutions are worthwhile if you use the mopping function regularly. The multi-surface formula (£17.99) and pet solution (£21.99) are formulated for Dreame's water tanks and dispensing rates — third-party alternatives sometimes leave residue or clog nozzles. If you rarely mop, plain demineralised water is free and sufficient.
