Vacuum cleaners and mops form the basis of a comprehensive household clean. With vacuum cleaners, the two household helpers are simply combined to save space and time. Dreame has always scored highly in this product category with its H series. In the Dreame H12 Pro Ultra test, we want to take a closer look at the latest addition to the manufacturer’s family. Is it worth upgrading from the H12 Pro or can you save yourself the extra charge? We’ll tell you!
Technical data
| Model | Dreame H12 Pro Ultra |
| Dimensions and weight | 110 x 27.6 x 24.5 cm and 4.9 kg |
| Water tanks | Fresh water: 900 ml Dirty water: 700 ml |
| Suction power | max. 16000 pa |
| Mop modes | Auto, Ultra, Vacuum |
| Rechargeable battery | Capacity: 4000 mAh Running time manufacturer’s specification: max. 35 minutes Measured runtime: approx. 30 minutes |
| Self-cleaning | Yes, with hot water and hot air |
| Price | € 349.00 * |
The latest vacuum cleaner from Dreame
Even though the Dreame H12 Pro Ultra may be the latest addition to the Dreame range, the product name initially suggests otherwise. After all, the expert for reliable household helpers has already arrived with the H14 (€ 499.00 *). Ultimately, Dreame is pursuing a very similar strategy to Apple with its iPhone. Just as the tech giant launched the iPhone SE to bring the iPhone 8 to the market with the latest technology under the old hood, Dreame continues to rely on the qualities of its H12 Pro(test, € 349.00 *).
And quite rightly so. After all, the vacuum cleaner won the Platinum Award in our test for good reason. The nickname “Pro Ultra” suggests that the manufacturer wants to get the most out of its household helper. If the plan works out, the H12 Pro Ultra could deliver a similarly strong performance to the H13 Pro (review, € 449.00 *) or even the H14 at a significantly lower price. Let’s take a closer look at the promise below.
Looking for a vacuum cleaner? Then take a look at our list of the best vacuum cleaners.
Scope of delivery
- Dreame H12 Pro Ultra main body
- Guide rod
- Base station
- Spare cleaning roller
- Spare filter
- Cleaning agent
Dreame H12 Pro Ultra test: design and workmanship
Anyone who has already taken a look at the Dreame vacuum cleaner line-up will immediately recognize the H12 Pro Ultra. This is not only because the manufacturer also uses the color combination of black and grey that we know from the Dreame H12 Dual (review, € 349.00 *). The familiar tubular design is also used again.
It is therefore not surprising that the layout of the mop vacuum cleaner corresponds to that of the brand’s other appliances. The operating unit – the handle – is located at the very top. This has an ergonomic shape and therefore not only sits comfortably in the hand. The buttons can also be easily reached with the thumb. This is where you can switch the appliance on and switch between cleaning modes. A third button is located on the top of the bar.
And for good reason. It can be used to start the self-cleaning function when the vacuum cleaner is in the base. The powerful motor unit is not the only thing located in the center of the household helper. The fresh water tank is also located here at the rear and the dirty water tank at the front, with a pleasingly large volume of 900 ml and 700 ml respectively, which corresponds to that of the H12 Pro.
The cleaning unit is located in the lower section. The heart of the whole thing is the cleaning roller. As with the H12 Pro, this is also almost rimless on the Ultra. The advantages are evident when cleaning along furniture edges and skirting boards. After all, hardly any uncleaned edges remain here. This is a decisive difference to significantly cheaper appliances in the vacuum cleaner sector.
This becomes clear when looking at models such as a Dreame H11 Core (review, € 199.00 *) or Tineco Floor One S5 (review, € 389.00 *). These come with a clearly visible and noticeable edge. If you take a closer look and touch the vacuum cleaner, you will also notice Dreame’s usual high quality of workmanship. This is not a matter of course. After all, the manufacturer uses plastic as the material of choice, but the finish is excellent.
Dreame H12 Pro Ultra test: stylish display
Dreame has always impressed me with its smart household helpers with their great displays. And with the H12 Pro Ultra, the manufacturer once again scores with a respectable result. Although you don’t get animated videos here like with a Tineco Floor One S7 Pro (review, € 719.00 *), most users won’t need that.
The most important parameters such as battery status and expected remaining battery life can be read off here. You can also read the results of the dirt sensor and thus see the degree of dirt on the floor. The different colors green, orange and red indicate the degree of soiling. You can also see at a glance which cleaning mode is currently active.
Dreame H12 Pro Ultra test: ease of use
When it comes to smart household helpers, ease of use naturally also plays a major role. And the Dreame H12 Pro Ultra is just right – at least in almost every respect. Let’s start with the positives. As already mentioned, the operating buttons are located on the handle. Even newcomers to this area will quickly get to grips with this concept. You switch the device on using the on/off button. The mode can be changed using the other button. When you switch the vacuum cleaner on, it is always in auto mode.
This makes sense, as most users are likely to use this mode most of the time. In Auto mode, the household helper adjusts its own performance to the respective degree of soiling. The H12 Pro Ultra obtains the necessary data from the dirt sensor on the cleaning unit. Apart from this, there are two other modes. If you are dealing with heavy soiling, you can also switch directly to ‘Ultra’ mode.
Here, the vacuum cleaner provides a suction power of an impressive 16,000 pascals. The smart household helper can also only vacuum and does not need to wet the cleaning roller. This is particularly practical if you want to vacuum up liquids, for example. Despite its rather heavy weight of 4.9 kg, the vacuum cleaner is pleasantly smooth in operation. This is due to the fact that the cleaning roller rotates forwards and thus moves the appliance forwards.
However, when moving backwards, the effort required increases again. After all, unlike the H13 Pro, the H12 Pro Ultra cannot be assisted by motorized wheels when pulling the vacuum cleaner backwards. Although this is not a major point of criticism, it can certainly be noticeable, especially during longer cleaning sessions. However, a really big disadvantage compared to modern vacuum cleaners from the competition can be felt when you want to clean under furniture.
Unfortunately, the H12 Pro Ultra cannot be laid flat. Strictly speaking, the limited angle only allows the cleaning head to be moved under a couch or sideboard – unfortunately, this is all that is possible. Models such as the Tineco Floor One Stretch S6 (review, € 599.00 *), Roborock Flexi Pro (review, € 429.00 *) and Roborock Flexi Lite (€ 309.00 *). I also think it’s a shame that there is no LED light on the front. This can make it difficult to see in dark corners.
Dreame H12 Pro Ultra test: cleaning performance
Let’s move on to the supreme discipline – cleaning performance. And this is where Dreame can once again demonstrate its old strengths. The H12 Pro Ultra leaves a really great cleaning result. Even stubborn dirt is quickly removed. This doesn’t just apply to the powerful Ultra mode. As the dirt sensor works reliably and the power is adjusted accordingly, great cleaning results are also achieved in auto mode.
Even dried jam, nut nougat cream or ketchup were no problem for the smart household helper. Although an H13 Pro removes dried-on stains in particular much faster, the performance of the H12 Pro Ultra will be perfectly adequate for most users. The results were not only pleasing in the “Auto” and “Ultra” mopping modes. The Dreame also worked reliably in pure suction mode.
In the test, I let the H12 Pro Ultra vacuum up a spilled puddle of cola in pure suction mode. I then wiped over it again in auto mode and the result was great. The edge cleaning is also impressive. Of course, there are now models on the market that leave an even narrower uncleaned edge. But since we’re talking about millimetres here, you have to take a closer look.
Dreame H12 Pro Ultra test: easy maintenance
The maintenance effort for the Dreame H12 Pro Ultra is limited. This is mainly due to the smart household helper’s extensive self-cleaning function. After each cleaning unit, you should place the vacuum cleaner back in the base and start the self-cleaning process at the touch of a button. The Dreame is first rinsed with hot water (60°C).
The use of hot water is a major upgrade to the H12 Pro, which only uses cold water. The fact that Dreame now uses hot water not only enables deeper cleaning of the roller. It also effectively kills bacteria during the washing process. This not only ensures greater hygiene, but also prevents unpleasant odors.
Similar to the Tineco Flashdry system, as we know it from the Floor One S6 Flashdry PET (review, € 399.00 *), hot air drying is used after the hot water wash. The use of hot water and hot air not only prevents the formation of bacteria and unpleasant odors. On top of that, self-cleaning is completed much faster than with comparable systems without heat.
After just half an hour, the H12 Pro Ultra is done with its self-cleaning function. However, despite the self-cleaning function, users still have to carry out a few maintenance tasks. For example, you have to empty the dirty water tank at regular intervals. Unfortunately, the tank comes without a filter for solids.
Unfortunately, you can’t easily dispose of things like cornflakes, hair or similar separately in the residual waste. Unless you get a sieve to help you. Dreame includes a practical tool for cleaning ex works. The scope of delivery also includes a replacement roller and a replacement filter. You should replace both after a few months of use.
Dreame H12 Pro Ultra test: Battery life
The Dreame H12 Pro Ultra does not set any records in terms of battery life. I was able to run the vacuum cleaner in auto mode for just under half an hour in the test. This is slightly less than the manufacturer’s specification of 35 minutes. An H13 Pro lasts up to 40 minutes. Once the 4000 mAh battery is empty, it takes just under four hours to fully recharge it in the base station. Unfortunately, as with most vacuum cleaners, the battery cannot be removed and therefore cannot be replaced. This means that you can no longer use the H12 Pro Ultra if the battery is faulty.
Conclusion
With the H12 Pro Ultra, Dreame once again delivers a really good upright vacuum cleaner. This starts with the great build quality, which makes this smart household helper a durable appliance. The voluminous water tanks are also impressive. However, the Dreame scores particularly well in the most important discipline – cleaning performance. Even stubborn stains can be reliably removed. But the Dreame H12 Pro also has these virtues to offer. Nevertheless, the household helper has earned the nickname Ultra.
After all, the H12 Pro Ultra comes with hot water washing and hot air drying. This not only ensures significantly more hygiene, but also considerably shortens the self-cleaning time. There are disadvantages in terms of ease of use. The H12 Pro Ultra does not come with LED lighting or a flexible head joint. Especially when it comes to the latter feature, the competition is now ahead of Dreame, as more and more models can lie flat on the floor. However, if that doesn’t bother you, the Dreame H12 Pro Ultra is a really recommendable household helper at a fair price.
Dreame H12 Pro Ultra
Design & processing
Ease of use
Cleaning performance
Equipment
Price-performance ratio
91/100
The Dreame H12 Pro Ultra is a well thought-out further development and complements the standard model with the fantastic use of hot water and hot air.
