Tineco A11 Hero vs A11 Pet both belong to the famous A11 line of Tineco, which includes good performance yet affordable cordless stick vacuums. And my test showed that the first one is slightly better.
The Tineco A11 Hero feels cheap because of its mostly plastic construction, but its performance isn’t bad, especially considering its price point. This model has many punches, such as a four-stage filtration system, a large and easy-to-empty dust cup, and a great set of attachments. It still has some compromises, but if you are after a cordless vacuum for regular cleaning without spending a fortune, you’ll be good with it.
I was mistaken when I initially believed that the Tineco A11 Pet and A11 Hero were identical. The first one is the more expensive option, but it turns out to be a not-so-good purchase. The only place where it shines is in its ability to anti-tangle, but the cons overwhelm the pros.
Tineco A11 Hero vs A11 Pet: Comparison Chart
Tineco A11 Hero vs A11 Pet: Differences
The Tineco A11 Hero wins 1-0 and draws once against the A11 Pet. They are almost identical, except that the A11 Pet has anti-twist technology while the Hero comes with two batteries and a bit more accessories. And most notably, the A11 Hero is significantly cheaper.
Cleaning Performance
Winner: Tie
Hard Floor
Tineco A11 Hero vs A11 Pet both have a motorized brushroll cleaning head optimized for cleaning various floor types. But it’s ideal for removing deeply embedded dust, hair, and other dirt from carpeted areas.
In fact, both of these models didn’t have a good performance on my hardwood floors. No matter which vacuuming mode I used, these machines left much debris behind rather than capturing it. So I had to do multiple passes to remove almost everything, wasting my time. They also couldn’t collect large debris like the Dyson V15.
So if you prioritize cleaning hard floors, don’t choose them unless you have the patience to go back and forth in the same area several times.
Carpet
On my carpet, they performed better. Even so, they still couldn’t pull everything off my rug unless I did an extra pass. So I still needed a more powerful vacuum to really remove all the dust.
The only place where the A11 Pet shines is in its anti-tangle ability, thanks to the unique design of the roller. But it is about 25% more expensive than the A11 Hero. So is this a good trade? It all depends on you. For me, I’d rather spend minutes untangling the A11 Hero’s roller than spend extra bucks for only this feature.
Design And Usability
Winner: Tineco A11 Hero
Attachments And Storage
| Tineco A11 Hero | Tineco A11 Pet |
|---|---|
| Charging Station. Multifloor motorized roller floorhead. 2-in-1 Dusting Brush. Hair Cleaning Tool. Crevice Tool. Mini Power Brush. Filter Cleaning Tool. Battery (X2). | Wall-mounted charging station. Anti-tangle brush floorhead. Hair Cleaning Tool. Crevice Tool. Mini Power Brush. Filter Cleaning Tool. Battery (X1). |
As you can see, a 2-in-1 dust brush is the item the Tineco A11 Pet is missing. I often use this tool to clean delicate surfaces like curtains or dust my furniture. In addition to the previously noted differences in the floorhead, there are also differences in the charging station (how the vacuum is stored and charged).
First, the Tineco A11 Hero comes with something called a “powerhouse.” It’s basically a base that stores the main body of the vacuum (with one battery), the spare battery, and two accessories. I usually put the crevice tool and the mini power brush on it and keep the rest in a nearby cabinet.
The Tineco A11 Pet, on the other hand, has a docking station that is also used for storing the vacuum and accessories for quick pick-ups. The docking station is just ok, but it couldn’t automatically connect and charge the vacuum when I docked it as the Dyson V15 did. Instead, I had to plug the included charger into the vacuum.
Weight And Maneuverability
Before these two models were sent to me, I read a number of reviews and noticed that many had expressed dissatisfaction with their weight. Then, when I held these machines in my hands, I wondered how weak those folks were. Maybe they have a problem with the wrist? Maybe they are old people? I don’t know. The only thing I know is that these babies are so lightweight that I initially thought they were “knockoffs”.
Tineco A11 Hero vs A11 Pet are both very light at 5 pounds and 5.62 pounds, respectively. They are among the lightest cordless vacuums you can buy out there. They are mainly made of plastic, so they are lightweight but feel flimsy and cheap. It’s too soon to discuss their durability. So time will tell!
I really love how handy these machines are: just to be able to grab them and go around without worrying about a power cord. The swivel feature is really a bonus! I could get under almost anything without hassle.
Many people think that the width of the nozzles is a minus since it makes vacuuming slower, but I would argue that it actually has a pro. Apart from improving the suction, the smaller head makes it easier to get into and under things that the larger vacuum heads cannot. I also found these machines to be on the short side, which can be a bit inconvenient for tall people like me.
Battery Life
| Tineco A11 Hero | Tineco A11 Pet | |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum battery life | ≈ 7 mins | ≈ 14 mins |
| Minimum battery life | ≈ 32.5 mins | ≈ 25 mins |
| Charging time | ≈ 3.5 hours | ≈ 3 hours |
Both the Tineco A11 Hero vs A11 Pet run out of battery quickly when used in maximum suction mode. I also noticed that their handles warmed up quickly when using that mode, more or less.
The A11 Hero comes with two free batteries, meaning its runtime can be doubled. The base also has a slot for the spare battery so that it can charge both batteries at the same time. I think the combination of these two batteries is enough to vacuum everything that needs to be cleaned.
On the flip side, the A11 Pet only comes with one battery, so I highly recommend buying an extra battery to keep the machine running longer.
Tineco A11 Hero vs A11 Pet: Similarities
Dust Cup Capacity And Filters
Regarding the dust cup’s capacity, the Tineco A11 Hero’s cup can hold up to 0.6 liters of dust, which is approximately the size of two soda cans. It’s bigger than the Tineco A11 Pet(0.5 liters) and Dyson V12 (0.38 liters) but smaller than the Dyson V15 (0.75 liters), Samsung Jet 90 (0.8 liters), and more.
Emptying these dustbins is fairly simple and intuitive. Just simply press a release button on the side of the cup to open the bottom door. It only took me 2 to 3 seconds to do, and I didn’t have to get my hands in.
These machines also have a few washable filters, including a HEPA filter, and there is a rinse-free cleaning attachment that can be used to clean the pre-filter. Just put the pre-filter in this tool, attach it to the vacuum, and turn it on. The vacuum will spin the filter and clean it off (just ensure the second filter is installed before). I usually use the weekly tool to get the fine dirt off. As for the HEPA filter, you just need to rinse it under the tap as usual.
As you can see, the Tineco engineers really went the extra mile to make these machines very user-friendly for cleaning and maintenance.
LED Headlights
The LED headlights on both make dust and hair more visible, making it really easy for me to see where cleaning is needed. In the dark area, it is a game changer. So I no longer had to ask myself, “Wait, did I vacuum that area?”
Trigger Lock
These machines have a trigger lock feature: By pulling a lever back, I didn’t have to keep pressing the trigger, which is a big convenience. There was a delay between when I pulled the trigger and when the vacuum actually began. This is just a slight delay, about 4/5 of a second, not noticeable enough to become annoying.
Handheld Mode
The last thing the Tineco A11 Hero vs A11 Pet have in common is the ability to turn into portable vacuums by removing the handle from the tube. This way, they will be significantly lighter and more compact.
A Quick Rundown Of Tineco A11 Hero
- 3 POWER MODES – Max Power mode delivers ultra-powerful suction at 120W, allowing it to easily pick up dirt and dust from deep inside carpets; Gentle (I) and Daily (II) modes are suitable for everyday cleaning on different types of floors, such as hardwood and tile
- PORTABLE HANDHELD VAC – Converts to a lightweight portable handheld vacuum for use anywhere; includes Power Brush, Mini Power Brush, 2-in-1 Dusting Brush, and Crevice Tool for versatile cleaning. Cleaning hard-to-reach areas is made easier
- LONG RUN TIME – A detachable high performance battery delivers up to 40 minutes uninterrupted run time (*estimated runtime data was obtained by a Tineco Laboratory using one battery and non-motorized accessories), ideal for large jobs and full house cleaning; innovative brushless motor is quiet, making it suitable for everyday use around children and pets, no matter how long you clean
- ADVANCED DESIGN – Thoughtful features include front LED lights for lighting up dark spots and cleaning accessories to effectively remove pet hair with ease. The vacuum is lightweight and compact so you can maneuver up and down stairs, under and behind furniture, with just one hand
- BETTER CLEANING RESULTS – 4-stage, fully sealed filtration system captures fine particles, including dust and pollen down to 0.3 microns size, a healthier and better clean. Expels cleaner air to your home
A Quick Rundown Of Tineco A11 Pet
- CORDLESS AND POWERFUL CLEANING: With a cordless design and 450W powerful rated motor, you could easily clean wherever the mess is. Suitable for everyday cleaning on both carpets and hard floors.
- ZEROTANGLE TECH: The specially-designed brush effectively targets hair messes and traps hairs without wrapping, making the brush even easier to clean and perfect for pet owners. Vacuuming hair is now a breeze!
- ONLY EXPELS CLEANER AIR TO YOUR HOME: 4-stage, fully sealed filtration system captures fine particles, including 99% of dust, and pollen down to 0.3-micron size.
- PORTABLE HAND-VAC: Includes Mini-power brush, 2-in-1 dusting brush, and crevice tool, helping you to easily convert to a portable handheld vacuum for versatile cleaning everywhere.
- THOUGHTFUL DESIGN – The vacuum is lightweight and compact so you can maneuver up and down stairs, under and behind furniture, with just one hand. Equipped with front LED light, can also be used in the dark.
Product Videos
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References:
- Tineco A11 Hero: https://store.tineco.com/products/tineco-a11-hero-ex-cordless-lightweight-stick-handheld-vacuum-cleaner
- Tineco A11 Pet: https://store.tineco.com/products/tineco-a11-pet-cordless-stick-vacuum
Victor K. Giles is a leading consultant and expert in vacuum cleaner technology with over a decade of experience. As a mechanical engineering graduate in the University of Michigan, he specializes in product development, design optimization, and performance analysis. Victor collaborates with manufacturers and educates consumers, making her a sought-after guest speaker at industry events. His work has been featured in renowned publications, and he shares his expertise on his blog, “The Vacuum Teria”. Victor’s passion for cleaner, healthier living spaces drives his to help clients choose the best vacuum solutions for their needs.