Tineco A11 Vs A11 EX: Currently, I believe we can agree that no brand has managed to topple Dyson from its perch in the stick vacuum cleaner niche. This is where Tineco steps in, delivering quality stick vacuums that are more budget-friendly, thus appealing to cost-conscious consumers.
The Tineco A11 Hero is one of the best-selling offerings, renowned for its lightweight design, cordless convenience, and rich set of accessories. The model comes in several variations, and today’s comparison will spotlight the differences between the A11 Hero and the A11 Hero EX. Let’s find out!
Tineco A11 Vs A11 EX: Comparison Chart
Tineco A11 Vs A11 EX: Differences
The sole difference between these two versions hinges on the number of included batteries: while the A11 Hero comes with one detachable battery, the Hero EX variant ups the ante by including two.
With two batteries in hand, the Hero EX’s runtime can be doubled, giving a longer cleaning session. The additional battery is definitely a significant advantage for those living in mammoth-sized homes. Of course, if you opt for the A11 Hero, you can extend its overall runtime and say goodbye to downtime by purchasing an additional battery separately.
Tineco A11 Vs A11 EX: Similarities
Cleaning Performance
I found the Tineco A11 to have a commendable performance on both low and high-pile carpets. It effortlessly picks up all the larger debris on the first sweep and leaves behind a scant 8% of smaller particles. When I followed up with an extra pass, it left nothing noticeable to the naked eye. These impressive results are quite remarkable, particularly for an affordable vacuum.
But the game changed when it switched to my hard floor, where it effectively suctioned up small and medium-sized debris with ease, but larger particles presented a problem. Its floorhead’s clearance wasn’t high enough to sweep over larger particles, causing it to push most of them around rather than suck them up. So while its performance on carpets is commendable, its effectiveness on hard floors leaves room for improvement. If you need something that works great on hard floors, I highly recommend going with the Tineco A11 Tango, which comes with a soft roller.
This one also easily picked up all the hair and fur after a few passes. However, it did have some difficulty with longer hair, which ended up entangling around the brush roller. This required some manual cleanup at the end of the day. While this is a minor inconvenience, it’s something worth considering, especially for households with long-haired inhabitants or furry pets.
It is worth noting that there is another version designed specifically for tackling hair and fur called Tineco A11 Pet. It has a specially designed brush that effectively picks up hairs without wrapping.
Design & Usability
Attachments & Storage
| Tineco A11 Hero | Tineco A11 Hero Ex | |
|---|---|---|
| LED Multi-tasker power brush | Yes | Yes |
| Full-size LED Soft-roller Power Brush | No | No |
| Mini power brush | Yes | Yes |
| 2-in-1 Dusting brush | Yes | Yes |
| Hair Cleaning Tool | Yes | Yes |
| Pre-Filter Cleaning Tool | Yes | Yes |
| Pre-Filter | Yes | Yes |
| Powerhouse Holder | Yes | Yes |
| Adaptor | Yes | Yes |
| Crevice tool | Yes | Yes |
| Battery | 1 | 2 |
The Tineco A11 takes a slightly different approach to storage and charging than other cordless stick vacuums on the market. Instead of a wall mount like the one found with the Dyson V15 or a self-standing charging station like that of the Samsung Jet 90, it features a unique charging dock known as the “Powerhouse.”
Conveniently, you can place the “Powerhouse” anywhere near a power outlet, and it’ll serve as a tidy, accessible spot to both charge the vacuum and store some attachments. One of the biggest advantages of this design that I particularly appreciate is that it doesn’t necessitate wall mounting – this is a great relief for those who prefer not to drill into their walls. In addition, it has a dedicated charging slot for the spare battery, allowing it to charge two batteries at the same time.
On the downside, it can only house 2-3 accessories, meaning you’ll need to find another place to store the rest. Anyway, the Tineco A11’s advantages significantly overshadow its cons.
Weight & Maneuverability
Battery Life
The Tineco A11 is claimed to have up to 60 minutes of battery life. To put this claim to the test, I equipped the vacuum with its main nozzle and ran it on different settings until the battery tapped out. Here are the results I got.
| Maximum Battery Life | ≈ 34 mins |
| Minimum Battery Life | ≈ 7 mins |
| Charging Time | ≈ 3.5 hours |
As is evident, the battery gets depleted far quicker than advertised. You may wonder: “Why this gaping chasm between claim and reality?” Well, the crux of the matter hinges on the kind of attachment employed. To achieve the quoted battery life, you should use the vacuum with a suction-only attachment, such as the dusting brush or crevice tool, on the lowest power setting. Meanwhile, as mentioned above, I use the floorhead for my tests.
The Tineco A11 employs a detachable battery system. Thus, with two batteries in hand, you can effectively double their lifespan simply by swapping them. The Hero EX version comes with two batteries, while the Hero includes just one. But you can always buy a spare battery if you want.
Dustbin & Filtration System
The Tineco A11 features a 0.6-liter dustbin, straddling the line between smaller and larger dust cup capacities. Emptying it is easy with the push of a button. And if it ever starts looking dirty, you can give it a quick rinse to restore its cleanliness. Remember to let it dry completely before attaching it to the machine for use.
Regarding the filtration system, it features a four-stage filtration system, including a cyclonic separation, a pre-motor filter, and a post-motor HEPA filter. Combined with a fully-sealed system, they can prevent all dust and other small particles, such as pollen, dust mites, and spores, from escaping back into your home. This holds paramount significance for individuals suffering from severe allergies.
The pre-filter can be cleaned water-free with the filter cleaning tool, which utilizes the vacuum’s suction to blow away any dust and dirt accumulated in this filter. This filter is the first line of defense for the filtration system, so it often gets the dirtiest, thus requiring frequent cleaning. As for the HEPA filter, you need to wash it under the tap at least once a month.
Utilities
User Interface & Control Method
The Tineco A11 boasts a straightforward user interface, including an on/off trigger and a power setting switch button. The cherry on top is a trigger lock feature, eliminating the need to press down on the trigger continuously. This smart addition resolves a common frustration with trigger-based vacuums – users’ hands tire quickly from incessantly maintaining trigger pressure.
LED Headlights
The cleaning head of the Tineco A11 features a row of LED headlights that are exceptional at illuminating dust and dirt particles. I found this feature tremendously handy when vacuuming beneath furniture or in poorly lit corners and crevices.
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
Quick Rundown Of Tineco A11 Hero EX
- 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.
- LONG RUN TIME: Up to 70 minutes uninterrupted runtime with two detachable batteries, ideal for full house cleaning; Easily converts to a portable handheld vacuum for versatile cleaning everywhere.
- 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 both long and short 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 converts to a portable handheld vacuum for versatile cleaning everywhere.
Product Videos
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References:
- Tineco A11 Hero: https://us.tineco.com/products/a11-hero.html
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.