Maybe Tineco isn’t as widely known as Dyson or Shark in the vacuuming world, but they have hit the market with several models that I consider the best for budget-oriented users. They even have some selling points that high-end models don’t have. It seems fabricated, right? My comparison of the Tineco A11 vs S12 will show you!
The Pure One S12 is cheaper than many models out there, but it has some one-of-a-kind features. It is the first model to use a slider to adjust the suction power instead of a switch or button, giving various suction levels. And its biggest selling point is its ability to automatically adjust suction power based on dust/dirt density, thanks to an iLoop sensor. It also comes with one of the greatest attachment sets available today.
The Tineco A11 Master, on the other hand, is a more affordable version and doesn’t have many bells and whistles. But if you are a budget-oriented user and just need a lightweight and easy-to-use cordless vacuum to get the daily cleaning task done, it’s worth considering.
Tineco A11 Vs S12: Comparison Chart
Tineco A11 Vs S12: Differences
The S12 wins 2-1 and ties once against the A11. It doesn’t perform excellently on hard floors since it lacks a soft roller, but it still has an amazing score on this type of surface. Where it completely outshines its competitor is that it can automatically adjust its suction (when the auto mode is enabled), has an all-in-one LED screen, and can be connected to a smartphone via an app.
Cleaning Performance
Winner: Tineco A11 Master
Suction Power And Floorhead
At the highest power setting, the Tineco A11 maxes out at 120 air watts (AW), while the S12’s maximum suction is slightly greater at 145 AW.
Another factor affecting the cleaning performance of a vacuum is the cleaning head used. Note that I am referring to the Tineco A11 Marter version and the Tineco Pure One S12 standard version. The Tineco A11 Master includes an LED multi-tasker power brush and a soft roller brush, while the Tineco S12 only comes with the multi-tasker power brush.
Floor Hard
The Tineco S12 could pick up almost 100% of small-to-medium debris but didn’t have enough clearance to capture larger ones. That’s why it pushed the majority of cereals and fruit loops around instead of sucking them up. Thankfully, I could deal with this by reconfiguring the vacuum to a portable unit and using the crevice tool or the soft dusting brush.
As for the Tineco A1, it didn’t have issues with large debris like the S12. It did an excellent job on my hard floor, with nearly 100% of all-size debris picked up. That’s why I always give props to models with soft roller attachments.
As mentioned earlier, I tested the Tineco S12 standard version. The S12 Pro EX version comes out of the box with a soft roller head, which is expected to achieve a 100% removal rate on hardwoods.
Carpet
These machines had no problems capturing any of the debris on my carpets. They almost scored a perfect 100% on all types of debris – This is an unbelievable result for mid-range models. On the high-pile carpet, the Tineco A11 and S12 removed 97% and 99% of debris, respectively, which aren’t amazing scores but not terrible either.
Hair Removal
Both the Tineco A11 vs S12, like many other stick vacuums available out there, could pick up all the hair/fur on my floor with ease. My wife and little one have long hair, so I had to remove a decent amount of hair from the brush after the cleaning session. The roller can be easily removed and untangled, but if you don’t want to get your hands dirty, you should go for a model with anti-twist technology.
Design And Usability
Winner: Tineco Pure One S12
Attachments And Storage
| Attachments | Tineco Pure One S12 | Tineco A11 Master |
|---|---|---|
| LED multi-tasker power brush | Yes | Yes |
| Soft roller brush | No | Yes |
| Mini power brush | Yes | Yes |
| Pre-filter cleaning tool | Yes | Yes |
| Spare pre-filter | Yes | Yes |
| Crevice tool | Yes | Yes |
| Flexible long crevice tool | Yes | Yes |
| Hair cleaning tool | Yes | Yes |
| Soft dusting brush | Yes | No |
| 2-in-1 dusting brush | Yes | Yes |
| Wall-mounted dock | Yes | Yes |
| Battery | x 2 | x 2 |
Regarding storage, these machines come with white plastic wall docks. They differ in design, but both have room for the main vacuum and three attachments. They also have a slot for spare batteries, so that I can have two batteries charged simultaneously. My only gripe is that they can’t house all the attachments, and there is no clip-on attachment for the wand, which allows for storing one or two attachments on the vacuum’s body.
Honestly, I’ve never liked the wall-mounted charging station, and I bet many others aren’t as comfortable with drilling into their walls as I am. I prefer the “Powerhouse” accessory holder that comes with the A11 Hero, even though it’s a bit bulky. Tineco sells the Powerhouse holder separately, but it is temporarily out of stock.
Weight And Maneuverability
Weighing in at 5.4 pounds and 6.35, respectively, the Tineco A11 Vs S12 felt lightweight in my hands. Their light body means that cleaning up high is easier – I could clean the tops of my cupboards or remove cobwebs from the ceiling as easily as a breeze.
They also are designed to run as portable handheld vacuums. In this configuration, they are lighter and can be combined with a wide range of attachments to clean all the nooks and crannies and hard-to-reach areas. They can’t lie flat on the ground like the Dyson V15, making it a bit difficult for them to go under some of my tables. Several LEDs on the floorhead allowed me to see all the dirt.
Battery Life
| Tineco A11 | Tineco S12 | |
|---|---|---|
| Max Battery Life | ≈ 32.5 mins | ≈ 46 mins |
| Min Battery Life | ≈ 7 mins | ≈ 9 mins |
| ≈ 32.5 mins | ≈ 210 mins | ≈ 200 mins |
Both the Tineco A11 Vs S12 are powered by a 2500 mAh lithium-ion battery, and two batteries are included. These batteries are removable and interchangeable while the charging station has a slot for the spare battery – so the downtime almost translates to zero. With two fully charged batteries in hand, the vacuum can cover a very large area.
Dust Cup and Filtration System
Winner: Tie
The Tineco A11 vs S12 share a 0.6 -liter dust cup, which can be emptied by pressing a button on the side to open the gravity-opened door underneath. Due to the position of the pre-filter, larger debris sometimes got stuck, forcing me to shake the dust cup hard to empty it completely, resulting in a small amount of dust on my floor.
The entire dustbin can be detached completely to get a thorough clean, but I recommend avoiding getting it wet. It is wise to wipe them with a not-too-damp towel instead.
Another thing that the Tineco A11 vs S12 have in common is the sealed system, which is what those with allergies look for when buying vacuums. So the vacuumed air will have to pass through a filtration system, including a pre-filter and a HEPA filter that captures 99.97% of particles, before escaping.
The pre-filter, which is located inside the dust cup, can be cleaned without water and hands-free using the pre-filter cleaning attachment. The HEPA filter, which is larger and on the back of the handheld unit, can be rinsed under a running tap. The app will tell you when the filters should be cleaned, but I recommend cleaning the pre-filter monthly and washing the HEPA filter every six months.
Utilities
Winner: Tineco Pure One S12
On/Off Control And Vacuuming Settings
As with most Dyson vacuums, the Tineco A11 vs S12 use a trigger switch, which needs to be pressed to power the vacuum. However, they have a switch that will lock the trigger to keep the vacuum running continuously without holding down the trigger. This feature reduces hand fatigue, making it handy for cleaning larger areas.
The Tineco A11 has three power modes (I, II, and Max), and there is a physical button on the handheld unit used to switch between them. The Pure One S12, on the other hand, has a slider that is used to adjust power. Although I prefer to leave the vacuum in auto mode, I enjoy this slider since it gives me more control over how much power the vacuum uses, depending on my needs. As far as I know, the Tineco S12 is the first model with this slide switch, and I would love to see it in all future stick vacuums.
Display Screen And App Connectivity
Like the Pure One S11, the S12 has a big circular LED screen on the top, but it goes one step further with the estimated battery life in percent. I like how the Dyson V11 shows the remaining run time in minutes, but half a loaf is better than none.
Also, this screen shows the current power level, all the details of a vacuuming session, a filter maintenance alert, and some other specs. The coolest part is that it shows the iLoop sensor’s status. It is a loop that can change color depending on the density of dust and dirt in the vacuumed air.
The S12 can also be connected to a smartphone via an easy-to-use app. The app shows the battery and filter status, the number of times the vacuum was used (by days, weeks, or months), and allows adjusting the vacuum’s power. It is a cool feature, but it is redundant for me since everything I need is on the screen.
Quick Rundown Of Tineco S12
- Features iLoop Smart Sensor Technology that senses hidden dirt and debris, automatically adjusts suction power in real time and extends runtime up to 100 minutes for complete cleaning confidence.
- Ultra-high performance 500W motor provides up to 6X more powerful suction compared to ordinary cordless vacuums.
- Lightweight, cordless design easily maneuvers through every room.
- Easily converts to a handheld vacuum with versatile attachments to reach corners, stairs and crevices.
- PURE ONE S12 includes: Direct-drive LED multi-tasker power brush, Mini Power Brush, Extra Pre filter, Automatic Pre-Filter Cleaning Tool, 2-in-1 Dusting Brush, Hair cleaning tool, Crevice Tool, Tube, Wall-Mounted Dock, Adapter.
Quick Rundown Of Tineco A11
- High performance cordless vacuum for whole home use featuring a 450W motor and up to 120W of suction power for deep, thorough cleaning on any floor surface
- Includes 2 Full Size LED Power Brushes, specifically designed to clean hard floors and carpets. Effectively picks up all types of pet hair.
- Long-lasting battery delivers up to 50 minutes of uninterrupted runtime. A11 MASTER model includes 2 detachable batteries
- Easily converts to a handheld vacuum with versatile attachments to reach corners, stairs and crevices. Extra large 0.6L dustbin captures dirt and pet hair
- A11 MASTER model includes: Full-size LED Multi-tasker Power Brush, Mini Power Brush, (2) Pre-Filters, Pre-Filter Cleaning Tool, 2-in-1 Dusting Brush, Crevice Tool, Flexible Long Crevice Tool, Hair Cleaning Tool --- PLUS Full-size LED Soft Roller Power Brush and Dual Charging wall-mounted docking station
Product Videos
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- Tineco A11 Hero vs A11 Pet: Newest Review And Comparison
- Tineco A11 Hero vs Master: Which One Is Really Better?
References:
- Tineco S12: https://us.tineco.com/products/pure-one.html
- Tineco A11: https://store.tineco.ie/a11-master
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.