Ultenic U20 review: the budget-friendly vacuum that feels incredibly premium

I won’t lie – as someone who regularly reviews the best cordless vacuum cleaners, the number of budget-friendly, powerful options out there is pretty slim. That’s usually why people end up defaulting to Dyson or Shark, thinking there aren’t any other real choices...but that’s not actually the case.

When Ultenic dropped its first cordless model in 2024, the U12 Vesla, I was instantly swayed. Unlike a lot of other brands, Ultenic listens intently to customer and reviewer feedback, so even though that first model was impressive, it's kept on tweaking and improving with every release since.

That now brings us to the launch of the Ultenic U20, and it’s safe to say I’m impressed. Let’s dive in and see what it can do…

Ultenic U20 review: price and availability

The Ultenic U20 has an RRP of £239.99 (around $280) but is currently reduced to just £159.99. That’s obviously very affordable for a cordless vacuum cleaner, though it does follow the same kind of pricing we’ve seen with Ultenic’s previous models.

Ultenic U20 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner: was £239.99 now £159.99 at ultenic.com

Just over £150 for such a highly rated cordless vacuum cleaner? It really doesn't get much better than that.

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Ultenic U20 review: unboxing and setup

One of the smaller things I appreciate about Ultenic is the packaging. The U20 arrived in a compact, recyclable box – something you don’t see all that often these days, but should be more common.

Inside, the first bits I came across were the power adapter, user manual, cleaning tool, wall-mounting bracket and the battery. Even though the U20 can stand up on its own, it’s still handy having the option to mount it if you want that extra stability.

A few layers down, I found the vacuum nozzle, the included crevice tool, the main floor head, and finally the main body. Straight away, I was impressed with how premium it felt compared to previous Ultenic models. It’s got a nice weight that makes it feel sturdy, but thankfully it’s not so heavy that it becomes tiring to use.

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Now, attachments have always been a bit of a weak spot with Ultenic. The U16 Flex was lacking, and the U20 doesn’t totally solve that either. You basically get the crevice tool and the main floor head.

The upholstery tool is built into the main body, which you just push forward to use. However, when I tried using it against skirting boards and window frames, the main body often got in the way, which was a bit frustrating.

There is a separate bed brush available for £19.99, which is ideal for mattresses and sofas, but of course that’s an extra expense when a lot of other brands include those tools as standard.

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Ultenic U20 review: design and features

Design-wise, the U20 is compact, weighing just 1.7kg. As mentioned, I was also so happy to see it can finally stand up on its own. This was one of my biggest gripes with the U12 Vesla and U16 Flex, so it’s great to see Ultenic finally fix it. It also keeps the same flex technology as the U16, which makes cleaning under furniture and into tight corners a lot easier than most cordless vacuums.

The U20 packs a 600W motor with up to 55kPa suction, which is a noticeable improvement from the U16 Flex. The dustbin has been upgraded too, now at 1.5 litres, which is a huge plus if you hate emptying it mid-clean. The 7-layer HEPA filtration system also means the air stays cleaner, which is a nice touch if you’re sensitive to dust.

On top of that, there’s a smart digital touchscreen display that tells you exactly how many minutes of cleaning you’ve got left, what suction mode you’re in, and the battery percentage when charging. It even alerts you if the brush gets clogged or if the tube needs cleaning. This has to be one of my favourite things about it, especially as touch controls are still pretty rare on cordless vacs in general.

There are three cleaning modes – carpet, turbo and floor – which makes it versatile if you’ve got a mix of hard floors and rugs. I’d say turbo mode is essential for anything with a longer pile though, as the standard carpet mode is really better for short pile.

Another cool feature is GreenEye Technology, which uses intense green lighting to illuminate hidden dust. It’s basically an upgraded version of the LED strip from previous models, and it's great at helping you spot dirt you’d otherwise miss.

Ultenic U20 review: performance

I’ve overall been pretty impressed with the U20, and I’d definitely say it’s Ultenic’s best cordless model so far. Each of the features worked well, and it managed to pick up everything I tested without any issues. The larger dustbin is another win, and because of the size, I didn’t find myself having to do it all that often anyway.

That said, the cleaning power is good for the price, but it’s not exactly jaw-dropping. It handles hard floors with no problem, but it struggles more on carpets, especially if there’s lots of bits to deal with.

One thing worth mentioning is that the handle does get warm, particularly in turbo mode. You don't see this too often, as most vacuums are designed so the heat stays internal, so it's definitely something to keep an eye on as you don't want things overheating.

From the design and overall feel, it’s clear that Ultenic is positioning the U20 as a Dyson alternative. The brand has fully moved away from the plain grey look of the U12 Vesla and now leans into the bronze and purple accents that mimic Dyson’s current lineup. Whilst Dyson is still way ahead in terms of power and engineering, the U20 is a far more affordable choice.

Ultenic U20 review: verdict

The Ultenic U20 is easily the brand’s best cordless vacuum yet, offering an impressive mix of power, smart design and genuinely useful features at a price that’s hard to argue with. It’s not perfect, but for everyday cleaning on hard floors and lighter messes, it absolutely delivers. If you’re after Dyson-level looks and features without the cost, the U20 is a smart choice.

Ultenic U20 review: alternatives to consider

I’ve always seen Ultenic as one of the best affordable vacuum brands, and I’d still happily recommend the U16 Flex if you’re after a solid alternative to the U20. The U20 is definitely an upgrade, but it shares a lot of the same features, so the U16 is still a great option if you want to save a bit of cash.

For anyone leaning towards premium brands, the Ultenic U20 is most comparable to the Dyson V8 in both design and features. It's actually pretty hard to tell the difference, and if that’s the case, you might as well go with the cheaper U20 and save your money.