Should you buy this Dyson cordless vacuum lookalike?

Dyson has established a solid reputation in the vacuum world, but its models come at a price. 

The most expensive model we've reviewed costs £750, so you might be looking for something similar with a more purse-friendly price. 

That’s the gap that new, cheaper brands are trying to fill, and why we decided to test the Uninell UV5. It looks like a Dyson, but can it perform like a Dyson?

We've tested models from Dyson, Shark, Samsung and more to find the best cordless vacuum cleaners

What is the Uninell UV5?

The Uninell UV5 is a cordless vacuum cleaner that bears more than a passing resemblance to Dyson’s stick vacs, with a gold tube and purple and red accents. It typically costs around £120.

Made by Chinese manufacturer Shaanxi Hengwei Software Technology Co, it has a handheld mode, an anti-tangle floor head, and LED lights to show up any dust lurking in dark corners. It also comes with a gap tool and dusting brush, and stands up unaided.

You can buy it from Amazon - but before you do, read our full Uninell UV5 review.

What is the Dyson V8 Cyclone?

The Dyson V8 Cyclone is an entry-level Dyson vac with ‘triggerless’ operation (many of its models require you to hold the power button down while cleaning), costing around three times more than the Uninell UV5.

It has three power modes – eco, medium and max. You can use it in handheld mode, plus it comes with a mini turbo brush. The motorised floorhead features an anti-tangle brush bar and can be used on hard floors and carpets. It also uses an ejecting mechanism to expel the contents straight into the bin.

You can buy it from various retailers - but before you do, read our full Dyson V8 Cyclone review.

Uninell UV5 vs Dyson V8 Cyclone: model specifications

So, how do the two vacs compare? We’ve tested them both, but let’s start by taking a look at the models’ specifications. At Which?, we don't just rely on the manufacturers' specs – we verify things like dust capacity and battery life in the lab.

The key differences

• Capacity The Uninell has a larger dust capacity than the Dyson.
• Weight The Dyson is lighter than the Uninell.
• Battery performance The Uninell lasts longer on both minimum and maximum power.
• Charging speed The Dyson charges much faster.
• Usability (push force) The Uninell requires significantly less force to move on carpets compared to the Dyson, which requires much more effort, particularly on plush carpets.

Uninell UV5 vs Dyson V8 Cyclone: performance on test

Only logged-in members can see our test results. Join Which? for instant access.

Shark vs Dyson: which vacuum brand is best?

Which is the cheapest Dyson?

• The cheapest Dyson cordless vacuum we currently have online is the Dyson V11 Advanced, which costs around £320. Read the full Dyson V11 Advanced review.
• The most expensive Dyson vacuum we currently have online is the new DysonV16 Piston Animal, which costs around £750. Read the full Dyson V16 Piston Animal review.

You can check the prices for every Dyson cordless vacuum cleaner we've recently tested below. But before you buy, browse all our Dyson cordless vacuum cleaner reviews.

For further advice on all-things floorcare, visit our vacuums and floorcare hubhow to choose the best Dyson vacuum