daisy_girl's Full Review: Hoover U5750-900 WindTunnel Bagless Upright Vacuum
The time had come for a replacement! Our super-basic vacuum with one thin filter had served well, but it was ready for retirement. Living in a very dusty area (as one friend put it, you don't "dust" your furniture; here, you "dirt" your furniture) with two dogs and a cat, we needed something that would keep the dirt, hair, etc. from cycling back into the air. So when we ran across this vacuum for a good price and found it had many of the features we wanted (including three filters), we decided to take the plunge.
THE GOOD:
This vacuum has many great features. For starters, it has hand tools that self-store in a compartment in the vacuum itself. These include the usual soft brush tool and wider hard plastic tool, but my favorite is the powered brush. It attaches like the other hand tools but actually has a rotating brush that is powered by the vacuum's suction. On the side of the vacuum are two hard plastic extension wands (which really extend your reach with the hand tools), and the crevice tool is stored inside of one of the wands. In my opinion, these parts of the vacuum are designed really well in that the tools are within easy reach and don't require separate storage space, plus they don't tend to fall off or get in the way while you're working.
More things I appreciate about it: This vacuum is easy to operate. The power switch is on the handle (so it's easy to reach), and it has a long power cord. Although the vacuum isn't self-propelled, when it is well-cleaned and in top working order, the power from the brush makes it almost feel like it is. As far as its weight, I wouldn't want to carry it up and down stairs very often as it does seem a bit heavy for that, but it has a carrying handle on the back that makes it easier to carry when necessary.
The vacuum has great suction power. Since it's bagless and has a clear collection cup, I was pretty shocked the first time I used it to see how much dirt came out of my carpets. Also, with the three filters, one of which is a cylindrical HEPA filter, I can see how much dirt it's keeping out of the air (and have realized how much the old vacuum must have spit back out into the air!).
AND THE NOT-SO-GOOD:
The downside to this vacuum is the maintenance. Mind you, as I mentioned, we live in an especially dusty area with pets. Also, we used the vacuum in a newly carpeted room, and apparently the carpet fuzz from new carpets is tough on any vacuum. But we learned the hard way that this vacuum doesn't like to get clogged with hair and the like. The first hint of trouble came less than a month after we bought it: I noticed a slight smell of burned rubber when I used it, and it got progressively worse. We took it in to be checked, and it turned out that the belt was burning/wearing out because of "stuff" that was caught under the bottom plate. The belt wasn't covered by the warranty but was inexpensive, so we bought a new one and that took care of that problem. However, the vacuum should be cleaned fairly often, and that involves unscrewing the bottom plate and somewhat disassembling the brush, belt, etc.
Another issue I didn't expect is how quickly the collection cup fills and the HEPA filter gets dirty. That could also be seen as a positive as it means the vacuum is doing its job! I do have to empty the cup every time I vacuum (which isn't difficult but is best done outside if possible). The HEPA filter requires a little more effort. I find that it gets fairly caked with dirt and needs to be cleaned almost every time I vacuum. The manual says to pull out the filter and tap one of the ends until no more dust falls from it. However, in my experience, that still leaves the filter very dirty, so I gently clean between the pleats. Again, it isn't difficult, but it's time consuming and needs to be done with almost every vacuuming. Thankfully, as far as the other two filters, one is basically a mesh screen that is easy to clean, and the other really hasn't gotten dirty yet.
I also have found some problems with the powered hand tool. Although it is great for light use on upholstery and small carpeted areas that are difficult to reach with the full vacuum, its use is limited by the fact that it is powered by the vacuum's suction itself, not by an actual motor. That means that if you press down too hard, the brush stops rotating, so if you have any serious, ground-in dirt, it'll stick its tongue out at this tool.
OVERALL:
It's a good vacuum. I'd guess it would be a great choice for people who have more "average" vacuuming needs.
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