cyndy0512's Full Review: Hoover U5750-900 WindTunnel Bagless Upright Vacuum
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: This is a very viable product, for an inexpensive price tag. We purchased it 3 months ago on the advise of a neighbor having the identical model. Based on the experiences there, and limited (3 month) usage personally; the vacuum has REMARKABLE suction, the tools provided are traditional and expected, the build quality is pricing appropriate, and durability is expected to prove exemplory.
SUCTION: as one reviewer put it so elequantly "...it will suck the chrome off a hitch..." Yes, it will in fact, do so; as a vacuum should, regardless of the price level. Based on personal experience, this vacuum appears to have measureably more suction than any other vacuum I have owned. Virtually all reviews, good or bad, seem to give very high marks to the suction of this brand and model. At 3X the price point you will never approach 3X the suction. From a value standpoint, this is a 5 star rating. [Additional Text in DURABILITY section]
TOOLS: The tools included are stored in a well-thought out compartment, they are traditional, and they are of make and quality no better, nor worse, than any others you will find out there IMHO. Of note is the 'powered' hand tool. One minute of research, and even less common sense, will tell you that this attachment is not powered. Therefore, to criticize its performance (and rating) is unfair. It is a 'gimmick', designed to sound good in the ad copy. Does it work to some extent, with light pressure and a proper technique; unquestionably yes, it does. I have two Border Collies who shed and track dirt as if their lives depend on it. The tool works on hair and dirt if you need to clean non-floor areas. From a "this-tool-will-change-your-life" standpoint, the rating is a 2. From a "this-is-definately-better-than-suction-alone' standpoint, the rating is a 4.
BUILD QUALITY: A lot of this vacuum is plastic, an awful lot. It is $175.00 worth of product in a market that gathers upwards of $700.00 and more. If you want to save a LOT of money, WHILE TAKING CARE not to slam, bang, drop, swing around, and generally mis-treat the plastic tools, accessories and facia pieces on the vacuum; then you will be happy with the build quality of this vacuum. From a VALUE standpoint, build quality is a 4 rating.
DURABILITY: See Build Quality first. Second, the overwhelming comments in reviews indicating that this vacuum loses suction, and has higher costs than expected may be true, dependent on your attention level. In my humble opinion, the long term viability of this vacuum is DIRECTLY proportional to the maintenance performed on the filters, and the attention level of the user during use.
For a Type-A user, the rating is a 3. For a Type-B, the rating is a 2. I say this because of the price point of the unit compared to expected longevity, not necessarily because of any specific deficiencies I see in the Durability Value of the vacuum.
GENERAL COMMENTS: Does it work on wood or tile floors? Not if you use the agitator bar, but why do you want to?, use the tools. This is no different than trying to 'vacuum' a concrete garage floor; you don't, you use the tools on the Shop-Vac, or you sweep.
Is it loud? Yes, it is loud.
Do you have to be extremelly careful that you don't tip the agitator into the carpet when using the tools? From experience, oh yes, but more money will buy you a vacuum that turns off the bar.
Are the belts a weak link? I don't know, IF you have problems with the belt, try what another reviewer said and find a comparable size -thick, heavy belt. The reviewer thought Sears as a suggested vendor.
If you want to flip the switch, run it over the carpet, and put it back in the closet; you NEED a bagged vacuum. Please remove this vacuum from your consideration list. You HAVE to dump the dirt a lot, and you HAVE to clean the filters a lot. You are getting a vacuum that REALLY deep-cleans your carpet, there is a downside to this level of performance.
In addition, this vacuum really sucks the dirt; as a result you cannot run it on too low a setting, catch rugs or other items in the agitator, or allow hair to wrap itself around the bar. These cause tremendous drag on a motor that has the juice to take it, for a short period of time. If you elect to neglect keeping it clean, until that time when the motor is killed (not dies naturally), you will most probably be paying for belts, period.
If you are willing to occassionaly vacuum the filter with a Shop-Vac {**see note} you will be overwhelmingly pleased with the Functionality, Performance, and VALUE you receive.
*** HELPFUL HINT FOR WHAT ITS WORTH
[DO NOT WASH THE DIRT PARTICLES **INTO** THE FILTER, SUCK THEM **OFF** OF THE FILTER. Filter elements stop material at the outside surface; the single most effective way to remove accumulated dirt is to REVERSE the direction of impact off the element, not to add further pressure driving material into the element. Remember: dust + water = yep, mud]
There is a price to pay for performance; in this case it is required maintenance rather than dollars. If you do the maintenance required you don't need to spend the dollars on filters. If you want to forsake frequent maintenance, then you can spend the dollars on filters. Either way, you are getting great VALUE for your efforts -- IMHO.
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