Numatic Henry HVR160 evaluation: A reliable all-rounder

Worth When Reviewed

$375 approx

Finest Costs Right this moment: Henry vacuum cleaner

Few vacuum cleaners include knowledgeable stamp of approval in addition to prompt recognisability. Behind the smiling face of Numatic’s UK-made Henry HVR160 is the explanation why it’s so beloved: six litres of cleansing capability, which is as much as 5 occasions greater than some bagless fashions, a protracted cable, so you may clear totally different rooms with out having to unplug, and a 26.1m attain so there’s no battle to scrub corners, stairs or below furnishings.

Add to this a self-seal tab on the bag inside, so you may empty it with out scattering mess all over the place, and it quickly turns into clear why there have been 14 million Henrys made already, with most nonetheless in use.

Design and construct

Current years have seen modern, trendy canister vacuums crowd the market, however Henry isn’t that. As an alternative, the HVR160 is a workhorse: made with reliability and capability in thoughts relatively than seems.

On this, its design serves it effectively: Henry feels sturdy, with a few clips that launch so the highest will be taken off to empty the bag or clear the filter inside; 4 swivelling castors so it’ll observe you wherever you go; and a stable plastic building that appears prepared for something.

For individuals who are much less eager on its anthropomorphic qualities, you may take away Henry’s face, although it looks like sacrilege to take action.  

On prime, there’s a handbook winder that gathers the 10m lengthy energy cable after you’re completed cleansing and a deal with for carrying Henry round.

Rachel Ogden / Foundry

To the rear, you’ll discover two prongs for on-board device storage: ours got here with two brushes and nozzle, which may very well be mixed so all of the instruments had a house.

On the different aspect is Henry’s versatile hose and stainless-steel tube set, which will be assembled and adjusted to swimsuit the peak of the person: nice in the event you’re taller or shorter than common. There’s additionally a management on the tube to differ suction.

One factor to concentrate on is that Henry will be heavy to tug round because it fills up, particularly in the event you’re used to a cordless vac: the machine and equipment weigh 7.5kg alone. Storage may be a difficulty: whereas the hose clips neatly into the again, this could make it fairly tall, despite the fact that the precise vacuum is just 32 x 34 x 34.5cm.

Rachel Ogden / Foundry

Efficiency and options

One space the place Henry may do higher is within the directions: they’re largely pictorial, which makes it tough to get to know the vacuum’s options intimately. For instance, whereas there’s a change on the comb head so it could clear each arduous flooring and carpets, it’s not clear which is which: it’s proven with the comb head change in the identical place for each (we used it with brushes down for arduous flooring and up for carpet).

There’s additionally no suggestion of what every device is sweet for. Finally, it’s a case of studying which one works greatest for the job.

Rachel Ogden / Foundry

We examined Henry on each arduous and comfortable flooring, utilizing flour as positive mud and oats as particles. Its efficiency was wonderful on each our LVT and medium-pile carpet, with flour simply sucked up on the primary cross. Oats have been barely extra tough: whereas they have been picked up on the carpet, some dropped from the comb head when the machine was turned off, suggesting that they hadn’t made it to the canister from the hose.

Oats on the arduous ground additionally offered a slight issue in that when the brushes have been down, the particles tended to be swept round relatively than being sucked up. Switching to the brushes up solved the difficulty. We additionally examined the flat brush device on a cloth couch. It picked up pet fur with ease, though it was tougher to manoeuvre than a handheld vacuum.

Worth and availability

Should you’re within the UK, Henry HVR160 is out there direct from its maker Numatic for £119.99, by way of the My Henry web site. It is available in 4 color choices: the normal pink, but in addition blue, inexperienced and yellow. You may as well purchase it from Currys, amongst different retailers, however there’s not a lot distinction in worth.

Don’t overlook to think about the price of substitute luggage. These are extensively out there and low cost, costing round £10 for a pack of ten.

Henry can also be out there within the US. You’ll be able to purchase one from Wayfair for round $375, though its specs are barely totally different. A pack of ten substitute luggage prices $31.35 from Amazon.

Verdict

Numatic’s Henry guarantees nice efficiency, reliability and a strong construct: and on these factors it delivers faultlessly. We preferred that there was no brush roll to get tangled and wish cleansing, making it far decrease upkeep than vacuums that function one. There’s additionally rather a lot to be stated for its deceptively easy building: ought to one thing get caught in a tube or unintentionally sucked up, it may be retrieved in seconds.

And but, it’s removed from a fundamental machine: spectacular suction energy and a design that permits you to clear each inch of your house simply makes this hard-working vac price contemplating, particularly in case your present cordless isn’t cleansing in addition to it ought to.

Finally, whether or not the HVR160 is the suitable match on your dwelling comes right down to you probably have sufficient cupboard space for it, whether or not or not you’re completely happy to purchase substitute luggage, and in the event you don’t thoughts towing a machine behind you as you clear. If the reply to these questions is sure, it’s time to ask Henry to your house.

For extra vacuum cleaner shopping for choices, take a look at our round-up of the most effective vacuum cleaners we’ve examined. All of the entries are supported by full-length critiques.

Specs (UK)

• Dimensions: 320 x 340 x 345mm
• Capability: 6L
• Wattage: 620W
• Complete weight: 7.5kg
• Noise stage: 72dB