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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Henry, Dyson or Vax?

43 replies

Fairymights · 22/03/2023 11:18

I badly need a new Hoover & fancy one without a bag, simply because I don't like having to buy Hoover bags and obviously the added expense and landfill issue they bring.

We have lots of laminate & tiles plus a carpeted stair and hallway - Oh and we have pets.

Please can you tell me about your hoover recommendations - something robust but lightweight, if such a thing exists?

TIA

OP posts:
Buzzer3555 · 22/03/2023 11:28

I have a hetty which is great robust but a bit heavy. There is a Henry cordless which I fancy as that would be lighter. Recommended by Which

gluenotsoup · 22/03/2023 11:40

A cordless shark.
I’m mightily relieved though, at first glance I thought this was a baby name thread. 😂

Suetcrust · 22/03/2023 11:41

Henry lasts for years. Good on all types of floors but ….
is heavy to carry upstairs. Does have bags which are really easy & clean to change. Fab suction.
I have always had one but now have a Shark corded just for upstairs. That one is very good too & no bags!

LindorDoubleChoc · 22/03/2023 11:41

Shark Grin

Moltenpink · 22/03/2023 11:44

gluenotsoup · 22/03/2023 11:40

A cordless shark.
I’m mightily relieved though, at first glance I thought this was a baby name thread. 😂

Came on to say the same Grin

Spkat · 26/03/2023 06:12

gluenotsoup · 22/03/2023 11:40

A cordless shark.
I’m mightily relieved though, at first glance I thought this was a baby name thread. 😂

I'm sure there is a baby called Dyson somewhere!

Spkat · 26/03/2023 06:16

32 babies called Dyson in 2021!

OP we have Henry, Dyson and Shark. All are good but we use Henry most as long chord, good brush for stairs, and good for builder's dust.

Phoebo · 26/03/2023 06:17

gluenotsoup · 22/03/2023 11:40

A cordless shark.
I’m mightily relieved though, at first glance I thought this was a baby name thread. 😂

Me too!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Phillipa12 · 26/03/2023 07:03

I have owned versions of all three and a shark. I have carpet, wood and tiles, 3 kids and a labrador. For me the hands down winner is a Henry, yes he's cumbersome and gets stuck on the doorframes but Henry cost me £150 ten years ago and the only things I've replaced are the hoover bags and a head. His suction is still great, not even the builders hoovering up rubble could break him. Nothing worse than spending £250+ on a hoover to be disappointed after a few months or having to replace after a couple of years.

Fluffodils · 26/03/2023 07:05

Henry has a bag but it's amazing

pictoosh · 26/03/2023 07:10

Och Henry. Every time Henry. He’s a cumbersome sod but he does an unrivaled job.

Had a Shark…absolute shite. See also, Dyson.

Henry is the man.

pictoosh · 26/03/2023 07:14

A Henry is cheaper too. The Shark and the Dyson are all style over content, gimmicky and flash…but they’re both outperformed by basic old Henry, who laughs while the other two choke and splutter their way round the house.

UseOfWeapons · 26/03/2023 07:32

Shark.
Best vacuum cleaner I’ve ever had. Mine had a 5year warranty, and when the motor blew up after 5years and 2 months, I contacted them and they sent me a new motor free of charge, and another 5year warranty for that, so aftercare good too.

WaltzingWaters · 26/03/2023 07:35

I have a dyson cordless (animal v7 I think it’s called) and absolutely love it. So so easy not having a cord!

YoDood · 26/03/2023 07:36

Our Shark is the best vacuum cleaner I’ve ever had, including Henry’s, Miele and Dyson.

I found the Henry particularly annoying as he’s quite heavy to lumber around and there is no “clicking” attachment for the head - you just swivel it on as firmly as you can - but then it would work itself off repeatedly during a vigorous cleaning session and it felt like I’d spend more time watching it than actually hoovering.

I’d only get the Henry if you were doing building work etc and wanted something more bomb proof.

Enko · 26/03/2023 07:38

gluenotsoup · 22/03/2023 11:40

A cordless shark.
I’m mightily relieved though, at first glance I thought this was a baby name thread. 😂

So did I. I thought Vax is a bit unique having misread Dyson as Dylan.

Not helpful op personally I hated the bagless vacuum cleaner I had and went back to bags.

Pollymollydolly · 26/03/2023 07:38

Henry is utter shite. I was fooled into buying one and hated it, cumbersome and really doesn’t do a good job of cleaning.

On the day I got my dyson I hoovered thoroughly with shitty Henry. then I went over the carpet with the dyson - couldn’t believe the filth the dyson collected.

I now have a cordless dyson and it is so handy, I whip it out several times a day. Henry was a huge faff to get out and also awkward to store with his stupid long hose. Batters the paintwork too, impossible to make the little shit go where you want it to go.

I hate henry, can you tell?!

i am convinced people who complain about dysons don’t maintain them properly. I clean mine thoroughly a couple of times a year - I take it fully apart and clean everything, not just the filters - and my original corded one is still in use 18 years on. My cordless is still as good as the day I bought it albeit it needs a new battery as the charge doesn’t last as long as it should (but it is 6 years old so to be expected)

GeneralMelch · 26/03/2023 07:41

Shark has lasted the longest. Had a Dyson, bits kept falling off it. Henry, robust but effort to use pushing the arm while pulling it along. The uprights are easier but tend to fall over or onto you.

NeverTrustAPoliceman · 26/03/2023 07:48

Our Henry is about 35 years old, has survived a major house renovation, small children and numerous DIY projects. We have replaced the head once but otherwise he seems indestructible. If we can find the receipt we'll know when to hold his 40th party.

Blogdog · 26/03/2023 07:50

We have had three Dysons (corded and cordless). They suck in all the ways a hoover shouldn’t. They’re loud, uncomfortable, inflexible and they break. Overhyped rubbish.

I know you said you wanted bagless but I’m pretty sure the last Henry we had had a bag. If you could be convinced to go with a bagged one could I suggest a Miele? It’s hands down the best hoover we’ve ever had.

Ilovechees3 · 26/03/2023 07:52

I had a Vax but the handle wasn’t long enough and was giving my partner and I back ache, suction was good. Last year bought a corded Shark, it is brilliant the suction is much better than the Vax, it comes apart for the stairs and has hard floor and carpet settings.

Sprig1 · 26/03/2023 07:59

Henry all the way.

Businessflake · 26/03/2023 08:02

i am convinced people who complain about dysons don’t maintain them properly.

This. Same for Sharks. The downside to a lightweight, cordless vacuum is they do need declogging fairly frequently in my experience.

Mutabiliss · 26/03/2023 08:06

I have a cordless Shark, bought to replace a cordless Dyson which was great. The Shark is appalling. I've already had the hose replaced and it stopped sucking again within weeks. You get about three goes around the house before it needs everything unclogging and filters cleaning. I'm very close to giving up on it and buying a Henry.

QuitRunningForThatRunawayBus · 26/03/2023 08:09

The Shark we were given is the worst vacuum cleaner I've ever had. Constantly blocking, tiny dust container and the cloud of dust when you empty it.

OP what landfill issues do you think there are with bags? Our - paper - bags go straight into the compost. With a bagless one, I assume you're tipping the dirt into the non recyclable bin?