Numatic Henry HVR160 review: A reliable all-rounder

Few vacuum cleaners include an expert 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 instances greater than some bagless fashions, a protracted cable, so you possibly can clear totally different rooms with out having to unplug, and a 26.1m attain so there’s no battle to wash corners, stairs or underneath furnishings.

Add to this a self-seal tab on the bag inside, so you possibly can empty it with out scattering mess in all places, 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 smooth, trendy canister vacuums crowd the market, however Henry isn’t that. As a substitute, the HVR160 is a workhorse: made with reliability and capability in thoughts reasonably than appears to be like.

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

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

On high, there’s a guide 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 could possibly be mixed so all of the instruments had a house.

On the different facet is Henry’s versatile hose and stainless-steel tube set, which might be assembled and adjusted to swimsuit the peak of the consumer: nice when you’re taller or shorter than common. There’s additionally a management on the tube to fluctuate suction.

One factor to concentrate on is that Henry might be heavy to tug round because it fills up, particularly when you’re used to a cordless vac: the machine and package weigh 7.5kg alone. Storage is also a difficulty: whereas the hose clips neatly into the again, this could make it fairly tall, though the precise vacuum is barely 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 difficult to get to know the vacuum’s options intimately. For instance, whereas there’s a change on the comb head so it may well 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 nice 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 mushy flooring, utilizing flour as high-quality 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 go. Oats have been barely extra difficult: 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 flooring additionally offered a slight issue in that when the brushes have been down, the particles tended to be swept round reasonably than being sucked up. Switching to the brushes up solved the problem. We additionally examined the flat brush device on a material couch. It picked up pet fur with ease, though it was more durable to manoeuvre than a handheld vacuum.

Value and availability

If you happen to’re within the UK, Henry HVR160 is obtainable 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. It’s also possible to purchase it from Currys, amongst different retailers, however there’s not a lot distinction in value.

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

Henry can be obtainable within the US. You should buy 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 appreciated that there was no brush roll to get tangled and want cleansing, making it far decrease upkeep than vacuums that characteristic one. There’s additionally rather a lot to be stated for its deceptively easy development: ought to one thing get caught in a tube or by chance sucked up, it may be retrieved in seconds.

And but, it’s removed from a fundamental machine: spectacular suction energy and a design that lets you clear each inch of your own home 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 fitting match on your dwelling comes right down to in case you have sufficient space for storing for it, whether or not or not you’re comfortable to purchase substitute luggage, and when 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 own home.

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 opinions.

Specs (UK)

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