Upright Reviews

I liked this vacuum at first until the front blew out and I had to replace it under warrenty which was fine. The first one came with a foam filter and it was easy to clean, but the replacement came with a hepa filter which I found totally annoying. It was pleated and a terrible thing to try to clean. I also found that the replacement filter was twice as expensive as the foam and seems to only be available by mail. The company should have left well enough alone. I also have a problem with the handle being loose. I loved the light weight easy push, but I just can't stand that crazy filter......

We just got a beautiful large rug for our apartment, which is mostly hard wood floors. I had a hard time trying to find a vacuum cleaner that was smallish, yet worked well on carpet AND hard floors. None of the lightweights, handhelds or stick vacuums seemed to have the crucial double motor (one for the vacuum, one for the brush). When I came across this model, I thought it was probably too good to be true, but in desperation, I bought it anyway. I got it home, and it picked up (IN ONE PASS)all of the dog hair that had been piling up on the rug for almost 2 weeks. I brought it over to the hardwood and it worked equally as well. My roommate and I were AMAZED. I'm not sure what the other reviews are talking about, but we both agreed it was one of the quietest vacuums we'd ever heard. My dog didn't bark at it once! The attachments worked equally well... finally got the dust off the curtains, corners, lamps, window sills and every other dusty place we didn't realize we had. It was almost fun to see how great it worked! People have complained about how if the filter gets dirty, it loses suction, but that is true with any vacuum, unless you have $400 to shell out on a Dyson. The only reason I gave it 5 stars instead of 4 is because the vacuum tends to topple over when using the hand tools, which is really no biggie at all.

This purchase was to replace a useless cordless electric lightweight (Rowenta) which stopped working completely after 1 year. This has the most power of any lightweight I have owned. I like the wheels so that the machine does not scrape my wood floors. It picks up debris very well from wood floors, even between the cracks. I was able to use the extension to remove gnats which came in and were attracted to my ceiling. I was surprised that it had enough power to do this. Only negatives - initially, found the cup difficult to empty. After a few tries, it seems to be easier. The machine is noisy and a little on the heavy side but worth the tradeoff to get real power in a convenient little machine.

I've had mine for 4+ years now and it is getting old. It overheats before the cup is full, so the engine appears to be going. In 4 years I have never had a failure, belt break, or component break.

Some of the complaints sound like mistakes. For instance, I ran the vacuum with the pile setting on low. The vaccuum would get hot and start to smell. The machine was difficult to push. I realized later that was my screw up. The brushes were digging into the carpet and working overtime to brush the carpet. I set it on a more medium setting. My carpets are still burshed (you can see this) and the vaccum stopped overheating. It glides easily over carpets when the pile setting is right.

I also had trouble on bare floors. Dirt was kicked out the back. I realized this was a RtFM (read the frigging manual) problem. Pile setting should be on high for floors. The rotating brush was slapping dirt around because I didn't change the setting when going to floor.

Bagless, in general, is a different animal and you need to change habits. Most people empty bags when they are vaccuuming and realize the vacuum isn't picking up well or at the end of the chore. This is a bad habit for bagless. The dirt which is still flying around from being sucked up is going to make a mess if you empty it after vacuuming. I empty the cup before I start and leave what I vacuum in till next time. This gives it time to settle and mat down. When I toss it in the trash it is MUCH less messy. It cuts down on the mess on the vacuum itself, but that is always dusty still. If I have to empty while I'm vacuuming I let it sits for a few minutes and do something else then empty it into a doubled plastic grocery bag.

The hepa's are expensive and make the bagless vs. bags just as expensive, probably more if you don't shop around.

I noticed people complaining that the cup filled up quickly. That means your carpets are just that dirty and the vacuum is doing its job. Many people talk about the huge difference between my new vs my old. This is common sense. And old vacuum will lose suction over the years and not clean as well. COmparing a 5yr old vacuum to most new ones, the new ones will always impress. I vacuumed my living room 4 times when I got this one. Eat time the cup filled up, except for the last run. That's when I released the rug was finally clean. When I could vacuum and the cup didn't fill up.

As for clogs--the only time this vacuum has every clogged on me was vacuumming pine needles after the christmas tree was ditched to the curb. Everyone should realize that cleaning up pine needles has killed many a vacuum. This year I was very lazy and vacuumed up twigs and bits of branch with needles and mine was jammed at the base and the top. I did not have to take the whole thing apart. THe vacuum will pivot flat so the 90-degree turn becomes paractically a straight path. Being lazy I churned the mess with a letter opener and turned the vacuum upside down and it all fell out. The top hose detaches simply and you can unclog it by hand. The person who took the whole vacuum apart probably didn't know how to unclog it. Every vacuum I've ever had has choked on pine needles--expecting a vacuum not to is unreasonable. If I had one I would use a ShopVac for cleaning up needles as that type of vacuum is designed not to clog on larger bits.

The vaccuum has good power and decent noise levels. It is better on edging sides than the front. But I often redo some edges cause the carpet forms a little niche that needs to be brushed with the hose to really get clean. (pine needles hide in the edge)

The vacuum will tip over too easily when using the hose, which is annoying and bad. If something plugs the hose the accordion-style hose will collapse yanking the vacuum over (a problem anytime your vaccum is more powerful than it is heavy-hey we said we wanted lightweight AND powerful). The attachments are fine. However the clip to release the dirt cup is tough to release-being a guy I was suprised how hard it was. People with arthritis or weak hands won't be able to open and close it. Putting it back it was worse. I typically set it on the hook and slap it hard to get it to snap into place. That slap into place often caused little puffs of dust.

Someone still needs to design a better bagless.

I have only had this vacuum for about 6 months. So far, so good. It does tip over easily as someone pointed out, so I purchased a longer hose from Eureka.com. Yes, air from the unit blows dust around, but I've had two very expensive vacuums, A Miele and an Electrolux, that I didn't like as much as this one. When this one dies, I may try a Dyson, but for now, this is acceptable. I never had any clogging, smelling, or broken belts.

I've had this vacuum for over 5 years. The model I have is actually 4481, which is the 1998 equivalent to the 4496. The only troubles I've had is clogging. It has clogged twice in the five years of hard use. However if you refer to the manual,you can easily unclog it yourself. I have the same belt on since I bought it in 1998. The last time it clogged was because I tried to vacuum up several whole peanuts. I don't recomend vacuuming up peanut shells, however, I do recomend picking up this vacuum.

I have owned this machine for almost 2 years and I dread taking it out of the closet every time. It weighs a ton and is EXTREMELY difficult to lift, so if you have stairs, be prepared.
You'll soon see why the "self-propelled" feature is so important.

It has performed well, though...cleaning up after 3 cats and 2 dogs. The bags are expensive and the final HEPA filter is about 8-9 bucks, but worth it if you're trying to stay one step ahead of the pet hair.

Other than the excessive weight, there are a couple of other things that make using this vacuum a chore...

The hose is ridiculously short and this thing will tip easily, so trying to reach under furniture with an attachment becomes risky business and being thumped in the head by the handle gets old fast.

The carpet height adjustment is located on the front of the machine and it is a sliding bar. Trying to adjust for carpet heights is no easy task. You have to stop the machine, go around to the front and the little lever gives a fight before it surrenders. I generally just turn it off to make this itty-bitty adjustment.

The body is large and bulky and doesn't cruise around furniture easily. Cumbersome.

The little headlight on the front is nifty and the embedded dirt finder is pretty cool, too.

All in all, it does what a vacuum cleaner is made to do, however, this is not a machine for everyone. Hauling this big boy out every day for a quick clean-up is no delight. I would recommend this machine when Hoover has trimmed about 8-10 pounds off of its weight and has streamlined the design a little bit.

Hope this helps someone. :-)

After moving from a 900 square foot apartment to a 2200 square foot, carpeted two-story house, we realized it was time to buy a new vacuum. The Hoover Wind Tunnel Premium Upright was recommended to us by relatives, and after our own research (Consumer Reports and research online) we agreed -- Hoover, it was. We have now had our Hoover for over 2 years and it seems to be holding up well to the abuse. We live in a high allergy region (Central Texas) so I can't say anyone's allergies have dramatically decreased as a result of using this vacuum cleaner. However, the filter and pre-filter most certainly do collect contaminants, and I don't get the sense I'm spraying dust throughout the house as I vacuum...as I did with our older, less expensive Dirt Devil.

Like another reviewer mentioned, I do feel the self-propelled mechanism drives the vacuum a little too quickly, but in my case I leave it on and let it help me finish in record time! Occasionally, the intake hose will get dislodged and have to be reseated during vacuuming, but this only happens if you're a klutz like me and tend to get the vacuum hose hooked on something accidentally... it's a simple matter to reseat the hose, and it is not prone to coming loose by itself.

Changing the vacuum cleaner bag was a frustrating ordeal the first and second tries, but then it becomes very easy (though not a one-handed task). The bags are sturdy and hold quite a bit before they need to be thrown away; they also aren't prone to coughing out dust and contaminants when you handle them, like flimsier, cheaper brands.

I had to find a new vacuum after I burned up my old one, so I went about the daunting task of researching and reading reviews. I finally decided on this Hoover model, and I'm very pleased with it. It is self-propelled, but I leave that turned off - I feel it rolls around TOO fast with the self-propel feature turned on. The "dirt sensor" actually works extremely well. If the vacuum is sucking up anything from the carpet the sensor is activated. Also, I LOVE the attachments! My old vacuum left a 1 inch space next to the wall that couldn't be reached. I've only had the vacuum for 3 weeks and I've been around the perimeter of every room in the house, sucked up dirt and sand in the track of our sliding patio door, and sucked up 3 years worth of dust from the tops of my kitchen cabinets with the brush attachment. Now I'm just looking for dirt to suck up. Bring on the dirt - I'm ready!!

GOOD

1. Good suction, this is easily this best thing about this vacuum. If you worry about suction; don't.
2. Bags- good sized, cheap(third party Sears 8 pack)and easy to find.
3. Plenty of tools and such. Plenty long cord.
4. Manually adjustable height. Don't fall for automatic; how often does it have to change?? plus you can put some extra power into flat carpet and such.
5. Not a bad edger. Yes you will have to run along baseboard once in a while but the machine does a pretty good job.
6. Price; reasonable for the unit.
7. Vacuum sensor on front panel. Mine doesn't have it(old model) and its a good idea; but not so much for bag changing as to tell if any of your seals are leaking which will eat away at your suction power.
8. Almost forgot to mention IT HAS BAGS!!!! Folks you have to start to realize bagless vacs are inferior to bags. You may save some money but what do you think happens to that filter in the tank???? It gets clogged up(lose suction) and dirty(needs replacing; big $'s usually; and you sure don't want to try to clean it) The best "filter" for the exhaust air of a vacuum is a disposable bag. Plus most of the cheap vacs use terrible "filters" if you can even call them that.

BAD
1. Broke the top cord wrap hook within week. Now I have to be careful otherwise it will fall out and drop the wrapped cord.
This really pissed me off. Its a nice idea because it twists for easy release but its cheaply done.
2. One wand extension constantly falls off the holder (annoying. The left one. Owners know what I'm talking about.)
3. Yes, the bristhles on the brush tool are too short.
4. The hose drives me nuts. Its not long enough or flexible enough making walls, ceilings, couches, etc. extremely difficult and uncomfortable. You do have to constantly hold the vacuum and it does feel like its following you and right on your rear all the time.
5. Filters. Its only really has one and it looks like a green srubber you use with your sink. Come on; its a joke. Lets just say it traps some dust but if you have allergy problems move on to next unit. I smell dust while I vacuum. I'm sure its OK for most of us and I don't see any blow out.

Truth is this is a good cheap vacuum thats why I give 4 instead of 3 stars. If you want a good machine then spend some decent money for goodness sake.
Why anyone would want a cheaper vacuum is beyond me. You might as well pick it up by hand.

P.S. I've been noticing a lot of folks rate vacuums right after they get them I also noticed that those who have owned them a while have more to say and actually have time to find the problems. Lets wait a few months before writing that 5 star review. Any new vacuum is gonna seem great when your old one is shot.

Well... Here's an update.
Replaced the agitator and belt.
Easy.

If you read my former big review I broke the top cord wrap.
I ordered a new one. Much better design; only cost a few bucks.
Snapped in place; newer ones shouldn't have this problem.

2 new belts, 1 agitator, new cord wrap hook, delivered(1 day) 28 bucks.

We have burber(sp?) carpet so it knocked out a lot of the bristles and I replaced the belt cause I was there. (lost the extra one that came with vac.)

Cleaned out the agitator area LOTS OF DIRT!!!

I still think for those of us with less than 5 cats this vacuum works great. I'm really amazed by those who complain it doesn't work or lacks suction. Like I said in my original review for me suction is the smallest issue of all!!!!

I've had this vac at least 4 years and besides some minor annoyances it works fine, especially for the money.

After eight months of use, we are very pleased with our WindTunnel Plus. Some of the best features include:

1. Convenient placement of controls - power switch on handle, and foot pedal to lower handle operates easily.
2. Long power cord really speeds up cleaning.
3. Picks up pet hair or long hair without trouble.
4. Really cleans edges well - again a time saver.
5. On board storage of attachments is very handy and well designed.
6. Very light and easy to push/pull.
7. Not too high or bulky; reaches under beds and some furniture.
8. Filter bags are reasonably priced and easy to find. Allergen and motor filters are washable. Compare with a competing model with $... replacement cost vs washable.

We have had no problems with using attachments. It does not tip over. Hose does not clog. Goes from carpet to hardwood floors, and can clean throw rugs if care is taken to avoid sucking in the fringe.

If you are considering a bagless model, remember that the dirt cup must be emptied and a certain amount of dust escapes. After trying both, we really prefer the disposable bag. Removing the dust either way is unpleasant, but the bag requires attention less often.

Overall, based on price/value, this model gets 5 stars.

This is my first and last Dirt Devil. I bought one of these 2 years ago, believing it was one of the best out there (thanks to Dirt Devil's superior advertising folks!). Well it has fallen apart rather nicely since then. The handle has broken off. The part that holds it in the upright position is now broken. The suction is terrible. The filters cost alot of $$$ and are hard to find. And, last but not least, all the rubber hosing that connects the motor fan to the base unit has cracked, making this a virtually worthless machine in only 2 years. Better Luck Next Time Dirt Devil!

After my very old hand-me-down Electrolux quit, I began shopping for a new vacuum. With a new long haired puppy in the house, I wanted one with strong suction power. I did some research online and decided upon the Dirt Devil Platinum Force. I could hardly wait to get it home. It only took a second to assemble and I tested it out. It was so hard to push and pull--much harder than I was used to, but it seemed to really have strong suction. The box claimed it had more suction power than any other upright, and it seemed to. I was thrilled with all the dog hair and dirt it picked up and decided to empty the canister. I noticed dog hair and dust all over the outside of the dirt canister! I knew that was a serious problem, and one that I could not ignore. I had decided to live with how hard it was to operate, but I could not live with particles escaping from the vacuum. I disassembled it and boxed it up. I got a full refund and now I am searching for a good vacuum once again.

The power is phenomenal and it was very easy to push across the carpet. I was expecting an upper-body workout after reading the reviews I found, but I was pleasantly surprised on how easy it was to maneuver. I keep it on the most elevated setting from the floor, (#5) with the brushes on, and it glides across the carpet with ease. The key is to keep the brushes on to get the floating on air effect. I was tired of replacing belts on my 6 yr-old Dirt Devil and was pleased to learn this model was not only beltless, but bagless as well. Other perks included: a very stretchable hose for spot cleaning with crazy power when the vacuum was locked upright, convenient on/off switch on the handle, the filter/collector was a snap to empty in my large garbage can in the garage, great cleaning power on my tile floors also in tough to reach places, and it took me less time to vacuum because I didn't have to sweep back and forth over the same area 3 or 4 times to get the same cleaning effect. "Recarpetuation" was eliminated!

I bought this vacuum a few weeks ago and so far it works great. It has a lot of power and is easy to manuver. The cord is long and is stored on the side, instead of the back where it can get in the way. Another great feature is the hose anchor which hooks at the bottom to prevent the vacuum from tipping over when the hose is in use. The hose also has a small handle on it that makes it easier to use.
All in all, it's a good vacuum. I empty the dirt container outside to avoid making a mess when shaking and tapping the perma-filter. This isn't that big of a deal because it doesn't need changing after every use. The perma-filter located in the dirt container is supposed to last the life of the vacuum, while the HEPA filter should be replaced yearly. (...)

Overall, I love this vacuum. It works well and gets great suction. I have even used it with carpet cleaners (spray-on foams) and gotten better-than-hoped-for results.

As to filtration, it does great. I think that the air coming out the discharge is fresher than the air in the room.

So why not five stars?

-Balance: This vacuum has a hose attachment with all kinds of extras that is supposed to be able to reach up to 16 feet. It has a little hook on the hose that you attach to the vacuum base while using the hose. The problem I have found is that if I step away from the base to strech the hose, the tension on the hose causes the vacuum to fall over. In order to use the hose, I have to keep one hand on the base. So much for reaching 16 feet!

-Durability: Granted, vacuums were not intended for use on paperclips and pennies. However, this is one place where a bag-style vacuum has the advantage. My (former, non-wife) roommate vacuumed one day when I wasn't home. He sucked up a penny, which whipped around in the plastic container and broke a hole in it. You couldn't use the vacuum because it just spewed dust into the air. Replacing it was pricy (I think it was around fifty, but my roommate paid for it).

*****Final Thoughts*****
This vacuum works well, and I would buy it again if I needed a new one!

Don't expect to use the hose much.

If you have kids, plan on getting a bag vacuum, because there's too much chance of picking up something that will break your vacuum canister.

I got this vacuum a few days ago, and couldn't be happier with it. It picks up cat hair wonderfully, and I have 5 indoor cats, so I know about these things. The onboard tools are handy, and I love the handle on the hose. I am able to vacuum about 1000 square feet before I need to empty the dirt cup, but remember those 5 cats....you probably won't have to empty that frequently. Our other vacuum is a Rainbow, which is better, but at $1500 it'd better be. This Dirt Devil is so much more convenient, I've been using it nearly every day and only take out the Rainbow for weekly vacuuming. You won't be disappointed with this one, especially at this price!

I thought of titling my review "This vacuum cleaner sucks," but then I realized that would be a lie, because, in fact, this vacuum doesn't suck anything. More appropriate title:

"THIS PRODUCT BLOWS."

And I mean that literally. The exhaust fan from the unit blast to smithereens anything you might think of vacuuming before you can get there.

Other horrific product defects:

- The unit does not stand up on its own.
- The hose attachment is so short that you have to hold the unit in one hand, and the hose in the other, meanwhile trying not to blow your dirt pile into the air with the exhaust vents.
- The suction is too weak to work well on carpet.
- The whole unit is flimsy and cheaply constructed. I estimate it will completely fall apart in a year.

In summary:

Do not, under any circumstances buy this product. If I could have given it negative stars, I would have. One star is too many for this embarrassingly ineffective vacuum cleaner.

Having replaced most of the carpet in our house with tile, we wanted a vacuum that would do well on hard floors, and the salesman at the vacuum store recommended this one. We've had it a bit over a year, and are now looking for something else.

Pros:
* It's reasonably lightweight
* The suction is better than you might expect from a stick vac
* The "Flex-edge" nozzle is good for getting into corners and tight spots (but needs to be more flexible)
* Hose attachment is easy to use
* Can lie very close to the floor, making for easy access under some furniture

Cons:
* The bagless system is a royal pain. Emptying the dirt canister and cleaning the filter are MESSY jobs, and doing so inside the house can leave you with almost as much dirt and debris on the floor and in the air as before you vacuumed
* The power cord is too short
* The whole unit tips over very easily. It can't stand on its own, but there is nothing from which to hang it either
* The wheels come off easily. They can be popped right back on, but they come off repeatedly
* The on/off switch is in an inconvenient, awkward location
* The vents located at the front of the unit blow debris EVERYWHERE. Just as you head toward that dust bunny, the front vents will blow it up into the air or elsewhere in the room.

I cannot recommend this unit. My advice: keep looking.

This vacuum worked great for about a year and then literally broke into two pieces.

We quickly discovered our Hoover Bagless machine had problems, but not until the store's 30 day return policy had expired. Repeated e-mails asking for advice/help turned into repeated e-mails from us complaining of problems with both the product and the total lack of response from Hoover. We've attempted to discuss our problems with Hoover, but we've received no response back. The Hoover has been relegated to cleaning the floors in the garage where I keep my antique car collection. We bought a different brand for the house.

Each time we started the Hoover, we first had to position the suction hose near the dirt cannister to catch the dust that flew out whenever the unit was first turned on. With 2 cats, we too were lured by advertising hoopla into the idea that this unit could handle the cat hair. Sure it can, but it means replacing an expensive ($30) filter about 6 to 8 times a year. You do the math - in a couple of years the cost of filters exceeds the cost of the Hoover!

Cleaning the "bagless cannister" is very messy, make sure you do it outside and on a calm day! We'll take a "bag type" anyday!
We've noticed that in all the Hoover bagless advetising we've seen on tv, The person using the bagless Hoover is picking up what looks like confetti. That's right, little pieces of paper. Not dirt, pet hair. etc. Any vac can pick up pieces of paper!

We just returned our second Windtunnel Bagless yesterday. The first two both broke within 6 months. We also just got new carpet with a thicker pile and the agitator got stuck in the fibers burning the carpet and breaking the belt on the motor. We replaced it with a Kenmore Canister Vac. Should of bought one the first time I returned it.

To top it off the canister is filthy, the filter needs cleaned every time you vacuum and the agitator constantly had something stuck in it.

Glad to get rid of it!

We have 2 St. Bernards and our other vacuum was not picking up all the hair and our carpeting was not looking like it was even vacuumed. I read some very good reviews from dog owners and decided to go with it. It was the greatest thing since sliced bread for the first 6-8 months. Now all is does is break. I have had it to an authorized service 6 times in the past 8 months and I still have the same problems so now I am stuck with an expensive vacuum that has to go for a regular maintenance every 4-6 weeks. Love the pick up but not the problems!!

This vacuum cleaner is ALWAYS getting clogged. It was difficult to assemble. That makes replacing the belt extremely frustrating (yes, in one year it has needed several replacements). The onboard tools fall off.

Dirt Devil should pay me for the time and trouble this awful piece of junk has caused me. Buy something else.

I don't know why this vaccum has gotten these bad reviews. The people must be vaccum abusers or something. I've had this vaccum for years and neglect it often and it is still doing great. If it clogs they are super easy to get out and just today, about 4 years after I purchased it do I need to buy a new belt. For the price you won't find anything better. The attachments are great and it keeps my house nice and spify. We allmost sprung for a new one but I popped the hood and it was just a belt that needed replaced. (It's the first time I popped the hood after 4 years too) To get a clog out of the tube you can just take it off and give it a shake, if that doesn't work I put the end of my broom through it and the clog is gone. For a cheaper vaccum this one really does the job!!! I've even sucked up legos! This is the only one you will need.

This vacuum turns on a dime. A wonderful vacuum. It made our traffic areas stand tall once again. I haven't used all of the attachments, yet. But, the hose is great and extends to the ceiling. I'm a shortie - so I need all the help I can get! All of the attachments have tight fitting places for them to stay put. The light is great and it is quieter than my old vacuum (but it still scares the cat!). I love this thing! BUY IT NOW!

Lasted 6 months then the brushes stopped, I had them fixed and now, six months later, the brushes stopped again and I was told it was not good for animal hair.....Well why don't they tell you this when you buy the item........I am looking for a new vacuum now.....

I bought this vacuum after returning the Windtunnel Plus. This vacuum has the better quality super stretch hose included. I have had great service from an old Hoover for many years. In fact, I still have that vacuum I needed an additional vacuum for the upstairs. Like the Windtunnel Plus, I bought this vacuum because I wanted a BAG vacuum. I do not like the new bagless vacuums. Both vacuums have great suction and do floor cleaning well. But, there are some annoyances. I am not happy with the quality of the hand tools but they are better than the Windtunnel Plus. The cord reel is poorly designed. And a minor complaint the vacuum is very loud. This vacuum has a little feature called the dirt finder. I thought it was silly at first but now that I have gotten used to it I think it is pretty cool. From reading the comments of other reviewers I hope this lasts as well as my old one.

I bought this vacuum because the other brand vacuum I had after just 1 year wouldn't suck anymore. It has tremendous sucking power and will suck up anything and it won't get clogged. It has the dirt warning light which is wonderful; half the time I think that the floor is clean but the vacuum always finds more dirt that I can't see. I have recommended it to everyone and everyone that has bought one just loves it. It is a bit loud but all vacuums that work are. I would never buy any vacuum that isn't made by Hoover. If you try this vacuum you will love it.