Putting Hoovers’ new models to the test…

1st November 2022

By Rachel Ducker

A few weeks ago, I was kindly invited to Soho House in London to trial two BRAND NEW products from the leading brand Hoover. Both cleaning models similar, but unique in their own ways.

After trialing them both for a couple of weeks – keep on reading to see my thoughts on each and how they compare.

Introducing the HF9…

The new cordless stick HF9 offers a 5-star experience from all points of view: suction power, user friendliness, long- lasting battery, and unrivalled quality – all of which I can agree with off upon my trial.

Hoover’s new Anti-Twist innovation features a special comb behind the brush to remove hair. This radically reduces the number of hairs getting tangled, making maintenance quick and easy. The roller can be removed in a few seconds, with no tools required, by opening the window placed right over the brush. This is something the HL5 also has. As someone with long hair I have spent many time with a pair of scissors trying to free up the bar again, but now this is no longer a problem.

The HF9 also stands on its own – you can temporarily “park it” and focus on other things, including answering the phone or opening the door to the courier when yet another online purchase arrives! I haven’t had a cordless that balances quite so perfectly before.

The battery runs for 30 minutes and its digital display, indicates the minutes of power remaining, the usage mode and the charge %, which is a very useful tool.
Finally, the newly designed floorhead offers edge-to-edge cleaning which makes cleaning hard to reach places so much easier. I am really enjoying having this model in my house!

Available from:

Hoover HF9 Anti-Twist Cordless Vacuum Cleaner — Hoover Direct

Hoover HF9 Anti-Twist Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, Pets — Hoover Direct

SRP £379.99/£399.99

SRP £279.99/£299.99

Introducing HL5 PUSH&LIFT…

Hoover’s Push & Lift HL5 vacuum offers two hoover types in one appliance thanks to its innovative design. With one easy step on a foot pedal, the HL5 vacuum goes from an upright hoover to a portable vacuum making it suitable for all your cleaning needs from carpets to the stairs and even the car.

One of my favourite features of this model is its foot pedal. With one easy step on it, the HL5 vacuum goes from an upright hoover to a portable vacuum making it suitable for all your cleaning needs from carpets to the stairs and even the car. No more dangerous stair cleans!

The LED nozzle lights in the floor nozzle to make cleaning dark corners and under furniture so much easier, they also look really fab! Who doesn’t love a light in something?

Like the HF9 it also comes with the Anti-Twist floorhead. It solves the problem of human and pet hairs getting tangled around the brush bar thanks to the integrated robust comb that actively untangles hairs during cleaning.

They have really spent time considering the soft grip handle and swivel steering making cleaning effortless.

My thoughts and comparisons:

The HF9 is certainly more lightweight than the HL5, so in terms of handling, it comes up on top.

With the HF9 being cordless – it means you can get to all the corners you want to get to without having to worry about a cable and the battery has a genuine runtime for up to 30 minutes, which is great but the downside is you have to remember to charge it, especially if you purchase the model which only has one battery pack. At least with the HL5 you will never get half way through a clean without losing power. So it’s probably best suited for smaller households.

Both have lights, so in terms of appearance they are both quite snazzy, but I do like the way the base of the HL5 detaches by a foot pedal in order to lift out for car cleaning or tackling stairs. It seems to have more tools in that respect.

I have been using both for a few weeks now and I find I use the HL5 less for more of a deep clean, the suction appears a little better without having to fiddle without any settings, I like how you can control this all on the handle with just your thumb.

In comparison, I am using the HF9 daily for quicker cleans, such as if my kids make a few crumbs or my dog brings dirt in. So I think both really have their place in a household.

I honestly at the moment couldn’t pick a favourite, I thought the HL5 would be my preference but after using both I would say it would depend on what kind of cleaner you are.

If you like a deep clean and have a bigger house you may need need more run time, so go for the HL5, but if you are a more frequent crumb cleaner, the lighter weight HF9 may be a better option for you.

The good news is that both offer a 5-year extended warranty, a sign of the quality of a product designed and manufactured to become an essential household appliance.

I hope my review was helpful – Happy cleaning!