Numatic HVR 200A Henry Vacuum Cleaner

Everyone recognises a Henry Hoover and they are one of the bestselling brands of cylinder cleaners. But if you have never owned one before you may not realise that there is far more to them than a cheeky novelty character - they are actually an extremely sophisticated and high performing vacuum cleaner.

The technical bit...

Here are the technical specifications that underpin the Numatic HVR200A Henry vacuum cleaner's great credentials:

The Numatic Henry is set to a default energy saving mode, which cuts electricity consumption by 50 percent, (good for the environment and good for your utility bill!). However, it can be switched to "hi" mode to deal with tougher jobs. Noise levels have been cut by 20 percent in comparison to previous models.

It has a Tritex filter system, which ensures the air expelled by the vacuum cleaner is cleaner than the air being sucked in. Manufacturer testing shows the expelled air is up to 30 percent cleaner.

What accessories are included?

The manufacturer have included several accessories and attachments for improved cleaning on different surfaces. The tools are:

240mm Crevice tool

65mm Soft dusting brush

150mm Upholstery nozzle

150mm Brush attachment for upholstery nozzle

Double taper tool adaptor

What is so good about the Numatic HVR200A Henry Vacuum Cleaner?

It's no coincidence that Henry vacuum cleaners are a popular choice with professionals such as cleaning firms and builders. Here's what one builder had to say about this product:

"This is the best vacuum cleaner on the market. We use them on building sites to clean up after working. They lift concrete dust, wood shavings, sawdust and soot, no problem. Tough, small and indestructible!!!"

They are extremely robust and there are many happy customers whose original Henry Hoover lasted for 15 or more years - not bad for a vacuum cleaner that costs less than most of the other best selling products on the market.

But what about cleaning power? Well, most customers - over 80 percent, in fact - give the Numatic Henry a five star rating and rave about the cleaning results. Opinions are subjective of course, but there is a strong consensus that, despite being cheaper, this vacuum cleaner cleans as well - if not better - than other popular brands.

This product benefits from its huge storage capacity, which far surpasses other models of vacuum cleaner. It can be used without a bag for some cleaning purposes, making it even better value for money.

If you are cleaning a large area, then this is also a good buy due to its long cord (10 metres). Although it should be noted that if you are looking at this as a replacement for an older model of Henry Hoover then you may find the flex is shorter than you are used to.

Criticisms of the product

While the majority of people love their Henry, they aren't the best vacuum cleaner available if you have a lot of carpets in your home. When it comes to removing dust, debris and taking a lot of abuse, the brand is unbeatable. But they really are not optimally designed for removing ingrained dirt from carpet pile.

This is not to say they are terrible on carpets - dozens of customer reviews rave about the cleaning results, even in households with a lot of pet hair to remove. But if you are looking for top class results on carpet, consider a product such as the Dyson DC25 upright vacuum cleaner instead.

What do the customers have to say?

There are over 200 customer reviews - almost all overwhelmingly positive - over on the Amazon website. Here is a small selection of comments people have made about the Numatic HVR200A Henry vacuum cleaner:

"Don't be fooled by his size, colour and kid like grin - Henry means business!"

"A really superb little cleaner. Compact design, nice long cable, large dust bag, and the suction is unbelievable."

"I have got cats and dogs so pet hairs have always been a problem and I have tried many different hoovers in the past with not much success. But Henry is great - picks up the hairs first time cutting hoovering time by half. GREAT! Highly recommended."

"Best cleaner I have ever used, as well as being the least expensive."

"It is strong, almost impossible to damage, light, easy to operate and has good suction. It is also gentle enough with the small brush attachment to clean our awkward light fittings. You can also run it without a bag. It is simply excellent value."