Customer Reviews

Hoover U6616-900 WindTunnel Self Propelled Bagless Upright

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(17)

 

 

I bought this just today, so if something happens adversely in the future, I'll update my review. However, just for today, I am DELIGHTED with this machine. Very powerful suction, and the "bagless" feature allows you to see exactly how dirty your carpet really is! We vacuum regularly (2-3 times weekly) , but this machine picked up almost a full cannister of carpet fluff, plus about 1/4 cup of gritty dirt, just from the living room. The machine I had been using was anotherr Hoover upright, about 4 years old, but half the amperage of the new model. I decided to replace it because I wanted to try a bagless model.
The dirt collection/filter cannister is quite easy to remove and, since it's transparent, it makes it quite easy to see when you need to empty it. I look forward to saving $$$ on vacuum bags!
The "self-propulsion" feature is nice and does make a difference.
The attachments (hand tools) are good, especially the powerbrush. A nice feature is that you don't have to readjust the machine to "hard floor" setting from "carpet" when using the handtools--a convenient change from the other upright vacuums I've owned.
My reason for not giving this model four stars instead of five was in the relative awkwardness of using the handtools with this upright--but that is probably going to be true with any upright. Hoover offers the option of purchasing an extension to the hose, so I might try that.

I just got the Hoover windtunnel self propelled bagless upright and absolutely love it. I was going to get the hoover upright that wasn't self propelled, however, this one was on sale and the same price. I am so happy I did. I am no weakling, but the self propelled feature is wonderful to use. It doesn't move by itself, but assists as you gently guide it along. I never thought I would need or like self propelled but now I'm hooked.

We have 3 cats in our household so I clean several times a week. I filled the canister with cat "fuzz" just from the family room. I never realized just how poorly my old vacuum cleaned, or else this one cleans better than imaginable. The bagless feature is great, not only is it easy to remove and dump but I like the dial that cleans the hepa filter. You just turn the dial and dump the dust that is brushed off the filter, and there was a lot of dust! I never had a bagless vacuum before, but when I dumped the canister, I saw that I had vacuumed up some change and the back of an earing. If I had used a bagged model they would have been thrown away.

The hand held tools are so easy to use. Just put the hoover in the upright position and the suction goes to the hose. Everything is so easy and straight forward even my husband could use it without ever looking at the manual first. I don't think I will ever enjoy vacuuming, but now I don't consider it a chore.

I purchased this vacuum after my old Fantom one bit the dust (no pun intended). The Hoover vacuum has some really nice features that I looked for when researching which vacuum to buy. Some new features I liked was I didn't need to unravel the entire cord from the vacuum in order to get to use the on-board attachments (big plus), the canister to pulls out VERY easily to empty the dirt and loads back in VERY easily (unlike my old vacuum that I had to play with the cansiter for 5 minutes until it clicked into place). This Hoover vacuum also has the rotating brush attachment which is very nice for my staircase.The only things I would change if I could would have to be the weight of the vacuum (very heavy to lift up & down the stairs). I would also like to see the dirt empty out from the canister easier. There are too many little crevises for the dirt to attach to & it ends up not falling out properly so I have to get my hands dirt to empty it properly. Other than those two things, I am very happy with my purchase and highly recommend this model to anyone wanting a very good quality vacuum. Also, a top magazine company rated this vacuum excellent which is why I seeked out this model.

Purchased this vacuum and used it after I had already vacuumed with my current machine. I completely filled the canister on the first use. What a great machine!!!

When we first received our vacuum we loved it. My mother has the Dyson and I could not push that because of how the suction is. The filter requires cleaning just about every time it's used or it becomes clogged and suction is reduced to that of a dust buster - and don't you dare get it wet. The belt design that drives the agitator is horrible. I've had the vacuum just over a three and I'm on my second belt. It becomes stretched quickly and they claim this is standard because you simply can't pick up anything more than dust with it! Hoover customer service basically stands behind the fact that this is a good vacuum - the top of the line for them and that the maintenance and the cost associated with that is normal. They did offer to send me new belts and Heppa Filter (the Filter is $45!). I have been kicking and screaming and even the repair shop that is certified by Hoover told me that they are always getting these in and the belt itself is a poor setup. A tip for all of you -- our reviews are wonderful -- but call a local repair shop before buying anything! I have never spent so much on maintenance on a vacuum in years - and this has been just 3 months!

I have had this vaccum for 3 months now and it sucks down to the concrete foundation! just kidding<br /> <br /> Seriously, I bought several vacuums, eureka, dirt devil vision, hoover savvy and this one. I kept them for a week and saved the receipts intending to keep the best one. This one happened to be the most expensive and the best. Far and above better than the eureka and dirt devil. <br /> <br /> It has much more suction than the other brands as evidenced by the quantity of debris in the dust recepticle. I cannot understand the reviewers who complain about the quantity of dust and debris, it seems to me that would be what the vacuum is intended to do. I have a little long-haired dog and a kitty but you'd never know it as this vacuum sucks up any tell-tale signs of them.<br /> <br /> I'm a neat-freak and appreciate the tools that are easy to use. <br /> <br /> If I had to complain about something it would just be that I think for the price they should include the long-reach extension hose instead of having it as an option. Also some type of attachment to get under low furniture would be a good thing. <br /> <br /> This vacuum is rated best by a leading independent, non-profit testing company for a reason, and the reason is that it simply is the best one made. <br /> <br /> I have researched extensively before I decided on the ones to put to the test myself, didn't include the dyson models because their reviews in england are no so good. Dyson has been used for many years in europe before it's recent introduction into the US. Also, according to the independent product reviewing company the latest dyson model is not much better than the prior one. This is my second hoover and the first one lasted me from 1985 until just recently (Hoover Elite 350). All the while I used the old hoover upstairs I bought and went thru the following which all went south for one reason or another (usually I got tired of replacing the broken belts):<br /> <br /> 1. Regina Housekeeper Plus<br /> 2. Eureka<br /> 3. Eureka "The Boss"<br /> 4. Dirt Devil "Vision Bagless"<br /> <br /> I highly recommend this to people with allergies to dust and dust mites and those with pets or anyone who is a clean-freak. The belts seem to stay on the Hoover machines much, much longer than any of the others I've ever had. It's a very tedious procedure to replace a belt on a dirt devil or to remove a clog, the thing would CONSTANTLY clog with pet hair. This hasn't ever happened with any of my Hoovers. <br /> <br /> I hope this helps you make an informed decision.

Warning!!! My vacuum motor just blew up!!! When I first bought this vacuum I wrote a raving review. But now I feel compelled to change my review. I spent a lot of money on this vacuum and it only lasted me 2 years!!! While vacuuming the other day and the motor just stopped working. I took it to be fixed and was told that the dive motor burned up and is unfixable! I was made aware this is a common problem with this "self propelled" machine and with pet owners. Although I do own a dog but she does not shed hair!!! I am very disappointed because until now I was very pleased with this vacuum. If anyone has any suggestions for an alternate vacuum, I am now in the market looking for another brand.

Pros
- Good Suction for the 5 weeks it worked.

Cons
- EXTREMELY heavy -- if you have stairs, you'll need a yak to carry this behemoth up and down them. And, you'll have to plug it in and turn the motor on when you're moving it from the closet to the living room because without the self-propelled motor on, it is very difficult to push across carpet.
- LOUD -- very nosiy. Forget putting the baby to sleep with this one. Buy Earplugs.
- VERY POOR Workmanship -- The attachment connector broke right away and the brush stopped turning after 5 weeks.
- DIRTY, DUSTY, UGLY: Emptying the "bagless" dustbin is just awful. Dust and dog hair everywhere -- particles so fine, they are still floating in the air an hour after empting the bin. The dust bin never really gets clean and even after just emptying it, the "see though" window makes your vacuum look disgusting all the time. I will not buy a bagless vacuum again.

I returned it after it broke and got my money back. Consumer Reports picked a lemon.

Out of the box, the vacuum is a strong performer. As others have written, the filter requires cleaning just about every time it's used or it becomes clogged and suction is reduced to that of a dust buster. The belt design that drives the agitator is marginal at best. I've had the vacuum just over a year and I'm on my third belt. I just ordered three more to hopefully carry me another year. I wrote Hoover to explain the design flaw and got a typical "sorry for the inconvenience, please visit our web site again". I'm an engineer by trade and clearly this thing was a design flaw. It becomes stretched quickly and fails to engage the agitator. Do yourself a favor, go with the $100 more Dyson. Hoover customer service obviously isn't concerned about satisfied customers because a second response strictly said thanks for the input and declined to re-imburse me for the $5 belts (5 purchased to date). Maybe their strategy is to sell lots of belts to increase their profits.

After wrestling with heavvy Kirbys for 25 years, we find the Hoover WindTunnel self-propelled bagless vacuum a pleasure to operate and it cleans, cleans, cleans! We recently lost our beautiful black standard poodle and while it's mostly true poodles don't shed, we groomed her and there was some hair in the carpet. We had vacuumed twice after her death but could not believe the amount of hair, fluff and dirt picked up by the WindTunnel the first time we used it. Our carpets are so much more resiliant (clean!) and the Hoover is so easy to move when not in use (just put the handle in upright and tilt up the front wheels). The attachments are easy to use, we especially like the upholstery brush. My husband has a pulmonary problem and we believe WindTunnel vacuum and the Hoover Agility steam vac, which we also purchased, will help him. We recommend both of them for the household that cherishes clean!