Customer Reviews

Hoover Tempo Widepath Upright Vacuum, Bagged, U5140-900

5 star:		(1,233)
4 star:		(708)
3 star:		(172)
2 star:		(100)
1 star:		(166)

 

 

This is not the product you think it is. The picture and schematic for this item are both WRONG. Hoover has changed the product but left the model number the same. The new revised unit is not the same old beloved vacuum to which all the reviews prior to 2010 are referring. This version is a cheap imitation of the former. This "revised" model features:

- NO Headlight
- NO Bag Indicator
- NO hose coupling dust cover
- CHEAPER plastic
- CHEAPER carpet brush
- CHEAPER hose
- SHODDIER construction
- INCORRECT user manual

It still has the same amount of suction but because of the cheaper brush it doesn't really get down into the carpet like the old one. It just glides on top over the carpet. The cheaper hose is a real problem, because if you ever suffer the misfortune of kinking the hose once you will never get it un-kinked again. The lack of headlight is not a big deal, but the picture shows it has one and some people may need this feature. The missing bag indicator means you have to keep stopping and checking the bag to see if it's full. The plastic parts are made from a cheaper flimsy plastic. This makes the unit lightweight but it also means not everything fits together properly, for instance several of the attachments are misshapen. The old unit used to have a dust cover so when you used the hose it would not spew dust into the room (because the brush keeps turning). The "revised" model has no dust cover so you better get ready for a face full of dirt if you pull the hose out over a dusty area. The general construction of the unit is sub-par compared to the old version. In fact, the user manual is still from the old version, meaning the assembly instructions are incorrect for the revised version. You will have to figure out for yourself where to route the power cord on the rear of the chassis.

The vacuum does still work, has strong suction, and works well on carpet if you put it on the lowest height and really dig into the carpet. But you can probably find something better for your money. And Amazon should update their product photos!

Got this a couple of months ago as per the CR recommendation. It works good on carpet, not so good on hard floors. For hard floors, the brush does not turn off and shoots the bigger junk around. But it works good on carpet, is pretty light, LOTS of power, a bag change indicator, and the attachments work well. Going to get another now! Make sure to get extra bags soon, they go fast.

Jan 09 update
Still going strong. I use it in twice a week on average for 15 min, no problems so far. Sucks like a...well, its strong.

Despite the rave reviews here on amazon and on other sites, I was not expecting much with such a low price. My expectations were certainly rewarded with an amazing value, a great vacuum, and the usual Amazon speedy delivery. It is really hard to believe that such a good product could be so inexpensive, even if it is made in Mexico. The build quality is excellent. However, for someone tall, like me, (6'4") the handle is not long enough, the bag is on the small side, and the unit is noisy (but not any more so than other vacuums I have had that were 3x the price), but those are the only negatives after a week of use. Instead of smelling dust while vacuuming, the air coming out of the vacuum is actually fresher and cleaner smelling than the air in the room. Searching amazon, one can find belts for $3 or less and bags less than $1 in quantity, so the unit should be inexpensive to operate. If I get five years out of the unit, I will be more than satisfied.

I read Consumer Reports and the MANY reviews on Amazon before I made my purchase, and I just have to say: I love this vacuum! I have long hair and 2 pets, so I know what its like to need a good vacuum. This one sucks up everything on my hardwood and tile floors and on the carpet. The attachments' suction is also incredibly strong- love it for couches and carpeted stairs. And you can't beat the price, but mind you, I was so in need of a good vacuum, I was willing to pay $500-600 for a Dyson till I started researching vacuums. And: its NOT too loud. :)

I bought this after my bagless needed the filter changed. After checking the price of the replacement of 2 filter. i decided to buy a new bagged vaccum as the 2 filters will cost up to $50. It's about the price of a new one!!! Then i checked the consumer report and found this U5140-900. It is light and powerful. a decent vaccum which is exactly what i want. It is even quieter than my old one. After i tried the bagless' messy way of emptying the waste bucket. i far prefect to go back to bagged vaccum. I will never use bagless again.

I read the Consumer Reports for the Tempo and also the Amazon.com reviews first and then tried to buy from a store in a big city but could not find it. Bought thru amazon.com for a total of $70.00. After an easy installation of the handle to the base of the vacuum I was set to go! This puppy is a little louder but it sucks so good on the carpet that the machine almost seems like a Self-Propelled model I used to have. On shorter pile carpet like Berber, it easily moves forward with little pushing. It comes with 2 allergy Type 'Y' bags. But I bought the cheaper type 'A' bag which is longer than the Y bag. All I did was fold over the top and bottom of the A bag and staple it to be the same size as the Y bag. Save some $$ this way as 2 Y bags cost $9.99 I think.
Highly recommend. Hoover Tempo Widepath.

Wow what a terrific vacuum cleaner. I bought this for my store when my old hand-me-down died. I of course bought it based on the low price and high reviews. I was downright stunned to see Consumer Reports list this as their Number 8 or 9 top rated vacuum in ANY price range! (Out of about 35 units!) Some people complain about noise, but it makes no more than a normal vacuum cleaner. I have no idea what the difference is between this and a $300 model. I mean, it sucks. But in a good way! I'd buy this again in a heartbeat. One of the best return on investment appliances I've ever purchased. 10 stars.

I bought this vacuum for my wife to replace an aging no frills machine. I didn't want to go with a bag-less model, as I have heard too many negative things about these. For around $70, this is an excellent, brand name (Hoover)(presumably American made, but now days, who knows? It has a powerful suction motor, which can be used as a blower by reversing the hose configuration. Comes with all the commonly used attachments. It also has a non-HEPA, washable secondary filter, a good alternative for the models with expensive disposable HEPA filters. Height adjustments easy and satisfactory. Easy to replace "Y" type bag (not hard to find at many retail stores). Headlight a plus. Comes with built in "bag full" indicator, a nice convenience that saves having to take the front hatch off frequently to check the bag. (The bag hatch, BTY, is easily removed and replaced.) The motor could be a little quieter, but I do not consider this to be a major flaw. Overall, a well made machine, with just the right number of frills, and a good value for the price.

This is a good deal. I will never buy another bagless vacumn. I'll take a sealed bag any day of the week. This vacumn works better than most models selling for 3 or 4 times the amount.

No, this is not a super-premium, top-of-the-line vacuum.
BUT, it is relatively well designed (and built), inexpensive, and much better all around than most of the more expensive vacuums out there today. If you've done any research into vacuums, you may know that "bagless" and "tornado" are the big keywords right now. And while bagless may be a good idea, it doesn't mesh so well with the other major trend in vacuums today... PLASTIC. If you don't know what I mean, go to any big box store and check out the really expensive ($300+) bagless vacuums...they're all plastic, including the "tornado chamber" and "bagless collection bin". The bucket where the dirt collects is made of plastic, and NEVER fits real tight. In fact, most of them jiggle around loosely. How can it possibly be "HEPA" if the bucket holding the dirt is loose?!

Anyway, this vacuum is mostly plastic, but the front panel that covers the bag compartment actually fits well (tight), and the bag system works really well. Also, while the bags that ship with the vacuum are not "HEPA certified", this vacuum CAN use the standard Hoover HEPA bags. My guess is that they just keep the cost low by selling it with the non-HEPA bag and without the "HEPA" logo printed on the box.

Overall, I'm very happy with this vacuum, both in terms of quality, and value. It may not be the built-like-a-tank Hoover of my childhood, but it is a great value.