Everything you need to know about Henry hoover

Numatic’s Henry hoover is one of Britain’s most recognisable and beloved vacuum cleaners since launching back in the early 1980s.

We’ve tested one cordless and five corded Henry vacuums ranging in price from £120 up to £339. They're a more affordable option compared with other big brands like Dyson and Shark, and they certainly have the nostalgia factor. But are they worth buying?

We send all our vacuum cleaners to be tested at an independent lab, so we can tell you how well they work on different floor types, how well they trap pet hair, dust and allergens, and how easy they are to use.

Find out what you need to know about the Numatic Henry range and how they compare in terms of price, dust capacity and weight. Plus, we answer common questions about these vacuum cleaners.

Which? members can read all our in-depth corded Henry reviews and cordless Henry reviews.

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Numatic Henry vacuums compared 

Most of the Henry family members are corded and bagged vacuum cleaners, although in 2017 Numatic released a cordless version of Henry and Hetty, which has a lithium-ion battery. 

The brand's first ever cordless handstick model was released in 2022 under the name Henry Quick. The standard variant comes in three colours (red, pink and graphite) but a pet variant in blue is also available and comes with an extra pet tool.

There are currently 20 Henry models listed on the Numatic website. For some of them, the only major difference is their colour. 

This is the case for Henry and Hetty – short for Henrietta – who is Henry's 'female' counterpart. The features and specifications of the two vacuum cleaners are exactly the same, the only differences are that Hetty is slightly smaller (although it weighs the same) and comes in pink or yellow, with long eyelashes. 

Our table below shows how the most popular models differ in weight, dust capacity, cleaning range and price. The technical specifications are shown, as stated by the manufacturer. 

Numatic Henry vacuum features

In general, the Numatic range of vacuum cleaners is pretty basic and not too flashy. Here's what you can expect in terms of features: 

• Combination floorhead – a staple feature of all Henry vacuum cleaners 
• Hardwood floorhead – a handy feature for homeowners with wooden floors (comes with Henry XL Plus, Henry Allergy HVA 160-11 and Henry Xtra HVX200)
• Turbo brush floorhead – a brush designed to pick up detritus from sofas and stairs (comes with Henry XL Plus and Henry Xtra HVX200)
• Mini pet turbo tool – a rotating brush for stubborn bits of dirt, especially pet hair (comes with Henry XL Plus, Harry HHR200-11 and Henry Quick Pet).

Some features, such as the turbo brush and mini pet turbo tool, are only included with certain models of Henry. But they are available to buy as an add-on and are compatible with some of the most popular Henry vacuum cleaners. We recommend checking the manufacturer's specifications to make sure your Henry is compatible before buying.

To find out how well Henry and the family performed in our rigorous lab tests – and compare our findings to the manufacturer's claims – read our corded Numatic Henry reviews and cordless Numatic Henry reviews.

What is a Henry hoover and why is it so popular? 

Henry is a flagship vacuum cleaner from Numatic International Ltd, a UK-based cleaning equipment manufacturer.

The vacuum, which is best known for its smiley face, was invented by the Numatic founder Chris Duncan and released commercially in 1981. Henry was introduced to the high street in 1985 and quickly became a household name. 

Henry was soon joined by Hetty, Harry, James and other models, and so Numatic's Henry family was born. 

So far, over 14m Henrys have been made by Numatic. It also remains the only mass-produced consumer vacuum cleaner still made in Britain, which may be another reason for its popularity.

Common Henry hoover questions answered

Can you use a Henry hoover without a bag?

In short, no. The manufacturer does not recommend using Henry vacuum cleaners without a bag. 

If you do, the dust from the cleaning will eventually clog up the filters and other parts of the vacuum. Regularly changing the bag will prolong the life span of your machine and it's more cost effective in the long run.

How to empty a Henry hoover?

The biggest indicator it's time to replace the dust bag is depleting suction when vacuuming. 

According to Numatic, to check if the bag is full, you'll need to pull out the two clips holding the top of the hoover to the drum, and lift off the top (Henry's head with the smiley face).

Remove the filter and you'll find the dust bag, which is attached to the tube in the drum. Remove the bag, close its sealing tab and dispose of it. Don't forget to replace the bag before you continue vacuuming or putting it away (it's really annoying to get the vac out ready to clean and find there's no bag in it!).

Is Henry Quick as powerful as corded Henry?

No. Powered by a 25.5V lithium-ion battery, Henry Quick isn't as powerful as corded Henry, which runs at 230V mains voltage. 

But that doesn't necessarily make for inferior cleaning performance. There are plenty of cordless vacuums that ace our cleaning tests and score much higher than some corded vacuum cleaners, regardless of their power.

To find out how Henry Quick fared in our rigorous tests, and how its cleaning performance compares with corded Henry and other cordless vacs, read our full Henry Quick review and corded Henry review.

Can you use a Henry hoover on wet carpet?

That depends on the type of Henry you own. There are some Henry family members (for example, George the wet dry vacuum cleaner) designed especially for wet vacuuming, including carpets. They even come with extra tools to make the job easier. 

Most vacuum cleaners should not be used to pick up any type of liquid. Make sure you read the manufacturer’s manual carefully to see if your Henry includes a wet vacuuming function. 

How can I make my Henry smell nice?

It’s a well-known fact that over time, some vacuum cleaners can start emitting unpleasant smells. 

The reasons differ, but it’s usually down to pieces of food (or other detritus) left in the bag for long periods of time, a blockage in the hose, or old filters in dire need of washing or replacing. 

Here are some tips to help your Henry stay smelling fresh: 

• Avoid vacuuming up large pieces of food or anything that could quickly block up your Henry.
• Steer clear of vacuuming liquids with a dry vacuum cleaner. 
• Make sure you replace bags if they’re full, or you vacuumed up something that smells less than pleasant.
• Regularly wash or even replace your filter, if it’s beyond repair.
• This won't be for everyone, but if you’re looking to make your house smell extra fresh after vacuuming, simply pop an air freshener (the car ones will do) in the main body of your Henry, on the bottom and below the bag.

Is Henry a HEPA filter vacuum?

HEPA stands for high efficiency particulate air and has become a generic term for highly efficient filters. HEPA vacuum filters capture smaller particulates that might otherwise not be trapped by your vacuum bags, giving extra relief to allergy sufferers. 

The flagship Henry vacuum cleaner does not have a HEPA filter. Most Henrys come with a TriTex or MicroFresh filter. The only vacuum cleaner with HEPA filter from the Numatic’s Henry family is Henry Allergy, which is designed specifically with allergy sufferers in mind. 

Read our full Henry Allergy review to see how good it really is at trapping dust and allergens.

Where to buy a Henry hoover

Due to the Henry’s popularity, the vacuum cleaner is available from most well-known retailers. Before making your decision to buy, make sure you check the store’s return policy, as well as their customer feedback and reviews.

Here are some popular retailers that stock Numatic’s Henry vacuum cleaners:

• MyHenry – linked to the Numatic website, Henry and the family are available to buy from the brand’s official store.
• Amazon – sells most of the Numatic family products.
• AO –  stocks a number of different Numatic products and ranges.
• Argos – stocks multiple variations of Henry vacuum cleaners.
• Curry’s – stocks a large variety of Numatic family products, including Henry.
• Donaghy Bros – Northern Ireland’s independent electronics retailer stocks a limited selection of Henry vacuum cleaners.
• eBay – offers a variety of new and secondhand Numatic products.
• Robert Dyas – the hardware retailer offers a selection of Numatic products, including the flagship vacuum cleaner.

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