Hoover 5507-900 Elite Auto-Rewind Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner
by Hoover
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List Price: Category: Home See more product details |
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of Hoover 5507-900 Elite Auto-Rewind Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner
Customer Review: Better off saving your money towards a better vacuum...
Summary: 2 Stars
At first, my husband and I loved this vacuum. We have a lab puppy and live in an apartment where there is sandy soil. We had heard this model was particuarlly good for those of use who suffer from sesaonal and dust/mold allergies and for those of us who have a pet that sheds. For the first month, this vacuum picked up everything; but then its suction started to diminish. I took it apart to get a few clogs out. However, there must have been a clog that I couldn't reach, because the vacuum still would not pick up much of anything and continued to over heat when used. In the process of reaching the clog, I could not get the plate on the bottom of the head to reattach correctly. After all of this frustration (and having the service hotline, after having been disconnected by their system 3 times, tell me that they could not tell me how to fix it), I took vacuum into the local Hoover Service Center. The gentleman that worked there really could not help us, and we wound up going back 3 different times in 2 weeks trying to get this vacuum to go back to full capacity. Due to the recent restrutering, they do not have exact instructions on how to fix this particular model, and the diagram in the owners manual was not detailed enough to be helpful when reassembling it after looking for the clogs. Any needed parts have to be ordered, and may not come in before six weeks, as this model is not typically carried in Hoover stores. We bought a Dirt Devil Canister model and are much happier with it.
If you are considering buying this product, here are a few things you should consider that are not listed in the product description:
1.) It's true that the vacuum has a life-long hepa filter; however, the yellow filter in the canister periodically needs replacing. We burnd through one filter in 6 weeks just cleaning up dog hair from our one lab.
2.) Dirt clings to the canister and any area the canister may have touched. You can wipe the canister down and still not clean up all the dirt and dust.
3.) Getting help servicing this vacume is very frustrating, and parts are not readily stocked. Hoover service centers do not have much information on this vacume due the fact that it is newer and that they are going through a restructuring, and systems are being reestablished.
4.) When using the auxiliary tools, the brush does not turn off. This can wear out your carpet and rugs.
5.) The pet hair removal tool is nice, but does not work as well as the information would lead you to believe.
6.) The vacume comes with a one year warranty, but if they can't fix it, you have to wait for them to send you a new vacume. If the vacume breaks right before the holidays, like it did to us, you may find yourself with no other cleaning recourse.
All said and done, I would give this vacume a better rating if the Hoover company provided better customer service and support and if we had only needed a vacume to do basic cleaning. However, that was not the case.
Customer Review: The best vacuum I've ever owned!
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this vacuum in December 2006 and didn't expect much from it as I've purchased quite a few vacuums in my lifetime and never was completely satisfied with any of them. I always paid under $100 so it's probably my fault. So I thought.
At the time of purchase, it was under $100 but it had so many good reviews I thought I'd try it, mostly because of the cord rewind feature. I HATE rewinding cords. Just step on the button, hold the plug end with one hand and that baby is wound up in maybe 5 seconds. You do have to hold the plug on the cord with the other hand or be in danger of "cord lash" from the cord whipping around your ankle. Never has happened to me yet as I had been warned already from one of the reviewers here. It's a long thick cord, too. You only need to plug it in once for an average-sized to large room.
It blows my mind every time I use it. The suction is still amazingly strong and makes my carpet look like new each time I use it. It's powerful. I rate it a 10 for suction. It has large wheels which make it easy to roll around and maneuver. It's heavy but very manageable, even for me. I'm less than 5 feet tall and more weak than strong.
The dust catcher is also a 10. So simple to detach and empty without dust flying all over the place. The whole process also takes around 5 seconds or so. My hands stay clean. Love it.
Did I mention the rewind cord feature is a 10?
Where has this vacuum been all my life? After using it the first time I told myself if it broke in under a year, I'd purchase the same product. It's a pleasure to use and put away. My friend used it while here and wanted one for herself.
BTW, Amazon ships this free via FedEx or whatever. Love it. The first one I returned because the box looked damaged. The vacuum itself is not packed inside another outer box but shipped in its original Hoover container. Amazon delivered my new one before picking up my "damaged" one. That's what I call service.
UPDATE 11/21/2008
My vacuum just "stopped working" right in the middle of my vacuuming. I couldn't see any belt so thought the thing was just broken. I didn't know whether I should take it to the repair shop or just replace it. On a whim, I unscrewed all five screws at the bottom to see if something got stuck. I then saw the broken belt.
If you order this vacuum, be sure to order replacement belts at the same time. The belt is very thin and I don't think the local stores carry replacement belts for this model.
Belts can ordered thru the Amazon site or directly from Hoover site: Belt Model 38528-040 or its replacement equivalent.
Customer Review: As good as Dyson - at a quarter of the price!
Summary: 5 Stars
My mother owns a Dyson vacuum, which she bought to ensure quality. I don't have $400 or $500 to spend on a Dyson, but I was still really concerned about buying a quality vacuum. I did a lot of research, and after reading everyone else's reviews about this vacuum, I decided I would gamble $95 on what seemed to be a great buy.
Was it ever! I've only had it a day and it's already outperforming my old Bissell Featherweight. I just vacuumed yesterday with the Bissell, and the Hoover Elite Rewind sucked up another huge dustball this evening when I tested it out. I am also highly pleased with the assortment of the attachments and ease of assembly. I think the Hoover might weigh a teensy bit more than 18 pounds, but I could use the exercise and it's not even a factor because it performs so well. It has different settings for different floors, great sucking power, and it isn't even that loud. The "new vacuum" smell of packaging and plastic wasn't nearly as bad as I expected and went away after a few minutes - I'm really sensitive to smells, so it was a big concern, but one that was alleviated pronto!
Can't beat this Hoover's HEPA filter, long retractable cord, good looks, very helpful booklet (included in the box), and huge power for under $100!
One note: pick up EVERYTHING that might get sucked up - socks, shorts, pillows, blankets, pets' tails, baby booties, etc. This thing really pulls stuff in!
I hope to review again some time later to show how it's holding up, but I'm a happy girl right now!
Update: After owning this vacuum for a couple of years now, it's doing very well. It continues to have great suction and pull up all kinds of dirt, dust, pet hair and dander, human hair, and small detritus, even though I never changed the filter until just the other day. It's also very easy to take apart and clean if something gets into it that shouldn't. We just started watching my mom's 8-year-old smallish lab during the week at our fully-carpeted apartment, and even though I'm mildly allergic to animals, I've had no problems as I've vacuumed every other day. It's amazing how much of the dog's dander and hair I find in the canister (and I'm very glad not to have it in the air or on my floors)! When I vacuum my mom's rugs with her Dyson, I see similar puffs of dog hair and dander in the Dyson canister as I do in my Hoover Elite canister. Therefore, I'd say they're quite comparable as long as you care properly for your vacuum! I do note that the price has gone up on this unit, but it's still a better price than the Dyson! :) I will say, this vacuum's cleaning path is not as wide as the actual head of the unit, but other than that, I find no complaints.
Customer Review: I love this vacuum!
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this vacuum when my Bissell was in the shop for the second time in three months! I chose this over the Hoover EmPower, which is recommended by Consumer Reports. (When I saw the EmPower though, I didn't like that the Hepa filter is in the dirt cup, and the plastic body felt cheap. It's also a pain to remove the hose to use attachments!)
PROS:
*Pretty easy to push, even when on a low carpet setting.
*It holds a lot of dirt and fur.
*It has a lifetime Hepa filter.
*There is a primary filter, which prolongs the life of the Hepa filter.
*The cord is on a ratchet, so you don't have to wrap it around and around every time you use it!
*There is an easy release mechanism on the dirt cup so you can empty it without getting your hands dirty. However, it's still easy to take apart if you want to clean it out thoroughly.
*When you start your vacuuming with a clean dirt cup, you can see proof that you are really accomplishing something!
*The attachments are very easy to use, and transitioning from floor to attachments is simple.
CONS (What do you expect for under $100?):
*The cord isn't all that long, so I do have to use three outlets to get three areas of my house. (But just how much would fit on a ratchet reel? Winding a long cord manually is more time consuming than moving the plug to another outlet!)
*The primary filter, which looks like a small Hepa filter, needs to be banged on a rock or something to remove fine dust. (In Arizona, that's a lot!) It doesn't say it's washable, but I hosed it off one day and made it white again with no visible damage!
*The only extension wand is also the crevice tool; I'd prefer to have a large bore tube extension in addition to the crevice tool.
*The crevice tool likes to fall off sometimes while I'm vacuuming.
*As with ALL bagless vacuums, the dirt cup should be emptied in an outside garbage can because dirt WILL fly around to some degree. If that's not convenient for you, you should probably stick with bagged vacuums.
*I tried it on a bare floor near the cats' litter box, and just got my ankles sand blasted. Better to use attachments on bare floor, since the beater brush can't be disabled.
So now I have a Bissell CleanView Deluxe and a Hoover Elite Rewind. Despite minor drawbacks, I find the Hoover so convenient to use that I've been vacuuming daily since I got it! This makes my home cleaner - and even fresher smelling! This vacuum was very reasonably priced, and I really feel I got a great deal for the money.
Customer Review: it SUCKS! in a good way...
Summary: 4 Stars
we have 3 vacuums in our house and none of them get the job done. i kept one for the attachments, one for the fact that it's light and easy to use and one for "dirty" jobs like vacuuming our unfinished basement. but none of them did ALL the things i needed a vacuum to do.
i did some research, like most people, before i bought this vacuum. i was impressed with the ratings and reviews i read here on [...]. it's also priced over $[...] cheaper than target! i didn't want to spend more than $[...] and i really felt i could get the vacuum i wanted for that price.
i've had it about a week now and have given it a decent "maiden voyage". it's certainly quieter than my last vacuum, but not lighter. it's not too heavy though; it weighs about what you'd think a vacuum of that size weighs. one reviewer said it didn't have a handle, which is untrue - it's located on top of the clear canister.
the hoover is easy to push and man, does it have great suction! i really have no preference of bagless vs. bagged vacuums (each have their benefits), but it's neat that you can see the dust collection and know when it's time to empty.
my only complaint is this: all my floors in my house are non-carpet. 80% of my house is hardwood and the other is linoleum. i obviously use the low/hard surface setting and the bristles from the roller still brush the floor, making the chore of vacuuming a little louder than if it's just sitting upright. i am also worried the bristles might be ever-so-slightly scratching my floors. those bristles are pretty stiff. i guess i'll just have to wait and see.
i used the attachments this evening and they are so easy to use! the suction, again, is awesome. i didn't even expect it to suck up all the stuff it did. i swear, i want to vacuum everything in my house now!
overall, this is a great value. the bristles scraping the floor is something i am concerned about, but i'll have to wait awhile to see if that is indeed an issue. other than that, a great vacuum with everything i needed and nothing i didn't.
pros:
* that retractable cord thinigie is awesome! watch out though - it can whip your hand! it's that fast!
* great suction
* love the light!
* easy to push around the room
* attachments are perfect and easy to use
* fairly quiet
* easy to see dust to empty
cons:
* bristles hit hardwood/linoleum floors. may scratch floors. not sure yet. bristles also add to noise factor when on low/hard surface setting.