EU hoover ban: suck it up!

The EU’s ban on high-powered vacuum cleaners won’t take us back to a dusty age. I hate housework. There, I’ve said it. It’s dull. It’s tedious. And I can think of a million other things that are far more exciting. But as almost all aspects of life, it’s a box that needs to be ticked …

The EU’s ban on high-powered vacuum cleaners won’t take us back to a dusty age.

I hate housework. There, I’ve said it. It’s dull. It’s tedious. And I can think of a million other things that are far more exciting. But as almost all aspects of life, it’s a box that needs to be ticked regularly – unless you are lucky enough to have a cleaner. Amongst all household chores, vacuuming is probably the least energy-draining one. After all, the only thing you need to do is operate a simple on/off button and push a machine around. The result is a dust- and dirt-free living environment, provided your vacuum wonder has enough suction power.

However, as part of the latest Ecodesign Directive vacuum cleaners rated above 1,600 watts can no longer be manufactured or imported into EU countries. The ban affects some of the best-selling vacuum cleaners on the market including the VAX Power 3 U88– P3–B (2000W), Bosch BSG8PRO1 (1800W) and Miele S5281 (2200w). Is this the end of high-powered vacuum cleaners? Most likely. Is this bad for the UK and its rich vacuum tradition? Certainly not. Contrary to recent scaremongering, there is no need to stock up on super powerful cleaners. We’ve picked out five of the top low-wattage cleaners that perform just as well or even better than their bigger counterparts.

 

Dyson DC65 Animal Complete Upright Vaccum Cleaner

The Dysons have proved that strong performance and a high power rating doesn’t not need to go hand in hand. The DC65 Animal Complete is a beast of a vacuum cleaner and Dyson’s best carpet cleaner yet. Embedded in a sleek, futuristic design the DC65 boasts improved airflow and a new brush design for outstanding performance across all floor types.

Animal owners will fall in love with Dyson’s latest coup as the DC65 is specifically designed to tackle dog and/or cat hair that other machines tend to leave behind. Instead of brush bars Dyson’s Animal Complete uses counter-rotating heads to penetrate deeper into carpets and upholstery.

If you think your regular vacuum has been doing a good job, then you will definitely enjoy letting the DC65 loose on your floor. Dyson’s latest Ball technology allows for easy navigation and steering into difficult places. You also don’t need to change heads when moving from carpet to floor as the cleaner head self-adjusts to different floor. With a press of a button dirt and debris are released instantly – emptying a vacuum cleaner has never been that easy before.

The Dyson DC65 comes with a range of additional attachments so you won’t be restricted to one cleaning option only. Pick up one of Dyson’s latest models and you’ll definitely experience a step up in suction power that is worth the price tag. Dyson’s “Animal” line of vacuums also include the DC65 Multi Floor and Animal upright vacuum cleaner.

 

Bosch GS-50 Power Silence

Looking for an incredibly powerful yet quiet vacuum cleaner? Then the Bosch GS50 bagless vacuum cleaner is the right choice for you. Running at just 66dB on full power, the GS50 Power Silence can be used day and night without disturbing anyone. Despite its low noise level, the compressed 1,200W motor has the equivalent cleaning performance of a motor twice as powerful.

The Bosch GS-50 Power Silence comes with a range of accessories including a crevice nozzle, upholstery tool and removable furniture brush, offering maximum flexibility to the user. Thanks to an ergo grip handle and metal telescopic tubes, this carpet cylinder cleaner is easy to use and can reach difficult areas.

The HEPA filtration system ensures excellent dust retention and is ideal for people with allergies. From hard floors to carpets – Bosch’s quietest vacuum cleaner delivers exceptional airflow and suction performance. A proof that hoovers can clean and still be eco-friendly.

 

Vax U90-MA-R Air Reach Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner

If you are tired of carrying a bulky vacuum cleaner around your home, you will love the Vax Air Reach Bagless Upright Cleaner. At just 5.3 kg, it is extremely compact and lightweight, making it an ideal companion for people with back problems. Despite its slim design, the Vax Air Reach has the same power and capacity as a conventional upright cleaner.

An extra long power cord and hose guarantees easy maneuvering to clean hard-to-reach areas like stairs or corners of your ceiling. The brushbar can be adjusted to suit either carpets or hard floors and an LED indicator quickly alerts you of any blockages for better performance.

Pet hair is no challenge for this machine as the Turbo Tool will pick up even the most stubborn of hairs from upholstery and stairs. The separate HEPA filter helps reduce allergen, providing an even cleaner environment for allergy sufferers.

 

Numatic HVR200A Henry A1 Bagged Cylinder Vacuum Cleaner

One of the most popular hoovers in the UK, the Numatic HVR200A turns vacuuming into colourful entertainment. This bagged cylinder vacuum cleaner boasts an exceptionally powerful 1,200W motor that is virtually unbreakable. If you are looking for a powerful and reliable vacuum cleaner, Henry will never let you down.

Henry features a red finish and a huge 10m cord, giving you a total hovering reach of over 26m. No wonder Henry’s famous smiling face brightens up homes and commercial offices alike. In addition to two power settings, Henry provides a range of innovative features including two stainless steel extension tubes, a soft dusting brush and a combination floor nozzle.

Henry’s AutoSave technology ensures that you will not only hoover in style but also with a minimum energy output. The generous Tritex filter system captures every piece of dust and the HepaFlo dust bags improve both cleanliness and filtration efficiency. Once you get hold of a Henry, you will never want to give it away.

 

Sebo X4EXTRA Automatic Upright Vacuum Cleaner

At first glance, the Sebo X4 Extra looks look like any other upright vacuum cleaner on the market. But underneath it boasts a range of technically advanced features that will make your life a whole lot easier.

In addition to a powerful 1300W motor, the Sebo X4 Extra has an electronic sensor that automatically adjusts the brush height for premium performance on all floor types. The brush roller captures more dirt with less effort and moves it directly to the suction chamber.

Thanks to its slim design, the Sebo upright cleaner can be laid flat to the floor to clean dirt under beds and furniture. The S-Class filtration system ensures the cleanest air possible, ideal for sufferers of allergies or asthma.

Accessories include upholstery nozzle, crevice nozzle and dusting brush. The Sebo X4 Extra is German engineering at its best!