I hope my feedback below isn?t seen to be too negative. I would like it to be constructive criticism to enable you to improve your next model. Thank you so much for letting me product test the Globe, it has been very interesting to try a Hoover as we have had our Dyson DC04 for 11 years (it finally died when the power lead split)
Q1. What opinion (if any) did you have of Hoover products in general before you tried using the Globe? Has using the Hoover Globe changed your overall opinion of Hoover products at all?
I thought Hoover products had a quite old fashioned design before receiving the Globe. Although it does look a little dated (the bottom bit that pushes along the carpet has an old-fashioned look to it) I did love some of the new features? compact handle for storage and the more ergonomic lifting handle on the front which is great for picking the vacuum up.
I think it has changed my perception of Hoover slightly and would look at their products in the future.
Q2. Thinking specifically about the Hoover Globe, how did you find it to use? Were you happy with the performance or not? Did you feel that it did everything you needed it to do? If not, why not?
I found it quite heavy to push but it might just be me getting used to the ball rather than a traditional upright (we had a Dyson DC04 previously). It seemed to pick up well but unfortunately it has a smaller waste collection bin than our Dyson and therefore needs emptying more often!
Pet hair attachment was difficult to work out how and where to use it. I tried it on our stairs but using it seemed to stop the brush rotating. I did however use it on our cat?s igloo house and it did seem to work quite well. Some more information about how best to use this tool and what it?s designed to be used with would be helpful. It?s the right size for hovering the stairs yet doesn?t work, I therefore have no idea where I?d use it.
It is a little annoying that the carpet pile selector isn?t automatic. I particularly worry about my DH using the Hoover and not selecting long pile before using it on our laminate floor. In fact, I?m likely to forget too! The manual says it might then damage our flooring which is a bit worrying.
The 3-in-1 tool is handy though and I?ve used it successfully to ?dust? the tops of our units and the tops of certain poles etc. It has a good reach to it and I really like the ability to adjust the angle of the tool.
The crevice tool seems to only be designed to be used with the extendable hose (not the handle extension) so I gave myself backache using it around the edges of our kitchen and lounge. The hose however, was of a fantastic length and enabled me to hoover the whole of our stairs.
Q3/4 How does the Hoover Globe compare with your old vacuum cleaner? Did it work just as well, better or worse?
I think it picks up better than our DC04 (but that might be because the Dyson is now 11 years old!) and it?s certainly got smaller dimensions, so it?s easier to store.
The length of the hose is exceptional and enabled me to hoover our 13 stairs with ease.
Q5. Did you feel that the Hoover Globe was easy to manoeuvre or not? Was there anything that you found easier to do than with other vacuum cleaners you've used?
The ball design of the Globe does make it easier to manoeuvre in tight spaces and to vacuum our round rugs (on laminate floor). Very easy to steer compared to traditional uprights. Does take a bit of getting used to though!
The Globe is narrower too than the DC04 so easier to get between chair legs etc and it also lies quite flat so gets further underneath furniture.
Q6. How did you find the challenges to do? If you have stairs, did you find it easier to clean them, or was it harder or about the same as before?
It was easier to clean the stairs as the hose reached right to the top step (13 stairs). With the crevice tool pushed directly into the end of the hose, it was easy to clean the stairs. Usually, I?d have to move our Dyson onto the wider corner stair to enable me to get to the top and the hose is at full extension.
Q7. What, if any, improvements would you make to the Hoover Globe if you could?
All the tools need to be stored on board. It?s a real pain carrying the 3-in-1 multi tool separately and there?s not even a hook on it in order to hang it up in our under-stairs cupboard, it just leans up in the corner or falls on the floor.
I don?t like that the separate extension hose pushes into the bottom plate. I think it looks dated and Dyson manage this aspect much better. Plus you need to detach the handle and slot it into the extension hose too which is just that extra step that I don?t do with the DC04. Plus, you also then need to work out which tool fits either the top of the handle or the end of the extension hose. I?ve never had to read an instruction book for operating a vacuum cleaner before as it?s usually obvious, unfortunately I did need to do this for the Hoover Globe. Universal connector needed for both extension hose and handle so you can plug all accessories into both. Very annoying with the crevice tool as mentioned above, even with the crevice tool extended, it gives me backache using it as you have to plug it directly into the hose and can?t use the handle as an extension.
Finally, I?d make the collection bin bigger. The Dyson one is about 4 times the size, so I reckon I?ll need to empty it after every use. I do like the bottom release to empty the bin though, makes it much easier to empty.
Currently the cord is wrapped around the handle as it took so long to wind it around the two pegs. The cord is a good length but the pegs are too close together and the extendable hose gets in the way too. A retractable cord would be good, or I?d take a taller model in order to have more distance between the pegs.
Q8. If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the product to a friend? If so, why? If not, why not?
I?m not sure I?d recommend the Globe because, for me, the cons outweigh the benefits. As mentioned in Q7 above, I think the Dyson executes their design better, especially in relation to switching from carpet to hard floor, on board tool storage and the extension hose/attaching of accessories.
I would however let friends know that I do like the 3-in-1 multi-tool and also the long extension hose. These features might well sway it for some people.
Q9. Would you consider buying a Hoover in future? If so, why? If not, why not?
I would consider looking at a Hoover model in the future but I would also want to see it in a shop so I can have a good play with it. This product test has made me realise the features that are important to me ? mainly simplicity of use and a minimalist/timeless look.
Before testing the Globe, we were going to replace our DC04 with a Numatic George. It does have wet/dry features, but it?s the simplicity that I like. Everything slots into the extension hose, it automatically selects carpet/hard floor? makes it very simple for DH to use!! Unfortunately, I think we will ultimately buy a George, for these reasons.