Hoover Impulse – a new low-cost cordless vacuum

When it comes to vacuums that have stood the test of time, Hoover is a household name. The company has been in the industry for more than a hundred years and was among the pioneers who developed many of the technologies used in today’s vacuum cleaners. Things have changed a lot, of course, and other companies that also make great vacuums have come up. However, there’s that unique aspect of Hoover vacuums that makes many customers stick to buying only Hoover. The versatility you get with their cleaning machines from this manufacturer is in some ways unmatched. The cleaning efficiency, too, that allows the vacuums to suit different cleaning needs.

There are various Hoover models on the market, and the company continues to make new ones. Among them is the Hoover Impulse. This cordless stick vacuum holds a name for its ability to clean with ease. Not only that, but also that it picks up dirt superbly from a variety of floors and surfaces. Hoover tested the “cordless” waters before with it’s Air and Linx models. The new Impulse however is packed with good attachments, great suction power, and a host of other features which make it worth having it in your home. It provides for quick and efficient cleanups if you’re the type of person who’s does not like bulky vacuums. Read on to find out about the attributes that make the Hoover Impulse stand out as a versatile and efficient cleaner.

Specifications

Cleaning Efficiency

Taking into account that it’s a cordless vacuum, you will find the Hoover Impulse a powerful cleaning machine. The motor requires 10 A to run the unit. Although the company doesn’t state the vacuum’s suction power, this value of amperage for the motor shows how powerful the airflow is likely to be. I estimate the suction at 100 AW, which is comparable with Dyson’s latest V10. For a battery powered vacuum the motor provides enough suction power to ensure cleaning is effective for bare floors and low-pile carpets or rugs. With a powered brush roll and an excellent airflow, you’re assured of excellent results for a vacuum that does not run off a power outlet. The Hoover Impulse will also pick up hairs and other large debris from surfaces with ease. It means you can use it even if you have pets in your house. However, like most cordless vacuums, it can not provide that deep cleaning required by high-pile carpets.

Battery Power

This stick uses a 24V battery to power the motor; a powerful one compared to most other cordless vacuums. It’s possibly the same battery one can find on Hoover’s Fusion Max cordless. However, it runs for only 18 minutes which is too short to vacuum large areas or multiple surfaces. If you have a home smaller than 2000 sq ft, don’t worry about this, though. The “juice” should be enough to handle most of the stuff. Unfortunately, unlike the Fusion, Linx or the Air models, Hoover Impulse has the battery fixed to the unit, and therefore you can’t replace it with another one for prolonging your vacuuming sessions. Charging the battery takes between 3 and 4 hours when done from a standard 120 V outlet. The manufacturer claims the Hoover Impulse battery is fade-free which means it provides the same amount of power to the motor regardless of the diminishing charge. This would serve to ensure there’s no drop in suction power throughout the vacuuming activity.

Dust Capacity

Hoover Impulse comes with a 13 oz (0.4 liters) bin for the vacuumed dirt. Not a big space, but still usable for a vacuum that’s so easy to empty. I guess that making the bin bigger, as e.g. in the case of the Fusion Max model, would translate in a bigger weight, which is undesirable. Discarding the dirt and debris collected in the Hoover Impulse involves the simple process of pressing a button to open the bin. You can also remove the dust cup using an equally easy mechanism to access the filter for washing. The dust cup opens downwards to allow you to easily and safely empty the contents in the trash can. It means you won’t need to worry about dirtying your hands in the process. This is desirable in a bagless, especially if you cannot tolerate handling the dirt with your hands when disposing of it.

Filtration System Efficiency

Hoover Impulse uses standard filters to ensure the air leaving the unit is cleared of dust particles. The primary filter is a detachable foam type, while the secondary filter is fixed to the dust compartment. The primary filter is rinsable. Once in a while, you need to take it out and wash it under running water. After that, you need to allow it to dry for at least 24 hours before putting it back. Don’t worry about needing to vacuum when you’ve washed it because the Hoover Impulse comes with an extra primary foam filter to act as a replacement. The secondary filter can also be cleaned by detaching it from the unit and washing it with water. Here’s a short video which shows you how to do it:

Besides not being a HEPA, another negative aspect of the filtration system is the small size of the foam filter. This may result in more frequent clogging – you may need to wash this part more often.

Weight and Dimensions

This vacuum is a lightweight machine that gives you no stress to move, steer or carry around. Weighing only 5.6 pounds, it’s almost 2 lbs lighter than the Fusion Max model. Actually, it’s one of the lightest cordless vacuums out there and pretty much comparable with the Dyson V10. Its height is 45 inches, with a width of 9.5 inches, and a depth of 11.3 inches. The nozzle of the Hoover Impulse gives a 9.5 inches cleaning path, wide enough for quick cleanups.

Warranty

Hoover Impulse comes backed by a 2-year limited warranty. This might sound like it’s too short, given that Hoover mostly offers 5-year warranties for its vacuums. However, cordless vacuums have a usual warranty of 1 year. Hoover also goes head to head with Dyson here, as they both offer a 2-year warranty for their cordless units. According to Hoover, this warranty is only valid if the vacuum is used for household cleaning activities. Using it in commercial settings voids the warranty.

Accessories

You get a variety of accessories with the product. They include an extra filter, a crevice tool, a dusting brush, an upholstery tool, a wall mount, a reach wand and a charger. Also included are a storage bag and a user manual. You can also download the user manual from the manufacturer’s site.

Special Features

There’s not much to add here. There are no funky features such as LEDs to brag about. Hoover Impulse is just a light unit that you can carry around your home with ease. Being cordless, there’s no limit to the places you can use it. In addition to its portability, it comes with a wall mount for stress-free storage. You will need less space for it in your home, plus it means you can quickly grab it whenever you need to do some vacuuming. It features a swivel head that allows you to steer it effortlessly. With the easy swivel, you can expect guiding the Hoover Impulse around obstacles or going underneath furniture and appliances to be a breeze.

This vacuum also features a powered brush roll which ensures the dirt in the cleaning path is adequately agitated for easier pickup. As a result, the Hoover Impulse will clean carpets as well as area rugs provided they’re not deep pile. For a cordless vacuum, this is quite an attribute. The brush is removable so you can remove stuck hairs and other debris with ease. What’s more, the unit comes with tools to help you clean areas that are not easy to reach. There’s the crevice tool for tight spots that the main cleaning head cannot vacuum, an upholstery tool for your curtains, mattress covers and the couch, and a dusting brush to help remove stuck dirt.

The control mode is displayed on the dashboard of the unit. One of the things I really like is the fact that you can enter into the continuous power mode by double-clicking the trigger. The power remains “On” until you press the trigger again. I wish Dyson thought about that.

Usability

The unit doesn’t require much to assemble when new. There are only a few pieces to fit together, and you’re good to go. Its assembly is mostly clicking the parts into place. The state of the vacuum is indicated on the dashboard by means of various easy-to-understand symbols. They include battery charge level, cleaning modes, and a few others.

The vacuum allows you two cleaning modes: the hard floor and the boost mode. The modes vary the brush roll speed to match the type of surface being cleaned or the amount of dirt and debris present. The power “On” and “Off” feature is located on the handle and easily accessible. Using a trigger, you get to switch “On” the vacuum.

In case you’re wondering if the Hoover Impulse converts to a handheld, it does. It detaches easily to become a hand vacuum that you can use anywhere in your home. This versatility is one of the best attributes of the Impulse, one which allows you to clean a variety of places, both open and hard-to-reach. By attaching the wand, you can increase the reach of the vacuum to pick up the dirt in high areas.

The manufacturer makes the vacuum versatile enough by including several attachments. In addition to the spinning brush roll that cleans bare and carpeted areas, you can easily clean tight spots and special surfaces by incorporating the appropriate attachment the unit comes with. It improves the vacuum’s reach and efficiency. Speaking of the brush roll, it’s easily accessible:

Maneuvering the Hoover Impulse requires little effort. The swivel mechanism ensures turning it is pretty smooth while the light weight of 5.6 pounds means the unit won’t be a burden to move around during your vacuuming activities. Should you want to make the Hoover more usable for higher areas away from the floor, all that you need to do detach it and connect the tool you need to use.

Price

You can find this unit most of the times under $150. Prices vary a lot lately, so make sure you check out this page to see the current offer.

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Pro Reviews

The vacuum provides a powerful pick up of dirt and debris which allows you to vacuum both bare floors and low-pile carpets or rugs. With a majority of cordless vacuums sacrificing suction for extended battery runtime, the Hoover Impulse scores high. Despite its short operation time for a single charge, it cleans superbly and will leave your floor and upholstery looking great.

Hoover Impulse would make a great choice if you have limited space for storage in your home. It comes with a wall mounting bracket for the vacuuming unit and the various tools, which allows you to store everything conveniently and safely. You could still place the vacuum on the floor for storage, but it wouldn’t be without problems. The unit would need to lean against the wall. More still, it wouldn’t be as easily accessible as when kept on a wall mount.

The steering mechanism is also another great feature of this Hoover vacuum. It’s pretty easy to turn the cleaning head in the direction you want to. As a result, vacuuming with it doesn’t tire you out. This is in addition to its ergonomically shaped handle that allows you to vacuum for long without numbing your hand.

Last but not least, it’s one of the most accessible cordless vacuums on the market. Hoover strove to make it cheaper than the Fusion, even cheaper than Linx Signature.

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Con Reviews

Hoover Impulse is not powerful enough for heavy-duty vacuuming. You would need to look for a corded vacuum if your home is heavily carpeted and the carpets are deep-pile. But then, this is expected of cordless vacuums whose suction is limited to the amount of power the rechargeable batteries can supply. They’re mostly less powerful than corded vacuums, but more versatile and easier to use. They suit quick vacuuming and for floors and surfaces that are not that “messy”. Unfortunately, the battery is fixed and therefore, after the power is gone, you’ll have to wait 3h to use it again.

It doesn’t feature popular LED headlights. For those who have used a Hoover vacuum before, they may find the lack of lights to illuminate dark spots not appealing. But then, I’m not sure this is a must-have feature. Besides, the low-lying cleaning head, the excellent suction, and the accompanying tools make it quite efficient at cleaning even the hidden areas.

Another downside of the Hoover Impulse is the limited bin capacity. With the little space for dirt and debris, emptying the bin after every vacuuming activity is required, especially if there was a lot to be picked up. However, the emptying process is simple and doesn’t take a lot of time. And last but not least, you’ll have to wash the filter regularly.

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Hoover Impulse vs Hoover Linx Signature vs Hoover Fusion Max vs Hoover React

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As a final remark, I should say that the Hoover Impulse cordless is a great vacuum for those looking for a cleaner they can use anywhere in the home or on the go. It comes with the features you would want in a battery operated vacuum cleaner; adequate suction power, a powerful battery, excellent maneuverability and a host of other features. It’s powerful enough to pick up dirt even from low-pile carpets, something you don’t find in many cordless vacuums. While it may fall short in some areas, the Hoover Impulse is a machine you can rely on for your daily cleaning needs. It performs better compared to many other vacuums in the cordless stick category.