Hoover Widepath Fold-Away Bagless Vacuum, Model U5175-900

Author's Rating:

Pros: Light-weight, compact, powerful, bagless, affordable

Cons: None

The Bottom Line: 
This is one powerful vacuum for the price. I highly recommend.

Author's Review
Hoover Widepath Fold-Away Bagless Vacuum, Model U5175-900

I purchased my Hoover Widepath Fold-Away vacuum at Sears, and I couldn't be more pleased with the purchase. The primary criteria I was looking for in a vacuum were low cost, lightweight, powerful, and compact. The Hoover Widepath Fold-Away met all these criteria and has exceeded my expectations.

If you've shopped vacuum cleaners lately, you've likely noticed there aren't many models in the under-$100 price range these days. At the Sears store I visited, there were only four models to choose from in that price range. I carefully inspected the four options, and engaged in conversation with the sales clerk concerning the pros and cons of each model. In the end, the features that turned out to be the deciding factors in my decision to go with the Hoover Widepath Fold-Away were the weight of the unit and ease of operation, and at $79.99, the price was right.

Weighing in at just under 21 pounds, the Hoover Widepath Fold-Away is a lightweight vacuum that requires very little physical strength to operate, a major concern to me as I have two injured hips and generally find vacuuming to be a physically grueling chore. The Hoover Widepath Fold-Away was the lightest model I tested, and exceeded my expectations in the weight department.

Besides the light weight, the unit is extremely compact. With the handle folded down, the unit measures less than 2 feet high, allowing for easy storage.

The bagless option was a new concept to me, however one that I was very interested in. No more bags to buy, and the filter is easy to empty and clean. This is a huge improvement over previous models of upright vacuums that required the bags to be replaced periodically. Even better, the filter employs an allergen filtration system that filters out dust mites and common pollen irritants.

Making this vacuum even more appealing is the incredible suction power. As I share my apartment with a canine companion who sheds quite a bit, I needed a vacuum that would easily deal with the fine hairs that tend to accumulate in my carpet. The Hoover Widepath Fold-Away is one powerful vacuum. I was stunned at how much dust, hair, and grime came up from my carpet the first time I used the machine. On the one hand, I was disgusted to know there was that much filth built up in my carpet. On the other hand, I was greatly impressed that the filth was no longer in my carpet, but had been sucked up into the bagless canister.

Although I tend to use the unit for carpet only, the Hoover Widepath Fold-Away is adjustable to various floor heights, from hardwood to shag carpet.

The unit comes with several attachments, including an upholstery nozzle, a crevice tool for reaching into tight spots, and a hand tool for use on stairs. If you're comparing this model to the less expensive U5172-900 unit, the 5172 does not include these extra tools.

There are a few other great features, such as a 9.5' cord length, 15" cleaning width, and triple-stretch hose allowing the hose to stretch to a distance of 8', and a one-year warranty.

This model comes in Arctic White with a clear canister, making it an attractive, clean looking unit.

I've been very pleased with the performance of this vacuum, and would say that overall it has exceeded my expectations. This is one powerful vacuum for the price.