Stick vacuums are lightweight and compact, making them a solid choice for a quick pickup or even as your main vacuum if you live in a smaller space. But the sheer number of makes, models and price points on the market can turn a simple purchase into an overwhelming shopping experience.
We’ve gathered and analyzed reviews from experts and consumers to help you determine which vacuum is best for you. After all, what works perfectly for a mom with three toddlers and a menagerie of pets could be overkill for a single guy with a goldfish. Here’s our review of the Hoover Linx.
The vacuum
Since it began manufacturing vacuum cleaners in 1908, and for decades after, Hoover has been the name in vacuums. But it, along with the rest of the vacuum industry, has come a long way since that first clunky upright: The Hoover Linx BH50010 is cordless, bagless and weighs just 7.3 pounds.
Among the vacuum’s features:
- A low-profile swiveling head, which allows it to slide under furniture and counters
- A powered brush roll with wind tunnel technology that gives you both brushing and suction
- A lithium battery that you can charge alongside your phone in a smaller docking station. You can also buy an extra battery for extended cleaning, as each charge lasts about 20 minutes.
The Hoover Linx BH50010 is available on the manufacturer’s website for $179.99, but you could save money by going through retailers such as Amazon.
Compare the Hoover Linx with other top vacuums in NerdWallet’s Best Stick Vacuums
The reviews
Hoover markets the Linx BH50010 as powerful and easy to maneuver, but how will it really fare in your home?
To get a better idea, we analyzed reviews of some of the most popular stick vacuums on the market to come up with a definitive buyer’s guide. We looked at expert opinions from review sites such as The Sweethome, CNET and Good Housekeeping. Next, we analyzed user reviews to see what shoppers were saying about the various attributes of each vacuum.
To make our ratings, which run from a low score of 1 to a high of 10, we considered what users reported about the vacuums’ overall performance and how they performed in a variety of settings, such as on stairs or hardwood floors. We also factored in reviewers’ observations on characteristics such as noise level, durability and battery life for a well-rounded look at each model.
Out of the stick vacuum varieties we analyzed, the Linx ranked seventh overall. Earning a score of 9.8 for its efficient carpet-cleaning abilities and a 9.2 for ease of use, the stick vacuum is a hit with customers who have more rugs than hardwood floors. Although the Linx scored an 8.4 overall and a perfect 10 on stairs, it scored a relatively low 7.1 in battery life.
The pros
Not surprisingly, reviewers had plenty of compliments for the vacuum’s carpet-cleaning abilities; many said it worked as well on long shag carpeting as it did on tightly knotted Berber rugs. Additionally, users liked how well it cleaned (9.7) as well as its performance on hard floors (9.5) and stairs (10).
Reviewers offered the most praise for these features:
- Powerful suction
- Ease of use
- Ease of transition from hard floors to rugs or carpeting
The cons
Though many reviewers specifically mentioned how well the Linx worked on pet hair, it scored an 8.8 in that category, so the sentiment wasn’t universal. The vacuum also scored relatively low on battery life (7.1), an issue several users solved by purchasing a spare battery along with the vacuum.
Reviewers cited the following problems:
- Didn’t work on pet hair
- Scratched floors
- Eventually lost suction
The verdict
Because the Hoover Linx scored well on carpet-cleaning abilities, its ideal user would have more rugs than hardwood or tile. The vacuum’s powerful suction (at least initially) and overall ease of use make it a smart buy for shoppers with a smaller house or those looking for a second vacuum for another floor in their home.
Compare other popular vacuums here:
- Dyson V6 Motorhead vs. Hoover Linx
- Dyson Ball vs. Shark Rotator
- Roomba 880 vs. Roomba 870
- Hoover Air Cordless vs. Linx
- Eureka AirSpeed vs. Hoover WindTunnel
- Neato 80 vs. Neato 75
Read our vacuum round-ups here:
For more vacuum buying advice, check out:
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