If you or your family members suffer from allergies, it’s important to find a vacuum cleaner that can reduce the allergen load in your home to keep allergies at bay. Using an inferior vacuum cleaner that blows dander into the air through the exhaust can actually make the situation worse.
This is particularly important in this day and age when allergies are being called a ‘modern epidemic’, with 41 million people in the UK suffering from an allergic condition.
Finding the best vacuum for asthma and allergies, that minimises exposure to dust mites, moulds, and pet allergens is a key factor in preventing symptoms.
What makes Henry Allergy so special, and is it a good choice for allergy sufferers? In this Henry Allergy review, I’ll look at the good, the bad and the not-to-be-sneezed-at features
What Makes Henry Allergy Different
Henry Allergy has 2 modifications to the original Henry:
- The addition of a pre-motor filter to provide not two, but three levels of filtration
- A specialised hard floor tool especially designed for collecting dust and debris in cracks and crevices such as in floor-boards.
Pros
- 3 levels of medical grade filtration
- Large capacity
- Specialised floor tool
Cons
- Bulky to get up the stairs
- No brush-head which could be useful for collecting pet hair
- Ongoing costs of buying bags
Our Verdict
The three levels of medical grade filtration offered by this vacuum cleaner may be difficult to quantify, but the added protection it provides is invaluable. Few other vacuums on the market can match this level of cleanliness and safety.
As for its suction power and performance, it is on par with other Henry models – simply excellent. The included floor tool is a perfect addition for homes with floor-boards.
For those who suffer from allergies, I highly recommend this hypoallergenic vacuum cleaner. Its pre-motor filter, exclusive to the Henry Allergy model, cannot be retrofitted and offers superior protection against allergens. Plus, if you choose to start with this model, you can always add additional attachments and accessories later on to further customize your cleaning experience.
Specifications
| Capacity | 6L |
| Weight | 7.5kg |
| Motor Power | 620W |
| Suction | 2300mm H2O |
| Attachments | Standard Henry Kit + Free-flo tool |
| Filter | Hepa-Flo bag Tritex Filter HEPA-13 pre-motor filter |
Tools and Attachments
For all your cleaning needs, Henry Allergy has the perfect tool. The Henry Allergy vacuum cleaner is equipped with all the essential features of a genuine Henry model. It boasts a powerful motor for efficient cleaning and comes with the standard attachments for versatile use and all round cleaning. These include:
- Combination floor tool
- Dusting brush
- Mattress and upholstery tool
- Crevice tool
Combi Floor Tool
The floorhead attachment for Henry is a versatile tool that seamlessly transitions from hard floors to carpets. With Henry’s powerful suction, it provides consistent and effective cleaning on any type of flooring. A simple flick of the switch on the tool allows you to adjust between modes, raising or lowering the brush as needed.
While the floorhead works well for general vacuuming, it may not be as effective in removing pet hair. This is because it relies solely on suction and does not have a rotating brush to agitate and collect stubborn hair from carpets. For better pet hair removal, the Henry Petcare model comes with two turbo-powered rotating brush heads specifically designed to solve this issue.
This is a curious decision made by Numatic, not to have a floor head specific for pet fur (Airobrush), especially as allergies to pet hair are so prolific. However the Airobrush – found on Henry Pet – does require the pet hair to be physically removed periodically. I can only surmise that by not including the Airobrush, it prevents exposure to allergens through maintenance.
Free-Flo Tool
One of the key factors in obtaining an A-rating for dust elimination, is the specialized hard floor tool. This tool was created specifically for use on hard floors with grooves and cracks – like floorboards – where dirt and pet hair often gather.
The low-profile design of the floor tool includes rubber squeegees at both the front and back to effectively capture and concentrate suction. Despite these added features, it remains easy to maneuver thanks to the inclusion of two wheels within the head and one at the base.
Dusting Brush
Henry’s dusting brush is perfect for reaching those tough spots that are often overlooked by other cleaning tools. It excels at tidying shelves, blinds, and delicate surfaces. While it may not be the best for pet hair, its versatility makes it a valuable addition to any cleaning toolkit
Mattress and Upholstery Tool
This tool is perfect for deep cleaning sheets, mattresses, and couches. It is also gentle enough to use on delicate materials, keeping your furniture free of dirt and stains. The specialized mattress attachment from Henry effectively removes dust and allergens, creating a more hygienic living space.
Crevice Nozzle
Henry’s crevice nozzle is the ultimate tool for reaching into tight spaces. Whether you’re taking on a DIY project, cleaning out your car, or tidying up after furry friends, this versatile attachment will make the task a breeze. From hidden corners to narrow crevices, the crevice nozzle ensures that no spot in your home goes untouched
Are Henry Pet’s Attachments Good Quality
Henry’s attachments, like all Numatic products, are constructed from strong plastic designed to withstand frequent use without easily breaking. This consistent level of quality guarantees that Henry will continue to be a dependable cleaning partner for many years. You can confidently tackle any cleaning job knowing that the durability of the attachments won’t be an issue.
Features
The Henry Allergy model boasts all the same excellent features of the standard Henry vacuum: an uncomplicated design, an extended reach, hassle-free cord rewinding, and convenient storage for on-board tools.
However, this version is specifically designed for people with allergies, with the addition of a specialised medical grade pre-motor filter.
Another unique feature is the addition of a specialised hard floor tool.
Filter
The Henry Allergy vacuum stands out from other models due to its advanced three-stage filtration system. While other Henry models only have a two-staged filter, the Henry Allergy boasts an extra layer of protection against dust and allergens.
The first stage of filtration is the 6L HepaFlo filter bags, which are known for their durability and what-goes-in-stays-in policy. This large capacity means less frequent bag changes, and the self-sealing tab ensures that no dust escapes during the process. As a result, users are exposed to less dust and allergens.
Replacing the bags is a breeze as they come equipped with a convenient tab for easy closure once removed. This ensures that no dust or debris escapes during the process – what goes in stays in. While there is an ongoing cost for replacement bags, they come in a box of 10 and are unlikely to be used up in a year even for a household with multiple pets
Moving on to the second stage, we have the Tritex filter situated between the Hepa Flo bag and the powerful motor of the Henry Allergy. This unique three-layered microtex filtration system effectively minimizes any dust that may enter the motor or exhaust.
But what truly sets the Henry Allergy apart is its final layer of filtration: a medical grade HEPA-13 filter that completely encloses and seals the motor. This filter has the ability to trap particles up to 800 times smaller than the width of a human hair, making it ideal for those with allergies or sensitivities. Of note,this HEPA-13 filter is exclusive to the Henry Allergy model and cannot be retrofitted onto other Henry models.
Thanks to this advanced filtration system, Henry Allergy has earned an impressive A-rating for dust emissions and has attained the British Allergy Foundation seal of approval, solidifying its place as a top choice for allergy sufferers
Storage
Designed for convenience, Henry Allergy has onboard cable storage and additional space for two favorite tools, or more if they are nested. Never again will you have to frantically search through cluttered cupboards for your go-to cleaning equipment. With Henry Allergy, they are always at your fingertips, neatly stored on the back side of the vacuum.
For added convenience there is also a slot for the cleaning wand, perfect for pausing mid-vacuum or storing it away after use. No more fears of being hit by a falling wand when opening the storage cupboard
Ease of Use
Henry’s rubber wheels roll smoothly on carpet and hard floors, but like all canister vacuums, getting Henry to follow you around the house and not get caught on table legs and walls can be an art form. He has a rubber bumper running around the outside of him, which does have a tendency to stick him to surfaces.
The carry handle is great for moving him around the house, but he is still 7.5kg, so it can be tricky lugging him up the stairs. Noticeably, when on the move and the wand is in the storage slot, it doesn’t feel very secure.
Henry Allergy is easy to assemble without referring to the manual, and there are some neat conformations of the wand to reach high areas. The wand and hose pieces don’t click but slide within each other. Some people feel that this is a bit flimsy, and there have been reports of the plastic splitting.
Another downside of the friction fit of the wands is they can be very difficult to separate if they have been combined for prolonged periods. It is recommended to separate them reasonably frequently to prevent this occurring.
Maneuverability of the wand is excellent and the clever nozzle design makes it easy to get between chairs and even under beds.
It’s easy to switch between carpets and hard floors when using the combi tool.
The Henry Hepaflo bags are easy to access when the need arises – just unclip the lid and pull the filter off to get to the bags.
The cord winder is incredibly user-friendly and efficient, making it one of the most dependable on the market. It eliminates the need for any manual retractors and reduces the risk of potential malfunctions.
Use on Carpet
Henry Allergy excels on medium and short-pile carpets. For general cleaning with the combi floor tool, the results and performance are excellent. Because of the high suction of his powerful floor tools, he can be difficult to push and pull on long-pile carpets, even with the suction valve open.
Henry Allergy is so powerful, it can even lift some lighter rugs off the floor. There is an adjustable vent on the wand to reduce the pressure if needed. As a bonus, this doesn’t result in that annoying high-pitched noise either.
Instead of relying on a rotating brush, the Henry Allergy vacuum utilizes strong suction for cleaning carpets. While this may make it more difficult to push on longer carpets, it also results in a quieter operation with a noise level of 70-72dB.
Use on Hard Floors
Henry Allergy shines when it comes to hard floor cleaning. With a simple switch to hard floor mode, Henry’s powerful suction effortlessly picks up dirt and debris. The wide cleaning path allows you to cover larger areas in a shorter amount of time.
Henry’s combi tool is more than adequate for use on hard floors. And if there are no cracks in the hard floor surface such as in tiling or laminate, there is no need to switch to the additional hard floor tool.
However if you do have floor boards, it may be worthwhile making the switch to the specialised hard floor tool to ensure all debris is collected from deep within the cracks and crevices.
In comparing the combi tool to the hard floor tool, there is more of a snow plowing effect of larger particles with the specialised tool. However in terms of performance, the hard floor tool is slightly better, especially around the edges of the walls
Car Cleaning
As a corded vacuum, Henry Allergy is not the most convenient option when it comes to cleaning your car. Unless you have easy access to a power outlet in your garage or a long extension cord, using Henry for car cleaning may prove to be a challenge.
Additionally, his bulky size and cords can easily get caught around your tires, causing frustration.
However, with the handy attachment of a mattress tool directly to the hose, Henry becomes the perfect tool for deep cleaning seats, floor wells, and boots. The crevice tool is also essential for reaching those tight spaces between and under seats.
Comparison to other Henry Vacuum Cleaners
Henry
Henry Allergy is essentially Henry but with an additional pre-motor filter. He has the same powerful motor and same attachments, but also comes with the additional hard floor tool
Henry Pet
If you need a vacuum for pets and allergies, Henry Pet is worth considering. While Henry Pet does not have a pre-motor-filter, it does have additional floor tools called the Airobrush. These floor tools have a rotating brush that is great for picking up pet hair. As pet hair is a major source of allergens, this could be worth considering. The downside is that the fur has to be physically removed from the brush, which increases exposure to allergens..
| Model | Henry Allergy | Henry Pet | Numatic Henry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Features | | |  |
| Capacity | 6L | 9L | 6L |
| Tools | -Henry Kit -Free-flo floor tool | -Henry Kit -Airobrush270 -Airobrush140 | -Henry Kit |
| Filter | Extra HEPA-13 pre-motor filter | -Activated charcoal microfresh filter | -Standard |
| Price | Check Price | Check Price | Check Price |
Should You Buy a Henry Allergy?
For those in need of a powerful vacuum to combat allergens in their home, Henry Allergy is the perfect solution. With an impressive A-rating and seal of approval from the British Allergy Foundation, Henry proves himself to be the ultimate cleaning machine. His three levels of filtration and specialized floor tool work together seamlessly, guaranteeing minimal allergen levels on all floor types. Say goodbye to sneezes and stuffy noses, and hello to a fresh and healthy living space with Henry Allergy
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Jonno
Jonno is a homeware and vacuum geek who has tried them all, but always comes back to Henry hoovers for their performance and reliability. After helping Suzie get her blog up and running, he developed a (healthy) interest/obsession in learning and trialing the vacuums and loves contributing everything he has learned.
