Quick answer – there isn’t any difference, they’re exactly the same apart from the colour.
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Amid the myriad of hoovers available on the market, none are more iconic than Henry and his sister Hetty. These delightful vacuum cleaners made by Numatic International Ltd, are distinctive for their distinctive designs and superior cleaning prowess. However, when choosing which one to buy, it’s not immediately obvious which one you should choose and what the differences are between them.
In this article we’re going to go through exactly what’s different between Henry and Hetty, what’s the same and what you need to look out for when buying either one.
Some background on the origins of Henry and Hetty
Firstly, let’s introduce Henry, our red vacuum cleaner. Launched by Numatic International in 1981, Henry has gained a reputation for an iconic, timeless design that looks just as at home in 2023 as he did in the 1980s, while also being an extremely robust, reliable and capable product. In 2007, Numatic International introduced Henry’s sister Hetty (short for Henrietta). Dressed in vibrant pink, Hetty matched Henry’s cleaning effectiveness but offered an alternative aesthetic appeal.
The base model (otherwise known as the “160”) Henry and Hetty is equipped with a robust 620W motor, giving them impressive suction power to tackle dust and dirt. They boast an impressive 6-litre capacity before requiring emptying, providing ample space for dust collection during a clean. With their generous 10-metre power cable, they offer a wide cleaning radius, reducing the need for frequent socket changes.
Versatility is another strength, as they effortlessly transition from carpets and rugs to hard floors. A number of different accessories and additions are available to improve both Hetty and Henry’s versatility. Also, there are a number of versions of Henry and Hetty – the Henry and Hetty 160, the Henry and Hetty 200 (a slightly bigger cylinder and upgraded motor), and the Henry and Hetty Quick (a cordless stick vacuum.)
What’s actually the difference between Henry and Hetty?
On face value, Henry and Hetty’s distinguishing characteristic lies in their colours: Henry with his bold red casing and Hetty sporting a playful pink. Even their names signify a gender distinction, Henry typically being a male name and Hetty, female.
But looking beyond these visual differences, you’ll find Henry and Hetty are identical in functionality. They share the same powerful cleaning abilities, dust capacity, and user-friendly features.
The only difference is the colour and the fact that Hetty has eyelashes. Everything else is the same. This goes for the 160, the 200 and the Henry/Hetty Quick.
It’s worth mentioning that Henry comes in a few more forms than Hetty – namely the Henry Allergy, the Henry Wash and the Henry Plus XL. Maybe Numatic will make Hetty in these varieties in the future – but it’s definitely worth mentioning that a Henry Allergy, for example, is not the same as a standard Hetty.
Do Henry and Hetty cost the same?
Because they’re the same vacuum, Henry and Hetty cost the same. This goes for the 160, 200 and Quick varieties – the pricing is identical. Down below we’ve included some links to different iterations of the Henry and Hetty where you can go to compare prices – it’s possible that one retailer may have a discount running on either Henry or Hetty, but the RRP for both is the same and that’s what you can expect to pay.
Henry/Hetty 160
The Henry (HVR160)
The Hetty (HET160)
Henry/Hetty Quick
Henry Quick (HEN100)
Hetty Quick (HET100)
Henry and Hetty are widely available from high street stores too – Argos, B&Q, John Lewis, Tesco and Asda are all major retailers that consistently stock the Henry and Hetty product. However, you’re only likely to find the 160 model in stores to take away today (with the possible exception of Argos or maybe B&Q) so it’s worth doing a bit of research online to find out which one is most suited for you.
Conclusion
To summarise, Henry and Hetty, in terms of their cleaning performance and functionality, are almost identical twins. Their main difference boils down to their colour scheme and names. The choice between them ultimately hinges on your preference – a fan of red or more inclined towards pink?
Remember, when it comes to purchasing, ensure to compare prices across different retailers to snag the best deal. Regardless of your choice, you’re acquiring a dependable, robust and reliable vacuum cleaner that injects a bit of fun into cleaning.
This article may contain affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission from any purchases you make. For more information, click here.
Susie Greene
Susan Greene is a busy mother of two who has worked in the cleaning and vacuum industry for twenty years. Having used Henry hoovers for almost all that time, she's a passionate advocate of Numatic products and this is what led her to start henryhooversonline.com. While she's not seeing which Numatic model picks up dirt the best, she can be found travelling the country with her children and two dogs.
