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Dyson vs Henry (& Which One is Better)

 

You need a new vacuum cleaner, and your choice is down to Dyson vs Henry!

You feel overwhelmed and can’t decide which one to buy.

On the one hand, you like the quirky Henry and its reliability. On the other, you recognise that Dyson is a known brand for state-of-the-art technology, power, and convenience.

You need more information to disperse confusion.

Look no further.

In this post, I will help you make up your mind by:

  • Providing an overview of the features for each (Henry and Dyson)
  • Comparing their design.
  • Comparing the price of a Henry and a Dyson (and value for money).

Are you ready?

Dyson or Henry, this is the question

Both Henry and Dyson vacuums have their strengths and weaknesses. Henry vacuums are known for their reliability and affordability, while Dyson vacuums are known for their advanced technology and high suction power.

These vacuum cleaners have different functionalities and features.

It is no accident that Henry is the professional cleaner’s favourite.

Henry vacuums are known for their reliability and simplicity. They are typically used for general cleaning tasks, such as cleaning floors, carpets, and upholstery. Henry vacuums have powerful motors and high-capacity dust bags, making them ideal for cleaning large areas quickly and efficiently. They also have long, flexible hoses and a range of attachments for cleaning hard-to-reach areas, such as stairs and tight corners.

On the other hand, Dyson is the modern household’s vacuum cleaner.

Dyson vacuums are known for their advanced technology and versatility. They offer a range of features designed to make cleaning easier and more efficient. For example, many Dyson vacuums use cyclonic suction technology to capture dirt and debris, while others offer cordless operation for greater flexibility and mobility. Dyson vacuums also typically include HEPA filtration systems to capture allergens and other microscopic particles, making them ideal for people with allergies or respiratory problems.

Let’s now look at some specific differences between Henry and Dyson.

Dyson vs Henry – comparison of key characteristics

Here are the critical differences in design, functionality and price between Dyson and Henry vacuums.

Design:

  • Henry vacuums have a classic, retro design with a smiley face on the canister. They are typically made of sturdy plastic and have a long, flexible hose.
  • Dyson vacuums have a sleeker design, with a distinctive clear canister that lets you see the collected dirt. They are typically made of durable plastic and come in various shapes, sizes, and colours.

Features:

  • Henry vacuums are simple, with few bells and whistles. They typically have a powerful motor and a large dust capacity, but they generally lack the advanced features of other vacuums. When deciding whether to buy a Henry, remember that it uses dust bags, which you must buy separately and regularly.
  • Dyson vacuums are known for their advanced technology, such as cyclonic suction, HEPA filtration, and cordless operation. They are often more expensive than Henry vacuums but may offer greater suction power and versatility.

Price:

  • Henry vacuums are generally more affordable than Dyson vacuums. Depending on the model, they can range from around £120 ($150) to £250 ($300).
  • Depending on the model, Dyson vacuums are generally more expensive, ranging from around £200 ($300) to £600 ($800) or more.

Here is what I love (and don’t like) about my Henry

henry vs dyson

I love the quirky face, I do.

But more importantly, I like that it is simple and reliable. Having said that, we always buy Numatics Henry and – separately – Turbo Air Brush.

What do I dislike?

Using dust bags with large capacity means the collected dust starts smelling (especially if you have a pet).

Here is what I love (and don’t like) about my Dyson

It is effortless and fast to use (I have the cordless one).

The suction is excellent and very welcome when you have pets. (We have a dog, and keeping the house clean is much easier with the Dyson).

Emptying the dust straight into the bin – no dust bags – is very convenient.

The HEPA filtration is terrific. Keeping the filters clean also means that there is no smell after use.

What do I dislike?

The cordless has a limited time span. (This is okay if you plan your vacuuming carefully.)

Also, the battery must be changed every few years or so.

Henry vs Dyson – the verdict

Whether you buy a Henry or a Dyson vacuum cleaner depends on your needs, preferences and budget.

If you value simplicity, durability and affordability, a Henry vacuum may be your option. Also, Henry is a solid vacuum cleaner for heavy-lifting cleaning.

A Dyson may be more appropriate if you want a high-performance, advanced-features vacuum cleaner.

Which one do I prefer?

In our household, the Henry and the Dyson complement each other. We use the Henry for the big, weakly clean and the Dyson to maintain areas of the house clean in between. (But we have Suzy the Dog.)

You can use a simple rule of thumb – choose Henry if you want a reliable, long-lasting vacuum. On the other hand, if you have pets, family members are allergic, and you can shoulder the cost, a Dyson is perfect.

Remember, there is no such thing as better; there is only better for you!

Photo by No Revisions on Unsplash

(This post was first published close to a decade ago and updated several hours ago. During this time we have gone through two Henry vacuum cleaners and also have a Dyson.)

9 thoughts on “Dyson vs Henry (& Which One is Better)”

  1. 😆

    Apologies for creating disharmony in the Moneyprinciple household, but what you want in a hoover is a lot of “suck” and Henry wins hands down hon.

    Engineering is so simple you can fix it with a butter knife (you don’t even need a screwdriver) – there is nothing to go wrong.You can even wash Henry’s filters to make sure you capture all the allergens. Simple, spare, effective engineering – like a Sherman tank LOL

    But I am with you on one thing – no pink hoover in this house. LOL

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  2. I think I’ve had most makes of vacuum cleaners over the years. I’m too mean to have ever bought a Kirby or a Dyson but I did have a Henry for some years.

    Now, we have two lightweight cleaners – one upstairs, one downstairs. I can’t carry heavy or awkward items up or down stairs any more so I’m future proofing. I do like being able to grab a vacuum for a quick whip round if there are spills.

    Bear in mind that there are only two (supposed) adults in the house and we no longer have any messy pets – tropical fish don’t shed hair!

    To bring it back to the financial aspect. A vacuum cleaner is a tool to help you keep your home running with the minimum time and effort – as you well know, cleaning is a job which only pays low wages. Therefore, if you can earn more than minimum wage, any time which can be diverted to your ‘real job’ is a win in a financial sense.

    I do agree that a pink vacuum cleaner is an absolute no-no. I do have my standards.

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  3. My wife bought a Miel 1200 something or other. It sucks dirt that hasn’t even arrived yet. It’s quieter than a speeding feather falling to the floor. When she bought it I nearly died when she said spent close to $1000 but it is a pretty powerful machine.

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  4. Am with Elaine on this one – Had three vacuum cleaners in my life – a hoover which set itself on fire as it was built wrong (got a free new one but didn’t trust it), a dyson which was really noisy and too heavy for me to actually carry upstairs comfortably, and now a henry which is so easy to use, has a mega cable and even the kids want to use it – no contest for us really.
    I have watched our cleaners at school using henry’s for years on tough Christmas craft glittered carpets and mod-roc plaster powder and he definitely “does what he says on the tin”

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  5. My best friend has central vacuuming in her home, and she swears by it! I have an oooooooold Bissell, and it’s miserable – it’s time has come. My mom has one of the newer Dysons (although it’s refurbished) and loves it!

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  6. I just added the Dyson to my wedding registry because of the sleek looks and the superb engineering. I absolutely love the ball mechanics. The number one thing I hate about vacuums is the fact that they are so difficult to maneuver around tight angles.

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  7. Thanks for your responses, my friends. Just to let you know that we are the owners of a funny Henry. I know, this is exactly the same as when I wanted a Smart car and ended up with Fiat Panda (I was shopping with John that time as well). Thinkg is, when I finally got a Smart I realised how much better car the Panda was. So, Henry it is! One advantage is the our 11 year old son has been vacuum cleaning the house with it.

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  8. I run a cleaning business and have had a Numatic Junior – Henry’s lower end brother – for over 3.5 years now and it has run without fault. Yes, the join on the powdercoated wand became weak and needed replacing. Yes, a floor tool broke after excessive commercial use. But the unit itself has operated without missing a beat.

    I don’t understand what the appeal is with Dysons. They apparently look sleek – I see them as being over-engineered dust catchers, with little bells and whistles that do nothing much more than catch your finger when you’re trying to free a blockage. Some of the older models – jeez, I use to get frustrated trying to work out how to clip something on or off…

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