Spudman Say: Big Save Hoover Windtunnel MAX Bagged Upright for Sale
Power to Spare. Worth Considering, 2011-09-27
This review is for: Big Save Hoover Windtunnel MAX Bagged Upright for Sale
Being a daily vacuumer who's very fond of vacuum cleaners, I welcomed the opportunity to run a Hoover Windtunnel Max through its paces. Like some other reviewers here, I also owned and enjoyed the Eureka Boss for many years; for the past year I've been using a Hoover Platinum upright. So how does the Hoover Windtunnel MAX Bagged Upright - UH30600 compare?Assembly - Putting the Hoover together is quite easy, and it takes only a few minutes to attach the handle and the front cover holding a preinstalled bag. After attaching the carry on accessories, I was ready to vacuum. Figuring out how to attach the hand powered nozzle and keep it attached was the only glitch, and a minor one at that.Features and Dimensions -At 18.4 pounds, this Hoover model is relatively heavy and should gain a couple more pounds as the bag fills. Someone with back problems or arthritis might want to seek out a lighter vacuum cleaner.The 12 amp power is more than adequate, so much so that I was able to lift a 3.5 pound can of tomato juice several feet by using the hose end. That's some impressive suction.The fifteen inch wide swath of the Hoover speeds up vacuuming. The 30 foot cord reduces the number of time consuming replugs, and the 180 inch attachment hose is great for reaching high places and multiple steps.My personal preference has always been a bagged vacuum cleaner, especially one with HEPA bags and filters. The cloth like bags are said to trap 99.7% of dust and pollens. In addition, the vacuum also carries a washable secondary filter to protect the motor and a washable final filter for filtering air returning to the room.Bag check indicator - Seems convenient and useful, but I've never had one that was completely reliable.Drop off bag removal - Push a lever and the bag falls into a waiting trash can. Seems gimmicky and marginally useful. I'd rather have the control of removing a full and heavy bag myself. Update /30/11 - Changed the bag and it did not drop off by itself; I had to pull it off. Also noticed that the fill hole is in the middle of the bag, not the top. The bag still filled, but I prefer a bag with an opening at the top.Performance and Comfort - The vacuum appears to pick up rather well; I can hear the dirt particles flying into the bag and if one is not careful light scatter rugs can get sucked up into the roller. In front of our sliding glass doors we keep floor mats that collect quite a bit of dirt in the course of a day. The Hoover cleans them quickly and thoroughly.Pushing and maneuvering this Hoover takes some effort, but I look at it as good exercise. I don't like running the revolving brush on the hardwood floor, so I use the convenient carrying handle to lift the upright from one carpeted area to another. Another option is to use the step on brush roll shut off control. To turn the brush back on, just step on the control again.Like many uprights, this one has an adjustable seven position height adjustment. Push down on the control knob located on the base to the desired position. For most users this isn't a task that has to be repeated often once the ideal height is found.Final ThoughtsI think this vacuum is a good buy for the money and stacks up well to the Eureka Boss. The tool less roller and belt access is a great design, and the convenience of carry on tools is wonderful. Perhaps the best feature of all is the air-powered hand tool attachment. I've had this feature on previous vacuums but the tool on this vacuum excels. The brush roll turns powerfully and is fabulous for vacuuming steps.NOISE - As much as I love vacuums, they are inherently noisy, and this Hoover Windtunnel is no exception. Using a sound level meter (bought on a whim from Amazon) , I got a reading of 80 decibels on this new vacuum. My Hoover Platinum upright registered the same decibel level. My small Hoover canister reaches 102 decibels, a Panasonic canister reaches 85, and for quiet vacuuming our cordless Electrolux Ergorapida reaches 77 decibels. Happy Vacuuming.Final Final Thought 10/20/11 - Recently while vacuuming I was thinking there should be some kind of clip to hold the cord in place. I looked under the handle and there it was. As Mrs. Spudman would say, "All you have to do is look."

G. Uhl "Allons-y, ... and don't blink." Say: Big Save Hoover Windtunnel MAX Bagged Upright for Sale
Comparison of bagged Max to bagless T series Windtunnel, 2011-09-20
This review is for: Big Save Hoover Windtunnel MAX Bagged Upright for Sale
This is a review of the Hoover Wind Tunnel Max UH30600 upright vacuum (bagged).I will also compare this model to the Hoover Wind Tunnel T series rewind UH70120 (bagless) upright vacuum.I bought the bagless Hoover from Amazon 12 months ago. As of today it is the highest rated bagless upright on consumer reports.The bagged Hoover Max is in the top 10 of bagged uprights on consumer reports and marked as a best buy.Both are 12 amp.PROS for the Max Bagged:1. It REALLY cleans deep down. Even on the highest setting, which I do not normally use, it left deep vacuum marks on the carpet. It cleans better than the bagless. However, it is sucking up the dirt with so much suction that it is almost difficult to maneuver the vacuum cleaner. You have to muscle it.2. The attachment hose is about 4 feet longer than on the bagless model I have.3. The power cord is 29 feet on the Max.4. It picks up pet hair really well.5. It has 2 filters. No dust blew around at all during use.6. It worked fine on a bare floor.PROs for the bagless:1. The bagless vacuum is cheaper to purchase and you don't need to buy bags ever (just filters).2. It is easier to vacuum with. It pushes easier. The height adjustment turns easier. It is almost runs along the carpet by itself.3. It picks up pet hair very well. It does a fine job cleaning.4. It has a cord rewinder.5. The bagless has a washable filter at the top of the canister and a hepa filter at the bottom of the canister.CONS for the Max Bagged:1. 2 bags cost $7.44 on Amazon right now and it is not eligible for prime shipping.2. No cord retractor3. Hard to maneuver and adjust the vacuum because the suction is so strong. (strong suction is obviously a positive thing as well)4. You can turn off the brushroll so that it uses suction only for bare floors or high carpet. I tried this on some throw rugs. It worked fine on one with rubber backing but it would not work on a throw rug without rubber backing. I could not move the vacuum cleaner at all.CONS for the bagless:1. It's a royal pain to clean the dirt out of the canister. Dust goes all over the place. You get dirty.2. The cord is too short and the attachment hose is REALLY too short.3. It's a good thing to have a washable filter but it's also a pain to wash it. Then you have to let it dry before you can put it back into the vacuum.So in conclusion, I think the bagless is more environmentally friendly and easier to vacuum with and much cheaper over the long run. However the bagged Max cleans dirt out of carpets better than the bagless vacuum and the bagged Max is easier to maintain.

Ace Say: Big Save Hoover Windtunnel MAX Bagged Upright for Sale
Some ergonomics need to be adjusted, 2011-09-28
This review is for: Big Save Hoover Windtunnel MAX Bagged Upright for Sale
but otherwise, the Hoover Windtunnel MAX Bagged Upright - UH30600 IS a VERSATILE, hard-working vacuum cleaner!Let me get the ergonomics problems out of the way:1) the handle needs to be tilted at a slightly steeper angle -- as it stands now, it is a bit unwieldy -- too straight-- makes some of the vacuuming movements a bit awkward for proper wrist action. Even better, the handle should have one or two secure click-stops that allow for adjustability.2) the back of the handle is almost SHARP - it bites into the hand -- I solved the problem by wrapping a sock around it, but REALLY, this area of the handle should have been rounded and convex - not concave.3) the snap-on holder for the clear brush attachment (up close to the handle top) did not snap on correctly -- the slots that line up with the raised areas fall a bit short on one side. I was tempted to put it in the unlit but warm oven to expand it a bit, but opted instead for wrapping clear tape around it to secure it (worked nicely), so it AND the attachment (which fits into it very nicely) would not fall off.4) the screw that holds the handle onto the body - hmm.. when I unpacked everything, I gave one last look into the long large box the vacuum cleaner came in, and saw something shiny wedged into a corner at the VERY bottom of the box -- it was the assembly screw. I was happy it had not fallen OUT of the box during transit. So I bent over to grab it and almost fell headfirst into the long box -- LOL, sort of..... The piece of paper with assembly instructions that the screw had been attached to was in another corner of the box.Other than that (the screw holds the handle with no wobble) -- this is a fairly compact but highly versatile vacuum cleaner-- and I like the generous 30' long cord-- no sense griping about cord storage-- you would need a Large area on the vacuum cleaner for a retracting cord storage unit - which would be unwieldy and would unbalance the vacuum cleaner.I LIKE the thick no-nonsense HEPA bag -- it looks like it maens Business. Good!I have just begun to use this vacuum cleaner, and so far am happy with it, but need to play with all of its bells and whistles to get more input and get a better feel for it. (To be continued......)UPDATE: Oct 10, 2011: I made a few passes over a blue rug in my bedroom that had been turned into "white shag" carpeting by Her Supreme Largeness, (Cat) Big Bad Baby Twinkle. WOW!! With its nice gliiiding action, and with the center dial turned to the middle (and with BBBT, who is far from deaf, fearlessly reclining about 10 feet away, totally ignoring the vacuum cleaner noises) the Hoover Windtunnel Max dug in and made the rug look like new in a few seconds! GONE were the white hairs (soon to be replenished there by BBBT, I am sure) -- and in their place was the once-beautiful blue rug that I had known and loved and installed many months before. I also vacuumed other areas of the bedroom and hallway, with its different pile-sized rugs and hardwood floors, and used different dial settings -- the Hoover performed fearlessly and thoroughly. Excellent!!!! The wand also gave a strong performance -- it had great suction and almost sucked up a doorstop.

ladyfingers Say: Big Save Hoover Windtunnel MAX Bagged Upright for Sale
Everything You Could Want In A Vacuum, 2011-09-21
This review is for: Big Save Hoover Windtunnel MAX Bagged Upright for Sale
As a long-time Eureka Boss user, I didn't think any other brand could come close to its vacuuming abilities. How wrong I was. This WindTunnel model has many of the same features, and then some. Both the Eureka & Hoover are 12 amps, but the Hoover's airflow design and suction power is phenomenal, especially at picking up pet hair. I didn't even think our carpets were dirty. Wrong again. After an initial going over of the entire house, I thoroughly inspected the filter bag (don't try this at your house--it's messy), and was amazed at all the debris collected. I never realized so much sand/dust particles are in "clean" carpets. In certain instances that strong suction might be a disadvantage. The user has no power control, so it's not easy working with draperies, area rugs or anything else not securely anchored. Someone at Hoover deserves a medal for well-thought out features. Thanks for the extra long 30 ft. cord. For once an entire room can be vacuumed without having to change electrical outlets. I am also an accessories fanatic, using cleaning tools every time the vacuum is turned on. Conveniently located on this vacuum are a telescoping wand, crevice, dusting and air-powered tool which all connect to an impressive 17 ft. reaching hose. We live in a quad-level house. Each floor is separated by 6-8 carpeted steps. The air-powered tool did a great job here, and it was an effortless operation thanks to the long hose. We have no bare floors, but the WindTunnel has a convenient on/off brush-roll pedal for those of you who do. Another handy feature is easy access to the belt and brushroll. No screwdrivers needed; just the release of a couple of latches. Upon receiving the vacuum, I took the brushroll and bottom plate apart just to see how easy disassembly really is. They weren't lying--it's that easy. The replacement type Y HEPA bags are a bit pricey, but to be honest, living in a doggy-dusty house, I'm willing to pay a little more for a bag that captures virtually everything. With a little scouting around online, I'm willing to bet you can find bargains on bags as well. Overall, this is one great vacuum. For all you die-hard Eureka Boss fans like I used to be, change is good. This vacuum proves it.

loce_the_wizard "loce_the_wizard" Say: Big Save Hoover Windtunnel MAX Bagged Upright for Sale
Good for its price point but has some quirks, 2011-09-27
This review is for: Big Save Hoover Windtunnel MAX Bagged Upright for Sale
The Hoover WindTunnel MAX Bagged Upright is not afraid of the dirt, dust, pet hair, and crumbs, the debris of our lives that falls to our floors and hangs suspended in cobwebs in the corner. It is easy to assemble and set up---literally one screw, slip some parts together, check the bag---and you are armed for fighting the cleaning wars.First thing, this vacuum is not lightweight, so be prepared if you are hefting it up the stairs. The motor screams like a banshee, so you will interrupt any quiet activities near your perimeter and send cats scurrying under beds. But this power is a good thing, both for the rotating brushes that scour the floor and the onboard extension hose with attachments. I'm having trouble with the claim of 17' of extension, however (I'm trying to imagine how this measurement was made and if Hoover had some poor soul swaying from the top of a stepladder to try to prove this point) and actually find the hose a bit shorter than optimum. But I can also see why it is not any longer as a section of the hose, even when coiled, drags along behind the vacuum.What sort of drives me batty about this upright vacuum is that it keeps shedding he various cleaning attachments clipped to its handle and other sections via cheap plastic fasteners. A bit more attention to such simple but necessary features is in order.Again, for the price point, this is a pretty good upright. But for a bit more money, I think the Hoover Platinum Lightweight Upright Vacuum may be better as it is lighter, has a bigger bag, and longer power cord.

Sknydip Say: Big Save Hoover Windtunnel MAX Bagged Upright for Sale
Bare floor pedal broken on 2 vacuums!!, 2011-12-04
This review is for: Big Save Hoover Windtunnel MAX Bagged Upright for Sale
We read all of the reviews and gave this Hoover Max Bagged Upright a try. The first Max worked for 3 days, and the bare floor padal on the left side quit working. The pedal would not stay down to disconnect the belt for vacuuming bare floors. The roller brush also kept spinning even when the vacuum was put in the upright position. Hoover customer service was no help, so we contacted Amazon. They sent us out a replacement vacuum and we mailed the broken one back. The SECOND Hoover Max only lasted 1 day and the same thing happened to it also. We are returning it to Amazon for a full refund.This is a piece of junk. Do not buy it.

M. Pickering Say: Big Save Hoover Windtunnel MAX Bagged Upright for Sale
Powerful and Cost Effective, 2011-10-18
This review is for: Big Save Hoover Windtunnel MAX Bagged Upright for Sale
Like most people, I am not a big fan of vacuuming. It's not only boring, but also quite frustrating due to the difficulties that are usually the result of a poorly designed vacuum cleaner. My wife and I have tried and still own 5 different vacuum cleaners, made by Kirby, Dyson, Electrolux, and Hoover. Each model has its strengths and weaknesses. But the one thing they all have in common is that they were once high end models, with a steep price tag. So when I was given an opportunity to test the moderately priced Hoover Windtunnel Max Bagged Upright (UH30600), I was both hopeful and skeptical. My household certainly didn't need another vacuum cleaner, but I am always looking for a light, powerful vacuum that has the versatility and durability to make the job of cleaning my floors easier and less time consuming.The new Hoover UH30600, Windtunnel MAX, arrived well packaged. I liked the fact that Amazon didn't just ship the vacuum in only its product box. Double boxing, with some added paper stuffing, provided a safe arrival to my home. Unboxing and assembly was quick and mostly painless. There is an accessory clip, for the powered brush hand tool, that mounts on the upper front of the main vacuum handle, which was extremely difficult to install. It just didn't seem to line up correctly, and required an extreme amount of pressure to snap into place. Even when snapped in place, it has popped off a few times while vacuuming. Everything else went together smooth, and seems to be designed and built well.Powering up the Hoover Windtunnel MAX is triggered by a finger switch on the main handle. The switch is rather spongy, and lacks the desired "click" feedback that one would expect. The vacuum puts out quite a roar, but it is definitely powerful. This Windtunnel MAX easily devoured everything in its path. Using this new Hoover on plush (very thick) carpet proved to be a backbreaking task though. Even switched to the highest floor height setting, the Windtunnel MAX took great effort to push and pull, and you could hear the brush roller slow down with every push. I believe this vacuum was just not designed for use on heavy, thick carpeting. On lower pile carpeting, the Hoover Windtunnel MAX glided effortlessly. I would like to point out that the handle is not the most comfortable. It is extremely straight, and isn't as well rounded as it should be. Hoover needs to consider redesigning the handing, with more of a curve, and far more rounded edges.This model comes with a 30 foot power cord, which is a great feature. The long stretch hose is also a great feature, although until stretched out a few times it tends to create a lot of pull resistance, which caused the vacuum to tip over on me several times. The touchless bag disposal feature is very nice as well. The bags for this vacuum are amazing. They feel like a nice quality cloth material, instead of just paper. They are quite easy to install and even easier to dispose of. Two bags are included with the vacuum to get you started. Another feature I like is the easy to remove bottom plate. You don't need any tools or a large coin to turn the fasteners. The fasteners are built of heavy duty plastic, and feel virtually indestructible. The bottom plate pops off, giving you easy access to remove and clean the brush roller, and to replace the belt. The air powered hand brush attachment is handy, and actually quite powerful. My wife mostly uses it to clean upholstery, and in tight places where the vacuum itself just will not reach.Overall my wife and I are quite happy with the Hoover UH30600 Windtunnel MAX. It is fairly light, easy to use, has plenty of power, and has some very nice attachments. The cons for us are that it doesn't do well on our thick piled bedroom carpet, the main handle is not very comfortable to use for extended periods, and the motor on this vacuum is quite loud; much louder than our Dyson and Electrolux vacuums. But for the money, this Hoover Windtunnel MAX is a winner in our book. The powerful suction, excellent attachments, easy maintenance, and great build quality of this vacuum make it a terrific bargain for this price point. One little personal complaint that I have; not just with this model but with many vacuum cleaners on the market today: The clear hose and plastic panels become immediately filthy, and make the vacuum look several years old within the first few weeks of use. You would think the manufacturers could design something that didn't look nasty so quickly. But I'm sure they want the clear panels and hose, so that it is easier to see if something gets lodged in there and needs to be cleared. I just like things I buy to look nice for as long as possible after I purchase them. I guess vacuum cleaners will have to be the exception. Thanks, Hoover, for another great, affordable vacuum cleaner!

Burgmicester Say: Big Save Hoover Windtunnel MAX Bagged Upright for Sale
For the money, you can't beat it, 2011-10-06
This review is for: Big Save Hoover Windtunnel MAX Bagged Upright for Sale
Previous to owning this product, we have two other Hoover vacuums in the house. One was one of the first "bagless" windtunnel models. I vowed that I would never own another "bagless" model and so when Hoover came out with this windtunnel "bag" model, I was desperate to give it a whirl.It is definitely manufactured with cost in mind. Here are the pros and cons:Pros:1) It is much lighter than our previous model - not a bad thing.2) The power suction is terrific and rivals or betters the heavier/older model.3) The bag system is absolutely well thought out as you never have to touch the bag and it is a piece of cake to get to.4) There is a mini-cleaner power attachment.5) The hose is flexible and long enough.6) There is a newer feature that only requires a foot pedal to switch from brushes rotating to turning off the brushes as you pass from one room to another. You can also use this to turn off the brushes while you use the attachments. Absolutely a winner of a concept.Cons:1) The electric cord is attached in a slightly awkward manner (at the bottom) so that while you are sweeping, it is difficult to find the cord as you have to bend down to keep grabbing it once you let go.2) The attachments are adequate, but not as nice as the older version. The brush is circular and with very stiff bristles so that getting into the corners is more difficult.3) There is no rug cleaning attachment without the bristles.4) The extenders are shorter than the previous model, although they are connected so that you don't need to have two separate pieces.Overall, I am very pleased with this model and for the money rate it a 5 star. It is not a Cadillac version, but it does not have that price tag either.

RetiredNotTired Say: Big Save Hoover Windtunnel MAX Bagged Upright for Sale
Update: Problems with Hoover; Customer Service Sucks!, 2011-09-20
This review is for: Big Save Hoover Windtunnel MAX Bagged Upright for Sale
2ND UPDATE: I started out loving this vacuum cleaner which replaced my Eureka Boss. Now, as stated below, the suction channels clog up and the floor pedal no longer stops the brushes from rolling. I contacted Customer Service who was no help at all. I even took my Hoover to the only authorized repair shop in town. The guy tells me there is no way to fix it, he can only clean it (just like I did). He said it was a faulty design by Hoover! Repeated calls and emails to Hoover are ignored. I even took pictures of the vacuum parts that were clogged and emailed them, but still no relief from Hoover. BTW Hoover is owned by Techtronic Industries located in (where else?) Hong Kong China. Enuf said.*****UPDATE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THIS VACUUM:-- Suction channels are clogging big time....only about 1/3 of debris makes its way to the bag.....Even disassembled all the roller/brush parts, cleaned out the hoses, made the vacuum look brand new....still doesn't work right;-- Floor pedal lever no longer keeps the brushes from spinning like it's supposed to. Have to keep my foot on the pedal firmly to prevent the brushes from spinning when using the hose accessories.I looked to see where I can take this vacuum for repair: The only place within 50 miles of my house is in a seedy area downtown on MLK JR Drive.Emailed Hoover to see what my options are...will update if/when I hear from them....meanwhile wish I had my Eureka Boss back.I received this vacuum through the Amazon Vine Program in return for a review. I don't give a lot of five star reviews, but I had been looking for a replacement for a Eureka Smart Boss VacEureka 4870GZ Boss Smart-Vac Upright Vacuum that I've had for more than eight years and that I liked so much I overhauled it myself with new parts. I doubted that this $150 vacuum would rival my beloved Boss Vac. But it does! First, it's about five pounds lighter than the Boss Vac. My wife always complained she couldn't push/control the Boss because of its weight. (so guess who does the vacuuming?:) This Hoover is not light. But it glides over carpet and floors easily. The things I really like about it are the little extras such as:--extra extra long cord. Who likes having to change outlets in the middle of cleaning?--extra long hoses that stretch and then retract out of the way.--tool holders that ACTUALLY hold the tools. (I note that one reviewer had trouble affixing the tool holder to the handle. I thought it was a little "tight" but it's designed that way so the tool holder doesn't work its way off and thus become useless. (I got a bunch of "onboard tools" from other vacs that no longer onboard but are stored in a box in my garage.)--Hepa filters (don't know why anyone would buy any cleaner without them).--easy to assemble.--easy to change parts (belt, filters, bags)--"touchless" bag disposal is nice to have but surely not a necessity.--effortless (and I do mean effortless) switching from bare floors to carpet. (MY Boss Vac took a lot of muscle to change).Can't believe this vac is only $150. Amazon rocks!

S. L. Smith "SansSerif" Say: Big Save Hoover Windtunnel MAX Bagged Upright for Sale
Best Upright I've Ever Used on Bare Floors, 2011-09-20
This review is for: Big Save Hoover Windtunnel MAX Bagged Upright for Sale
From the company that became THE British verb for vacuuming comes this powerful bagged upright that performs very well on both carpets and bare floors.THE GOOD:1. Mostly easy set up/assembly - Just one Phillips screw attaches the handle; Bag door goes on/off easily. (But please see negatives below.)2. Wand/Crevice Tool snaps securely onto back of machine. (I own a different WindTunnel Hoover WindTunnel T-Series Rewind Upright Vacuum, Bagless, UH70120 that will NOT keep this attached.)3. Comes with one bag already inserted and one spare bag.4. Excellent suction requires just one swipe across an area.5. Excellent bare floor cleaning; this is the first upright I've ever said this of! However, I still can't get an upright to fully clean under my dining tables, so I will continue using my Miele Neptune S4212 Canister Vacuum Cleaner With STB 205-3 Turbohead and SBB 300-3 Parquet Floorbrush w/ Free Shipping!!! for a full bare-floor treatment.6. Yes! I CAN clean a full set of stairs leaving the vacuum in just one location. (ALWAYS leave it at the bottom of the stairs). This is made possible via the crevice tool and the super expandable hose, which amazingly (and hopefully always) will condense back into itself with just a bit of manual pushing.7. Knowledgeable customer assistance. (I called about the warning on hazardous chemicals - please keep reading for more info about this.)8. Updated 2/29/2012 to add: Sturdy! I accidentally dropped the fully loaded machine down an entire flight of carpeted stairs and this beast just laughed (at me). It did dent the wallboard, but the vacuum itself still looks unscathed and brand-new. BTW, I hate to have to admit, but I broke my rule mentioned above in item #6.THE BAD (especially the presence of lead):1. Difficult for me to disengage the red plastic bar to remove and secure the dust bag. While it bends and bows very easily, it will not snap off easily for me, and I am afraid of breaking it - soon.2. I simply cannot fully attach both sides of the plastic clip that holds the air-powered hand tool onto the main handle.3. No cord rewind. (But I knew this beforehand, so I am highlighting this for readers who overlooked this fact.)4. Carpet height adjuster is very hard for me to move from overhead and behind the machine; I need to kneel directly in front of it to move the dial. I am concerned, because this dial was the first thing to break on my old Dirt Devil.5. Small brush has very stiff, short, manmade bristles, not suitable for dusting fine hardwood furniture. (Really, I can and should do this only with natural hair or otherwise super-soft bristles.)6. Presence of lead in the cord - I was told by Hoover Customer Assistance that most high-voltage appliances (such as microwave ovens) have lead present along the cord. I was also told the lead level in this model is not high enough to induce damage, but California law requires a notice of any lead presence. Thus, I would suggest users always keep an eye on babies and pets who love to chew cords, and always store the vacuum properly rewound.THE NEUTRAL:1. Bag full indicator showed � red even with brand new bag as inserted at the factory. These always seem to be dodgy.2. Carpet height adjuster needs to be set very close to highest pile for my tightly dense low-pile Oriental rugs. I find this unusual as my other 2 uprights had to be set on the _lowest_ pile option.3. A bit heavy for me to schlepp up and down stairs easily, but the carrying handle is secure and easy to grab.4. Noise level? A bit loud; not as loud as my old deceased Dirt Devil, but much louder than my Miele canister. (2 out of 3 cats scurried off when I turned it on.)5. The Hoover website has no detailed, helpful, or really useful information regarding the presence of lead in its cords. I needed to call their 1-800 number for this information. To their credit, my wait time was less than 10 minutes and the assistant was very helpful.Concerned about Hoover product recalls?The Hoover website is very informative and forthcoming on this topic. This model has NOT been recalled at the time of this writing. The previous 2 Hoover recalls resulted from overheating and short-circuiting, which damaged machine, user, and carpets. These 2 models were auto-cord-rewind bagless models - one canister and one T-series bagless upright distributed prior to 11/23/2009. Check their site for detailed information on specific models recalled in the past.