In my quest to find out the best upright vacuum cleaner, today, I will compare two machines from Hoover, Hoover Windtunnel 2 vs Air Steerable. For a quick answer, WindTunnel 2 has the upper hand.
Our winner, the Hoover Windtunnel 2, takes advantage of its excellent cleaning ability on hard floors and carpets. It has many interesting utilities such as floor height adjustment, automatic cord rewind, and brushroll on/off switch. In addition, its price is also quite reasonable.
The Air Steerable is also a serious opponent. It has a lightweight design for easy portability and storage. It works especially well on low-pile carpets. It is also not too noisy compared to many other upright vacuums on the market.
Hoover Windtunnel 2 vs Air Steerable: Comparison Chart
Hoover Windtunnel 2 vs Air Steerable: Differences
After reviewing my experiences, I conclude Hoover Windtunnel 2 wins 3:1 against Hoover Windtunnel Air Steerable thanks to its cleaning performance, convenience, and price. Read the analysis below to know more about the pros and cons of each machine.
cleaning performance
The winner: Hoover WindTunnel 2
Compatible Floor Type
First, I want to confirm that both Hoover Wind Tunnel 2 and Air Steerable perform relatively well on hard floors and carpets.
Laminate flooring is one of the hardest floors to clean because this floor creates static cling, which makes everything stick to it. However, WindTunnel 2 can still clean dirt and debris on this surface without sending them across the floor. With a hard floor setting, this machine easily cleans up pet hair that has been scattered on the floor, and if you come across something you don’t want to suck, it has an “off” beater switch that you can turn off or on with your foot.
Besides, this machine is a formidable enemy of dirt and fluff on carpets. It has five levels of floor height adjustment, allowing it to work on various carpet surfaces. With large debris like goldfish crackers, this machine can easily deal with those messes when I set it to the second highest height.
Hoover WindTunnel Air Steerable also has the brushroll on/off switch feature, which prevents dirt from being pushed around before being sucked in by the machine. In addition, it also has rubber-coated wheels, which help protect your wooden floor from scratches.
According to my experience, the Air Steerable is best for low-pile carpets. This machine made me realize just how disgusting my carpet actually was. However, because there is no function to adjust the height of the nozzle, it is a little hard to push over medium and high-pile carpets. Likewise, you will also have difficulty sucking up debris similar in size to fruit loops.
Suction Power
In my experience, these two machines have about equivalent power. However, the Air Steerable comes with two motors, while the WindTunnel 2 has only one. Let me briefly tell you about the difference between single-motor and dual-motor vacuum cleaners.
Dual-motor vacuum uses one motor to generate suction and the other to turn the brush. The advantage of this type is that it provides greater suction to the machine and protects the engine from debris. Meanwhile, a Single-motor vacuum uses just one motor to do both. Hence, this type is usually cheaper and lighter but also more prone to damage.
Back to the case of the two upright vacuums that I am comparing here. I noticed that even though the Air Steerable uses two motors, it doesn’t really work as well as expected. Most of the time I use this one, the motors make a very loud whiny noise out of the box. They sometimes sound like a cordless stick vacuum with a dying battery. Therefore, I am quite concerned about the durability of this dual-motor system.
Meanwhile, the WindTunnel 2 uses only one motor, but the suction power is pretty great. Besides, it also has a wider suction head than the Air Steerable. As you may likely know, the larger the cleaning path, the larger the area for each suction, thereby shortening the vacuuming time and saving energy.
dirt tank & filter
The winner: Hoover WindTunnel 2
Dirt Tank
In this aspect, the only difference between these two machines is the dirt cup capacity. The WindTunnel 2 uses a 1.29-liter dirt tank, while the Air Steerable’s dirt container has a 1.2-liter capacity. Compared to many other vacuum cleaners I have reviewed before, such dust cup size is a bit small.
However, the common advantage of both vacuums is that the dirt tank can easily empty. The cyclone is now extremely easy to take apart and clean out too. You can disassemble it with just a few screws, then check to see if anything is stuck here.
Filter
These two machines have quite similar filter systems. Each machine has two filters. One is on the top of the dust cup, where the air comes up through the cyclone. This filter is washable, and you are encouraged to clean it every month. After washing it, let it dry for at least 48 hours before putting it back in.
The second filter is a pre-motor filter, and it is a true HEPA filter. HEPA filters filter out 99.95% of European or 99.97% of US standards of particles with a size greater than or equal to 0.3 micrometers (µm). This one cannot be washed and must be disposed of every year. The filtration of both machines works well and is very suitable for those who have allergies since they have sealed systems.
design & convenience
The winner: Hoover Windtunnel Air Steerable
Build Quality
Except for some parts like the wand and the handle, which are made of metal, these two machines are almost entirely plastic. At a glance, you will see that they look quite sturdy, but they can break if dropped. Like the Air Steerable, its handle gives me an unsettled feel. It wobbles and creaks every time I move the machine.
In terms of size, the WindTunnel 2 is taller and slightly larger than the competition. It’s also 3 pounds heavier than the Air Steerable. Overall, the Air Steerable has a more compact design, and when not in use, it can be easily stored in a corner. However, this machine feels a lot heavier in my hand than its actual weight, especially when you are pushing and pulling it. Therefore, although the Air Steerable is lighter than the WindTunnel 2, their weight in hand is not much different.
Assembling these machines is very simple. While there are many parts that need to be assembled, all you need to do is slide the handle onto the unit.
Range
Both upright vacuum cleaners have a decent range. Both machines are equipped with a 12-foot hose, but the Air Steerable has a longer power cord than the WindTunnel’s, 5 feet. The power cord is long enough to continue vacuuming in the same room without changing the plug, and the hose extends the vacuuming range far or up.
Noise Level
Overall, both machines are louder than average regarding the noise level of an upright vacuum, but Hoover WindTunnel Air Steerable is slightly less noisy than Hoover WindTunnel 2.
While WindTunnel 2’s noise level fluctuates between 80-85 dB and tends to get even louder when vacuuming on bare floors, the Air Steerable’s is about 78 dB. When vacuums have a noise level of 76 dB or more, it’s almost impossible for you to have a normal conversation without raising your voice.
great for value
The winner: Hoover Windtunnel 2
With my experience on the WindTunnel 2, I rate the price meets value. The machine possesses strong suction power and can operate strongly on hard floors and carpets. Besides, it also has a fairly large dirt cup and additional utilities such as floor height adjustment, automatic cord rewind, and more.
The Air Steerable works well, but I was expecting much more for its nearly $200 price tag. It is quite difficult to move on my living room rug and is not very sturdy. I didn’t find its swivel head function effective due to the limited rotation angle and often creaking noises. Also, for its price, I think it could be even less noisy.
Quick Rundown Of Hoover Windtunnel 2
- THOROUGH CLEANING POWER: The Hoover WindTunnel 2 Whole House Rewind has everything you need for a powerful clean. Its advanced filtration technology ensures even the most stubborn debris is effortlessly trapped, leaving your floors spotless.
- OPTIMIZED CLEAN: The multi-floor brush roll turns on for optimal cleaning on carpets and off to prevent scattering of debris on hard floors. The 25-foot cord provides ample reach and automatically retracts in seconds for neat and easy storage.
- VERSATILE TOOLS: Clean beyond your floors and target multiple surfaces, hard-to-reach areas and pet messes with up to 16 feet of extended reach and the included pet turbo tool, pivoting dusting tool and crevice tool.
- QUALITY FILTRATION: With WindTunnel 2 technology to lift and remove surface debris and embedded dirt, HEPA media filter to trap dirt, dust and pollen and AllergenBlock tech with odor-absorbing carbon, this vacuum gets the job done right.
- NOBODY DOES IT LIKE YOU: For more than 100 years, Hoover has designed powerful, reliable, easy-to-use products that clean your entire home from floor to ceiling. It’s why we’re one of the most trusted brands in America.
Quick Rundown Of Hoover Windtunnel Air Steerable
- THOROUGH CLEANING POWER: The Hoover WindTunnel Air has everything you need for a powerful clean. Its advanced filtration technology ensures even the most stubborn debris is effortlessly trapped, leaving your floors spotless.
- OPTIMIZED CLEAN: The multi-floor brush roll delivers powerful cleaning on carpets and reduces scatter on hard floors, featuring an on/off switch for effortless transitions between floors.
- EASY NAVIGATION: Navigate smoothly around furniture, corners and obstacles with our steerable technology – simply twist the handle in the direction you’d like to go. Experience added reach with a stretch hose, wand and included tools.
- QUALITY FILTRATION: With WindTunnel 3 technology to lift and remove surface debris and embedded dirt and a HEPA media filter to trap dirt, dust and pollen, this vacuum gets the job done right.
- NOBODY DOES IT LIKE YOU: For more than 100 years, Hoover has designed powerful, reliable, easy-to-use products that clean your entire home from floor to ceiling. It’s why we’re one of the most trusted brands in America.
Product Video
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References:
- Hoover Windtunnel 2: https://hoover.com/products/whole-house-rewind
- Hoover Windtunnel Air Steerable: https://hoover.com/products/windtunnel-air-steerable-upright-vacuum
Victor K. Giles is a leading consultant and expert in vacuum cleaner technology with over a decade of experience. As a mechanical engineering graduate in the University of Michigan, he specializes in product development, design optimization, and performance analysis. Victor collaborates with manufacturers and educates consumers, making her a sought-after guest speaker at industry events. His work has been featured in renowned publications, and he shares his expertise on his blog, “The Vacuum Teria”. Victor’s passion for cleaner, healthier living spaces drives his to help clients choose the best vacuum solutions for their needs.