Hoover Impulse Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner BH53020, REVIEW

By William | December 19, 2018

A Hands-On Review of the Hoover Impulse Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner BH53020!

In this review I will be discussing the features, specs, pros and cons, and my personal experience using the Hoover Impulse Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner BH53020.

Product Description

The Hoover Impulse BH53020 is a moderately priced cordless stick vacuum designed to offer a time-saving option for the household on the go. Its features and fade-free power are intended to provide good cleaning performance on hardwood floors and area rugs without the hassle of a cord.

Hoover – the Company

Established in the early 20th century by William Hoover the Hoover Company has become a household word when it comes to floor care products. It has carved out its niche by producing moderately priced products that deliver good performance..

Hoover has expanded to become an international company with offices and facilities in major countries around the globe.

It is probably best recognized for their line of WindTunnel upright vacuums that are strong performers. As of late it has been endeavoring to establish itself in the thriving Cordless Stick Vacuum market.
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Features 

• Grab-n-Go Cord-Free Convenience for unexpected messes on multiple floor surfaces
• Lightweight at Only 5.6 lbs.
• Enhanced Swivel Steering for easy maneuvering around and under furniture
• Great for Hard Floors and Area Rugs
• Fade-Free Lithium-Ion Battery for long lasting cord-free power
• Converts to Handheld Vacuum for quick pick-ups and easy access to tight areas
• Hoover Dashboard indicates Power Level and Cleaning Mode for optimum cleaning
• Double-Tap Trigger for continuous cleaning power
• Easy-Clean Brushroll releases with the push of a button
• Easy-Empty Dirt Cup lets you release dirt with the push of a button
• Multipurpose Tools – Includes a comprehensive tool pack for any unexpected mess
  Includes: Crevice Tool, Dusting Brush, Upholstery Tool, Wall Mount, Extra Filter, Charger, and Storage Bag
• 2-Year Hoover Limited Warranty

Watch this Brief Demo VIDEO!

 

REVIEW

I don’t normally review “cordless” vacuum cleaners in the $150 to $200 price range because more often than not they turn out to be disappointing – not to put too fine a point on the subject.

My ulterior motive for reviewing the Impulse BH53020 is that I have been on the lookout for a new cordless stick vacuum I can confidently recommend to my customers in that price range. The prospect of cord-free vacuuming is very seductive but not everyone is able or willing to plop down $300 to $500 for one.

A Word to the Wise!

There are a lot of attractive looking cordless stick vacuums in that price range that are currently being offered.  Most of them have unfamiliar names.  BE AWARE, beauty is only skin deep!  Some of them are useless junk!

A word to the wise – if the vacuum cleaner IS NOT made by a familiar and reputable name brand such as Bissell, Dirt Devil, Dyson, Electrolux, Eureka, Hoover, Kenmore, Miele, Oreck, Sebo, Shark, and Soniclean you should be suspicious. There are a few unfamiliar brands that are reputable, such as Tineco.

A Winner??

Hoover has struggled to offer a really practical cordless vacuum in the motor head or “weedwacker” configuration that has become so popular. One of the problems they were having (in my humble opinion) was over-designing and making their products just a little too complex for the person who just wants a grab-n-go vacuum with the convenience of cordless. Hoover’s early cordless model, the Hoover Linx Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner which was and still is very popular, followed a more traditional design.

So, I was very curious to see if the new Impulse Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner BH53020 marked a turning point for Hoover and a product I could confidently recommend to my customers. My hope was that the new BH53020 would be a winner that would fill the $150 market demand.

My Experience with the Hoover Impulse BH53020

When I finally got my hands on the Impulse BH53020 I put it through its passes. I tested it on carpet, area rugs and hardwood floors. I checked the actual Runtime and the Recharge time. I evaluated the build quality and the ease of operation and obtained a real feel for this vacuum.

Build Quality

At the price point of below $150 I wasn’t overly optimistic about what I would find. Normally manufactures skimp on the sturdiness of the plastic parts to keep costs down, however that isn’t the case with the Hoover Impulse BH53020.

The main housing for the motor is plenty rigid to withstand everyday use. The Dirt Cup and Filter Compartment are sufficiently strong.

Something that I really like is that the Dirt Cup housing is back drafted (tapered) to minimize dirt and hair from sticking.

The Extension Tube is made of metal so it’s plenty rigid. The motor-powered floor brush is of good design and should stand up to everyday use. It has a Brush Role Release so you can easily remove it for cleaning.

The Joints that allow you to attach and detach the extension tube from the floor brush and from the main body are well designed and easy to operate. Each of the electrical connectors are engineered so there is little chance of a bad connection.

The Attachments are not what I would call impressive. However, they do work well and will probably last. The wheels on the motorized floor brush have rubber tires so they won’t damage wood floors.

Another feature I really like is the brush roll is easily removable for cleaning.  This feature is especially important if you have furry pets or someone in the household with long hair.

Overall, the build quality of the Hoover Impulse BH53020 is pretty darn good, especially considering the price point of this vacuum.

Function and Performance

Operation

The Hoover Impulse Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner BH53020 utilizes a Dashboard which is located just above the handle where you can easily see and access it.

To turn on the vacuum, simply depress the Trigger TWICE for it to operate continually and then depress it ONCE to stop. When the vacuum starts it will default to the Normal Suction Carpet Mode with the power floor brush rotating.

When you transition to Hardwood floors simply depress the Hard Floor button on the dashboard and the Floor Brush will slow down so it doesn’t scatter any large debris across the floor.

If you run into an area with stubborn dirt the Boost Mode is sufficient for just about anything you will encounter – even that stuff that accumulates between the sofa cushions.

User Friendliness

I found the Hoover Impulse Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner BH53020 very easy to operate. The swivel steering requires about a one minute learning curve to get where you can keep it on a straight path. The head swivels a full 90 degrees making it extremely maneuverable.

The 5.6 lb. overall weight is basically insignificant unless you happen to be severely physically compromised. In the Handheld mode it weighs a measly 3.5 lbs. with the Dusting Brush attached. It would be nice if a motorized mini brush was included but then the price would be higher.

The Dirt Cup empties easily by simply depressing the lower button. I overfilled the dust cup because I didn’t realize how dirty my floor was. Consequently some carpet fibers and hair did cling to the recess area of the filter.

Access to the Filter compartment is easily accomplished by depressing the upper release button which allows the whole Dirt Cup assembly to detach from the vacuum body. The filter cartridge is made from sponge and a paper-type media that is washable. NOTE: An Extra Filter Cartridge is included

Extension tube, Motorized Floor Brush, and accessories attach and detach easily enough. The extension tube was a little tight but a small amount of Vaseline on the male section cured that issue.

Suction Power

The 24 Volt built in Lithium-Ion battery supplies plenty of fade-free suction power.

In the Normal Mode the suction power of the Hoover Impulse Cordless Stick BH53020 was actually better than I expected.  It has all the power necessary to deep clean dirt and hair from a medium pile area rug.

In Boost Mode the suction is more than adequate for just about any problem area you might encounter.

Cleaning Performance

Carpet 

Operating in the Normal Mode for Carpet I found the suction to be quite adequate for removing dirt, hair, and surface debris from low to medium pile carpet. Even on my dirty area rug the suction was more than enough to do a deep clean without using the Boost Mode.

The motorized floor brush really loosens up the dirt and leaves the pile looking groomed.

Hardwood Floor 

I tested the Hoover Impulse Cordless Stick Vacuum BH53020 on my oak hardwood floors smothered with a combination of oatmeal and dry pet food. The large debris presented NO problem! With the exception of a couple extra-large chunks it gobbled up all the dry pet food in its path with one pass.

Above Floor 

The Hoover Impulse BH53020 easily converts to the Handheld Mode by simply depressing the connector button on the extension tube or attachment. Each of the attachments clicked in place easily.

As I mentioned, the Extension Tube required a little bit of a pull to detach it but I am sure it’s just a minor tolerance issue and will loosen up with use. A very small amount of Vaseline or a dab of Silicone lube is all that’s necessary to cure that issue.

Runtime

Hoover specifies 18 minutes of runtime for the BH53020. During my first test I operated it for about 15 total minutes in Normal Mode and never noticed any fall off in performance. In that time I cleaned my 222 sq. ft. office which has hardwood and area rugs, plus the area rugs in the hall way and some above-floor clean up. Of the 3 Battery Power indicator lights, two were still lit showing plenty of reserve to go. Once the battery is fully conditioned with a full charge I believe 18 minutes is about what you can expect. Of course, using the Boost Mode will significantly shorten the runtime.

Filtration

Hoover did a good job of designing the filter compartment.  It has one removable and washable filter cartridge with some paper-like media.  Its not HEPA level but there are gaskets around the dirt cup and filter compartment to prevent any dust leaking back into the air.

It is important with any vacuum cleaner to keep the filters clean to prevent loss of suction.  This is a very easy procedure with the Hoover Impulse BH53020.

Watch this Brief DEMO VIDEO!

At NO time during my testing did the metal mesh filter get clogged up, even though some of the area rugs were shedding fibers.  I highly recommend that you keep an eye on it because loss of suction is one of the most frequent complaints with any vacuum cleaner, and its almost always because of a dirty filter.

Unless you or someone in your household happen to be very sensitive to dust the filtration system on the Hoover Impulse should be quite sufficient.

Pros

1. Very good cleaning performance on low to medium pile area rugs and hardwood flooring
2. Sufficient runtime for clean-ups and maintaining floors
3. Quick recharge time
4. Easy operation

Cons

1. Will not stand alone
2. No headlamps

Specs

• ASSEMBLED UNIT HEIGHT: 45 In
• BATTERY RUN TIME: 18 Minutes approx.
• BATTERY VOLTS: 24 Volts
• BRUSH SPEED: Two – Speed
• CHARGE TIME: 3-4 hours
• DIRT CUP CAPACITY: .4 Liters or 1.7 cups
• FILTRATION: Rinseable Sponge
• SWIVEL STEERING: Yes
• WEIGHT: 5.6 Lbs.

Bottom Line

As I had hoped, the new Hoover Impulse Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner BH53020 is not a disappointment.

I enjoyed operating it and encountered no issues whatsoever (except for the slightly tight tube-to-body fit.)

I believe Hoover got it right this time by not making the BH53020 overly-complex. This vacuum is pretty straight forward in its design and operation and does what you expect a vacuum cleaner to do.

What About Negative Customer Reviews?

(Update) Since I reviewed this vacuum there have been an unnatural number of negative customer reviews posted on Amazon.  Each one complains of “lack of suction” or “plugs up easily.” 

The reason those customers  are experiencing diminished or no suction is they did not read the Operator Manual or the Sticker affixed to the dirt cup that says: “Rinse Filter Often for MAXIMUM SUCTION.” 

A cordless stick vacuum has a filter about 1/3 the size of a full-size upright vacuum.  So obviously, they require cleaning more often. 

You will find that this vacuum model receives an average of 4.0 out of 5 or higher customer review scores at other sellers such as Walmart.

Recommendation

If you like the features and price of the Hoover Impulse but are leery of the negative customer reviews, then take a look at the new Eureka NEC180 RapidClean Pro Cordless.  It has similar quality, more features, similar cleaning performance and a very attractive price. 2/22/2020

If you want the convenience of cord-free operation in a grab-n-go vacuum but don’t want to mortgage your house, the Hoover Impulse BH53020 is an excellent option from a reputable company.

It will deliver very good cleaning performance on Hardwood, Engineered, Tile, Vinyl flooring and area rugs or low pile carpet.

This is a darn nice vacuum for the price and better than some costing twice as much.  I Recommend the Hoover Impulse BH53020!

(NOTE: Be sure to carefully read the Operator Manual before using to avoid any unnecessary disappointments.)
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