Henry Cordless Hoovers: Which One to Buy (2026)
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Numatic makes two cordless Henrys: the Henry Quick, a bagged stick vacuum that converts to a handheld, and the Henry Cordless (HVB160), a battery version of the classic red cylinder. The Quick suits most people who want quick daily cleans; the Cordless suits those who want Henry's big bag and hose without the cable.
Quick answer: Buy the Henry Quick if you want a light, self-standing cordless with dust-free emptying for flats, stairs and everyday tidying. Buy the Henry Cordless (ideally with two batteries) if you love your corded Henry and want the same experience without a plug. If you want maximum carpet power and smart sensors, a Shark or Dyson will do more.
On this page
The Henry cordless range
| Model | Type | Best for | Typical price band |
|---|---|---|---|
| Henry Quick (HEN.100 / HQ100) | Cordless stick, Henry Pods | Daily cleans, flats, stairs | £220–£300 |
| Henry Cordless HVB160, one battery | Battery cylinder, 6-litre bags | Smaller homes, quick whole-room cleans | £250–£330 |
| Henry Cordless HVB160, two batteries | Battery cylinder, 6-litre bags | Whole-house cleans | £320–£400 |
| Hetty versions | Same machines in pink | Anyone who prefers Hetty | Similar |
Prices are typical bands rather than live prices. Numatic discounts less aggressively than Shark or Dyson, but retailers do run offers, particularly around Black Friday. For the pink versions see our Hetty cordless guide.
How the two designs differ
Although they share the Henry name and smile, the two cordless Henrys are very different machines.
Henry Quick: a stick with bags
The Quick looks like a conventional cordless stick, but it stands up by itself and collects dust into disposable Henry Pods of around one litre rather than an open bin. When the pod is full you lift it out and bin it. Retail listings quote a removable lithium-ion battery with up to around 60 minutes in the lowest mode and a much shorter boost runtime. The handheld section detaches for stairs, upholstery and cars.
Henry Cordless: a cylinder with a battery
The HVB160 keeps the familiar drum, hose and wand, with a 36V lithium-ion battery in place of the cable. Numatic quotes roughly 30 minutes on low and 20 on high per battery, about double that with the two-battery version, and a recharge time of around 3.5 hours. It takes the same 6-litre HepaFlo bags as the corded Henry, which means very infrequent bag changes.
Our detailed Henry Cordless vs Henry Quick comparison covers handling, runtime and costs side by side.
Key Numatic tech explained
- HepaFlo bags: multi-layer filter bags that hold fine dust and keep suction steady as they fill. The bag is also the main filter, so using genuine or good-quality bags matters.
- Henry Pods: small sealed dust cartridges used only by the Quick. They are what makes emptying almost dust-free, and they are the main running cost.
- Two-speed control: both cordless Henrys keep controls simple, with low and high (or boost) modes rather than auto sensors or screens.
- Removable batteries: both models let you remove and charge the battery, and both can run with a spare.
Bagged designs have real hygiene advantages for allergy sufferers but cost more to run. Our bagged vs bagless guide and running costs page put numbers on this.
Which Henry cordless should you buy?
Numatic Henry Quick
The Quick is the better choice for most people because it does far more jobs: floors, stairs, sofas and the car, all from one self-standing machine. Emptying is clean and simple. It cannot match a Dyson V15 or Shark PowerDetect on thick carpet, but for flats, terraces and homes with mostly hard floors or short-pile carpet, it is pleasant to live with. See our Henry Quick review.
- Dust-free emptying with Henry Pods
- Self-standing and converts to handheld
- Simple controls
- Ongoing pod costs
- Less powerful than premium bagless sticks
Numatic Henry Cordless HVB160 (two batteries)
For people who like a cylinder's long hose and big bag, this is the closest thing to a corded Henry without the cable. It is ideal for cleaning around furniture, under beds and along skirting boards, and its bag capacity dwarfs any stick. The single-battery version is short on runtime for anything bigger than a flat, so we would pay extra for two. Full detail in our Henry Cordless review.
- 6-litre bags
- Comfortable hose-and-wand cleaning
- No cable to unplug between rooms
- Heavier to carry on stairs
- Short runtime per battery
- No handheld mode
Henry vs Shark, Dyson and Gtech
Henry's cordless models compete on simplicity, hygiene and build quality rather than raw power. A Shark Anti Hair Wrap or PowerDetect cleans deep carpet and pet hair better and offers a bendable wand; our Henry Quick vs Shark page explains when the Quick still wins. Against Dyson, Henry is cheaper to buy and easier to empty but lacks sensors and screens (Dyson range guide).
The most direct bagged rival is the Gtech Pro 2, a lighter bagged stick. The best bagged cordless hoover guide ranks all of these.
Reliability, parts and warranty
Numatic builds most of its machines in Chard, Somerset, and its corded Henrys are famous for lasting decades with basic care. The cordless models are newer and depend on lithium-ion batteries that gradually lose capacity, so expect to buy a replacement battery at some point. Retailers typically list a two-year manufacturer guarantee; check how the battery is covered when you buy and see our warranty guide for your statutory rights.
Bags, pods, filters, batteries and tools are sold by Numatic's consumer site, many retailers and Amazon. Third-party bags are cheaper but fit and filtration vary. Batteries are best bought genuine.
Watch out: do not run either model without a bag or pod fitted. Fine dust can reach the motor and filters, and it is a common cause of early failure on bagged machines.
Where to buy
Henry cordless models are stocked by Argos, Currys, AO, John Lewis, Amazon and independent vacuum dealers, many of whom also carry spare bags and batteries in store. Prices vary less than on Shark or Dyson, so the best deal is often a bundle that includes extra pods or bags. See our best time to buy guide for when retailers usually discount.
For a view across every brand, start with our pillar guide to the best cordless hoover.
FAQs
Is the Henry Quick as good as a corded Henry?
No, and it is not designed to be. A corded Henry has more sustained suction and a 6-litre bag. The Quick is a convenience machine for daily cleaning. If you want corded-Henry style cleaning without the cable, the Henry Cordless is closer.
Can you buy a spare battery for the Henry Cordless?
Yes. Numatic sells the 36V battery separately, and a single-battery machine can be upgraded by adding one. A second battery roughly doubles the usable runtime.
How often do you change Henry Pods?
It depends on your home and pets, but households using the Quick daily commonly change a pod every week or two. Pets and carpets fill them faster. Factor this into the running cost.
Does the Henry Cordless use the same bags as a corded Henry?
Yes. It uses the standard 6-litre HepaFlo bags, so you can share stock with an existing corded Henry or Hetty.