Hoover HFX Corner Genie review: dust-sucking in even the tightest of spots

What do you call that thing in your cupboard that cleans the floors? A Hoover? Well, the other hoover brands would love to tell you off for doing so, since Hoover is a brand. One of the first to release a vacuum for the home, Hoover is synonymous with cleaning. So how does Hoover’s latest cordless vacuum cleaner stack up to this age-old reputation?

This handheld vac is designed to handle hard-to-reach places particularly well. It’s also meant to tackle pet hair particularly well. I got my hands on the Hoover HFX Corner Genie to drag around my carpets and see how it fared.

Design & build: Float like a feather, clean like a whistle

The HFX Corner Genie is like the slim-fit jeans of the vacuum world. It’s sleek, not bulky, and has a certain charm that makes you want to show it off rather than shove it in a closet. You can pick it up in two colours: Magenta or Rose. I tested the latter.

The design is modern and practical, with a fold-over feature that’s a godsend for those of us who aren’t blessed with ample storage space. You know, the sort that makes you think, “Where’s the vacuum?” rather than “Why is this thing always in the way?”

It does come with a wall mount, so you can easily hang it in place. Just be warned that it doesn’t come with screws. You don’t need to use a specific size screw, though, so that might not be a big deal.

The charging hole is on the rear, and it’s a standard round hole. In fact, the charger from my last cordless vac fit straight into this one. It’s a shame there’s no base station that holds extra charge, so make sure you mount near a plug socket.

This vacuum is something of a featherweight champion. It’s easy to lift, and easy to manoeuvre at just 3.7kg. That’s reassuringly light for anyone thinking about installing the wall mount. This also makes it a dream to use for those longer cleaning sessions, or if you have stairs that have previously been the bane of your cleaning life.

Features & performance: Corner magnet

The Hoover HFX Corner Genie’s standout star is, of course, the Corner Genie with its 180-degree steering. This little gem is like a hinge for your cordless vac. It lets you swoop into those tight corners and crevices where dust bunnies like to throw their secret raves. I found it easier than ever to get up close and personal with the skirting board. And if you want to clear the dust from under the sofa or your bed, this can manage it just as easily.

The anti-twist brush roller was very effective at picking up hair without tangles – which is perfect for pets (or those of us with long hair).

While Hoover has kept quiet about the precise suction power of this vac, I found it effective enough that you don’t need to question it. The HFX Corner Genie is great at sucking up larger bits of debris as well as the smaller dust and crumbs lurking on your floors. You can switch between a hard floor and carpet setting to optimize your dust-sucking. For those after a little more oomph, there’s also a Turbo mode. It ups the ante, but almost halves your battery life. With it turned on, I’m pretty sure there’s nothing Hoover’s latest couldn’t pick up.

30 minutes per charge might not sound like an eternity, but I found it was ample time to get around without feeling like I was in a race against the clock. If I avoided Turbo mode, I could usually manage two cleans between charges. The LED display keeps you informed about remaining battery life, as well as the current suction mode.

However, juicing this vacuum up seems to take forever. Hoover claims the HFX Corner Genie will fully charge in 3.5 hours, but it seemed to take an awful lot longer than that (yes, I am using Hoover’s cable). It’s not very convenient, and watching the numbers slowly creep up seems to particularly get under my skin.

The no-touch bin emptying is a win for the squeamish among you – no more getting your hands dirty! You just slot out the 1.9L bin from the stick, and then you slide down the mechanism to flap open the bin lid. And when you’ve emptied it, you can slide it back up again to close things up.

Hoover HFX Corner Genie verdict

Hoover’s HFX Corner Genie is an impressive cordless vac. It’s lightweight, easy to store and use, and packs plenty of suction power. While the charging time is somewhat of a turn-off, it’s not something you’ll notice each time you use the vac.

Given it retails for £469 as standard, the HFX Corner Genie seems a bit pricey to me. Fully handheld rivals from Shark, Samsung and even Dyson can be had for less (if you don’t mind an older generation model from the latter). If you’re lucky, you might find the Hoover at a third-party retailer for £369, but it’s still a pricey vacuum regardless.

• Read more: The Stuff Gadget Awards 2023: Kitchen and cleaning tech of the year