Hoover 18V Pets Plus Handivac CH965 Review: Introduction
For pet owners and those needing quick clean-ups, a powerful and reliable cordless hand vacuum is an essential tool. The Hoover 18V Pets Plus Handivac CH965 promises to tackle pet hair and everyday messes with its specialized attachments and cord-free convenience. This detailed Hoover 18V Pets Plus Handivac CH965 review analyzes 17 customer experiences to determine if it delivers on its promises or falls short. With a middling average rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars—split between 5 five-star reviews, 3 four-star reviews, and 9 more critical reviews—the feedback reveals a product with clear strengths but significant, deal-breaking weaknesses. This article will explore the praise for its powerful suction and versatility, while confronting the severe and consistent complaints about its outdated battery technology and poor long-term reliability. Before you invest in this handheld cleaner, this Hoover 18V Pets Plus Handivac CH965 review provides the crucial insights you need.
Key Features of Hoover 18V Pets Plus Handivac CH965
The Hoover 18V Pets Plus Handivac CH965 is a cordless, rechargeable handheld vacuum designed for quick clean-ups and pet hair removal. Its key feature is the inclusion of a motorized powerhead brush roll attachment specifically designed to lift embedded pet hair from carpets and upholstery. The vacuum operates on an 18-volt rechargeable battery (noted by users as Nickel-Cadmium/NiCd) and comes with a range of attachments including extension wands, a crevice tool, and a dusting brush, all of which can be stored on a wall-mountable charging dock. It is bagless, with a transparent dirt cup for easy emptying. Marketed as a solution for cars, stairs, furniture, and small messes, its “Pets Plus” designation highlights its focus on animal owners. Understanding this feature set, particularly the battery type, is central to this Hoover 18V Pets Plus Handivac CH965 review, as it directly explains the polarized customer feedback.
Hoover 18V Pets Plus Handivac CH965 review: Pros & Cons
Synthesizing the feedback from 17 owners highlights a vacuum that impresses initially but often disappoints over time.
Pros
- Strong Suction & Effective Powerhead: When working, the suction is frequently praised as “powerful,” “great,” and “surprisingly potent.” The motorized pet hair brush is highlighted as effective on carpets, couches, and car interiors.
- Versatile and Convenient: Users love its utility for cars, stairs, upholstery, and small messes. The attachments and extensions allow cleaning of skirting boards, ceilings, and tight spaces. “So much more than I expected!” said one owner.
- Good Design for Accessories: The charging dock that stores all attachments is mentioned as a thoughtful, convenient feature that keeps everything together.
- Lightweight and Maneuverable: Its light weight makes it easy to use on stairs and for overhead cleaning, a noted advantage over bulkier vacuums.
- Effective on Pet Hair (When New): Several reviews confirm it is “perfect for collecting dog hair” and good for pet-related messes, living up to the “Pets Plus” name in the short term.
Cons
- Terrible, Outdated Battery Technology & Life: This is the most severe and consistent complaint. The NiCd (Nickel-Cadmium) battery is panned as “the worst battery in any device I’ve ever owned.” Issues include short run time (10-15 mins), rapid degradation, losing charge when stored, and complete failure after 12-18 months.
- Poor Long-Term Reliability & Build Quality: Multiple reports exist of the vacuum becoming “absolutely dead” after storage, the pet hair brush attachment failing within 6 months, and the internal dust collection system feeling “cheap.”
- Inconsistent Pet Hair Performance: While some praise it, others with cats or fine hair find it “not very good on picking it up,” contradicting the marketing.
- Limited Suction for Fine Debris: Some users note it struggles with fine particles like dry soil or sand, and it’s acknowledged that it “can’t compare to a real vacuum cleaner.”
- Noisy Operation: The vacuum is described as “noisy” and that it “screams” during use, which can be unpleasant.
- Poor Customer Service: One review cited “zero customer service from Godfrey’s” when seeking a repair for the broken brush head.
- Overpriced for Technology: Several users felt it was “pricey for its limitations,” given the obsolete battery tech and flimsy parts.
Customer Experience Analysis
The 17 reviews for the Hoover CH965 tell a story of initial satisfaction followed by frustration for many. The 5 five-star reviewers are often in the “honeymoon phase,” impressed by its power and versatility for specific tasks like car cleaning or stair vacuuming. They represent the ideal use case where the battery hasn’t yet degraded.
The 3 four-star reviews acknowledge its power but note early signs of the core flaw—one mentioned the “running time has noticeably dropped” after a year.
The 5 three-star reviews are from pragmatic users. They find it “does the job” for limited tasks (like car clean-ups) but are fully aware of its limitations, often comparing it unfavorably to a main vacuum. They represent managed expectations.
The 1 two-star and 3 one-star reviews are dominated by battery failure and broken components. These users experienced the product’s downfall: batteries that died entirely, brush heads that broke, and a device that became a paperweight within a year or two. The frustration is palpable, with one calling it a “waste of money.” It is notable that 3 reviews were from Verified Purchasers, and their experiences include both positive (5-star) and critical (3-star) feedback, lending balanced credibility.
The overarching theme is that this is a short-term solution with a fatal long-term flaw in its power system.
Hoover 18V Pets Plus Handivac CH965 Performance Review
Assessing performance in this Hoover 18V Pets Plus Handivac CH965 review requires separating immediate function from enduring utility. Initial performance is often very good. The suction and rotating brush head effectively pick up pet hair, crumbs, and debris from a variety of surfaces. Its lightweight, cordless design performs excellently for quick clean-ups, car interiors, and spot cleaning furniture.
However, performance degrades rapidly due to the battery. The NiCd battery not only offers short run time but suffers from the “memory effect,” meaning if not fully discharged before recharging, its capacity diminishes. This leads to the reported issues of the vacuum dying quickly or not holding a charge at all after storage. The performance of the pet hair brush, while effective at first, is also prone to mechanical failure. Therefore, the machine’s performance is not consistent over its lifespan; it starts strong but becomes increasingly unreliable, often failing completely on the power front within a couple of years.
Value for Money Assessment
Positioned as a mid-range cordless hand vac, the CH965’s value is heavily undermined by its poor longevity.
For the 8 out of 17 users (47%) giving 4 or 5 stars, the value was reasonable at the time of purchase. They received a powerful, convenient tool that solved immediate problems. If it continued working, the value would hold.
For the 9 out of 17 users (53%) giving 3 stars or below, the value is poor. The three-star reviewers accept its limited capability for the price. However, for the one and two-star reviewers, the value is terrible. Spending a significant amount on a tool that becomes unusable due to a non-replaceable (or prohibitively expensive to replace) battery within 12-18 months represents a bad investment. The cost-per-use becomes very high.
Alternatives to Hoover 18V Pets Plus Handivac CH965
Given the battery reliability issues highlighted in this Hoover 18V Pets Plus Handivac CH965 review, considering modern alternatives is strongly advised.
- For Modern Battery Tech (Lithium-ion): Look for newer handheld vacuums from brands like Black+Decker or Bissell that use Lithium-ion batteries, which offer longer life, no memory effect, and better charge retention.
- For Pet-Specific Cleaning: The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Hand Vacuum is designed specifically for pet owners and generally receives better reviews for hair pickup and reliability.
- For a Stick Vac with Handheld Option: Consider a compact stick vacuum like the Shark Wandvac or Dyson V7/V8 Trigger, which can be used as a handheld and typically have more advanced, replaceable battery systems.
Before purchasing any model, check the latest feedback. You can Check Hoover 18V Pets Plus Handivac CH965 on Amazon for current pricing, but note that this model appears to be from an older generation.
Hoover 18V Pets Plus Handivac CH965 review: Final Verdict
The Hoover 18V Pets Plus Handivac CH965 is a product trapped in the past, undone by its own obsolete technology. Our final verdict is a recommendation to avoid this specific model.
While it can demonstrate strong suction and useful versatility when new, its reliance on a Nickel-Cadmium battery is a critical design flaw that guarantees premature failure and frustration for a large proportion of owners. In today’s market, where Lithium-ion batteries are standard, purchasing a device with NiCd technology is not cost-effective or sensible.
If you need a cordless hand vacuum for pet hair and quick clean-ups, invest in a more modern model with a lithium-ion battery and better reviews for long-term reliability. The initial savings on the CH965 are far outweighed by the high likelihood of needing a replacement within two years. In conclusion, this Hoover 18V Pets Plus Handivac CH965 review finds a product whose core functionality is sabotaged by an outdated power system, making it a risky and poor-value purchase for most consumers.