Our Verdict: The Charles CVC370 is a solid wet and dry vacuum that provides great value for money. It’s durable, easy to use, and powerful enough for almost any cleaning task. The lack of proper cable storage and a motorised floorhead for carpets are two obvious downsides though.
Numatic Charles CVC370
Pros:
- Powerful suction for both wet and dry spills
- Large 15 litre dry capacity and 9 litre wet capacity
- Relatively simple to switch between wet and dry
Cons:
- Doesn’t come with Numatic’s regular cord system
- Tubes need to be manually pushed together
- 9kg weight is heavy for a vacuum
If you need a powerful vacuum that can quickly switch between vacuuming dust to clearing up liquid spills (or even unclogging a blocked sink), then we think the Numatic CVC370 Charles wet and dry vacuum is a model to consider.
It’s not a flashy vacuum and it doesn’t come with many advanced features. Instead, it shines because of its simplicity and powerful suction. As you would expect from the company behind the famous Henry range, the Charles is also durable and easy to use.
In this Numatic Charles review, we’re going to start by taking you through the main features of the machine. Next, we’ll summarise the positive and negative comments from buyers.
Overview of Numatic Charles Features
- Powerful Twinflo motor that’s effective for sucking up wet spills
- Switching between wet and dry modes is quick and straightforward
- Lightweight aluminium tubes to prevent rust
- 9 litre wet capacity and a 15 litre dry dust capacity
- Two nozzles are included – one for carpets and hard floors, and the other for wet cleaning
- Several other tools are included with the Charles for extra versatility, including a dusting brush
In-Depth Look at the Numatic Charles Wet and Dry Vacuum
The Numatic Charles Wet and Dry vacuum looks like an excellent model on paper. Let’s dig deeper into the features to see how it stacks up against other models.
Appearance, Features, and Design
On the outside, the Numatic CVC370 Charles looks like a blue version of the classic Henry. It has the same smiling face, black lid and circular design.
The Charles also has the no-nonsense design as other Numatic vacuums. this means it’s straightforward to use and very durable, although it lacks some of the convenience features found on more advanced vacuum cleaners.
It comes with two floor nozzles that can quickly be switched at the end of the hose. The first is a combination nozzle for vacuuming hard floors and carpets. The second is specifically for liquids. There are also wheels for smoothly moving the vacuum around, which is important considering the weight.
To switch between dry and wet modes, you need to change the inside of the Charles. This is a shame, as some wet and dry vacuums are able to move between the two types without a filter change.
Fortunately, we found this to be a quick process. The vacuum comes with a Tritex filtration system for dry tasks, and a float valve for liquids. Simply switching between the two allows you to tackle wet jobs with ease.
Suction Power and Cleaning Performance
The Numatic CVC370 Charles wet and dry vacuum cleaner is powered by the company’s Twinflo motor. This motor incorporates two stages, with the goal of increasing suction power while lowering sound levels.
This motor provides excellent suction power down the hose due to its 1000W power. This is higher than dry-only upright and cylinder vacuums, which are limited to 900W maximum.
In fact, the Charles CVC370 is one of the most powerful vacuums we’ve reviewed. For example, it provides plenty of strength for sucking up water and can even unblock drains, which isn’t any task by any stretch.
When set to dry mode, it has enough suction for tough cleaning jobs, It’s particularly effective at cleaning hard floors, as the strong suction can remove debris deep in floorboard cracks. Charles also generates enough suction for basic workshop tasks, such as sucking up gravel or light rubble, and is great for giving car interiors a deep clean.
However, the lack of a motorised brush bar makes it less effective on thick carpets. It can be difficult to push at times, with the floorhead tending to get sucked down into the carpet pile.
We also think it’s only mediocre when it comes to cleaning pet hair – especially from carpets. This isn’t surprising, as it’s hard for a vacuum to remove clumps of hair deep in carpets without a motorised brush bar.
Filtration
As we mentioned above, the Numatic CVC370 Charles comes with two types of filters depending on whether you need it for wet or dry use.
When in dry mode, the standard HepaFlo dust bags are used. These bags are effective for trapping dirt, dust, and other debris, while also having a self-sealing tab for emptying. We think this makes the Charles an option to consider for people with allergies, although we don’t think it can match the best allergy vacuums.
To vacuum dry material, you need to remove the bag and swap the dry filter for the wet float valve. You also need to swap floorheads, as the regular cleaner head is only suitable for dry spills.
Dust Capacity
The dust capacity of the Numatic Charles depends on the type of cleaning. For dry cleaning, it has a large 15 litre capacity (which is considerably larger than the 9 litre capacity of the Henry). When in wet clean mode, the capacity is reduced to 9 litres – which is still relatively spacious.
A downside to the large dust capacity is that the Charles is a relatively heavy and bulky vacuum cleaner. However, we think this is an acceptable trade-off, as wet and dry vacuums are typically used for bigger jobs.
Ease of Use
We always think Numatic manufactures vacuums that are simple and easy to use. The Charles is no exception, with its minimalistic features and charming exterior.
The Charles also has a large cleaning range of 26.8 metres. This, combined with the capacity, means you can do a lot of cleaning without having to change plug sockets or empty the vacuum.
Unfortunately, there isn’t the same cord storage system found on the Henry (and other Numatic vacuums). This makes it a bit less convenient to store and we wish Numatic had included it.
Another minor complaint is that the tubes and tools need to be pushed together. We prefer quick-release systems that click into place, as these are easier for people who might have joint issues.
It’s also important to point out that this is a heavy vacuum cleaner. At 9kg, it’s certainly not the best option if you’re looking for a lightweight vacuum for quick cleaning jobs.
Price and Value for Money
The CVC370 is more expensive than cheap wet and dry vacuums, but we think it justifies the extra cost. With its large capacity, excellent suction power and durable design, it is one of the top models in this category. Cheaper models often have less effective filters and smaller capacities than the Charles.
With that said, we don’t think this vacuum is the right choice for everyone. If don’t really need a wet vacuum, then spending a bit less on the regular Henry is probably the better choice.
Tools and Accessories
Several tools and accessories are included with the Charles, such as:
- Crevice tool
- Double taper hose adaptor
- Dusting brush
- Upholstery nozzle (plus slide on brush)
- MultiFlo wet pick up nozzle
- Combination floor nozzle (for carpets and hard floors)
- Two extension tubes
These tools are fairly standard for wet and dry vacs – the Karcher WD3 P has a similar set – but we still think they are useful to have. The tubes of the machine are built from aluminium. This reduces weight and also prevents rust – an essential feature for a wet and dry vacuum.
Numatic Charles Specification Table
| Ninja Column 1 | Ninja Column 2 |
|---|---|
| Type | Wet & Dry |
| Bag | Bagged |
| Filter | TriTex & Float Valve |
| Price Range | ££ |
| Weight (kg) | 9 |
| Dry Capacity (Litres) | 15 |
| Motorised Tool | No |
| Hose | Yes |
Verdict
The Numatic CVC370 Charles is an easy-to-use vacuum that provides excellent suction power. Its ability to suck up both dry and wet substances makes it a versatile option, while the large capacity and durable construction ensure it’s suitable for tough cleaning tasks.
It’s not perfect though. At 9kg, this is a heavy vacuum cleaner that’s only really suitable for big jobs. We also wish it had a better cable storage system.
In summary, if you want a “no-frills” machine that can handle almost any task you can throw at it, the Charles is definitely one to consider. But if you want a lightweight vacuum for quick jobs, then look elsewhere.