Buying guide for best Eureka vacuums
Are you in the market for a new vacuum? You might want to try a Eureka. The brand has been a respected name in vacuum cleaners for over a century. Whatever your cleaning needs, chances are there’s a Eureka vacuum for you.
Eureka makes several kinds of vacuums. Uprights are the most powerful, with roller brushes that scrub carpets or sweep hard floors. Portable canister vacuums are popular in Europe and work great on carpets and under furniture. Stick and handheld models are lightweight and handy for small, light jobs. Wet/dry models add a cleaning solution to remove stubborn dirt.
When shopping for a vacuum cleaner, it’s important to know its weight, since you’ll be lifting and pushing it while cleaning. Check its capacity to know how much dirt it can hold and how often you’ll need to empty it. See if you can adjust the vacuum cleaner’s height off the floor or suction power to switch from carpet to hard flooring, and look at the attachments that come with it, especially if you have pets that shed a lot. You might also want to check how loud it is.
After research and evaluations in our Testing Lab, we think the Eureka FloorRover Dash Upright Vacuum is the best Eureka vacuum cleaner you can buy. For the best bang for your buck, consider the affordable Eureka PowerSpeed Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner, one of our long-standing favorites.
Eureka vacuum cleaners
We tested the Eureka FloorRover and found it ideal for regular deep cleaning. It’s designed to be powerful enough to clean up after your furry friends, and, during testing, it made quick work of all pet hair in its path. Boasting big, maneuverable wheels, it’s also incredibly easy to push and control. Automatic height adjustment lets you take the FloorRover from hard flooring to carpeting without jamming the roller brush.
The detachable handle adds up to 12 feet of reach, and combined with the multi-angle tool enables you to dust on top of cabinets and behind furniture. The HEPA filter keeps 99.97% of dust and dander from returning to the air. Its noise level is a reasonable 82 decibels. It boasts 960 watts of power, comes with a 1.4-liter dust cup and weighs 14.5 pounds.
Our Best Buy Eureka vacuum cleaner is the tried-and-true PowerSpeed Lightweight Upright. It offers good value for the money, which is why we’ve been recommending it for a long time. This vacuum has a wide 12.6-inch cleaning path for good coverage and a roller brush that can reach into pile carpets. Five height settings let you tackle everything from hard flooring to shag carpeting. The PowerSpeed has a generous 2.6-liter dust cup that can hold more dirt at a time, which means fewer trips to the trash can while you’re vacuuming.
At 10 pounds, the PowerSpeed is easy to move around and take up and down stairs. With 960 watts of power and a manageable noise level of 88 decibels, this is a great everyday household vacuum.
If a corded full-size upright vacuum is too cumbersome for you, try Eureka’s RapidClean Pro, a 5.6-pound cordless vacuum that can be as effective as an upright. Its cleaning head comes equipped with a roller brush, just like a full-size vacuum. It sports swivel steering and helpful LED headlights to illuminate the dirt in dark corners or under furniture. This model works on hard floors and low-pile carpets. We like how the 0.6-liter dust cup sits on the front of the handle, so you can position the vacuum almost horizontally to the floor when cleaning under the bed.
The RapidClean Pro vacuum packs 150 watts for everyday cleaning, runs at a quieter 78 decibels and lasts up to 40 minutes on a single charge.
A stick vacuum like the three-in-one Eureka Blaze is ideal for light, everyday cleaning, such as touching up a short-pile area rug or tidying the kitchen floor. It works as a stick vacuum for floors and stairs or a handheld for countertops and car interiors. The cleaning head boasts swivel steering for getting into tight corners as well as a large nozzle for bigger particles like pet food or cereal.
Weighing less than 4 pounds, with an 18-foot power cord, you can take the Blaze practically anywhere. And despite its small size, it packs 240 watts of power and has a noise level of 84 decibels and a 0.6-liter dust cup.
Canister vacuums are known to provide better suction on carpets than uprights and are usually a little quieter. Eureka’s WhirlWind vacuum has three settings on the wand handle to go from hard floors to carpet and a 16-foot cord that automatically rewinds. The HEPA filter prevents any fine dirt particles from escaping. Its accessories securely snap into place, and all the reusable parts can be rinsed off.
The WhirlWind weighs 8 pounds and has 960 watts of power, a 1.2-liter dust cup and an acceptable noise level of 82 decibels.
An upright that’s sized perfectly for an apartment, the Eureka AirSpeed has the kind of everyday feature set that makes it a solid pick for anyone looking for a lightweight, affordable vacuum. The 10.5-inch cleaning head is equipped with a roller brush and small enough to fit where a 12-inch or larger head won’t. The AirSpeed comes with a dusting brush and crevice tool. You can also detach the handle and use it as a reach extender for the hose.
This full-size upright weighs just 7.7 pounds. It offers 700 watts of power for light to moderate cleaning jobs, has a 1.7-liter dust cup and runs at a workable 82 decibels.
If you’ve got floors or rugs that need more than suction to get them clean, consider the Eureka NEW200 vacuum-mop combo. This wet/dry model can wash and then suction up the cleaning solution and dirt off hard flooring and low-pile carpeting. It comes with swivel steering to maneuver around furniture and corners, and the dual-tank system keeps clean and dirty water separate. Buttons on the handle let you switch from hard floors to rugs. It comes with a storage tray to catch drips, and the brush roller automatically cleans itself.
Unlike a bulky carpet cleaner, the NEW200 wet/dry vacuum and mop weighs less than 12 pounds. It has a capacity of 0.45 liters, is rated at 550 watts of power and runs at 86 decibels.
How we tested
Setup
- First impressions: We rated each vacuum on appearance, materials and build quality.
- Size and weight: We checked to see how heavy and bulky a vacuum was and carried it up and down the stairs.
- Assembly: We put together the vacuum according to the instructions to see how long and complex a task it was.
Ease of use
- Maneuverability: We tested how easy it was to move the vacuum on various flooring surfaces, into corners and around obstacles.
- Attachments: We used the included attachments and tested the reach of any wands, handles or hoses.
- Cord length: For corded models, we measured the length of the power cord and tested how often we had to change outlets because of a lack of reach.
- Noise: We rated the vacuum for loudness and to see if we could still hold a conversation while using it.
Performance
- Suction: We put the vacuum’s suction power to the test with various sizes of dirt and debris on different flooring surfaces.
- Pet hair: We evaluated how well the vacuum could remove pet hair from rugs and upholstery.
- Dust cup: We took note of the capacity of the dust cup, how easy it was to empty and if it leaked or spilled during emptying.
What to consider when buying a Eureka vacuum
Type
The biggest consideration to keep in mind when buying a Eureka vacuum is whether the model is the best choice for your home. Eureka has designed a vacuum for nearly every situation, meaning that its vacuum cleaners aren’t a “one style fits all” solution. We encourage you to evaluate the pros and cons of each type to get a better understanding of the kind of vacuum cleaner you need.
Handheld: Eureka’s handheld vacuums weigh about 5 pounds and are small and easy to store. They make an excellent choice for spot cleaning or cleaning small areas like vehicle interiors. However, the petite size of handheld vacuums means you’ll have to empty the dust cup often.
Upright: This is the iconic vacuum cleaner style, and Eureka offers a number of them. Although upright vacuums are the heaviest of all types, they hold the most dirt per use and have superior suction power compared to other types.
Stick: A stick vacuum is lighter and narrower than an upright, but it doesn’t have the powerful suction power or spacious dust cup of a traditional upright. Since they’re cordless, stick vacuums must be charged regularly.
Canister: Canister vacuums have the power of an upright in a smaller size. While a canister vacuum is portable and fairly lightweight, these models still rely on disposable dust bags that must be replaced after several uses.
Wet/dry: Combination wet/dry vacuums are for heavy-duty cleaning. These machines incorporate cleaning solutions and can remove deeper stains and spills in carpets. Wet/dry vacuums have separate chambers for dirt and water, requiring you to switch between wet and dry filters while vacuuming.
Weight and mobility
Since you’ll be taking your vacuum from room to room and maneuvering it around furniture, it’s a good idea to compare its overall weight and mobility options, such as a swivel head or extra-long wand tool for cleaning high above the floor. Eureka’s upright vacuums are the heaviest, ranging from 7 to 15 pounds. The canister vacuums are a little lighter, while the cordless vacuums weigh between 5 and 10 pounds.
Attachments and accessories
Each Eureka vacuum cleaner includes at least one cleaning accessory, such as a crevice tool or dusting brush. An upholstery tool can gently and safely clean furniture and a bristle dust brush allows you to kick up and collect dust without getting your hands dirty. Most Eureka vacuums include a simple crevice tool for cleaning those hard-to-reach places between the seats of a car or behind the refrigerator. The inclusion of an upholstery brush or pet hair brush can help you determine which vacuum cleaner is best for your home.
Dust cup and disposal
A large dust cup means you won’t have to empty it as often. When it comes to emptying a full dust cup, users appreciate the ability to press a button that instantly drops the dirt into your trash can. A feature that keeps those nasty particles out of your face could be the deciding factor for allergy sufferers. Keep in mind that the dust cup’s maximum capacity is more than its maximum fill, which is how much dirt it can hold before it needs to be emptied.
Maneuverability
Something people often overlook when considering vacuums is how easy or difficult a specific model is to maneuver. A vacuum can be hard to push or pull along high-pile carpet or upholstery, so check if you can change the height or suction power to adjust to the surface you’re cleaning. Some models don’t have wheels on the cleaning head, so you’ll have to do all the work. Others have oversize wheels or swivel heads that move easily around obstacles and into corners. Don’t forget to consider the length of the cord and if you’ll have to keep unplugging the vacuum to get to all areas of your home.
Power and runtime
A vacuum’s wattage gives you some idea of how powerful the motor is. Different varieties have different wattage ranges, but 700 to 900 watts is a powerful upright or canister vacuum, while 350 watts is a powerful handheld model.
Cordless vacuums are extremely convenient because you can use them anywhere in the home without worrying about snagging or unplugging a power cord. Since they run on batteries, however, check to see how long a cordless vacuum will run on a single charge and how long it takes to recharge. Most Eureka cordless vacuums last between 30 and 45 minutes on a charge, and some models allow you to remove and replace the battery.
Decibels
All vacuum cleaners make noise when they’re in use, but some are noisier than others. If you’re sensitive to noise or you live in an apartment where loud noises would disrupt neighbors, it’s important to choose a quieter model.
A vacuum’s noise level is reflected in decibels (dB) and is usually included in the product specifications. For a quiet vacuum, look for one with a level between 60 and 65 decibels. A vacuum cleaner with 70 or more decibels will be fairly noisy. Wet/dry vacuums can be particularly loud, reaching noise levels above 80 decibels. Some users wear ear protection while using this type of vacuum.
Tips for using a Eureka vacuum
- Clean the vacuum filter regularly. A clogged filter reduces the suction power and the efficiency of a vacuum cleaner. Replace worn-out filters when necessary. Check the owner’s manual for recommendations and instructions.
- Consider purchasing additional attachments. For instance, if you own a cat or dog that sheds a lot, a pet brush attachment will make your life easier.
- Dust before you vacuum. Dust blinds, curtains, shelves and ceiling fixtures before vacuuming a room so you can easily suction up any dust particles that end up on the floor.
- Make sure to clean your vacuum regularly. This includes washing its dust cup and any other washable accessories.
FAQ
Q. How much does a Eureka vacuum cleaner cost?
A. Eureka’s vacuums range from as low as $30 for a stick vacuum for light jobs to nearly $200 for its latest full-featured, full-size upright or cordless models. Most of its vacuums for everyday use cost between $60 and $100, while its wet/dry vacuum-mop combo costs around $250.
Q. What is a HEPA filter?
A. To prevent dust particles and allergens from simply reentering the air through the vacuum’s exhaust, consider paying a bit more for a model with HEPA filtration. This type of filter catches allergens like pet dander, pollen and dust mites, keeping your air clean as well as your floors. Some filters are designed specifically to catch pet hair, which can prevent the exhaust from clogging and reducing suction power. Others are fine enough to collect drywall dust, which makes some home improvement jobs far easier.
Q. How often should I empty the dust cup?
A. For optimum performance, we recommend emptying your vacuum’s dust cup as soon as you notice that the dirt has reached the maximum fill line or sooner if possible.
