When we moved from a duplex with carpet to our house with all laminate floors, I thought I’d never have to vacuum again. Surely a quick sweep of the floors with a dust mop would be enough. It was…until we adopted Chloe.
Now don’t get me wrong. We love Chloe, the dog. But do you see that hair?
She sheds like crazy! Every morning I sweep the floors, and every morning it looks like someone lost an entire head of hair! It’s that bad!
With that in mind, I jumped at the chance to review the Eureka AirSpeed vacuum cleaner.
About the Eureka AirSpeed
The Eureka AirSpeed is a bagless 12 amp vacuum with a HEPA filter. The first thing I noticed when I pulled it out of the box is how much lighter it was than my old vacuum. I also noticed that the dust cup was a good size, important when you’re vacuuming up lots of dog hair!
Included on board attachments include a 3 position wand, a crevice tool, a dusting brush, and a turbo nozzle. A bare floor nozzle and wand and a stair hose are not included, but are available for purchase separately.
Also included is a filter brush, so you can clean off the filter, increasing the length of time you can use the filter before replacing.
The vacuum includes four height settings: high carpet, medium carpet, low carpet, and bare floor.
The recommended maintenance schedule is to empty the dust cup after each use, clean or replace the filter regularly, and replace the exhaust filter every six months (or more if needed).
The key difference between the AirSpeed and other vacuums is the fact that there is no lengthy hose for debris to travel, which increases the vacuum’s suction power. The hose is only used in attachment mode.
Randall Sandlin, Eureka’s general manager of consumer experience and innovation says,
Most upright vacuums propel air through a nozzle and hose system that is long and full of twists and texturing. AirSpeed cleans carpets better than many other uprights because we have removed the hose from the equation and replaced it with wider, shorter tubes, allowing more airflow to go through the vacuum, which results in a powerful, deep clean.
I must say, the way the hose is set up on the airspeed, allowing for quickly switching between vacuum and attachment mode, is certainly consumer friendly.
My Experience with the Eureka Air Speed
I really liked the AirSpeed’s ease of use! After I began vacuuming, the first thing I noticed was that the vacuum cleaned the edges of the floor really well. Instead of needing the crevice tool, I just ran the vacuum up against the wall and the dog hair along the wall was sucked right up!
I loved the bare floor setting, as the brush roll doesn’t hit my floor and damage the laminate.
And my favorite feature of the AirSpeed is the fact that switching from vacuum mode to attachment mode is so easy. You just flip a dial and pick up the attachment hose. I found that it was really easy to be vacuuming along and switch to the hose attachment to quickly reach under a bookcase, then switch back to vacuum the rest of the floor.
When finished vacuuming, the dust cup is easy to remove and empty.
The Low Down on the Eureka Airspeed
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Vacuums edges well
- Easy to switch to attachment mode
- Large dust cup
- Filter brush to help extend filter life
Cons:
- The on/off switch seems a little flimsy, and I worry it will break eventually, especially if the kids vacuum.
My Overall Thoughts
I really liked this vacuum. Despite my concern about the on/off switch, I will be ditching my older Kenmore in favor of the new Eureka. What sold me on the Eureka was the edge cleaning and the ease of attachment use.
The Eureka AirSpeed is available for $119.96 at Walmart.com or in Walmart stores. To find out more about the Eureka AirSpeed, visit Eureka.com.
You tell me: What is most important to you, when considering a new vacuum?
*Disclaimer: Eureka provided me with a vacuum in exchange for my honest review.
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I have a bearded collie, a tuxedo colored cat and a calico cat. Due to a separation (at age 66, with limited funds), the home I am able to buy is totally carpeted. So I really need a vacuum that will pull hair off and out of carpets. I am leaving behind hardwood floors and an in-wall vac system, and I can’t begin to imagine keeping light colored carpet clean. Winning this Eureka Give-Away would ssurely help! Thanks, Eureka!
I would like a vacumn that does hardwoods and carpets well but also can reach in corners and high up to do ceiling fans and blinds. I also have allergies and would look for one with extra hepa filtration to clean the air.
Great Vac
Ive had it two months
Best Ive ever owned at half the price!
Dog that gets a new coat about every 15 mins.
I have a central vacuum and know that it is old and isn’t picking up the dirt like it should. Also have a Kirby which is too heavy for me, and even tho it lifts the carpeting off the floor, I’m not too sure about it’s cleaning ability. Last week, I came across an extra $100 – don’t ask how I did it (I’m disabled and husband is self-employed but not making as much money since this economic “depression”. Anyway, last week I went out and bought the Eureka AirSpeed at Walmart. I saw it advertised on TV but couldn’t find many reviews of this vacuum because it is so new. Well, WOW!!! This vacuum sucks! The first room I vacuumed was my bed room and it filled the dirt cup to the line. When I went to clean out the dirt cup, I could not get over how much dog hair there was, not only that, I was amazed at the amount of dust and fine particles it picked up. For $119.00 + change, I have this super vacuum that does what it says! This vacuum for the money is a little miracle on wheels! There was a tag on the vacuum that says it “cleans carpets better than Dyson models DC14, DC17 & DC 25”. I believe it. I just used it again in my bedroom and I just vacuumed a small area and I am amazed how much dirt it picked up in that tiny area! I have a severe back problem which prevents me from vacuuming anymore than just a room, (I’m having back surgery in a few weeks) but my husband grabbed ahold of it and I couldn’t get it out of his hands! This is one terrific machine and am so glad I made a good decision when I bought this powerful vacuum for not alot of money!
SUCK ON EUREKA AIRSPEED!
Donna Kolo
I need a vacuum that can handle hardwood floors and a little bit of carpet, and get up the cat and dog hair.
I have a profound medical disability that keeps me fairly much homebound. Finding a vacuum that is extra-light, but not actually a light weight when it comes to cleaning would truly be a dream as all those I’ve tried thus far (the light weight versions offered by Hoover, Dirt Devil, and Bissell) have actually proven worse on bare floors than simply using a sturdy rush broom. I love the cleaning ability of the various Dyson vacuums, but with the way they grab onto and hug all flooring surfaces makes it literally impossible for someone like me to use on my own. (Believe me, there is nothing quite so defeating than being a disabled adult who has chosen to live on her own, but then has to rely on someone else to do those wonderful little household chores that one enjoys, the ones that really make a home feel like a home.)
Anyway, I saw the new TV ad for Eureka’s new “Airspeed” tonight while watching “Private Practice,” and I immediately stopped viewing so I could search for a review. That, of course, is what led me to you. If this vacuum cleaner can honestly do all those things as you’ve described them, then it might finally be the answer to what has been, at least for me, far more than just a pesky little problem!
My furbag crossed the rainbow bridge last Friday.
I’d give anything to have her back and be able to complain about the fur blizzard in the kitchen.
I foster homeless animals from the local shelter and need a great vacuum cleanerr to pickup dog and cat fur. My old vacuum has seen it’s better days and I am in dire need of a great cleaner.
Power. That is the key. It will not matter if it is pretty. It will not matter if light weight like that other kind. I need power. I have a home to clean. Not a “tv living room”. I have a real life home. Complete with dog hair and dirt and pollen. I need power. I am glad to see Eureka has given us that. I have the older model and LOVE it…. but time to move up. Thank you for the fair and unbiased review.
There are a lot of great vacuum cleaners on the market. I’ve been in the vacuum business for over 25 years and I can tell you that there has never been a better time for a consumer looking for a good vacuum. The important thing to keep in mind is that you will be vacuuming for a long, really long time. It may not be fun but you are not getting away from it. The best thing to do is to visit a few of the local vacuum stores in your area. Take the time to try a few different machines, a few different stores and get a few different opinions. The best place to purchase a vacuum is at the vacuum store. They have the best vacuums, can service after the sale and care that you are getting the best machine for your needs. If they don’t care, if you don’t sense that they care, don’t shop there.
I would like a great vacuum to pick up pet hair that the dog and cats leave every time they move! We love our pets but my husband has allergies now, so cleaning well is important. The attatchments would be a real plus for cleaning sofas, stairs and such. I was impressed by the commercials of the Air Speed and have been searching for new vacuum for a while now. Winning one would be grand!
I have a wife who has really awful allergies. We live in a two story townhouse that is all carpet, which is awful for allergies. We want a vacuum that excels at carpet cleaning. Since my wife is rarely able to handle dragging heavy vacs up and down the stairs, she needs something that is lightweight, for those instances when she is going to be using the vacuum. Other great features would be a large dust cup, since new carpeting produces a ton of fiber. Also ease of emptying, because if it all winds up back in the air, it has not done any good. After looking at a gaggle of vacs, the Airspeed looks like a perfect fit for our household!
I clean houses for a living so I look for a vacuum that has all on board attachments and works on all flooring types equally as well. Another thing since I bring my own vac it needs to be light weight so as not to pull my arm out of the socket each time I have to lift it out of the vehicle. LOL
Suction. We have 2 inside dogs and their hair gets EVERYWHERE. Also our current vacuum is not bagless and it is a pain!! Been looking for a new vacuum, just not ready to splurge.
I am actually in the market for a new vacuum. When I consider a vacuum I need one that has good suction so it actually gets up the crumbs that my 1.5 and 3 year olds grind in to the carpet. Also it is important that it’s not too big. Space is hard to find in our little place so I don’t have a good place to store one of those super huge monster vacuums. The airspeed sounds like it could be a good option.
I will be looking for a new vacuum soon. I am looking for one that is powerful enough to deal with pet hair, lightweight,durable, and easy to maintain. A long powercord would be a plus too!
The most important thing in a vaccuum cleaner for me is that it picks up the pet hair and the dirt off of the floor so that my daughter doesn’t get stuff all over her hands when she is crawling all over the floor.
ps: I love your blog it has been very helpful.
How often do you need new filters and what do they cost?
The most important thing to me when considering to puchasing a vacuum cleaner is to ensure that I am getting good quality and durability. I hate wasting money and I need a vaccum cleaner that is going to thouroughly pick up pet hair the first time!
Eureka vacuum just broke and I was looking for a replacement and your website was the first one that came up reviewing a new vacuum cleaner. When I say that you were giving one away, I said okay I will enter. It sound like a great replacement for my broken Eureka vacuum.
Love the pic of your doggie. The most important feature for me would be for it’s durability. My mother’s vaccum is older than I am and is still going strong. I’m looking for a vaccum to last longer than hers!
suction! I am so tired of giving the vacuum a ‘second chance’ to pick something up!
That it is sturdy and wont easily be broken.
Weight. I have no desire to lug a heavy vacuum around even though my apartment’s small. Then only one arm’s getting a workout. And the suction has to be good. Otherwise, what’s the point?
Now that my little granddaughter is crawling around, I’d like my floors to be the cleanest they have been since my own kids were crawling. I don’t want to find dust bunnies on her knees!!!! I love that kid!