Eureka PowerSpeed NEU181D Upright Vacuum: features, specs and who it suits

The Eureka PowerSpeed NEU181D is a bagless upright vacuum that weighs about 10 pounds (4.5 kg). It is built for homes that want an upright's wide cleaning path without the weight of a large machine, and it carries its pet and dusting tools on board. Here is what its features mean in practice.

A lighter upright

At about 10 lb, the PowerSpeed is easy to carry upstairs or from room to room, which is exactly where heavier uprights become a chore. It cleans carpets, rugs and hard floors, and a wide nozzle covers more floor with each pass, which helps in open rooms and long hallways.

Five height settings: matching the floor

A dial sets the cleaning head to one of five heights, from hard floors to deep carpet. This matters more than it sounds. On hard floors and low rugs, a low setting keeps the brush close enough to pick up fine dust. On thick carpet, raising the head lets air flow and stops the vacuum from digging in and feeling hard to push.

A common rule of thumb is to start at a higher setting on a new carpet, then lower it until the vacuum still moves easily but picks up well.

Dust cup and filter

The bagless dust cup holds 2.6 litres, which is large for a lightweight upright and means fewer trips to the bin. Because there are no bags, the cup is simply emptied straight into the rubbish.

Filtration is by a washable foam filter. Rinse it as the manual describes and let it dry completely before refitting it; on most vacuums, a clogged or damp filter reduces suction.

Above-floor cleaning and pet tools

The handle detaches for cleaning above the floor: curtains, lampshades, furniture and even ceilings. Four tools come with it, all kept on board so they're at hand: a pet turbo tool, a crevice tool, a dusting brush and an upholstery tool.

A turbo tool is a small rotating brush head, typically driven by the airflow, that lifts pet hair from sofas, stairs and car seats where a plain nozzle tends to slide over it. The crevice tool reaches along baseboards and between cushions, the dusting brush suits shelves and lampshades, and the upholstery tool is for fabric-covered furniture.

Keeping the brush roll clear

Hair and debris wrap around any spinning brush roll over time. Eureka advises clearing hair from the roller brush and the belt every two weeks, and warns that if they are left uncleaned for a long time, the vacuum may malfunction or the belt may break. In homes with long-haired pets or people, it's worth checking more often. Switch the vacuum off and disconnect it before cleaning, as the manual describes.

Who it suits

It suits homes with pets, apartments and dorm rooms that want a light, bagless upright with its tools on board. It is also practical in a home with stairs, where a lighter machine is easier to carry between floors.

What to check before you buy

• Floor types: five heights cover hard floors to deep carpet; if you have delicate hard floors, check the manual's advice on using the brush roll on them.
• Storage: an upright needs a cupboard or corner tall enough to stand it in.
• Upkeep: allow time for the two-weekly brush and belt cleaning and for washing the filter, and check that replacement belts and filters are available.
• What's in the box: this version comes with the pet turbo tool; confirm the tool set matches what you need.
• Reach: check the power cord and hose lengths if you clean stairs or large rooms.

The short version

• Bagless upright vacuum weighing about 10 lb, for carpets, rugs and hard floors.
• Five height settings and a wide cleaning nozzle.
• A 2.6-litre dust cup and a washable foam filter.
• Detachable handle with a pet turbo tool, crevice tool, dusting brush and upholstery tool kept on board.
• Eureka advises clearing the roller brush and belt every two weeks.

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