Eureka ReactiSense NEC440BK Stick Vacuum: features, specs and who it suits

The Eureka ReactiSense NEC440BK is a cordless stick vacuum with a 350W brushless motor, a floor head designed to resist hair tangles, and sensors that adjust suction to the floor and the amount of dust. It also converts into a handheld for furniture, mattresses and tight corners. Here is what its main specifications mean.

Motor and suction: what 25.8 kPa means

Eureka lists up to 25.8 kPa of suction from a 350W brushless (BLDC) motor. Suction in kilopascals describes the pressure difference the motor can create, usually measured at its highest setting with the airflow blocked. It's a useful indicator of strength, but real pickup also depends on airflow, the design of the floor head and how well the whole system is sealed.

Brushless motors are typically lighter and more efficient than brushed ones, which helps a cordless vacuum get more cleaning from each charge. Eureka aims this one at fine dust, crumbs, pet hair and everyday debris across the home.

Sense+React: suction that adjusts itself

Sense+React technology detects how much dust the vacuum is picking up and what kind of floor it is on, then adjusts suction and brush speed by itself on hard floors, carpets and area rugs. Automatic modes like this typically save battery on clean, hard surfaces and step up power on carpet or where there's more dirt, without you switching modes by hand.

LED lights on the floor head light up the floor just ahead, which makes fine dust easier to see under furniture and on hard floors.

An anti-tangle brushroll

Hair wrapped around a brushroll is one of the most common chores with any vacuum. The ReactiSense brushroll uses fins and comb strips that guide hair away from the roller to reduce tangles, which is aimed at homes with pets and long hair. No brushroll is entirely free of upkeep, so expect to check it now and then.

Runtime and a detachable battery

Eureka quotes up to 60 minutes per charge, with low, auto and high modes. As with any cordless vacuum, the higher the power setting, the shorter the runtime, and a motorised floor head uses more energy than a simple handheld nozzle.

The battery detaches, so it can be charged separately from the vacuum or replaced as it ages. Lithium-ion batteries gradually lose capacity over years of use, so a removable battery is a practical design choice.

Four ways to clean, and the filter

The ReactiSense works as a stick vacuum, a handheld, a precision vacuum and a mattress vacuum, which covers floors, upholstery, mattresses and tight spots with one machine.

Its sealed H13 HEPA filter, Eureka says, captures 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns. H13 is a class of high-efficiency filter, and "sealed" means the air is meant to pass through the filter rather than leak around it, so fine dust stays inside the vacuum. Check the manual for how often to clean or replace the filters.

What to check before you buy

• Runtime for your home: think about how much floor you clean in one go and which mode you'll use most.
• Dust bin: check the bin capacity if you have a large home or pets that shed heavily.
• Storage and charging: check how the vacuum is kept and charged, and plan a spot near an outlet.
• Weight in hand: stick vacuums are lifted for stairs and handheld use, so check the weight of the handheld unit.
• Parts: check that replacement filters, brushrolls and batteries are available.

The short version

• Cordless stick vacuum with a 350W brushless motor and up to 25.8 kPa of suction, according to Eureka.
• Anti-tangle brushroll with fins and comb strips, plus LED lights on the floor head.
• Sense+React adjusts suction and brush speed to dust levels and floor type.
• Up to 60 minutes of runtime, with a detachable battery.
• Converts to handheld, precision and mattress modes, with a sealed H13 HEPA filter.

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