Eureka 431BX Optima Lightweight Upright Vacuum
by Eureka
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of Eureka 431BX Optima Lightweight Upright Vacuum
Customer Review: 5 and a half years, and still going strong
Summary: 5 Stars
OK, I noticed that while most of the reviews here give great scores, I am certain that they were mostly done shortly after buying the product itself. I could be wrong, but that's just what I've noticed, and I myself am guilty of doing the same thing, reviewing shortly after buying. Nothing wrong with that, but this review is slightly different. I've owned my Eureka Optima for over 5 and a half years, I bought it at Best Buy back in 2004 for about 70 bucks after getting sick and tired of having to sneak my grandparents' vacuum upstairs at night to clean my room. And yes have been able to find filters for the beast without a problem, so pretty much any and all complaints about it have been addressed for me. **LOL** Actually, I have zero complaints about this beast. It's light, easy to use, and I've beaten the living daylights out of this sucker, taken it to hell and back, and it's STILL going very, very strong. And yes, it's picked up TONS more than just dust here. Also, the wheels haven't fallen off on mine, but have on my stepmom's version.
But anyway, assembly is a breeze, I remember it taking just minutes to get it from box to finished product, and then when I took it for a test run, I remember being quite pleasantly surprised. This thing picked up everything in it's path, and the hose, while it can get clogged or have things like pens get in the way, it's easy to remove, and get the debris out of the way. The same goes with the bottom plastic plate that one can remove, as after a while, I did notice that the vacuum's canister was not filling up with dust and other debris as it should've been. Needless to say, I took the plastic plating off the bottom, and noticed a bottle cap was clogging the path. Removed it, everything was golden again. This was about 5 months after owning it. Needless to say, while the vacuum hasn't been entirely problem free, almost all the problems I ever had with it were fixed within minutes after discovering how the thing worked.
I've owned this thing for over 5 and a half years now, and many problems, and many, many vacuumings later, the thing is still as strong as ever, and most importantly still can pick up dust and debris like a champ. I am probably going to end up buying another pet-friendly one, and putting this badboy downstairs when I know it'll see some serious usage. But either way, I'd recommend this vacuum to anyone looking for a cheap, but also quality vacuum. As one who's owned one for the amount of time that I have, I think it's safe to say that this vacuum has my stamp of recommendation.
Update: This thing finally died after 6 years of usage. The latest mishap with cat litter finally proved too much. RIP little vacuum, you were great while you lasted.
Customer Review: Love it!
Summary: 5 Stars
It's difficult to find a good vacuum when you have wood floors, area rugs, and a cat! Up until now, I've been using 2 vacuums. An upright for our larger area rugs, and a stick vac for the wood floors and small rugs (the big vacuum sucks up the small rugs, and throws dirt back at you on the wood floors...).
I just got the Eureka Optima for Christmas, and I absolutely love it! I was a little worried after I read some of the reviews on this vacuum regarding a tendancy for it to blow dust bunnies all over because of it's front exhaust position. I tried it on a heavily dust bunnied area last night, and though they did move a little when cornered against a wall, it still sucked them right up. I suppose that they could have chosen a better position for the exhaust, but it isn't anywhere close to as bad as some of the reviews say it is. Other reviewers commented that it is loud and hard to push. It is much quieter than my bigger upright, and it's even a little quieter than my stick vac. And, I have no problem pushing it. I'd even go as far as to say that it is easier to manuver than my self-propelled upright (Dirt Devil Vision).
And suction! This one is perfect! It gets all of the black cat hair out of our tan area rug, and sucks dust bunnies from about a foot away on the hard floors. And it's not overly powerful, so I can vacuum the smaller rugs without a problem. Up until now, the only thing that I have been able to use on the small rugs that worked at all was the turbo attachment from the Dirt Devil. This thing works awesome on the small rugs! Also cool, the brush roll has a circuit breaker that stops it if something gets caught in it, like rug fringes or shoe laces. And, the Dirt Devil attachments fit on the Optima's hose! Sweet!
Bottom line: This vacuum might be a little small for homes much over 1300 sq ft. And it might blow dust up in the air if you have dust bunnies up to your ankles, or if you don't angle the body back far enough. If your home is mostly carpeted, I'd recommend the Dirt Devil Vision. That thing will suck the spots off a cheata. The Eureka Optima is unbeatable for homes with hard floors and area rugs. If this describes your home, and you're unhappy with your current vacuum, check this one out. Chances are, you'll love it!
Customer Review: Cute and powerful
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm a fan of industrial design and was really impressed with this thing when I saw it. I noticed that it came with no wands but then saw that the crevice tool doubles as one. Clever!
Air does not go through the hose while doing floors so clogs are unlikely. The multi-selection power switch is great. The high-quality hose stretches far.
We have hard wood floors, oriental rugs and throw rugs. We were amazed at how much hair from our golden retriever our big old Kenmore had missed!
The head is small but that makes it more maneuverable and concentrates the suction. Unless you have acres of carpet, you will like the size.
The front air exhaust and pushing effort have not been a problem. The cord length is just right. It doesn't tempt you to keep going when you should just change outlets. A little hook holds the cord out of the way.
Noise level is good and the sound is not very annoying. There is a light to show you if the beater bar has jammed. It cuts power automatically. Cool. Love the adjustable circular handle. Radical.
This is our first bagless. They are a bit messy but it's great being able to see the dirt and hair you are picking up. The filter gets dirty fast though. Supposedly, you can wash it six times. Our vacuum came with only one. They are $10 online.
If you never thought vacuuming could be fun, try one of these.
7 month update:
We're still on the original filter! We just take it out on the deck with a car snow brush in hand, bush off the dust blobs, give it a few taps on the rubber seal to loosen the fine dust and brush it off again.
We broke the little plastic wire holder off, but feeding the wire through the circular handle works even better to keep it out of the way.
The beater bar collects a lot of golden retriever hair so we have to turn it over and pull that off.
Still 5 stars!
Customer Review: Unfair reviews
Summary: 5 Stars
I just wanted to mention couple reviews here are totaly unfair.
This vacuum does have GREAT SUCTION. So I don't know the person who says didn't suck at all was trying to pull a coffee table with it or what. I had to buy this vaccum because my bissel bagless newst model which I paid over a 100 dollars for it wouldn't suck. But this Eureka model's suction is better than any upright full size vacuum in range of bellow 200 dollars.
The other thing that I liked about it is design between the brush to cup which is not connected with a hose but large solid opening. That was another complain I had from bissell which would clog everytime I vacuum. I don't think there is going to be much chance of clogging this one. I was really impressed with this section of design.Beside the cute telescopic soft handle which is another plus. And last but not least is that you can turn the brush on for carpet and off for over head cleaning with the hose. Like I mentioned before when you do floor and carpet, nothing goes through the hose, so no chance of clogging it, so you always have full suction power. Only time you do use hose is when you clean furniture or blindes and stuff like that, which should have anything to contribute to clogging anyways
Oh, and someone complained from the noise. I don't know what was he used to vacuum with before, because like most of the reviwer said and I agree, this is the quietest vaccum when you compare it with other upright vacuums in price range of 200 dollars and below.
So if you have money to spend 400 dollars or more than I don't know what I can recomend for you to buy, I am sure you made your research. But if you budgetted 200 dollars for a vaccum. Just buy Eureka 431A and spend the remaining 140 dollars in something else. You won't be disappointed
Customer Review: Watchout Dust - This lill green machine is mean....
Summary: 5 Stars
Great am getting married soon and the most important thing I need to make my marriage work is a vacuum cleaner coz i'm really messy.....I was looking for a small low prized vacuum cleaner and I bought this machine for the positive reviews it had and the low price tag it carried.
It was well packed when I received it.....assembled it all(2-3 min) and I was ready to test it and there were plenty of places in my house to do that(lol)....its a sweet lill green machine and considering its size compared to my other vacuum cleaners I was not expecting much......but then I was wrong.
It was lill bit harder to push then my other vacuum's but it did a very good job, much more than what I anticipated. Our carpet has never looked so clean and consider the fact that we have a big howling Kirby-Ultimate G vacuum on which we have spent hundred's of dollars.
Pros:
Small Size--Telescopic design makes it even smaller
Powerful machine
Cool Green color
Good Design
Easy to clean
Cons:
I think it is bit harder to push(compared to Kirby Ultimate G)
and...it looks so cute(compared to menancing looking Dyson's) that my neighbour want to try it eryday(lol)
GET IT!!! It carries a powerful punch in its small size and price.
Update: (March 11,2006)
I've been using this machine for six months now......so far no complaints. Its small, easy to store, powerful, easy to clean and it has a small head that will slide easily under kitchen cabinets or chairs and specially under the oven or dish washer where my regular big Kirby will never go. Last but not the least, the 'Brush Roll' can be switched On/Off for carpet/bare floor cleaning respectively....just an added convenience.......