There’s a familiar dread that comes with chore day: the act of lugging a heavy, cumbersome vacuum cleaner from the closet. We’ve all been there. You wrestle it down the hall, it bangs into door frames, and by the time you’ve hauled it up a flight of stairs, you feel like you’ve already done a full workout. The irony is that after all that effort, you’re often left with disappointing results—stubborn pet hair woven into the rug, fine dust lingering in the corners, and the sinking feeling that your floors are only superficially clean. This cycle of high effort and low reward is not just frustrating; it leaves your home feeling less than its best and makes a simple cleaning task feel like a monumental burden. Finding a solution that is both lightweight and genuinely powerful feels less like a choice and more like a necessity for a truly clean and comfortable living space.
- Light as It Is Capable: At just 7.7 lb, this canister-style upright glides across hard floors and low-pile carpets without strain, ideal for multi-level homes or small-space living.
- Robust 720 W Whole-Home Suction: Powerful motor creates consistent suction that pulls embedded dirt, hair, and debris with ease on both carpets and bare floors.
What to Consider Before Buying an Upright Vacuum Cleaner
An Upright Vacuum Cleaner is more than just an appliance; it’s a key solution for maintaining a healthy and pristine home environment. Its primary benefit lies in its design, which leverages a motor-driven brush roll to agitate carpet fibres, dislodging deep-seated dirt, dust, and allergens that stick vacuums or canisters might miss. This deep-cleaning capability is crucial for extending the life of your carpets and improving indoor air quality. Modern uprights often blend this power with surprising versatility, offering attachments and features that allow for seamless transitions from thick carpets to delicate hard floors, making them a comprehensive, all-in-one cleaning tool for the entire house.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the daily challenge of cleaning medium to large carpeted areas, especially in homes with pets and children. If you live in a multi-story home, the weight and maneuverability become paramount, making a lightweight upright an absolute game-changer. However, it might not be the best fit for those living in very small apartments with exclusively hard flooring, where a compact canister or stick vacuum might offer more practical storage and maneuverability. Similarly, individuals with severe allergies should look specifically for models with certified HEPA filtration systems, which may not be a standard feature on all budget-friendly uprights.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Weight: How much does it weigh? At just 7.7 pounds, the EUREKA Airspeed Ultra Lightweight Upright Vacuum NEU100C is exceptionally light, making it easy to carry upstairs and maneuver around furniture. Consider your storage space and your physical ability to handle the machine; a lighter vacuum gets used more often.
- Suction Power & Performance: Don’t just look at wattage (720W here); consider the overall design. Does it handle different floor types? This model is designed for both carpet and hard floors, but its primary strength lies in its raw suction, which is excellent for pulling debris from carpets. The single power level simplifies operation but offers less finesse on delicate rugs.
- Materials & Durability: The EUREKA NEU100C is constructed primarily of durable plastic to achieve its low weight. While this is great for portability, it’s important to handle components like clips and the handle with reasonable care. More expensive vacuums may incorporate metal components, but this adds significant weight and cost.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: A bagless design with an easy-to-empty dust cup is a major convenience. The EUREKA features a 2.7-litre cup and a washable foam filter, which is a fantastic long-term value, saving you money on disposable bags and filters. Also, check the cord length; a shorter cord means you’ll be switching outlets more frequently in larger rooms.
Considering these factors will ensure you choose an upright vacuum that not only cleans effectively but also fits perfectly into your lifestyle and home.
While the EUREKA Airspeed Ultra Lightweight Upright Vacuum NEU100C is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- Easily clean around furniture and other obstacles with Swivel Steering
- Upgraded Cyclone System: The Eureka PowerSpeed is now upgraded with new cyclone technology to handle larger debris, smaller dirt, and even microscopic dust.Specific uses:hard floor,carpet,dual action
- Light as It Is Capable: At just 7.7 lb, this canister-style upright glides across hard floors and low-pile carpets without strain, ideal for multi-level homes or small-space living.
First Glance: Unboxing the Lime Green Cleaning Machine
Upon opening the box for the EUREKA Airspeed Ultra Lightweight Upright Vacuum NEU100C, the first thing that struck us was the simplicity. Assembly was laughably easy; it took less than two minutes and required no tools. You simply slide the handle into the main body until it clicks, and you’re ready to go. The vibrant lime green color is bold and energetic, a departure from the monotonous greys and blacks that dominate the appliance world.
Our immediate impression upon lifting it was one of disbelief. At 7.7 pounds, it feels closer in weight to a heavy-duty stick vacuum than a traditional upright. This had us initially skeptical. How could something this light possibly generate the kind of suction needed for a true deep clean? The plastic construction is evident, but it feels solid enough for its intended purpose and is the key to its featherlight design. The on-board crevice and dusting tools snap securely into the handle, a thoughtful touch that ensures they’re always within reach. Compared to heavier, more complex machines from brands like Shark or Dyson, the Eureka is unapologetically basic, but as we would soon discover, its simplicity is one of its greatest strengths. You can see its full feature set and user reviews to get a better sense of its straightforward design.
What We Like
- Shockingly powerful suction for its size and price
- Extremely lightweight (7.7 lbs) for effortless maneuverability
- Simple, tool-free assembly and intuitive operation
- Washable filter and bagless design offer great long-term value
Drawbacks
- The power cord is relatively short, requiring frequent outlet changes
- Hose can be prone to clogging with excessive pet hair
- Plastic construction, while lightweight, may raise durability concerns
Performance Deep Dive: Putting the EUREKA Airspeed to the Test
A vacuum’s true worth is measured on the floor, not on the spec sheet. We put the EUREKA Airspeed Ultra Lightweight Upright Vacuum NEU100C through a series of real-world tests in a busy home environment, focusing on the features that matter most: raw cleaning power, everyday usability, and its ability to tackle messes beyond the floor. The results were, frankly, astonishing.
The Suction Power Paradox: Featherlight Frame, Heavyweight Performance
This is where the EUREKA NEU100C completely shatters expectations. We started with a high-traffic area rug that had been vacuumed just the day before with a more expensive, well-known brand. We honestly didn’t expect to pick up much. Within sixty seconds, the clear dust canister was visibly swirling with fine dust, pet hair, and debris. This experience was not unique to us; it’s the single most common point of praise from other users. One owner noted in disbelief, “I vacuumed yesterday 😳 and this is what I got off of 2 area rugs,” while another reported having to empty the canister three times while cleaning a single 10′ x 15′ rug. This isn’t a gimmick; it’s a testament to the efficiency of the 720-watt motor and the AirSpeed Technology design, which creates a direct and efficient air path from the floor to the cup.
The suction is so potent that on thicker carpets, we actually found it could be a bit difficult to push. As one user aptly put it, “sometimes I can barely even push it on the carpet it grips so well.” While this might sound like a negative, we view it as the most tangible proof of its deep-cleaning power. It’s physically gripping the carpet and pulling out embedded grime. For pet owners, this raw power is a revelation. We tested it on a rug notorious for trapping golden retriever hair, a challenge that has defeated lesser vacuums. The NEU100C pulled out strands we didn’t even know were there, confirming one ecstatic user’s claim: “I have used 3 other vacuums on this rug and NONE of them have done what this one has…This Eureka has gotten EVERYthing out of my rug!!” This level of performance in such an affordable and incredibly lightweight package is nothing short of remarkable.
Design and Usability: The Beauty of Simplicity
The defining characteristic of using the EUREKA Airspeed Ultra Lightweight Upright Vacuum NEU100C is how effortless it feels. At a mere 7.7 pounds, carrying it up a flight of stairs is a one-handed job. There’s no back strain, no awkward wrestling—it completely removes the physical barrier to cleaning. This makes it an ideal choice for multi-level homes, apartments, or for anyone with mobility or strength limitations. The controls are refreshingly simple: a large, foot-operated power button and a pedal to release the handle from its upright position. There are no complicated settings or modes to worry about; you just plug it in and go.
The bagless design is another major win for convenience. The 2.7-litre dust cup is generously sized for such a compact machine and detaches with the press of a button. Emptying it is straightforward, much like higher-end models, and the washable foam filter is a fantastic feature for long-term savings. However, the budget-friendly nature of this vacuum is most apparent in its construction and a few design choices. The all-plastic body, while key to its low weight, means you’ll want to be gentle with clips and attachments to ensure longevity. The most significant drawback we, and many users, found is the short power cord. In larger rooms, we had to switch outlets multiple times, which can break the cleaning flow. It’s a clear trade-off for cost and weight, but one to be aware of if you have large, open-plan living spaces. Despite this, the sheer ease of grabbing this vacuum for a quick cleanup makes it a tool you’ll reach for far more often than its heavier counterparts.
Above-Floor Cleaning and Pet Hair Realities
A good upright should be able to clean more than just floors, and the EUREKA NEU100C offers respectable versatility. The quick-release handle detaches easily, connecting to the 50-inch stretch hose to create an instant cleaning wand. The two included attachments—a crevice tool and a dusting brush—store conveniently on the handle, so they’re always ready when you need them. We found this setup perfect for cleaning couch cushions, reaching cobwebs in high corners, and vacuuming dusty baseboards and windowsills. The hose provides enough reach for most everyday tasks, like cleaning a staircase or the interior of a car parked close to an outlet.
When it comes to pet hair, the story is nuanced. As detailed above, its performance on carpets is stellar. However, when using the hose and attachments, its effectiveness can depend on the volume of fur. One long-term user noted that after a few months of frequent use in a home with one dog, the hose began to clog regularly, requiring cleaning after every use. This is a crucial piece of feedback. For homes with one or two pets and moderate shedding, the EUREKA Airspeed Ultra Lightweight Upright Vacuum NEU100C will likely perform admirably. However, for multi-pet households with heavy shedders, you may need to be diligent about checking the hose for blockages to maintain peak suction. It’s a maintenance step worth noting for those facing a constant battle against fur.
What Other Users Are Saying
Looking at feedback from a wide range of buyers, a clear and consistent picture emerges: people are genuinely shocked by the performance they get for the price. The most common sentiment is one of pleasant surprise. Buyers repeatedly use words like “amazing,” “mindblown,” and “shocking” to describe the amount of dirt the vacuum picks up from carpets they believed were already clean. One user’s comment perfectly captures this: “I bought this for work and assembled it at home, then gave it a quick test… I cannot believe how much this picked up! The suction on this little thing is so strong it grabbed all the dust/dirt/hair my bigger, fancier, more expensive vacuum has been missing.”
Of course, the feedback isn’t universally perfect, and the criticisms are just as consistent. The two most cited drawbacks are the short power cord and the potential for the hose to clog with heavy pet fur, as one user detailed after several months of ownership. A French-speaking user also pointed out that the exhaust vent, located on the front of the machine, can blow lightweight debris like pet hair around on hard floors before you have a chance to vacuum it up. This is a common design flaw in many budget vacuums and is worth considering if your home is primarily bare floors. Overall, however, the consensus is that the pros—namely its incredible suction and light weight—massively outweigh the cons for most users.
How Does the EUREKA Airspeed Ultra Lightweight Upright Vacuum NEU100C Compare to Alternatives?
While the Eureka offers incredible value, it exists in a competitive market. For those with different needs or a larger budget, several alternatives from Shark offer more advanced features. Here’s how they stack up.
1. Shark LA502 Rotator Lift-Away Vacuum DuoClean Self-Cleaning Brushroll HEPA
- DUOCLEAN POWERFINS: A PowerFins brushroll and a soft roller combine on all floors. Continuous cleaning contact to dig deep into carpets, directly engage floors, and pick up more in every pass. (vs....
- SELF-CLEANING BRUSHROLL: for powerful pet hair pickup with no hair wrap.
The Shark LA502 Rotator is a significant step up in technology and price. Its standout feature is the DuoClean powerhead, which incorporates both a bristle brush and a soft roller, allowing it to deep-clean carpets and polish hard floors simultaneously without swapping heads. It also features a self-cleaning brushroll to prevent hair wrap and a sealed system with a HEPA filter, making it a far superior choice for allergy sufferers and homes with heavy shedding. The Lift-Away feature, which turns it into a portable canister, adds a layer of versatility the Eureka lacks. Choose the Shark LA502 if you need premium pet hair performance, advanced filtration, and don’t mind a heavier, more expensive machine.
2. Shark NV356E Navigator Lift-Away Upright Vacuum
- LIFT-AWAY: Lift away the pod to clean under furniture. Or detach the nozzle to clean above the floor, on upholstery, furniture, stairs, and more.
- ANTI-ALLERGEN COMPLETE SEAL: Works with a HEPA filter to trap 99.9% of dust and allergens inside the vacuum cleaner. (Based on ASTM F1977 of particles .3 microns or larger.)
The Shark NV356E Navigator is one of the most popular and well-regarded uprights ever made, striking a fantastic balance between performance and price. Like the LA502, it features Lift-Away technology for portable cleaning and a sealed HEPA filtration system, making it another excellent option for pet owners and those with allergies. While it lacks the DuoClean head, its traditional brushroll is highly effective on carpets. It’s heavier than the Eureka but offers superior filtration, a larger dust cup, and the proven versatility of the Lift-Away design. This is the ideal choice for someone who wants more features than the basic Eureka without venturing into the premium price range.
3. Shark Rotator Professional Lift-Away NV501
- Powerful upright vacuum with Lift-Away pod for convenient cleaning of stairs and above-floor areas.
- Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology + HEPA
The Shark Rotator NV501 is another professional-grade option that prioritizes maneuverability and power. It features advanced swivel steering, which makes navigating around furniture much smoother than with the more rigid Eureka. The Lift-Away pod offers excellent portability for cleaning stairs and cars, and its LED headlights are a premium feature that helps illuminate hidden dust and debris under furniture. It also includes a HEPA filter for capturing allergens. Consider the NV501 if you value maneuverability and premium features like headlights and are willing to invest more for a robust, all-around cleaning system.
Final Verdict: Is the EUREKA Airspeed Ultra Lightweight Upright Vacuum NEU100C Right for You?
After extensive testing and analysis, our conclusion is clear: the EUREKA Airspeed Ultra Lightweight Upright Vacuum NEU100C is an absolute giant-killer in the budget vacuum category. It defies its low price and featherlight weight to deliver suction power that rivals, and in some cases surpasses, much more expensive machines. It is not a vacuum packed with features; there is no HEPA filter, no fancy self-cleaning brush roll, and the cord could be longer. But what it does, it does exceptionally well: it pulls an incredible amount of dirt from carpets, period.
We wholeheartedly recommend this vacuum for anyone living in an apartment, a small-to-medium-sized house, or a multi-level home where carrying a heavy vacuum is a pain. It’s a perfect choice for students, first-time homeowners, or anyone on a budget who refuses to compromise on cleaning power. If your primary concerns are raw suction and effortless portability, you will be thrilled with this machine. For those who prioritize advanced filtration or need to tackle extreme amounts of pet fur, one of the Shark alternatives may be a better investment. For everyone else, this little green machine offers unbeatable performance for the price. If you’re ready to be shocked by what’s hiding in your carpets, you can check the latest price and secure yours today.
Last update on 2025-11-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API