Best Vacuum for Small Apartments and Homes

Best Vacuum for Small Apartments and Homes



“Eureka 402A Mini Light Upright Vacuum” (Eureka)

Right up front: I don’t work for Eureka. I’ve never been contacted by anyone from Eureka. I do not get any kickbacks from Eureka for saying what I’m about to say about the “Eureka 402A Mini Light Upright Vacuum” (Eureka).

But when I come across really well-designed products — as I’ve done with Tivos, iPods, and Senseo Coffee Makers — I like to tell other people about them. And let me tell you: the Eureka 402A Mini Light Upright Vacuum is something to crow about, especially if you hate housework.

To be even more honest, I was prepared to dislike the Eureka when Clyde brought it home. While it has an easily-removable dust cup — one of my requirements for a vacuum cleaner — it doesn’t have any of the other features I like. It has no light. It is not self-propelled. It has a very narrow footprint. It has fewer than twelve amps (and, I believed, not enough power to get the job done.)

But after taking the Mini Light for a spin around the townhouse, I considered lobbying for the right to marry a vacuum cleaner.

First: it’s light. It’s very light. It’s so light, I can, with one hand, lift it to vacuum couch cushions and pillows and stairs without straining one bit. In fact, the Mini Light is so easy to work with, we returned the Dust Devil I purchased on the same day, because I just don’t need one anymore. The Mini Light gives me more power, and, frankly, because it’s on the end of a handle, it’s easier to use than a Dust Devil will ever be.

Next: it’s strong. It sucked up fuzz, dust, pet hair, and even kitty litter without balking at all. Frankly? I had waited a little too long before vacuuming the upstairs bedroom and office, so there was, um, a bit more to vacuum up than usual. But the Mini Light took this all in stride.

Finally, it’s just so much easier to use than a standard vacuum. Our old, heavy ElectroLux was a pain to lug up and down the stairs; by contrast, the Mini Light feels like a helium balloon. The dust cup is easy to empty, and the filter is terribly easy to clean. And — especially for those of us who live in small homes — the telescoping handle is a dream, because it allows the Mini Light to be stored in one tiny corner of the bedroom closet.

The price is right, too — at this rate, even if you burn the thing out with several months of regular use, you can afford to pick up another one. (That would be harder to rationalize with, say, one of the $500.00 Dysons.)

So: if you live in a home or apartment with limited space, if you live in a house with stairs, or if you want a light vacuum you can use in a variety of ways, consider the Eureka Mini Light.

“Eureka 402A Mini Light Upright Vacuum” (Eureka)

Right up front: I don’t work for Eureka. I’ve never been contacted by anyone from Eureka. I do not get any kickbacks from Eureka for saying what I’m about to say about the “Eureka 402A Mini Light Upright Vacuum” (Eureka).

But when I come across really well-designed products — as I’ve done with Tivos, iPods, and Senseo Coffee Makers — I like to tell other people about them. And let me tell you: the Eureka 402A Mini Light Upright Vacuum is something to crow about, especially if you hate housework.

To be even more honest, I was prepared to dislike the Eureka when Clyde brought it home. While it has an easily-removable dust cup — one of my requirements for a vacuum cleaner — it doesn’t have any of the other features I like. It has no light. It is not self-propelled. It has a very narrow footprint. It has fewer than twelve amps (and, I believed, not enough power to get the job done.)

But after taking the Mini Light for a spin around the townhouse, I considered lobbying for the right to marry a vacuum cleaner.

First: it’s light. It’s very light. It’s so light, I can, with one hand, lift it to vacuum couch cushions and pillows and stairs without straining one bit. In fact, the Mini Light is so easy to work with, we returned the Dust Devil I purchased on the same day, because I just don’t need one anymore. The Mini Light gives me more power, and, frankly, because it’s on the end of a handle, it’s easier to use than a Dust Devil will ever be.

Next: it’s strong. It sucked up fuzz, dust, pet hair, and even kitty litter without balking at all. Frankly? I had waited a little too long before vacuuming the upstairs bedroom and office, so there was, um, a bit more to vacuum up than usual. But the Mini Light took this all in stride.

Finally, it’s just so much easier to use than a standard vacuum. Our old, heavy ElectroLux was a pain to lug up and down the stairs; by contrast, the Mini Light feels like a helium balloon. The dust cup is easy to empty, and the filter is terribly easy to clean. And — especially for those of us who live in small homes — the telescoping handle is a dream, because it allows the Mini Light to be stored in one tiny corner of the bedroom closet.

The price is right, too — at this rate, even if you burn the thing out with several months of regular use, you can afford to pick up another one. (That would be harder to rationalize with, say, one of the $500.00 Dysons.)

So: if you live in a home or apartment with limited space, if you live in a house with stairs, or if you want a light vacuum you can use in a variety of ways, consider the Eureka Mini Light.

Mark McElroy

I'm a husband, mystic, writer, media producer, creative director, tinkerer, blogger, reader, gadget lover, and pizza fiend.

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Who Wrote This?

Mark McElroy

I'm a husband, mystic, writer, media producer, creative director, tinkerer, blogger, reader, gadget lover, and pizza fiend.

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