Eureka LightSpeed 100 Upright Vacuum Cleaner Reviews

The Eureka LightSpeed Series actually comes in four models, all based on the same design and motor, but with slightly differing feature sets. The LightSpeed 100 (4709AZ) and the LightSpeed 4700D are bagless models with height adjustments, while the 4750A and the 4752A have a bag and no height adjustment. The LightSpeed 100 also comes with a Power Paw Turbo Nozzle. See our complete comparison chart for more details.

The Eureka LightSpeed 100 requires some assembly when taken out of the packaging. Fortunately, the pieces are few and the instructions are clear. If you can use a screwdriver, you can assemble this vacuum cleaner minutes.

Controls on the Eureka LightSpeed 100 are straightforward. They consist of a single red ON / OFF foot activated switch, located on the left side of the motor. Simply depress the switch to turn the vacuum on, depress again to turn it off. Just below the ON / OFF switch is the floor head release lever. Step on the release and pull handle back to a comfortable position. Press again to lower handle further to clean under furniture. The vacuum cleaner is still just over nine inches high when fully reclined, a bit high to reach deep under low furniture. Returning the Lightspeed 100 to its full upright “parked” position to use the hose and attachments requires depressing the floor head release pedal, partly to make it easier to return the vacuum to its “park” position, partly to hold the vacuum still while executing the maneuver. On the front of the floor head is a 5-position height adjustment knob to set the vacuum for everything from bare floors to high pile carpet. Cautionary note: The brush roll is always active, which can damage delicate floors and kick debris out from under the floor head while vacuuming bare surfaces.

The Lightspeed 100 comes equipped with an integrated hose, 16″ extension tube with a 16″ nested crevice tool, a duster brush, and a Power Paw™ Brush with Riser Visor®. The hose is a stiff but flexible plastic. Our experience with this type of hose is that it is hard to work with because of its rigidity and has a short life span. Another drawback is that the hose connects directly into the floor head, requiring the user to bend down to the floor to disengage the hose for spot cleaning. A number of consumers complain that the hose often comes loose on its own and spews debris.

The hose is also looped through an “anti-tip over” loop, which limits the user to about a 5′ working radius. While this may work well for low level cleaning no higher than waist high, it is completely inadequate for above floor tasks such as vacuuming furniture, drapes, bookshelves, or reaching high corners. Even with the use of the extension wand and crevice tool, high reach is limited.

We also didn’t like the Lightspeed 100′s Power Paw accessory. The Power Paw’s key feature is its Riser Visor® which is a hinged hood that exposes the brush bar either to the bottom or the tip of the Power Paw. This is an unnecessary feature that reduces suction due to air leaks around the hood. It is also cheaply made and consumers report problems with their Power Paws breaking easily or just not working at all.

The Eureka Lightspeed 100 does have one feature that stands out and that is the convenient handle located under the dust cup. The handle allows for two handed operation when vacuuming stairs or other elevated flat surfaces.

The Eureka Lightspeed 100 boasts “cyclonic action”, which is a massive overstatement of the capabilities of this vacuum. The design has the air stream enter the side of the dust cup, which does indeed create a whirlpooling effect inside the canister, however, it is not nearly strong enough to remove anything but the largest debris particles. Filtration is actually handled by a washable filter located within the dust cup. This makes the Lightspeed 100 no better than the average bagged vacuum as far as maintaining suction, as the filter quickly clogs with debris suction will drop dramatically. The easy-empty, flip-bottom dust cup isn’t so easy to empty, generally requiring two hands to open and close the dust cup. The head of the dust cup is removable to access the filter, making maintenance of the filter easier. The filter within the dust cup is the only filter on the Lightspeed 100.

The Eureka Lightspeed 100 is simple in design and performance that targets the entry-level vacuum class and price range. Don’t expect much from this vacuum or you’ll be disappointed.

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