For most, vacuuming isn’t high on a list of fun things to do, but having an efficient tool can make the chore a whole lot more tolerable. If you hate lugging a heavy upright vacuum around your house, why not pick up a lightweight stick vacuum that’s versatile and easy to maneuver? Eureka’s Blaze 3-in-1 Swivel Lightweight Stick Vacuum weighs less than 4 pounds and can function as a stick, hand, or stair vacuum. Eureka has been offering a wide range of products for more than 100 years, but how does the Blaze 3-in-1 hold up? We took one home to find out.
Design: Wonderfully lightweight and easy to use
If you live in a small apartment or are just looking for a lightweight model that’s easier to go up and down stairs with, the Eureka will be a welcome reprieve from your regular vacuum. The three-in-one unit weighs less than 4 pounds and measures 44 x 9.8 x 5.6 inches. While the vacuum is small and narrow, the dust cup holds plenty of dirt and debris; users should be able to go a few rounds before emptying it (depending on the size of your home, of course). When used on hard floors like wood, linoleum, and tile, the featherlight tool is easy to move around. We found its size and weight to be especially advantageous when pulling it out for a pre-guest clean or longer stair-cleaning session. The 0.55-liter dust cup is easy to remove and empty, plus it can be periodically cleaned with warm, soapy water. (We occasionally scrubbed the filter with an old toothbrush to dislodge caked-on dust.) Just make sure you let it completely air-dry before using it again. As we’ve already mentioned, because the Eureka has three different modes, it can be used to clean multiple surfaces in and around your home. While the upright stick vacuum function is, of course, best for hard floors, the tall handle can be removed with the press of a button. This creates a handheld vacuum that’s ideal for vacuuming dirt and pet hair on stairs and even on upholstered furniture. Plus, its wide mouth can suck up bigger pieces of debris. The third function is for cleaning small spaces; just remove the swivel vacuum head and replace it with the narrow crevice tool. This effectively cleans dirt and cobwebs from corners, and crumbs and debris from underneath radiators, furniture, kitchen cabinets, and other small areas. One design downside is the length of the power cord. Though it’s long at 18 feet, we still had to unplug it and then plug it again every time we moved rooms. While we would prefer a cordless option when we’re cleaning our whole house in one fell swoop, the cord is really a minor inconvenience that shouldn’t deter those looking for a versatile device at a budget-friendly price.
Performance: Leaves brooms and pad sweepers in the dust
While brooms and floor sweepers are often the tool of choice for hardwood and linoleum flooring, anyone with a pet knows that they sometimes don’t cut it. Dog and cat fur is known to cling to surfaces and they have a tendency to take flight when you attempt to sweep them up. The advantage of a vacuum is that wispy fur doesn’t have to stay in a neat little pile; instead, it just gets sucked up. While the Eureka shined when it came to picking up small particles like dirt, sand, and pet hair, we found that the vacuum head struggled with larger debris. When we tried to pick up cereal—specifically Cinnamon Toast Crunch—we ended up having to shake the squares loose to avoid a jam. That said, the vacuum is a three-in-one model, so you can detach the vacuum head and it becomes a dustbuster with a much wider mouth. For this reason, we found that the Eureka Blaze was perfect for pet owners as well as families with kids. The gadget is easy to maneuver and the head attachment expertly swivels to fit in hard-to-reach places, including under coffee tables and couches that are just a few inches off the ground. For even narrower nooks, there’s the crevice tool attachment and if you’re looking to really get at a small space (say the stairs or your car floor mats), there’s the hand vacuum mode (simply remove the attachments and handle). As seamlessly as the Eureka Blaze swivels on hardwood, tile, and linoleum, though, it doesn’t work nearly as well on rugs. Unless your carpet has a very low pile and is made of stiffer fibers, the head seems to get stuck on the threads which makes it much harder to glide back and forth. While it moved easily over a tightly woven area rug, we found we had to put in much more effort when using it on a softer Persian rug. So if you have lots of soft surfaces in your home, don’t toss your regular vacuum just yet; this tool is probably best for spot-cleanings rather than deep cleans.
Price: Unbeatable
While the Eureka is easier to use on some floors than others, it still gets the job done. Given its efficiency, versatile three-in-one design, and $30 price tag, it’s pretty unbeatable. It has more cleaning power than brooms and floor sweepers and if you plan to use it in a small apartment, dorm, or just for quick cleanups, you’ll certainly get your money’s worth.
Competition: Similar options, but competitors can get pricey
BLACK+DECKER 3-in-1 Lightweight Corded Stick Vacuum: This comparable option comes from another reputable brand and at a similar price point—$34.99—to boot. BLACK+DECKER’s model is also a three-in-one unit which can convert from a stick to a handheld to a corner cleaner with an included crevice tool attachment. It’s also just 2.75 pounds, so it’s easy to carry from room to room and floor to floor. One difference to consider: the BLACK+DECKER has a slightly larger dust cup so you won’t have to empty it as often. GOOVI Cordless Stick Vacuum: If you’re willing to up your budget in order to get a cordless model, GOOVI’s option is well-loved. The two-in-one vacuum (it converts from a stick to handheld model) is equipped with a rechargeable battery and holding base for extra convenience, but at $210, it’ll cost you. If the majority of your floors are hardwood, linoleum, or tile, the Eureka Blaze is a no-brainer buy. At just $30, it’s efficient, versatile, and easy to store. If you have carpets, it’ll still get the job done, too—just with a little extra effort on your end.
