Eureka 4870GZ Boss Smart-Vac Upright Vacuum
Let's face it. Most vacuums just don't cut it when it comes to really cleaning a home or office. Pesky pet hair embeds deeper in carpet than traditional vacuums go; bits and pieces of tracked-in dirt and debris hunker down under floor trim just out of reach of the latest brush innovations, rendering us to the silliness of handpicking behind that expensive vacuum, filling our pockets with lint, and wondering-who's really the boss? Troubles like these made the folks at Eureka get down and dirty and, ultimately, design the Boss Smart-Vac Upright Vacuum.
Offering powerful performance for everyday household cleaning, the Eureka Boss is the solution for people who insist on having a truly clean home. The Boss's Direct Air Control System features an air selector switch that lets you direct all suction either deep into the carpet or to the hose for easy above-the-floor cleaning. The Power Paw brush makes it easy to clean stairs and upholstery, and even claws up embedded pet hair, so Fido can spend more time inside. The motorized brush lets you go from carpet- to bare floor-cleaning with the flick of a switch. The Boss Smart-Vac is powered by a beefy, 12-amp motor that provides plenty of suction power for deep cleaning carpets, and leaves nothing behind on hard floors.
Pretty smart; right? Well, here's the really smart part. The Boss Smart-Vac isn't just the best household carpet- and floor-cleaning vacuum on the market; it's also equipped with a unique, sealed HEPA filtration system that captures 99.97 percent of dust, pollen, allergens, and bacteria. So, vacuuming the house doesn't mean you have to dust afterward, or sneeze while you're doing it. Cleaner carpets and cleaner indoor air at the same time!
Plus, the Boss is loaded with user-friendly features to take the frustration out of vacuuming. A wide cleaning path covers a lot of ground quickly before company comes. And, unlike inferior models, the Boss is designed with a brush-view window that shows you how hard it's working, letting you actually see the powerful brush roller remove dirt from carpets and floors. The exclusive dust trap system captures debris and dust in three stages. A handy stretch hose extends to five times its original length for reaching around furniture and sucking the cobwebs off the ceiling. And, a 30-foot cord won't leave you coming up short. The bare floor brush is designed to smoothly glide across wood and tile floors while picking up more dust and debris in corners and along baseboards than any other model. --Brian Olson
- On Board Tools
- Upgrade of the popular Eureka 4870DT model
- True HEPA Filtration
- Widetrack Cleaning Path
- Power Paw Stair Brush
Customer Test
The Eureka Boss Smart-Vac is all around great! Kid & pet tested. Mother approved. / Report
I have the 4870GZ model. It's metallic red and comes with the Power Paw (mini turbo) tool.
I am going to rate this vacuum 5 stars even though I have a few neutral and one negative points. The reason for this high rating is that I have found it is simply the overall best choice for me in the under $300 price category and was only 1/2 of that!
Pros:
Customer Service! It was so nice to have a 1-800 toll-free number to call and actually get to speak to a live representative!
Eureka's web site has good product information, and instructions can be downloaded.
Solid construction.
I haven't found any vacuums in the under $300 range with better suction.
Sealed HEPA filter that is easy to replace. Unlatch door, remove and replace filter, latch door. Eureka recommends replacing this filter every six bag changes or twice a year. They are about $20 a piece. I did notice that a washable HEPA filter cartridge could be ordered on the parts form included with the instructions for only $39.99.
Foam filter that protects motor.
On/off brush roller. This is a convenient feature when only the hose is needed or to vacuum linoleum floors. This saves wear/tear on carpet if vacuuming drapes, upholstery, or something like that. Because the brush head is not turning, I can actually vacuum up the crumbs on the kitchen floor instead of scatter them. On/off brush is a hard-to-find feature in vacuums under $200--at least around here.
The bag is easy to install. A guide holds the bag in proper place. Note: the front plastic piece of the vacuum will be difficult to latch if a bag is not installed. It's a feature to ensure the bag is correctly installed for maximum performance.
This vacuum can use the allergy/filtration bags which I found locally for about $2 a piece.
Headlight feature is nice for dark rooms. Replacing the bulb is as easy as removing two screws, the lens cover and old bulb and replacing with new and reattaching lens cover with two screws.
Assembly was easy. The handle is attached by three screws. Click the onboard tools in place on the vacuum's housing.
The vacuum comes with two nesting wands, crevice, dusting brush, and upholstery tools which snap firmly into the housing. This model also came with a Power Paw tool (mini turbo tool) that really worked well on my furniture compared to just using the upholstery tool.
Vacuum is designed to allow easy access to clear blockages if this condition occurs. Plus, some of the tubes are even clear so you can see if there is anything in them before taking it apart.
12 amp. motor., 30 foot power cord, and reinforced plastic around roller brush housing, are nice extras.
I thought the user's guide stated what needed to be stated clearly and had good illustrations.
Neutral Points:
The vacuum is heavy which may be a disadvantage for some. It wasn't a disadvantage for me. Even though I am extra small, I have no physical conditions that limit movement, and our home is just a single level. Also, it's not "cheap made" so it's going to weigh more for that reason.
The stretchy hose was too short for the task I do, but Eureka does include their 5:1 stretch hose (deluxe version). I needed more flexibility and length. I am putting this as a neutral point since some vacuums in this class either don't have a hose at all OR you must convert (unplug hose for vacuum and then insert hose for tools and then again reverse this process when you are done) the vacuum to use the hose. With this vacuum, I simply turn a knob (air selector switch) located on top of the vacuum.
The handle release (pedal you step on) and brush roll on/off switch are a little stiff at first. This might cause problems for some.
Negative Point:
I don't see an option to order a longer, stretchier hose. The hose on the unit could have been longer since it is stretched some even when stored.
NOTES:
I did a quick test of comparing the different vacuums' suction by just testing the suction from the hose. Eureka actually has a feature that reduces some of the suction to the hose--a nice feature so you don't suck in the whole drape or something like that instead of just vacuum it off. However, I haven't found any vacuum in the under $300 range with more suction when it comes to cleaning carpets and floors. Some are the close or the same, but I haven't found any with better suction. Anyway keep this in mind if trying to compare suction at the store where you might not get to actually compare what is vacuumed up.
Gave mine away / Report June 29, 2006
Pay close attention to the weight and measurements. The thing is a behemoth. If you like SUVs, then you might be ok with it, but don't plan on getting in any tight corner, etc. I did really like the directional dial to switch from floor to hose (which is a great way to lessen suction on the fly by diverting it to the other source), and I liked the transparent hose (came in real handy once when I sucked up a too-large piece of paper), but the thing just killed my arms and lugging it to our 2nd floor was a major hassle. I gave it to my son for his apt. I ended up with a cannister. When my son saw the 4870GZ, he went, "Whoa, overkill."
amazing vacuum / Report June 23, 2006
Just bought the Eureka after having read consumer reports and all the reviews here. This vacuum is great. The handle was a snap to put on and the tools stored fairly easily. The release for the handle is not bad. Push it sideways not back. The suction is very very good. My living room carpet is black again and not grey. I have 2 dogs and 3 cats, Usually after vacuuming the house smells like dog. Not now. The HEPA filter does the trick. The PowerPaw does sound like an airplane but boy does it clean chairs and the sofa. No more pet hair. If you have 10 foot ceilings the hose will be a little short but otherwise works just fine. I did not find the vacuum to be tippy when cleaning up high. It is quiet and not heavy although might be awkward on stairs. There is even a small handle on the back for carrying. It will lie flat for going under beds if you lay it as far back as it will go and then push the handle release again.Since the brush is so wide it can't get in to all the nooks and crannies my house has(small house too much stuff)Cleans floors well. It kicks around some cat litter instead of picking it up. This vacuum losees a star beacuse it is difficult to put back in the upright position, the handle release is stiff and it kicked around more litter than I thought it should. Overall though an excellent vacuum. I am glad I bought it.
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