Eureka Optima: The Little Vacuum that Can Sweep Away Dirt and High Prices

Few people get excited when having to purchase a vacuum cleaner. Let's face it - it isn't like buying a new pair of shoes or the latest electronic gadget. Most of the time, we are looking for something that gets the job done, yet costs as little as possible. The Eureka Optima delivers on both counts.

Don't let the Optima's compact size fool you. It can handle linoleum, hardwood floors, and many kinds of carpeting. While it isn't recommended for extremely plush carpeting, those with indoor/outdoor or high-traffic carpets will appreciate how well it picks up even minute particles and bits of fuzz - as well as, on the opposite end, relatively large pieces of paper.

The Optima's functionality is often something seen only in vacuums that are unwieldy, heavy, or otherwise tough to manage. But the Optima is none of these. It is lightweight, coming in at under 15 pounds. Its handle is adjustable, so everyone - from your short children to your tall husband - can pitch in with the vacuuming duties. And it is ergonomically designed, so operating it, even for an extended period of time, won't make you feel like you have just visited contortionist school.

Also, like more expensive and heavier counterparts, the Optima does come with several attachments, so that you can vacuum stairs, upholstered furniture, and blinds with ease. Attachments are also easy to figure out, so you don't feel like you're putting together a Rubik's cube just to vacuum the dust bunnies under the bed.

But best of all, the Eureka Optima has a price that's tough to beat. Most stores offer the mighty dynamo of a vacuum in the $60 range. While a recent check in the San Francisco Bay Area showed it was slightly less than this at Bed Bath & Beyond, Costco had a slightly pricier option that also provided extra filters and an additional attachment, ostensibly justifying the additional cost. If you happen to live in an area where Bed Bath & Beyond regularly showers your mailbox with their well-known 20 per cent off coupons, then the Optima may very well check in closer to $50, an almost unheard-of price for a powerful vacuum cleaner that actually does the job.