The RapidClean Pro from Eureka is one of the most popular and versatile vacuums in their cordless lineup. For such a lightweight machine it does boast a pretty impressive list of features, which we will get to in a minute. And even though it can do a lot of things it is not really designed to deep clean thicker carpets, there are larger and more powerful Eureka cordless vacuum cleaners for that job. But for a variety of hard floors, area rugs, and even lower pile carpeting you will soon find out just how capable the RapidClean model NEC 180 is.
Before beginning the review it is important to be aware of just how much the battery technology has improved over the past decade or so. Lithium ion batteries now power many different household items including vacuums, and in many cases can give just as much power as their much larger corded counterparts. The convenience of a cord-free cleaner just cannot be overstated. Once you see how easy it is to pop the battery in and go wherever you need, you will never want to go back to the way you used to clean your home!
The main sections of this Eureka RapidClean Pro vacuum review:
Here is a list of the main features you will find on this Eureka model along with a quick description. This will give you a good idea as to the capabilities of it before going deeper into any other research.
Main Features
- Bright LED Headlights provide a well lit cleaning path so you leave no dirt or dust behind, even in the darkest of corners
- Grab and Go Design with their ultra lightweight of just over 5 pounds makes it simple to move around your home
- Lithium Ion Battery provides as much as 40 minutes of runtime on a single charge depending on the vacuum settings and type of surface
- Cyclonic Filter is specifically designed to remove and trap any tiny dust particles from the air as it passes through
- Easy Maneuverability with swivel steering and a lower profile floor head so you can move around and under the items in your household
- Lay Flat Design with the re-positioned dust cup gives you the ability to lay the RapidClean Pro flat while still running at max power
- Easy Rest ‘notch’ in the handle lets you rest the vacuum against a table or countertop so it doesn’t fall over when not in use
- Max Power Setting lets you really dial up the suction for those situations that require a deep clean
Cyclonic Filtration System
You may or may not have heard the term Cyclonic filtration before but if not it is a way to separate the dirt particles from the air as it passes through the vacuum. This accomplishes 2 main goals: to virtually eliminate clogging or loss of power and to make it easier on the filter itself. The filter is a washable anti-allergen foam unit that is rated to capture about 99% of fine dust and allergens. This is very similar to other HEPA filters even though Eureka doesn’t specifically state that the NEC 180 RapidClean™ comes with HEPA. Overall it is a fairly low maintenance filtration system that traps almost all of the microscopic organisms it should, especially considering the very low price point when compared to other cordless vacuums.
Lithium Ion Batteries
The Eureka RapidClean Pro comes with a powerful 2500mAh lithium ion battery that can provide about 40 minutes of runtime on standard power mode. It does take a couple of hours to get it to a full charge so you will need to plan ahead but most people will simply leave it plugged in when not in use. This guarantees the battery is ready to go when it is time for a whole household cleaning, or even for those quick pick-ups of hard floors in the kitchen. And these batteries provide fade-free power right up until they are drained which is a big advantage over prior generations. The suction power will remain high for a longer period of time.
One drawback found on the Eureka NEC 180 model is the battery itself is not removable. This means you will need to stop cleaning and plug it in should the vacuum become drained of power. It requires a little bit of planning if you have a large home, or perhaps you should opt for a slightly larger cordless like the Moosoo K17 which does come with a removable battery pack. Just something to keep in mind when comparing it to other similar cord-free cleaners.
Suction Power
The 150 watt DC motor is adequate for vacuuming smooth floors as well as low to medium pile carpets. Like we stated above, when you combine this with their lithium ion technology you get more than a half hour of pretty constant suction power so you need to determine if that is enough for your situation. The vacuum itself is pretty light so the floor head won’t push way down into the carpet fibers, so without really powerful suction it just can’t deep clean thick carpeting. For that purpose Eureka does have larger and more powerful cordless vacuums. For the majority of cleaning jobs though, the RapidClean Pro has a surprising amount of suction to go with a long runtime.
Here is a quick video demonstrating how this Eureka cordless stick picks up various pieces of debris from different types of floors:
Various Attachments
The RapidClean Pro comes with a couple of helpful attachments in addition to the large floor head. It comes with a 7 inch crevice tool and 2 in 1 dusting brush that can be used with it in handheld mode for cleaning a variety of things like furniture, bedding, and curtains. A big advantage of cordless stick vacuums is you can quickly convert them to handheld mode, allowing you to get into places that a larger upright vacuum simply cannot. Plus since there are no cords to concern yourself with it is a quick and simple process.
While the vacuum won’t stand on its’ own it does include a wall mount which can be installed near an outlet. This keeps the Eureka out of the way when not in use but also charges it fully for the next cleaning session. If you have a large utility room or closet that is a perfect place for mounting it. This isn’t required but is a nice feature to keep things organized when you aren’t vacuuming.
Final Thoughts/Recommendation
The Eureka RapidClean Pro is a lightweight cordless stick vacuum that can handle a variety of floors. It is recommended for hard surfaces like tile, linoleum, hardwood, and laminate but can also handle low to medium pile carpets. The battery gives you enough runtime for a small to medium sized house, but the cordless design lends itself perfectly to quick pick-ups as well. It is one of the more affordable vacuums in this category and online consumer reviews are quite positive with many praising the ease of use and maneuverability. If all of this describes how you would primarily use it then it is highly recommended. However, if you have a large home with more carpets than hard floors you would be better served to get a bigger and more powerful cordless vacuum like the Tineco A10 or A11.
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