Review of the Eureka Altima 2291AVZ Bagless Upright Vacuum

Need a new vacuum? Would you much rather spend money on a fun new dress or those fabulous shoes on display at the mall? (And guys, just a tip, do not buy a woman a vacuum as a gift. Here are some good alternatives.) Maybe you're just looking for a low-cost second vacuum. At about $100, the Eureka Altima 2291AVZ vacuum cleaner is an inexpensive, bagless upright vacuum that might be just the alternative you're seeking. I bought the Eureka Altima 2291AVZ vacuum a little over a year ago for use as a second vacuum primarily for my finished basement.

Eureka Altima 2291AVZ Overview

The Eureka Altima 2291AVZ comes with a long narrow crevice tool with an extension wand, a small dusting brush (which I have never used, does anyone?), a handy telescopic dusting attachment, and Eureka's patented Power Paw attachment. It weighs 20 pounds, has a 12 amp motor, a 30 foot long cord, and a 15 inch wide cleaning base. The Eureka Altima 2291AVZ'a wide cleaning base means spending less time vacuuming because fewer passes are necessary to vacuum the entire carpet.

Eureka Altima 2291AVZ Attachments

The Eureka Altima 2291AVZ has a dust cup instead of a bag and the cup is easily emptied by flipping a switch and pulling out the cup. It has 3 filters that must be cleaned regularly to keep the vacuum working optimally. Two of the filters need cleaned weekly (OK really I do this monthly) and the third needs changed every six months (haven't done this one yet).

The Eureka Altima 2291AVZ's telescopic dusting attachment makes quick work of every day dusting as it fits into even the narrowest places. To use the dusting attachment you simply turn the lever to electrostatically charge the duster so the dust sticks to it. Once you've finished dusting an area you put the duster back into the vacuum, flip the lever and the Eureka Altima 2291AVZ pulls everything off the duster and into the dust cup for easy disposal. It is easy to extend the telescopic handle to reach the tops of doors or around light fixtures.

The Power Paw attachment on the Eureka Altima 2291AVZ allows easy cleaning of upholstery or the stairs. The Power Paw attachment has what Eureka calls a "riser visor" that allows you to easily clean both the horizontal and vertical parts of the stairs.

Eureka Altima 2291AVZ Problems

The Eureka Altima 2291 AVZ does have some problems. It doesn't clean as well as other vacuums. I have another vacuum that cost more money and cleans better, but I can't afford two of them and don't like having to carrying it up and down the stairs all the time. The Eureka Altima 2291AVZ cleans adequately for daily use. Next, at 20 pounds the Eureka Altima 2291AVZ is too heavy to easily carry and the location of the carrying handle makes it even more difficult for a short person (5'3") like me. I keep it primarily on one floor which alleviates this problem.

The only problem that really irritates me about the Eureka Altima 2291AVZ is the belt. You need to keep an extra one on hand at all times because the belt will break if you accidentally run over the wrong thing. (Yeah, yeah I should pick up everything off the floor before I vacuum. I'll get right on that.) A new belt only costs about $2.50 and it's easy enough to replace, but it's annoying.

The Eureka Altima 2291AVZ vacuum cleaner will never win rave reviews, but if you're looking for a decent, low-cost vacuum it might be just the right choice.