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  • By the Numbers

  • Edge Cleaning & Furniture Clearance

  • Sound

  • Carpet Cleaning

  • Bare Floor Cleaning

  • By the Numbers
  • Edge Cleaning & Furniture Clearance
  • Sound
  • Carpet Cleaning
  • Bare Floor Cleaning

Now that testing is over, we think the 3401 is a good value, but maybe not the best vacuum. The suction delivers as advertised—in fact it picks up more dirt on high-pile carpet than vacuums that cost three times the price. However, it doesn't do as good a job on other kinds of flooring, and the Brushroll Clean system was a disappointment.

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Push a pedal, detangle all those strands of hair and carpet threads that have wrapped themselves around your vacuum's brushroll. That's the promise of Brushroll Clean Technology. In practice, we pushed the pedal and got a little yarn out, but for heavy-duty jobs like rug bits, you're still going to have to turn over the vacuum and manually detangle things. Here's our video evidence to prove it....

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However, when we switched over to human hair, the brushroll clean worked like a charm.

Beside the brushroll cleaner, the 3401 comes with a stair nozzle, a dusting tool, a crevice tool, and an extension wand. We think that's plenty. Sure, fancier vacuums have tools for cleaning ceiling fans and drapery, but they cost a pretty penny.

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Although it did very well cleaning on plush carpeting, we measured poor dirt pickup on low carpet. It also has a manual height adjustment that requires constant attention: If the head height is too high or too low, you'll just push dirt and debris around. A house with lots of area rugs, carpets, and hardwood floors will need frequent adjustments.

And regardless of floor type, it's going to be loud. Even while standing idle, the 3401 produced over 78dBA–easily enough to hear from another floor. Households with newborns and easily-spooked dogs should avoid this vacuum.

For in-depth performance information, please visit Test Results Page.

We can only recommend the Eureka Brushroll Clean AS3401A in context. Among vacuums that cost less than $200, the 3401 has a good price-to-cleaning ratio, and we were astounded by how well it did on high-pile carpet. Just remember: the brushroll cleaner can't work miracles, and this thing is loud.

Warranty information and operating instructions are available on Eureka's website.
Editor's Note:

This article has been updated to reflect a retest of the brushroll clean. June 22, 2016

By the Numbers

The Eureka Brushroll Clean AS3401A underwent rigorous testing in our labs. On this page, we'll dive into the details.

Edge Cleaning & Furniture Clearance

The 3401 was able to clean right up to the wall from its side, but stopped cleaning 1.5 inches from the wall from its front. For tight spots you can't turn the brush head around in, we recommend using the crevice tool.

While the 3401 could clean right up to the wall from its side, its ability to clean stopped 1.5 inches from the front.
Credit: Reviewed.com / Jonathan Chan

While the 3401 could clean right up to the wall from its side, its ability to clean stopped 1.5 inches from the front.

The clunky design meant that 3401 isn't going to clean easily under furniture. During our "limbo bar" test, given a foot of clearance, this Eureka was only able to clean 20 inches in.

The bulky nature of the AS3401A kept it getting good furniture clearance scores.
Credit: Reviewed.com / Jonathan Chan

The bulky nature of the AS3401A kept it getting good furniture clearance scores.

Sound

When active, but not moving, the 3401 produces 78.2 dBA of sound, making it one of the loudest uprights we've ever tested. The whole house will know you're vacuuming.

Carpet Cleaning

During our carpet cleaning tests, we place 100 grams of dirt ranging in grain size from baby powder smooth to coarse sand. On tall carpet, the AS3401A rocked it. In a single pass, the AS3401A picked up 20.2 grams of dirt on average. The $600 Miele Cat & Dog picked up only 18.5.

When we switched over to short carpet, the 3401 fell in the rankings. After one pass this vacuum picked up 65.85 grams of dirt. Although this is the best price-to-pickup ratio, it places the 3401 in the middle of the pack overall.

We also tested to see if the 3401 could pickup large debris. On each carpet, we scattered uncooked rice, uncooked macaroni, and pet hair–also uncooked. On short carpet, it picked up 60% of the macaroni, 85% of the rice, and 66% of the pet hair. When we switched over to the deep-pile carpet, the 3401 picked up 65% of the macaroni, 92% of the rice, and 83% of the pet hair.

Bare Floor Cleaning

We tested the AS3401A on bare floors to see how well it will perform in the typical kitchen. This test uses only uncooked macaroni and rice, and the AS3401A picked up 75% of the macaroni and 95% of the rice.

Meet the tester

Jonathan Chan

Jonathan Chan

Senior Manager of Lab Operations

@Jonfromthelab1

Jonathan Chan currently serves as the Lab Manager at Reviewed. If you clean with it, it's likely that Jon oversees its testing. Since joining the Reviewed in 2012, Jon has helped launch the company's efforts in reviewing laptops, vacuums, and outdoor gear. He thinks he's a pretty big deal. In the pursuit of data, he's plunged his hands into freezing cold water, consented to be literally dragged through the mud, and watched paint dry. Jon demands you have a nice day.

See all of Jonathan Chan's reviews

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