Eureka 4870MZ Boss Smart Vac Upright HEPA Vacuum Cleaner
Eureka 4870MZ Boss Smart Vac Upright HEPA Vacuum Cleaner

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 comes loaded with user-friendly features to take the frustration out of vacuuming. A wide 15-inch cleaning path covers a lot of ground quickly before company comes. In addition, 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. One extra Type-R belt and one bonus bag come included. The vacuum cleaner measures 12 by 15 by 44 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty. –Brian Olson
User Ratings and Reviews
2 Stars Not what it should be
Got one of these about two years ago due to rave in Consumer Reports. It is heavy, and does not do a good job on carpets. The belt that drives the beater/roller/brush seems to slip whenever the brush encounters carpet, even at the light settings. Thus the brush does not rotate and nothing much gets sucked up. Have replaced belts and the adjuster, but nothing helps. It is pretty heavy for stairs and our cleaning lady just brings her own vacuum, but not sure what kind it is. She does not like ours and she is a pro. It does have a long cord and does not spray dust around due to the filter on the exhaust, but those are minor if the thing does not pick up the dirt. I think it has some good qualities, but the execution is poor. Would not get another nor recommend to anyone else. The Hoover UH310010COM has higher ratings and lots of folks seem to think it is a much better machine. I plan to try that one out soon.
4 Stars Eureka 4870MZ Box Smart-Vac
I can only echo the positives about this vacuum cleaner. Prior to this, I was using my whole house vacuum cleaner — loved the concept of it but after 9+ years, and a couple of repairs, could not get it repaired to its former suction. This vacuum cleaner has excellent suction and it did a great job on restoring my carpets and an equally good job on my hard surfaces. Before I started using it, my carpet needed to be stretched; however, the nap has returned to its plush feel and after a few more vacuuming I believe the deep cleaning will eliminate altogether the need for having it stretched.
I wanted to give it 4-3/4 stars but it isn’t offered. My only complaint is the Power Paw attachment is not stable on the vacuum and sometimes falls off, but it is something I can live with based on the performance of the machine.
4 Stars Heavy duty machine
This vacuum lives up to it’s great reputation. I have cats and vacuum every other day and it really does get down into the carpet nap. I like how the attachments are on the unit. The only drawback is that it is heavy. I wish they had designed a carrying grip on the unit so going upstairs would be easier. But is does the job, as advertised.
3 Stars Damn Heavy
Works well. Cleans well. My one big complaint is that the thing is very heavy. We’ve had it for almost a year now. We live in a two story house. My wife bought a separate cleaner for upstairs so she doesn’t have to lug this thing up and down. If it matters to you, pay attention to the weight. Significantly heavier than our old Sharp (which was wonderful, but now broken and Sharp doesn’t seem to make vacuums any more). Also heavier than all the current Best Buys on Consumer Reports (3/2010).
1 Star Heavy, hard to push and maneuver
I expect an upright vacuum to be fairly easy to use and maneuver. This vacuum is very hard to push, heavy, and not maneuverable at all. The foot release is also so stiff my wife was unable to push down hard enough to release it, which I consider to be a major defect, since the vacuum can’t be used without releasing the foot lock.
I returned it, and I’ll look for one that’s lighter and easier to use.
Eureka 4870MZ Boss Smart Vac Upright HEPA Vacuum Cleaner
Eureka 4870MZ Boss Smart Vac Upright HEPA Vacuum Cleaner

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 comes loaded with user-friendly features to take the frustration out of vacuuming. A wide 15-inch cleaning path covers a lot of ground quickly before company comes. In addition, 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. One extra Type-R belt and one bonus bag come included. The vacuum cleaner measures 12 by 15 by 44 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty. –Brian Olson
User Ratings and Reviews
2 Stars Heavy, difficult to use, great suction
Bought this vac after reading reviews and checking Consumer Reports site. The suction is terrific and it seems to be built by the Romans. It would likely be very suitable for a large house with thick wall to wall carpet. However, my house has hardwood floors with fringed area rugs. The vacuum is so powerful that you have to be very careful around rug fringe and it’s so heavy that it’s very tiring to use on hardwood floors (although it offers this setting). The foot pedal is extremely stiff which is very annoying, and the cord fastener (which pins down the last bit of cord when you wind it up for storage) is so stiff that it’s unusable. I’m searching for something more suitable for my house.
5 Stars This Vacuum Really Sucks and that great in this instance
Ever buy a product and out of the box it seems right from the start. Well if you have not, then you might want to try this baby. Yes, it is an upright and maybe a bit, just a bit on the heavy side, but the suction that this baby, or maybe I should say tiger produces is absolutely amazing. I really think this is because of the great design of keeping the suction pipeline as straight as possible till is gets to the bag, and also coupling that with a powerful motor and great rotating brush. It all combines for great pickup and powerful cleaning. The combination of a well designed filter bag and hepa filtration system also keeps much of the excess dust/allergens down while operating the vacuum. Eureka has done its homework on this upright including the powered hand tool which works good in doing stairs and taking hair off of furniture. It would probably work fine on car carpet detailing, but I have not tried it there yet. Filter bags and belts are available at many locations and at reasonable prices. Many of the criticism of this machine are not deserved and are most likely caused by not reading the manual and understanding how the machine functions and also by not keeping the machine cleaned and the filters changed when necessary. In simple words, lazy people don’t usually get good results when they refuse to maintain the very machine that is responsible for doing the cleaning. Change filter bags earlier, not later than recommended, clear debris if the suction is decreased, change or blow out the hepa filter frequently and watch for unusual wear on the belt. This vacuum usual retails around $200 but I was able to pick it up for $133.00 with free shipping. After vacuuming the carpets about three times I have noticed how much cleaner they appear and how much more the nap of the carpet seems to stand up. If you are use to just running the heck out of a machine without periodic service and care then no vacuum will last or work for you. Take care of it, do what the instructions say, and it will be a fantastic cleaner for you. I give this vacuum 6 stars out of five because it works way better than it should. Now, for the rest of the story. I am 67 years old and my wife still works full time and I am retired. I do most if not all of the vacuuming and do the entire house about 3 times a week. With this vacuum, I actually enjoy using the machine. Thanks Eureka for a fine product.
2 Stars Disappointing performance
I bought this vacuum about 18 months ago and have been unhappy with it since I purchased it. It is big, heavy and clunky. The foot pedal for on and off is not easy to operate. I have kept it because I have a cleaning service do most of my cleaning but recently had guests and needed to use it between service. It simply does not help me in getting carpets free of dog hair and dust. I am in the market to buy another long before I had hoped it would be needed.
1 Star Can’t wait until this breaksdown (fully) so I can buy a different vacuum
I bought this vacuum based on Consumer Reports’ good review. I disagree, however. The foot peddle release part broke off after two uses so the unit stays up but falls down easily, and if it falls down on your foot, ouch. This vacuum is very heavy and clunky and it feels awkward when in use. Definitely not good for stairs. It’s also hard to push on carpet when it’s not on. Other plastic pieces have broke including the tube so now it doesn’t stay in it’s designated spot. The hose doesn’t stay in it’s designatd spot either and if it’s not getting tangled with the cord, it’s dragging on the ground. You also have to apply a lot of pressure to change the lever at the base which allows you to switch between carpet and bare floor. And above all that, it doesn’t pick-up well on bare floors. I agree with another reviewer who said this is not a vacuum you would want to buy for grandma - definitely not. I’m a fairly strong, young woman and I have a difficult time with it. It’s not for children either and this is a great way for them to get out of doing this chore. I cannot believe all the good reviews and I will think twice next time I consider a Consumer Reports review, i.e., do additional research such as check Amazon’s reviews. This is a terrible product and I highly doubt I’ll ever buy another Eureka.
2 Stars Consumer Reports’ Reviews don’t mean much…
The vacuum has good power, actually more than needed. Has a cheap shiny look. I was disappointed that the brush does not always stop when using the paw (upholstery cleaner) or the ‘bare floor’ setting . Sometimes it will stop and then, in the middle, start rotating. That is what bothered me the most because it can ruin an expensive rug if that is where it was ‘parked, while doing the upholstery. Called Eureka, but they were clueless. Returned it to Amazon for a refund-they were pretty good about it. I am surprised how Consumer Reports could give it such high marks. As a result, have canceled my subscription to that magazine.
Eureka 4870MZ Boss Smart Vac Upright HEPA Vacuum Cleaner
Eureka 4870MZ Boss Smart Vac Upright HEPA Vacuum Cleaner

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 comes loaded with user-friendly features to take the frustration out of vacuuming. A wide 15-inch cleaning path covers a lot of ground quickly before company comes. In addition, 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. One extra Type-R belt and one bonus bag come included. The vacuum cleaner measures 12 by 15 by 44 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty. –Brian Olson
User Ratings and Reviews
4 Stars Very powerful, very heavy
I was in the market for a new vacuum. My old one sucked the dirt in and spit it right back out. This one is a welcome change: powerful suction, great cleaning ability. I’ve not had it long enough to speak to the durability of the item but it really sucks up the dirt. One of my concerns is the design. Having to adjust the height at the bottom of the machine is not good for a home with hardwood floors and lots of heavy area rugs. The on/off switch is inconveniently located and the release mechanism foot pedal is inconveniently placed. Once all of those things are adjusted, it does what a vacuum is supposed to do. If I were older, smaller, or weaker, I might have trouble working with this machine. It is quite heavy. However, it does what needs doing in my house.
4 Stars Great vacuum for the money!
I’ve had this vacuum for 8 months now, and I’ve had absolutely no problems with it. As mentioned by others, it is a little heavier than some vacuums, but it has incredible suction. After using this vacuum for the first time, my carpet looked better than it had in years (which doesn’t say much for my previous vacuum). The power paw is a nice idea, and the hose is easy to detach and use with attachments. I agree with those who have commented on the release switch for the handle. Once you figure out exactly where to press down, it unlocks easily. Just a matter of figuring it out. Overall, it’s a great vacuum for the money, and I’ve been very happy with this purchase.
5 Stars Great Vac for the $
I’m purchasing a 2nd today. I’ve had some plastic parts break; the bags fill up quickly but
I attribute that to the vacs great suction. Other vacs will not fill up a similar sized bag in
twice the time in the same environment - and typically cost more. The high end vacs with the
same suction will cost you 3x the cost. I’ve had mine for 5 years and while it is beat up
and does not look as good as it once did….it works as good as it did day one. I’ll use it
in the basement and use the new one in the living areas for the next five years for $147
+ shipping. That’s $30/year and it does the job without creating residual dust. I’ve
owned many but none half as good as “The Boss”.
1 Star belts
This vacuum has cost me almost as much in drive belts as I paid for it.
5 Stars Absolutely Perfect!
Oh my gosh, just love this vacuum! First of all, it’s so neat because when you turn it on the bare floor option, the brush does not spin, so it just sucks up all the dirt without throwing it all over the place (hardwood floor). LOVE IT! Yes it is heavy and a bit bulky but that doesn’t matter, it makes our place look amazing once we are done vacuuming. The filtration looks awesome, and I love that it is a bagged vacuum.
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Eureka 4870MZ Boss Smart Vac Upright HEPA Vacuum Cleaner
Eureka 4870MZ Boss Smart Vac Upright HEPA Vacuum Cleaner

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 comes loaded with user-friendly features to take the frustration out of vacuuming. A wide 15-inch cleaning path covers a lot of ground quickly before company comes. In addition, 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. One extra Type-R belt and one bonus bag come included. The vacuum cleaner measures 12 by 15 by 44 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty. –Brian Olson
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars Eureka!!!
I bought this vacuum for my sister as a wedding gift. She loves it! Her husband has bad allergies and this vacuum really helps to keep their home clean. I would highly recommend this vacuum for quality and price.
3 Stars Eureka Boss Smart Vac
When I started searching for a vacuum, I wanted everything. Now that I have it, I am not crazy about it. It does a fantastic job on the carpets and gets them really clean. It will suck up area rugs, though. It said it could clean wood floors… NOT! It just blows dog fur everywhere. The electric cord isn’t long enough. The hose is also too short and is too stiff. I like the handiness of all of the tools and I also like the handle. The biggest complaint is that it is too bulky and heavy. I wish now that I had gotten a light weight vacuum.
4 Stars Eureka Boss
Very powerful and light weight just what I was looking for. Do not care for where the powerpaw sits but not a big deal.
2 Stars Cleans good but is oh so clumsy
It does the primary function of sucking up the dirt very well. But, the electrical cord is too short, it is too heavy and cumbersome, the switch from beater bar to accessory involves too much activity, and it doesn’t come close to getting under beds.
5 Stars Eureka Vacuum
The service/delivery was excellent, upon opening the box and lifting it out I realized that I as a weak (women) would never have to vacuum again as this unit is on the heavy side, but works very well when operated by the male of the house.
