Which is the best commercial vacuum cleaner?

.Commercial vacuum cleaners are a long-lasting option for cleaning offices, residences, retail spaces, and other locations. They’re relied on by cleaning pros and typically feature a robust design with heavy-duty materials for key components like the motor and brush roll.

A commercial vacuum cleaner is an option to consider if you value reliability and longevity. “If you need a vacuum that will last a long time, it could be worth it to acquire a commercial-grade vacuum,” says Angela Brown, the CEO of Savvy Cleaner. These vacuums are often built to survive longer and to be used more frequently.”

Commercial vacuum cleaners come in a variety of forms to accommodate a variety of cleaning demands, including upright, backpack, and canister models. In addition to type, pay attention to whether the vacuum is bagged or bagless, its weight and maneuverability, and features that make it easier to use—like automatic height adjustments for the vacuum head.

The Oreck Commercial XL Upright Vacuum is our top choice for a commercial vacuum, and it performed well when we put it to the test in a home. It barely weighs 9 pounds, making it light and simple to handle or move. We found that it reaches underneath furniture, and the 35-foot outlet gives you plenty of room to move. The large dust bag enables disposing of gathered dirt and debris quick and easy.

The following are the top commercial vacuum cleaners on the market.

What We Like

Lay-flat head for vacuuming under furniture
Power cord is longer than some models
Super lightweight design
Automatic height adjustment

What We Don’t Like

Cleaning path could be wider
No hose or attachments

The Oreck Commercial XL Upright Vacuum is our top commercial vacuum choice. We liked this model’s lightweight design and robust, practical components, such as the 35-foot power chord, after using it at home. Whether you plan to use it at home or on the job, this model stands out for its ease of use and large-capacity debris bag.

This upright industrial vacuum weights just 9 pounds, making it far lighter than many other versions. This also means less effort is necessary to move the Oreck Commercial XL during usage, transit, or storage. And if you have furniture like desks, tables, or couches to work around, a lay-flat design means the vacuum head can reach underneath these low-clearance objects. Bumpers around the vacuum head also provide a buffer as you work around furniture and other obstacles.

Despite its modest weight, this commercial vacuum bears up to its XL moniker by containing a large trash bag. The bag features a top-fill construction, so you may use it to its maximum capacity. It’s equipped to capture dust, hair, dirt, and debris from all types of flooring and does so with automatic height adjustment, so you don’t need to make any manual changes to the vacuum settings as you transition from bare floors to carpets. The cleaning path width is limited to 12 inches, so you may need to make a few more passes when compared to a commercial backpack vacuum with a 14-inch-wide cleaning path (such as the ProTeam’s Super CoachVac Commercial Backpack Vacuum). It lacks attachments, which we discovered to be the most significant disadvantage during our at-home testing. It’s actually just meant to be a fantastic floor-cleaning machine. Still, this commercial vacuum produces a vigorous clean and is an excellent choice for both business and household cleaning.

Price at time of publish: $220

What We Like

13-inch-wide cleaning path
On-board tool storage
There are five brush height adjustments for different kinds of floors.

What We Don’t Like

Limited attachments included
Manual height adjustment

The Bissell ProBag Upright Vacuum is designed to do one thing well: clean your business or home environment completely. This vacuum’s design and functionality are simple yet effective, as one would expect from a low-cost commercial vacuum. It’s a low-priced option for a bagged commercial vacuum cleaner, since many versions cost more than $300.

When selecting a commercial vacuum, consider the vacuum’s weight and the breadth of its cleaning path. The Bissell ProBag weighs 12 pounds, which is heavier than our best overall pick but still lightweight when compared to commercial vacuums weighing 15 pounds or more. It features a 13-inch cleaning path that allows it to clean huge expanses of flooring. It also has a five-position height adjustment to accommodate hard surfaces or carpeting—though, unlike with the Oreck Commercial XL Upright Vacuum, you’ll have to manually adjust those height settings.

The equipment offered with this industrial vacuum are minimal (a wand, crevice tool, and dusting brush/upholstery tool), however they are stored onboard the vacuum cleaner, making them easily accessible during cleaning sessions. The most likely use for this budget commercial vacuum is for keeping floors and carpets clean, but the addition of the attachments means that it’s also suitable for some above-floor cleaning tasks or for vacuuming upholstered furniture in an office, waiting room, or your home.

Price at time of publish: $230

What We Like

Powerful suction on carpet fibers
Long-lasting components with no-tool brush roll and belt replacement
Bag has huge capacity
50-foot power cord

What We Don’t Like

On the heavy side and cleaning path could be wider
Loud operation
Bag must be emptied

The upright commercial vacuum is a workhorse in most cleaning closets. It’s an effective method to cover a large area of flooring and generates tremendous suction that vacuums with a smaller form factor can’t match. If you need a heavy-duty commercial vacuum for thorough cleaning your floors and carpets, we suggest the Sanitaire Tradition Upright Bagged Vacuum. It is usually commended for its strong suction, which pulls dust, grime, and hair from carpet fibers, and it is also an excellent option for cleaning up after dogs. Plus, the 50-foot power cord gives you room to roam while using this upright vacuum, though we do wish the 12-inch-wide cleaning path were larger to more easily cover large spaces.

Another advantage of the Sanitaire Tradition SC886G is its long-lasting components, such as a metal hood for the vacuum head and a 7-amp motor certified for 2,000 hours. A heavy-duty commercial vacuum will need components replacement, and this Sanitaire model is intended to make basic maintenance simple. The brush roll and belt may be changed without the need of any special equipment, and the fan chamber allows access to clean dirt and service the impeller fan.

The Tradition SC886G weights a heavy 15.8 pounds, which, together with the cleaning path width, may make it unsuitable for covering a large amount of land. It, too, lacks accessories, like our top overall recommendation, the Oreck Commercial Upright Vacuum Cleaner. It boasts a massive 18-quart shake-out dust bag that offers plenty of area for debris collection and removes the need to purchase or replace vacuum bags. Yet, whether shaking out the huge dust bag is a convenience or a hassle is debatable. To avoid causing a mess, most people seem to agree that it’s a task better done outdoors. However, thorough cleaning and durability are hallmarks of Sanitaire’s upright industrial vacuums, and we believe this model is worth considering if you need an effective, dependable upright vacuum.

Price at time of publish: $280

What We Like

Telescoping wand maneuvers around obstacles
50-foot cord length for more reach
Tool storage on harness of vacuum
Helpful attachments

What We Don’t Like

Lacks HEPA filtration

The ProTeam Super CoachVac is a formidable cleaning buddy with a 10-quart corded commercial backpack vacuum. A backpack vacuum cleaner is an excellent, adaptable solution for cleaning furnished rooms such as office areas with desks, chairs, storage, and other furniture. The wand of the vacuum cleaner can easily be directed under and around these objects, and the body of the vacuum cleaner doesn’t have to be maneuvered around obstacles in the same way as a traditional vacuum. According to the maker, it functions at 66 decibels, which is just slightly louder than regular conversation.

The Super CoachVac’s filtration capabilities, 50-foot cable, and harness with integrated tool storage set it apart from other corded professional backpack vacuums. This vacuum contains four layers of filtration, including a washable cloth filter, to catch particles and prevent them from being expelled with the air exhaust. It should be noted that this commercial vacuum does not feature a HEPA filter, which is something to consider if allergen collection is a key concern.

Another notable design feature of this commercial backpack vacuum cleaner is its use. As compared to professional vacuums with 30- or 35-foot cables, a 50-foot chord means you won’t have to change outlets as often. As you clean, you may need to change out tool attachments. This is simpler with the Super CoachVac, which has incorporated storage for the dust brush and upholstery tool inside the backpack vacuum’s harness belt. Other attachments included with this vacuum cleaner are a floor tool with a 14-inch wide cleaning path, a crevice tool, and a telescoping wand to accommodate various user heights or above-floor cleaning tasks.

Price at time of publish: $518

What We Like

Ideal for areas without outlets
Hush mode to reduce operating noise
Lightweight, ergonomic design with padded straps
Helpful attachments

What We Don’t Like

Limited battery life
Battery and charger sold separately

A cordless backpack vacuum allows you to vacuum floors, stairs, ceilings, and fixtures from any location. The design of the Hoover HVRPWR 40V Cordless Commercial Backpack makes it the ideal choice if you want a commercial vacuum cleaner that prioritizes mobility and flexibility, or if you’re cleaning spaces with very limited outlets. It weighs less than ten pounds and comes with an ergonomically designed harness with cushioned shoulder straps, a waist belt, and height adjustments for users standing between five and six feet three inches tall.

One benefit of purchasing this cordless backpack vacuum from Hoover is that it has a two-speed motor for quieter operation when desired. For example, if you’re cleaning commercial premises during business hours, the Hush mode reduces noise levels by operating at a lower CFM. Hush mode also saves battery life, providing up to 51 minutes of runtime against 28 minutes in Boost mode. The most significant disadvantage of this device, or any cordless business vacuum, is the battery life. But, since this Hoover model is compatible with all HVRPWR 40-volt lithium-ion batteries, you may have a backup battery charged and available at all times.

While this bagged vacuum’s battery life means it’s less ideal for covering large swaths of flooring, it’s great for quickly spot-cleaning high-traffic areas or areas without outlets. It also comes with a decent set of tools for cleaning spills on floors, upholstery, and other surfaces, but you’ll have to buy a battery and charger separately.

Price at time of publish: $400

What We Like

Can handle a wide range of messes
10-foot hose for greater tool reach
Floor tool with various inserts for various surfaces
On-board accessory storage

What We Don’t Like

Power cord is only 25 feet long
Very heavy

Commercial vacuums aren’t usually used to remove dry particles. If you need a vacuum that is equipped to handle wet and dry cleaning tasks, the RIDGID 2-Stage Commercial Wet/Dry Shop Vacuum is a powerful choice. It has an 80-inch water lift rating and a three-layer filter for catching small particles. Whether you want to use this commercial wet-dry vacuum for cleaning up your home, car, garage, workshop, or other working environment, it has the capacity and power to leave your space immaculate.

Its industrial wet-dry combination vacuum’s durability is a crucial feature. The 10-foot hose is composed of tough polyester and will not kink while in use. It secures to the drum, so you don’t have to worry about it falling free when vacuuming. If 10 feet of reach is insufficient, two metal extension wands allow additional reach when utilizing attachments such as the floor tool, crevice tool, or cleaning brush. The floor tool is unusual in that it has three removable inserts for cleaning different surfaces such as carpets or damp, hard surface floors. The vacuum is cart-like in form, with a basket to house the available attachments, making it simple to transfer to a different tool as required.

This shop vac can be used indoors or outside and has oversized, rubber tires to easily maneuver anywhere that cleaning help is needed. It’s a good thing it has wheels, since the major disadvantage of this professional wet-dry combination vacuum is its 40-pound weight. To empty the shop vac’s massive 64-quart drum, remove the lid and tilt the drum to empty its contents. That’s no easy process with a heavy-duty vacuum like this one, so keep that in mind if you’ll be emptying the vacuum on a regular basis.

Price at time of publish: $375

What We Like

Doesn’t require replacement bags
Lightweight design
Replaceable power cord
Helpful attachments

What We Don’t Like

Manual dial for height adjustments
Dust cup will need to be emptied frequently

To gather dirt, most commercial vacuums use a bag disposal mechanism. Nevertheless, if you want a machine with an easy-to-empty dust cup, choose the Bissell ProCup Bagless Upright Vacuum. The dust bin holds up to 4 quarts of dry debris and saves you the recurring expense and hassle of keeping replacement vacuum bags on hand. Shake the dust bin into the garbage when your cleaning job is complete, and wash it with soap and water for a deeper clean as needed.

Apart from its detachable dust cup, this model from the Big Green Commercial range of vacuum cleaners has numerous additional user-friendly features. The vacuum cleaner is just 11.25 pounds in weight, making it lighter than some other upright commercial vacuums on the market. In the event that the 30-foot power cord breaks over time, it is replaceable. The vacuum is only protected by a one-year manufacturer guarantee, yet it is one of the most economical business vacuums on the market.

You may manually change the height of the vacuum cleaner’s head to properly clean different kinds of floors. There are five settings to select from on the dial, giving you options for bare floors (like tile, vinyl, or laminate) or for vacuuming low-pile carpeting or rugs.

Price at time of publish: $200

What We Like

Weighs only 5 pounds
Converts to a handheld vacuum
Up to 45 minutes of battery life

What We Don’t Like

Small dust bin requires frequent emptying
4-hour battery recharge time

A commercial cordless stick vacuum is very maneuverable and ideal for short cleaning operations. The Bissell BGSV696 is powered by a lithium-ion battery that lasts up to 45 minutes before needing to be recharged on the wall-mounted charging station provided. It’s also one of the few commercial vacuums that can be converted to a handheld vac for above-floor cleaning activities like vacuuming furniture, stairs, or air vents. The portable form is also useful in vehicles. It has the ability to reach into small locations, such as below seats or the dashboard. You may choose between high and low suction power levels according on the cleaning job at hand.

The weight and design of a cordless vacuum are essential considerations. The Bissell BGSV696 is one of the lightest commercial vacuums on the market, weighing just 5 pounds. The lightweight construction is useful for moving the vacuum from one level to another. The removable 0.5-liter dust cup is sized right for the compact dimensions of this commercial vacuum, but it will require more frequent emptying when compared to vacuums with a larger dust cup or bag.

Price at time of publish: $213

What We Like

Lightweight design with shoulder strap
Variety of included attachments
Blower port for forced air
Can use disposable or reusable bags

What We Don’t Like

No attachment storage
Lacks wheels

Go no farther than the Hoover CH30000 PortaPower for business cleaning power in a tiny package. This little business vacuum cleaner is designed as a canister and weighs just approximately 8 pounds. It includes plenty of attachments, a built-in blower for forced air, and the option to easily carry it over the shoulder (using the included strap) if you have a lot of square footage to clean in multiple rooms. This canister vacuum has no wheels, but the power cable is 35.5 feet long. While there is no cord wrap built into the vacuum’s handle or body, it does come with a cord storage strap to keep the cable coiled when not in use. This bagged vacuum cleaner works with either disposable paper or reusable cloth debris bags.

The Hoover PortaPower comes with a diverse selection of cleaning accessories. You’ll find a rug and floor nozzle, furniture nozzle, dusting brush, crevice tool, plus two metal wands and a stretch hose to extend your reach while using any of the tools. This makes this compact commercial vacuum an ideal helper if you’re cleaning spaces that include stairs, overhead cleaning tasks, or tight spaces where the reach of a wand and crevice tool is more ideal than an upright vacuum. Nevertheless, there is no onboard storage for the attachments, so you’ll have to find another method to keep these goods organized when transporting or storing them.

Price at time of publish: $156

What We Like

Cord rewinds automatically
Motorized floorhead for maximum cleaning power
HEPA filtration
Helpful attachments with onboard storage

What We Don’t Like

Premium price point
Replacement bags can be expensive

The Miele Complete C3 Brilliant is a premium alternative for a canister vacuum that gives a commercial-quality clean. The 1,200-watt motor provides powerful cleaning power and is appropriate for use on anything from hard floors to rich carpets. It comes with a motorized floor head for removing dirt and debris from high-pile fibers as well as a hard surface flooring attachment for cleaning tile, laminate, or hardwood floors.

The benefit of a business canister vacuum is more mobility without the need to lug a hefty upright vacuum around. The Miele Complete C3 comes with caster wheels, a 9-foot hose, and a 24-foot retractable power chord. If the vacuum makes touch with furniture when traveling through narrow places or around bulky items, a velvet bumper shield along the body of the vacuum protects it. Other premium features include HEPA filtration, LED lighting on the body and floor head for improved visibility while cleaning, automatic cord rewind, and fingertip controls on the vacuum’s handle. These features make this Miele vacuum a delight to operate, but they also make it an expensive option. This professional canister vacuum will set you back about $1,500.

Price at time of publish: $1,789

What We Like

Washable HEPA filter and sealed motor
Steel bottom plate and brush roll
Seven-year motor warranty
Onboard tool storage

What We Don’t Like

Weighs 19 pounds
No shutoff for the brush roll

Filters are used in almost all vacuum cleaners to prevent dust and other minute particles from being expelled along with the vacuum’s exhaust. Commercial vacuums with HEPA filters, on the other hand, provide more sophisticated filtration, catching particles as fine as 0.3 microns in size. Vacuums with HEPA filtration are frequently recommended for allergy-sufferers, but it’s a beneficial feature for any environment where you place a priority on indoor air quality. “A commercial-grade vacuum with a HEPA filter will purify the air with each pass and remove even microscopic particles, making the air much healthier for employees and customers alike,” says Brown.

The ProLux 6000 is a well-known commercial vacuum cleaner with HEPA filtration. It has a washable HEPA filter that can be removed and cleaned to ensure consistent performance no matter how often you vacuum. A sealed motor also prevents dust and grime from passing through it. Instead, a bypass directs particles into the bagged vacuum cleaner’s disposable dust bag. The vacuum’s steel bottom plate and metal brush roll provide longevity in professional cleaning conditions, although it should be noted that there is no brush roll shutdown control. As a result, this vacuum is less well-suited for exclusive usage on hardwood floors. Yet, it cleans nicely if you have low-pile carpets or a combination of hard and soft surfaces to clean.

This industrial vacuum cleaner is heavier than other alternatives, weighing in at 19 pounds. Although it is heavy to lift and carry, it does include an inbuilt handle to make the task easier. A 40-foot power cable provides enough reach when operating this upright vacuum, and the supplied accessories have integrated storage in the vacuum’s body.

Price at time of publish: $320

Our “best overall” commercial vacuum cleaner recommendation is the Oreck Commercial XL Upright Vacuum. It boasts strong suction for cleaning hard surface floors and carpets, a large dust bag, and is lightweight and simple to move. But if you’re looking for a basic model at a budget price, the Bissell ProBag Upright Vacuum (view at Amazon) is an option worth considering. You’ll have to manually adjust the height of the vacuum head when switching flooring types and it has few attachments included, but it is an affordable choice with a sturdy build.

Vacuum Type

Commercial vacuums come in upright, canister, backpack, and stick variants. Each type has its advantages, but the decision of which one is best will depend on your cleaning environment and objectives.

Commercial upright vacuums They often have a more powerful motor than other models, but they are also bigger and heavier. They’re a good choice for deep-cleaning carpets or for pets, but they may take more effort to use and carry when moving from job-to-job.
A commercial backpack vacuum allows the user to move furniture or items more freely. You can find corded or cordless backpack vacuums, but either one frees the user from steering a vacuum around obstacles. The drawback to a backpack-style vacuum is the fact that the weight must be carried on the user’s back during use.
Commercial canister vacuums house a powerful motor in the body of the vacuum cleaner while using a hose-and-wand design to reach under furniture or tidy up floors. Certain commercial canister vacuums, such as the Miele Complete C3, have wheels, whereas others are stationary. This is the case with the Hoover PortaPower, our recommendation for the finest small business vacuum.
Commercial stick vacuums may be perfect for cleaning tiny, difficult-to-access locations. They often have smaller dust bins that must be emptied more frequently. Unlike corded vacuums, cordless stick vacuums will have limited run times, and their batteries can take hours to charge again. However, they can be a great fit for cleaning spaces with no available outlets.

Weight and Maneuverability

The weight and agility of a commercial vacuum are two of the most critical aspects in determining how simple it is to operate. Most commercial vacuums weigh between 12 and 15 pounds, however some types weigh as little as 5 to 9 pounds and some weigh much more. A lightweight vacuum will often result in reduced user fatigue while cleaning big areas.

The shape of the vacuum body, as well as whether you choose a corded or cordless business vacuum, impact maneuverability. For optimal power, most commercial vacuums are corded. Look for a large wire length to prevent having to swap outlets often. Commercial vacuums typically have 30- to 35-foot cords, but some models (including our top corded backpack pick, ProTeam’s Super CoachVac Commercial Backpack Vacuum) have cords as long as 50 feet.

Although corded commercial vacuum cleaners have more power and durability since there is no battery to drain, they are less mobile.” For example,” Savvy Cleaner CEO Angela Brown mentions, “vacuuming a stairwell requires a plug nearby if your vacuum relies on power from a cord. Commercial cordless vacuums, on the other hand, allow you to clean more freely since cables are not an issue.”

Filtration

Vacuum cleaners are capable of sucking up anything from dirt to dander. Filters in the vacuum prevent this material from being evacuated along with the vacuum’s exhaust. Commercial vacuums may have numerous filtration stages, but the greatest degree of filtration is a HEPA filter, which collects particles as fine as 0.3 microns1. According to Brown, “A commercial vacuum with a HEPA filter will trap allergens, like dust mites, pet dander, and other pollutants, so that they do not get re-distributed into the environment.”

Other factors to look for include washable or replaceable filters, which can ensure that your vacuum continues to function at a high level. The ProLux 6000, our “best HEPA” option, has a washable HEPA filter.

Dust Bin Capacity

The majority of commercial vacuum cleaners are bagged. This means that instead of emptying a dust bin, you’ll remove and replace the vacuum cleaner bag when it becomes full. Several versions have a shake-out dust bag as an alternative to disposable bags. This is true of our top choice for an upright commercial vacuum, the Sanitaire Tradition, which holds up to 18 quarts of debris before needing to be emptied.

Bagless commercial vacuum cleaners are often available on light-duty types such as stick vacuums or compact upright vacuums. The benefit is that you don’t have to purchase or replace vacuum bags, but the debris capacity is generally less. The Bissell BGSV696 is a bagless commercial vacuum and our choice for the best cordless model, but it only has a 0.5 quart dust bin that will require more frequent emptying.

Warranty

Several commercial vacuum cleaner manufacturers provide a warranty. Check to see whether the warranty covers the motor or the complete vacuum cleaner. A one-year warranty is standard for many models but heavy-duty commercial vacuum cleaners will often have a five-year to seven-year warranty for the motor and, in some cases, for all other components as well. The ProLux 6000, for example, has a seven-year motor guarantee and a five-year warranty on the remainder of the vacuum cleaner.

Attachments

Accessories improve the functioning of a commercial vacuum and may improve efficiency while cleaning. Most commercial vacuums come with three basic attachments: an extension wand, a crevice tool, and a dusting brush. Certain versions, however, come with additional tools for particular usage, like as an upholstery brush, specialist floor heads, or motorized equipment for pulling pet hair from carpets and furniture. According to Brown, looking at the attachments and equipment that come with a vacuum cleaner may help you determine how well-suited it is for certain activities.

Certain commercial upright vacuums do not come with attachments, making them best suited to cleaning floors.

FAQ

A commercial vacuum cleaner is built with more durable components for frequent, repeated use that surpasses what is expected of a household vacuum cleaner. This does not exclude the usage of a high-quality domestic vacuum cleaner in a business environment. Certain suction qualities that are desired in a professional vacuum cleaner are, however, uncommon in domestic ones.
Commercial vacuum cleaners, for example, usually include more metal components, such as a steel base plate, metal brush roll, or chrome bonnet. Moreover, the engine of a commercial vacuum cleaner is often rated for a lengthy service life—up to 2,000 hours in certain circumstances. Components may be built to be replaceable as well. This is often the case with the power cable. Some models, like the Bissell ProCup Bagless Upright Vacuum, have a power cord connected to a pigtail cord, allowing you to splice in a new power cord if the original one fails without needing to do extensive rewiring or replace the entire vacuum.
Commercial vacuum cleaners are built to withstand severe usage, but that doesn’t guarantee they’ll survive forever. The frequency and circumstances of usage will determine the longevity of a commercial vacuum. A commercial vacuum used to clean an office on a weekly basis will likely survive longer than a commercial vacuum used everyday in a cleaning firm.
One indicator of how long the vacuum may last is how many hours of use the motor is rated for. If you can’t discover that metric, the manufacturer’s warranty term may be used to estimate how long the vacuum will be trouble-free.
Commercial vacuum cleaners are not always superior than home vacuum cleaners, although they may be better suited for some conditions or settings. Commercial vacuums are designed and engineered to withstand regular, heavy usage. If that’s the case, this sort of vacuum cleaner will often outperform and survive longer than a standard home vacuum cleaner.

Vacuum Type

Weight and Maneuverability

Filtration

Dust Bin Capacity

Warranty

Attachments

Related Questions

What’s a good commercial vacuum cleaner?

What is the number 1 vacuum cleaner?

Are commercial vacuums better than regular vacuums?

What is the most powerful vacuum cleaner?

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Which is the best commercial vacuum cleaner?

Vacuum Type

Weight and Maneuverability

Filtration

Dust Bin Capacity

Warranty

Attachments

Related Questions

What’s a good commercial vacuum cleaner?

What is the number 1 vacuum cleaner?

Are commercial vacuums better than regular vacuums?

What is the most powerful vacuum cleaner?