[TOP 5] Best Commercial Vacuum For The Money

As anyone who’s worked in the commercial cleaning industry can tell you, the best commercial vacuums are a major time saver. Vacuums for housekeepers are not exactly like residential vacuums, even though they work the same. But, large commercial vacuums are much bigger, have stronger motors, and typically include all of the features and accessories a professional cleaning business needs to function.

Is your interest peaked? Then read on. In this article we will tell you everything you need to know about commercial vacuums and give you our top five list of the commercial vacuums to consider purchasing for yourself.

What Is A Commercial Vacuum?

But first, let’s discuss what a commercial vacuum is and how it is used. Vacuums in general have a long history. The first vacuums were actually pushed manually across the floor. Essentially, they were a cross between a broom and a sweeper. The first electronic vacuum was designed in 1901 by Hubert Cecil Booth and David T. Kenney.

At first vacuums were only made for residential homes. They could, obviously, be used in businesses as well. But, there were no specific commercial vacuums. But, that changed very quickly.

Today commercial vacuums models are often made by the same manufacturers that produce residential vacuums. So, if you are interested in purchasing a vacuum for housekeepers, you don’t even have to research new brands. Industrial vacuum cleaners also tend to have higher power and suction rates. Plus, they will be specifically designed for long use.

Commercial Vacuums vs. Residential Vacuums

So, what are the actual differences between a commercial vacuum and a residential vacuum, you may be wondering? Good question. Both of these vacuum types have similarities and differences. Understanding what they are will help you make the decision of whether to purchase a commercial grand vacuum cleaner or not.

Let’s begin with their similarities. Commercial and residential vacuums have a number of similarities. Most importantly, they are both used in exactly the same way. A motor powers a beater bar and generates suction. As you push the vacuum cleaning head along the floor, the suction picks up dust and debris.

Another similarity between commercial and residential vacuums is their two most common types. The most traditional vacuum type is the upright vacuum. These have the cleaning head, dirt collection bin, beater bar, and motor all in the same machine. On the other hand, canister vacuums have the dirt collection bin and motor in one machine while a hose connects the cleaning head to the dirt collection bin.

But, residential and commercial vacuums have some differences as well. Let’s return to their many different shapes. Often, you will find vacuum for cleaning businesses that are a backpack. This type of commercial vacuum is very convenient because it allows you freedom of movement. But, backpack vacuums are not really found in residential models.

Additionally, commercial vacuums will typically have much higher power and suction capabilities than residential vacuums. And, depending on the manufacturer, commercial vacuums may also come with more accessories and attachments. You will likely be using your vacuum for housekeepers more than someone would their home vacuum, so the extra power and accessories makes sense. But, it does provide a way to tell these to varieties of vacuum apart.

Do I Need A Commercial Vacuum?

This is the big question. Should you purchase an industrial vacuum cleaner? The only person who can really answer that question is you. However, keep the following tips in mind when considering if a commercial vacuum is for you.

1. If you have a large house or a lot of space that needs regular vacuuming, you should consider a commercial vacuum. These products are designed for large clean-up jobs. Therefore, commercial vacuums are better for people with larger spaces to vacuum.
2. If you like prompt and well-staffed customer service departments, you should consider a commercial vacuum. Even though the same manufacturers tend to produce residential and commercial vacuums, their commercial products typically have better support. This means that your warranty may last longer. And, there may even be customer support for your vacuum for cleaning business right on the manufacturer’s webpage.
3. If you want an extremely durable product, then consider a commercial vacuum. Industrial vacuum cleaners are designed to be used every day. So, they will not wear out as fast as residential vacuum cleaners, which are only made to be used once or twice a week.
4. The reason for the higher durability of vacuums for housekeepers is the better quality of the parts. Even though most vacuum brands make high-quality residential vacuums, their commercial models tend to have even better components. Therefore, if you’re someone who wants the best, then choose an industrial vacuum cleaner.

What To Look For In A Commercial Vacuum

Now that you’ve decided to purchase a commercial grade vacuum cleaner, here is a list of the most important features to consider before making a commitment.

Type of vacuum

Commercial grade vacuum cleaners come in three main types: upright, backpack, and canister/handheld. As mentioned above, upright vacuum cleaners are the most traditional. They have lasted over one hundred years for a reason. Upright vacuum cleaners are a self-contained package; everything—motor, dirt collection bin, cleaning head, etc.—is in a single device.

On the other hand, canister vacuums have two components. There is the canister that houses the motor and dirt collection bin, and then there is the hose and cleaning head. Canister vacuums are often called handheld vacuums because you hold the hose and cleaning head in your hands. These vacuums are much more versatile than commercial upright vacuum cleaners, but they do not have as much power.

A final type of large commercial vacuum is the backpack vacuums. Backpack vacuums have the same two components as canister vacuums, but the motor and dirt collection bin are carried on your back. This type of commercial grade vacuum cleaner provides the biggest range of motion and flexibility.

Bagged or bagless

Modern commercial vacuums come with one of two dirt collection options. You can either choose a vacuum that has a bag or one that is bagless. You wouldn’t think that removing a bag would be such a huge deal, but it is for commercial bagless vacuums.

Bagless industrial vacuum cleaners typically have a small dirt collection bin. They also require a good filtration system so that the dirt goes where it is supposed to. You will also need to occasionally clean the dirt collection bin on these types of commercial vacuum.

Bagged commercial vacuums have large dirt collection bins. But, you will need to replace the bag at regular intervals. Plus, the cost of the replacement bags can add up, especially if you use the vacuum every day. Finally, industrial vacuum cleaners with bags tend to have more powerful motors.

Weight

Weight is an important factor for any type of vacuum. However, purchasing a product with the correct weight is crucial for vacuums for cleaning businesses. Remember that you may be using this vacuum every day.

Because they are more powerful than residential vacuums, commercial grade vacuum cleaners tend to be heavier. The increase in weight may not come into play except in certain situations. But, you need to keep them in mind before you make your purchase.

Heavier vacuums may be more powerful, but they are hard to carry up and down stairs. If you need a commercial vacuum for stairs, then you should look for a lighter model.

Also, if you have a variety of flooring types, a lighter commercial vacuum may a better option. If can get exhausting pushing a heavy vacuum all over a house and up and over flooring changes. But, if you have a huge house without stairs, or are prone to making hard-to-cleanup messes, then a heavier and more powerful large commercial vacuum may be right for you.

Accessories

The type and number of accessories that come with your commercial vacuum will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. The more varied vacuuming jobs that you have, the more attachments and accessories that you will need.

A crevice tool, pet tool, and upholstery brush are some of the most common attachments. The crevice tool and upholstery brush open up your vacuuming options to furniture and har dot reach places. The pet tool is extremely important if you will be cleaning homes—including your own—that has pets. Pet attachments are usually motorized to help drive out embedded pet hair.

You may also want to consider purchasing a commercial grade vacuum cleaner that has an accessory holder, which makes it easy for you to store all of the components of your industrial vacuum cleaner together.

Dirt bin capacity

Dirt bin capacity is another important factor to consider when purchasing a vacuum for cleaning business, especially depending on how you plan on using it. No matter if your vacuum is bagged or bagless, the bigger the dirt collection bin the less often you will have to empty it.

As mentioned above, bagged commercial vacuums tend to have larger dirt collection bins. But, this does not mean that bagless commercial vacuums are not useable. If you will be using the industrial vacuum cleaner on a small or medium area, then you don’t need the largest dirt collection bin capacity. Yet, larger jobs and houses will require a large dirt collection bin capacity.

When considering this feature, ask yourself how often you want to empty the dirt collection bin or change the bag. Then be realistic about the size of the space that needs to be cleaned. Once you have answers to both of those questions, the size of the dirt collection bin that you need should be obvious.

Cord length

The length of the electrical cord on your vacuum for cleaning business is a final essential factor to consider. The longer the cord, the greater the distance you can take the vacuum without having to find another outlet. Thus, a longer electrical cord saves you some work. This is especially important in commercial vacuums for stairs because you don’t want to run out of cord when you’re halfway done cleaning the stairs.

However, there are cons that come with long electrical cords. If you have a long cord on your commercial vacuum, it is easy to trip over. Plus, it will be much easier for the cord to get wrapped around furniture or under doors.

When looking researching cord length, you will want to strike a balance between long enough and too long. The cord should be long enough that you will not have to find a new outlet in every room. However, it should also be short enough that it will not get caught or tripped over.

Top 5 Best Commercial Vacuum – Comparison Table

Top 5 Best Commercial Vacuum on The Market Reviews

#1Shark Rotator Professional Vacuum NV501

 The Shark Rotator Professional Vacuum NV501 is a great example of a commercial vacuum. It is a lift-away model, which means that it converts from an upright to a hand vacuum with the push of a button. In order to succeed in the conversion, the Shark NV501 is a bagless industrial vacuum cleaner. This means that it uses a HEPA filtration system instead of a bag to trap all of the dirt and dust particles from your floor. And, the dirt collection bin is extra-large, so you will not have to empty it too often.

Another huge advantage of the Shark Rotator Professional NV501 is the inclusion of the Premium Pet Power Brush. This attachment is a powered brush that rotates and deep cleans pet hair and dander for any type of surface. For homes with pets, you can’t beat this vacuum for housekeepers. Finally, this commercial vacuum has swivel steering and LED lights, which makes it easy to maneuver the vacuum around furniture or other obstacles.

#2 Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional NV356E

Shark is a great vacuum cleaner company. So, it should come as no surprise that they have multiple commercial vacuums on our list. The Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional NV356E is another great product. It also uses a bagless design and HEPAA filter to clean 99.9% of dust and allergens form the surfaces of your home and business. Just keep in mind that the Shark NV356E does not have the extra-large dirt collection bin of the Shark NV501.
The Shark NV356E is similar to the NV501 in that it is also a lift away model. With the push of a button you can convert the NV356E from an upright vacuum to a hand-held canister vacuum. The upright version of the NV356E only weighs 13.7 lbs., so it is lightweight enough for almost anyone to use. As a final advantage, the NV356E uses complete seal technology to ensure that all allergens are removed form your home and business.

#3 Oreck Commercial XL Vacuum XL2100RHS

Oreck is known for their commercial vacuums, and the Commercial XL Vacuum XL2100RHS illustrates why the brand has such a good reputation. This commercial grade vacuum cleaner is just an upright variety. But it has a 21-inch-wide cleaning path. It is also situated lower to the ground, which makes it a perfect choice for homes and businesses with low pile carpeting.

The Oreck XL2100RHS has an extremely powerful motor and high-speed brushroll. In fact, the brushes spin at 6,500 RPM, which ensures a deep cleaning for your carpet. Oreck has also included a Helping Hand handle, which is ideal for people with Arthritis. This vacuum has even received the Ease-of-Use Commendation for Arthritis Foundation, a great honor.

#4 Hoover Commercial Lightweight Backpack Vacuum C2401

You can’t create a list of the top commercial vacuums without mentioning a Hoover. The company is the first American vacuum manufacturer and has been in business for over 110 years. The Hoover Commercial Lightweight Backpack Vacuum C2401 is the only backpack industrial vacuum cleaner on our list. The backpack itself weighs less than ten pounds. So, you will not struggle to carry it for long vacuuming jobs. Plus, the backpack has been designed by a chiropractor to reduce strain on your back.

The Hoover C2401 is a very quiet commercial vacuum. Therefore, you can use it anywhere without disturbing those around you. It also comes with a wide variety of attachments and accessories, which means that it can be used to clean almost anything. Finally, the extra-long 48-foot power cord is convenient and purpose-built for large spaces.

#5 Oreck Commercial Vacuum U2000R1

Oreck’s Commercial Vacuum U2000R1 is another great vacuum for housekeepers from the company. It is an affordable product that also has Oreck’s lauded Helping Hand handle. The handle also has its own off and on switch, so you will not need to bend constantly to turn the commercial vacuum on and off.

If you want a great commercial vacuum that doesn’t have a lot of bells and whistles, this is the product for you. It weighs under eight pounds, which makes it easy to push. Additionally, the automatic floor adjustment system allows you to seamlessly transition from carpets to hard floors.

Tips and Tricks For Maintaining Your Commercial Vacuum

Industrial vacuum cleaners are designed to last a long time. Therefore, it can be tempting to see them as indestructible. But, they need maintenance and upkeep just like any other piece of equipment. Below we’ve listed the top tips and tricks for keeping your commercial grade vacuum cleaner in good working order.

1. Check the filter and/or dirt collection bags on a regular basis. These parts on your vacuum are what do the cleaning. You want them in good health and unclogged. Filters, especially, can get clogged easily. So, if you see any dirt or dust in the filter change it or wash it out—according to your manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Don’t let the dirt collection bin overflow. Whether you have a bagged or bagless commercial vacuum, you shouldn’t let it get overfull. Bagless commercial vacuums usually have a fill line that indicates when the container should be emptied. If you have a bagged model, check it regularly. Empty the bag when it is about 2/3 full. This will keep the performance of your vacuum for cleaning business good.
3. Clean all attachments and store them together. You do not want to be searching for missing attachments when you are ready to use your commercial vacuum. Therefore, storing the attachments together with the industrial vacuum cleaner is important for keeping everything nice. On that note, also take the time to inspect and keep the attachments clean. That way they will be ready to go when you need them.
4. Check the hose and electrical cord for damage. If you use your commercial vacuum on a regular basis, the electrical cord and hose likely take a fair amount of abuse. You should check both the hose and cord for rips or tears every time you use the commercial grade vacuum cleaner. This way you can solve a problem before it gets out of hand and potentially kills your vacuum.

Final Words

Commercial vacuums are not just for professional cleaners. These handy appliances are high powered and durable enough to withstand even the hardest cleaning jobs. In order to get the most for your money, you need to purchase one of the best commercial vacuums on the market.

That is why we have written this article. In it you should have received all of the information you need to find a great industrial vacuum cleaner. Our list of the top five commercial vacuums should also give you a great place to start your search. So, if you have a large home or a lot of vacuuming to do, pick out a commercial vacuum. We guarantee you won’t go back to residential models.