5 Best Commercial Vacuum Cleaners and How To Choose One?

Whether running a business facility, hotel, or janitorial service, a vacuum cleaner is one of the critical pieces of cleaning equipment.

While vacuum Cleaners are essential to remove dirt and debris and keep the facility looking great, it is a time and money consuming endeavor. As per a study undertaken by the American Institute of Cleaning Sciences, an average commercial cleaning worker uses a vacuum for approximately 1-3 hours every day and comprises 15-25% of the total cleaning cost of the facility.

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Commercial vs. Personal Vacuum cleaner

A commercial-grade vacuum cleaner is generally more durable than a residential unit as it is expected to more use and abuse. Commercial vacuum cleaners are also comparatively more powerful, primarily allowing the business to keep labor costs and cleaning time to a minimum.

Types of Vacuum cleaners

Handheld

A portable handheld cleaner is suitable to clean stairs, blinds, upholstery, molding, or window treatments. Small and lightweight, these cleaners are ideal for light soil pickup.

Backpack Vacuum Cleaners

Cleaning tight spaces like cubicles, stairways, under furniture, requires a versatile machine. Ergonomically designed, backpack vacuum cleaners are fitted with a hose and wand that sucks dirt and debris into the canister that can fit on the users’ back, hips and shoulders.

Backpack cleaners offer greater convenience, maneuverability, versatility, and are an excellent option for high traffic or congested areas. Some models also feature a blower, allowing users to switch between the two modes seamlessly.

Canister Vacuum

Canister vacuum cleaner work similarly to a backpack model, however, instead of the user carrying the machine as a backpack, the device comes with wheels that allow the user to pull it from one area to the next efficiently.

The cleaning head of the canister vacuum is attached to the container by a rigid wand and a long, flexible hose.

Canister vacuums offer great versatility and are capable of cleaning a variety of surfaces, such as hard floors, carpeted floors, fixtures, and drapes. Since canister vacuum cleaners have small and maneuverable cleaning heads, they can easily clean fit under tight spaces.

Upright

Upright vacuums are vertical standing machines with a powered cleaning head, a bag or canister on the handle, a long power cord, with wheels and a brush roll on the bottom, and a bag for soil collection on top.  Upright vacuum cleaners are an excellent option for general purpose cleaning in large open areas such as hotels, offices, and restaurants.

Commercial upright vacuum cleaners come with a variety of options, from different numbers of motors to a range of bags to collect debris.

Wet / Dry Vacuum Cleaners

From scooping up dust and debris at construction sites to cleaning liquids from a flood or accidental spill, wet/dry vacuum cleaner can do a variety of jobs seamlessly.

Also known as “jumbo vacs,” these models are capable of vacuuming wet and dry messes simultaneously. Wet/dry vacuums are an excellent option for cleaning up construction and renovation sites, removing moisture from floors and carpets, removing debris and particles from industrial settings.

best commercial vacuum cleaners

List of The Best Vacuum Cleaners

Oreck Commercial XL2100RHS 8 Pound Commercial Upright Vacuum

Specifications

  • Vacuum type: upright, bagged
  • Brush: high-speed double helix brushes
  • Dimensions: 6 x 13 x 35
  • Weight: 8.2 lbs
  • Motor power: 4 amps rating

Recommended for: Low pile carpet and hard floors

Oreck is renowned for its durable, easy to use, and high-quality cleaners and the XL2100RHS upright vacuum is one of its most popular commercial vacuum cleaners.

Unlike typical upright vacuum cleaners, The XL2100RHS is built using a low-profile head, a steel stick, and a bag for dust and dirt storage. This design allows the machine to easily reach hard to reach places such as under furniture, bed, sofa easily.

Due to its design, the machine weighs just 8 lbs making it easier to carry the device around. The XL2100RHS’ exclusive hand handle design eliminates the wrist pain due to squeezing and bending for an extended period (recommended by Arthritis foundation as an Ease of Use model).

The Oreck Model XL2100RHS vacuum is suitable for open floor space such as hotels, restaurants which requires rigorous cleaning, but is not best suited for stairs or high traffic carpet, shag carpet.

The Oreck Commercial XL2100RHS uses double helix brushes, which whirls at 6,500 RPM to help it remove any debris on the surface. The brush head is auto-adjusted to fit a lot of surfaces such as low pile carpet, hard floor, laminate floor. Additionally, the vacuum cleaner also contains secondary side brushes, which makes it easier to clean along edges and corners

This XL2100RHS upright vacuum uses an extra-large dust bag that is capable of storing up to 2.75 Gallons (10.4 L). The model features a 35-foot cord, which makes it easier to reach pretty much anywhere within a room with ease, and a cleaning path width of 12 inches.

On the downside, the Oreck XL2100RHS has a low motor power (4 amps); therefore, it is best for cleaning low pile carpet and hard floors surfaces. It is ideal for soiled carpets, high pile carpet, which requires stronger suction power. Besides, it does not have a hose/ wand, so it cannot be used to vacuum drapes or furniture.

The Oreck XL2100RHS does not come with any additional attachments or height controls, meaning that it is only suitable for low pile carpets and bare floors. While it will clean these effectively, it won’t do too well on higher or thicker mats.

Pros

  • Large cleaning path
  • Side edge brushes
  • Helping Hand handle

Cons

  • Short warranty
  • Only works on low flooring types

Super CoachVac commercial vacuum backpack cleaner

The Super CoachVac commercial vacuum backpack is a productivity powerhouse designed to tackle the most demanding cleaning challenges. This versatile vacuum cleaner is equipped with the multi-surface cleaning functionality, allowing it to efficiently clean a variety of surfaces such as carpets, hardwood, tile, and linoleum. The backpack cleaner can switch cleaning activities with a press of a button and efficiently clean and maintain areas like stairs, vents, furniture, and light fixtures.

This backpack vacuum is much easier to maneuver than an upright vacuum, allowing you to clean under tables, chairs, and floor lamps as well as other furniture. The included tools help you to clean under a couch without moving it or clean the dust off a ceiling fan easily. The four-stage filtration mechanism plus organically treated micro-fiber eliminates up to 99.9% of debris, including pet hair, bacteria, dead skin, and pollen. It does what it does best, leaving your home, office, or classroom sparkling clean.

The unit comes equipped with the telescoping wand, making it perfect for vacuuming staircases. Its extra-long cord makes it easy to clean wide spaces uninterruptedly.

Featuring a powerful 1188-watt, 9.9-amp motor, the Super CoachVac backpack produces an airflow of 150 CFM.  This device is one of quietest in its class producing noise levels of 66 dBA. The ergonomically designed vacuum cleaner comes with an adjustable harness that responds to your motion as you’re vacuuming for hours of comfortable cleaning without straining you. The 50-foot long power provides a broader reach without worrying about plug outlets,

The Super CoachVac backpack vacuum cleaner comes fully loaded with accessories such as a 14-inch Xover multi-surface floor tool, a 17-inch crevice tool, a 3-inch dust brush, 5-inch upholstery tool, 1-1/2-inch diameter static-dissipating vacuum hose, 1-1/2-inch telescoping wand, and 2 Intercept Micro Filter bags.

The Super CoachVac backpack vacuum cleaner boasts a ProLevel Filtration with HEPA media filter that captures and contains allergens and dirt and dust particulates to produce clean, healthier air.  The device is Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) Approved and Certified; moreover, it is also LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).

ProTeam is offering a 3-year warranty on Super CoachVac vac parts, labor and motor, and a lifetime warranty on molded body parts.

Pros

  • 50-foot long cord
  • Multi-surface cleaning
  • Lightweight and versatile
  • Full bag indicator for monitoring dust level
  • Automatic cord rewind
  • 3-year warranty

Cons

  • Costs more than most uprights.

Why buy this unit:
The ProTeam Super CoachVac is a powerhouse of productivity that provides much-needed versatility and performance in a lightweight and compact unit.

Sanitaire Commercial Canister Vacuum

Coming from the house of Electrolux, the Sanitaire SC3683B Commercial Canister Vacuum combines top-notch performance with aesthetics.  The lightweight vacuum cleaner offers multi-surface cleaning functionality and can easily handle hard surfaces, carpets, bare floors, and above-floor areas. Furthermore, it can also be used on deeper pile carpets.

Featuring a 10 Amp (1200 Watts) and a 10″ cleaning path, the Sanitaire SC3683B can deliver 135 CFM, which ensures good suction. This bagged vacuum cleaner comes with a Dust Bag Capacity of 2.6 Quarts and uses premium allergen bags that can trap up to 90% of allergens, grass, weed pollen, dust mite debris, and household dust. While at a noise level of 71 DBA, the vacuum cleaner is not loud but is far from being whisper quiet.

At just 10 lbs, Sanitaire Commercial Canister is easy to carry using a shoulder strap and features a 2-piece plastic wand to reach hard to reach cleaning locations.  Housing a sturdy polycarbonate body, the vacuum cleaner comes with a variety of tools to assist in cleaning, a two-piece plastic wand, combo carpet/bare floor tool, upholstery tool, crevice tool, and dusting brush.  

The Sanitaire SC3683B comes with an optional HEPA exhaust filter, which ensures 99.97% cleaning of 99.97% of pollens and other microorganisms. The device is a CRI green label certified for dust control, soil removal, and retention of carpet appearance. Electrolux offers a 2-year performance warranty on the Sanitaire vacuum cleaner, which covers parts and labor.

Pros

  • Lightweight and Durable
  • Optional Hepa Filter
  • Multifunctional

Cons

  • 20-ft Cord
  • Slightly Noisy

The hard-working and durable Sanitaire SC3683B is perfect for all your multi-surface cleaning jobs and offers outstanding value for money.

Vacmaster-Beast-Professional-Series-14-Gal-Steel-Tank-Wet-Dry-Vacuum-with-Cart

The final vacuum cleaner on our list is the Vacmaster Beast Professional Series VJE1412SW0201.  This commercial-grade wet/dry vacuum cleaner features a 6.5 peak motor and best-in-class suction power that is capable of tackling the toughest clean-up projects on the construction sites, workshops, or in the garage. (123 CFM, and 83 in. water lift)

The Vacmaster VJE1412SW0201 houses a 14-gallon tank for constant cleaning on a large-scale. The unit comes with on-board hose, accessory, and power cord storage, which eliminates unneeded hassle and minimizes total storage space. Its durable and sturdy stainless-steel tank and cart design allow for extra stability, storage, and maneuverability

The Vacmaster VJE1412SW0201 enables you to lock the front wheel, keeping the vacuum cleaner in place. The unique Flat powerhead design provides room for tools or accessories on the top of the vacuum. The Vacmaster Beast comes with a 20-ft long power cable and a 7-ft hose, which provides a 27-ft cleaning range without the hassle of changing plug sockets.

The VJE1412SW Beast Series wet/dry vacuum comes loaded with ten accessories for nearly any task: 7 ft. X 2-1/2 in. Kink resistant premium hose, utility nozzle, floor nozzle, professional floor brush, crevice tool, two extension wands, fine dust cartridge filter, wet foam filter, accessory bag, and air and noise diffuser.

Pros

  • High-powered airflow
  • A vast range of accessories to carry out difficult tasks.

Why buy this unit:
From sucking up nails as efficiently as dust and effectively remove sitting water from the carpet, the powerful and efficient Vacmaster is one of the best affordable industrial wet dry vacuum cleaners you can buy right now.

How To Choose The Right Commercial Vacuum Cleaner For Your Needs

While there are multiple kinds of commercial vacuum cleaners available in the market, you should ask yourself a few questions before investing in one.

What will be the primary cleaning purpose of the vacuum cleaner? What area is it expected to cover? What kind of business will it be supporting?

For example, a different vacuum cleaner would be required to clean a 20,000 sq. ft hospital or hotel, as compared to cleaning residential houses. Vacuuming open rooms and long hallways is ideally suited for vacuum cleaners with a broader head, while vacuum cleaners used to clean furniture or move into tight spaces should be more flexible. Furthermore, it would help if you also considered whether the vacuum cleaner would be able to handle what it might pick up.  For example, if you are cleaning in a warehouse, your vacuum cleaner needs to be able to suck up small metal objects without ripping up the brush roll or intake hose.

It would be best if you considered some of the below-mentioned features, which can support in increasing comfort, convenience, worker productivity, and provide a better cleaning outcome.

Corded/Cordless

Power cord length is essential if you are cleaning giant warehouses or building with few and far between power outlets.  In business places, the standard cable may be adequate, however, a longer power cord is required to clean up large rooms with few outlets. Alternatively, you can also consider a cordless vacuum cleaner, which provides increased efficiency, maneuverability, and freedom as they are not bound to a power source. As per research, cordless backpack vacuums can increase effectiveness by saving approximately 1-1.5 hours per 4-hour vacuum shift.

While cordless vacuums are comparatively more expensive than corded vacuum cleaners and also require recharging before extended use, their increased efficiency outweighs the cost.

Bagged/Bagless

Bagless vacuums come with a dust container that stores the debris. The bag can be later emptied, cleaned, and reused with the machine. However, they carry the risk of transferring dust and allergens back into the air while emptying the bin.

Vacuum cleaners with self-sealing filter bags are better at containing all the accumulated debris and dust. The down-side here is that the replacement bags are expensive.

While using disposable vacuum bags is expensive, bagless units do have additional filters that require to be cleaned and replaced regularly. Also, emptying a bagless vacuum cleaner may impact workers with allergies or asthma symptoms.

Filtration

Many vacuum manufacturers offer HEPA filtration either as a standard type or as an upgraded filter. However, they require regular replacement as recommended by the manufacturer.

Weight

It is essential to consider the weight of the vacuum cleaner if you are planning to use the machine in multi-story buildings, for cleaning stairs, or as an accessory on a housekeeping cart. A lighter vacuum is more comfortable to maneuver and store, and will also reduce the strain on your staff

Noise

If you are going to clean facilities within business hours, it is crucial to consider the noise level generated by the vacuum cleaners. A machine with a decibel output between 57-62 dBA is deemed to be ideal and can be operated without disturbing others.

Tools and Attachments

If you are using the vacuum cleaner for performing the most basic tasks, then it can be easily managed with the standalone machine. However, if you want your device to be a one-stop-shop for all cleaning requirements, choose a unit with the right accessories and attachments such as:

  • Dust brushes for high, detailed, or delicate cleaning
  • Crevice tools: intended to reach tight spots like along baseboards
  • Upholstery tools: used to remove dust and allergens from plush furniture
  • Additional wands: help you reach higher places and behind or under furniture

Height adjustment

Different carpets have different piles and heights. Upright vacuum cleaners with manually adjustable height are the best choice to tackle the variety of rugs encountered in commercial settings.

Reliability

Select a machine that has been tested and proved to be robust and effective.

The Carpet and Rug Institute’s (CRI) Seal of Approval® certified devices had been independently verified to ensure the effectiveness and environmental safety of the machine. CRI evaluates the performance of vacuums based on soil removal, dust containment, and surface appearance change.

The Carpet and Rug Institutes’ (CRI) Seal of Approval program evaluates vacuum cleaners on performance, air filtration, and carpet appearance.

Evaluate the application and job requirements before investing in any vacuum cleaner, and select the machine that best fits your needs.

For instance, larger or wide-area vacuums are effective in cleaning carpets in hotel corridors and large meeting rooms, while an upright battery vacuum may be better for compact or heavily trafficked areas.

So, this is an excellent selection of commercial vacuum cleaner, depending on your requirements, budget, and storage. Are you considering buying a commercial vacuum cleaner and which one looked you liked the most, please let us know!

 

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