What to Look for When Buying a Commercial Vacuum Cleaner
If you’ve never thought of buying a commercial vacuum for your commercial space or intense cleaning work then this could possibly change your mind. Unlike average or household vacuums, commercial vacuums are specially designed for heavy use. They are commonly used in commercial-sized buildings and large spaces that need fast and effective cleaning.
Just like any other cleaning equipment, commercial vacuum cleaners are all built differently from each other. There are many factors to consider when choosing a commercial vacuum cleaner, these include vacuum type, attachments, ergonomic features, and many more. We understand that not everyone has the time to check these things one by one, so to make your purchase decision easier, we did the hard work and put up this commercial vacuum buying guide.
Types of Commercial Vacuum Cleaners
There are many types of commercial vacuum cleaners that you can purchase from different appliance shops and retailers. Each vacuum cleaner type has unique characteristics and offers different features for all your cleaning needs.
Before deciding on any models, you need to know first the advantages and disadvantages of each type so you can choose the right commercial vacuum cleaner for you. Below we go through each of these types in more detail.
Canister Vacuum Cleaner
Looking for a vacuum cleaner that can do it all? The Kenmore 600 Series Friendly Lightweight Bagged Canister Vacuum is perfect for any surface in your home. With a multipurpose design and swivel head, it easily cleans all areas and surfaces, from your floors to your furniture and even your car or garage.
The 2-motor system provides exceptional suction strength and includes 2-floor nozzles – an exclusive Pop-N-Go floor brush for carpets and rugs, and a bare floor nozzle for hardwood, tile, and linoleum. 3 additional attachments are also included: a crevice tool for tight spaces, a dirt brush for furniture and upholstery, and a bare floor tool that quickly eliminates hair from tangling around the brush.
The HEPA filter traps 99. 97% of dirt, trapping it inside the vacuum so you don’t have to worry about it ending up back on your floors. And if pet hair is a problem for you, the motorized attachment lifts stubborn pet hair quickly and easily from surfaces. Plus, the adjustable lightweight wand lengthens to an extended reach of 10. ‘ so you can easily clean those difficult areas. At just 22. 6 lbs., it’s also lightweight and easy to maneuver. The 28’ cord is retractable for storage, and all of the accessories and attachments fit within the vacuum so you can take them with you wherever you go.
‘We Say’ – When it comes to quality design and consistent high performance, you can’t beat Kenmore vacuums. Ok so they may be a little more expensive than other brands but this extra cost is justified by the longevity of their machines, performance, and exceptional build quality.
If you are looking for vacuum cleaners that have enough power to remove large soils and clean large spaces, then you may want to consider a canister vacuum cleaner. This vacuum cleaner has a canister for storing more dirt and residue. It is also often equipped with wheels that allow maneuverability. It is easy to use and best for
- Hard floors
- Carpeted floors
- Pet Hair
- Fixtures
- Drapes
A canister vacuum cleaner often comes with a number of special attachments for different cleaning jobs. Some of the common attachments of this vacuum are the extended-length hoses and wands which are ideal to access difficult areas.
While this vacuum certainly has strong cleaning power for almost all your cleaning needs, it is not ideal to use in places where people often pass by as its attachment and cord could cause trip hazards, however, the cord is retractable.
Handheld Duster Vacuum Cleaner
The Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ is a powerful and long-lasting cordless handheld vacuum designed to pick up pet hair with ease. With a motorized self-cleaning Pet Power Brush that eliminates hair wrap on the brush roll, a lithium-ion battery, a no-mess CleanTouch dirt ejector, and more, this vacuum is perfect for anyone who wants to quickly and easily clean up pet hair.
At only 2.8 lbs., it’s compact and easy to take with you wherever messes occur. The Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ fuses two cyclonic air streams to create ultimate suction power in a handheld pet vacuum, making it the perfect choice for anyone who wants quick and easy cleanup of pet hair.
‘We Say’ – Shark are notorious for producing high-power vacuums. The CH951 features a long-lasting filter and motor. With an easy-to-empty XL dust cup, lightweight/portable design, and cordless with a self-cleaning pet power brush – what more could you want?
This type of vacuum cleaner is great for spot cleaning and picking up light soil in small spaces. It is ideal for small cleaning jobs in different places such as:
- Floors
- Blinds
- Upholstery
- Chairs
- Stairs
- Vehicles
Handheld duster vacuum cleaners are usually small in size making them extra handy and portable. They can be used in almost all places even in high-traffic areas because they do not consume much space and will not block the walkway. However, they do not offer the same cleaning power as more significant commercial vacuum types.
Backpack Vacuum Cleaner
The Prolux 2.0 Standard Bagless Backpack Vacuum Cleaner is a lightweight, intuitively designed backpack vacuum cleaner that reduces strain and increases productivity! This vacuum cleaner also features a canister that collects dust, dirt and debris as you vacuum your home. It is meticulously tested and designed for optimum comfort and fits any body type.
These are no off-the-shelf straps they slapped on, these straps were custom designed and built to work on this exact vacuum! A bagless vacuum is already more convenient than bagged vacuums, but Prolux took this concept a step further by combining bagless technology with a backpack design for improved ergonomics.
‘We Say’ – The Prolux bagless backpack vacuum packs some punch. Offering 40% more power than a standard cleaner but also being 30% lighter at only 9lbs, no more back or shoulder ache with prolonged use. With a self-cleaning filter and washable HEPA filter, it needs very little maintenance.
If you are looking for a vacuum cleaner that allows efficient cleaning and portability, a backpack vacuum cleaner might be the one for you. From its name, a backpack vacuum cleaner is carried on the back just like a backpack. It is a suitable option for cleaning medium to heavy dirt on
- Stairs
- Carpeted floors
- Hard floor surfaces
- Upholstery
Backpack vacuum cleaners offer outstanding performance and suction. Mostly being bagless with multiple attachments they can make hard work more manageable.
Upright Vacuum Cleaner
The ProTeam ProForce 1500XP bagged upright vacuum cleaner is the perfect tool for commercial cleaning professionals. It’s ideal for the hospitality industry including hotels, motels, resorts, and meeting halls. Among the best upright vacuum cleaners in its class, this high-filtration upright is designed to provide exceptional cleaning to improve reach, durability, and Indoor Air Quality.
The convenient onboard tools and high-performance dual motor system offer optimal efficiency and maximum effectiveness. The unique, 15-inch wide, L-shaped, low-profile cleaner head is perfect for cleaning under and around furniture. The large rubberized wheels allow for smooth movement and maneuverability over carpets and hard floors without losing suction. This professional upright vacuum cleaner also features a 5-year warranty on parts and labor.
‘We Say’ – The ProTeam ProForce vacuum has been specifically designed for commercial and residential cleaning. Having a massive 50ft power cord and a 5ft flexible hose this machine makes cleaning a breeze. A 3.25qt dust cup and powerful 924-watt motor make it our ‘go-to’ upright.
An upright vacuum cleaner is a great investment if your cleaning needs are mainly focused on:
- Carpeted floors
- Hard floors
- Wooden floors
It is capable of picking up light to medium soil and debris. This vacuum cleaner is equipped with wheels for portability and ease of use. They are vertical standing for easy storage as well.
Upright vacuum cleaners are available in two different types. The first one is the single-motor upright vacuum cleaner which is best for cleaning light to medium soil pickups. The second type is the dual-motor upright vacuum cleaner which has a more powerful motor that is ideal for picking up medium soil.
Wet/Dry Vacuum Cleaner
Looking for a multitasking vacuum cleaner that can take care of all your floor cleaning needs in one go? Look no further than the ECOWELL cordless wet-dry vacuum cleaner mop. Weighing in at just 8.6 pounds, it is light and easy to carry up and down stairs, making it perfect for vacuuming, mopping, and washing floors all at once. With self-propelled steering rollers, this vacuum cleaner quickly gets the job done with little effort on your part.
In addition, the ECOWELL vacuum cleaner has a 60-second self-cleaning function that automatically rinses the roller brush, so you don’t have to worry about dirt and dust building up and clogging the machine. Plus, with a HEPA filter that helps keep dirt and hair out of tanks, this vacuum cleaner is ideal for those with allergies or asthma. Simply clean it after each use and you’re good to go!
‘We Say’ – Ecowell vacuums are manufactured by Alton Industries and look to be making their stamp on the market. This lightweight cordless wet/dry vac weighs less than 9 lbs and is self-propelled, making cleaning easy. The machine will literally tell you when the waste water tank is full or fresh water is needed, a neat trick! If you are looking for a wet/dry vac then you really need to check this model out, highly recommended and it has a 2-year warranty.
Wet/Dry vacuum cleaners are designed to clean wet areas. Unlike other vacuums, this vacuum is safe to use for cleaning wet residue from cleaning solutions. It has a powerful motor that allows it to remove large and dry soils mostly on
- Carpeted floors
- Hardwood and Laminate floors
- Tile and Marble floors
This vacuum cleaner is available in two different types namely standard wet vacuum and front-mounted squeegee vacuum. A standard wet vacuum is equipped with a hose and wand that effectively clean liquid in narrow spots. On the other hand, a front-mounted squeegee vacuum can remove all liquid residue from wet cleaning procedures like wet mopping.
What to Look for in a Commercial Vacuum Cleaner
Now that you know the different types of commercial vacuum cleaners, let’s talk about the key features that can help you decide which commercial vacuum model is for you.
Here are the things to look for when buying a commercial vacuum cleaner for your cleaning needs
1. Easy On/Off
You will be surprised by how this simple feature can provide ease of use for all users. This feature can also come in handy if the operator is working on different tasks simultaneously.
2. Attachments/Accessories
You want your commercial vacuum cleaner to be versatile and capable of cleaning different areas of your building or space. Opting for a commercial vacuum cleaner that has multiple attachments allows you to use your vacuum in cleaning various surfaces,
Some of the useful attachments or accessories you can look for in a vacuum are:
- Dust brushes for cleaning tight spaces
- Upholstery tools for removing dust and residue from furniture
- Crevice tools for cleaning hard-to-reach areas
- Extra wands to allow you to clean in different places
- Floor tools for cleaning carpets and floors, and sucking up large debris
You may also want to ask the retail shop if they can provide extra cleaner bags and filters. Cleaner bags and filters are the most commonly replaced parts of the vacuum cleaner. They trap the dust and contain the dirt. Not replacing these parts from time to time may affect the vacuum cleaner’s efficiency in cleaning.
3. Ergonomic features
Depending on the vacuum cleaner type you choose, it should be comfortable and ergonomic to prevent user fatigue. We suggest opting for models that have lighter weight so that they are more convenient to carry and utilize. Additionally, you can consider vacuum cleaners with height adjustment features to prevent backaches.
4. Cord
Most commercial vacuums often have power cords however wireless commercial vacuums are becoming more and more popular nowadays. While both are viable options, there are still significant advantages and disadvantages that you must know first.
Commercial vacuums with cords can deliver strong cleaning power and often have a large cleaning capacity. However, these vacuum cleaners require power cords. Depending on the length of the power cord, you may not be able to reach all the spots that you have to clean. If you need to clean large spaces, you may need to opt for vacuum cleaners with cords that can extend up to 50 feet to be able to cover all spots that have to be cleaned.
On the other hand, cordless commercial vacuum cleaners offer better portability and efficient cleaning for hard-to-reach areas. On the downside, they may not have the same cleaning power as vacuum cleaners that are directly connected to a power outlet. Additionally, cordless vacuum cleaners get their power from a rechargeable battery, meaning that you need to make sure that they are always fully charged to ensure optimal performance.
5. Capacity
Commercial spaces are often large and full of people. Because of this commercial spaces tend to have more dirt and debris. That’s why you need a vacuum cleaner with a large capacity that is enough to hold all the dirt and residue.
Using commercial vacuum cleaners with relatively small capacity may require you to empty them more often consuming more time and effort.
6. Hose diameter
Another feature that you have to consider is the hose diameter. Essentially, the larger the hose diameter is, the more residue it can absorb. Commercial vacuum cleaners often have 1″ to 2″ hose diameters.
While narrow hoses may not be the best for cleaning many types of residue, they offer easy usage and storage.
7. Noise level
The noise level of the commercial vacuum cleaner plays an important part especially if you need to clean around busy working people. Noise can cause distractions and discomfort so it’s best to choose a commercial vacuum cleaner that functions with a noise level of roughly or less than 55 dB. This noise level is considered moderate and generally not distracting to hear.
8. Durability
As we have discussed above, commercial vacuum cleaners are used for heavy-duty cleaning. Compared to household vacuum cleaners, these vacuum cleaners need to be extra durable to be able to handle all the heavy cleaning and last for a long time.
Always remember to opt for commercial vacuum cleaners made with thickened plastics and strong metal materials. A durable vacuum cleaner can last up to 8 years and more depending on usage.
9. Warranty
Whatever equipment or expensive product you are buying, it is always a good measure to ask for warranties. The warranty ensures the quality of the product as well as saves you from unnecessary expenses from factory defects. It gives customers the right to demand free-of-charge replacements and repairs depending on the terms and conditions.
