The 10 Best Heavy Duty Commercial Vacuums in 2023

Oreck Commercial Upright Bagged Vacuum Cleaner – Best Overall

The Oreck Commercial Upright Bagged Vacuum Cleaner is a bagged upright vacuum with a 4-quart capacity and a 12-inch cleaning head. The broad head allows you to cover a vast area in a short amount of time, and the 4-quart capacity allows you to clean for a longer period of time without having to empty the dust container repeatedly.

In addition, there is a 40-foot power wire, so there is no need to constantly switch outlets. The microsweep function eliminates the need to manually adjust settings when switching floor types, and the saniseal technology reduces the dust cloud that is frequent when emptying conventional vacuum cleaners.

At 8 pounds, it is a decent weight, and the price for a vacuum that makes cleaning simpler is extremely affordable. Aluminum, which is not as tough and durable as stainless steel, was used to make this model so that it could be relatively lightweight.

The affordable pricing plus the fact that the Oreck lets you to clean for longer without having to stop often make this our best overall commercial cleaner since it allows you to complete the task.

PROS

• Broad 12-inch scrubbing brush
• Spacious 4-quart dust capacity
• 40-foot extension cord

CONS

• Aluminum is less durable than stainless steel in construction

Eureka NEU182A PowerSpeed Bagless Vacuum - Best Value

The Eureka NEU182A PowerSpeed Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner is our pick for the finest commercial vacuum for the money because it demonstrates that you do not need to pay a boatload to have a great quality business vacuum. But, you must make concessions while shopping on such a limited budget.

The vacuum weights around 10 pounds, which is not light and may be too hefty for all-day usage. This sort of vacuum contains 2,6 liters of dust, which is approximately average. It has a 12.6-inch cleaning head, which is plenty without being too bulky.

Furthermore, although it does need manual changes based on the kind of floor being cleaned, there are five levels that allow you to match the cleaning level to practically any type of floor. The multi-clean attachment is useful for washing drapes and other fabrics and surfaces, but the machine is fairly hefty.

PROS

• Extremely inexpensive
• Broad cleaning head measuring 12.6 inches
• Handy 7-inch attachment for cleaning

CONS

• Heavy
• Quite loud in comparison to others

Premium Option: ProTeam Super QuarterVac Backpack Vacuum

Backpack vacuums are worn on the back and often have shoulder straps and a waist strap. These let you to distribute the vacuum's weight over your upper body, eliminating the need to drag or carry it from one cleaning area to the next. They need some adjustment, but they may expedite the cleaning process.

The ProTeam Super QuarterVac Commercial Backpack Vacuum Cleaner is intended to extend your cleaning shift without requiring you to take breaks. It is a backpack with a 6-quart dust capacity and a 50-foot power cable, allowing it to cover the majority of regions without unplugging.

The four-stage HEPA filtration enables it to capture the great majority of allergens, while the tool belt holds a selection of attachments intended to clean surfaces such as furniture and drapes. It is a strong and surprisingly quiet vacuum cleaner, but it is pricey and not everyone likes backpack vacuums.

PROS

• 6-quart dust capacity
• 50-foot extension cable
• Design as a backpack entails fewer pauses and less dragging.

CONS

• Expensive
• Backpack design doesn't fit everyone

Professional Series Vacmaster Beast

Canister vacuums can store a considerable amount of dust and debris before needing to be emptied, and although they tend to be heavier than upright vacuums, their wheels should make them easier to maneuver.

The Vacmaster Beast Professional Series is intended for heavy-duty cleaning and is a true beast. The stainless steel container has a big 14-gallon capacity, so it does not need regular emptying. In the container itself are also placed the utility nozzle, extension wand, and floor brush.

If dust capacity is the most crucial aspect of your cleaning task, the Beast is an excellent option. But, it weighs 28 pounds, so moving it around for longer periods may require some effort. Moreover, the 20-foot power line necessitates periodic work breaks to unhook and locate an other outlet.

PROS

• Huge 14-gallon volume
• Has an assortment of accessories and tools.
• Durable stainless steel canister

CONS

• 20-foot power cable is inadequate
• Contains 28 pounds

Perfect Products C105 Portable Lightweight Canister Vacuum

If you prefer a lightweight canister vacuum, the Perfect Products C105 Lightweight Portable Commercial Canister Vacuum weighs just 10 pounds, has a carry strap to make lifting and moving it easier, and has a 30-foot power cord, requiring fewer trips to the outlet than the similarly priced Vacmaster model above.

Nevertheless, in order to lower the weight of the vacuum, it is constructed of plastic rather of metal, and although its 6-quart capacity is significant, it is nowhere near as large as the metal canister.

The vacuum cleaner is equipped with a HEPA filter and a crevice tool for cleaning limited places. Also, you may choose between reusable and disposable dust bags to accompany the vacuum.

PROS

• Weighs 10 pounds
• 30-foot extension cable
• Strap facilitates transport

CONS

• Plastic structure is less resilient than metal

Commercial Sanitaire Heritage Upright Bagged Vacuum

The Sanitaire Tradition Upright Bagged Commercial Vacuum is an upright vacuum with a very generous 18-quart dirt capacity, a detachable 50-foot power cord, and a manufacturer's claim that the motor will last for 20,000 hours of use, which means that even with heavy daily use, it should last for several years without needing to be replaced.

The vacuum is also simple to maintain, offering tool-free cleaning. Moreover, it features a chrome bonnet and a metal upright pole, indicating that it is constructed to survive as long as the motor.

The Sanitaire is hefty for an upright vacuum, weighing around 16 pounds, and it lacks attachments to aid tackle stairs and other places, thus it is best suited for big, open-plan settings. But, it is a fantastic alternative if you want a sturdy, long-lasting industrial vacuum that can handle a great deal of dirt before requiring emptying or disconnecting.

PROS

• Durable for up to 20,000 hours
• 18-quart volume is sufficient for uprights
• 50-foot extension cable

CONS

• No attachments or equipment
• Heavy

Hoover Lightweight Commercial Backpack Vacuum Pack

It is a backpack cleaner. Hoover claims that the straps were devised in collaboration with a chiropractor to ensure that the weight is distributed evenly across the body, and the vacuum weighs just 9.2 pounds, making it lighter than a number of comparable models.

Despite this, it has a respectable 6.4-quart dust capacity, and the 48-foot power cable allows you to clean a larger area without stopping for plug changes.

In addition, you obtain a crevice tool, a turbo floor tool, a dusting brush, and an upholstery tool, making it suited for use in homes, offices, and commercial facilities.

It is a quiet cleaner at 66 decibels, and its HEPA filter helps eliminate allergens from the atmosphere. Its silent operation, however, reduces the suction power compared to comparable professional vacuum cleaners.

PROS

• 10 pound lightweight backpack cleaner
• 48-foot extension cord
• Quieter than average

CONS

• Not as effective as competing commercial vacuums

Bissell Multiclean Garage and Vehicle Vacuum Cleaner, Wet/Dry

The Bissell Multiclean Wet/Dry Garage and Car Vacuum Cleaner is a canister model with a dirt capacity of 6 gallons and a weight of around 16 pounds.

It is affordably priced and equipped with a variety of tools and functions that make it suited for a wide range of cleaning tasks and surfaces.

To begin with, it has a blow feature that may be used to clean garages of leaves. In addition to detailing nozzles, it has a crevice tool, precision cleaning tool, precision wet suction tool, and upholstery brush.

The 6.5-foot-long hose provides for a respectable reach from the device itself, but the Bissell's 19-foot power cable necessitates frequent plug changes in expansive areas.

PROS

• 6-gallon volume is satisfactory
• A multitude of tools and features for diverse tasks.
• Can remove both dry and damp dirt

CONS

• 19-foot power cord is inadequate
• 16 pounds is rather hefty

Black+Decker Dustbuster Cordless Handheld Vacuum

Very compact, lightweight, and handy, handheld vacuums have limited applications and are often used to clean up after an unforeseen spill. Due to their low dirt capacity, little suction force, and inability to cover a large area before requiring emptying and, in the case of cordless vacuums, recharging, they are not often employed as professional cleaners.

The Black+Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean Cordless Handheld Vacuum is a high-quality, dirt-removal-efficient handheld vacuum. Nevertheless, it only has a 325-milliliter capacity, can only cope with dry dirt, and runs for just 20 minutes before needing to be recharged.

It is a great tool for emergencies, particularly specialized locations, or when the equipment for your ordinary business vacuum are missing.

PROS

• Extremely light, weighing just 2.6 pounds
• So maneuverable is a cordless handheld device
• Cheap

CONS

• 325 milliliter volume
• 20-minute runtime

Wet/Dry Fabric Industrial Vacuum Cleaner

The Farag Industrial Vacuum Cleaner Wet/Dry is a canister vacuum cleaner with a heavy-duty design. It features a stainless-steel container that is not only crack-resistant but also watertight.

It has both a plastic pipe and a static-resistant stainless steel pipe. In addition, it is capable of both wet and dry cleaning and has both a dry and a wet nozzle. It also contains a variety of additional nozzles and cleaning equipment for cleaning upholstery, furniture, and more.

The Farag Industrial Vacuum Cleaner weighs a hefty 70 pounds, while being plainly meant for commercial use. While the 24-foot power cord should be sufficient for most applications, it would be preferable if it were longer.

PROS

• 21-liter soil capacity
• Wet and dry cleaning services
• Extremely durable

CONS

• Expensive
• Weighs 70 pounds
• 24-foot power wire may be extended

Commercial vacuums serve a similar purpose as domestic vacuums. They collect dirt and dust from floors and maybe other surfaces.

Yet, they are often employed for longer durations and must manage greater territories. The precise kind of vacuum and desired features will depend on how you want to use the vacuum cleaner and the type of regularly cleaned area.

Vacuum Type

The most common kinds of commercial vacuums include:

Upright

Above the cleaning head of the upright vacuum is a container or cylinder. They are simple to stow and effective all-purpose cleaners, but they tend to have a smaller dust capacity than canister vacuums and may not be ideal for cleaning many stairs or confined spaces. Some of the most reasonably priced business vacuum cleaners are upright cleaners.

Canister

A canister cleaner consists of a cylinder or wheeled canister with a hose and nozzle. Since it is detachable from the main machine, the canister has a significantly larger dust capacity and is often dragged about as you work.

Similarly, canister vacuums are inconvenient for use on stairs, but their vast capacity for dust and grime makes them advantageous.

Although they may feature additional attachments, canister vacuums are less likely than uprights to include additional nozzles.

Backpack

Backpack vacuum cleaners are not as widespread as upright or even canister vacuums, but they do have advantages and applications.

The canister component of the vacuum is worn over the back, similar to a bag, with shoulder straps and a waist clip to provide a secure fit.

The weight of the canister is distributed over the upper body, which should make carrying it easier, although these canisters may still be rather heavy.

Yet, there is no container to push or drag, since it is carried on the back. Although the fact that dust capacity might vary, it is important to remember that the more dust you carry, the heavier your backpack will become.

Handheld

Handheld vacuums are seldom used for commercial cleaning, however they may be handy for emergency cleanup in offices and other professional environments.

They are very lightweight and portable, but their dust capacity is low and they lack the power of other vacuums. But, many portable vacuums are battery-powered, so there's no need to be concerned about electrical outlets.

Commercial Vacuum Features

In addition to selecting the design of vacuum, there are a number of factors to consider to ensure that you get the most suitable cleaner for your requirements.

Electric Cord Length

Power cable length is crucial. If the power cable is too short, you will have to stop cleaning every few minutes to remove the vacuum and reconnect it into a different outlet.

There are some vacuums with 50-foot cords, and anything 25 feet or greater is considered an acceptable length. But, a cable that is too lengthy might be cumbersome and impede you from quickly moving about and vacuuming a large area.

Weight

The vacuum's mass dictates how easily it may be pushed or pulled. In general, a canister is easier to pull than an upright to push, therefore they may weigh a little more, although the weight of backpacks varies widely depending on their dust capacity.

Most vacuums weighing less than 10 pounds are considered lightweight, but anything weighing more than 20 pounds is a very heavy vacuum.

Garbage Capacity

Whether a vacuum is bagged or bagless and utilizes disposable or reusable bags, the dust must eventually be emptied. The precise moment this occurs will depend on the vacuum's capacity. The capacity may be measured in liters or quarts and often varies from 5 to 25 or more liters.

Bagged Versus Bagless

The dust that a vacuum gathers must be stored someplace. Historically, it would have been put in a bag that was periodically emptied and refilled. Some contemporary vacuum cleaners still use replacement bags, while others use disposable bags. Certain designs are bagless, therefore the cylinder must be emptied directly.

The removal and disposal of disposable bags saves you from being bombarded by a cloud of dust from the bag or cylinder opening. This dust may be encountered with replaceable bags, and even permanent bags ultimately wear out and need replacement.

Bagless vacuums often feature a button or trigger opening that allows you to put some space between yourself and the opening, and you never have to change the bag. But, they are solid and need periodic cleaning to avoid smells and other issues.

Floor Types

Typically, vacuums are used to clean floors, whether they are hard or carpeted. In most circumstances, the vacuum must be able to handle both kinds of hard floors, which have differing requirements for suction height and brush or roller.

Some industrial cleaners have manual brush adjustments that allow you to adjust the height of the brushes and extend or retract them as necessary. Others are capable of working on a variety of floor kinds, either by recognizing the floor type themselves or by having a head that can clean all surfaces.

If you just need to clean one kind of floor, you may choose a cleaner that specializes in this type of flooring. Instead, examine how a vacuum cleans various floor kinds.

Tools and Accessories

In addition to flooring, vacuums may be used to clean furniture and drapes. They may even be used to clean down the side of cupboards and beneath desks, but only if the appropriate attachments and hoses are included. Assess the sorts of spaces you often clean and choose a vacuum with the most appropriate attachments.

1. What characteristics define a vacuum commercial or industrial?

There is no exact description, but the distinctions lay in strength, capability, and durability. Most companies vacuum overnight, although few of us vacuum on a regular basis at home, thus their vacuums must be quite sturdy to survive for many years.

Due to the vast square footage of the majority of companies, commercial vacuums often feature larger cleaning pathways to cover more ground in less time. Liquids, solids, and dust may be sucked up by industrial vacuums, which typically have the highest power and capacity and lack specialized measurements.

2. Is there a distinction between HEPA-type filtration and genuine HEPA filtration?

There exists. It all boils down to the particle size that the filter captures. HEPA-type filters can trap 99.9% of particles as small as 2.0 microns, which is enough for home or office dust and grime.

True HEPA filters capture 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns, which is small enough to capture many particles that cause smells and allergies. Only true HEPA filters may be referred to as "air purifiers."

3. Can I purchase additional accessories if they are not included with the machine?

Yes. You are not need to purchase additional brushes and equipment from the manufacturer of your machine. Just verify the diameter before purchase (1 1/4, 1 1/2, and 2 inches are the most frequent). While they are not interchangeable, "step-down" adapters allow you to use smaller-diameter accessories with larger-diameter hoses.

4. Would a commercial wet/dry vacuum cleaner be a smart choice?

If it is probable that you will need to regularly wipe up liquid spills, then yes. These are highly adaptable equipment that are well suited for workshops.

Yet, high-quality wet/dry vacuums are often pricey and noisy enough to necessitate ear protection. A mop and bucket are inexpensive and can perform the job in a reasonable amount of time if you have an infrequent need, but a powerful shop vac can absorb gallons of liquid in a matter of seconds.

Commercial vacuums must be resilient and functional. Whether they are used daily or weekly, they will often be subjected to more rigorous usage than their household counterparts, and they must be able to do so without losing power while simultaneously providing useful functions.

BestForHomes (bestforhomes.org) has reviewed the ten best heavy duty commercial vacuums above. We found the Oreck Commercial Upright Vacuum to have a reasonable pricing with commerical-grade functionality.

If you're seeking for a budget-friendly solution, the Eureka NEU182A is very inexpensive and cleans effectively, however you must make a few sacrifices to get such a low price.