5 Best Commercial Vacuums – 2022 Buying Guide

By Maria Hernandez / February 23, 0202 / 0 Comments

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Residential vacuums are great, but have you ever thought about getting a more powerful vacuum that can clean large areas with ease, several times a day? If so, see our buying guide for the best commercial vacuums to keep your home, business place, or any other large space neat in no time.

Even though they’re called commercial, these vacuums are great for your home as well. If you’re not quite familiar with their properties and are interested in purchasing one, this article will give you all the information you need. Plus, you’ll find a comprehensive buyer’s guide to help you find out how to pick the best product for you.

Our Top Picks

  1. Best Overall: Bissell CleanView Swivel Upright Bagless Vacuum 2256
  2. Best Backpack: ProTeam Super CoachVac Commercial Backpack Vacuum Cleaner
  3. Best 2-in-1: Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional Upright Vacuum NV356E
  4. Best for Large Spaces: Hoover Commercial Lightweight Backpack Vacuum
  5. Best Lightweight: Oreck Commercial Upright Vacuum Cleaner XL2100RHS

Commercial Vacuum Cleaner Buying Advice

Best Overall: Bissell CleanView Swivel Upright Bagless Vacuum 2256

Floor Critics Rating (4.8):

Key Features:

  • Bagless design that saves you time
  • 15 lbs. weight, which is somewhere in the middle of the weight scale
  • 27 ft. long cord

Pros:

  • For every product you purchase, Bissell donates up to $10 to their pet foundations
  • Forget about pet hair with the triple action brush roll
  • The dirt compartment is easily removable and easy to clean
  • Most affordable product on the list with high quality

Cons:

  • The length of the cord could be improved
  • Can feel a little heavy after a while
Bissell CleanView Swivel Upright Bagless Vacuum 2256
Bissell CleanView Swivel Upright Vacuum 2256

If you were looking for the best commercial vacuum cleaner, your search is over! The Bissell Cleanview Swivel Upright Bagless Vacuum is the product praised by thousands of happy customers thanks to its cleaning power and a cleaning path width of 13.5 inches.

A bagless design means that the Bissell vacuum comes with a dirt compartment that you need to remove and clean. Thankfully, this compartment is pretty easy to take out, empty, and clean. The brush roll of the vacuum is also removable.

This product is not rated as best for no reason. It does a fantastic job at vacuuming carpets and hardwood floors and features numerous tools, including upholstery, crevice, turbo brush, and soft bristle brush. Let’s not forget that the price is unbeatable!

Although this vacuum is a little heavier than other products on my list, it still wins the first spot as the best industrial vacuum cleaner. The impressive suction power, multiple tools, the easy-to-empty dirt bin make it an excellent purchase for both homes and businesses. Together with the low price, it’s such a win-win!

Best Backpack: ProTeam Super CoachVac Commercial Backpack Vacuum Cleaner

Floor Critics Rating (4.6):

Key Features:

  • 50 ft. long power cord
  • Four Level Advanced Filtration with a HEPA filter
  • 10-quart capacity to cover large areas

Pros:

  • It’s pretty quiet, although it’s powerful
  • Comes with a commercial tool kit and a two-piece wand
  • Includes a unique Xover floor tool for floors and low-pile carpets

Cons:

  • It can feel heavy if you vacuum for a long time
  • The flexible hose could be longer
  • It’s quite expensive
ProTeam Super CoachVac Commercial Backpack Vacuum Cleaner
ProTeam Super CoachVac Commercial Backpack Vacuum

This backpack-style vacuum is here to take the second spot on the list as the best vacuum cleaner for cleaning business areas, schools, campuses, and more. The ProTeam Super CoachVac Commercial Backpack Vacuum Cleaner is very powerful, yet very quiet.

The ProTeam Super CoachVac Commercial Backpack Vacuum Cleaner is a high-quality product that comes with an impressive capacity, one that is three times larger than the capacity of a regular upright vacuum. One of its most remarkable features is the Pro Level Filtration technology with four levels of filtration that can cover a total area of up to 1190 square inches.

In the packaging, you’ll find the Xover multi-surface floor tool perfect for low-pile carpets and bare hardwood floors. The kit also includes a crevice tool, soft dusting brush, telescoping tool, upholstery tool. You’ll find the backpack design quite comfortable, with easily adjustable harness straps and an added tool belt to store your tools.

Overall, this product is ideal for covering large surfaces, but it can also be a fantastic addition to your home. You can use it on low-pile carpets, hard surfaces, ceilings, furniture, light fixtures, and any hard-to-reach spots because of the backpack design.

Best 2-in-1: Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional Upright Vacuum NV356E

Floor Critics Rating (4.8):

Key Features:

  • 13.7 lbs. weight, which makes it relatively lightweight
  • Two-in-one design to use it upright or with a detached canister
  • Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology and HEPA filter

Pros:

Cons:

  • The canister tends to move a little while you clean
  • The cord length could be improved
Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional Upright Vacuum NV356E
Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional NV356E

The Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional Upright Vacuum is another excellent commercial vacuum cleaner. This one features a two-in-one design, meaning you can use it upright or detach the canister and get to the most hidden spots of your home or business.

If you’ve ever struggled with allergies, you know how hard it is to find a great vacuum. This Shark Navigator features a unique Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology and a HEPA filter that trap 99,9% of the allergens, dirt, and dust.

The design is relatively lightweight, plus whenever you need to reach high spots, you can just detach the canister. The capacity of the dirt cup is 2.2 quarts. You can use it on floors, carpets, ceiling, and literally anywhere you can think of.

The suction is excellent, and there are two modes to choose from. One is meant for hardwood floors, while the other one is meant for carpets. It can get to all the corners and hard-to-reach spots.

The Shark Navigator is the best industrial vacuum to get if you expect high-quality, but you don’t want to pay too much. I can’t stop praising the two-in-one design because it’s so practical and leaves the house clean in only minutes.

Best for Large Spaces: Hoover Commercial Lightweight Backpack Vacuum

Floor Critics Rating (4.7):

Key Features:

  • Hypercone filter made with HEPA Media for consistent suction
  • Lightweight design that weighs only 9.2 lb
  • 48 ft. 3-wire Quick Change cord great for various uses

Pros:

  • The vacuum comes with a two-year warranty
  • It’s extremely quiet, registering at 66 decibels
  • Comes with several extensions, including a turbo tool and dusting brush

Cons:

  • You might need time to learn how to use and navigate it
  • The attachments can be tricky to attach
Hoover Commercial Lightweight Backpack Vacuum
Hoover Commercial Lightweight Backpack Vacuum

If you’ve been looking for a fantastic backpack vacuum, here’s one I constantly recommend. It was designed by a chiropractor with an ergonomic design in mind. It’s safe to say that this will be a purchase that will protect your back and reduce the strain.

This is one of the quietest vacuums of this type that registers at only 66 decibels. So, if a quiet operation is something on your list, don’t hesitate to buy it.

While you’re vacuuming, you can be sure the hose will stay secure, thanks to the positive lock hose feature. The cord length is 48 feet to reduce the number of times you’ll need to switch outlets.

The Hoover vacuum comes packed with several exciting attachments, including a dusting brush, upholstery tool, turbo tool, two straight wands, and more. The Hypercone HEPA filter will protect you from allergens and keep you safe. If this is your first time using a backpack-style vacuum, you might need a little time to study it.

The Hoover Commercial Lightweight Backpack Vacuum might be quiet, but it will leave your hardwood floors, carpets, ceilings, and your business area super clean. Thanks to the harness designed by a chiropractor, you’ll be sure that it minimizes the strain and pain on your back while you’re vacuuming.

Best Lightweight: Oreck Commercial Upright Vacuum Cleaner XL2100RHS

Floor Critics Rating (4.6):

Key Features:

  • 12-inch cleaning range for highly effective cleaning
  • Lightweight design that only weighs 9 lbs.
  • 35 ft. power cord to help you reach everywhere

Pros:

  • Features a helping handle approved by the Arthritis Foundation
  • Works great on hardwood floors and carpets as well
  • XL vacuum bags, so you don’t have to empty it often

Cons:

  • The cord is great for home use but could be longer
  • The vacuum doesn’t come with any extra accessories
Oreck Commercial Upright Vacuum Cleaner XL2100RHS
Oreck Commercial Upright Vacuum Cleaner XL2100RHS

The Oreck Commercial Upright Vacuum is a great commercial choice, no matter if you need it for your home or your business. This product weighs only 9 lb, meaning that you’ll find it so easy to move around and store. What’s even more important, it has a helping handle that has been approved by the Arthritis Foundation.

Thanks to the special 12-inch-wide cleaning path technology of the vacuum, you’ll be able to reach everywhere. The design also features edge brushes that will efficiently remove dirt, dust, and debris from the sides and the corners. These brushes have an auto-adjust feature, which means they will adapt to your floors without causing any scratches or damages.

If you’re planning on buying this vacuum for your home, the 35 ft. long cord will be enough. However, if you need to cover a larger space, you might need an extension cord. The vacuum lays almost flat and can easily reach under furniture.

Since the Oreck Commercial Upright Vacuum is so lightweight and easy to move around, it had to make its way to my list. When you pair the fact that it’s very effective in removing even stubborn dirt at an affordable price, you get an excellent product worth purchasing.

This might be my final industrial strength vacuum cleaner review, but you have to keep reading because there’s more to learn.

Side by Side Comparison

ProductOur RatingKey Features
Bissell CleanView Swivel Upright Bagless Vacuum 2256
Bissell CleanView Swivel Vacuum 2256
View on Bissell –>
View on Amazon –>
Best Overall

Overall: 4.8
Bagless design that saves you time
15 lbs. weight, which is somewhere in the middle of the weight scale
27 ft. long cord
ProTeam Super CoachVac Commercial Backpack Vacuum Cleaner
ProTeam Super CoachVac Commercial Backpack
View on Amazon –>
View on Home Depot –>
Best Backpack

Overall: 4.6
50 ft. long power cord
Four Level Advanced Filtration with a HEPA filter
10-quart capacity to cover large areas
Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional Upright Vacuum NV356E
Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV356E
View on Amazon –>
View on Walmart –>
Best 2-in-1

Overall: 4.8
13.7 lbs. weight, which makes it relatively lightweight
Two-in-one design to use it upright or with a detached canister
Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology and HEPA filter
Hoover Commercial Lightweight Backpack Vacuum
Hoover Commercial Lightweight Backpack Vacuum
View on Amazon –>
View on Walmart –>
Best for Large Spaces

Overall: 4.7
Hypercone filter made with HEPA Media for consistent suction
Lightweight design that weighs only 9.2 lbs.
48 ft. 3-wire Quick Change cord great for various uses
Oreck Commercial Upright Vacuum Cleaner XL2100RHS
Oreck Commercial Upright Vacuum XL2100RHS
View on Amazon –>
View on Walmart –>
Best Lightweight

Overall: 4.6
12-inch cleaning range for highly effective cleaning
Lightweight design that only weighs 9 lbs.
35 ft. power cord to help you reach everywhere

The Complete Commercial Vacuum Buyer’s Guide

Deciding which vacuum to buy is a tough decision. Even after reading the reviews of the top five products, you might not be sure which one is the best fit for your home or business. This guide will take you through some of the essential features you need to be aware of.

Design

As you noticed above, not all industrial vacuum cleaners feature the same design. They are divided into several categories: upright, backpack, canister, tank, wide-area, and battery vacuum cleaners.

You need to decide which one of these designs will work best for your purpose. If you don’t like dealing with cords, a battery-powered vacuum is your best option. People who don’t like upright vacuums can opt for a backpack design.

Attachments

Attachments can bring so much value to your purchase. Tools such as wands, dust brushes, specialty floor tools, crevice, upholstery can make the cleaning experience much easier.

Buying tools separately can be costly, so if you’re sure you’ll use them, find a vacuum that already includes attachments in the packaging.

Cord Length

This is another feature to keep in mind. If this is a vacuum you’ll use at home and you don’t have to cover too much space, every cord length will do the job.

But if you’re buying a vacuum for your office space, you will definitely benefit from a long cord as it will reduce the number of times you’ll have to plug it into several electrical outlets or use extension cords.

Filter System

The filter system of the vacuum can make a huge difference in your home. Dust and dirt can be so harsh on people with allergies. HEPA filters can trap most of these particles, including pet hair, allergens, dust, dirt, debris.

Even if you don’t suffer from allergies, picking a vacuum with a quality HEPA filter will be your wisest decision.

The thing about these filters is that they have to be replaced. It doesn’t cost too much, but it’s still something to keep in mind.

Bag or Canister

Whether you’ll choose a bag or bagless vacuum is a thing of personal preference. Some people don’t mind using bags and find canisters messier. Others prefer a bagless cleaner with a canister.

FAQs

Are Commercial Cleaners Better Than A Regular Vacuum?

These industrial cleaners are better-performing compared to regular vacuum cleaners. Although they are built for commercial use, these machines will keep your house squeaky clean. Most of the designs perform great on almost all floor types and work great on carpets, other hard surfaces, and ceilings.

The cleaning capacity of these commercial machines is higher; they can go a long time without losing suction. They are also created to clean large surfaces such as offices, campuses, schools, halls, and more.

If you’ve been looking to invest in a new vacuum, this is the perfect time to look at commercial designs. There are several affordable options on our list that perform better than residential vacuums and come at a very reasonable price.


How Long Do Industrial Vacuum Cleaners Last?

These commercial cleaners are very durable and can last up to 20 years. They are built to last long and go through a lot before it’s time to replace them.
The average use that you’ll get from one of these designs is around 15 years.

Commercial products are less likely to need repairs because they are created for heavy use and large areas. They might be costlier than residential vacuums, but residential designs won’t last as long and will eventually require repairs.

Proper care is a must! Also, don’t forget to always use the vacuum according to the instructions of the manufacturer.

Final Thoughts

Finding the right vacuum should be much simpler now that you went over this comprehensive guide, and you have five fantastic options to choose from. Ensure which features are your priority, especially the cord length, vacuum design, budget, accessories, and filter system, before you make a purchase.

Industrial vacuum cleaners are a great investment for your home, although they cost a little more than residential vacuums. They last longer, are more powerful, and are built for heavy use.

The Bissell Cleanview Swivel Upright Bagless Vacuum is an absolute winner in the category of industrial vacuum cleaners. This machine does not only show impressive suction power, but it also comes at the most affordable price. It doesn’t matter if you need it for your home or need to clean a large area; this vacuum will exceed your expectations.

If you have any comments or first-hand experiences with industrial vacuum cleaners, please post them below or share your pictures via our social media.

About Maria Hernandez

Senior Floor Critic, 25 years of experience in residential and commercial cleaning

Maria Hernandez has 25 years of experience in residential and commercial janitorial and cleaning services. From hardwood to carpet to marble floors, Maria has developed a deep expertise in cleaning and maintaining many different flooring types. Visit Website.

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