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We've reviewed all kinds of heavy duty vacuums to help you make the most informed purchase.
Specifically, this review will cover the best heavy duty shop, commercial, Bissell, robot, and car vacuums on the market.
So, let's get started.
Weight: 15 pounds
Rating: 4.7/5 stars
Dimensions: Cleaning Path 13.5 inches, Dust Cup – 1 liter, Hose 6 foot
PROS:
• Heavy-duty vacuum that is designed to pick up pet hair more efficiently
• Special tools for getting pet hair in corners and hard to reach places
• 1 liter capacity of the dust cup, which allows for less frequent emptying
• Can be used safely on hard floors like tile and wood
CONS
• Attachments may become clogged in heavy pet hair areas
The Bissell Cleanview Swivel Pet Upright Vacuum is by far one of the best heavyweight vacuums that we have encountered. The vacuum is heavy enough to be durable, 15 pounds, but light enough to be easy to use. The vacuum is very easy to maneuver on both carpet and hard flooring; just make sure to set your vacuum height to the type of floor you are cleaning.
The vacuum has exceptional suction power and cleans hair effortlessly. If you have an area with excessive pet hair and is using one of the hand tools, you may get a small clog because of how effectively the machine works. The clogs pass quickly, and you can get back to your cleaning routine.
The dust cup holds up to a liter before it needs to be emptied, which allows you to clean an extensive area before having to stop. It can easily be wiped out when you are finished. The cord is very long on the vacuum, allowing you to clean a large area before stopping and changing plugs.
Overall, we found the performance of this vacuum to be superior in every way. If you are looking for a vacuum that works effortlessly on pet hair, the Bissell Cleanview is the right choice.
Weight: 26 pounds
Rating: 4.8/5 stars
Dimensions: 21.03 x 23.8 x 26.7 inches, 7 foot hose length
PROS
• Heavy duty suction allows you to pick up more than dust
• Long hose helps you reach more areas
• 2.5 Inch hose diameter
• Use with or without bags
CONS
• Replacement filter bags can run about $5 each
The Craftsman 16 gallon 6.5 peak HP wet/dry vac is a preferred choice for garage and outdoor vacuums. This heavy-duty vacuum can be used with or without the bag in it, making it perfect for extra fine dust collection with the bag or heavy material or water collection without.
The built-in blower port makes it very easy for you to move leaves and debris from your outdoor work areas. The vacuum also has an oversized drain making it simple to empty the canister when you have used it to clean up a liquid mess. The vacuum comes with several attachments, including car attachments, to make it one of the most versatile pieces of equipment you have in your garage.
We found the only drawback with this superior vacuum is that the replacement bags average about $5 each to replace. However, unless you are vacuuming up very fine dust particles such as fine sawdust, you really do not need to use the bags. The interior of the canister can easily be wiped down after each use.
Weight: 15.5
Rating: 4.7/5 stars
Dimensions: 45.7 x 12.1 x 12.2 inches, Hose length 8.4 feet
PROS
• Heavy-duty cleaning on all floor types
• HEPA filter and allergen seal
• Removable tank for cleaning stairs
• Oversized dust cup for longer use between emptying
CONS
• Limited attachments
The Shark Rotator is a fabulous heavy-duty upright vacuum for people who suffer from allergies.
The HEPA filter on this vacuum also has an allergen seal making it easier for people with allergies to empty the dust cup without worry. This vacuum has been rated to remove 99.5 percent of all allergens in a vacuumed area.
The swivel design of this upright makes the machine very easy to maneuver. You can move it quickly from floor type to floor type without much effort.
The detachable tank allows you to clean stairs easily and other hard to vacuum areas. The oversized dust cup allows you to vacuum large areas without having to stop. Filters can be easily cleaned or changed, and the dust bin is easy to wipe out after use.
Weight: 17.5 pounds
Rating: 4.3/5 stars
Dimensions: 12.6 x 12.2 x 44.8 inches
PROS:
• Triple action brush that loosens and cleans simultaneously
• 12.5-inch wide cleaning area for faster cleaning of large rooms
• Edge to edge suction for better cleaning
• Variety of attachable tools to make cleaning easier
CONS:
• Dust cup only holds .75 liters
The Bissell Powerglide is a top-performing pet hair vacuum that is easy to use on all flooring types. The vacuum has superior suction like most Bissell products and performs well even when using attachments.
The Powerglide is easy to maneuver and has a long cord to make vacuuming large areas easier. The suction picks up pet hair very well, and the vacuum is not prone to clogging in high pet hair areas. The Bissell operates much quieter than similar vacuums without losing the power.
The only real drawback that we could find with this vacuum is the smaller dust cup. The dust cup only holds .75 liters of debris, making it necessary to empty more often when vacuuming. As with all Bissell pet care vacuums, $10 of the purchase price is donated to a pet rescue program.
Weight: 5.7 pounds
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Dimensions: Less than 3 inches high
PROS:
• Automatically increases suction power if it detects more dirt in an area
• Less than 3 inches tall so it can reach more areas
• Can run for up to 100 minutes without recharging
• Has triple filter action for most precision clean
CONS
• If you run it daily, you also need to empty it daily
The eufy robotic vacuum is one of the best robotic vacuums we have encountered. To start, the slimmed-down height on this vacuum makes it perfect for getting under tables, some pieces of furniture, and other hard to reach areas. The suction on this vacuum is superior to other robotic vacuums we have tested.
The eufy has a charge port that should be placed up against a wall. When the vacuum returns to its base, it needs to lock itself in for a complete charge. Once charged, it can operate up to 100 minutes on hard flooring and about 60 minutes on short carpeting.
The vacuum can be programmed to run at a specific time each day, and you can even operate it at night while you are sleeping because of how quietly it operates. This is a superior robotic vacuum that even picks up dog hair effortlessly.
Yes. While all vacuums can pick up pet hair, vacuums designed specifically for this function have stronger suction so that more hair and dander can be removed. These vacuums often have large dust cups and special filters to reduce allergens.
If you suffer from allergies, look for a vacuum with a HEPA filter. A HEPA filter can significantly reduce the number of dust particles in your home by filtering smaller particles when vacuuming. Most HEPA filter vacuums have stronger motors so that the filter can work at top performance.
Not necessarily. Vacuum cleaner weights generally differ by manufacturer, not for quality reasons. Some of the heavier vacuums may be easier to use because the manufacturer will build in heavier casters or different mechanics such as a swiveling base to make these vacuums easier to handle.
This all depends on how often you use the vacuum, what type of debris you are picking up, and what type of filter you have on your machine. Standard filters can often be rinsed out and dried after each use for a few months before replacing. HEPA filters should be replaced every 6 months to a year, depending on use.
No. When you switch over to using the hose attachments of your vacuum, the suction is transferred to the hose and is no longer going to the machine's base. You should get the same powerful clean from the attachments that you do when you use the vacuum on the floor.
You should always look at the manufacturer's recommendations for your vacuum. All vacuums are rated differently. Some may only work well on hard floors or low-pile carpeting; others may only work well on shaggy rugs. Always check the rating before making a purchase.
