Every vacuum doesn’t have the capacity to clean carpet or hard floor deeply. Nowadays commercial carpeting is very popular in many commercial spaces. Why commercial carpeting? Because it is the master to hide dirt and soil. But unfortunately, you may notice a vacuum cleaner cannot clean perfectly the same carpet sometimes. This only happens if you don’t know how to choose the best backpack vacuum for carpet and your home. That’s why you must know the choosing factors to make your carpet easy to clean.
A commercial vacuum has features enough to tackle different surface cleaning challenges. The best backpack vacuum is ideal for commercial carpeting to deep clean as well as the different types of hard floors.
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How to Choose the Best Backpack Vacuum for Carpet and Your Home
There are many features that you need to keep your eyes on to pick the best backpack vacuum. Besides, you may have your personal preference features. Overall, the qualities of the vacuum cleaner we are going to discuss cannot be ignored anyhow. Then let’s dig deeper.
There are 10 key factors that you should evaluate your vacuum against.
Well, we will evaluate what you should be looking for when searching for the best backpack vacuum for carpet and your home.
The 10 key factors are –
1. Vacuum Types
The first step is to selecting the best commercial backpack vacuum is identifying the right type of vacuum for your floor or carpet. Well, there are 5 types of vacuum cleaners. They are:
- Handheld Duster Vacuum Cleaners
- Canister Vacuum Cleaners
- Upright Vacuum Cleaners
- Backpack Vacuum Cleaners
- Wet/Dry Vacuum Cleaners
Most people prefer canister vacuums for daily vacuuming of carpeted floors. But Backpack vacuums and Upright vacuums are the most effective cleaners for cleaning carpets. These kinds of vacuums can keep you away from back pain and dizziness. The pros and cons of backpack vacuums are to be carefully considered so that you can pick the right one for your home and carpet.
The Canisters type of vacuum has long hoses which are helpful but have bulky appearances as well. However, on the other hand, Backpack vacuums are very convenient to carry the vacuum without any effort wherever you go. Unlike Canister vacuums, these Backpack vacuums eliminate the chance of denting into furniture.
However, if you compare Backpack vacuums to Upright vacuums, you will find that backpack vacuums are much more effective and are able to increase productivity by as much as 230%. Besides, you must have to know how to use the backpack vacuums properly.
Nevertheless, an Upright vacuum is second to none being the strongest dirt removal on carpets. In many cases, they have a brush roll that can venture deep into the rug heap to assist with extracting dirt. This is why if you target to pick an Upright vacuum cleaner, make sure it has the right cleaning capacity and strength for your facility.
2. Weight
An unavoidable factor to pay attention to while choosing a backpack vacuum is the weight of the product. It is related to your comfort and duration of running the machine. This is why it cannot be ignored anyhow.
However, most models that are corded can be found the weigh an average of 10 to 11 pounds which is standard but in terms of battery-powered vacuums, the weight jumps to around 18 pounds (more/ less). So when you are deciding to buy a backpack vacuum, think more about your capacity and interests. Think about the pros and cons and then take a shot.
3. Bag Storage Size
Another important factor is bag storage size which cannot also be overlooked. If the bag storage is small you need to empty the canister or bag frequently which hampers the work as well as reduces productivity.
You may know, the average backpack vacuum cleaner holds 6 quarts of dust. Well, some of the larger models can hold up to 10 quarts which is great for commercial purposes. So, it also plays a great role along with other factors.
4. Power Source
Corded or Cordless whatever type the vacuum is one who is going to buy must care for the power source. If cordless, the battery power should be higher so that the productivity is always better. The better the battery power, the better the productivity is.
But if it is a corded one, make sure the cords are very long so that you do not be troubled by a shortage of wire. Short wires make you stop your work due to unplugging and plugging into a new station. Besides, a pause in work may disrupt attention which is harmful to increasing productivity.
5. Noise Levels (dBA)
One of the most important factors to consider when buying a vacuum cleaner is its noise level. Noise levels are measured in dBA which is a-weighted decibels. The lower the number, the quieter the noise of the machine would be. The backpack vacuum cleaner canister or upright vacuum you are going to buy should have a noise level between 60-75 dBA. More than this would bother you as well as the surroundings you are working at. So, this matter is not worth compromising.
6. Filtration System
When choosing the best backpack vacuum for carpets, you must select the best filtration system. The filtration system of a vacuum cleaner plays an important role while choosing a backpack vacuum for the carpet and your home. A 4 or 5-stage HEPA Filtration system helps capture molecular dust or any particles that may harm the user or environment. The HEPA filter is friendly to those who have asthma and allergy.
HEPA stands for High-Efficiency Particle Absorber which can collect 99.97% of particles greater than or equal to 0.3 micrometers.
7. Brush Type
To remove soil or dust from the depth of the carpet, the best vacuum head or brush type would help you a lot. So, a better brush head can extract soil from carpeted floors better. This is the reason you should choose either Upright or Backpack vacuum cleaners for the carpet.
Well, if you have interest in an upright vacuum, we suggest you look for a vacuum that features a brush roller.
You may know Brush Rollers are sometimes referred to as a beater bar.
So why is a brush roller important?
Well, if you ever have seen a brushed motor vacuum cleaner, you must notice that the bristles on brush rollers are stiff. It agitates and loosens dirt while cleaning and then the vacuum starts to pick up soils from deep within carpet fibers.
One important matter is that if you intend to clean carpet piles of different heights, in that case just look for a vacuum that has an adjustable beater bar. However, more advanced machines are able to automatically adjust to the height of the flooring and can clean well with the help of a brush roller.
However, there are no beater bars on backpack vacuums. Don’t panic, don’t panic. In order to get the same result, you must ensure a backpack vacuum model that has high airflow and strong lifting capacity. Backpack models require more lift to pull dirt from the carpet because they don’t have a beater bar to extract dirt from the carpet pile.
8. Specialized Attachments
It is truly necessary to have specialized attachments to improve work quality, especially on different surfaces. You cannot work with the same head for both the floors like hard floors and soft surfaces like drapes, furniture, or high dusting. This is obviously why additional attachments to clean different surfaces are highly required.
If you are going to clean a huge area where different types of surfaces are there. You surely don’t have to switch between multiple machines if you can pair your machine with unique attachments. These attachments also improve work quality and productivity.
So, what type of attachments should be included?
- Hose
- Blower adapter
- Exhaust filter cover
- Extension wand
- Multiple nozzle sets
- Crevice tool
- Several brushes
- HEPA bag
- Shakeout bag
- Filter sets, and
- Set of hose and filter plugs
Most backpack commercial vacuum provides such attachments. That all the vacuum models will provide the same tools is wrong. Different models come with different attachments. But more or less these are the common attachments for backpack vacuum cleaners.
9. Static Lift and Air Flow
How a backpack vacuum or any vacuum works well can be understood by seeing its suction power. Suction is a combination of airflow and static lift that helps to remove soils from carpeting. A balanced static lift and airflow can produce the best and most effective result you want. Do you know what airflow and static lift are?
What are static lift and airflow?
Static lift and airflow work together to make a good result. Well, more specifically, static lift extracts the soil from the carpet or carpeted floors while airflow pushes the dirt and debris down the vacuum hose to the filter bag. In addition, the higher the static lift, the more dirt, and debris the vacuum will be able to remove. Anyways, Static lift is typically between 60 and 100 inches.
Airflow is the amount of air that a vacuum moves through the hose per minute. Airflow helps the dirt and soil travel through the vacuum hose that leaves in the filter bag. Generally, the airflow ranges between 95 and 150 CFM.
10. Warranty
Warranty earns trust from the seller. At least if anything happens before the warranty time crosses, the customers are happy with the replacement or repair (according to the terms and conditions of the seller’s end) of the product. Though most of the time, most vacuum cleaners come with a limited warranty. It is not bad that the warranty covers a full year from the time of purchase.
To know more information, you may consult the owner’s manual or customer service with the company directly.
How to Choose a Vacuum Based on Surface Type
We actually don’t know which type of surface you are going to vacuum. And that is exactly why we are trying to give you an overall idea of what types of vacuums work on what types of surfaces. You pick your best shot.
Hardwood/Wood Laminate: we see most of the floors are made of hardwood or wood laminated. For this kind of floor, Stick, Upright, Robotic, and Canister vacuums would be the best choice. So, depending on your requirements and criteria, pick one and make your floor clean. However, vacuuming only on hardwood, Stick and Robotic vacuum cleaners may be the easiest option. But in terms of vacuuming multiple surfaces, an Upright or Canister model is more effective.
Low-Pile Carpet: Pile height is supposed to measure how high the fibers in carpets reach. However, a low pile carpet is considered to be under 1/4 inch thick. In this case, Canister vacuums are the most useful and powerful cleaners for low-pile carpets. However, we also suggest having a carpet deep cleaner regularly to keep your carpet soft and vibrant.
High-Pile Carpet: Floor coverings are viewed as high piles assuming they are 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch thick. A popular example of this is a shag floor covering. These are ordinarily the hardest to vacuum, so we suggest buying a vacuum with a setting to adjust to high-pile rugs. Upright and canister vacuums are the most secure choice for these floor coverings, yet make certain to search for lightweight models, as these are more straightforward to push along the surface.
Upholstery: backpack vacuums, canisters, and handheld, any one of them is the perfect choice for upholstery cleaning. However, for a deeper cleaning, you are highly recommended to use an upholstery attachment. An upholstery attachment is a small, flat head, to reach all the deep dirt. A user can use this attachment for cleaning surfaces like couches, mattresses, curtains, and chairs.
Tile: without any questions, Stick vacuums are the best choice for tile floors due to their easy maneuverability. These vacuums can reach the grout lines. However, in order to prevent stains on the tiles, use a steam mop regularly. This will keep your tiles floor brand new.
Marble: like tiles, Stick vacuums are suitable for marble floors. And yes, a steam cleaning after vacuuming keeps your floors as new. Besides, you need to be careful not to scratch on the surface when vacuuming.
Backpack Vacuum Pricing
Below $200: you can get a backpack vacuum cleaner with some basic functioning in this price range. Smaller motors and more compact are the main features of these vacuums. But they are great for small areas and for occasional household jobs.
Some backpack vacuums under $200
- Atrix HEPA Backpack Vacuum
- Backpack for Outdoor Wet Dry Vacuums
- GV 8 Qt Quart Lightweight HEPA Backpack Vacuum
$200-400: the majority of the backpack vacuums can be found in this price range. A variety of accessories and a wide range of sizes fall in this price tag. The vacuums of this range are great for household and commercial purposes.
Some backpack vacuums under $400
- Hoover Commercial Lightweight Backpack
- ProTeam Commercial Backpack Vacuum
- Super QuarterVac Commercial Backpack Vacuum Cleaner
$400 and up: this range is huge and not affordable for all. All the vacuums in this range are particularly designed for commercial use. Features of these kinds of backpack vacuums are industrial-sized motors, powerful batteries if cordless, extension wands, and long cords. Besides, they are very powerful and come with large-capacity canisters. Worth a shot.
Some backpack vacuums under $1000
- ProVac FS 6 Commercial Backpack Vacuum
- ProTeam MegaVac 10 Quart Backpack Vacuum w/Blower
- Super QuarterVac Vacuum Backpack with HEPA Media Filtration
- ProTeam Commercial Backpack Vacuum Cleaner
Last Words
If you don’t know how to choose the best backpack vacuum for carpet and your home, this article will give you a clear view. All the information is important and necessary to follow. Try to select the best backpack vacuum and you will benefit. A decision on how to choose the best backpack vacuum is really important. So be careful when you are ready to buy the best backpack vacuum for your carpet and your home.