Overview
Commercial upright vacuums are one of the most frequently used tools on a custodial or housekeeping cart. These units are designed to clean small to medium-sized areas such as: office suites, hotel rooms, or lecture halls and are more powerful than a residential grade vacuum.
When comparing upright vacuums, it is important to consider the air watt or airwatt rating - a ratio of the airflow and water lift. The airflow and water lift are measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM) and inches of water (inH2O) respectively. Manufacturers use CFM to convey the strength of a vacuum, a higher CFM will move more air through the unit at a faster rate than a lower CFM unit. Water lift, also known as static pressure refers to the suction force. Airwatts can be expressed in the following formula:
(CFM x inH2O)/8.5 = Airwatt Rating
A commercial upright vacuum should have about 1000 airwatts in order to achieve a desirable cleaning outcome or include an adjustable brush that is either manual or automatic.
Decision-makers should review the following considerations and are advised to standardize on a single unit.
- Space: Area(s) where the vacuum will be used. Is the vacuum the right size for the job and will there be obstacles or furniture to navigate?
- Surfaces: Type of surface(s) the vacuum will be used on. Does the brush head need to be adjustable for various carpet pile heights?
- Users: The physical characteristics of the worker. Is the unit adaptable to be used by different height users?
- Storage: The units will need to be stored somewhere. Will it fit on an existing custodial cart? Is there storage space in an existing custodial closet?
- Portability: Ease by which a user can get the equipment to the job site. Is there elevator access? If not, is it easy to get it up and down stairs?
- Maintenance: Ease of changing filters bags/brushes. Is a special tool needed for regular field maintenance?
- Power: Access to power. Units can be corded or battery-powered. Are there outlets available? Is the cord long enough? Is the battery capable of lasting the entire shift on a single charge?
- Noise and Vibration: Are noise or vibration an issue where the unit will be used? Are equipment operators exposed to hand-arm or whole body vibration?
- Testing and Feedback: Demo the product. What was the users’ feedback on the unit after trying in the work environment?
NOTE: Selection of a lower criteria rated vacuum such as the CleanMax Zoom 800 or Karcher CV 300 may be appropriate for use in specific work environments or to augment a standard.
Highly Recommended Vacuums
Mfr. & Model | ProTeam | Karcher |
Criteria Rating | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
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Review | Stand out features and performance Great overall performance, with a lay-flat feature and automatic brush height adjustment makes this a preferred vacuum. Great overall performance. The 1200XP and the 1500XP both have excellent suction and automatic brush height adjustment that helps reduce fatigue from having to make multiple passes. Their lay-flat feature helps reduce awkward postures and lifting of furniture. Both are preferred vacuums. | Great unit with all the necessary features. It may not have the additional features that others have but it does have exceptional suction power, a choice of a 12" or 15" cleaning path and it's a few pounds lighter. You can't go wrong. At 17 lbs this particular model has exceptional power and has a height-adjustable brush height. It can clean most areas in a single pass. This unit can help reduce overall fatigue associated with vacuuming tasks. This is a strong unit to consider. |
UC Supplier | Waxie | Waxie |
Specs | CFM: 96 Water Lift: 84" Airwatt: 949 Weight: 18 lbs Cord: 50' Decibel: 69 dBA Cleaning Path: 12" / 15" Attached Wand: Yes HEPA Filter: Yes Removable brush: Tool-Less Brush Height Adj: Auto ♠ Lay-Flat Feature: Yes ♠ Height-Adjustable Handle: No | CFM: 102 Water Lift: 92" Airwatt: 1112 Weight: 17 lbs Cord: 40' Decibel: 64.5 dBA Cleaning Path: 12"/15" Attached Wand: Yes HEPA Filter: Yes Removable brush: Tool-Less Brush Height Adj: Manual Lay-Flat Feature: No Height-Adjustable Handle: No |
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Recommended Vacuums
Mfr. & Model | NSS | Karcher | ProTeam |
Criteria Rating | ★★★★☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ |
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Review | One of the better all-around units with a height-adjustable handle Comes standard with a height-adjustable handle to fit multiple users. There is a 12” or 15” cleaning path model to suit your application. One of the heavier models at 19 lbs. | Lighter unit with added features and limitations Lay flat feature helps with reducing awkward postures when cleaning under furniture. The non-height adjustable brush may affect its cleaning capability for lower pile carpets. | Acceptable performance with limitations Lay-flat feature helps reduce awkward postures when cleaning under furniture. Similar to the Sensor 12, its non-height adjustable brushes may limit its cleaning capability for lower pile carpets. |
UC Supplier | Waxie | Waxie | Waxie |
Specs | CFM: 100 Water Lift: 92" Airwatt: 1082 Weight: 19 lbs Cord: 40' Decibel: 67 dBA Cleaning Path: 12" / 15" Attached Wand: Yes HEPA Filter: Yes Removable brush: Req Tool Brush Height Adj: Manual Lay-Flat Feature: No Height-Adjustable Handle: Yes ♠ | CFM: 105 Water Lift: 90" Airwatt: 1112 Weight: 16 lbs Cord: 40' Decibel: 69 dBA Cleaning Path: 12" Attached Wand: Yes HEPA Filter: Yes Removable brush: Tool-Less Brush Height Adj: No ⚠ Lay-Flat Feature: Yes ♠ Height-Adjustable Handle: No | CFM: 100 Water Lift: 93" Airwatt: 1094 Weight: 17 lbs Cord: 40' Decibel: 69 dBA Cleaning Path: 12" / 15" Attached Wand: Yes HEPA Filter: Yes Removable brush: Tool-Less Brush Height Adj: No ⚠ Lay-Flat Feature: Yes ♠ Height-Adjustable Handle: No |
Resources | Karcher Sensor S12 Website |
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Legacy/Specialty Vacuums
Mfr. & Model | Advance | Karcher |
Criteria Rating | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ |
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Review | A workhorse with a height-adjustable handle Equipped with a height-adjustable handle to fit multiple users. It’s a workhorse but is also one of the heavier models that may add to use fatigue. it also has a cleaning path that is under the recommended 12”. Consider one of the 3 or 4-star units. | Useful for hard to reach areas The detachable vacuum body is useful for hard-to-reach areas and detail cleaning. The non-height adjustable brush may affect its cleaning capability for lower pile carpets. |
UC Supplier | Waxie | Waxie |
Specs | CFM: 93 Water Lift: 92" Airwatt: 1007 Weight: 19.8 lbs Cord: 50' Decibel: 69 dBA Cleaning Path: 11.5" ⚠ Attached Wand: Yes HEPA Filter: Yes Removable brush: Req Tool Brush Height Adj: Manual Lay-Flat Feature: No Height-Adjustable Handle: Yes ♠ | CFM: 102 Water Lift: 92" Airwatt: 1104 Weight: 17 lbs Cord: 40' Decibel: 69.5 dBA Cleaning Path: 15" Attached Wand: Yes HEPA Filter: Yes Removable brush: Tool-Less Brush Height Adj: No ⚠ Lay-Flat Feature: No Height-Adjustable Handle: No |
Resources | Karcher CV 300 |
Products are rated on a 5-star scale based on the Criteria Rating - ★
The product specification exceeds minimum UC Criteria - ♠
The product does not meet minimum UC Criteria - ⚠
