Top 7 Best Backpack Vacuum Cleaner Reviews

We all know vacuuming is a great way to keep your home clean. When it come to big and extensive cleaning, you’ll want a tough vacuum that is also portable. That’s why we created this list of the Top 7 Best Backpack Vacuum Cleaner Reviews. We believe that backpack vacuums combine power with portability in ways upright vacuums cannot. Here’s our list:

Top 7 Best Backpack Vacuum Cleaner Chart

Picture	Vacuum	Weight	HEPA Filter	Cost	See More
	ProTeam ProVac FS 6	11.3 lbs	Yes	$$$$$	See It On Amazon
	Hoover C2401	9.2 lbs	Yes	$$$	See It On Amazon
	Powr-Flite BP6P	12 lbs	Yes	$$$	See It On Amazon
	GV 8 Quart	14 lbs.	Yes	$$$$$	See It On Amazon
	Sanitaire EURSC412B	11.5 lbs.	Yes	$$$	See It On Amazon
	ProTeam Super CoachVac	11.3 lbs.	Yes	$$$$$	See It On Amazon
	Atrix VACBP1	10.3 lbs.	Yes	$$	See It On Amazon

Backpack Vacuum Cleaner Reviews

 

The ProTeam ProVac FS 6 Backpack Vacuum

The ProTeam FS 6 is a great choice for someone looking for high quality backpack vacuum cleaners. It has all the basic power you want plus the flexibility of long extension cords and little weight to slow you down. If you’re looking for a top of the line vacuum backpack model, the ProTeam has you covered. Here’s a list of some of the great features and some negative aspects as well:

Pros:

Excellent rating on Amazon

Multi surface cleaner (hardwood / carpet / etc.)

Weighs less than 12 lbs.

Toolbelt to hold accessories

HEPA filtration

Cons:

Not cheap

Not great on hair in carpet

See It On Amazon

If you’re already familiar with backpack vacuums and are simply looking for an upgrade, this FS 6 model will do very well for you. At a minimal 11.3 lbs. in weight, this vacuum is extremely easy to haul around and get to all the tough places.

Can it reach under the bed? You bet. What about under the dreaded kitchen table? Yup, with ease.

This ProTeam model has FlexFit harnesses for the shoulder straps that are both adjustable and comfortable. You can have this baby on for an hour and not feel any pain or discomfort.

This technically is an industrial backpack vacuum which means it packs more power and greater flexibility than a normal home model. It’s got a long hose that can get anywhere you need it. Combine that with the HEPA filter and you’ve got a filtration system that captures 99.9% of all dust, pollen, mold and other particles 0.3 microns and bigger.

Overall, it’s a little more pricey which is why you need to be in the market for a backpack vacuum to get this high quality model. If you’re just curious and want to try one out, feel free to keep looking on our page for some more budget friendly options.

See It On Amazon

 

Hoover C2401 Bagless Commercial Backpack Vacuum

This Hoover backpack vacuum is our budget friendly model for your home use! If you’re curious about trying a backpack vacuum for the first time, this is the model to try. Or feel free to check out our best vacuums under $100 here. It’s much more reasonable in price, but still packs a punch with a lightweight feel. Here’s some advantages and disadvantages:

Pros:

More budget friendly

Lightweight under 10 lbs.

Long 48 ft cord

Bagless design

HEPA filtration

Cons:

No on-board storage

Less suction power

Attachments are lesser quality

See It On Amazon

Overall, the Hoover C2401 is much easier on the pocket book for anyone who wants to venture into backpack vacuums for the first time. It’s solid enough in most areas to get the job done, but clearly lacks in overall power compared to the FS-6 model discussed above.

Here’s where it shines though. It’s even more portable and lightweight at only 9.2 lbs. Plus the harness straps were designed by a chiropractor to be extremely easy on your back. That’s one way to please a customer!

The hose locking mechanism on this C2401 is also specifically designed to keep the hose plugged in during long use. It’s frustrating with some models that the hose can pop out of the base if you extend too far, but this Hoover model consists of a special locking mechanism to keep that hose attached.

Lastly, it’s got HEPA filtration so you can rest assured little particles are actually being trapped in this vacuum. Add on the 6 attachments for this Hoover model and you can take care of most areas in your house. And if you have bigger rooms, this model performs even better because you can race through it quickly.

See It On Amazon

 

Powr-Flite BP6P Backpack Vacuum Review

The Powf-Flite is another lesser known backpack vacuum manufacturer, but one that can certainly come through for you. It’s moderately priced and has many of the good qualities you want in a backpack vacuum. Check out some of the pros and cons here:

Pros:

Good price

Quiet operation

Pretty strong suction

On board belt storage

HEPA filter

Cons:

Small canister

Very few reviews

Heavier at 12 lbs.

See It On Amazon

The Powr-Flite backpack vacuum is an underrated achiever in our category. It comes in last on the list, but that doesn’t it lacks in quality or power. Overall, the Powr-Flite is a solid vacuum at a reasonable price.

The Powr-Flite comes with a nice 50 foot cord to reach most places you want to get to. It’s got the HEPA filter that most high quality vacuums come with these days and enough filtration through their 4-step process to get dirt up.

It’s a little heavier than many other vacuums at 12 lbs. but it’s still not too heavy to be useful. With the unique 7-point adjustable backpack, you can make this vacuum fit any way you like for maximum comfort.

Outside of the small canister (only 6 quarts) there are very few major drawbacks with this vacuum cleaner. It’s just not as highly noted because it’s only seen a few ratings on Amazon. But those ratings have all been very positive which is why this Powr-Flite is our sleeper vacuum.

See It On Amazon

 

GV 8 Quart Pet Hair HEPA Backpack Vacuum

The GV 8 model is a little on the cheaper side both in price and quality, but still is very valuable for one specific customer group: pet owners! The GV model comes with a great attachment that works very well on pet hair. So if you’ve got a furry friend at home and would like a pet hair backpack vacuum cleaner, check this model out. Here’s some pros and cons:

Pros:

Cheaper

Great on pet hair

Good transitions between surfaces

HEPA filtration

Has battery power

Cons:

Cheaper quality parts that may break

Loud operation

Can lack suction power

See It On Amazon

Overall, the GV 8 model is solid enough for some people to be a quality vacuum. If you prefer a high end backpack vacuum that is considered the best-in-class, you may want to look at our other options. But for those with long pet hair this could be your perfect match!

Another great aspect of this GV model is the 2 year warranty which is a little better than some other models we’ve seen and reviewed today. And it comes with a nice 7 piece accessory kit to give you flexibility on nearly any surface type.

Some reviews talked about lack of performance life though. Several people discussed how it died after a few months of operation which may be a drawback to you.

See It On Amazon

 

Sanitaire EURSC412B Backpack Vacuum Review

Another budget friendly model here with the Sanitaire backpack vacuum cleaner. It has solid power and flexibility to get a wide variety of jobs done. The best feature on this vacuum is the extra long metal wand which let’s you clean further and higher. Here’s some pros and cons:

Pros:

Budget friendly

UL approved for commercial use

Long 48′ cord

Long 4′ metal wand

Cons:

Slightly smaller capacity

Attachments tougher to install

See It On Amazon

The Sanitaire backpack vacuum is made by a well known brand, Electrolux. They make many other brands that you’re familiar with like Frigidaire refrigerators. Electrolux is also more well known for their canister vacuums.

Overall, this Sanitaire brand is a solid enough backpack vacuum. It’s a little cheaper than some of the first models on our list, and that’s because the quality is slightly less also. So if you need to save some money, check this model out. What does make this model good is how quiet it operates.

The other positive aspect is it’s licensed for commercial use so this is a great vacuum for small business people. Plus the long metal wand that extends 4 feet makes hard to reach places even easier to clean. Combine that with the HEPA filtration and you can rest assured you’ll have a solid clean after vacuuming.

Now there are some downsides with this model too. The canister itself is slightly smaller at just over 6 quarts. So it will require more dispensing than a few other models here. Also, some of the comments about this Sanitaire model mentioned how the attachments can be tough to connect.

See It On Amazon

 

The ProTeam Super CoachVac Backpack Vacuum Review

Another excellent option from the ProTeam vacuum brand and this one Super CoachVac is definitely a solid option. It’s not the cheapest option on the market, but it provides a ton of value and is rated very well on Amazon. Here are some pros and cons:

Pros:

Extremely versatile cleaning

Extremely quiet operation

Certified Gold by CRI

HEPA filtration

Large 10 quart canister

Cons:

Not cheap

Some attachments don’t connect well

See It On Amazon

If we could pick a second best quality model, it would once again be a ProTeam model. That company just makes high quality backpack vacuums. This CoachVac probably has some of the highest Amazon star ratings of nearly any vacuum I’ve seen. Whether that’s a laminate floor vacuum or a shag carpet vacuum, this CoachVac is rated up there.

Let’s start with the Gold certification by the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI). That’s definitely a huge honor for a vacuum and something to be considered. One main reason for that gold rating is the 4 levels of filtration which includes a HEPA filter. Many people love knowing the vacuum is truly filtering and cleaning the air.

The CoachVac has a huge 50 foot cord to help reach nearly everywhere you need. It has been highly praised by people cleaning in schools and businesses. The commercial aspect comes with plenty of tools to make life easier. It would be a great vacuum for a janitor or cleaning person.

There were very few negatives about this vacuum though. Obviously price is a concern for some people. It’s not going to break the bank, but you’ll definitely feel it. If you’re looking for a good investment vacuum though, this is a great idea. Some comments also mentioned that it can be a little heavy to carry, especially as it gets more full of dirt. Since it can hold a whopping 10 quarts, it’ll get a bit heavier after every use.

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Atrix VACBP1 Backpack Vacuum Review

A great lightweight backpack vacuum cleaner that also falls into the “budget friendly” category. It’s just over 10 lbs in overall weight and also comes with HEPA filtration for residential or commercial use. Here’s some pros and cons:

Pros:

Great price

Very lightweight

Lots of attachments

HEPA filtering

Cons:

Small container size

Less powerful

Short power cord

See It On Amazon

Atrix is a lesser known brand of top backpack vacuum cleaners, but it’s a model that be useful. It’s not the most powerful or largest canister holder, but it’s lightweight and useful.

This Atrix vacuum also comes with a slew of attachments to let you transfer between different floor types easily. That’s a great aspect as many businesses or homes have different floors throughout.

Now there are some clear drawbacks of this model. It isn’t the greatest for suction power. But you should assume that with a cheaper vacuum cleaner. It also has a very short power cord which you can consider good or bad.

It’s bad because you almost always need to add an extension cord to the Atrix unit. But it can be considered good if you already have a cord with the exact length you need. If you have smaller rooms, and the vacuum comes with a huge 50 foot cord,  you’re wasting all that excess cord.

See It On Amazon

 

Why Should You Buy A Backpack Vacuum?

There’s several things that make a backpack vacuum a great purchase for your home or small business. They are by far the most portable large size vacuum cleaner. Can you imagine trying to take a canister vacuum up or down stairs?

Backpack vacuums also have an extremely large canister that can hold more dirt and debris than most upright vacuums. Upright vacuums have seen a trend in shrinking size which obviously means the canister shrinks too.

Backpack vacuums also allow you to stay standing tall when vacuuming. For those of us well over 6 feet tall (I’m 6’1″ personally), I find myself hunching over just slightly when using a standard upright vacuum. Now this isn’t the worst, but wouldn’t it feel so much better to simply stand up straight when trying to clean?

Lastly, backpack vacuums usually have great suction power because their original use was intended for businesses. Think about a restaurant needing a vacuum? Don’t you think they need a strong model with excellent suction? Of course they do, and that’s what backpack vacuums were intended for.

But let’s be clear, it’s not all rainbows and sunshine with a backpack vacuum. As you’ve seen already, they aren’t cheap. So you need to be willing to make a solid investment in these types of vacuums. They are absolutely worth the money, but don’t get sticker shock.

 

Buyers Guide To Your Best Backpack Vacuum

What are the most important aspects to consider before you purchase a backpack vacuum? Well here’s a few:

• Price – Can you comfortably afford the vacuum that checks all you boxes

• Weight – This is something you’ll be carrying on your back (hence the name) so you don’t want something too heavy. Most models float around 11 lbs. which is about as much as you want to go. Going higher than 15 lbs probably isn’t great for your back. In fact, this WebMD article talks about kids backpacks never weighing more than 20% of their body weight. That’s still extremely heavy so be cautious with anything over 15 lbs.

• Areas You’ll Be Cleaning – Backpack vacuums often come with attachments for various floor types. A roller brush for carpets, a corner piece and something for hair. If you have an office with multiple floor types, be sure your vacuum comes with plenty of attachments AND a place to store them on board. There’s nothing more frustrating than losing an attachment on a vacuum that you really need.

• Cord Length – Anything under 30 feet is probably too short. Most high quality backpack vacuums come with cords in the 40-50 foot range. This let’s you tackle several rooms at once no matter where it’s plugged in.

• Filters – If you’re me, you enjoy knowing there are high quality filters in your vacuum. Otherwise, why bother cleaning? A solid vacuum always have multiple filters and nowadays they seem to come standard with HEPA filters. Good quality filters are essential in KEEPING the dust and particles out of the air once you start mixing everything up inside the vacuum.

Cleaning It Up

When you wrap it all up, we believe keeping a Freshly Clean Home is one of the best ways to truly have peace of mind. And with our list here of the best backpack vacuum reviews, you’re sure to find one that fits perfectly in your business or home. And feel free to check out our other affordable vacuum options. Then, you’ll only wonder how you ever lived without it.

[UPDATE] People asked use which model we would recommend and so we organized them with our recommendation first. Personally, I enjoy that ProTeam FS 6 model up there. It’s the best of all worlds and it’s not the most expensive one on our list. Enjoy!

Feel free to leave a comment if you want to recommend another cleaner or just share your experience with one you already purchased!