10 Best Central Vacuum Systems in 2024

The Best Whole-House, In-Wall, Central Vacuum, or Built-In vacuums around... whatever you may call them!

Central Vacuum Systems

There are many reasons why people like central vacuum systems. One reason is that they are very convenient. With a central vacuum system, you can vacuum your entire house without having to carry the vacuum cleaner around. Another reason is that they are efficient. A central vacuum system can clean your house much faster than a regular vacuum cleaner. This is because the hose is larger and has more suction power. Finally, central vacuum systems are often cheaper to operate than regular vacuum cleaners. This is because they use less energy and have longer life spans.

When it comes to choosing a central vacuum, there are many different factors to consider. Which central vacuum system is the best for your home size? What features are important to you? How much does it cost? T hese are just some of the questions that can be difficult to answer when shopping for a central vacuum. That's why thinkvacuums.com is such a valuable resource. We make it easy and convenient to find the perfect system for your needs. We offer a wide variety of systems, from basic models to top-of-the-line units with all the bells and whistles. And we have something for everyone, regardless of budget or lifestyle.

If you are thinking about installing a central vacuum system in your home or replacing your current system, we have put together a list of the Best Central Vacuums to choose from. We have created this list based on sales, customer feedback, functions, lifespan, warranty offered, and amount of returns and repairs. Check out our Central Vacuum Systems.

Best Overall Central Vacuum for the Money
1. Drainvac Pet Vac Central Vacuum System

If you have pets or just want the most powerful central vacuum, then the Drainvac Pet Vac is the ideal choice for you. This central vacuum is the king of all vacuums! The Pet Vac is ideal for homes up to 10,000 Sq. Ft with a commercial rated Domel Tangential Bypass motor that produces 800+ air watts. This ultra-powerful central vacuum comes with a 100% lifetime warranty on the motor and the casing along with free lifetime service (through Thinkvacuums.com). The Drainvac Pet Vac is a hybrid unit, this means it can be used with or without a disposable dust bag. It features an extra-large 9-gallon dirt canister and a SilverClear HEPA filter that is designed to kill bacteria and maintain cleaner indoor air while you vacuum.

Not only can you clean your home, but you can also groom your pets! Included with the Drainvac Pet Vac is a Drainvac Pet Grooming Brush. This grooming tool is ideal for pets with long or short hair. It provides gentle grooming while eliminating unwanted pet hair and dander not only on your pets but also on upholstered surfaces around your home.

Drainvac International never rests on its laurels. Drainvac has been busy refining and improving on its designs and fine engineering. Considered the Gold Standard of central vacuums, Drainvac is the finest Central Vacuum Brand in the market today.

Best Central Vacuum for Large Homes

2. Drainvac Twin Turbo Central Vacuum System

Twin Turbo:The new 240-volt mega-powerful Drainvac Twin Turbo is the king of all vacuums! This central vacuum is for the person who wants the best and nothing else less. The Twin Turbo is the best choice if you’re replacing an old central vacuum or building your dream house and need the most powerful unit you can get your hands on.

The Twin Turbo was first designed to be used for commercial applications with its crushing max of 1,436 air-watts (suction power). This made the Twin Turbo a big demand by builders for large custom homes. This machine is so powerful it dominates any central vacuum made today. Without a doubt, the Twin Turbo has serious power.

Best Choice for Asthma and Allergy Sufferers

3. PurVac Barracuda Central Vacuum System

Stunning and extremely powerful the PurVac Barracuda is considered the best value by many of its customers. Designed for homes up to 9,000 Sq Ft, the Barracuda offers superior HEPA filtration. All PurVac central vacuums are enabled with HEPA Filtration. HEPA filters can achieve an efficiency level of 98% at 0.3 microns and larger. This not only provides a healthy home environment, but it also increases the life of the motor. The Barracuda central vacuum features a self-cleaning HEPA filter that will clean itself when the unit is turned off. Even though the Barracuda is designed to be used with or without a disposable dust bag, it is highly recommended to use a dust bag if you or a family member suffer from asthma or allergies. Using a dust bag will also help prolong the life of the motor and filter.

The PurVac Barracuda promises superior suction by offering a waterlift of 151” and 808 air watts. Quiet in operation, the Barracuda seals on the motor with noise suppressant acoustic foam coating keeping this unit quiet when in use. The motor also has a solid 20-25-year life expectancy and is covered under a limited lifetime warranty.

PurVac is a global brand name made by Drainvac International, a Canadian-based company. They have been manufacturing and marketing central vacuum systems that are renowned for their performance, durability, and filtration.

Best Bagless Central Vacuum Unit

4. Drainvac Little Giant Central Vacuum System

Even though the Drainvac Little Giant central vacuum is compact in size it packs a mighty punch, as it provides high suction of 670 air watts and a water lift of 128”. This hybrid unit offers an unparalleled quiet vacuuming experience due to its sound suppression by the power unit's acoustic foam lining.

The Drainvac Little Giant comes in either in a 4-gallon or 9-gallon dirt canister capacity. It is suitable for homes up to 4,000 Sq Ft. Drainvac central vacuums offers superior quality, power, and the finest motors in the market today.

Drainvac offers a large selection of products for residential, commercial, and industrial applications. Considered the Gold Standard of central vacuums, Drainvac is the finest Central Vacuum Brand in the market today.

Best Central Vacuum for Motor Life

5. Cana-Vac LS-790 Central Vacuum System

The Cana-Vac LS-790 is part of their Signature Series models and features a high-efficiency HEPA filtration system that captures 99.97% of allergens from your home down to 0.3 microns in size. This unit uses an Ametek Lamb By-Pass Motor that produces 149” of water lift and an impressive 659 air watts. Included with the Cana-Vac LS-790 is a muffler that circulates the air during operation and keeps the motor cool while in use.

This unit is a hybrid system that can be used with or without a disposable bag. It is recommended to use a dust bag. This will keep the unit cleaner, provide extra filtration, and will prolong the life of the motor. Other notable features for the LS-790 unit is the option of a right or left intake install, a 5-gallon dirt canister, all-metal construction, and a limited lifetime warranty.

Cana-Vac was founded by Leonard Budd in 1970 and is one of Canada’s largest central vacuum manufacturers. Cana-Vac has never wavered from producing premium quality central vacuum systems. Their units are equipped with the most powerful motors in the industry today.

Best American Made System for Large Homes

6. Vacuflo DB7000 Central Vacuum System

The Vacuflo DB700 unit is ideal for homes up to 12,000 Sq Ft. Its powerful performance motor produces 601 air watts with a water lift of 158”. The Vacuflo DB7000 unit is a bagged system that offers the cleanest solution due to its CleanShield disposable dust bag. The CleanShield bags are durable, triple-layer filter bags that do not let any dust escape. These bags collect all the vacuumed dirt, dust, and debris for a dirtless disposal. Simply remove, seal, and replace.

The DB7000 power unit also features a secondary filter that ensures ultimate motor protection. This permanent filter eliminates carbon dust and keeps it from escaping the motor compartment.

Vacuflo central vacuums are proudly assembled in Canton, Ohio by H-P Products Inc. since 1945. H-P Products is the premier manufacturer of central vacuums and tubing related products. For over 60 years of manufacturing success, H-P continues to grow as a result of its diversified product line.

Best Choice for Builders

7. NuTone PP7001 Central Vacuum System

This unit combines powerful suction and unmatched filtration, by removing dust, dirt, and other allergens from your home. The NuTone PP7001 central vacuum system features sealed HEPA 2.0 filtration along with a powerful 700 air watt motor. A secondary exhaust filter eliminates the carbon dust emitted by the motor providing unmatched filtration for the cleanest indoor air.

Ideal for homes up to 10,000 Sq Ft and for Builders that want a supreme quality central vacuum with easy multi-direction connection, even in smaller spaces. The NuTone PP7001 is designed with ULTRA SILENT Technology which combines sound-absorbing materials and assembly techniques to offer one of the lowest noise levels in the industry today.

NuTone is an American Company that holds major market positions in doorbells, central vacuum systems, kitchen exhaust range hoods, bathroom ventilation fans, and even mosquito-repellent systems. NuTone central vacuum systems gained a reputation in the industry because of their popularity with home builders.

Best Value in a Compact Size

8. Drainvac Little Giant Central Vacuum System

Best Value for Medium-Sized Homes

9. Beam SC375 Central Vacuum System

The Beam SC375 is ideal for medium homes up to 8,000 Sq ft. The SC375’s motor produces a powerful 650 air watts and 116” of water lift. This bagless central vacuum system is easy to maintain and features a GORE self-cleaning filter that cleans itself when the unit is shut off. The Beam SC375 unit has a 4-gallon dirt canister that easily twists off when it's time to empty.

Beam power units are designed to operate at a much lower decibel level with its QuietPak sound insulation system. A sound muffler is mounted to the exhaust to silence the air coming out which reduces noise levels along with sound insulating wrap and a carbon filter that surrounds the motor. This provides lower noise levels and better air quality around the unit.

Nuera Air, the manufacturer of Duovac and Husky central vacuums is now the proud owner of the Beam brand. Duovac and Husky central vacuum systems are recognized worldwide for their quality of manufacturing, performance, and durability for more than 50 years. While Beam has been recognized as the #1 brand worldwide for more than 60 years. Beam’s strong distribution network and brand notoriety make the acquisition a great asset in completing Nuera Air’s market coverage and product portfolio.

Best Central Vacuum for Extra Large Homes

10. Vacumaid SR64 Central Vacuum System

The Vacumaid SR64 is an ultra-powerful dual motor, 220-volt system that can accommodate large homes up to 18,000 Sq Ft. The SR64 has an inverted bag with a permanent filter. The permanent filter resists bacteria, mold, and mildew growth. The special Surf-Tex filter also captures 97% of dust, dirt, and other microscopic particles as small as 0.3 microns.

This filtered cyclonic system collects debris in its large 9.5-gallon dirt canister. The SR64 dirt canister features a patented air channel that allows the bottom canister to have a plastic liner for easier, cleaner debris emptying. Reliable cleaning is what its all about with the Vacumaid SR64. Utilizing the largest motor combination that Vacumaid offers, the SR64 is guaranteed to remove dirt, dust, and allergens in your home through its powerful cyclonic filtration.

Vacumaid only offers the highest quality central vacuum systems. Their power unit features long-life motors, superior filtration, and durable construction. The Vacumaid cyclonic systems have, by far, the most sustainable cleaning power in the industry allowing virtually 100% cleaning power always.

Best Central Vacuum in years past

11 (Bonus) - Electrolux PU3650 Central Vacuum System

For homes up to 8,000 Sq ft, the Electrolux PU3650 central vacuum system features a HEPA MicroSeal Fresh Air Technology. This technology is used in all of Electrolux’s vacuums to ensure clean and healthy indoor air. Its HEPA filtration can capture up to 99.97% of dust, dirt, and other allergens. It has a bi-directional intake that allows you to mount the unit from either side making installation a breeze. The PU3650 central vacuum system is constructed of steel for long-lasting durability.

The Electrolux PU3650 central vacuum is engineered with a patented Quiet Clean Sound Design. With a substantial 600 air watts and an unsurpassed 140” waterlift, you will receive maximum suction power. Durable and reliable the PU3650 has a limited lifetime warranty with a durable steel body and a 10-year warranty on all other parts. Another great feature of the PU3650 central vacuum is the LCD display to monitor the system's overall performance and when to check the dirt canister.

Electrolux has been a pioneer in the appliance industry for generations and has evolved within the central vacuum industry in dreaming up the technology and perfecting their appliances. However, in 2019 the company has been impacted by raw material prices and US trade policy due to the steep tariffs put in place. Electrolux has been hurting from the shutdown of many Sears locations as well. Electrolux, which owns Frigidaire has had to contend with higher steel prices and Sear's bankruptcy. Therefore, Electrolux has put a halt on the production of many of its appliances including their central vacuum systems.

Common FAQs about Central Vacuum Systems

What are the benefits of using a central vacuum system?

As the difference in price between central vacuum and portable vacuum cleaners have lessened, central vacuums have become more practical and more cost-effective. Central vacuums not only bring value to a home they also have health benefits including creating a healthy home with improved indoor air quality. This is especially important if you or a loved one suffers from asthma or allergies. In addition, central vacuums are versatile, easy to use, have minimal noise levels, and are better than the traditional vacuum cleaner.

How long does a central vacuum last?

Central vacuums last longer than traditional portable vacuum cleaners. On average traditional vacuum cleaners will last two years while a central vacuum can last 20 years or more. That is if you service the central vacuum when needed. Change filters and bags regularly, and keep the hose and pipes clear of debris.

Does a central vacuum need to be vented outside?

For the best indoor air quality, it is recommended to vent central vacuums outside. However, only cyclonic central vacuums must be vented outside. If venting is not an available option for you, we recommend choosing a bagged or filtered unit.

What is the best central vacuum system?

With so many central vacuum systems in the market today it can be overwhelming to choose the right central vacuum for your home. We have created a list of 10 most popular central vacuums in the United States.

Guide to Buying the Best Central Vacuum

The 6 Biggest Factors Customers Should Consider When Buying a Central Vacuum System for their Home

Installing a Central Vacuum in your home can be very valuable. It will not only improve the value of your home, but it will make cleaning your home easier. Whether you are replacing an old central vacuum system, installing a central vacuum unit to new construction, or even installing a central vacuum cleaner to an existing home, it is an easy process that can be done. The only decision now is to choose the right central vacuum system for the size of your home and cleaning needs. There are many options when it comes to choosing a central vacuum system for your home. We have broken down the features that should be taken into consideration when buying a central vacuum unit.

1. Coverage Area - What Square Footage Home will the Central Vacuum Cover?

We have broken the square footage into three categories. Small homes 3,500 Sq. Ft or smaller, medium homes 4,000 to 9,500 Sq. Ft , and large homes 10,000 Sq. Ft or larger . The rule of thumb in the central vacuum industry is to double the square footage of your home if you want adequate suction ( i.e. a 2000 sq ft home should choose from the 4,000 to 9,500 Sq. Ft)

2. Filtration Type - What level of Filtration is Right for Your Home?

There are a few different types of filtration that the central vacuum has to offer. The first is the most popular among those that have allergies or suffer from asthma, a disposable bag style is the easiest and most hygienic filtration type and dirt disposal. With bagged central vacuum systems, they also capture things like mold, bacteria, and other allergens. Without bags, these things will stay inside the dirt canister until it is emptied and has the potential of recirculating back into the air. The next type of filtration is a bagless central vacuum with a secondary filter. These central vacuum units are common. Although the canister of the central vacuum can still contain the same things a bag capture most of it is captured by the filter. These filters will save you plenty of time and money because these filters can sometimes be washed, or they are self-cleaning. The last type is the true filtered cyclonic which is also a bagless central vacuum. Cyclonic-type central vacuums are required to be vented outside and are not suitable for allergy or asthma sufferers. The upside to the true cyclonic filtration bagless central vacuums is the are no bags or filters to buy and these vacuums can easily be maintained.

3. Dog and Cats - Do you have pets in your home?

If you have a pet in your home, you know how difficult it can be to keep your floors and furniture clean. Central vacuum systems perform exceptionally well when it comes to picking up pet hair, dander, dust mites, pet orders, allergens, and other unwanted debris in your home. In addition to choosing a central vacuum with superior suction power, you will want to choose an attachment kit and/or pet attachments to tackle those stubborn cleaning tasks around your home.

4. Air Watts - Suction, Suction Suction

The Air watts indicate the motors' global performance and the central vacuum's efficiency level. The air watts value relates between the airflow, suction, and power consumption. According to ASTM’s international standards, this data is calculated as followed. P = 1/8.5xFxS where P translates to the power in air watts; F is the airflow in CFM, and S is for water lift. Although it is good to know the air watt value of a central vacuum system, relying on the data alone is not enough. A central vacuum must also be evaluated by more precise criteria such as water lift, airflow, canister capacity, surface area to clean, the choice between indoor or outdoor exhausting, and so much more.

5. Carpet or Tile - Get the right Vacuum for Your Home?

When it comes to choosing the right central vacuum you will also take into consideration the type of flooring you have in your home. A home with carpets will require more suction power and specific powerheads with rotating brush rollers to separate and refresh carpet fibers. Homes with tile or hardwood flooring require a bare floor brush preferably one with soft bristles and wheels. Most homes today have combination flooring. In this case, you would want to choose a complete attachment kit that includes all the tools and attachments you need to clean both carpets and bare flooring.

6. Type of Central Vacuums - Which one is right for me?

Central vacuum systems come in three types bagged, filtered systems, and cyclonic systems. The filtered units use filtration materials like cloth, paper, foam, cartridges, or screens that filter the air that goes through the system during vacuuming. These units require regular replacement of bags and or filters. Cyclonic systems use cyclonic force to clean the air that goes into the system. Most cyclonic units do not use a disposable dust bag, instead, the dirt is deposited into a separate dirt canister. These units can be a bit messy to empty so it is not recommended to use cyclonic systems if you suffer from asthma or allergies. Bagged units are the popular choice of central vacuum owners. Plus you will have the option to choose the bag filtration level.

Bagged: A bagged central vacuum is the cleaner and easier way of disposing of dirt, dust, and debris. With a bagged system the disposable bags are located in the central vacuum's canister where the dirt and dust are collected. Central vacuum bags come in a variety of filtration levels such as standard, micro-lined, and HEPA. Bagged units are the best form of protection for allergy sufferers. A bag is also known as the first line f defense in protecting the central vacuum motor.

Bagless: With a bagless unit, the dirt enters into the vacuum's canister with cyclonic action. These systems can have an inverted filter that cleans itself when the system is turned off or a cartridge filter that filters out finer dust and dirt while the larger debris is deposited into the canister. These systems can be a bit messier and may require a little more cleaning to avoid clogging and loss of suction.

Cyclonic: Also known as true cyclonic, these units provide sustained cleaning power by separating the dirt from the airflow without the use of bags or filters. With these units, the cleaning performance will not decrease as dirt accumulates. Cyclonic central vacuum systems must be vented outside. So if venting outside is not an option for you then it is best to choose a bagged system or a bagless filtered unit.