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  • Best Central Vacuums: Medium Homes (up to 9500 sq ft) - Comparison Chart

Disclaimer: The information on this page reflects our opinions based upon our many years of experience in the industry.

Compare Central Vacuums For Yourself
We've done all the research for you

sized Sized Homes
square Square Feet
Simply Put...
The Higher The Air-Watts,
The Better The Pickup.

 

Brand Model Suction Power Air Watts Warranty Filtration Sound Type Ratings Price
Drainvac Turbo   900 Lifetime* Teflon HEPA 62 Bag / Bagless See Price
Purvac Great White 900 Lifetime* Teflon HEPA 62 Bag / Bagless See Price
Drainvac Dark Edition 875 Lifetime* Teflon HEPA 60 Bag / Bagless See Price
Drainvac Viper 860 Lifetime* Teflon HEPA 58 Bag / Bagless See Price
PurVac Barracuda 860 Lifetime* Teflon HEPA 58 Bag / Bagless See Price
Drainvac PetVac 810 Lifetime* Teflon HEPA 58 Bag / Bagless See Price
Drainvac DV1R15-FL 800 Lifetime* Pure Air 70 Wet/Dry See Price
Drainvac Cobra 800 Lifetime* Teflon HEPA 62 Bag / Bagless See Price
Drainvac Summum 760 Lifetime* Teflon HEPA 62 Bag / Bagless N/A
DuoVac Star 756 Lifetime* Teflon HEPA 58 Bag / Bagless See Price
Purvac Stingray 727 Lifetime* Teflon HEPA 58 Bag / Bagless See Price
Easy-Flo SQ9060 700 N/A Filter Bag N/A Bag N/A
Duovac Air 10 694 True Lifetime* HEPA 55 Bag / Bagless See Price
Vaumaid SR46 663 10 Years Cyclonic 60 Bagless See Price
Simplicity SCU-H9 655 N/A HEPA N/A Bag / Bagless N/A
Husky Flex 651 N/A Permanent 60 Bag / Bagless N/A
Nutone PP6501 650 10 Years Sealed HEPA 65 Bag / Bagless See Price
Beam SC375 650 10 Years Self Cleaning 72 Bagless See Price
Hayden Titanium 650 N/A Permanent N/A Bag / Bagless See Price
OVO 630ST-25H 630 China China/N.A 63 China? China Made
Riccar RCU-H5 605 N/A HEPA N/A Bag / Bagless N/A
Vacuflo DB7000 601 Lifetime* Triple Layer 62 Bag See Price
Dirt Devil DB7000 601 N/A CarbonCapture 67 Bag N/A
Powerstar PS705 600 5 Year Limited Self Cleaning N/A Bagless See Price
Nutone PP600 600 8 Years HEPA 68 Bag See Price
Nadair 600-AL-32 600 5 Year Permanent 68 N/A See Price
Honeywell 4B-H703 590 5 Year Self Cleaning 65 Bagless See Price
Allegro MU4500 575 N/A Self Cleaning 60 Bagless N/A
Dirt Devil CV2600 575 N/A Cartridge 62 Cyclonic N/A
Vacuflo FC650 575 Lifetime* Cyclonic 62.8 Bagless See Price
Royal CS820 575 Lifetime* Cartridge 63 Cyclonic N/A
Canavac LS-690 566 Limited Life* HEPA 73 Hybrid See Price
Cana-Vac LS-490 566 Limited Life* HEPA 73 Bagged See Price
Dirt Devil DB5000 560 N/A CarbonCapture 62 Bag N/A
Ultra Clean 7500 550 N/A Permanent 68 Bagless N/A
Vacuflo 566Q 535 Lifetime* Cyclonic 60.7 Bagless See Price
Easy Flo SQ9010 533 N/A Filter Bag N/A Bag N/A
Royal CS820 520 Limited* Cyclonic 62 Bagless N/A
Dirt Devil CV2200 520 N/A Cyclonic 64 Bagless N/A
Vacuflo FC550 520 Lifetime* Cyclonic 64.2 Bagless See Price
*Lifetime typically means the whole body of the machine. Manufacturers warranties may differ, check specifications for complete details. * The data represents peak air watts with motor tolerances as set forth by Ametek-Lamb/Domel/Electro Motor. Individual motor performance may vary due to normal manufacturing variations, accepted ranges, voltage, apertures, altitude and installation circumstances.
If you can't find a vacuum brand on this list, chances are it's private-labeled.
Why is private-labeling bad? Click here for information.

See what builders and the public are inquiring about the most.
Which one makes the grade... Click Here

Most central vacuums consist of a built-in vacuum power unit, centrally located, which contains the vacuum motor and dirt collector or canister. From the central vacuum unit, tubing is simply routed through walls by way of the attic or under floors to conveniently located wall inlets. When vacuuming, a lightweight, flexible hose is inserted into the wall inlets which turns on the central vacuum. With a set of central vacuum attachments, all surfaces may be cleaned with ease of use. After cleaning is finished, the central vacuum hose is put away & out of sight. View All Central Vacuums....

Find out what central vacuum is best for your home size.
How much strength (power) do you want...Click Here

We at Thinkvacuums.com give our customer's many central vacuums to choose from as well as offer central vacuum system reviews. With a mega selection, we can get you the best vacuum to fit your needs and budget. We give our customers a complete selection of the available brands and let you choose what you want. We will never try to persuade our customers to buy our own brand name or private label (we don't have one) like some online dealers. Choose from a builders grade budget or a top of the line vacuum based on your needs, whether it be power, warranty, service, noise, etc. With a network of builders throughout the country, and with thousands of hours and years of research, we are able to keep the builders and public up to date on the latest and greatest in the central vacuum field so you can make a wise decision...

Researching the benefits of a central vacuum?
Things you probably didn't know...Click Here
Not all central vacuum design were created equal.
Which one makes the grade...Click Here
Our Top 16 Most Frequently Asked Questions
â–ºWhich Central Vacuum sells the most?More info...

When shopping for a central vac there are numerous central vacuum manufacturers on the market today in the United States. We at Thinkvacuums.com carry the best and largest selection of central vacuum systems to choose from. That being said, here outlined is the Best Central Vacuum Brand in the industry. There are leaders and innovators (Drainvac), then there are mere followers and copycats (competition). Drainvac leads the central vacuum industry in technology and innovation. Unlike some manufacturers who claim they are made in the United States but in fact, the parts are made In China, with DrainVac, all manufacturing takes place in North America using the finest European Motors... You Can't Get Better Than That...

>â–ºAs experts, which central vacuum would you recommend for me? More info...

Find the right Central Vacuum System. Most central vacuums consist of a built-in vacuum power unit, centrally located, which contains the vacuum motor and dirt collector or canister. From the central vacuum unit, tubing is simply routed through walls by way of the attic or under floors to conveniently located wall inlets. When vacuuming, a lightweight, flexible hose is inserted into the wall inlets which turns on the central vacuum. With a set of central vacuum attachments, all surfaces may be cleaned with ease of use. After cleaning is finished, the central vacuum hose is put away & out of sight. View All Central Vacuums....

â–ºI'm a pet owner, is there a central vac designed specifically for pet hair problems?More info...
â–ºWhat is the most environmentally friendly top of the line central vacuum system?More info...
â–ºMy family has severe allergies, which vacuum provides me with the best filtration?More info...
â–ºHow can I learn the differences between motors?More info...
â–ºBag, bagless or cyclonic? Which is best for me?More info...
â–ºWill my old attachments work with any new central vacuum? More info...
â–ºI'm a builder and my client is on a budget; I want the best bang for my buck! Powerful suction matters. I don't want something that will break down every year. More info...
â–ºWhy is it important to buy a quiet central vacuum? More info...
â–ºWhat is the longest lasting/best warranted central vacuum on the market today?More info...
â–ºIf I'm replacing my central vacuum, am I stuck with the same brand? Can I get one from a different manufacturer?More info...
â–ºHow do I measure and choose the correct suction power for my home?More info...
â–ºCan I trust buying a central vacuum from a private-labeled company?More info...
â–ºHow do I get service for my vacuum after buying from you? More info...
â–ºWhat's the difference between ABS and metal central vacuum units? More info...
â–ºShould I vent my central vacuum system?More info...
ThinkVacuums.com is one of the Largest Distributors of Central Vacuums in the United States via the Internet
Bagged Style
Clean & Easy
CENTRAL VACUUM   -    BAG OR BAGLESS ?
It All Depends on Just How Close You Want to Get To Your Dirt..

More Info..
Bagless Style
Dust Everywhere!
Hepa-Teflon is typically a lifetime filter that doesn't need to be replaced.Teflon is a registered Trademark of E.I. duPont company.
* Lifetime warranty pertains to canister & casing, motor warranties may vary.
* Lifetime warranties are considered the best in the industry
Consumer Publications
The first consumer publications on central vacuums came out in 2004, which means all machines were tested in 2003. This particular publication was generally not accepted in the central vacuum industry as accurate. There was a very small amount of vacuums tested at this time, therefore limiting the results they could of had. A lot of variables such as filtration type, bag or bagless style, quietness, etc. were left out of the equation. This means any vacuums that were featured in this publication were not compared to all the other central vacuums on the market and can be misleading. This industry changes rapidly with stronger, more quieter vacuum units and with more advanced technology going into central vacuums, consumer report magazines simply can't keep up with the changes. Our staff continuously attends vacuum conventions and seminars to make sure we are aware of all the latest advances in the central vacuum industry. The question is, do you want to make your investment based on something a writer for a magazine wrote or from the advice from a central vacuum expert? With over 30 years of experience, we eat and breath this business.

 

Click here for More Info..

 

Although the different consumer magazines can be a good guide to purchasing a good central vacuum, many individual needs are not taken into consideration. For example, if you have a child that suffers from asthma you may need a certain filtration. Another example would be the sound level of a central vacuum. You may need to install the unit in a interior closet, requiring a quiet unit. They also do not talk about the units track record of service or repairs. These are just some examples of individual needs that make a in depth comparison chart a better guide when purchasing a central vacuum. We were approached in the fall of 2009 by two popular and leading consumer magazines because of our unbiased, comprehensive and truthful knowledge of the central vacuum industry. They wanted the most of complete overview of the central vacuum industry so they could form their own opinion based on thousands of hours of research. They actually purchased the majority of the vacuums they tested. Seven of the 13 units that were purchased from us were to be tested for future publications. They choose our site to buy that day, and when we got that phone call we felt like we were on cloud 9

 

Central Vacuum Ratings
There are 10 universal factors that go into these ratings. These factors are power, warranty, quietness, convenience, longevity, durability, maintenance, state-of-the-art materials, number of service calls and best dollar value. Here at ThinkVacuums, with over 50 years experience joining forces with practically every manufacturer, supplier, engineer, installer, blueprint specialist, and service people, we have come up with this website to help you as the consumer make the best choice in choosing the right central vacuum for your needs. We do not private label our own central vacuum like some others do on the internet as we believe that's s very shady way of doing business and trying to convce you to buy a brand no one has ever heard of, yes because it's their own! Buyer Beware: Click Here For More information..., Click Here At ThinkVacuums, we are Real People, located right here in the United States and you will be talking to people that live, breath, and sleep Vacuums. We are the real deal!

True Cyclonic Central Vacuums

You will hear sales people make many claims such as 100% Efficiency
At All Times, No Loss of Power, NoFilters To Clean,
Always Constant, No Bags To Buy,Always Cleaning With Full Power, etc.

Want The Truth?    Here's The Dirt They Don't Want You To Know.

Selecting The Right Central Vacuum System

When choosing a built-in central vacuum system, the process begins with the power unit. Power units vary in size, motors, separation techniques and filtration methods. All these elements directly affect the overall performance and cleaning power of any central vacuum system.

In order to evaluate and compare the different manufactured power units in the marketplace, it is important to know and understand the industry's standards by which they are measured and assessed.

AMPS

Amps represent the amount of electrical current consumed by the motor during use. This implies that the more electricity the motor uses, the more powerful it is. However, this is not necessarily true. A motor that uses more electrical current does not always mean the current is being used more efficiently. Amps has nothing to do with the power of a central vacuum. Period.

Horsepower

Horsepower measures the power of a motor. (Central vacuums are not rated in horsepower).Horsepower can vary according to voltages, motor loads and temperature variances, and is not an accurate measure of how well a vacuum system will pick up dirt.


Airwatts is a combination of water lift (suction) and CFM (airflow). This is the truest measure of cleaning power. 97% of all central vacuum manufactures measure the power of their units by Airwatts. Maximum Airwatts is recognized by the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) as the best way to measure the actual cleaning power of a central vacuum system. Other misleading terms such as Airflow, CFM's and Waterlift are not a true measurement of power, but rather part of an equation that equals Airwatts.

Airwatts is the only recognized testing method as set forth by the American Society of Testing and Materials. F558-98 Standard Test Method for Measuring Air Performance Characteristics of Vacuum Cleaners that tests the actual (suction) cleaning power of a central vacuum.

This measures the suction strength of a central vacuum motor. Essentially, it tells how much "pull" or "lift" power the motor has. This measurement is always taken at its maximum value, the 0" inch orifice (sealed vacuum) where suction is at it's greatest. Since this measurement is taken from the 0" orifice, it is very misleading. This measurement does not take into account piping, hoses or accessories etc., thus giving a false measurement of power. Often referred to as Inches or Waterlift or Vacuum, Suction is vital to overall system performance since it is the "pull power" that maintains Airflow though the complex network of vacuum pipe, hose and accessories. While Airflow is necessary for a vacuum cleaner to work, suction creates the lift and velocity of air which sweeps dirt away.
Waterlift is NOT a true measure of suction, however it is a form of measurement and part of the equation when measuring Air Watts. This is the most misleading measurement of suction power. Please note certain companies will inflate this number to influence a consumer by making the suction power appear stronger - Wrong!

This measures the maximum volume of air the motor is capable of moving and works in tandem with "Suction". Maximum CFM ratings occur when the vacuum system if operating without restrictions to airflow. In normal vacuuming conditions, hoses, cleaning attachments, bags, filters and accumulated dust create restrictions to airflow, reducing the CFM. Airflow can be a bit confusing however, since performance measurements are taken from the motor and do not factor any resistance found in a typical central vacuum system. Filtration, piping, hoses and accessories all restrict and reduce the amount of actual Airflow a system has. While Airflow is important to system performance, Suction or the "pulling of air" maintains the Airflow velocity necessary to sweep dirt and debris away at the hose end where vacuuming takes place.

CFM alone is NOT a good indicator of vacuum cleaning performance, or a true measure of suction, however it is a form of measurement and part of the equation when measuring Air Watts. This is a misleading measurement of suction power. Please note certain companies will lower this number in order to inflate the waterlift. This is done to influence a consumer by making the suction power appear stronger - Wrong!

What is an airwatt anyway? This is the truest measurement of suction power.
An "airwatt" is derived by mathematically combining two crucial performance measures for any vacuum. These are "Waterlift", which measures the power of a vacuum, and "CFM" - Cubic Feet of Air Moved per Minute. Both measures are important to the performance of your vacuum. In order to get a full picture when comparing two vacuum units, it is always advisable to compare all three parameters.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Airwatt is the only recognized testing method as set forth by the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM)* F558-98 Standard Test Method for Measuring Air Performance Characteristics of Vacuum Cleaners that tests the actual cleaning power of a vacuum.

HEPA FILTRATION

HEPA rated media helps remove microscopically small dirt particles, much more so than conventional filter materials. The very best filtration in the central vacuum industry. Ideal for allergy and asthma sufferers, a must-have for every central vacuum.

Installing the right power unit in your home is critical to the overall performance of a central vacuum system, and insures you the customer having total satisfaction.

POWER UNIT SELECTION

We recommend the power unit based on the size of a home, the longest run of tubing and the number of inlet valves. These figures are estimates, and need to be used in conjunction with the actual tube layout and valve placement.

RECOMMENDED NUMBER OF INLET VALVES

When determining the number of inlet valves it is important to provide maximum coverage with a minimum number of inlet valves. However, there is not a maximum number of valves per unit. As a general rule of thumb, the approximate number of inlet valves needed for a home can be calculated by dividing the total square footage by 600 (if a 30-foot hose is being used).

THE LONGEST RUN OF TUBING

Excessively long tube runs can affect performance. Therefore, the length of tubing running from the exhaust location to the furthest inlet valve from the power unit should be no longer than the recommended amount.

False
Built-in systems are hard to install.
True
Built-in systems can be installed during construction of a new home or can easily be retrofitted in existing homes! It's extremely easy to install. Any central vacuum unit may be installed virtually anywhere in your home: a basement, garage (preferable), closet pantry, or a crawl space. Most companies prefer using a bagged system versus bagless for more hygienic reasons.
False
Installation can't be completed in one day.
True
Installation of the thin wall PVC piping and the PVC fittings, installing the wall inlet valves, running the low voltage wire to the valves and mounting the power unit can be accomplished in most homes in less than one day!
False
Built-in central vacuum cleaning systems are a rich person's indulgence.
True
Innovation in designing and function continues to bring greater convenience and superior cleaning results for considerably less money than might be expected, in many cases for less than the cost of portables.

*none of the manufacturers listed on this page are sponsoring, or affiliated with Think Vacuums or Thinkvacuums.com