10 Best Backpack Vacuum Cleaners – (Reviews & Guide 2020)

Backpack vs. Upright Vacuum Cleaners

When most people think of a vacuum cleaner, they picture an upright. It’s one of the most popular types of vacuum cleaners in the world due to its convenience.

The upright market is worth 2.2 billion dollars. This makes up almost half of the overall vacuum cleaner segment, which amounts to more than 4.6 billion.

Uprights can be characterized by their compact nature. Most of the vacuum’s components are built directly onto the handle body, resulting in a piece of gear that takes up very little space.

When they were first introduced into the market, uprights changed the way people cleaned their homes.

Before uprights came onto the scene, canister vacuums were the most predominant. Unfortunately, most canister products were large, clunky, and difficult to move around.

Uprights provided a more manageable cleaning solution. The rise of upright popularity couldn’t have had better timing, as thick carpeting throughout the home had become the norm.

Backpack units and uprights utilize the same kinds of technology to power them. They feature strong electric motors that drive fans to create suction. Both machines can also use a strong filtration system and removable bag. However, that’s where the similarities end. The two machines have some fundamental differences.

These differences are becoming more obvious now as changes in interior design and lifestyle have caused more and more people to turn towards backpack vacuums as an alternative to traditional uprights.

Some more differences…

One of the biggest differences is maneuverability. Upright vacuums can be quite bulky. Initially, these vacuums started out as a compact substitute for large canisters. But, the increased demand for more features and power has resulted in machines that don’t perform well in smaller spaces.

To operate an upright, you have to constantly push and pull the vacuum as you navigate the space. It doesn’t help that uprights are considerably heavier than other options. They can weigh upwards of 30 pounds, making them more difficult to move.

On the other side of the spectrum, you have backpack vacuums. They are designed for portability and ease of use.

They are very similar to canister vacuums in terms of design. However, all of the important components are housed in a single unit that’s strapped to your back. A long hose and simple suction head are attached.

As mentioned earlier, backpack models were first introduced to the commercial market. In commercial settings, the janitorial staff has to clean buildings that are several thousands of square feet in size.

With backpack configurations, you are able to move quickly throughout the building without having to sacrifice on overall quality and efficiency.

The second most notable difference between an upright and backpack is the cleaning head itself. Uprights were made for home use at a time when carpeting became more accessible.

As a result, the key feature of these vacuums is their rolling brush. It’s covered in thick bristles that are capable of dislodging stubborn dirt and hair. As the vacuum goes over the carpet fibers, the combination of strong suction and a rolling beater helps to make soft flooring surfaces as clean as possible.

But what if you don’t have carpeted floors? Carpet and rug sales have been on the decline for well over a decade. Homeowners have begun to switch to hardwood, laminate, tile, and even concrete, as these materials add more value to a property.

Also read about: What are the 8 Best Vacuums for Long Pile Shag Carpets

Uprights are not effective for cleaning hard flooring surfaces. In fact, roller brushes and carpet fiber agitators can actually do more harm than good. The stiff bristles are notorious for creating visible surface scratches.

Backpack style vacuums don’t have a brush. The cleaning wand and head are made to be as light as possible to ensure that prolonged use is comfortable. Because there’s no roller to deal with, backpack products are quite versatile. They can be used on carpet, tile, wood, and so much more.

Benefits of Using Backpack Cleaners

The backpack vacuums may not be as popular as uprights, but they’re quickly coming back in style. Whether you’re looking for a vacuum that you can use every day in your home or seeking a new machine that can improve your efficiency while tackling a large office, there are many reasons to consider a backpack product.

They offer a slew of benefits that are worth talking about.

1. Health Benefits
   

   Just because your home looks clean after a vacuum session doesn’t mean that it actually is. Vacuums work to suck air from deep within carpet fibers and tough hiding spots. However, in the process, they often result in a considerable amount of dust becoming airborne. Researchers found that as much as 62 emissions can be kicked into the air as you vacuum.

   All of this is caused by poor design. Inside the vacuum, fast blades are spinning to produce suction. This helps to pull contaminants off the floor and into the tank or bag. Typically, the bag’s seal is the vulnerable point. A damaged seal causes particles to blow out of the vacuum’s exhaust system and into the air you’re breathing.

   With a high-quality backpack vacuum, this isn’t something that you have to worry about. A robust filtration system is used to prevent tiny dust particles from escaping.

   Most models use a HEPA filter. HEPA stands for high-efficiency particulate air. The fibers of the filter are woven so tight that it blocks 99.97 percent of particles from getting through.

   Not only that, but backpack vacuums have to be built with extra safety precautions. Unlike standard uprights, backpack units are constantly on the move. So, they need to be sealed tightly to prevent any dirt from falling out on the job.

2. Ergonomic
   

   Contrary to popular belief, backpack style vacuums are not heavy or cumbersome. They only weigh between 10 or 15 pounds. Not only that, but the way that these machines are designed ensures that you’re free to move comfortably. The various straps work to distribute weight evenly throughout your body, preventing any unnecessary stress on your back.

   The length of the suction wand can help to improve comfort as well. Because the suction head is not bulky like it is on an upright, you can operate the vacuum with one hand.

   Using a standard upright or canister vacuum has actually been shown to increase your chances of developing a musculoskeletal issue. Having to constantly bend over while pushing a 30-pound vacuum is not ideal. There’s a very real risk of suffering from a back injury.

   Using a backpack vacuum cleaner can reduce or eliminate those issues, allowing you to stay comfortable no matter how large the cleaning job is.

3. Lightweight and Portable
   

   As we stated earlier, most of these cleaning devices only weigh between 10 and 15 pounds. This all depends on the available features and brand. Either way, the lightweight design does wonders in terms of portability.

   Vacuuming stairs and smaller spaces is no easy task with an upright. You are constantly having to move things around while finding a suitable approach angle to suck up as much grime as possible. By strapping a vacuum to your back, a big part of the challenge is already taken care. Your device goes wherever you go, all without having to lift it up manually with your arms.

   Cleaning with a backpack vacuum for the first time can be a weird experience. You can use a single hand to operate the suction wand and another to move furniture and decor around. No more turning the vacuum on and off every few seconds.

4. More Durable
   

   These days, a top-notch vacuum is a big investment. Some brands have pushed the boundaries on what a vacuum cleaner can do, resulting in a price hike that affects everyone. High-end equipment can cost over $1,000. Whether you decide to spend that much money on your new vacuum or not, it’s important to choose something that lasts.

   The average upright vacuum lasts between 5 to 7 years. Backpack vacuums, on the other hand, are capable of lasting much longer. They were first conceived as a commercial product. Even today, that commercial quality remains. That means better parts, stronger materials, and enhanced performance.

   Also, backpack products have naturally fewer parts than a stick or upright. They stay off the ground, so there is no need for wheels. Because there are no wheels, swivelling features are rendered useless. There’s also no spinning brush, lights, or any other unnecessary features. With fewer components that could fail at any moment, most backpack style vacuums tend to outlive their more complicated counterparts.

5. Versatile Use
   

   Chances are, you have more than one type of flooring surface in your home and commercial space. The backpack vacuums can tackle them all. They do well with carpeted areas because of their strong suction power. However, these machines won’t cause physical damage to your precious hard floors like an upright vacuum could.

   Also, most backpack style cleaners have very long wands that make it easy to reach under tight spots. Instead of ignoring all those dust bunnies hiding under furniture, you can slip the wand through to make sure that every inch of your building is clean.

6. Increased Productivity
   

   When it comes to productivity, nothing can beat a backpack vacuum cleaner. Not even a robot vacuum. In an hour, most upright vacuums can clean as much as 3,240 square feet. Obviously many factors can affect this figure, but it’s a good median. Those who use a backpack product for the same hour can clean as much a 7,407 square feet. That’s more than double what an upright can do!

   There’s a lot that goes into this improved efficiency. However, the biggest contributing factor is that backpack configurations are simply easier to maneuver. They’re much lighter, easier to lift onto stairs, and can be used without having to constantly worry about where the cord is.

   In addition to cleaning up more surface area in a shorter amount of time, backpack vacuums tend to provide you with more suction power. According to Quality Environmental Services and Technologies, backpack units can pick up 43 percent more dirt than the alternatives.

   Also read about: What are the 18 Best Pet Hair Vacuums in the US market

What Key Features to Consider When Buying a Backpack Vacuum

Finding that perfect backpack vacuum is not always easy. The market is flooded with cheap knock-offs and products that simply can’t live up to the hype. To find one that works for your building, lifestyle, and needs, keep the following things in mind on your search.

• Type of Flooring
  

  We said earlier that the best backpack vacuum is capable of tackling all types of flooring surfaces. While this is true, you still want to consider where you’ll be using the vacuum.

  There is one type of floor covering that isn’t suitable for backpack vacuum cleaners. And, that would be high-pile carpets and rugs.

  Standard carpets and low-pile varieties you often find in commercial buildings are perfectly fine. However, shaggy carpets have piles that are far too long to be cleaned without the use of an agitator.

  Because backpack products don’t have a roller brush, they won’t have the same great effect in these situations. Other than that, these vacuums are great for most applications.

  Read more: What is the best cleaner for luxury vinyl floors?

• Frequency of Use

  If this vacuum is going to be something that you use every day or only once a week? This is a question you should be asking yourself because it may influence the capacity you need to go with. Typically, backpack vacuums have a higher storage tank or bag than uprights. However, that will vary from brand to brand.

  On the smaller end of the spectrum, you’ll find one-gallon capacities. They’re ideal for daily use as you can easily empty the tank at the end of the cleaning session. If you don’t need to vacuum every day, you may want to consider a backpack style vacuum with a larger capacity. Larger units can hold up to 2.5 gallons of debris. With these models, you can complete a large portion of the building without having to empty it.

• Suction Power
  

  Your vacuums ability to provide strong and steady suction will affect how well it performs. When you’re looking at machines, there are a few ways to tell how strong it is. The easiest is to simply look at the power of the motor.

  Vacuums utilize an electric motor that drives a fan. This creates the suction. Stronger motors can deliver better results. While you can easily get a vacuum that uses as much as 3,000 watts, we recommend sticking around 1,500 watts. That’s more than enough power to do what you need the vacuum to do. Going with a more powerful motor will result in increased energy usage.

  Some vacuums have two motors with different power ratings. These vacuums have an extra motor to prevent dirt from getting into the primary motor. They’re called multi-cyclonic vacuums. If you’re considering one of these devices, pay attention to the power rating of the first motor above anything else.

  In some cases, you may also encounter products that utilize a CFM rating to market the suction power. Standing for Cubic Feet per Minute, a CFM refers to how much air the fans within the motor can move. This measurement is determined by performing strict tests. If you’re looking for the most powerful backpack vacuum that money can buy, go with a higher CFM.

• Weight and Size

  The weight and size of the vacuum you choose will ultimately determine how comfortable it is to use. Of course, smaller and lighter options are always going to be your most comfortable bet. However, in going with one of those options, you’re sacrificing capacity and possibly power.

  As a good general rule of thumb, you should never have something on your back, that’s more than 20 percent of your body weight. This could lead to upper back pain and a host of unwanted symptoms. Luckily, some of the best backpack vacuums only weight between 10 and 15 pounds, which is considerably less than the 20 percent rule for most people.

• Do You Need to Control Allergens?

  

  Allergies to dust and mites are relatively common, so many manufacturers include HEPA filters with their devices. If you’re an allergy sufferer, it’s imperative that you choose one of these vacuums. HEPA filters can block as much as 99.97 percent of microscopic irritants.

  As the vacuum is sucking up dirt, the filter will prevent anything from escaping. It can let air escape through the exhaust system but block potential allergens that are 0.3 microns or larger in diameter. This prevents them from going into your lungs and wreaking havoc on your immune system.

  Read more: Best UV Dust Mite Vacuums for Allergies

• Noise Levels and Comfort
  

  On average, standard uprights produce around 70 decibels of noise when they’re on. Some models may even go higher than that. Backpack vacuums are, for the most part, much quieter. They average around 60 to 70 decibels.

  It’s important to keep how you plan on using the vacuum in mind. If it’s going to be used to clean out a large office, it’s going to running for prolonged periods of time. The person operating it will have to be exposed to high decibel levels as they clean. If that’s the case, invest in a model that’s quite yet efficient.

• Number of Attachments

  If you’re looking for a backpack vacuum that has all the bells and whistles, you won’t have a problem finding one. However, you may find yourself not using them. These gadgets are already very efficient. They simply don’t need all of those fancy attachments in most instances.

  Additionally, the variation of attachments you find maybe a bit more limited. The most common attachments for these vacuums are made to give the carpet a nice effect or to reach those hard-to-reach spots.

• Maintenance Requirements

  One of the best things about a backpack style vacuum is that they have a very low maintenance requirement. The simplified design and rugged construction techniques make it last for many years. At most, you will have to change out the bag.

  Whatever the case may be, make sure that you fully understand what it will take to keep your vacuum in good condition. Some of the most common problems are easy to avoid with just a few maintenance tasks.

• Warranty and Support

  Last, but not least, take a look at the warranty and see if they have a support line that you can contact if you need help. Vacuums are a considerable investment. A warranty provides you with some peace of mind. If it stops working, the warranty may cover the issue so that you can get a replacement.

  Read the fine print to see what types of limitations the warranty has and how long it lasts. Also, see if there are any activities that could cause the warranty to be voided.

Wrap Up

All in all, backpack vacuums are an under-rated piece of cleaning equipment. They have all the features to help you clean your property quickly and efficiently. Unfortunately, not all people are aware of the benefits that a backpack vacuum can provide.

No matter how you plan to use your product, the versatility of the best backpack vacuum cleaner ensures that each job is completed quickly and efficiently. Because of how easy they are to use, you may even find that you enjoy cleaning more than ever before.