Yesterday I posted about the new Makita X2 Backpack vacuum, and today Amazon has a Hoover Commercial backpack vacuum on sale as one of its deals of the day. Weird coincidence, but an opportunity to put the Makita vac in perspective.
This deal ends 1/19/17 at 3am ET, unless supplies run out sooner.
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(We first posted about this deal on 7/7/2016, and updated it on 1/18/2017. The 7/7/16 price was $205, the 1/18/17 deal price is $200.)
The Hoover C2401 vacuum has a HEPA filter, 6.4 quart capacity dust canister, 60″ hose, and comes with 2pc 38″ extension wands, a crevice tool, a floor nozzle, dusting brush, and upholstery tool.
The power cord is 48 feet long.
Hoover kept the wait under 10 lbs (9.2 lbs), but ridiculously says this about the weight:
As one year-old toddlers often weigh less than 10 lbs., so does the C2401 backpack vacuum!
Umm… no. Newborns weigh that much in their first few months. Some babies weigh more than that at birth! 20-something pounds is about right for an ~1 year old.
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Still, less than 10 lbs for a backpack vac seems to be the common target.
Hoover says that this vac has a quick change cord, but I’m not quite sure what that means. They talk about switching outlets, but in that regard are there power plugs that are not quick change?
48 feet seems like a whole lot of range, which is good. Well, if you want to be roped to an outlet.
Compared to the Makita brushless backpack vac, this one is corded, not cordless, less expensive, and with greater collection volume. It’s also HEPA-rated.
Deal-wise, the sale pricing looks decent, but I really just thought this was a good opportunity to examine the features and specs of another backpack vac to put the Makita vac to better context.
On paper, the 48-foot power cord, which probably doesn’t count towards the 9.2 lb weight, judging by the 21 lb quoted shipping weight, seems like a nice long cord to be leashed by.
A quick browse turned up numerous other backpack vacs, with the Makita still being the only cordless one I could find.
With the Makita, heavy cleanup might require more frequent canister dumps, but you’re not tethered to the wall as with a corded vac.
I’ve been thinking about it more, and backpack vacs seem like great ideas in tight spaces and mixed environments. Think buses, homes with lots of stairs, commercial spaces with racks and other floor fixtures.
Sale Price: $200
Buy Now(via Amazon)
Deal ends 1/19/2017 at 3am ET unless supplies run out sooner.
Roger
I bought one of these a year ago for general around-the-house use – it’s awesome.
The “quick change cord” just refers to the fact that the vac has a short (1ft) hardwired power cord into which you plug a longer extension cord (included).
Stuart
What would be the benefit of that – the ability to use shorter extensions when needed?
Roger
Yeah, and it makes it a lot easier to carry and store without a long cord flopping around .
Justin
Imagine someone tripping over the cord while its strapped to your back nice and snug…
It’s probably meant as a break-away feature so you don’t get knocked over or fall down a flight of stairs.
Reflector
Think of it as a Plug It or powerCons but for vacuums. Sebo also did something like this for a commercial version of their canister vacuum by replacing the automatic wind up cord with a receptacle.They also did this for one of their latest commercial uprights for or at least by putting in what looks like the female end of a standard computer power supply. If the cord ever gets nicked/worn out, the end user doesn’t have to take the vacuum apart and hard-rewire it. Given that’s not too hard in some cases, they’re designing this for a commercial end user where cords get seen as a consumable.
fred
The subcontractor we used for doing floor/stair finishing used a corded Nilfisk backpack vacuum for final cleanup work. It always seemed like a good idea to me – but the Nilfisk price tag put me off a bit considering that I already have 2 Miele home vacs and a pair of old Fein (Dalek style) dust extractors – so couldn’t justify the added expense versus the added convenience. But the Makita cordless has me thinking. One wonder is: if it will perform well with 2 already-used BL1830 or BL1850 batteries that I already have – or if it needs a new matched pair.
Tim
Rubbermaid has a good corded backpack vac on amazon for around $170 (non hepa 10qt version)
I own a floor refinishing business and it’s a great vac for that.
Asa Autio
Robot vacuums may seem like a novelty, but they actually do a lot to keep your floors clean. Just let ’em go, and they bounce around your carpeted and bare floors to tidy up your messes. These little mini-vacs are great for smaller jobs. Some are cordless, so they work well for quick and easy cleaning or as compact on-the-go option for RV owners. It’s also a great supplement if your main vacuum doesn’t offer many attachments or if you’d rather not pull out your whole vacuum every time you spot a mess.
Justin
As an apprentice, I do a lot of cleaning. Luckily mc gc has a backpack vac because they are invaluable. If you use the correct attachment you can vacuum every surface easily….window panes, staircases, and every knook and crany imaginable
Matt
Something like this would be a no brainer (and huge seller I’d imagine) from one of the big power tool companies like DeWalt, Milwaukee, Bosch or even Craftsman. I’ve seen lower power hand held battery vacs but never anything like a backpack one with high power. Carrying it on your back would allow an extra (or larger) battery pack to be carried without much notice. Maybe there already is one? If so I guess I should pay more attention because I’d really like one!
Since TTI owns Hoover, I’d think it would be a logical thing for Milwaukee to have.
Matt
My apologies Stuart, I missed the Makita part and the prior write up on it. I guess someone does make what I was referring to. I’ll have to test it out and see how it suits me. I just don’t have any other Makita tools would be the problem. I’d really have to be into their line of other battery stuff to invest in the platform. I’ll indeed look at Makita’s offerings closer.
Tim
Pro-team makes a cordless backpack vac. Very good vacs. Very expensive.
I have a corded rubbermaid BP10q hepa for sanding floors and at home. Good vacs for around the same price.
Usually I’m go Pro-Team or go home but the Rubbermaid is a nice unit.