Most vacuum cleaners marketed to consumers fall into two categories – the upright machine and the canister vacuum. While each has strong points, both can be cumbersome to use in certain situations.

 

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There’s a third category, sold mostly in the janitorial and professional housekeeping markets – the backpack vacuum cleaner. A backpack machine’s dust chamber and motor assembly are housed in a canister carried on your back by shoulder straps, much like a regular backpack. Many models weigh less than 10 pounds and are designed to place most of their weight against hips rather than shoulders, helping to cut down on back strain.

Backpack vacuums are lightweight, durable, and effective at removing dust and dirt. You’ll often pay a premium for these features because backpacks typically must withstand daily professional use for many hours at a time. You'll likely need to order one with a separate power head or beater brush to enable proper agitation and cleaning of home-style carpeting. Even so, a backpack machine might be a good investment if your situation makes regular vacuuming cumbersome. 

For more information, see the Housekeeping Channel article, “Backpack Vacuums – New Secret Weapon.”