Buying guide for best Oreck vacuums
Oreck vacuums have been made in the USA since 1963. This company is known for its commercial vacuum cleaners, but they're so light, powerful and reliable that they've become popular for household use, too. If you're looking for the best Oreck vacuum, it's important to take your time and consider your options.
One of the big selling points is their lightweight design, so comparing the weight of each vacuum is a good place to start. You'll also want to decide whether you're looking for an upright model, a handheld vacuum or a canister. Oreck also sells stick models, but they're not widely available or as popular as its other types. If you or a household member suffers from hay fever or other environmental allergies, it's wise to choose an Oreck with a high-efficiency particulate air filter or other high-end filter.
We considered over 15 Oreck vacuums before finding the best one, the Oreck Elevate Command Bagged Upright Vacuum Cleaner. We love that it blends commercial build quality with household aesthetics. It has handy features, such as the ability to lie flat to reach under furniture and headlights to help you see where the dirt is. It also has an effective filtration system.
Expert Tip
When using vacuums that require bags, keep track of how many bags you have on hand so you don't run out.
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Which Oreck Vacuum is best?
Best Oreck vacuum cleaner for pet hair
Product specifications
Type: Upright | Capacity: 9 qt | Weight: 10 lb | Cordless: No | Filtration: Allergen SaniSeal
This Oreck vacuum is our top choice overall, thanks to its impressive performance and lightweight construction. While many Orecks are designed as commercial vacuums, this household model has a sleeker look but is still just as powerful as bulkier models.
We especially love this model for homes with pets. In fact, this model is excellent for tackling pet hair and picks it up effectively on both carpet and hard flooring. While the Allergen SaniSeal filtration system doesn't quite meet HEPA standards, it captures 99% of allergens and keeps them locked away when changing bags. This means it's also a great vacuum for people with environmental allergies.
Weighing just 10 pounds, it’s easy to push and a breeze for cleaning stairs. The 30-foot cord means you can clean whole rooms before you need to switch outlets. It also has extra features, such as five LED headlights and brushroll speed-control settings for switching between hard floors and carpets.
Best basic Oreck vacuum cleaner
Product specifications
Type: Upright | Capacity: 9 qt | Weight: 9 lb | Cordless: No | Filtration: None
Sometimes all we need is a basic workhorse of a vacuum — and this one fits the bill. It doesn't have any bells or whistles, just rugged commercial-quality construction. The bag fits an impressive 9 quarts, so you don't need to replace it often. It weighs just 9 pounds, so it's easy to lift and carry and is highly maneuverable.
You can use it on carpets and hard floors without any adjustment needed. The bumpers are clear and won't mark walls or floors. Thanks to the edge brushes, it cleans right up to the baseboards or walls without the need for crevice tools. Its 35-foot power cord reaches across most rooms.
We love how simple this vacuum is. It's refreshing not to have to mess around with tools and attachments. It's extremely light, too, but this doesn't mean it's light on suction.
Best commercial Oreck vacuum
Product specifications
Type: Upright | Capacity: 9 qt | Weight: 9 lb | Cordless: No | Filtration: None
Powerful enough for commercial use, but great for homes as well, this vacuum is rugged and could last for decades, if taken care of. It weighs 9 pounds, so it's easy to move, but this model is particularly easy to carry thanks to its integrated carrying handle. The handle you use to push the vacuum is height-adjustable, which is handy if various people use the same vacuum.
It has removable bags that hold 9 quarts. They're specially designed with a top-fill style that helps keep suction as strong as ever, even when the bag is nearing capacity. The 40-foot cord means you won't need to replug it often. In fact, you may be able to vacuum several rooms before you need to switch outlets.
We're fans of this upright vacuum's simple design and overall impressive performance. We like that the ergonomic handle makes it comfortable to use, while the side brushes clean in corners and along baseboards with no need to use hoses or attachments.
Best lightweight Oreck vacuum
Product specifications
Type: Canister | Capacity: 1.25 qt | Weight: 5 lb | Cordless: No | Filtration: Rear-exhaust filter
For those who don’t want to be weighed down by their vacuum, this compact Oreck canister vacuum is just 5 pounds. We love that you have the option to carry the body of the unit with an integrated handle or wear it over your shoulder using the included strap. Though the strap can slip annoyingly, you can solve this by wearing it cross-body style.
Given its compact design, it has a small capacity of just 1.25 quarts. This generally lasts two or three vacuuming sessions before you need to change the bag, but it's still a larger capacity than you'll find in many modern stick vacuums. It comes with a telescoping wand, dusting brush, upholstery tool and crevice tool, as well as a standard cleaning head for floors. This means you can easily clean above the floor, too. For instance, vacuuming your couch and drapes or vacuuming cobwebs off the ceiling.
We're fans not only of the compact, lightweight design but of this vacuum's versatility. If you find a lack of cleaning tools and attachments limiting, this is a better choice than an upright.
Best Oreck canister vacuum
Product specifications
Type: Canister | Capacity: 1.25 qt | Weight: 4 lb | Cordless: No | Filtration: Fiber
Not only are we impressed by the low weight of this vacuum but also by its suction power. According to Oreck, it's powerful enough to pick up a 16-pound bowling ball. Given that the unit itself weighs just 4 pounds, that’s pretty impressive.
Like the other canister on this list, you can carry it either by a handle or using a shoulder strap. This keeps it off the ground, unlike wheeled canister vacuums, so it's great for spaces with lots of obstacles and not a lot of floor space, such as dorm rooms or small retail stores. It comes with a number of cleaning tools, including a dusting brush and an upholstery tool, so it's useful for more than just vacuuming floors.
If you're looking for a super compact vacuum, this is one of our favorites. We like that it's small, but powerful, so you don't have to settle for subpar cleaning power in favor of a diminutive size.
Types of Oreck Vacuums
Handheld vacuum cleaners
Oreck handheld vacuums are lightweight, compact models that you hold in your hand. These cordless vacuums are ideal for spot-cleaning throughout the house and in your car. Handheld vacuums work well to remove pet hair from furniture, dust from blinds and crumbs from kitchen countertops. However, they’re not ideal for cleaning carpets; we suggest a larger machine for this purpose.
How much do Oreck handheld vacuum cleaners cost?
Oreck handheld vacuums are the least-expensive options in the Oreck family, with prices from $100 to $130.
Canister vacuum cleaners
Oreck canister vacuums are full-size models, but the motor and bag are contained in a separate unit. The vacuum head attaches to the canister via a flexible hose, making it easy to clean under furniture and to access hard-to-reach spots.
A canister vacuum is usually lightweight, but it can be difficult to maneuver if you must trail it behind you as you clean. Oreck makes extremely lightweight vacuums that are easy to carry or wear with a shoulder strap, such as the Oreck Commercial XL Pro 5 and the Oreck XL Super-Deluxe Compact Canister.
How much do Oreck canister vacuums cost?
Oreck canister vacuums usually cost between $130 and $280.
Stick vacuum cleaners
Oreck stick vacuums are similar in design to upright vacuum cleaners, but they are not as large, nor is their cleaning path as wide as that of an upright. The only Oreck stick vacuum currently available — the Oreck Cordless Vacuum with POD Technology — has a 9-inch cleaning path. By contrast, Oreck uprights tend to have 11-to-12-inch cleaning paths. Stick vacuums usually don’t have the same suction power as the best uprights, either, and they may or may not have motorized brushes.
In many cases, Oreck stick vacuums are better for cleaning hard floors than cleaning carpets. Because sticks aren’t as powerful as full-size vacuums, they work best for smaller homes or as a supplemental vacuum for touch-up cleaning.
Oreck stick vacuums are usually cordless with rechargeable batteries that allow you to vacuum anywhere in your home without worrying about having an outlet nearby. The batteries usually provide more than 30 minutes per charge.
How much do Oreck cordless stick vacuums cost?
Oreck cordless vacuums usually range from $220 to $570.
Upright vacuum cleaners
These full-size, one-piece vacuums have a cleaning head connected to the motor housing and dust container. An upright vacuum usually has a wide cleaning path and a rotating, motorized brush roll that pulls dirt and debris out of carpeting. Oreck upright vacuums are also suitable for use on hard flooring.
How much do Oreck upright vacuum cleaners cost?
Oreck upright vacuums are usually the priciest options, ranging from $155 to $599.
Expert Tip
Oreck vacuums offer some of the longest cords. This is great for those who need to clean large areas.
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Oreck vacuum features to consider
Bags
When you’re shopping for a vacuum, you have a choice between a bagless vacuum cleaner and a bagged vacuum cleaner.
- Bagged vacuum cleaners collect the dirt, dust and debris in disposable bags that must be replaced when full. All of Oreck’s full-size vacuums have bags, enabling them to pick up more dirt and debris than bagless models. Keep in mind that you’ll need to purchase replacement bags for as long as you own the vacuum. These usually cost $1 to $2 a piece, depending on the model and how many bags are in a pack — buying in bulk will save you money.
- Bagless vacuums gather dirt and dust in a cup or bin that you empty when full.
Weight
A vacuum cleaner’s weight affects how easy it is to maneuver. In general, full-size vacuums tend to be fairly heavy, with some weighing over 20 pounds. Stick vacuums usually weigh less than half that, and handheld models, the lightest options, usually weigh just a few pounds.
Oreck vacuums are unique because even the full-size models are extremely lightweight.
- Oreck handheld vacuums weigh less than 5 pounds.
- Oreck canister vacuums weigh about 5 pounds.
- Oreck stick vacuums usually weigh less than 6 pounds.
- Oreck upright vacuums weigh less than 10 pounds, with some models weighing less than 8 pounds.
Speed
Most Oreck upright vacuums offer two speeds that control how fast the brush rolls. You can adjust the speed based on the type of flooring you’re cleaning.
Cord
Corded vacuum cleaners must be plugged into an outlet, so pay attention to the cord length on the vacuum you buy. You want a model with a generous cord length that enables you to easily clean an entire room without having to move to another outlet.
Most Oreck vacuums have cord lengths of 20 to 35 feet — long enough for you to vacuum a fairly large area without having to move to another outlet. However, you can find some models with cords of up to 40 feet, such as the Oreck U2000R1 Commercial Upright Vacuum.
Flooring
While vacuums are typically used to clean carpeting, you’ll get more versatility from a model that can accommodate hard flooring as well. Fortunately, all Oreck vacuums are suitable for use on different flooring surfaces, so you can easily clean both carpet and bare floors.
Some models, such as the Oreck Elevate Command Bagged Upright, have two brushroll speeds that you can switch between, one of which is suited to carpet and the other to hard floors. Other Oreck vacuums, such as the Oreck XL Vacuum, are designed so that there's no adjustment needed between hard floors and carpets. They also have non-marring bumpers, so they won't mark hard floors. Many models can be used on furniture and upholstery, too.
Filter
A full-size vacuum cleaner needs an effective filtration system to prevent dust, dirt, pet dander and other particles from releasing into the air as you clean. It’s especially important if you have pets or if someone in your family has allergies, asthma or other respiratory issues.
All Oreck vacuums feature high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, which are able to contain 99.7% of particulates. Even better, a HEPA filter can capture particles as small as 0.3 microns. A HEPA filter provides the highest level of filtration available, so you can trust that your Oreck upright or canister model will keep your air as clean as possible.
Headlights
Many of the best Oreck upright vacuums have LED headlights on the front that enable you to see more easily beneath furniture and in dark corners. Some have up to five headlights, such as the Oreck Elevate Command Bagged Upright and the Oreck UK30205PC HEPA Bagged Upright.
Attachments
Some Oreck vacuums, including canister models, include attachments that provide greater versatility when it comes to cleaning your home. Some attachments to look for include the following:
- Crevice tool for cleaning tight spaces
- Upholstery tool for cleaning furniture and curtains
- Dusting brush for cleaning various surfaces
Expert Tip
The best Oreck vacuums last for an extremely long time, which makes them great investment vacuums.
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FAQ
Q. How are Oreck upright vacuums so lightweight?
A. Oreck upright vacuums weigh less than the products of many competitors because these vacuums pull dirt and debris into the bag with direct suction. Because the process is so streamlined, the lightweight vacuums require smaller motors than other uprights.
Q. What type of warranty does Oreck offer?
A. The warranty varies from model to model. However, all models offer at least a three-year limited warranty. Some offer up to seven years of warranty protection.
Many Oreck warranties include a free annual tune-up of your vacuum. The brand’s trained technicians will inspect and clean the appliance to make sure it’s in proper working condition.
Q. Do I have to use an Oreck filtration bag with my vacuum?
A. For the best performance, always use a brand-approved bag with your Oreck vacuum. Oreck offers a range of bags with different filtration options, including those designed for allergy-sensitive homes and removing odors.
Q. How does Oreck compare to Dyson?
A. It can be hard to compare Oreck and Dyson vacuums as they're quite different. Dyson specializes in vacuums for home use. Many of its current models are cordless stick vacuums, which are convenient but have flaws, such as limited battery life and small dust containers. They're generally fairly high-tech, with cyclonic suction technology and other high-end features.
On the other hand, most Oreck vacuum cleaners are simple. They're usually corded and don't have fancy features, but they're solid and built to last. They often have large-capacity bags and simple upright designs. The suction is powerful and many are designed for commercial use (although you can use them at home), so they're especially rugged.
Q. Are Oreck vacuums made by Hoover?
A. Oreck is currently owned by the same parent company as Hoover — Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd. However, this doesn't mean that Hoover makes Oreck vacuums. Oreck still has its own factories where its products are made, with its primary manufacturing facilities based in Cookeville, Tennessee.
