Traditional uprights are heavy, bulky machines weighing anywhere from 15 to 20 pounds. Continually lifting a vacuum on and off a cleaning cart can be tiring for even the fittest of janitors. However, in facilities where appearance matters most and crews need to clean an area quickly, lightweight vacuums can help reduce worker fatigue.

These vacuums weigh between eight and 10 pounds and feature a center-base carrying handle, so they are easy to lift with one hand and transport around a facility. There is also less bending for janitors because instead of wrapping the cord around the machine, many units feature an automatic recoil system.