You may have the best vacuum for your home but if it doesn’t have the most suitable powerhead, then you cannot expect for the device to work as expected. Remember, it is the powerhead that removes dust, debris, and pet hair from your home. Sure, a central vacuum system already comes with a powerhead upon purchase, but sooner or later, you may have to replace it.
Review: Best Central Vacuum Hose Kits
When looking for the best powerhead to go with your vacuum, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from. While it’s always a good idea to choose something that can give you the most value for your money, there are several other factors that you need to take into consideration.
In this review, we’ll take a closer look at some of the best powerheads in the market that can work well for your central vacuum system. Whether you are thinking of upgrading your existing one or replacing your old and worn out powerhead, we will show you some of the best options to consider.
Best Electric Powerheads
Here are some of the best electric powerheads.
1. NuTone CT700 Deluxe Central Vacuum Electric Power Brush Tool
The NuTone CT700 powerhead is one of the best-rated electric powerheads that you’ll find in the market. If you want to keep your house clean and dust-free, then this is the best powerhead to buy. You can also rely on this device for deep cleaning your carpet and prolonging its life.
This electric powerhead is basically an upgraded version of the NuTone CT600 and CT650. Thus, the NuTone CT700 has new and improved features. For one, its height can be easily adjusted with a touch of your toe. Furthermore, it’s equipped with a reset button, which prevents it from burning the motor in the event that it jams. This powerhead also comes with a wider LED light, which makes cleaning dark and hard to reach areas so much easier.
Pros
- Equipped with a convenient height adjustment feature
- Improved traction
- Maximum maneuverability
- Superior LED lighting
Cons
- Some customers have complained that the device gets broken easily
2. ZVac EX Central Vacuum Powerhead with Metal Roller
The ZVac EX Powerhead is known for its powerful electric motor that’s capable of deep cleaning any type of carpet, regardless of its thickness. Furthermore, it comes equipped with a bright headlight so you can easily clean dark areas. Another great feature of this powerhead is the protective bumper. With this feature, you will not smudge your baseboards or walls when vacuuming. This also gives you the confidence that it’s going to last longer.
While the product doesn’t come with a wand or other accessories, its standard neck is compatible with any 1-¼-inch button wand. What’s more, the tool weighs only 5.3 pounds so it’s very lightweight and you won’t need to put a lot of effort during cleaning.
Pros
- Made from high-grade materials
- Unmatched quality
- Easy to install
- Lightweight
Cons
- The power cord for plugging the powerhead is a bit short
- Doesn’t come with a wand
3. AirVac VM458 14-inch Deluxe Power Brush Nozzle
The AirVac VM458 is another powerful electric powerhead that comes with a 14-inch carpet brush and several other features. This power brush is equipped with a headlight and is powered by an electric motor resulting in a more efficient cleaning. It is belt driven equipped with electronic torque control, which automatically senses the amount of load applied on the brush. The varying amount of load will depend on certain factors, such as the smoothness of the surface that’s being vacuumed, the thickness of the carpets etc. Once the device detects the amount of load, its torque will adjust accordingly.
It’s common for electric powerheads to jam or stall. When this happens, the circuit breaker of the AirVac VM458 will turn off the power. There’s a red button at the rear of the brush that you can press in order to reset the circuit breaker. This powerhead also comes with accessories, such as the built-in squeegee, which is great for cleaning hard surfaces. Furthermore, it has a non-marring bumper that prevents the walls from getting scratched. It also comes equipped with a wand with quick release pedal and an electric headlight.
Pros
- Integrated wand with quick release pedal
- Sturdy and lightweight
- Double swivel neck
Cons
- Some customers say that this replacement is not as good as the original one
4. Beam Sweep n Groom Rugmaster Power Head
The Sweep n Groom Rugmaster from Beam Central is an electric power brush that’s designed to clean both bare floors and carpeting. It works perfectly well with any central vacuum system and is capable of deep cleaning all types of carpets, from the thicker ones to the most basic area rugs. The device works by using a metal agitator, making it ideal for those who have pets at home and have to deal with pet hairs since the metal agitator works better in dealing with hair, unlike the plastic or wooden ones. Furthermore, the brush, which is made from natural fiber, is capable of cleaning bare floor surfaces gently, including hardwood, tiles, stone, and laminated floors.
When you purchase this electric powerhead, you’ll get two different wands in every package, which you can use in cleaning the carpet and bare floors. In order to clean a carpet, simply connect one wand to the power nozzle. And if you need to clean bare floors, you need to attach the other wand to the bare floor brush.
Pros
- Each package comes with two different wands
- Free technical support
- Offers optimal cleaning performance
- 1-year manufacturer warranty
Cons
- A little pricey compared to the other brands
5. Central Vacuum Electric Powerhead Nozzle
This electric powerhead nozzle is suitable for Eureka, Beam, Nutone, and other brands of central vacuums. It’s highly durable and guaranteed to last for a long time. Plus, it comes with ball bearings that minimize the build-up of hair. This powerhead also has a convenient viewing window for the brush roller, allowing you to easily detect if the vacuum gets jammed. It has an electronic reset button, which shuts off the motor automatically in case the brush gets stuck. This safety feature avoids possible burnout. You are also guaranteed that your baseboards, floors, and furniture won’t get scratched since this powerhead comes with a protective edge bumper and is equipped with non-marking wheels.
Pros
- Highly durable geared belt
- The view window allows convenient viewing of the brush roller
- Electronic reset button for safety
- Equipped with a protective bumper that protects furniture and baseboards
Cons
- Tends to produce a loud noise
6. Electrolux RugMaster Plus Electric Central Vacuum
When it comes to durability, this electric powerhead from Electrolux should be on top of your list. Featuring a durable roller brush that’s made from metal and rear wheels covered with rubber, this device is guaranteed to last longer. The rubber-covered wheels have also made steering the vacuum easier and keep the walls and baseboards protected from scratches during rigorous cleaning. Weighing only 7 pounds, this lightweight powerhead is easy to maneuver around.
Another great thing about this product is that it has a floating head design, which makes it easy to tackle any type of flooring surface. When you purchase this product, you’ll also get an extra belt as an added bonus. Plus the roller brush strips that you can purchase separately are replaceable. Finally, this electric powerhead has an incandescent light that allows you to clean areas with limited lighting.
Pros
- Durable metal roller brush
- Capable of cleaning areas under beds and furniture
- Full warranty coverage from the manufacturer
- Rubber covered rear wheels
Cons
- Wands are not included and must be purchased separately
7. Cen-Tec Systems CT20DXQD
The CT20DXQD electric brush from Cen-Tec Systems is known for its quiet performance. It’s compatible with several brands of vacuum systems and is included in a set of Cen-Tec wands that work in combination with Cen-Tec’s 3200 series hose. This powerhead is known for its low slender profile and a neck that has a double action release feature. This feature allows the brush to be easily detached from the wand without the need for the user to bend over and manually disconnect the attachment. Just like with the other powerheads in the Quiet Drive line of Cen-Tec, this model has molded wheels and a wrap-around bumper to ensure that your baseboards, walls, and furniture don’t get scratched.
Pros
- Compatible with major brands
- Equipped with wrap around the bumper, headlight, and reset button
- The double action release neck makes disconnecting the wand easier
Cons
- Some parts can get broken easily
Best Air-Driven Turbo Powerheads
| Image | Product | |
|---|---|---|
 | >Vacuflo Turbocat Nozzle (Editor’s Choice) | Check Price |
 | Vacuflo Turbo Cat Zoom Powerhead | Check Price |
 | Vacuflo HP8705 | Check Price |
 | TurboCat Pro Power Nozzle | Check Price |
Here are some of the best air-driven turbo powerheads:
1. Vacuflo Turbocat Nozzle
The TP-210 powerhead has a horizontal turbine that makes it easy to clean those areas under the furniture. Its T-shape design makes cleaning close to the crevices of chairs and tables more convenient. You also don’t need to worry about scratching the walls and baseboards with this device since it has a wrap-around bumper. Its agitator helps to ensure consistent performance even when cleaning the thickest carpets and rugs.
As an air-driven powerhead, the Turbocat doesn’t need any power cord to operate. There’s no need for batteries or additional electricity either. Plus, the product comes with uniquely designed brush rollers that help to enhance airflow and makes removing the dirt even more efficient. Above all, this powerhead has easy glide wheels so you’ll not have a hard time maneuvering the vacuum when cleaning.
Pros
- No need to use additional power or battery
- Enhanced airflow and dirt removal
- T-shape design makes cleaning furniture legs easier
- Compatible with several brands of central vacuums
Cons
- Makes a lot of noise
2. Vacuflo Turbo Cat Zoom Powerhead
The Vacuflo Turbo Cat is one of the most powerful air-driven turbo powerheads in the market. Just like the other air-driven powerheads, this one doesn’t need any electricity to operate and only uses the airflow of the central vacuum system. Therefore, you no longer need to deal with power cords to provide maximum cleaning and suction to your carpets and floors.
The high-performance action of this device makes cleaning your house so much easier. It is lightweight and has a low profile design. Plus, the device is equipped with ample sized power wheels, innovative roller design, and automatic height adjustment.
Pros
- High-performance design
- Automatic height adjustment
- Lightweight
Cons
- Looks cheaply made and can get damaged after only a few uses
3. Vacuflo HP8705 Turbocat Zoom Turbine Nozzle
The Vacuflo HP8705 TurboCat is another air-driven turbo powerhead that’s gaining lots of positive feedback online. It’s known for its ease of operation and installation, making it a great choice for homeowners who don’t want to go through the complications of attaching a powerhead to their vacuum. This device relies on the airflow of your central vacuum to operate, which generates maximum suction of dirt and debris resulting in excellent deep cleaning performance.
With its sleek low profile design, this powerhead is perfect for cleaning areas below furniture, such as in beds, sofas, and dressers. Plus, it’s extremely lightweight so you won’t have a hard time using the vacuum when cleaning. This powerhead is very responsive and can automatically adjust to any type of carpet while offering maximum cleaning.
Pros
- One of the quietest powerheads in the market
- Sleek low profile design
- Lightweight
Cons
- Could easily accumulate a lot of hair
4. TurboCat Pro Turbine Power Nozzle
The Turbocat HP8705 is another air-driven powerhead that’s highly recommended because of its great performance and ease of use. It has easy glide front wheels that make maneuvering around small corners and hard to reach spots so much easier. The device also comes equipped with bearing isolators, which conceals the powerhead and minimizes the vibration that the device produces, resulting in a much quieter operation.
Pros
- Easy installation
- Doesn’t require a power cord or batteries to operate
- Comes with a 3-year warranty
Cons
- Could encounter minor issues during operation
Powerhead Types
Electric
As stated above, one of the most popular powerheads that you’ll come across with is the electric powerhead which is known for its nonrestrictive airflow design. With this feature, the brush rollers will be able to spin at a much faster speed, which results in a more efficient cleaning of your home. Furthermore, dust won’t be able to escape from its nozzles. Instead, it goes directly into the central vacuum. This design also results in a much better suction, which is needed for the optimal removal of dust, dirt, and debris.
Another advantage of using an electric powerhead is its edge cleaning ability, which means that it’s capable of cleaning the edges of your carpet that are close to the baseboards. You can easily maneuver the powerhead in order to remove the dust and dirt around furniture, kickboards, chairs, beds etc.
Air-Driven Turbo
The air-driven turbine powered powerheads doesn’t need to use any electricity or battery to operate. They work with the help of the suction power of the central vacuum. These devices are easy to maneuver and operate and are capable of providing deep cleaning action without relying on motorized brushes. With the new technology and innovation, most of the air-driven powerheads in the market are now quieter and are definitely more powerful than the older models.
Since air-driven powerheads don’t use electricity, they are a great option for those who want to lower their utility bills. Furthermore, unlike with the electric powerheads, you don’t have to keep on replacing the motor of this device, which is eco-friendly.
Things to Look for in the Best Central Vacuum Powerheads
Quality of the Roller Brush
When choosing the right powerhead to buy, one of the most important factors to consider is the quality of the roller brush. Choose those brushes that are made from durable steel materials. You’ll also find roller brushes that are made from wood or aluminum. Also, those that come with a replaceable brush strip are a great choice. That way, when your brush strip gets broken, you can simply purchase a new one, which will extend the overall life of the powerhead.
Height-Adjustment Feature
You also need to consider the powerhead’s ability to adjust its height. This is very important, especially when using it for cleaning carpets that have varying thickness. Go for those devices that come with a floating head design, which automatically adjust its height depending on the type of surface that’s being cleaned. Remember that you may need to use your vacuum to clean different kinds of flooring surfaces so the height-adjustment feature is an important factor.
Conclusion
Both the electric powerheads and air-driven powerheads on this list are the best in the market, but if you want something that can give you the best value for your money, go for the NuTone CT700 Deluxe Electric Power Brush. This is one of the best rated electric powerheads in the market since it has everything that you need; convenient height adjustment feature, maximum maneuverability, LED lighting, improved traction, and a high-quality roller brush. The positive feedback of customers who have tried using the product is proof that this powerhead is definitely worth investing in.
