Review Of Husky Brand Central Vacuums
Over our many years in business – we first opened our doors in 1948 – we’ve watched numerous vacuum brands rise and fall in popularity. Husky central vacuum systems have recently seen an uptick in interest, and so we thought it best to give them a thorough review.
Husky Central Vacuums are manufactured in Canada by Nuera Air Corporation. They have several different models with a range of suction power and features. The Flex Husky central vacuum system is sold via the largest home improvement store in the world. This, in itself, has certainly helped to push the Husky name to the top of the sales charts.
Although the familiarity of shopping from a well-known retailer is a draw, there’s a lot more to choosing a central vacuum system than “brand recognition.” So we decided to compare the popular Husky package (the Husky Flex) against another two, top-selling electric central vacuum sets and see how it stands up.
Husky Flex Central Vacuum Kit –$665
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Imperium CV3200 Prime Central Vacuum Kit –$775
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Rhino Vac 399R-L Classic Central Vacuum Kit –$600
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Husky Central Vacuum Comparison
When seeing the side-by-side comparison of the Husky Flex system against the Imperium CV3200 Prime and Rhino Vac 399R-L Classic, a few things should be noted.
Filtration –
The Husky Flex system features a machine-washable filter bag that protects the motor from the small particles exhausted through the unit. While the option of machine washing your Husky filter sounds like a nice feature, don’t underestimate the level of dirt, grime, and build-up that will accumulate on the filter. It will require a washing several times a year and will be quite a gross task. When the build-up begins to grow, it will negatively impact your level of suction.
In comparison, the Imperium CV3200 features a unique self-cleaning, inverted filter bag. The filter bag features a weighted bottom. As the vacuum is turned on, the bag is lifted by the suction and stays busy filtering out the smallest particles. When the vacuum is turned off, the bag will drop with some force, thanks to the weight at the bottom. This allows the bag to shake off anything stuck to the surface into the dirt canister. Additionally, the Imperium bag features Surf-Tex™. This coating resists bacteria, mold, and mildew growth and can capture particles as small as .3 microns. The result: the inverted filter bag on the Imperium unit will only require a yearly cleaning.
In regards to waste collection, both the Husky and Imperium models offer an optional disposal bag or liner. This is an excellent feature for anyone concerned with emptying the canister and breathing in harmful allergens or particles. The Rhino Vac does not offer the addition of a bag or liner. It only features the dirt canister to be emptied.
Filtration Winner: Imperium CV3200
Included Accessories –
Included with the Husky Flex is what we in the industry would consider a “basic” package: the necessary floor tools (electric carpet tool and hard surface brush) and the standard added accessories. The compared Rhino Vac 399R-L central vacuum set features the identical items but is $65 LESS THAN the Husky central vac set. If the basics are all you need from a central vacuum attachment set, we would recommend the Rhino Vac system over the Husky Flex, just to save you some money.
In contrast, if you’re looking for a complete set of central vacuum attachments, the Imperium CV3200 Prime kit is the way to go. It includes all the same tools as the Husky and additional must-haves. The hose sock, for example, is incredibly important to protect your baseboards, furniture legs, and cabinetry. The ridges that allow a hose to be “crush-proof” unfortunately add a texture to the surface which can prove abrasive to delicate surfaces, especially over time. This is why a hose sock is a must! With the Husky system, you would need to buy it separately. Online they cost between $54-$85, so it’s a real added expense.
Additionally, the Imperium system includes a mini-attachment set for small cleaning needs like car detailing, computer keyboards, in and around tight spaces, etc. However, because the Rhino Vac set includes a sufficient amount of tools and costs less than both the Husky and Imperium sets, we’re choosing it as a winner, too.
Accessories Winner/Price: Rhino Vac 399R-L
Accessories Winner/Quantity: Imperium CV3200
Suction Power –
The suction power of a central vacuum system is measured in a few ways:
- Water Lift – measures the vacuum’s ideal ability to lift in pure suction. We say “ideal ability” because this number does not reflect real-life actualities like filters or bags in place, bends and turns in vacuum piping, or the age of the motor.
- CFM – Cubic Feet of air per Minute the vacuum can move.
- Air Watts – A calculation of the other two measurements for an overall vacuum rating. CFM x Water Lift / 8.5 = Air Watts
Factors to consider in addition to the stats on the chart:
- The Motor – One of the ways vacuum manufacturers have begun to cut corners is to install powerful but cheaply made motors in their units. These motors may only last a few years and can cost hundreds of dollars to replace. While a system may receive high numbers in the initial testing, it’s important to look at overall reviews of the long-term use of a power unit. How well a vacuum motor ages is equally important, if not more important, than it’s power out of the box.
- Rhino Vac systems are widely revered for their high-quality motors. That’s why they offer a 15-Year warranty. Those things just last and last.
- Support – The Husky Flex package is sold in a giant home improvement store and customers think that’s a good thing. But they’re wrong. When choosing a specialty appliance like a central vacuum system, you don’t want to rely on a staff that is completely untrained in the product. In fact, although the Husky Flex package is sold on the retailer’s website, they don’t sell repair parts, powerheads, installation components, or even vacuum bags for the Flex. It’s a bad omen.
- Conversely, the Imperium CV3200 is manufactured by Lindsay Manufacturing in Ponca City, Oklahoma and sold via Central Vacuum Stores in St. Petersburg, Florida. The CV3200 system comes with free tech support, a DIY installation guide, and the knowledge of 65+ years in the vacuum industry. So, you’re covered in any situation.
- The Filtration – The Water Lift and CFM are measured in “pure suction,” meaning, without real-world application. What they don’t factor in is the filtration methods which begin limiting the suction power with every use. The key is to choose a central vacuum with a good motor and filtration method. The Husky central vacuum has a higher Air Watts rating, however, their filter bag style will limit that number when it’s actually being used in your home. As the build-up begins to form on the filter, it will lessen the suction power even more. So, although it looks like the Husky is significantly more powerful than the Rhino Vac and Imperium models, it will not maintain that suction level with use.
Suction Power Winner/On Paper – Husky Flex
Suction Power Winner/For Actual Use – Imperium CV3200
Overall Review Of Husky Flex Central Vacuum System
The Husky Flex Central Vacuum system is a pretty good product. However, we think you would be equally happy with the Rhino Vac system (while saving some money) and ultimately more happy with the Imperium CV3200 system for only slightly more money.
Central Vacuum Stores 