Is The Popular Riccar Vacuum Cleaner Actually Worth The Hype?

A clean house is something that people will pay a lot of money to achieve. In fact, it's so valuable that there are many individuals who willingly outsource the task to professional house cleaners. Still, others choose to tackle the cleaning on their own and endeavor to arm themselves with the best vacuums to clean their floors. The newly popular Riccar vacuum has generated a lot of hype for its performance, which is said to rival even some of the best Dyson vacuums, but is it worth the cost and as good as some people say? The answer might come down to your budget and perspective.

If you're not familiar with the Riccar brand, don't be too hard on yourself. This brand is much lesser known than companies like Shark, Electrolux, Bissell, and Hoover. Its vacuums are also quite pricey compared to some competitors, with upright vacuums costing anywhere from $400 to $1,700, depending on the chosen model.

Two vacuums, the Riccar Tandem Air Deluxe Upright Vacuum ($1,199.99) and the Riccar Tandem Air Premium Pet Upright Vacuum ($1,699.99), are great examples of what the brand has to offer. Both come with five-year warranties, have HEPA filters that help handle pet hair and other allergens, and are suitable for all floor types. If you need to tackle cleaning stairs, couches, or other spots that an upright vacuum cannot access, these Riccar vacuums come with 15-foot-length stretch hoses, working along with the crevice or upholstery tools and the dusting brush. The pet vacuum cleaner in particular is getting quite a bit of social media hype, being touted by @vacguy5 on TikTok as far superior to Dyson and Shark, although much pricier, too.

It seems that the feedback on Riccar vacuum cleaners is somewhat split, with certain customers swearing by the pricey brand, like @vacguy5, who claims that Dyson and Shark vacuums don't remove debris from the carpet as effectively as the Riccar pet vacuum. Many comments on his TikTok video agree; one says, "Riccar Pet Plus is an excellent vac for the price. does great on bare floor, area rugs and pile carpet." Some reviews on the Tandem Air Deluxe are quite praiseworthy, too. One review says, "I bought this vacuum a year ago because my Dyson and my Bissell broke down from my dog's fur. ... This vacuum is sturdy, solid and sucks up everything." 

Despite the highly positive feedback from some buyers, however, others question the overall price of these vacuums. One comment on the TikTok video says, "That's insane. Price can't be disregarded. You can pay under 200 and get a great vacuum that will last many years." Dissatisfied customers on the company's website also complain that the suction is nothing special and that the vacuum requires regular repair for normal usage, making it a hassle to own. While it's somewhat normal for vacuums to need maintenance, customers complain that a machine that is over $1,000 should not be so finicky. 

The takeaway? Despite its fancy features and fandom among some vacuum enthusiasts, these Riccar vacuums could be an expensive and out-of-reach vacuum for many consumers. At the end of the day, no matter what model or brand you choose, remember to steer clear of common mistakes people make when buying vacuums.