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Drainvac Broan-Nutone 550 — Review & Specs | Pricepect | Pricepect

Home Central Vacuum CleanersDrainvac Broan-Nutone 550

Drainvac Broan-Nutone 550 — image 1

Drainvac

Drainvac Broan-Nutone 550

Expert Review Analysis

The Drainvac AP5501 (also sold as NuTone PurePower 550 AW) is a central vacuum power unit delivering 550 air watts of suction for homes up to 4,000 sq ft, featuring a 6‑gal disposable bag, self‑cleaning filtration, and quiet 66 dB operation.

✓ Best for: Allergy or asthma sufferers in homes of 1,000–4,000 sq ft who need powerful, quiet whole‑house suction; ideal for multi‑story houses, basements, garages, pet owners, and environments with fine dust.✗ Not ideal for: Users who prefer a bag‑less or hybrid system, need the highest suction power, desire a lighter unit for easy relocation, or require ultra‑quiet operation below 60 dB.

Pros

✓550 air‑watts of suction power provides deeper cleaning than typical upright vacuums.
✓Quiet operation at 66 dB allows installation in basements or garages without disturbing occupants.
✓Large 6‑gallon (22.7 L) disposable bag reduces emptying frequency to about every six months.

Price History

Current

$850.00

Average

$843.28

Lowest

$765.00

Highest

$850.99

Price trend (90d):+33.3%

Best Seller Rank History

Now#7Best#4Worst#15 +6

Lower = better sales rank

Rating Trend

Rating1.0/ 5Reviews1+-3 reviews -4.00

Specifications

Design

Power Cord Length6 ft mm

Features

Noise LevelWhisper-quiet (anti-vibration mounts, no muffler needed)

General

BrandDrainvac

ManufacturerBroan-Nutone by Drainvac

ModelAP5501

Coverage Area1,000-4,000 sq ft

Canister Capacity6 gallons (disposable bag) gallons

Performance

Airwatts550 airwatts

Filtration

Self‑cleaning filter efficiency85 % at 0.10 µm particle size

Motor

Thru‑flow motor designReduces noise without external muffler

Bag

Bag type391C electrostatically charged double‑thickness disposable bag

Recommended Area

Suitable home size1,000–4,000 sq ft

Warranty

Coverage5‑year parts, 3‑year labor, 1‑year bags

Dimensions & Weight

Height0.0 inches

Width0.0 inches

Depth0.0 inches

Research Sources

broan-nutone.com

thinkvacuums.com

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User Reviews

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4.3

(8 reviews)

Out of Stock

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AP5501

Central Vacuum Cleaners

✓Self‑cleaning filtration captures particles as small as 0.10 µm with 85 % efficiency, helping allergy sufferers.

✓Ergonomic latch system makes debris‑pail emptying quick and hands‑free.

Cons

✗Unit weight of 22 lb makes installation and relocation more physically demanding than lighter models.
✗Bag‑only collection system requires ongoing purchase of 391C disposable bags, adding recurring cost.
✗No built‑in bag‑less option limits flexibility for users who prefer cyclonic or bagless vacuums.

Expert Opinion

No independent professional reviews were found; manufacturer literature emphasizes the unit's UL listing, reliable quiet operation, and strong allergy‑filtration performance for homes between 1,000 and 4,000 sq ft.

What Users Say

Consumer feedback is absent from the sources; product‑page language highlights ease of installation and simple debris disposal, with no recurring complaints identified.

Common Complaints

No specific complaints were reported; inferred concerns include the unit's relatively heavy weight and the ongoing cost of disposable bags.

How It Compares

vs. Drainvac Little Giant

Advantages

✓Higher suction power at 717 AW provides deeper cleaning for larger homes.
✓Lower sound level of 55 dB makes it quieter than the AP5501.
✓Hybrid bagged/bagless design offers flexibility and eliminates recurring bag costs.

Disadvantages

✗Smaller bag capacity (4 gal) may require more frequent emptying for heavy use.
✗Weight is lower but the unit may lack the robust self‑cleaning filtration of the AP5501.

Choose the Little Giant if you need maximum suction and a bag‑less option; choose the AP5501 for quieter operation, larger bag capacity, and superior allergen filtration.

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