There are a lot of upright vacuums sold on the wider market today that aren’t really meant to last. That’s not an opinion—it’s just how the vacuum cleaner market has evolved. Plastic-forward, semi-sealed, feature-packed machines that hit a price point, look great on a store shelf, and give you a couple years (maybe) before something gives out.
And when it does? Good luck finding replacement parts for that model. Good luck finding service. Good luck even finding the original product page, in some cases.
Brands like Riccar, on the other hand, don’t play that game.
The Riccar R27 series are full-size upright vacuums that feel like they belong in a different era, in the best possible way. They’re built around durability and serviceability, with motors and components that are designed to be maintained rather than tossed. The frame is solid. The airflow is deliberate. The filtration is sealed and effective. If you’re used to vacuums sold at big box stores as fast fashion, the R27 will feel like putting on a well-tailored wool coat after years of polyester windbreakers. Heavier, sure—but it’s likely to last you a decade or longer.
But don’t mistake “built to last” for “old school.” The R27s don’t need to have smart home features to be smart. They focus on one thing: consistently removing dirt, dust, and allergens from your home, across carpets and flooring, without losing suction, clogging up, or blowing microscopic debris back into the air.
In a world where many vacuums are designed to be replaced every few years, the Riccar R27 series takes a different approach. These are full‑size upright vacuums built around performance, serviceability, and longevity.
The lineup itself is less a collection of separate models and more like one flexible platform, with each version tailored slightly for different types of households. Think of it like choosing a vehicle trim package, not a whole new make and model. Same core design, same philosophy, just slightly different personalities depending on how you live and clean.
Whether you’re someone who vacuums twice a week, or someone who needs a machine that can pick up after two large dogs and a teenager with cleats, there’s likely an R27 designed for your use case.
What All R27 Uprights Have in Common
Every R27 upright shares the same foundation. These are traditional upright vacuums with a modern edge. Solid build quality, sealed filtration, and strong carpet agitation that doesn’t rely on inflated specs printed on the outer box. But one of the defining features across the series is Riccar’s sealed “Clean Air” system. Air is pulled through the bag and filtration before exiting the vacuum, not leaked around it. For households that are more sensitive to allergens, dust, pet dander, or fine debris, that design choice pays dividends day after day. It’s a feature you stop thinking about once it’s working properly… which is exactly the point!
The R27 platform is also height‑adjustable, meaning it can transition from low‑pile to thicker carpet without forcing the brush into the floor or skating across the surface. That translates to consistent pickup without excessive wear on carpet fibers. Add edge cleaning and a stable upright stance, and you get a vacuum that feels composed rather than fussy.
Maybe most importantly, these machines are meant to be maintained, not discarded. Bags, belts, filters, and components are designed to be replaced over time, often right at a local vacuum shop. That’s part of why the R27 series continues to exist in a market flooded with sealed, disposable designs.
Are they Lightweight?
In the industry, the term “lightweight vacuums” has a pretty specific meaning, and the Riccar R27 uprights aren’t what most people would call lightweight in the same way a handheld or stick vacuum is. These are full‑size upright vacuums, so they have the robust brushrolls, bags, motors, and chassis that come with that category. Compared to a tiny stick vacuum you might use for a quick countertop crumb sweep, R27 models are noticeably heavier and more substantial. That weight is part of what gives them stable airflow, consistent pickup on carpet, and long‑term durability.
That said, the Riccar R27 vacuums aren’t unreasonably heavy for an upright. They’re comparable to other high‑end upright vacuums with similar capabilities. They roll comfortably and stand upright easily, and once you’re accustomed to their feel, most people don’t find them unwieldy — especially given the cleaning performance they deliver.
If your idea of “lightweight” is a vac you could hold up with one hand for minutes at a time, then no, these won’t meet that definition. But if you’re talking about a yardstick where weight supports serious cleaning without feeling like a brick, then many users are pleasantly surprised at how manageable the R27 series feels in everyday use.
The Riccar R27 Lineup
When you look at them at a glance, the R27CV, R27P, and R27D probably look like small variations on a theme. And that’s because they are. The differences aren’t quality/performance tiers so much as how power is delivered, and which conveniences are emphasized.
Riccar R27D: The Straightforward, Full‑Strength Classic
The Riccar R27D Clean Air Deluxe is the most direct expression of the platform. Corded, powerful, and intentionally uncomplicated, it’s built for people who want a reliable upright that delivers consistent carpet cleaning without extra layers of tech to manage.
Because it’s corded, suction and brush performance stay constant from start to finish. There’s no runtime to monitor and no battery to recharge. Plug it in, clean, and put it away. For larger homes or long cleaning sessions, that predictability is a genuine advantage rather than a limitation.
The R27D appeals to users who value simplicity, strong fundamentals, and a lower entry point into the R27 ecosystem.
Riccar R27P: Tuned for Homes With Pets and Heavy Use
The Riccar R27P Clean Air Premium Pet Upright Vacuum builds on the same corded foundation as the Deluxe model, with refinements aimed at households where hair, tracked‑in debris, and daily use are part of life.
Now from the image of the R27P below, you might think it’s the same vacuum as the R27D. That’s because the adjustments here are subtle but purposeful—enhanced agitation, accessory choices geared toward pets, upholstery, and edges, and a more premium overall configuration.
For pet owners, this version often feels more forgiving when dealing with fur embedded in carpet or clinging to stairs and furniture. It doesn’t require a different cleaning style, just a little less effort to get the same result.
While it carries a higher price than the R27D, the difference reflects added capability rather than a different class of machine.
R27CV: Cordless Convenience with an Upright Feel
The Riccar R27CV Clean Air Cordless Power Upright Vacuum takes the same upright design and removes the cord, replacing it with a rechargeable battery system. That shift changes how the vacuum fits into a home more than how it cleans.
Cordless operation makes quick cleanups easier and reduces friction around storage and accessibility. Grab it, clean the area you care about, and dock it again. For multi‑level homes, tight storage spaces, or users who prefer not to manage a cord, the CV model can feel refreshingly flexible.
Runtime and peak power are naturally different from a corded upright, but within its intended use window, the R27CV still behaves like a serious vacuum rather than a lightweight stick trying to impersonate one. It keeps the upright form factor and stability that many users prefer, just without being tethered to the wall.
Why Bags?
One thing that surprises many first‑time Riccar buyers is the use of bags—and how little they miss bagless designs afterward.
High‑quality vacuum bags trap debris internally, reduce airborne dust during disposal, and protect the motor from fine particles over time. That directly contributes to longer motor life and more consistent suction year after year, which is a big reason these machines tend to stay in service rather than get replaced.
But now, when you look at day‑to‑day use, this typically means fewer filter cleanings, less mess, and more consistent airflow as the bag fills gradually instead of clogging suddenly. It also means the vacuum behaves the same on day twenty as it did on day two, without the gradual drop‑off that can sneak up on bagless designs.
For people who vacuum regularly, bag changes become an occasional maintenance task rather than a constant chore of emptying a chamber and trying not to make a huge mess.
Tip: A good rule of thumb is to change the bag when it feels full but not tight, which keeps airflow optimal and turns maintenance into a quick, clean, no‑stress moment instead of a big, dusty production.
Who Riccar’s R27 Series Is Intended For
The R27 series tends to resonate with homeowners who want a vacuum that feels stable, familiar, and dependable. Pet owners who need strong carpet agitation. Anyone who prefers being able to service a high-performance machine locally if it has an issue years from now, instead of replacing it with a weaker, disposable model every couple years.
None of the R27 models are about cutting corners. They’re about choosing the version that fits how you clean: corded power without compromise, pet‑focused refinements, or cordless flexibility with an upright backbone.
Why Vacuum Shops Recommend the R27 Line
From a shop perspective, the R27 series checks boxes that are becoming rare. Long service life. Available parts. Clear differentiation between models without overwhelming customers. And most importantly, satisfied owners who come back for bags and maintenance rather than warranty frustration.
It’s a lineup that rewards thoughtful buying rather than impulse purchasing. And for many households, once an R27 is in place, vacuum shopping becomes something you don’t have to think about again for a long while.
Final Thoughts on the Riccar R27 Series
There’s something refreshingly untrendy about the Riccar R27 series. It doesn’t need you to enter your home Wi-Fi password to clean, and it doesn’t have a flashing LED display that needs a firmware update every time you open the app (It also doesn’t have an app). What it does have is solid build quality, performance, and long-term support.
For a lot of people, any of those reasons alone are enough to seriously consider the R27 line.
These vacuums aren’t designed to impress you once and then start declining until you buy a new one. They’re built to disappear into your routine, doing their job week after week while you focus on literally anything else. And in a product category where overpromising and underdelivering has become a new tradition, the competence of brands like Riccar, and models like those that make up the R27 series, is a very welcome break.
It means owning a machine you don’t have to think about. Until, of course, someone visits your house, sees how well your vacuum works, and starts asking questions. At that point, feel free to send them our way!
