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Riccar R17 Premium Supralite Vacuum w/ 10 Year Warranty

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Riccar R17 Premium Supralite Vacuum w/ 10 Year Warranty

Riccar R17 Premium Supralite Vacuum w/ 10 Year Warranty

Original price was: $1,199.00.Current price is: $999.99. Free Shipping

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SKU: R17
Availability:

In stock

 

Designed for today’s carpet styles and busy families, the R17 has the soft carpet baseplate, making it easy to vacuum ultra-plush carpeting without bogging down and being hard to push. In addition to a seven-year manufacturer warranty, this machine is eligible for 17 service visits to your participating local Riccar retailer. Bring in your vacuum, and have the belt and other critical features checked to make sure your R17 cleans reliably for many years.

Riccar R17 Premium Supralite Vacuum review

Overall4.672% of the framework is backed by data so far
ValueValue asks what a year of owning this machine costs, and how good that year is. We take the price you see and spread it over how long we expect the machine to last, so one built to run for decades costs far less per year than one that wears out fast. How long it lasts sets how many years you get; the machine's other qualities, everything we rate apart from how long it lasts, set how good each of those years is. We compare that quality per year against every machine we rate, so the price, the expected lifespan, and the rest of the ratings are all things you can check for yourself.4.0

See the model numbers this machine is sold under, with prices and availability, below the product description.

See the full review on its own page

  • PerformanceWhat it is. Overall Performance of a machine across various surfaces. Why it matters. Performance determines whether a vacuum actually pulls dirt out of carpet fibers or just pushes it around, which is the entire point of owning one. Weak suction and poor filtration leave allergens, dust, and pet dander behind, which matters a lot for anyone dealing with allergies or asthma. Strong performance also saves time and effort, since you're not making repeated passes over the same spot.4.4
    • Airflow @ Cleaner HeadWhat it is. Cubic feet per minute of air the vacuum moves at the cleaner head. Why it matters. Airflow determines how much air the vacuum can move through the cleaner head, which is what actually carries dirt and debris away from the surface and into the bag or canister. This measurement taken at the cleaner head is important because that is where the work is actually done. Often a unit can have a high air flow motor but the design is "leaky" so much less air flow makes it to the floor. Suction alone isn't enough; without adequate airflow, even a vacuum with high suction rating can struggle to lift larger debris or maintain performance as the bag fills or filters load up. This is why CFM is often a better real-world indicator of cleaning power than sealed suction ratings alone, especially for picking up bulkier debris rather than just fine dust.Not enough data yet
    • Suction @ Cleaner HeadWhat it is. Suction is measure as water lift expressed in inches, based on how high the vacuum's motor can pull a column of water up a sealed tube. This measurement is taken at the cleaner head. Why it matters. Suction matters to you because it indicates how well a vacuum will perform on demanding surfaces like deep pile carpet, where dirt is embedded deep in the fibers and needs real pulling power to get out. It also affects how well the vacuum maintains performance over time, since suction helps compensate for the natural airflow loss that happens as a bag fills or a filter gets dirty. Ultimately, suction paired with good airflow gives the clearest picture of how a vacuum will actually perform in a real home rather than just on paper. This measurement taken at the cleaner head is important because that is where the work is actually done. Often a unit can have a high water lift motor but the design is "leaky" so much less suction is measured at the floor.Not enough data yet
    • Carpet CleaningWhat it is. Performance on carpet refers to how well a vacuum agitates and lifts dirt embedded deep in carpet fibers, rather than just skimming the surface. Why it matters. This matters to you because carpet traps way more dirt, dust, and allergens than hard floors, so if your vacuum can't deep clean the fibers, that stuff just stays in your home and builds up over time. It also affects how your carpet looks and lasts, since ground-in dirt acts like sandpaper on the fibers, so strong carpet performance keeps your floors cleaner and helps the carpet hold up longer.4.7
      • Deep Soil RemovalWhat it is. Deep soil removal refers to a vacuum's ability to extract fine, embedded dirt and grit that has worked its way down past the surface fibers to the base of the carpet, not just the debris sitting visibly on top. Achieving this typically requires strong beater brush agitation combined with sufficient suction and airflow to break that soil loose and carry it out. This rating is inherently subjective, and several testing methods exist across the industry. One common approach pours a measured weight of fine test debris onto carpet, vacuums it for a set period, then weighs the debris recovered. Another buries fine debris beneath the carpet, vacuums the surface, then inspects what remains underneath. Our rating reflects a raw star score based on direct review of test footage for each machine and/or extensive comparative testing in store. Why it matters. This matters to you because most of the dirt in your carpet isn't the stuff you can see, it's the fine grit and dust that settles deep down and gets walked in over time. If your vacuum only grabs surface debris, that embedded soil keeps building up, making your carpet look duller and wear out faster since the grit grinds against the fibers with every step. It's also a big deal for air quality and allergies, since deep soil often carries dust mites, allergens, and bacteria that stay trapped until something actually pulls them out. Ultimately, deep soil removal is one of the best real-world tests of a vacuum's true cleaning power, since it's harder to fake with marketing specs than surface pickup is.See the evidence4.4
        RatingSourceWeight
        4.0Dallas, Store ManagerStaff opinion
        Dallas We run a pink sand demo on the R17: pour sand into the carpet, run the machine over it, and watch the agitation bounce the sand up out of the pile while the suction pulls it inward. You can see the deep extraction happening, out of a machine you can lift with two fingers, and that is the engineering trick of the whole Supralite line, agitation that runs deeper than ten pounds has any right to. What sets the R17 apart inside its own family is consistency. Its fabric reinforced belt does not stretch, which means the roller holds full agitation from the day you buy it, no slow fade between belt changes because there are no belt changes. Pair that with the free service schedule keeping the machine in tune and the R17 performs the same in year five as it did in week one. It will not out dig the big two motor machines, and nobody should expect that from this weight class. But my commercial cleaners run these across other people's carpets forty hours a week, on machines that get zero babying, and their clients keep paying.
        Dallas manages the Vacuums R Us Arvada location, where roughly 200 machines a month cross his counter between repair check ins and new sales. He came… Dallas manages the Vacuums R Us Arvada location, where roughly 200 machines a month cross his counter between repair check ins and new sales. He came to vacuums from retail about a year ago and turned out to be a natural fit. At home he runs a Riccar R30 Tandem Air four times a week in a small apartment shared with a large, generously shedding German Shepherd, and lifelong asthma and allergies mean he takes filtration personally. Every recommendation he makes starts with the same question: what actually works best for you?
        Measured by Attributed Professional Opinion
        		1
        4.4Vacuums R Us Test LabLab measured
        Vacuums R Us Test Lab Picked up 72 of 100 grams of baking soda in 30 seconds on our 48 oz frieze test carpet (68 g before, 140 g after).
        Here, technicians measure airflow, water lift, and pickup performance on carpet and bare floors, using the same criteria outlined throughout our… Here, technicians measure airflow, water lift, and pickup performance on carpet and bare floors, using the same criteria outlined throughout our review series. Machines are run through repeated cleaning cycles to see how they hold up over time, not just how they perform on day one. The lab also tests filtration, noise levels, and ease of maintenance, giving customers a clear picture of what to expect long after the initial sale. Every rating and recommendation you see on vacuumsrus.com traces back to results generated right here in the lab, not marketing claims from the manufacturer.
        Measured by Deep Clean Baking Soda Test
        		1
        The evidence behind Vacuums R Us Test Lab's reading
      • Brush RPMWhat it is. Brush roll RPM is how fast the rotating brush spins, measured in revolutions per minute. Why it matters. This matters because higher RPM means more aggressive agitation, breaking loose deep grit and tangled pet hair that suction alone can't pull out. Without enough brush speed, a vacuum glides over carpet without disturbing the fibers, leaving dirt and hair behind. The right RPM paired with good suction is what actually lifts debris out of carpet, not just off the surface.Not enough data yet
      • Pet Hair PickupWhat it is. Pet hair removal refers to a vacuum's ability to pull embedded pet hair out of carpet fibers and off upholstery, rather than just pushing it around or leaving it tangled at the surface. Performance here depends heavily on brush roll design, suction, and how well the vacuum resists hair wrapping around the brush itself during use. Testing methodology is harder to standardize than other categories because hair test material is too lightweight for weight based comparison. Instead, testing generally involves applying a controlled quantity of synthetic test hair to a surface, vacuuming separate sections with different machines, then comparing the results visually side by side. Our rating reflects a raw star score based on direct review of test footage for each machine and/or extensive comparative testing in store. Why it matters. This matters to you because pet hair works its way deep into carpet and fabric in a way that's genuinely hard to remove by hand, so a vacuum that can't handle it means constant visible hair no matter how often you clean. Poor pet hair removal also means more allergens in the air, since pet dander clings to that hair and gets stirred up every time you walk across the room. It affects how much time you spend maintaining the vacuum too, since brush rolls that tangle badly with hair need to be cut out and cleaned constantly, which is a hassle nobody wants. A vacuum that genuinely handles pet hair well saves you time, keeps your home looking cleaner, and cuts down on the allergens circulating from pet dander.See the evidence5.0
        RatingSourceWeight
        4.5Dallas, Store ManagerStaff opinion
        Dallas The whole Supralite line does really well on pet hair, and I would say that is one of the biggest reasons our professional house cleaners love these vacuums, but the R17 is the one I would put in a pet house without a second thought. Think about a cleaner's week: house after house, most with a dog or three, and the machine has to pull hair out of every carpet type on the schedule without wrapping, clogging, or slowing the crew down. The deep agitation does the work, the same aggressive brush action that bounces sand out of carpet drives settled hair up into the bag, and on the R17 that agitation never fades, because the non stretch lifetime belt holds the roller at full speed permanently. For a ten pound vacuum, a 4.5 on pet hair is remarkable, and I want to frame the number honestly: the top of the scale belongs to the R30 Tandem Air, a two motor machine three times the weight. The R17 gives up half a step to the king and nothing to anything else in its class. A shedding household with stairs, or an owner who cannot haul a heavy upright anymore, does not have to compromise. This is the answer.
        Dallas manages the Vacuums R Us Arvada location, where roughly 200 machines a month cross his counter between repair check ins and new sales. He came… Dallas manages the Vacuums R Us Arvada location, where roughly 200 machines a month cross his counter between repair check ins and new sales. He came to vacuums from retail about a year ago and turned out to be a natural fit. At home he runs a Riccar R30 Tandem Air four times a week in a small apartment shared with a large, generously shedding German Shepherd, and lifelong asthma and allergies mean he takes filtration personally. Every recommendation he makes starts with the same question: what actually works best for you?
        Measured by Attributed Professional Opinion
        		1
        5.0Vacuums R Us Test LabLab measured
        Vacuums R Us Test Lab Top baseline machine for this test. The R17 sets the 5 star mark.
        Here, technicians measure airflow, water lift, and pickup performance on carpet and bare floors, using the same criteria outlined throughout our… Here, technicians measure airflow, water lift, and pickup performance on carpet and bare floors, using the same criteria outlined throughout our review series. Machines are run through repeated cleaning cycles to see how they hold up over time, not just how they perform on day one. The lab also tests filtration, noise levels, and ease of maintenance, giving customers a clear picture of what to expect long after the initial sale. Every rating and recommendation you see on vacuumsrus.com traces back to results generated right here in the lab, not marketing claims from the manufacturer.
        Measured by Pet Hair Side by Side Test
        		1
        The evidence behind Vacuums R Us Test Lab's reading
    • Bare floorWhat it is. Bare floor pickup refers to a vacuum's ability to collect fine dust, debris, and larger particles off hard surfaces like wood, tile, or laminate, without scattering it or leaving streaks behind. Performance here depends on proper suction control, brush roll design or shut off capability, and how well the vacuum seals against the floor to prevent debris from blowing out the sides. This test is highly subjective, as it accounts for multiple practical factors such as whether the vacuum pushes debris around instead of collecting it, or leaves fine and large particles behind. Our rating reflects a star score based on observed semi controlled testing. Why it matters. This matters to you because hard floors show dirt and dust much more visibly than carpet, so poor pickup means you're left looking at streaks, scattered debris, or fine grit even right after vacuuming. A vacuum that blasts air out the sides instead of pulling debris in can actually push dirt into corners or under furniture rather than picking it up. It also matters for scratch prevention, since a vacuum designed well for hard floors won't grind grit into the surface the way a poorly suited one might. Good bare floor performance means less follow-up sweeping or mopping, saving you time and keeping your floors looking genuinely clean rather than just superficially tidied up.4.0
      RatingSourceWeight
      4.0Dallas, Store ManagerStaff opinion
      Dallas Bare floor on the R17 is a two part answer. There is no switch to shut off the brush roller anywhere in this family, so a small squeegee built into the bottom of the base plate catches the debris a live roller would otherwise kick back at your feet. And like all the corded Supralites, the R17 carries a half speed setting that calms the machine down for hardwood and bare surfaces, so you are not running full agitation across your kitchen. Run the half speed and let the squeegee mop up the rest, and the machine crosses from carpet to tile without stopping, which is exactly what a mixed route or a mixed home needs. What makes the R17 the one I name when an all hardwood household asks about the big two motor uprights is the whole package around that pass: overkill avoided, floors still clean, and the lifetime belt and 17 service program holding the machine at that performance for years without drift. I keep the honest ceiling on the score, because a dedicated bare floor machine or a canister with a parquet tool still finishes edges and corners finer. But for a lightweight upright doing double duty across surfaces, the hard floor half of the house is simply handled.
      Dallas manages the Vacuums R Us Arvada location, where roughly 200 machines a month cross his counter between repair check ins and new sales. He came… Dallas manages the Vacuums R Us Arvada location, where roughly 200 machines a month cross his counter between repair check ins and new sales. He came to vacuums from retail about a year ago and turned out to be a natural fit. At home he runs a Riccar R30 Tandem Air four times a week in a small apartment shared with a large, generously shedding German Shepherd, and lifelong asthma and allergies mean he takes filtration personally. Every recommendation he makes starts with the same question: what actually works best for you?
      Measured by Attributed Professional Opinion
      		1
    • Filtration and air qualityWhat it is. Filtration is a vacuum's ability to trap fine dust, allergens, and pet dander inside the machine instead of releasing it back into the air. Why it matters. Filtration is a vacuum's ability to trap fine dust, allergens, and pet dander inside the machine instead of releasing it back into the air.See the evidence5.0
      RatingSourceWeight
      5.0Carpet and Rug Institute, CRIIndependent test
      The mission of The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) is to educate customers and consumers, help advance technical initiatives, and advocate on behalf… The mission of The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) is to educate customers and consumers, help advance technical initiatives, and advocate on behalf of the carpet manufacturing industry. This work is informed by science and guided by their commitment to integrity in everything they do.
      Measured by Instrumented Bench Measurement
      		1
      The evidence behind Carpet and Rug Institute, CRI's reading
    • Edge CleaningWhat it is. Edge cleaning is a vacuum's ability to pick up dirt and debris along walls, baseboards, and corners where brush rolls typically can't reach. Why it matters. This matters to you because dirt and dust naturally collect along edges and baseboards, and a vacuum that misses them leaves visible buildup even after a full cleaning pass. Good edge cleaning cuts down on the need for separate spot cleaning or hand sweeping in corners. It also keeps baseboards and room edges looking consistently clean, rather than showing a ring of dust that stands out against the rest of the floor.3.0
      RatingSourceWeight
      3.0Josh, OperationsStaff opinion
      Josh Edge cleaning on the supralites depends on which side of the head you use. The non belt side runs better than average, and on that side it beats most other uprights. The belt side runs average to worse, because the belt rides in a large section of the housing that is just a plastic plate, and little to no airflow gets through there. Know which side to put against the baseboard and this machine edges well. Overall, call it meh but ok.
      Josh started in the vacuum industry in 2010 as a technician, working his way through sales and store management before becoming Operations Manager.… Josh started in the vacuum industry in 2010 as a technician, working his way through sales and store management before becoming Operations Manager. While he's spent time on both the technical and sales sides of the business, his real fascination lies in the business side of the industry and how those decisions ripple down to the customer. He closely tracks the pattern of private equity quietly acquiring major brands, running them into bankruptcy, and selling off the name to foreign entities, and what that means for the people left holding the machines. Josh monitors every layer of operations with that lens, staying keenly aware of how a brand's choices, from warranty processes to gatekeeping repair parts and data, directly shape the experience customers get long after the sale.
      Measured by Observational Performance Assessment
      		1
  • Ease of useWhat it is. Ease of use refers to how simple and comfortable a vacuum is to actually operate day to day, covering things like weight, maneuverability, how easily it switches between floor types, and how simple it is to empty, change filters, or swap attachments. It's about how much effort and hassle the machine adds to a basic chore, since a vacuum that's awkward to push, hard to empty, or confusing to maintain gets used less and resented more, even if it cleans well. Why it matters. Ease of use matters because it directly affects whether someone actually enjoys or dreads a chore they have to do regularly. A vacuum that's heavy, hard to maneuver, or a pain to empty tends to get used less often, which means dirtier floors and worse results over time regardless of how powerful the machine is. It also reduces physical strain, which matters a lot for people with back issues, older adults, or anyone vacuuming stairs and tight spaces. Ultimately, a vacuum that's easy to use turns a dreaded task into a quick, low-effort routine, which is often what keeps people happy with their purchase long after the sale.4.9
    • WeightWhat it is. Weight, as it relates to ease of use, is how heavy a vacuum is to lift, carry, and maneuver during normal cleaning, especially on stairs or when moving between rooms. Why it matters. This matters to you because a heavier vacuum tires you out faster and makes routine cleaning feel like more of a chore, which means you're less likely to do it as often. It's especially important on stairs, where a bulky or heavy machine becomes awkward and even a safety concern to carry up and down. Lighter vacuums also make quick cleanups easier, since you're more willing to grab it for a small mess instead of avoiding the hassle.4.4
      RatingSourceWeight
      4.4 9Manufacturer SpecManufacturer spec
      Manufacturers often publish testing data, performance metrics, and product claims, and we reproduce that information here. Much of it is valuable,… Manufacturers often publish testing data, performance metrics, and product claims, and we reproduce that information here. Much of it is valuable, and some manufacturers document their testing procedures thoroughly. More often, though, the origin of the data and the methodology behind it are not disclosed, which makes the figures difficult to interpret and in some cases unreliable. Published numbers are also frequently measured at the most favorable point on the machine or under ideal conditions that a customer will not replicate. We therefore present manufacturer data as reported, and in the absence of other testing we will rely on it, but we rate its quality low and give substantially more weight to independent testing when compiling reviews.
      		1
    • ManeuverabilityWhat it is. Maneuverability is how easily a vacuum turns, swivels, and moves around furniture, tight corners, and obstacles during normal use. Why it matters. This matters to you because a vacuum that's hard to steer means more effort spent wrestling it around rooms instead of actually cleaning. Good maneuverability lets you get into tight spots, like under furniture or around table legs, without constantly stopping to reposition. A vacuum that moves easily also encourages more thorough cleaning, since awkward corners and tight spaces don't get skipped just because they're a hassle to reach.5.0
      RatingSourceWeight
      5.0Dallas, Store ManagerStaff opinion
      Dallas The R17 is the flagship of the Supralite line, and the Supralites are the machines I hand to people who move vacuums for a living. A good 80 percent of my interactions with this series are professional house cleaners and commercial crews. The commercial line of supralitesis the one they graduate to. Nine and a half to ten pounds, extremely easy to carry up stairs, work around tight furniture, and load in and out of a car ten times a day. The ergonomic grip makes it the best of the family in the hand. And here is the part that surprises people on the demo floor: it is very easy to push, because the agitation runs so deep it almost assists the machine forward. I stop short of calling it self driving, but it helps you rather than fights you. A cleaning crew's machine gets zero babying and no rest, and this is the series they keep rebuying, which is the most honest maneuverability review that exists. If weight is the reason somebody is dreading vacuuming, stairs, arthritis, a three story townhouse, this is the machine that removes the dread. Top of the scale, earned daily by people who vacuum for money.
      Dallas manages the Vacuums R Us Arvada location, where roughly 200 machines a month cross his counter between repair check ins and new sales. He came… Dallas manages the Vacuums R Us Arvada location, where roughly 200 machines a month cross his counter between repair check ins and new sales. He came to vacuums from retail about a year ago and turned out to be a natural fit. At home he runs a Riccar R30 Tandem Air four times a week in a small apartment shared with a large, generously shedding German Shepherd, and lifelong asthma and allergies mean he takes filtration personally. Every recommendation he makes starts with the same question: what actually works best for you?
      Measured by Attributed Professional Opinion
      		1
    • Noise levelWhat it is. Noise level is how loud a vacuum is during normal operation, typically measured in decibels. Why it matters. This matters to you because a loud vacuum can be disruptive in a home with sleeping kids, pets, or anyone trying to work or relax nearby. Lower noise levels make it easier to vacuum at convenient times without feeling like you're disturbing the whole house. Quieter vacuums are also just more pleasant to use, since a loud, jarring machine makes an already tedious chore more unpleasant.Not enough data yet
    • Ease of MaintenanceWhat it is. Ease of maintenance is how simple it is to clean or replace filters and swap out other consumables, like belts or bags, without tools or hassle. Why it matters. This matters to you because filters that are hard to access or clean often get neglected, which hurts suction and air quality over time. Vacuums that make consumable changes quick and intuitive mean you're actually keeping up with maintenance instead of putting it off. Simple maintenance also extends the life of the machine, since a well-maintained vacuum with clean filters and fresh belts puts far less strain on the motor.5.0
      RatingSourceWeight
      5.0Dallas, Store ManagerStaff opinion
      Dallas The R17 is the Supralite where maintenance nearly stops being your job. Start with the series' cleverest feature: the bag is the filter, so every time you drop in a fresh bag you have effectively installed a fresh filter, and there are no secondary filters to track. The brush roll opens up with two quarter turn fasteners, the plate pivots right open, and we typically have a roller cleaned in under five minutes; the roller is metal with replaceable brush strips, so worn brushes mean new strips, never a whole new roller. Now the R17 exclusives. The belt is fabric reinforced and non stretch, a lifetime belt, and I generally wish people luck breaking one, but if they manage it, a new one gets installed at no cost. And the headline: the R17 comes with 17 free services throughout the life of the vacuum, honored at any authorized Riccar dealer. Seventeen. So the owner's entire responsibility is bags and the occasional roller cleaning, and everything deeper arrives free over 17 included servives. There are premium machines that make maintenance easy. This one makes most of it somebody else's job forever.
      Dallas manages the Vacuums R Us Arvada location, where roughly 200 machines a month cross his counter between repair check ins and new sales. He came… Dallas manages the Vacuums R Us Arvada location, where roughly 200 machines a month cross his counter between repair check ins and new sales. He came to vacuums from retail about a year ago and turned out to be a natural fit. At home he runs a Riccar R30 Tandem Air four times a week in a small apartment shared with a large, generously shedding German Shepherd, and lifelong asthma and allergies mean he takes filtration personally. Every recommendation he makes starts with the same question: what actually works best for you?
      Measured by Attributed Professional Opinion
      		1
    • Cord LengthWhat it is. Cord length,is how much reach a corded vacuum gives you before you need to switch outlets. Why it matters. This matters to you because a short cord means constantly stopping to unplug and replug in different rooms, breaking up the flow of cleaning. A longer cord lets you cover more space, like a full living room or hallway, from a single outlet. Running out of cord mid-room is a common frustration that a well-designed length simply avoids.4.8
      RatingSourceWeight
      4.8 40 FtManufacturer SpecManufacturer spec
      Manufacturers often publish testing data, performance metrics, and product claims, and we reproduce that information here. Much of it is valuable,… Manufacturers often publish testing data, performance metrics, and product claims, and we reproduce that information here. Much of it is valuable, and some manufacturers document their testing procedures thoroughly. More often, though, the origin of the data and the methodology behind it are not disclosed, which makes the figures difficult to interpret and in some cases unreliable. Published numbers are also frequently measured at the most favorable point on the machine or under ideal conditions that a customer will not replicate. We therefore present manufacturer data as reported, and in the absence of other testing we will rely on it, but we rate its quality low and give substantially more weight to independent testing when compiling reviews.
      		1
    • Handle WeightWhat it is. Handle weight is how heavy a vacuum feels in your hand as you use it, not what it weighs on a scale. Why it matters. Total weight is mostly borne by the wheels on the floor, so two vacuums with identical scale weights can feel completely different in the hand depending on balance, wheel placement, and whether the unit is self-propelled. Handle weight is what actually taxes the wrist, arm, and back during a cleaning session, and it spikes the moment you lift the machine off the floor to do stairs, edges, or above-floor work.Not enough data yet
  • LongevityWhat it is. Longevity in a vacuum cleaner refers to how long the machine holds up under regular use before parts wear out, suction weakens, or it breaks down entirely, usually driven by build quality, motor durability, and how well it's maintained. Why it matters. Longevity matters because it directly affects the total cost of ownership. A cheap vacuum that dies in two years often ends up costing more than a well-built one that lasts ten, once you factor in replacements. It also means fewer repairs, less downtime, and less frustration dealing with a machine that quits when you need it most. Finally, a longer-lasting vacuum is simply better value and less wasteful, since you're not sending a broken machine to the landfill every couple of years.4.7
    • Anticipated motor and machine lifespanWhat it is. Expected motor and machine lifespan is how long a vacuum's motor and core components are built to reliably function before performance drops off or the unit fails. Why it matters. This matters to you because it's the single biggest factor in how much the vacuum actually costs over time, not just what you paid upfront. A vacuum with a short expected lifespan often needs replacing right when you've settled into using it, while a well-built one can outlast several cheaper replacements combined. It's also a good early signal of overall build quality, since manufacturers who engineer for a long motor life usually apply that same care to the rest of the4.5
      RatingSourceWeight
      4.5 16 YearsJosh, OperationsStaff opinion
      Josh Riccar knows their machines are going to be pushed hard, and they build like it. When somebody needs muscle car level performance out of a vacuum, Riccar is where we go. Performance usually gets paid for out of the machine's lifespan. Push the design harder, watch it die younger. Riccar built for the abuse instead. The engineering assumes the machine will be worked, so the machine is made to take the work. Just as important, these units are intended to be maintained and repaired. A machine intended for maintenance gets serviced on schedule, gets fixed when needed, and keeps running long after a disposable machine would have hit the landfill. Riccar backs the intent with the long tail that makes it all work: supplies and repair components remain available today for many models that ceased production a decade ago or more. When the parts outlive the production run, the lifespan question belongs to you and your maintenance habits, not to a discontinued parts catalog. A muscle car driven hard still lasts when it is built for the beating and the parts keep coming. Same principle here just its a vacuum so not quite as cool.
      Josh started in the vacuum industry in 2010 as a technician, working his way through sales and store management before becoming Operations Manager.… Josh started in the vacuum industry in 2010 as a technician, working his way through sales and store management before becoming Operations Manager. While he's spent time on both the technical and sales sides of the business, his real fascination lies in the business side of the industry and how those decisions ripple down to the customer. He closely tracks the pattern of private equity quietly acquiring major brands, running them into bankruptcy, and selling off the name to foreign entities, and what that means for the people left holding the machines. Josh monitors every layer of operations with that lens, staying keenly aware of how a brand's choices, from warranty processes to gatekeeping repair parts and data, directly shape the experience customers get long after the sale.
      		1
    • WarrantyWhat it is. Warranty covers both how long a manufacturer guarantees to repair or replace a vacuum, and how straightforward it actually is to use that coverage when something goes wrong. Why it matters. This matters to you because a long warranty means little if using it is slow or complicated. Length reflects how confident the manufacturer is in their build quality, while ease of use reflects how much they actually stand behind that promise. A warranty that's both long and simple to act on protects you twice, financially and practically.4.8
      • Warranty PeriodWhat it is. Warranty covers both how long a manufacturer guarantees to repair or replace a vacuum, and how straightforward it actually is to use that coverage when something goes wrong. Why it matters. This matters to you because a warranty isn't really about how long the vacuum lasts, it's a signal of how confident the manufacturer is in their own build quality. Companies that trust their engineering are willing to back it with longer, more comprehensive coverage, while shorter warranties often reflect less confidence or cheaper components. A strong warranty also protects you financially if something does go wrong early, without you having to prove the failure wasn't your fault. So when comparing vacuums, the warranty terms themselves are worth reading closely, since they tell you almost as much about the machine as the spec sheet does.4.6
        RatingSourceWeight
        4.6 10 YearsManufacturer SpecManufacturer spec
        Manufacturers often publish testing data, performance metrics, and product claims, and we reproduce that information here. Much of it is valuable,… Manufacturers often publish testing data, performance metrics, and product claims, and we reproduce that information here. Much of it is valuable, and some manufacturers document their testing procedures thoroughly. More often, though, the origin of the data and the methodology behind it are not disclosed, which makes the figures difficult to interpret and in some cases unreliable. Published numbers are also frequently measured at the most favorable point on the machine or under ideal conditions that a customer will not replicate. We therefore present manufacturer data as reported, and in the absence of other testing we will rely on it, but we rate its quality low and give substantially more weight to independent testing when compiling reviews.
        		1
      • Claim ProcessWhat it is. Claim ease is how simple a manufacturer makes it to use your warranty, whether that's quick phone support or a local service center you can walk into instead of shipping the machine off. Why it matters. This matters to you because easy phone access means you can get a real answer fast instead of navigating automated menus or waiting days for an email reply. Having a local service center nearby means you can drop off and pick up your vacuum in person, often getting it back much faster than mailing it out and waiting for return shipping. Manufacturers who invest in accessible support and local service centers are usually the ones who make good on their warranty promises without turning it into a hassle.See the evidence5.0
        RatingSourceWeight
        5.0TaconyManufacturer spec
        Tacony Riccar operates the largest service center network of any vacuum brand in the US, which means getting a machine repaired under warranty is almost never a hassle no matter where you live. Every authorized Riccar dealer is required to run an in-house service center staffed with trained technicians and to honor manufacturer warranty repairs, so the dealership down the street carries the same weight as going straight to the manufacturer. That requirement is baked into what it takes to become a Riccar dealer in the first place, which is why the network stays so consistent and widespread across the country. While Riccar does offer US-based customer support by phone, the real advantage is having dealers everywhere, so you can walk in and talk to someone local who actually knows the machines, rather than working through a call center for every issue.
        Tacony is an American company behind a family of respected vacuum and sewing brands, including Riccar, Simplicity, Powerflite, CleanMax, Carpet Pro,… Tacony is an American company behind a family of respected vacuum and sewing brands, including Riccar, Simplicity, Powerflite, CleanMax, Carpet Pro, Baby Lock, and Tornado. Across its vacuum lines, Tacony builds durable, powerful machines designed for long-term, everyday use rather than short-lived convenience. These brands are especially popular among consumers who want extreme performance, longer lifespans and an eye towards usability. Tacony also maintains a strong presence in specialty vacuum stores, where hands-on demonstration and technical service remain central to how its brands sell and support their machines.
        		1
        The evidence behind Tacony's reading
    • RepairabilityWhat it is. Repairability covers how easy common repairs are to perform, whether parts stay available long term, what those parts cost, and whether documentation or instructions exist publicly to guide the repair. Why it matters. This matters to you because a vacuum that's easy to repair with affordable, available parts can be fixed instead of replaced, saving you real money over its lifespan. Public documentation and instructions mean you or a local shop can actually do the repair, rather than being stuck if the manufacturer won't help. Vacuums that lack accessible parts or documentation often become disposable the moment something breaks, no matter how well built they were to start.4.9
      • Ease of RepairWhat it is. Ease of repairs is how straightforward it is to actually perform a common repair, based on how accessible the internal components are and whether it requires specialized tools or expertise. Why it matters. This matters to you because a vacuum that's easy to open up and fix means simple issues get resolved quickly, without needing a technician for something minor. Machines designed with repair in mind usually use standard screws and modular parts, rather than sealed housings or proprietary fasteners that block access. When repairs are simple, you're more likely to actually get the vacuum fixed instead of giving up and buying a new one.4.8
        RatingSourceWeight
        4.8Josh, OperationsStaff opinion
        Josh Riccar tends to be one of the easiest brands to work on, and that is not an accident. The biggest factor, and anyone who has done appliance repair will understand this one, is that most of their machines use the same size fastener throughout the unit. One driver in hand and you can go end to end. The design is generally straightforward, and the majority of components fit together with no gotchas, hidden snaps, or buried fasteners. That makes sense when you consider their whole business model: these machines are built to be serviceable in hundreds of independent service centers across the country, and it shows in how they come apart.
        Josh started in the vacuum industry in 2010 as a technician, working his way through sales and store management before becoming Operations Manager.… Josh started in the vacuum industry in 2010 as a technician, working his way through sales and store management before becoming Operations Manager. While he's spent time on both the technical and sales sides of the business, his real fascination lies in the business side of the industry and how those decisions ripple down to the customer. He closely tracks the pattern of private equity quietly acquiring major brands, running them into bankruptcy, and selling off the name to foreign entities, and what that means for the people left holding the machines. Josh monitors every layer of operations with that lens, staying keenly aware of how a brand's choices, from warranty processes to gatekeeping repair parts and data, directly shape the experience customers get long after the sale.
        		1
      • Parts AvailablityWhat it is. Parts availability is whether replacement parts for a vacuum stay in stock and easy to obtain, both while the model is current and for years after it's discontinued. Why it matters. This matters to you because a vacuum is only as repairable as the parts you can actually get for it, no matter how simple the repair itself is. Brands that keep parts available long term let you keep a machine running for a decade or more, while brands that stop stocking parts quickly turn any failure into a dead end. Reliable parts availability also means faster repairs, since you're not waiting weeks for a backordered part or hunting through third-party sellers of questionable quality.4.9
        RatingSourceWeight
        4.9Josh, OperationsStaff opinion
        Josh Most modern Riccars have high parts availability at the component level. Component level means when a small part fails, you buy that small part. You are not replacing a large costly assembly because one little piece inside it gave up. In this industry that approach has become the exception, and it is the difference between a repair bill a customer shrugs at and one that sends them shopping for a new machine. The caveat is supply. Riccar sources components worldwide, so the supply challenges of the last decade have definitely impacted them, and we have seen delays on some high volume parts. But weigh that against the majority of companies that just flat out do not sell repair components at all, and a few delays traceable to geopolitical events do not count too heavily against them in my opinion. There is a difference between a company whose parts run late and a company whose parts do not exist. Riccar sells the exact piece that failed, and a machine built that way gets fixed and goes home. In a market trending hard the other direction, that is worth credit.
        Josh started in the vacuum industry in 2010 as a technician, working his way through sales and store management before becoming Operations Manager.… Josh started in the vacuum industry in 2010 as a technician, working his way through sales and store management before becoming Operations Manager. While he's spent time on both the technical and sales sides of the business, his real fascination lies in the business side of the industry and how those decisions ripple down to the customer. He closely tracks the pattern of private equity quietly acquiring major brands, running them into bankruptcy, and selling off the name to foreign entities, and what that means for the people left holding the machines. Josh monitors every layer of operations with that lens, staying keenly aware of how a brand's choices, from warranty processes to gatekeeping repair parts and data, directly shape the experience customers get long after the sale.
        		1
      • Service DocumentationWhat it is. Service documentation is whether clear instructions, diagrams, or repair guides exist and are publicly accessible for fixing a vacuum yourself or through a local shop. Why it matters. This matters to you because good documentation means you're not stuck guessing how to take the machine apart or reassemble it correctly. It also gives local repair shops what they need to work on the vacuum, instead of you being forced to go through the manufacturer or ship it away. Manufacturers who publish real service documentation are usually more transparent overall, treating repair as something they support rather than something they'd rather you avoided.5.0
        RatingSourceWeight
        5.0Josh, OperationsStaff opinion
        Josh Schematics are available for all models from numerous free internet sources, ours included. Riccar is arguably the most repairable brand, and repairable machines attract documentation the way engines attract wrenches. Independent service centers and hobbyists have produced thousands of repair videos on YouTube covering these machines. Whatever broke on yours, the odds are somebody already filmed that exact fix on your model. Put the two together and you are never working blind. Diagram in one window, tutorial in the other, part on order. That combination is what repair support is supposed to look like, and in a market where most manufacturers publish nothing and hope the machine reaches the landfill quietly, it stands out.
        Josh started in the vacuum industry in 2010 as a technician, working his way through sales and store management before becoming Operations Manager.… Josh started in the vacuum industry in 2010 as a technician, working his way through sales and store management before becoming Operations Manager. While he's spent time on both the technical and sales sides of the business, his real fascination lies in the business side of the industry and how those decisions ripple down to the customer. He closely tracks the pattern of private equity quietly acquiring major brands, running them into bankruptcy, and selling off the name to foreign entities, and what that means for the people left holding the machines. Josh monitors every layer of operations with that lens, staying keenly aware of how a brand's choices, from warranty processes to gatekeeping repair parts and data, directly shape the experience customers get long after the sale.
        		1

Every star traces to its evidence. Expand a topic to see the values, the sources, and how each was measured.

Pet Hair

Soft carpet friendly

Ultra light weight

Riccar R17 Overview

This model features a Hall sensor with lifetime belt, which virtually eliminates down time due to broken belts. It’s light enough to carry up and down stairs and has a 40-foot power cord to clean room after room without stopping. Equipped with a self-sealing HEPA media bag to trap dust and dirt, it also has rubber wheels and non-marking bumper, a two-speed motor and a metal brushroll with replaceable brushstrips that can be customized for delicate floor types or rugs. Because most homes have at least some bare floors, the R17 has a rubber squeegee that gently corrals dust and debris for easy removal.

Riccar R17 Features

  • Squeegee – Cleans bare floors beautifully.
  •  ABS Plastic Body – Used in hardhats and SupraLite nozzles, ABS plastic is rigid and durable yet incredibly lightweight.
  •  Metal Brushroll with Replaceable Brushstrips – A strong metal roller is designed to perform well and to last for many years. As you’d expect, brushstrips are replaceable and are customizable to your home’s floors.
  •  Self-Sealing HEPA Media Bag – Meets HEPA filtration standard of 99.97% efficiency at 0.3 microns. Self-sealing bags are simple to attach and remove for clean disposal.
  •  Two Speeds – Performs at high power or higher power.
  •  Hall Sensor and Lifetime Belt Protection – Breaking a belt is a thing of the past with Hall sensor technology. When it senses a a jammed condition, the brushroll stops until the jam is cleared. Then it’s back to vacuuming like nothing ever happened.
  •  SupraLite 17 – A special service plan allowing 17 service visits, honored at participating Riccar retail stores.
  •  Lightweight – Weighs only nine pounds.
  •  Plush Carpet Baseplate – Glides easily over ultra plush and soft carpet styles.

Riccar R17 Specs

  • Bag: Self-Sealing HEPA Media
  • Brushroll: Chrome Steel
  • Filtration: HEPA Media Bag
  • Cord Length: 40 Feet
  • Floor Selector: No
  • Wheels: Rubber
  • Motor: 2 Speeds, 5.5 Amps
  • Brushstrips: 2 Rows, Replaceable
  • Handle Tube: Aluminum with Deluxe Touch Grip
  • Headlight: Yes
  • Color: Black
  • On/off Switch: On Handle
  • Power: 2 Speeds, 5.5 Amps
  • Weight: 9 Pounds
  • Warranty: 10 years
  • Belt: Lifetime Serpentine with Hall Sensor Protection
  • Bare Floor Squeegee: Yes
  • Bottom Plate: High Impact Polycarbonate for Plush Carpet
  • VIP Service: 17 Tune-Ups

 

Additional information

Weight15 lbs
Brand

Riccar

Vacuum Type

Upright

Warranty Period

10

gtin

Condition

Product Brand

Riccar

Environment

Best of the Best, Pet Hair

Filtration

HEPA and S-Class, High Filtration Bag

Floor Type

Area Rugs, Bare Floor, Plush Carpet, Standard Carpet

Cord Length

40

Machine Weight

9

Alternate SKUs

R17PO

OEM/Alternate PNs

Report errors on this page HERE

The model numbers this machine is sold under

Manufacturers often sell the same machine under different model numbers. Sometimes this is simply because the same unit comes in different colors. Other times different models are created to sell to different retailers, making prices hard to compare. These models (Riccar r17.2, Riccar R17) are all internally the same machine. We rate it once, and the review covers every one of them.

  • Riccar r17.2Designed for today’s carpet styles and busy families, the R17 has the soft carpet… Original price was: $1,199.00.Current price is: $999.99. Free ShippingIn stockThe one you are looking at
  • Riccar R17 Sold elsewhere

Compatible alternate products

Pre Owned Riccar R17 Premium Supralite Upright Vacuum w/ 90 Day Warranty
Pre Owned
Pre Owned Riccar R17 Premium Supralite Upright Vacuum w/ 90 Day Warranty
Original price was: $1,200.00.Current price is: $700.00.

Original price was: $1,200.00.Current price is: $700.00.Add to cart

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