Portable and handheld vacuums are almost all imported, but MetroVac still builds its steel-bodied vacuums, blowers and dryers in Oakland, New Jersey, as it has in the New York area since 1939.
A portable vacuum is mostly its body and motor, and the motor is the part most likely to be imported. Each listing is rated for the company's most American-made line and says what is known to come from elsewhere.
MetroVac (Metropolitan Vacuum Cleaner Co.) makes steel-bodied portable vacuums and blowers, including the Vac N' Blo, DataVac computer dusters, car detailing vacuums and Air Force pet and motorcycle dryers. The third-generation family company was founded in 1939 and builds its products in Oakland, New Jersey.
MetroVac's About page says, "We are proud to say that our products are all made In USA from domestic and international components," and that the company moved into "a new 60,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Oakland, New Jersey" in 2013. Its home page calls its lineup "American-made power."
The bodies are steel. Where the motors are made isn't stated, and MetroVac doesn't name its international components.
Production history: MetroVac began in 1939, moved production to Suffern, New York in 1968 and to Oakland, New Jersey in 2013, and in 2019 said it was adding manufacturing staff. We found no move or layoff since.
Our rough estimate: imported or likely imported parts (motors and other international components) are about 20–45% of the value.
Level 4 for its Vac N' Blo and other all-steel portable vacuums and blowers: MetroVac builds its steel-bodied vacuums and blowers in Oakland, New Jersey from domestic and international components; where its motors are made isn't stated.
Read the qualifier. MetroVac says its products are made in the USA from domestic and international components, which is honest wording for a product with some imported parts.
Steel bodies are built here. MetroVac's vacuums and blowers have steel bodies built at its New Jersey plant.
Each listing's research notes show what was checked and when, including our rough estimate of how much of the value is imported.
Portable vacuum makers by state
New Jersey: MetroVac (Oakland)
Change log
What's changed since our last review on February 7, 2017?
1 maker from the earlier list was re-checked, including where it has made its vacuums over the years, and still builds them in the USA: MetroVac.
Powr-Flite moved: its backpack vacuum and floor machines will be listed on the Floor Machines page.
Every maker now has a Made in USA level from 0 to 5, with the sources and research notes behind it. See how the levels work.
Listings checked by Dave Hurley.
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A company may be based in the USA while making some products elsewhere. Check the manufacturer's own site for where a specific product is made.
