The Pa vs. Airwatts (AW)(vacuum suction metrics) debate directly impacts product return rates and B2B client satisfaction. Sourcing car vacuums based on an inflated or irrelevant metric often leads to poor real-world performance, triggering negative reviews and warranty claims that erode profit margins.
This analysis clarifies which metric is critical for specific cleaning tasks. We benchmark performance against the 13,000Pa high-power standard and explain how motor design impacts static lift, ensuring your OEM specifications prevent costly performance gaps in the final product.
What is the physical difference between Pascal (Pa) and Airwatts (AW)?
Pascal (Pa) measures raw suction pressure—the pulling force. Airwatts (AW) measures total cleaning work by combining pressure with airflow. Pa indicates lift, while AW reflects overall efficiency.
| Метрическая система | What It Measures | Основной пример использования |
|---|---|---|
| Pascal (Pa) | Raw suction pressure only—the direct lifting force at the nozzle. | Tasks requiring strong lift in a concentrated area (e.g., pulling sand from car mats). |
| Airwatts (AW) | Calculated power that combines suction pressure with airflow volume. | Overall cleaning efficiency for larger systems like household vacuums. |
Pascal Measures Pressure, Airwatts Measure Performance
The two metrics are not interchangeable because they measure different things. Pascal (Pa) is a simple unit of pressure. It tells you the raw lifting force the vacuum motor can generate right at the inlet. Think of it as the pure muscle for pulling debris from a surface.
Airwatts (AW), on the other hand, is a calculated unit of power. It combines that suction pressure (Pa) with airflow volume (CFM) to give a more complete picture of the vacuum’s ability to do cleaning work. A vacuum can have high pressure but poor airflow, which means it can lift dirt but can’t move it effectively into the bin.
Why Our 13,000Pa Rating Is a Critical Spec
For compact vacuums designed for tight spaces, high raw pressure is what matters most. The job isn’t cleaning a large, open floor; it’s pulling stubborn debris like sand, food crumbs, or even coins out from deep within floor mats and seat crevices. This requires concentrated lifting force, not massive airflow.
That’s why we focus on delivering up to 13,000Pa of ‘Hurricane Suction’. This level of pressure ensures the vacuum has enough direct pulling force to handle the dense, heavy debris common in vehicles. While Airwatts is a useful metric for whole-house systems, Pascal is the most direct indicator of performance for these specific, high-lift automotive cleaning tasks.

Why is Static Lift (Pa) more critical for small car nozzles?
Static Lift (Pa) is the raw pulling force needed to move stubborn debris. For small nozzles, this concentrated pressure is more important than overall airflow for deep cleaning.
Overcoming Resistance in Confined Spaces
Think about airflow like water in a pipe. A wide-open hose moves a lot of water (high airflow), but it doesn’t have much force. Squeeze the end of the hose, and the pressure skyrockets. The same principle applies to vacuum attachments.
Small tools like a crevice nozzle create a bottleneck. This drastically increases air resistance. High airflow (CFM) ratings become less relevant because the air simply can’t move through the tight space fast enough. What you need instead is high static lift, measured in Pascals (Pa), which is the direct pulling force required to dislodge embedded dirt and pull it through that narrow channel without clogging.
The Impact of 13,000Pa on Crevice Tool Performance
This is where motor engineering makes a tangible difference. Our high-performance motors are designed to generate up to 13,000Pa of static pressure. This isn’t just a number on a spec sheet; it’s the force that makes our attachments work as intended.
With that level of raw suction, the included Crevice Nozzle and Brush Head can effectively lift dense, heavy debris. We’re talking about the sand, pebbles, and dried mud that get ground into floor mats and seat seams. Without high Pa, a vacuum motor can’t overcome the resistance of the nozzle and the weight of the debris, leaving the most frustrating messes behind.
Source High-Suction, Certified Car Vacuum Cleaners

How do you convert mmH2O Water Lift to Pascals?
To convert mmH2O to Pascals (Pa), multiply the mmH2O value by 9.80665. This formula offers a standard, reliable way to measure and compare vacuum suction pressure.
Understanding suction power requires a common language. While different metrics exist, converting millimeters of water lift (mmH2O) to Pascals (Pa) is straightforward. It gives you a clear, internationally recognized performance value.
The Direct Conversion Formula
The relationship between mmH2O and Pascals is based on a fixed conversion factor derived from the pressure exerted by a one-millimeter column of water. The math is simple and direct.
- The Conversion Factor: 1 mmH2O is equal to 9.80665 Pa.
- The Formula: Pa = mmH2O Value × 9.80665
Why We Specify Suction in Pascals (Pa)
For B2B buyers and product developers, consistency is key. We use Pascals because it is the official SI unit for pressure. This provides a universal and reliable metric, removing ambiguity when comparing the suction performance of different vacuum models. It allows for a direct comparison of raw pulling force.
Our high-power car vacuum cleaners are engineered to deliver strong performance, with suction power reaching up to 13,000Pa. This rating ensures the vacuum has enough force to handle common in-car messes, from fine dust in the vents to heavier debris on the floor mats.
Can a 100AW motor actually perform worse than a 15kPa motor?
Yes. Air Watts balances airflow and pressure, but Pascals (Pa) measures raw suction. For deep cleaning cars, high Pa is often more effective for lifting heavy debris.
Understanding the Difference: Airflow vs. Suction Pressure
Comparing Air Watts (AW) and Pascals (Pa) is like comparing a car’s horsepower to its torque. They measure different things, so a direct comparison without context is misleading. Air Watts is a combined metric that measures both airflow and suction pressure. It gives a general idea of a vacuum’s overall work output.
Pascals, or kilopascals (kPa), measure only one thing: raw suction pressure. This is the pure lifting force the motor can generate. A vacuum can have a high AW rating because of massive airflow but have weak pressure. For tasks that require pulling heavy, embedded particles from dense materials like carpet fibers, a motor with very high Pa can easily outperform one with a higher AW rating.

Why High-Pascal Suction Is Key for Car Interiors
Cleaning a car interior isn’t about picking up light dust from a smooth floor. It’s about extracting heavy debris like sand, pebbles, and food crumbs from dense floor mats and tight crevices. This job demands high-pressure suction, not just high airflow. You need strong lift to pull those particles out effectively.
This is why we focus our engineering on raw suction power. KelyLands high-power vacuums are built to deliver up to 13,000Pa. This level of pressure is designed specifically for the tough cleaning jobs found inside a vehicle. But a powerful motor is only part of the equation. The actual performance depends on the entire system’s design, including efficient airflow pathways and an airtight seal to prevent pressure loss before it reaches the nozzle.
Часто задаваемые вопросы
Does the factory provide a PQ (Pressure vs. Flow) curve chart?
Yes, we provide PQ curves as part of our standard documentation. This chart graphically shows the relationship between a vacuum’s static pressure and its airflow rate, which is essential for understanding its operational performance under different conditions, such as when a filter begins to load with debris.
Where are suction measurements like Air Watts taken on the vacuum?
Suction measurements are taken at the operating end of the vacuum’s hose or tool, not directly at the motor inlet. This method reflects the real-world performance you will experience during cleaning, as it accounts for the entire system.
What is the conversion factor used to calculate Airwatts?
The standard conversion factor to calculate Airwatts is 8.5. The formula is (Suction × Airflow) ÷ 8.5. This metric helps define the optimal point where suction and airflow work together, though comparing motor and suction specs directly is also recommended.
Does a Pa rating represent the maximum sealed suction or the actual working suction?
A Pa (Pascal) rating measures static pressure. It can represent either sealed suction (the theoretical maximum with zero airflow) or working suction (the operational pressure with airflow). The sealed suction value is always higher than the working suction you get during use.
Which is a better metric for cleaning car carpets: Pa or AW?
For car carpets, AW (Air Watts) is a more comprehensive metric. It measures both suction pressure and airflow capacity. This combined value better predicts a vacuum’s ability to both lift embedded dirt from carpet fibers and carry it away effectively.
Заключительные мысли
While low-spec vacuums offer a lower entry price, their inability to handle heavy debris leads directly to negative reviews and costly returns. Our commitment to a verified 13,000Pa suction rating is a direct safeguard for your brand’s reputation. This level of performance ensures the product works as advertised, building the customer trust necessary for long-term sales.
Don’t rely on spec sheets alone—verify the performance yourself. We recommend requesting a sample kit to test our 13,000Pa suction on real-world car messes. Contact our team to discuss your OEM requirements or to receive the full PQ curve data for your technical evaluation.

