Specifications
| Collection | hybrid |
|---|---|
| Filtration | Sealed HEPA permanent filter with glued seams; FlexCollect hybrid — bagless (cyclonic mode, factory setting) or NuTone 391 disposable bag |
| Motors | 1 |
| Air watts | 650 |
| Water lift | 125 in |
| Airflow | Not yet verified |
| Manufacturer sq ft rating | 7,000 sq ft |
| Noise (manufacturer rating) | 64 dB |
| Motor | 1-stage Thru-flow, 1-stage, 2.4 HP at full open orifice |
| Amps | 13.5 A |
| Power | plug-in 120V |
| Exhaust outside | recommended |
| Pipe size | 2in |
| Mount | Wall bracket |
| Dimensions | 13.25 W x 14.625 D x 36.875 H (spec sheet) |
| Weight | 25.5 lb |
| Warranty | 8 years (motor 8) |
"Not yet verified" means the manufacturer has not published the figure or we could not confirm it. We never fill a gap with a guess; our own measurements are added once a unit has been tested hands-on.
The short version
What we like
- ✓Specs confirmed on NuTone's spec sheet and install guide
- ✓Sealed HEPA permanent filter with FlexCollect bag-or-bagless operation
- ✓650 air watts; 64 dB rating
- ✓Plug-in 120V with 6 ft cord
What we'd change
- ✕Discontinued; NuTone central vacuum line now owned by Drainvac
- ✕Warranty term conflicts: 8 years on the spec sheet, 5 years in the product page table
- ✕CFM not published; height conflicts between sources
- ✕125 in water lift is below the 130-plus of rivals in this class
Who this unit is for
The NuTone PurePower PP6501 is for mid-size homes, rated by NuTone for 2,000 to 7,000 sq ft, whose owners want sealed HEPA filtration and the choice of bag or bagless. It is the most natural replacement for an older NuTone unit because the bracket footprint and 391 bags carry over.
It is discontinued. Broan-NuTone has sold its central vacuum line to Drainvac, so you are buying remaining stock. For a replacement buyer with NuTone inlets that is still a reasonable path; for a new install, a current model from another brand gives you a clearer support story.
What the specs tell you
NuTone’s spec sheet lists 650 air watts and 125 in of water lift from a single-stage, 2.4 HP thru-flow motor drawing 13.5 A. Air watts predicts carpet cleaning at the tool, and 650 is squarely mid-pack. Water lift is sealed suction that keeps the system pulling through long runs and climbs; 125 in is a little below the 130 to 146 in rivals publish, which is why NuTone stops the rating at 7,000 sq ft.
Noise is rated at 64 dB, between the PP5501 and PP7001.
Collection is hybrid. NuTone calls it FlexCollect: the unit ships in bagless cyclonic mode with a 6 gal debris pail, and a bag adapter lets you run NuTone 391 bags. Filtration is a sealed HEPA permanent filter with glued seams. Bagless means no consumables but a dusty dump; bagged is cleaner and keeps the HEPA filter cleaner longer.
CFM is not published. Height conflicts: 36.875 in on the spec sheet versus 29.75 in on the product page. We use the spec sheet.
Fit and compatibility
Standard 2-inch pipe, wall bracket mount. NuTone lists low-voltage and direct-connect electric inlet compatibility; low-voltage crimp connectors are included. Plug-in 120V on a 6 ft cord, 13.5 A draw, with a recommended minimum 20 A circuit. Not hardwired. UL listed per the product page.
Exhaust outside is recommended. Dimensions per spec sheet: 13.25 in wide, 14.625 in deep, 36.875 in high. Weight 25.5 lb (the product page omits the unit; the record assumes pounds).
What’s in the box, and what you still need
In the box: the power unit, wall-mount bracket, 6 ft power cord, debris pail, sealed HEPA permanent filter, bag adapter for optional bag mode, and low-voltage crimp connectors.
Not included: utility valve, hose and attachments, pipe, fittings and inlets. Add a 391 bag if you want to start in bagged mode, and an exhaust wall cap if venting outside.
Warranty and support
NuTone’s spec sheet and install guide give 8 years on parts with the first 5 years parts and labor. The product page’s own spec table says 5 years parts and 3 years labor, contradicting its feature text. Coverage is for the original consumer purchaser with evidence of purchase date; NuTone reserves the right to limit the warranty if unregistered and says not to return the unit to the place of purchase. Marketplace purchases are not addressed.
Living with it
In bagless mode you lift the 6 gal debris pail and dump it; do that outdoors, because the fine dust the HEPA filter has caught is in there. In bagged mode, fit the adapter and use NuTone 391 bags. The sealed HEPA filter is permanent; NuTone does not list a change interval in the record, so inspect it at each emptying.
At 64 dB the unit belongs in a garage or utility space, vented outside.
What we’d verify before buying
- CFM: not published.
- Height: spec sheet 36.875 in versus product page 29.75 in.
- Weight unit: not stated on the product page.
- Warranty term: 8 years versus 5 years depending on which NuTone source you read.
- Who administers the warranty now that Drainvac owns the line.
- Marketplace coverage: not addressed in NuTone’s terms.
What's in the box, and what you still need
Included
- ✓ wall-mount bracket
- ✓ 6 ft power cord
- ✓ debris pail
- ✓ sealed HEPA permanent filter
- ✓ bag adapter for optional bag mode
- ✓ low-voltage crimp connectors
Buy separately
- + utility valve
- + hose and attachments
- + pipe, fittings, inlets
Most power units ship without a hose or powerhead. Our attachments guide explains which hose fits your inlets.
Frequently asked questions
Is the PP6501 the same as the PP650?
Amazon lists it as PP650; NuTone's model number is PP6501. The record treats them as the same unit.
Can it run with or without a bag?
Yes. NuTone's FlexCollect design ships in bagless cyclonic mode and includes a bag adapter for NuTone 391 bags.
Is the HEPA filter real HEPA?
NuTone describes a sealed HEPA permanent filter with glued seams. It does not list a secondary exhaust HEPA filter; that is on the PP7001.
What circuit does it need?
Plug-in 120V, 13.5 A draw, with a recommended minimum 20 A circuit.
How tall is it?
The spec sheet says 36.875 in; the product page says 29.75 in. We use the spec sheet. Measure your wall for the taller figure.
What is the warranty?
The spec sheet and install guide say 8 years parts, first 5 years parts and labor. The product page table says 5 years parts, 3 years labor. The unit is discontinued and the line is now owned by Drainvac.