The 9 Best HEPA Vacuums of 2024, Vetted
Hello, my friend, hello again; today we come together to talk about The 9 Best HEPA Vacuums of 2024, Vetted and hope the blog can help you.
Minimize indoor allergens with the right HEPA filter vacuum for your needs.
Anyone looking to reduce dust, pet dander, and other indoor allergens will want to consider using a vacuum equipped with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. These vacuums trap a greater amount of airborne allergens, making the air inside a home healthier to breathe. It’s what makes these types of vacuums especially beneficial for allergy sufferers.
In this guide, we provide shoppers with our top picks of the best HEPA vacuums available and point out the features and differences that set these types of vacuums apart.
- BEST OVERALL: Dyson Ball Multi Floor Origin High Performance Vacuum
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Kenmore AllergenSeal Bagless Upright Vacuum
- BEST WITH BAG: Kenmore 200 Series Bagged Canister Vacuum
- BEST BAGLESS: Hoover WindTunnel 3 Max Performance Pet Vacuum
- BEST ROBOT: Shark AV2501S AI Robot Vacuum With HEPA Filter
- BEST HANDHELD: Dyson V7 Animal Vacuum
- BEST FOR PET OWNERS: Miele Complete C3 Cat and Dog PowerLine Vacuum
- BEST FOR ALLERGIES: Bissell MultiClean Allergen Pet Vacuum Cleaner
- BEST FOR MOLD: Vacmaster 5-Gallon 3 Peak HP Wet/Dry Vacuum
Before You Buy a HEPA Vacuum
All vacuums work on a similar principle: they suck up dirt and debris, deposit it in either a vacuum bag or a collection bin, and expel the sucked-in air back into the room. Also, all vacuums have filters designed to keep debris from entering and damaging the machine’s motor, and some even come with additional exhaust filters to help keep dust and other tiny particulates from recirculating back into the room.
However, according to Energy Star, only a HEPA filter (which is an exhaust filter) can trap as much as 99.97 percent of particulates—even those as tiny as mold spores and flakes of human skin measuring 0.3 microns or larger (a micron is a microscopic particle, measuring less than 1/25,400 inch long). Vacuums with HEPA filters are available in a range of styles, each with its own best use.
How We Chose the Best HEPA Vacuums
HEPA vacuums have to perform, so there was a lot of pressure on us to put together this list of top products. We wanted to ensure that every vacuum we suggested would meet the needs of those using it, keeping them safe and healthy.
First, we called upon all of our experience with vacuum cleaners, HVAC systems, and general HEPA filtration to uncover the most important features when shopping for one of these products. Next, we performed extensive product research to ensure that all of the products provide enough value for their price points. Those that made the cut were given awards based on their strengths, while those that failed were removed.
Our Top Picks
A great HEPA vacuum outperforms any old standard one, removing as many allergens as possible from a home’s flooring. Our top choices for best HEPA vacuum cleaners do just that.
Best Overall
Dyson Ball Multi Floor Origin High Performance Vacuum
The Dyson Ball, featuring an easy-to-maneuver cleaning head, delivers plenty of suction power. This upright vacuum has a ball-shaped pivot point between the vacuum body and the head, allowing it to swivel around tight corners with a light flick of the wrist.
This vacuum from Dyson works on multiple flooring types, including wood, tile, and carpet. It features HEPA filtration to capture allergens and pollutants before they make it back into the home’s air (note that Dyson claims the HEPA filter is lifetime washable, but most experts agree this doesn’t exist). The included wand accessories—a useful stair tool and drapery brush—make
Product Specs
- Type: Upright
- Collection: Bagless
- Power source: Corded
Pros
- Works on multiple floor types, including wood, tile, and carpet
- Filter is washable; while this restores some airflow, it may not fully restore filtration levels
- Ball-style pivot allows the vacuum to make sharp turns and maneuver around objects easily
Cons
- No official decibel level but believed to be pretty loud
- It’s expensive compared to other HEPA vacuums on the market
Get the Dyson Ball HEPA vacuum at Amazon, Wayfair, or Dyson.
Best Bang for the Buck
Kenmore AllergenSeal Bagless Upright Vacuum
Those looking for HEPA filtration at an affordable price may want to consider Kenmore’s AllergenSeal vacuum. This upright vacuum features bagless collection, allowing users to save money on bags. The air that this model recycles back into the room passes through a HEPA filter to trap potentially harmful allergens and particles. The brand’s AllergenSeal technology filters 99.97 percent of particles down to 0.3 microns in size.
This Kenmore AllegenSeal vacuum features a multisurface head that works on hardwood, tile, and carpet. It also has a 2-motor system for plenty of suction and airflow, and users can switch the suction level for certain fabrics or carpets. And, for those tough-to-reach spots, this vacuum features a 10-inch hose and a 3-in-1 crevice and brush tool. The only complaint to register is that Kenmore doesn’t provide a decibel-level rating.
Product Specs
- Type: Upright
- Collection: Bagless
- Power source: Corded
Pros
- Affordable price point and bagless design make this model a great money-saving option
- AllergenSeal creates a completely sealed air path to prevent allergens from escaping
- Multisurface head allows the model to work on wood, tile, or carpet flooring
- Users can adjust the pressure of the 2-motor system according to the carpet or fabric
Cons
- The manufacturer doesn’t specify how loud this model gets; no decibel level provided
Get the Kenmore AllergenSeal HEPA vacuum at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Kenmore.
Best with Bag
Kenmore 200 Series Bagged Canister Vacuum
When it comes to containing as many harmful particles in a vacuum as possible, a bagged vacuum like the Kenmore 200 Series bagged canister vacuum might be the way to go. This particular vacuum allows users to vacuum their homes, collecting particles in a removable bag and recycling air back into the space through a triple-stage HEPA filter.
This model from Kenmore comes with several accessories, including a wand, an extendable hose, a removable filter, two bags, and crevice tools. The vacuum head is capable of vacuuming multiple flooring types, like hard floors and carpets, as well. There isn’t a decibel rating available, but the “pet-friendly” label generally means the volume isn’t excessive.
Product Specs
- Type: Canister
- Collection: Bagged
- Power source: Corded
Pros
- Features a removable bag that reduces the chances of releasing allergens back into the home
- Has a 3-stage HEPA filter to keep harmful particles from reentering the home
- Vacuum head can handle multiple flooring types, including hard surfaces and carpet
Cons
- The manufacturer doesn’t specify how loud this model gets; no decibel level provided
Get the Kenmore 200 Series HEPA vacuum at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Wayfair.
Best Bagless
Hoover WindTunnel 3 Max Performance Pet Vacuum
Folks looking for a bagless vacuum that will work for their entire home will want to take a look at the Hoover WindTunnel 3 Max Performance Pet. This upright vacuum features a removable canister that measures 1.42 liters in volume, providing plenty of dust, dirt, and pet-hair collection before filling. It passes that air back into the home after filtering harmful particles and allergens through a HEPA exhaust filter.
This model features Hoover’s WindTunnel technology that creates three channels of suction. This allows the vacuum to remove dirt and dust that’s deeply buried in carpets for improved allergen removal. It also features a dial that allows the user to adjust between hardwood floors and carpets. Several attachments come with this model as well, including an upholstery brush, crevice tool, and more. Unfortunately, there isn’t a noise rating available.
Product Specs
- Type: Upright
- Collection: Bagless
- Power source: Corded
Pros
- Features a 1.42-liter removable bagless canister for plenty of vacuuming between emptying
- 3-channel WindTunnel technology removes stubborn pet hair, dirt, and debris
- Multisurface head for vacuuming any room regardless of the flooring type
Cons
- The manufacturer doesn’t specify how loud this model gets; no decibel level provided
Get the Hoover HEPA vacuum at Amazon or The Home Depot.
Best Robot
Shark AV2501S AI Robot Vacuum With HEPA Filter
Those who are too busy to vacuum but still want to keep their home dust- and allergen-free may want to consider the Shark AV25015S. This robot vacuum cleans up dust and dirt on its own and then returns to the self-empty base, dumping its contents in the collection bin. The base is fitted with a HEPA filter and can keep the dirt and dust that the robot picks up from getting back into the home.
Not only does this model self-empty and recycle air through a HEPA filter, but it also integrates with smart-home tech. It’s compatible with Alexa and works with Wi-Fi, allowing users to access it and set schedules from their smartphones. It is expensive and will have to run often in homes with multiple pets, but its powerful suction and HEPA filter may make it the best solution for busy homes.
Product Specs
- Type: Robot
- Collection: Self-emptying bagless bin
- Power source: Cordless with recharging base
Pros
- Features a self-empty base that’s fitted with a HEPA filter for improved air quality
- Compatible with smart-home tech and Wi-Fi for voice control and customizable schedules
- Can operate on its own, allowing busy folks to come home to clean floors
Cons
- May need to run a few times each day for homes with multiple pets
Get the Shark HEPA vacuum at Amazon.
Best Handheld
Dyson V7 Animal Vacuum
Handheld vacuums of the past are gone, and today’s favorite models are typically stick models like the Dyson V7 Animal. Rather than operating like a basic Dustbuster, the V7 Animal features a powerful bagless vacuum body with swappable attachments, allowing this model to operate as a handheld vacuum for stairs, cars, furniture, or drapes. Swap in the extension tube, and this model works for floors as well.
This vacuum is expensive, but it comes with plenty of value. It provides lots of suction thanks to Dyson’s 2-tier Cyclone technology, pushing clean air out through a standard prefilter and post-HEPA filter to maintain air quality. It features two different roller heads (one for hard floors and one for carpet) as well as crevice tools, a flexible extension, and a mini car roller attachment.
Product Specs
- Type: Handheld
- Collection: Bagless
- Power source: Cordless
Pros
- Powerful bagless vacuum body accepts attachments to make it a versatile handheld vacuum
- 2-tier Cyclone technology forces exhaust air through a standard prefilter and post-HEPA filter
- Comes with several tools and extensions, allowing it to work on multiple surface types
Cons
- This model is expensive compared to other HEPA vacuums on the market
Get the Dyson V7 HEPA vacuum at Amazon or The Home Depot.