The 8 Best HEPA Vacuums of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Is dust, pollen, or pet dander making you sick when you vacuum? Many vacuum cleaners blow allergens back into the air as you use them, rather than keeping them in the bag or canister.

But don’t worry if you’re allergic! A HEPA filter vacuum is certified to keep most small particles out of the air, so you won’t breathe them in.

In this guide, we’ll tell you all about the eight best HEPA vacuums, so you can choose the right one for your home.

Are HEPA Vacuums Worth It?

Yes, HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) vacuum cleaners are great for cleaning appliances for keeping unwanted particles out of the air. This is especially important if you have allergies or breathing difficulties.

One common cause of allergies is a protein found in dust mite droppings. This protein, called DER p1, varies in size between 10-24 microns. In other words, to prevent this allergen from entering the air, a vacuum needs to be able to filter out very tiny particles.

A HEPA filter can do this! HEPA stands for “high efficiency particulate air.” HEPA filters are mechanical filters, so they work by pushing air through very fine mesh. This mesh then traps small particles, such as dust, pollen, pet dander, and tobacco smoke. HEPA filters are certified to trap 99.97% of all particles larger than 0.3 microns ⁽¹⁾.

Because HEPA filters remove such a high percentage of debris in the air, they reduce health risks associated with inhaling these particles. Depending on the particles and exposure, the risks include anything from eye and lung irritation to severe ones, such as cancer ⁽²⁾.

A typical non-HEPA vacuum filter will only remove about 96% of the particulates in the air. If you have allergies or trouble breathing, this can make a big difference. Only a HEPA filter is certified to remove such a high percentage of allergens and dirt.

What to Look For in a HEPA Vacuum

Now you know a little more about HEPA filters and how they trap allergens. But there are a few more things to consider about your HEPA vacuum that will also help keep your air pristine.

The Best HEPA Vacuums of 2023

Now that you’re familiar with the features to look for in a HEPA vacuum, here is our list of the eight best HEPA vacuums. We’ve spent hours reading expert advice and comparing different brands and models. We know you’ll find the perfect tool to keep allergens inside your vacuum and out of the air.

1. Shark Navigator Lift-Away Upright Vacuum

Read Full Review: Shark Navigator Lift-Away Vacuum Review

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When looking for the perfect HEPA vacuum, you want to balance power with versatility and maneuverability. Plus, you want to make sure it will efficiently trap and store dust, debris, and allergens.

This Shark upright vacuum features Anti-Allergen Complete Seal technology, in addition to a HEPA filter. This means no airborne particles will escape the vacuum cleaner as you clean.

This is a very versatile upright vacuum that you can use for cleaning many floor types. The brush roll shut-off feature allows you to change from deep-cleaning high-pile carpets to vacuuming hardwood floors without scratching them. You can clean just about any surface!

You can also take advantage of the Lift Away design for cleaning hard to reach areas that are high up or awkward, like stairs. The canister and wand detach from the main body, so you don’t have to take the entire upright vacuum with you.

If you have lots of furniture, the swivel steering makes it very easy for you to maneuver the vacuum head around chairs, tables, and sofas.

The included accessories also allow you to deep-clean upholstery. You can use the dusting brush on sofas and chairs, and the crevice tools to clean between cushions.

2. Hoover MAXLife Pro Pet Swivel Bagless Vacuum

Vacuum cleaners can cost you a lot of money — up to thousands of dollars! But you don’t have to sacrifice quality or suction when you’re on a budget. This Hoover HEPA vacuum cleaner gives you a great clean without costing you a fortune.

This HEPA vacuum cleaner features a Sealed Allergen system in addition to the HEPA filter, so your air will stay clear of allergens like dust and pet dander.

Because this upright vacuum has an on/off brush roll feature, you can switch between bare floors and carpets with the touch of a button.

The MAXLife System allows the HEPA vacuum cleaner to run more smoothly for longer without regular filter maintenance.

This quality hepa vacuum is a great option for pet owners because it comes with a pet upholstery tool. You can easily pull hair and embedded dirt off your furniture with this accessory. The high-intensity headlights on this upright vacuum let you see dirt in dark corners that you might have missed.

The quick-release wand lets you access places up to 13 feet away, including high up shelves or ceiling molding.

Check also: The 8 Best Cheap Vacuums in 2023

3. Dyson V11 Animal Cordless Vacuum

Read Full Review: Dyson V11 Animal Vacuum Review

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Vacuum cords can be tripping hazards. If you get into a groove while cleaning, you can forget to watch your feet and take a tumble. With a cordless vacuum, you don’t have to worry about that!

This Dyson cordless HEPA vacuum cleaner senses different floor types, and it will automatically adjust the motor speed to match. This means you can easily switch between bare floors and carpet.

It also comes with 5 attachments in addition to the regular vacuum head, so you can deep-clean upholstery or pick up pet hair.

This powerful pet hair vacuum cleaner has a low profile, so you can easily clean under furniture. And if you need to pick up small messes, this vacuum cleaner also converts into a handheld vacuum.

The LCD screen shows you exactly how the HEPA vacuum is running. It tells you how much run time you have left, when you need to clean your filter, and if there’s a blockage problem.

This cordless stick vacuum cleaner is powered by a lithium-ion rechargeable battery, and it will run up to 60 minutes, depending on the mode setting. When you need to recharge it, simply drop the HEPA vacuum into the docking station to recharge it.

4. Kenmore Pet-Friendly Upright Vacuum

Cats and dogs can leave piles of fur around your house. When you have lots of fuzzy animals, you need a vacuum that’s good at removing pet hair. A HEPA vacuum is particularly useful when you have animals because it will trap dander as well.

This Kenmore upright vacuum has a triple HEPA filtration system that traps dust particles and other allergens. This powerful vacuum also has a 2-motor system for excellent suction, as well as Power Flow technology to keep air flowing continuously.

You can clean lots of different surfaces with this upright vacuum. There’s a switch to shut off the rotating agitator so that you can clean your bare floors without scratching them. There are also 4 height adjustment settings, so you can choose the correct setting to efficiently clean any floor type.

The wand telescopes out, so you can access hard to reach spots, such as ceiling fans.

The control buttons are conveniently located on the handle, so you can manage the vacuum easily. Additionally, the headlights allow you to see dust in dark places that you might have missed.

5. Uplift Handheld Vacuum

When you only have a small mess, you don’t want to pull out a big vacuum cleaner. This is where a handheld HEPA vacuum comes in handy! This Uplift vacuum cleaner is a small, compact solution for small spills and tight spaces.

The HEPA filter on this handheld vacuum is washable, so there’s no extra cost associated with filter maintenance.

At less than 3 pounds, this handheld vacuum is easy to use and carry with one hand. It won’t tire you out!

The LED light allows you to see dust and dirt you might have missed in dark areas. The dust cup is also easy to empty, and it opens with the click of a button.

This HEPA vacuum is cordless, so you don’t need to worry about finding an outlet or storing a cord.

Read Next: The Best Handheld Vacuums in 2023

6. OPODEE Robot Vacuum Cleaner

A robot vacuum can make your cleaning chores a lot easier. All you have to do is program the appliance, and then it does all the work! A robot HEPA vacuum like this OPODEE will also keep your air sparkling as you clean.

This vacuum cleaner has 5 cleaning modes, including “Spot Cleaning” and “Edge Cleaning.” It also follows an s-shaped cleaning path to ensure that it covers all of your floor area. You won’t have any “dead zones” with this vacuum cleaner.

With a height of less than 3 inches, this robot vacuum can glide underneath furniture to remove dust. The two large wheels also allow it to move over obstacles such as door ledges or mid-pile carpet.

The lithium-ion battery on this model runs for about 100 minutes before it needs to be recharged. And when the robot senses that the battery is low, it will automatically return to its charging dock.

To prevent mishaps, this HEPA vacuum has 360-degree anti-collision and drop sensors. You can also place the included boundary strips around your house to prevent the vacuum from entering certain areas.

Read Next: The Best Robot Vacuums for Pet hair in 2023

7. ProTeam Super CoachVac Backpack Vacuum

Backpack vacuums are great options for professional cleaners or people with large houses. They are a lot more comfortable to use for extended periods of time than upright or canister vacuums.

The harness on this HEPA vacuum is designed to distribute the appliance’s weight evenly over your body. This prevents fatigue and strain. There’s also an integrated tool belt, so you can carry all of your accessories with you.

The design of a backpack vacuum also allows you to clean more efficiently. You can clean almost double the square footage with a backpack model as opposed to an upright.

This ProTeam is fantastic for allergy sufferers because of its 4-level HEPA filtration system. ProTeam has even partnered with the American Lung Association as part of a program to promote lung health and educate the public on indoor air quality.

This is an extremely quiet backpack vacuum that produces only 66 dBA of sound.

The extra-long 50-foot power cord lets you clean for longer without needing to find a new outlet. This is great for cleaning large spaces, such as classrooms or auditoriums.

This model received a Silver Rating from the Carpet and Rug Institute, the leading trade association for the carpet industry in North America. So you know it will work well on your carpets!

8. Miele Complete C3 PowerLine Canister Vacuum

Canister vacuums are maneuverable vacuum cleaners. Most of the weight is in the canister, which remains on the floor during use. That means you only need to push the lightweight wand as you clean. And when you pair that with a HEPA filter, a canister vacuum makes an excellent tool for your home.

This Miele HEPA canister vacuum uses an AirClean Sealed System design, which prevents dust particles and debris from getting out of the vacuum. This keeps your air clean as you work!

In addition to the HEPA filter, this canister vacuum comes with 16 filter bags and 4 pre-motor protection filters.

This model is easy to maneuver around obstacles because it has 90-degree twisting rotation. It also works on multiple floor types. On the automatic setting, the vacuum cleaner will adjust its suction to match your floor type.

In addition, the main powerhead restores crushed carpet nap and gets pet hair out of your carpet fibers. And if you have delicate floors, you can switch to the parquet floor brush.

The cleaning radius on this model is 36 feet, so you can vacuum a large area before you need to find a new outlet. And when you’re done cleaning, the power cord on the canister vacuum auto-retracts for easy storage.

The LED lights allow you to see dirt and dust in spaces you might have missed.

This incredible vacuum cleaner is made to last, and the average lifespan of this HEPA vacuum is 20 years.

FAQs About HEPA Vacuums

If you still have any lingering questions, check out our frequently asked questions below.

Do HEPA Vacuums Really Help With Allergies?

Yes, HEPA vacuum cleaners help with allergies. But there are some other factors that you also need to consider.

A HEPA vacuum cleaner will help keep your sneezes to a minimum, but how and when you use your vacuum will also affect your allergies ⁽⁴⁾.

If you adopt certain cleaning strategies, you can reduce allergens in your house. For example, you can keep your pets outside to reduce hair and dander indoors. In addition, you can replace fabric curtains and drapes with roll-up shades. Also, make sure you don’t just vacuum your floors — vacuum your furniture and change your bedding frequently, as dust can collect there.

You can also check different HEPA vacuums for CRI certification. The Carpet and Rug Institute rates models and gives them a Seal of Approval if they meet the rigorous testing standards. There are many models on the CRI list that don’t have HEPA filters but still effectively trap and contain dust and debris.

Also, HEPA filters aren’t the only good filters out there. Alternatives like micron and electrostatic filters will trap dust about as efficiently as HEPA filters. Like HEPA filters, these alternatives also collect about 98% of all particles larger than 0.3 microns. They trap fine particles by creating an electrostatic charge as the air passes through.

Some vacuums also have water filtration. This type of filtration removes 99.95% of the dust in the air. The debris from the vacuum is trapped and dissolved in water, which is then filtered again.

Finally, if you or your family members have asthma, a central vacuum system is the best option. In these systems, the debris from vacuuming is put in a container or pumped directly outside your home.