banner

Blog

Oct 30, 2024

The 9 Best Vacuums for Allergies, Lab-Tested and Expert-Approved

We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.

Pet hair, dust, and dander are no match for these high-powered vacuums

Rich Scherr is an updates strategist and fact checker for Dotdash Meredith brands, including Health and Verywell. He is a seasoned financial and technology journalist who served as editor-in-chief of the Potomac Tech Wire for nearly two decades, and is a regular contributor to the sports pages of The Baltimore Sun. He has also been a news editor for America Online and has contributed to the Associated Press and The Washington Post.

In This Article

Health / Dera Burreson

Allergies affect up to 60 million people per year in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For many allergy sufferers, a run-in with the vacuum cleaner turns into a fit of sneezing; fortunately, there’s a workaround: allergy-friendly vacuum cleaners. It is best to look for a vacuum with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter if you have allergies, says Lakiea Wright, MD, a board-certified allergist at the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Massachusetts. A HEPA filter can remove at least 99.97% of airborne particles like dust, pollen, mold, and bacteria with a size of 0.3 microns (µm), according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

To find the best vacuums for allergies, we spent more than 270 hours testing 42 different vacuums. We gave each vacuum a try, diligently testing each model for effectiveness, ease of setup, maneuverability, portability, ease of emptying, noise level, and value. This list only includes vacuums with HEPA filters that help reduce indoor allergens. An allergist/immunologist on our Medical Expert Board also reviewed this article for medical and scientific accuracy surrounding what to look for in vacuums for allergies, whether to opt for a bagged or bagless model and how a HEPA filter can help.

I’m a Commerce Editor at Health, and as someone who battles with seasonal allergies every year, I know firsthand how important it is to minimize indoor allergens. Recently, I decided it was time to upgrade my vacuum to one with a HEPA filter to better tackle the dust and pollen that sneak into my home. Thanks to our comprehensive test on the best vacuums for allergies, I decided on the affordable Kenmore Cordless Stick Vacuum and learned some tips from our experts that I've already started to implement, and it’s made a noticeable difference.

A vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter is best for allergies. To further reduce your exposure to potential allergens, wear a mask and gloves and empty the vacuum outside. This simple step ensures that you're not releasing a cloud of dust back into your living space. Another crucial tip is to vacuum at least once a week. Regular vacuuming is essential to reduce indoor allergens, which in turn helps alleviate the symptoms caused by my allergy triggers.

-Lauren Paige Richeson, Commerce Editor

The Kenmore Pet-Friendly Pop-N-Go Canister Vacuum is our top pick because it’s no match for one of the most common sources of indoor allergies: pets. An estimated 10 to 20 percent of the population is allergic to cats and dogs, making pet allergies a prominent health concern. While avoidance is the best way to manage pet allergies, this can be difficult for households with beloved pets. High-efficiency vacuum cleaners and cleaners with HEPA filters can help keep symptoms at bay, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. That’s where this Kenmore vacuum cleaner comes in.

We found this vacuum's performance impressive because it effectively cleaned up debris and dog hair on both carpeted and hard floors. During the dog hair test, it recovered every strand of dog hair, and none got stuck in the brush or wheels. The motorized brush is designed to pick up pet hair, and we confirmed that this vacuum lives up to its claims.

We found it simple to set up and use. Changing out the bag and switching out attachments was a breeze. It includes a few essential attachments—such as a long tool for hard-to-reach crevices—all stored on the unit so nothing gets lost. And, of course, it’s complete with a HEPA filter so as not to stir up allergens while vacuuming.

Despite having a separate canister, we found it very easy to transport, though it’s a two-handed job to carry the canister and hold the handle. It's extremely portable and maneuverable—even on stairs and landings. We found this vacuum, which is pricier, to be worth the money since it sucked up pet hair in just one or two passes.

With simple assembly, powerful suction and noise adjustment features, the Dyson Gen5detect has it all. It weighed less than four pounds when fully assembled and was our favorite vacuum for maneuverability and portability. With simple assembly, powerful suction and noise adjustment features, this vacuum has it all, making it a great investment for long-term use.

We loved the simple setup and that it took us under three minutes to unbox it. Just snap three pieces together with the attached battery, and it’s ready to use. The vacuum comes with six attachments intended for various surfaces and messes, including hair removal, crevices, walls, and dust, so you can tailor the vacuum’s use to your needs.

During testing, it outshone its competitors. Depending on the attachment, the noise level varies. However, the vacuum’s auto-volume is soft enough to hold a conversation over it. The highest setting produces a loud sound but speeds the cleaning process up, so you won’t have to deal with the high volume for long.

It can easily be emptied after sucking up all the dirt and debris. No need to dig out excess debris. Once you unlock the cylinder and pull a lever down, the container will pop out.

The battery runs for up to 51 consecutive minutes on a full charge. During this time, you can utilize a unique feature—the vacuum’s ability to be maneuvered in various directions. This function usually makes daunting vacuum jobs, such as stairs, a breeze.

This budget pick is suitable for small spaces—it can even fit in a backpack—but doesn’t skimp on power. This vacuum is a breeze to carry, at just three pounds, from room to room. Small but mighty, hairy messes were cleaned up quickly and easily, but fine debris like flour took a little longer.

It can run for 15 minutes on a single charge, collecting up to six ounces of dry debris. When it’s time to empty, it empties from the bottom with the touch of a button, which we appreciate because this doesn’t require you to get your hands dirty. Its washable cloth HEPA filter doesn’t kick up debris and allergens, either.

A compact vacuum isn’t designed to replace your full-size one, so this isn’t the model to grab to clean large areas. But, you’ll find yourself reaching for this nifty machine to clean couch cushions, office chairs, and car crevices—all the places where crumbs hide.

If a lighter weight is important to you, this Kenmore stick vacuum weighs a fraction of the Pop-N-Go model and costs less, too. When fully assembled, it weighs less than six pounds, so it gets high marks on portability and maneuverability. It’s also versatile, with two-speed settings and a detachable handheld vacuum.

This vacuum is by far the quietest we had ever heard. It was barely audible, so we could hear conversations over the hum of the vacuum—a rare feat for this type of appliance. In terms of performance, it outperformed more expensive vacuums and performed similarly to leading brands that cost more than double.

This battery has a runtime of up to 40 minutes on a full charge. During this time, the extra-large dust cup lets you cover more cleaning areas without taking breaks to empty the contents. The HEPA filter adds an extra layer of protection for those with allergies who don’t want dander, dust, and pollen circulating in the air after loosening them from carpets and floors.

If your home has areas with hardwood or tile, carpet, and rugs, you may want a vacuum-mop combo that can take it all on. We found the Neakasa Powerscrub 2 Cordless Wet/Dry Vacuum Mop effective on all surfaces. However, this product does better with its mopping feature than the vacuum. In fact, in our testing, we only needed one pass of this vacuum over the tile for it to pick up all debris.

It picked up larger pieces of debris on the carpet, like coffee grounds and Rice Krispies, but smaller dregs, like coffee ground soot, seemed heavily embedded in the rug's fibers. For that reason, this could be a good all-around option if you have mostly hard surfaces in your home. If you keep this model in tip-top shape, it can help reduce allergens on all types of surfaces. And for all it can clean, we found the price point of $299 to be a bargain.

Dust accumulates wherever you spend time, including your car. It can be a hotspot for pet hair, dust, pollen, and old dirt and debris, so a handheld vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter is necessary if vacuuming aggravates your allergies. This DeWalt one is battery-powered, so there’s no need to run an extension cord to your driveway—just be sure to charge ahead of time for up to 21 minutes of runtime.

Your car isn’t the only place this handheld vacuum would be handy. It has six accessory nozzles (complete with an accessory bag to keep everything tidy), which is great for easy access to small areas. Fine debris may take a little more work; we found that only a single pass is needed for food crumbs and hair, but sand requires a few passes.

The Baseus A3 Car Vacuum Cleaner can suck up a mess, of pet hair, crumbs and dirt, for an hour and a half before losing battery. During testing, we appreciated that the vacuum comes with several nozzles and an extra filter. These tools allowed us to reach under the gas cap and the seats easily. The nozzles are designed to fit into small crevices and even cup holders.

Several qualities impressed us: we loved how compact it is. The vacuum is comparable to the length of a flat iron and remarkably thin. Plus, it’s quiet enough to listen to the radio while you use it or converse in person or over the phone while you clean. To empty the vacuum after cleaning, twist the nozzle and pour the dust into the trash. Although it’s a car vacuum, it’s portable and also great for quick spills inside the house.

The Shark Cordless Detect Pro is an excellent choice for allergy sufferers due to its ability to effectively clean various surfaces and its auto-empty feature, where the dust cup automatically empties into a larger, sealed container, minimizing exposure to allergens during disposal. This combination of features ensures a cleaner home environment, reducing the potential triggers for allergy symptoms.

Assembling the Shark® Cordless Detect Pro was straightforward; the components easily clicked together, with packaging removal being the most time-consuming part. The Shark's noise level is typical for a cordless model, requiring raised voices for conversation and increased TV volume. It's audible in adjacent rooms but not overly disruptive.

On hardwood floors and stairs, it picked up 99% of debris within a minute. It excelled on high-pile carpets, collecting everything in 33 seconds. Switching between surfaces and attachments was easy, but it did miss some debris and required a crevice tool for corners. The dust cup is small but empties automatically into a larger container on the charging stand, and there was no hair tangled in the brush rollers.

While the price is rather high for a stick vacuum, its user-friendly features, like the QuadClean™ Multi-Surface Brushroll and the auto-empty system, enhance its overall utility in diverse cleaning scenarios.

The Tineco Pure One Station Cordless Vacuum Cleaner is particularly beneficial for allergy sufferers due to its thorough cleaning ability, demonstrated by its high debris pickup rate, which ensures that common allergens are efficiently removed from various surfaces.

The Tineco Pure One Station Cordless Vacuum Cleaner was easy to assemble, with pieces fitting together effortlessly. Compared to other vacuums we tested, the Tineco's noise level is pleasantly low, allowing for normal conversation without disturbing others in a different room.

In our tests, it efficiently picked up 99.8% of debris in a minute, demonstrating good suction, but struggled with corners and some small particles like orzo. The front light was a useful feature, aiding in thorough cleaning. Maneuvering the vacuum was straightforward, thanks to it being very lightweight. The charging station doesn't need to be wall-mounted, which is a plus. The trigger is a nice feature, and it also comes with additional tech, such as WiFi and AI voice. At $799, it is significantly more expensive than many other models on the market with comparable features.

To find the best vacuums for allergies, we put 42 models through extensive testing. We reviewed vacuums by conducting several tests to determine the ease of setup, noise level, portability, ease of emptying, maneuverability, and overall effectiveness.

In addition, we consulted with several allergists. Those we spoke with included:

HEPA filters help with certain allergens, such as mold and animal dander, but don’t always capture all pollen and dust mites, explains Dr. Parikh. A vacuum with a HEPA filter helps remove allergens from the environment to alleviate allergy symptoms like itchy eyes, skin, throat, nasal congestion, and asthma.

When you vacuum, especially on carpeted surfaces, you temporarily stir up the allergens in the air. For those with allergies, this can be disastrous. Allergists recommend masking up while vacuuming to combat symptoms, but the allergens loosened from carpet and upholstery can remain in the air for a couple of hours before settling. That’s where a HEPA filter can help.

While it doesn’t clean the air, a HEPA filter can reduce the amount of particulates coming out of the vacuum, which can trigger symptoms in people with allergies. Adding a good air purifier for mold, smoke, and other allergens with a HEPA filter can also greatly improve air quality.

Lacey Muinos is a health and wellness writer who masters a variety of topics from acne treatments to gut health and more. She has personally tested and reported on a variety of products, such as air fryers and moisturizers. Between in-depth research and expert interviews, she’s a wizard at finding information and getting it in front of the people who need it most.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Allergens and pollen.

Chan SK, Leung DYM. Dog and cat allergies: Current state of diagnostic approaches and challenges. Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2018;10(2):97-105. doi:10.4168/aair.2018.10.2.97

American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology. Pet allergies.

allergy-friendly vacuum cleaners remove at least 99.97% of airborne particles270 hours testing 42 different vacuumsHEPA Filter: Bagged vs. Bagless: Power source:Weight and Style:Kenmore Pet-Friendly Pop-N-Go Canister Vacuum effectively cleaned up debris and dog hairsimple to set up and use. HEPA filtervery easy to transportportable and maneuverableHEPA Filter: Power Source:Bag Type: Weight: Dyson Gen5detect less than four pounds favorite vacuum for maneuverability and portabilitysimple setup six attachmentsoutshone its competitors51 consecutive minutesmaneuvered in various directionsHEPA Filter: Power Source:Bag Type: Weight: suitable for small spacesjust three pounds,quickly and easily15 minutes on a single chargecompact vacuum HEPA Filter: Power Source:Bag Type: BaglessWeight: 3.53 poundsKenmore stick vacuum weighs less than six poundstwo-speed settings the quietestbarely audibleoutperformed more expensive vacuums40 minutes on a full chargeHEPA Filter: Power Source:Bag Type: Weight: Neakasa Powerscrub 2 Cordless Wet/Dry Vacuum Mopone pass of this vacuumall-around optionhelp reduce allergensHEPA Filter: Power Source:Bag Type: Weight: DeWaltbattery-powered21 minutes of runtimesix accessory nozzles HEPA Filter: Power Source:Bag Type: Weight: Baseus A3 Car Vacuum Cleaner hour and a half several nozzles and an extra filterloved how compact it isgreat for quick spills HEPA Filter: Power Source:Weight: Shark Cordless Detect Pro effectively clean various surfacesauto-empty feature, minimizing exposure to allergens during disposalnot overly disruptive.picked up 99% of debrisexcelled on high-pile carpetsuser-friendly featuresHEPA Filter: Power Source:Bag Type: Weight: Tineco Pure One Station Cordless Vacuum Cleanerhigh debris pickup rateeasy to assemble noise level is pleasantly lowpicked up 99.8% of debris in a minutefront light was a useful featurevery lightweight. WiFi and AI voiceHEPA Filter: Power Source:Bag Type: Weight: put 42 models through extensive testingEase of setup:Noise: Effectiveness and runtime:Additional features:Lakiea Wright, MDhelp with certain allergens, such as mold and animal danderTineco PWRHERO11 Snap Cordless Lightweight Stick Vacuum CleanerShark Stratos™ Cordless with Clean Sense IQ12 OKP Life K3 Robot Vacuum Cleaner/MopEUREKA NEW200(FC8) All-in-One Wet Dry Vacuum Cleaner and Mop
SHARE