The Airsign HEPA Vacuum is a compact canister vacuum. It touts some eco-friendly credentials, with a body made from 20% recycled plastic and biodegradable dirtbags. Its minimalistic design makes it easy to maintain. It's also small enough to be stored in most closets. It features a 1200W motor that makes it quite effective for cleaning many surface types. Unusually for a vacuum of this type, you can purchase it with a subscription that ships extra filters and dirtbags to your door, which helps offset some of the added upfront cost.
Our Verdict
The Airsign HEPA Vacuum is excellent for bare floors. It's remarkably effective in dealing with pet hair and solid debris on this surface type. It's also compact and maneuverable, though its short power cord forces you to change power outlets when vacuuming larger areas. It's remarkably easy to maintain, with a minimalistic design that enables you to access all of its components very quickly. You can purchase this vacuum with a parts subscription, which ships new dirtbags and a filter set to your door every couple of months to help offset the cost of replacing a few components periodically.
- Exceptional performance on bare floors.
- Remarkably easy to maintain.
- Subscription helps offset recurring costs.
- Short power cord.
The Airsign HEPA Vacuum is good for low-pile carpet. Its straight suction floorhead has bristles you can retract for cleaning surfaces like this. It easily cleans away pet hair on this kind of surface and sucks up most fine debris, but larger material can be left behind on its rubber wheels and the floorhead's bristles, even when you've stowed them away. Thankfully, suction performance remains consistent as its dirtbag fills up with debris. It's small and consequently easy to maneuver in tight spaces or store in most closets.
- Remarkably easy to maintain.
- Subscription helps offset recurring costs.
- Decent performance on low-pile carpet.
- Short power cord.
The Airsign HEPA Vacuum is a very good option for cleaning high-pile carpet. With its floorhead bristles retracted, the vacuum is remarkably effective in dealing with pet hair and clears away most larger material. However, it struggles a little with fine debris worked into high-pile carpet fibers. If you're having trouble pushing it around on dense carpeting, it offers three levels of power adjustment and has a suction release valve to help adapt to different surface conditions. It feels sturdy, if a little cheap, and has a small canister body well-suited to apartments. Unfortunately, its power cord is very short, so you'll probably need to swap outlets when vacuuming larger or very cluttered areas.
- Remarkably easy to maintain.
- Good performance on high-pile carpet.
- Subscription helps offset recurring costs.
- Short power cord.
The Airsign HEPA Vacuum is a good option for pet owners. It's remarkably effective in dealing with pet hair across a wide range of surfaces. While pet hair can get caught in its floorhead's bristles, it's very easy to clean, especially considering that there's no brushroll for pet hair to get tangled on. Its multi-stage filtration system is also effective in sealing fine allergens like pet dander. The Airsign dirtbags it uses have a collar to help prevent dust from escaping when removing them from the vacuum. It doesn't come with a miniature turbo brush or even a dedicated upholstery tool for cleaning pet hair from fabric surfaces.
- Remarkably easy to maintain.
- Multi-stage filtration system.
- Superb pet hair pickup.
- Short power cord.
- No turbo brush or upholstery tool.
The Airsign HEPA Vacuum is a good fit for cleaning staircases. Its small, relatively lightweight size allows you to pick it up and carry it up and down flights of stairs. You can position the canister body upright on stairsteps to reduce its footprint. It performs remarkably well on hardwood or vinyl stairs and does a decent job on low and high-pile carpeted surfaces. Its very short power cord forces you to swap outlets when vacuuming longer staircases.
- Exceptional performance on bare floors.
- Compact design.
- Good performance on high-pile carpet.
- Decent performance on low-pile carpet.
- Short power cord.
- No turbo brush or upholstery tool.
The Airsign HEPA Vacuum is good for cleaning out the inside of your car. It isn't especially large or heavy, allowing you to carry it to your car or position it on a seat for improved reach. It does a fantastic job of cleaning debris on hard, flat surfaces and is decently effective on low-pile carpeting, which is handy for cleaning floor and trunk mats. Unfortunately, it doesn't come with a turbo brush or an upholstery tool to help deal with messes on seats, though its hard-bristle brush attachment is a reasonably good fit for this kind of use. Since it has a very short power cable, you'll probably need to use an extension cord to reach every part of your car's interior.
- Compact design.
- Decent performance on low-pile carpet.
- Comes with a hard-bristle brush and crevice tool.
- Short power cord.
- No turbo brush or upholstery tool.
The Airsign HEPA Vacuum is middling for workshop cleaning, though this isn't its intended use case. It exerts a strong suction force, allowing it to easily clear away debris, even in deep cracks and crevices. It also excels at cleaning bare, flat surfaces and performs decently well on low-pile floormats and rugs. However, you can't use it to suck up liquid spills. While its biodegradable dirtbags are more environmentally-friendly than those used by other bagged canister vacuums, they're also more fragile and might tear if you use them to pick up heavy workshop debris.
- Exceptional performance on bare floors.
- Compact design.
- Decent performance on low-pile carpet.
- Short power cord.
- Not rated for liquid pickup.
- Dirtbags may tear when cleaning very bulky workshop debris.
Changelog
- Updated Oct 20, 2023: We've added text to this review for the new tests added in Test Bench 1.2.
- Updated Oct 20, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.2. This update builds on our previous 'Suction' test with a new 'Airflow' test that more accurately measures a vacuum's ability to generate air movement. If you'd like to see an in-depth look at the reasoning and methodology behind this change, you can see our full changelog here..
- Updated Oct 03, 2022: This vacuum's suction force has been retested with a more accurate manometer. The test results for the 'Maximum Suction' and 'Normal Suction' fields have been updated. All relevant scores and text have been updated.
- Updated Aug 05, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 1.1.
Check Price
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Airsign HEPA Vacuum is only available in one color scheme: 'Jet Black'. You can purchase it with or without a refill subscription, which ships four new dustbags and an extra HEPA filter to your door every six months. You can see the label for our test unit here.
Let us know in the discussions if you come across another variant of this vacuum.
Popular Vacuum Comparisons
The Airsign HEPA Vacuum is a bagged canister vacuum that's simple to operate and incurs a lower environmental impact than most other alternatives, thanks to a body made partially from recycled materials and its use of biodegradable dirtbags. It performs similarly to the Pure Suction variant of the Miele Classic C1 but has a slightly more compact body that makes it easier to store. However, it has an even shorter range, so you'll need to swap outlets when cleaning large rooms.
If you're looking for alternatives, consider our list of recommendations of the best canister vacuums, the best HEPA vacuums, and the best bagged vacuums.
The Airsign HEPA Vacuum and the NaceCare HVR 200 Henry are both canister vacuums that have advantages and disadvantages, meaning one might suit you better than the other, depending on your exact requirements. The Airsign is a better option for pet owners thanks to its onboard HEPA filter and superior hair-pickup performance. It's also easier to maintain, takes up less room, and weighs less. That said, the better-built NaceCare is a superior option for cleaning bigger areas, thanks to its much longer power cord and use of considerably larger dirtbags.
The SEBO Airbelt D4 Premium is better than the Airsign HEPA Vacuum. The SEBO is a better option for cleaning large houses. It feels better built, uses larger dirtbags that don't need replacing as often, has longer-lasting filters, has a much longer range, and makes less noise. Meanwhile, the smaller Airsign is lighter and easier to maneuver, making it a better fit for smaller living spaces.
The Eureka Mighty Mite and the Airsign HEPA Vacuum each have advantages, so one might suit you better than the other, depending on your needs. The Eureka has a longer range and weighs considerably less, making it a better option for cleaning far-off areas like the inside of your car. However, the Airsign is a better fit for most types of household cleaning, with three different suction power modes and a suction control slider that allows you to adapt to different surfaces on the fly. The Airsign also has a multi-stage filtration system that will be more effective in sealing in allergens.
The Airsign HEPA Vacuum and the Dyson V15 Detect are two very differently designed vacuums with varying uses. The Airsign is a better option for longer cleaning sessions because of its corded design, allowing you to run it indefinitely. Unlike the bagless Dyson, it uses biodegradable dirtbags to hold in debris, resulting in cleaner and less frequent dirt disposal but also higher recurring costs. The Dyson's cordless design allows you to carry it out wherever you may need it, and it does a better job of dealing with debris embedded in carpets.
Test Results
The Airsign HEPA Vacuum feels decently well-built. Its body is mainly plastic, 20% of which is recycled material. While the material doesn't feel especially premium, it does feel pretty robust for the most part. However, its cord retract button has the unfortunate tendency of popping out of place, forcing you to push it back into place. It's unclear as to whether or not this is intentional or a mechanical flaw. All Airsign dustbags are made mostly from biodegradable material, which is great if you want to minimize your ecological footprint. While they don't feel quite as tear-resistant as conventional dirtbags, you won't need to worry about damaging them if you stick to cleaning normal amounts of household debris. The thermoplastic polyurethane wheels roll very smoothly and very quietly, while its handle and wand are sturdy-feeling yet lightweight aluminum for better handling in tight spots.
Out-of-the-box assembly is very easy, as all components clip into one another without much effort.
The Airsign HEPA Vacuum is outstandingly easy to maintain.
- Dirtbag: The dirtbag is located under the top cover of the vacuum and can be simply pulled free of its slot. There's a seal cover you need to pull out before removing the bag. It's meant to keep any dust or debris from being released when pulling out the bag. An indicator on the vacuum body lets you know when it's full.
- Floorhead: This straight-suction floorhead doesn't have a motorized or air-driven brushroll, which makes it easier to maintain. While pet hair can get stuck in its bristles, whether they're extended or retracted, they're very easy to clean. Very fine debris can also get stuck in the vacuum's attachment joint, but this isn't too big a problem, as you can easily disconnect it from the wand and brush away any stuck-on material.
- Pre-motor filter: You can find the pre-motor microfilter at the bottom of the dirtbag compartment, and you can remove it by pulling down a release latch. No maintenance interval is given by the manufacturer.
- HEPA filter: To access the HEPA filter, you have to press the exhaust cover at the back-left of the canister body to pop it out. No maintenance interval is given by the manufacturer.
The Airsign HEPA vacuum does incur a few recurring costs over time.
- Dirtbag: You should replace the dirtbag once it's filled. Replacements come in packs of four and can be purchased here.
- Filters: The pre-motor microfilter and post-motor exhaust filter are estimated to last for about six months. You can purchase a replacement filter set here.
Unlike most other vacuums, you can purchase a subscription from the manufacturer with the vacuum that ships a HEPA filter and four additional dirtbags to your door every six months.
The Airsign HEPA Vacuum is easy to store. The canister body is notably smaller than that of the Miele Classic C1. There's also a handle-mounted clip that you can use to carry around the included attachments and a slot for you to clip the floorhead. While you can retract its power cord into the vacuum body automatically, it's worth noting that the cord retract button can sometimes pop out of place. However, it's unclear as to whether or not this is intentional or a mechanical flaw.
The Airsign HEPA Vacuum uses dirtbags with a pretty large capacity that are almost completely made from biodegradable materials. It's similar in size to those used by the Miele Classic C1. However, compared to bigger alternatives like the SEBO Airbelt D4 Premium, it doesn't hold as much debris.
- Airsign HEPA Vacuum body
- Telescopic wand
- Main head
- Hose
- 3x Airsign dirtbags
- 1x HEPA filter
- 1x pre-motor filter
- Crevice tool
- Hard bristle brush tool
- Branded cloth bag
- Tool clip for wand
- Quick start guide
The Airsign HEPA Vacuum has a disappointingly short range. Its power cord isn't likely to extend far enough to clean most large areas, so you'll probably need to swap outlets pretty frequently. Its hose is also rather short, limiting your reach when cleaning on top of shelves.
The Airsign HEPA Vacuum is pretty portable. It's heavier than cheaper alternatives like the Eureka Mighty Mite, though its aluminum wand sits very lightly in your hand. Once you retract its power cord, you can flip it upright and carry it to another room with its built-in carrying handle, as seen here.
The Airsign HEPA Vacuum has a couple of quality-of-life features. You can adjust the power of its suction motor using the 'Level' button between the power and cord retract buttons on the canister body. LED indicator lights allow you to monitor what setting the vacuum is currently in: one LED light for 'Low Suction, two for 'Medium Suction', and three for 'High Suction'. You can also fine-tune its suction power using the slider located under the handle, which is helpful if you're having trouble pushing the vacuum around on some surfaces.
The Airsign HEPA Vacuum comes with few attachments. There's a crevice tool for cleaning tight corners and a hard-bristle brush for scrubbing away stuck-on dirt. Similar to the AllTeQ floorhead found on some Miele models like the entry-level Pure Suction variant of the Miele Classic C1, the Airsign's floorhead has bristles that you can extend for cleaning bare floors or retract for vacuuming lower-pile carpeting.
You can use this vacuum in a semi-handheld configuration by detaching its wand and floorhead.
The Airsign HEPA Vacuum delivers exceptional performance on bare floors. When used in its most powerful suction mode, it easily clears away small debris like rice and bulkier debris like cereal with no significant loss in suction performance as its dirtbag fills up.
The Airsign HEPA Vacuum delivers decent performance on low-pile carpet. It clears away most fine debris like baking soda, though you might need to make an extra pass or two to clear away larger debris like sand, which can get stuck around its floorhead's wheels and the retracted bristles of its floorhead.
The Airsign HEPA Vacuum does a very good job of cleaning high-pile carpet. When used in its most powerful suction mode, it's pretty effective in dealing with larger debris like sand. However, you might need to make an extra pass to deal with finer materials like baking soda.
The Airsign HEPA Vacuum does a fantastic job of dealing with pet hair on bare floors, low-pile carpet, and high-pile carpet. However, it's worth noting that hair can get stuck in the bristles of its floorhead.
The Airsign HEPA Vacuum has good suction performance at its floorhead, making it easier to clear debris in cracks or stubborn messes, though it does fall behind the Miele Classic C1. That said, in terms of raw suction, when measured from its hose, it performs much closer to the Miele. You can adjust its suction power using the power control button and the handle-mounted suction slider.
This vacuum's airflow performance is mediocre. Generally speaking, canister vacuums such as this have strong airflow, partly due to the relatively simple path through which air has to travel as well their larger bodies, which have room for more powerful motors compared to many other vacuum form factors. With that in mind, the Airsign's relatively poor result in this regard is indicative of a highly restrictive dirtbag and filter system.
The Airsign HEPA Vacuum isn't too noisy. In its most powerful suction mode, it exceeds the advertised claim of 75dBa, which is enough to drown out the sound of people speaking nearby at a normal volume. Still, it's quieter than some similarly-priced alternatives like the Dyson Cinetic Big Ball, and it isn't too disruptive if you're cleaning a room with the door partially closed.
This vacuum's TPU wheels allow it to roll very smoothly and very quietly. With the motor off, the sound of the vacuum being rolled around on a bare floor is a very quiet 65.6 dBA. You can see a video of the vacuum being pulled around here.
The Airsign HEPA Vacuum has great maneuverability. It features two solidly mounted wheels and two caster wheels, yielding improved maneuverability in tight spots. Its lightweight wand is also very easy to maneuver in tight spots or pick up and carry over obstructions like electrical cords. The onboard tool clip makes it very easy to change attachments too. With the vacuum set to its lowest power mode and the suction gate left completely open, you can clean loose obstructions like rug tassels without getting stuck too frequently. However, the power cable is short, so you may need to change plug-ins to reach different places in a large room.
The Airsign HEPA Vacuum does a good job dealing with pet hair on upholstered furniture. When used with its hard-bristle brush, it's pretty effective in pickup up longer strands of hair but may leave some shorter strands behind. A dedicated upholstery tool or miniature turbo brush would improve its performance in this regard.
The Airsign HEPA Vacuum does a good job sealing in fine particles. It features a multi-stage filtration system. This is comprised of its dirtbag, pre-motor, filter, an allergen-sealed construction, and a HEPA-rated exhaust filter with a charcoal layer to cut down on odor.
The Airsign HEPA Vacuum does a fantastic job sucking up debris in crevices. It easily cleans debris in shallow and medium-depth cracks when using its floorhead, though a very small amount debris may be left behind in deeper crevices. You can use its crevice tool if you want to completely clear all debris in deeper cracks.
The Airsign HEPA Vacuum does a terrible job dealing with dried-on stains with its floorhead's bristles extended. The manufacturer recommends retracting the vacuum bristles for dealing with stains on tile floors. However, the hard plastic edges of the floorhead would scratch the vinyl flooring used as a testing surface.
