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The 6 Best Vacuums For Allergies - Winter 2024 Reviews

Updated
Best Vacuums For Allergies

A vacuum that can contain the spread of dust and debris can be invaluable if you suffer from allergies. A HEPA filter is a good starting point, as it can help trap allergens as you clean. A dirtbag can also be a handy addition since it reduces the chances of dust escaping when emptying the appliance. The overall cleaning performance is important, especially when picking up debris like pet hair or dust. While those aren't the only criteria for this list, they are the most important in determining whether a vacuum will effectively reduce the spread of allergens.

We've tested more than 135 vacuum cleaners, and below are our recommendations for the best vacuums for allergies. These recommendations are based not only on their cleaning performance on different types of surfaces and the inclusion of a HEPA filter but also on their design and price. For more buying recommendations, look at our lists of the best HEPA vacuums, the best cordless vacuums for pet hair, and the best robot vacuums for pet hair.


  1. Best Vacuum For Allergies

    The Miele Complete C3 Brilliant PowerLine is the best vacuum for allergies we've tested. This high-end canister vacuum features a multi-stage filtration system that includes an allergen-sealed body, a HEPA-rated post-motor filter, and a self-sealing dirtbag, making it a great option if you're sensitive to fine allergens. The C3 Brilliant is the flagship C3 variant and has a few model-specific niceties, including additional noise insulation for its motor, a surface-sensitive automatic power adjustment feature, and handle-mounted suction controls. This model variant also has a trio of floorheads for cleaning various surface types, including a lightweight parquet tool, a multi-surface pure suction head with retractable bristles, and a height-adjustable powerhead for cleaning thick carpeting.

    Check out the SEBO Airbelt D4 if you're looking for another high-end canister vacuum with great air filtration performance. It's bulkier and heavier than the Miele but has a longer range and incurs lower recurring costs since it uses longer-lasting filters and higher-capacity dirtbags.

    See our review

  2. Best Upper Mid-Range Vacuum For Allergies

    The best upper mid-range vacuum for allergies we've tested is the Miele Classic C1 Cat&Dog PowerLine. This bagged canister vacuum feels less robust than the Miele Complete C3 and lacks a built-in tool storage compartment, not to mention some of the C3 Brilliant's variant-specific features, with no auto power adjustment and handle-mounted controls. However, the Cat & Dog variant is much cheaper than the C3 Brillant while offering excellent overall filtration performance, courtesy of a three-stage filtration system with a filter containing activated charcoal to help trap odors. Besides, if you want a HEPA-rated post-motor filter, you can buy one separately or go for the C1 Home Care variant instead. This model also comes with Miele's SEB 217-3 powerbrush floorhead, which is great for dealing with messes on carpets and is also a straight-suction parquet tool for use on hard floors. The vacuum is also fairly lightweight and maneuverable.

    Unfortunately, like the C3, it incurs high recurring costs due to its use of small dirtbags and somewhat short-lived filters. It also has a shorter operating range than the C3, so you might need to swap outlets to clean large or faraway areas.

    See our review

  3. Best Mid-Range Vacuum For Allergies

    If you're shopping at a mid-range price point, the best vacuum for allergies we've tested is the Airsign HEPA Vacuum. It isn't as well-built as the Miele Classic C1 and has an even shorter power cable, but it's a lot cheaper while still offering good filtration performance. It has an onboard HEPA filter with charcoal media, helping to seal in fine allergens and minimize odor as you clean. It's also worth a look if you're searching for a more environmentally-conscious vacuum: the body is partially made from recycled plastics and uses biodegradable dirtbags with a built-in seal cover. That said, the Airsign is also fully compatible with third-party HEPA-rated cloth bags to improve allergen-sealing performance further. User maintenance is simple, and the canister body is compact, enabling you to store it in small closets without too much effort.

    Performance on most surfaces is good, even with a basic straight suction floorhead. However, it isn't the best option if you have a lot of carpeting at home, as the vacuum isn't currently offered with an air-driven turbo head or electrically-driven power head to provide an additional level of surface agitation.

    See our review

  4. Best Lower Mid-Range Vacuum For Allergies

    If you don't mind exchanging the compact size and maneuverability of a canister vacuum like the Airsign HEPA Vacuum for a lower purchase price, consider the Kenmore Intuition Bagged. It has an onboard HEPA filter and uses dirtbags made of HEPA-rated media, reducing the spread of fine particles while cleaning. Better yet, you can remove its dirtbag from its housing with the press of a single latch, so there's no need to dirty your hands when taking it out.

    This vacuum does a fantastic job of cleaning pet hair and small and bulky debris on surfaces like hardwood or linoleum. There's even a brushroll on/off switch for its floorhead, so it won't send larger debris scattering everywhere when cleaning hard floors. It performs impressively well on low and high-pile carpet. Unfortunately, there's no way of adjusting its floorhead height, so you might have trouble climbing onto uneven surfaces, like shag carpeting. Its 'Lift-Up' design lets you pick up and carry its canister body separately from its upright portion, making it easier to clean tight spots.

    See our review

  5. Best Budget Vacuum For Allergies

    The best vacuum for pet hair and allergies at a budget-friendly price point that we've tested is the BISSELL Zing Bagged Canister. While it doesn't come bundled with a HEPA filter, you can buy aftermarket HEPA-rated bags and a HEPA filter to improve its air filtration performance and trap most airborne particles like pet dander or pollen. That said, it doesn't have an allergen-sealed body, so you'll still want a pricier model like the Miele Complete C3 if you suffer from allergies and need that extra layer of filtration; of course, that omission isn't surprising given the BISSELL's low price. It's small enough to be stored in most closets and weighs very little, making it easy to drag around from room to room. Unique for a vacuum in this price bracket, its power cord can be rewound with a button, though be aware that the cord is short, so you'll probably need to swap outlets when cleaning larger rooms.

    With its floorhead bristles retracted, this vacuum does a good job of cleaning up solid debris on low and high-pile carpeting. However, it struggles with bulkier debris compared to alternatives like the Airsign HEPA Vacuum, which can clog its suction inlet. Pet hair also gets stuck in its floorhead when the bristles extend. Consider the Eureka Mighty Mite if you want a more budget-conscious vacuum that delivers better performance. However, some newer Mighty Mite models lack the requisite mounting points for installing an aftermarket HEPA filter to improve filtration performance.

    See our review

  6. Best Cordless Vacuum For Allergies

    The best cordless vacuum for allergies we've tested is the Samsung Jet 75. Generally speaking, compared to a bagged vacuum like the Miele Classic C1, bagless vacuums like the Jet 75 are far from the best option for those with allergies; not only do they lack an extra layer of filtration in the form of a dirtbag, emptying a dustbin can release a cloud of fine grit and debris. If you opt for the Complete variant of this vacuum, you'll get a self-emptying docking station, which makes the emptying process far more hygienic than it is with most other cordless stick vacuums. After docking the vacuum with the station, debris is sucked from the Jet 75's dustbin into a dirtbag inside the storage rack without generating a plume of dust. Besides, the vacuum's five-stage filtration system is also pretty effective in sealing fine allergens like pet dander, though not quite to the same degree as a high-end multi-stage bagged system like the one found in the Miele Complete C3.

    It doesn't offer the same level of deep-cleaning performance as either Miele, but its 200AW motor is plenty powerful for a vacuum of this type and results in good overall debris pickup on bare floors and carpeting. Its cordless design also makes it easier to deploy for the occasional cleaning.

    See our review

Notable Mentions

  • Miele Classic C1 Pure Suction PowerLine: The Miele Classic C1 Pure Suction PowerLine is the entry-level model in the C1 range and represents a good alternative to the Airsign HEPA Vacuum. However, no HEPA filter is included in the box, and unlike the higher-end Miele Classic C1 Cat & Dog variant, it doesn't have an electrosocket that would allow it to accept powered floorheads. See our review
  • Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra/Complete: The Dyson Ball Animal 3 is a bagless upright vacuum with a HEPA-rated five-stage filtration system that's effective in sealing in common allergens like pet dander and is a good alternative to the Airsign HEPA Vacuum if you don't feel like buying a replacement dirtbag now and then. However, emptying its dustbin can still release a large plume of dust. See our review
  • NaceCare HVR 200 Henry: The NaceCare HVR 200 Henry is a great alternative to the Airsign HEPA Vacuum, thanks to its longer range and use of much larger dirtbags. That said, you'll need to spend a fair bit more on a variant with a HEPA filter. See our review
  • Hoover WindTunnel Tempo Bagged : The Hoover WindTunnel Tempo Bagged is a basic, budget-friendly upright vacuum that can use HEPA-rated dustbags. However, it's trickier to maneuver than the Kenmore Intuition Bagged. See our review
  • Samsung Bespoke Jet: The Samsung Bespoke Jet is a good alternative to the Samsung Jet 75. Unlike the Jet 75, the 'Clean Station' accessory works as a self-emptying dock and a charging station. Unfortunately, it's also a lot pricier, and the twin brushroll floorhead it comes bundled with makes it harder to maneuver in tight spots. See our review
  • Dyson V15 Detect: The Dyson V15 Detect is a high-end cordless stick vacuum that performs exceptionally well on various surfaces. It has a dirt sensor that counts and measures the size of debris being sucked into the vacuum, which could be handy if you want to know about the fine allergens in your home. However, unlike the Samsung Jet 75, Dyson doesn't offer a comparable self-emptying docking station. See our review
  • Dyson Gen5detect/Gen5detect Absolute: The Dyson Gen5detect/Gen5detect Absolute is a high-end cordless stick vacuum that effectively supplants the Dyson V15 Detect as the brand's flagship. It features a HEPA filtration system and delivers great overall performance. However, it's far more expensive than its predecessor, and unlike the Samsung Jet 75, there's still no comparable self-emptying docking station. See our review

Recent Updates

  1. Jan 05, 2024: Minor in-text adjustments to further clarify product recommendations.

  2. Oct 02, 2023: Added Dyson Gen5detect/Gen5detect Absolute to Notable Mentions.

  3. Aug 03, 2023: Replaced SEBO Airbelt D4 with Miele Complete C3 Brilliant PowerLine as 'Best Vacuum For Allergies' pick.

  4. Jun 05, 2023: Minor in-text adjustments to improve clarity of information.

  5. Apr 06, 2023: Added Miele Classic C1 PowerLine Pure Suction to Notable Mentions.

All Reviews

Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best vacuum cleaners for allergies for most people. We factor in the price, feedback from our visitors, and availability.

If you would like to do the work of choosing yourself, here's the list of all our reviews of vacuums equipped with an allergen-trapping HEPA filter. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. While there's no single best vacuum for dust or other fine allergens, some are good enough to please almost everyone, and the differences are often not noticeable unless you really look for them.