The 5 top-rated vacuums for allergies
Take care of allergies in your home with these HEPA filter vacuums.
If you own a hefty-pile carpet, Paulina Terlecka, a sales associate and vacuum specialist at Abt, recommends the Miele C3 Kona for allergies. The included electro brush will wipe away debris and dust, while the HEPA AirClean filter clears allergens. Four other attachment heads are included — a parquet twister, dusting brush, upholstery tool, and crevice nozzle — while the vacuum has five height differences and six-speed settings. This vacuum is also ideal for different floor types when the appropriate attachment is connected.
Type: Canister | Run time: Corded | Dustbin capacity: 4.5 L | Weight: 19.4 lbs.
For a great budget option, this canister vacuum by Simplicity Jill has a certified HEPA filter that notifies you when it’s time to change the bag. “HEPA filters are essential because they trap all the dirt that you’ve collected inside the vacuum but won’t let it out in the exhaust flow,” says Terlecka. The 20-foot cord is lengthy enough to navigate around a large room and also rewinds itself. The suction has varying levels and the hose turns 360 degrees to reach tough spots. An extendable wand can add 10 feet, which helps with reaching the ceiling or stairs. This vacuum is ideal for hardwood floors and low-pile carpets, according to the brand.
Type: Canister | Run time: Corded | Dustbin capacity: 2.7 L | Weight: 12.9 lbs.
This Dyson vacuum incorporates one of the brands fastest motors with its washable HEPA filtration making it a top-notch cordless stick option. A fluffy optic cleaner head, digital motorbar XL cleaner head, hair screw tool, crevice and dusting tool and combination tool attachments are all included to tackle different needs. “If you’re looking for convenience, then I would choose cordless,” says Terlecka. An illuminating green light shows hard-to-see particles, while a piezo sensor automatically tracks the size and count of dust. The vacuum also uses dynamic load sensing that increases suction power depending on what debris is being dealt with, according to Dyson. It has a dustbin compared to a bag, but it can automatically be ejected into the trash.
Type: Cordless | Run time: 140 minutes | Dustbin capacity: 0.5 gal | Weight: 8.6 lbs.
This portable vacuum by DeWalt has a 4.7 rating from over 3,000 reviews. It may be small, but the model still includes attachments that a regular-sized vacuum offers, such as a crevice nozzle, round brush, gulper brush, floor nozzle, flexible hose and an extendable tube. It has a HEPA filter and bag to keep allergens concealed, while also being powerful enough to withstand suctioning drywall and screws, according to the brand. An LED light is also built-in for nighttime or early morning cleaning.
Type: Cordless | Run time: 21 minutes | Dustbin capacity: 0.7 L | Weight: 6.82 lbs.
This upright vacuum by Shark is great if you have a pet at home thanks to its self-cleaning brushroll. It’s designed to pick up hair without getting stuck, according to the brand. The HEPA filter and “anti-allergen complete seal” keep allergens secure while you clean carpets or hard floors. It can also be converted into a pod mode, which allows you to remove the canister for more maneuverability. An LED light is integrated into the nozzle so you can see dark spots to clean at any time of day. Aside from its brush roll, crevice and upholstery tool attachments are also included.
Type: Upright | Run time: Corded | Dustbin capacity: 0.88 qt. | Weight: 16 lbs.
There are a few attributes that vacuums offer to help clean allergens. We distinguished each type that we recommend.
At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Nicolette Accardi is a freelance writer who has written about tech, home appliances and smart home devices. For this article, Accardi spoke to two experts in the home cleaning space about how to shop vacuums best for allergies. She compiled their top choices, along with top-rated vacuums that include the recommended specifications.
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