Allergy Sufferers: This HEPA Vacuum Is Only $80 And Has 2,000+ Amazing Reviews

There is nothing fun about allergy season, especially if your itchy eyes, scratchy throat, and stuffy nose are already in full effect. Unfortunately, allergens like mold, dust, pet dander, and pollen can linger in your home, making your symptoms worse. To give your living space a thorough cleanse, you'll need to invest in a high-quality HEPA vacuum that targets these troublemakers.

“HEPA stands for high-efficiency particulate air, and it typically refers to a filter inside a machine,” explains Manisha Relan, MD, an allergist. “For home use, it can be found in air purifiers or vacuums, though a normal vacuum does not automatically have this extra filtration.” That’s why, if you suffer from allergies, you need to buy a HEPA vacuum specifically.

HEPA vacuums help reduce the amount of dust released back into the air, adds Lakiea Wright, MD, MPH, an allergist and associate physician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. “With a normal vacuum, the dust collected by the vacuum might be released back into the air, which defeats the purpose.” A HEPA filter will help prevent this from happening.

Even if you think you don’t have allergies, it’s worth investing in a HEPA vacuum. “Most people who have allergies don't even know it,” says Ankmalika Gupta, MD, an allergist and immunologist at MG Allergy and Training Center. “Dander and dust mite allergies are prevalent, and people that aren't allergic to these things could be allergic to particulate dust, so the HEPA is an added bonus." Most allergens addressed by HEPA are indoor, so allergy season doesn't really matter and you should be using a vacuum with a HEPA filter all year, she adds.

If you’re wondering how to pick out a quality HEPA vacuum of your own, these are the characteristics you should be looking, according to expert allergists.

• Look for HEPA vacuums that are labeled as asthma- or allergy-friendly, certified by the AAFA (Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America).
• Ensure your vacuum is bagless, or that the collection bag is of double or triple thickness.
• Make sure whichever vacuum you choose can pick up items on a variety of surfaces such as hardwood, carpet, tile, and more.
• Look for a MERV rating on products. MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, and the higher the rating, the more particles and the smaller particles a filter can catch.

Are you ready to get shopping? Read on for the 10 top-rated HEPA vacuums on Amazon (each has tons of testimonials to back them up!) to help with allergies and mold.

Meet the experts: Manisha Relan, MD, is an allergist with Certified Allergy & Asthma Consultants. Lakiea Wright, MD, MPH, is an allergist and associate physician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Ankmalika Gupta, MD, is an allergist and immunologist at MG Allergy and Training Center.