These Top HEPA Vacuums Are Life-Changing for Allergy Sufferers and Pet Owners

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If you’re allergic to dust, pollen, or pet hair and dander, vacuuming your house can be a bit of a catch-22: By suctioning up all the allergens that make you itch and sneeze, you actually kick back up all the allergens that, well, make you itch and sneeze. Luckily, the best HEPA vacuum cleaners can be life-changing for both allergy-sufferers and pet owners.

Using the wrong vacuum might actually worsen your allergies temporarily, especially if you’re allergic to dust. “It’s important that the settled dust isn’t stirred up and put back into the air,” says Mark Jacobson, M.D., an allergist at Allergy & Asthma Physicians in Hinsdale, Illinois and a past president of the Illinois Society of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.

Meet the experts: Mark Jacobson, M.D., an allergist at Allergy & Asthma Physicians in Hinsdale, Illinois and a past president of the Illinois Society of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology and Purvi Parikh M.D., an allergist with the Allergy & Asthma Network.

That’s where HEPA vacuums come in: These powerful devices suck up dirt and dust without pushing allergens back into the room.

What are HEPA vacuums?

“Vacuums with a HEPA [high-efficiency particulate air] filter are less likely to push allergens back into the room,” Dr. Jacobson says. Also known as small-particle filters, these HEPA filters can capture more than 99.97% of particles that are at least 0.3 microns in size and prevent them from being returned into the air, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. (For reference, an inch contains about 25,000 microns.)

HEPA vacuums can be life-savers in the cleaning department for those of us that struggle with allergies. “Many people are allergic to mold and cat/dog dander which can be filtered best by a HEPA purifier,” says Purvi Parikh M.D., an allergist with the Allergy & Asthma Network.

“The main focus is always on the bedroom, where we spend more than one-third of our lives,” says Dr. Jacobson. Ideally, when allergy-proofing a home, it’s best to remove any carpets from the room and to use dust mite-proof bed covers, hypoallergenic pillows, as well as a handy-dandy air purifier. Plus, he says, if you’re highly allergic to dust mites, you may want to pass the vacuuming duties on to your spouse or roommate.

Our top picks

Ready to start shopping? Check out all of our expert-approved picks below.

Best Overall: Shark Rotator Professional Lift-Away Upright Vacuum

This bagless Shark model combines all the best features of a vacuum at a more-than-reasonable price. Its attachment tools can sweep upholstery and other hard-to-reach crevices, sending dust particles and irritants into its HEPA filter and anti-allergen technology. Plus, it works as both a standard upright vacuum and, removed from its canister, as a sling over your shoulder for easy access to stairs, closets, and anywhere else that requires a little extra maneuverability. Reviewers say the Shark stands up to heavy pet hair, leaving rooms smelling fresh.

“My 4-year-old broke a glass cup in the bathroom,” says one Amazon reviewer. “Tiny shards of glass were everywhere! I picked up the big pieces and took out the wand of the vacuum. It got every single shard of glass! This vacuum does everything. It can do hardwood floors, carpets—it does it all!”

Best Value: Hoover WindTunnel 2 Rewind Upright Vacuum

Although most HEPA vacuums run on the expensive side, this Hoover model is one of the most affordable options. The WindTunnel 2 is designed with continuous suction power and two cleaning channels that take in dirt, dust, and crumbs both on surfaces and inside crevices. The brand also touts this vacuum’s HEPA filter-powered, anti-allergen tech, which makes cleaning the whole home simple and sneeze-free. And with a 25-foot, retractable power cord and a long 16-foot cleaning reach, it’s an ideal match for even the hardest-to-reach spots.

“The first day I had this item I used every feature and am very impressed,” one buyer raves. “It cleaned my carpets to the point of them looking better than they have in years—with the added benefit of it not throwing dust or dirt while it cleaned.”

Best Overall: Shark Rotator Professional Lift-Away Upright Vacuum

This bagless Shark model combines all the best features of a vacuum at a more-than-reasonable price. Its attachment tools can sweep upholstery and other hard-to-reach crevices, sending dust particles and irritants into its HEPA filter and anti-allergen technology. Plus, it works as both a standard upright vacuum and, removed from its canister, as a sling over your shoulder for easy access to stairs, closets, and anywhere else that requires a little extra maneuverability. Reviewers say the Shark stands up to heavy pet hair, leaving rooms smelling fresh.

“My 4-year-old broke a glass cup in the bathroom,” says one Amazon reviewer. “Tiny shards of glass were everywhere! I picked up the big pieces and took out the wand of the vacuum. It got every single shard of glass! This vacuum does everything. It can do hardwood floors, carpets—it does it all!”

Best for Pet Owners: Kenmore 31140 Pet-Friendly Upright Vacuum

With features like a powerful RPM-spinning roller brush and continuous suction (not to mention that all-important HEPA filter), it’s understandable that this model has earned a stamp of approval from the AAFA. We’re also a fan of Kenmore’s aforementioned Pet Handi-Mate extension, which is specifically designed to gather pet hair and dander. With four adjustable heights, this vacuum can be used on any surface, from hardwood floors to plush rugs. Plus, Kenmore says this model’s two-motor system offers more power than a conventional vacuum. Reviewers say maneuvering this upright model can be a little awkward, but its ability to pick up pet hair is unmatched—it’s worth the extra clunkiness.

“If there was a Nobel Prize for housekeeping, I’d nominate the person who designed this vacuum,” one Amazon shopper raves. “This model has an extremely sturdy hose and the attachments are sturdy as well. The extension wand is extendable, so there is no need to fiddle with multiple parts. The performance is exceptional for both carpet and bare floors, and it transfers to either mode with one switch. Although there is no such thing as a quiet vacuum, this is the quietest one I’ve ever owned.”

Best Lightweight: Shark Navigator Lift-Away Upright Vacuum

At only 12.5 pounds, this HEPA vacuum has a small but mighty motor for sucking up dust and allergens. Its brush roll feature smoothly transitions from hardwood floors to carpets, making cleaning your entire home a breeze. And it also has a lift-away press feature that makes it simple to clean hard-to-reach areas of your home (i.e., between furniture and above curtains). With a push of a button, you can detach the canister and transform it into a handheld device to clean stairs, rugs, sofas, and curtains.

“This Shark is a very powerful, compact, and maneuverable vacuum!” one Amazon customer writes. “It pulls more crud out of my carpets than any other vacuum I’ve ever used. The rotating beater bar pulls the unit through even very plush carpets with ease.”

Best Cordless: Dyson V8 Animal Pro Cordless Stick Vacuum

No outlet? No problem. The cordless, battery-powered Dyson V8 Animal has an impressive suction capacity—and thanks to its HEPA filtration system, the vacuum won’t expel that particle-laden air back into the room. And don’t let its slim profile fool you—this machine picks up pet hair and ground-in dirt with ease. It’s also ergonomically designed to be used just about anywhere: The long handle easily reaches the ceiling, but it can be shortened to double as a handheld vacuum with no need to worry about cords. Bonus: It’s certified by the AAFA. Reviewers love its minimal noise, 40-minute battery life, and no-spill emptying mechanism.

“This vacuum is the holy grail of all cordless vacuums. Honestly, one should not love a piece of cleaning equipment as much as I love this,” one Amazon reviewer writes. “This bad boy will do rugs and couches with ease. Between a golden retriever, a boxer, and two humans with hair as long as Crystal Gayle’s (ok that is a bit much but you get the idea) this vacuum is approved by everyone.”

Best Canister: Kenmore Elite 21814 Pet Friendly CrossOver Canister Vacuum

Canister vacuums can be a bit unwieldy, but the Kenmore Elite Pet Friendly is one of the sleeker models out there. The HEPA air filter prevents allergen particles from seeping back into the air while you vacuum—part of the reason why it earned the AAFA stamp of approval—and the Pet PowerMate attachment can nab pet hair and dander from even the plushest of carpets.

“I have two cats and one dog that shed continually, and their hair just seems to be impossible to remove from my couch,” one reviewer says. “The attachment that was provided does a great job and goes beyond my expectations. I am also using it in the car since the dog rides with me.”

Best Robot: Goovi 1600PA Robotic Vacuum Cleaner

Long extension cords and versatile attachments are great, but with all due respect, the best vacuums take care of all that work for us. Enter the Goovi robot vacuum, a freewheeling device that sucks up dust, crumbs, and dirt on hardwood and carpet alike without requiring you to lift a finger. It can also squeeze into hard-to-reach places, like between and under pieces of furniture. This one comes with a HEPA filter and remote, will automatically return to its charging base when the power is low, and has different cleaning modes that you can schedule when you’re not at home.

“I was hesitant for a while because I thought, ‘Why spend the money when I could just get off my butt and vacuum myself?’ After using this robot vacuum for several days, I can say it was one of the best purchases I have made in a long time,” says an Amazon customer. “For one, it gets to areas I could not with a normal vacuum, such as under a bed or furniture. It vacuums just as well, if not better than, my upright vacuum.”

Best Investment: Complete C3 Marin PowerLine

Hear us out: Reviewers say this powerful vacuum is perfect for deep cleaning everything from carpets to parquet floors. It readily transitions between surfaces, decreasing or increasing HEPA-powered suctioning where necessary. The C3 also has a surprisingly quiet motor, so you don’t have to shout to carry a conversation with someone else in the room. Bonus: The versatile floor brush can get low under large couches, around chair legs, and between tight furniture spaces. It ain’t cheap, but that’s the point—this vacuum is worth the investment.

“After using so many cheap—and not-so-cheap—vacuum cleaners that would break or become less effective after only a couple of years, we finally decided to buy something to last,” writes one Amazon customer. “And are we ever glad we did! The difference is amazing. Quiet, powerful, adjustable, great filtration ... it has everything.”

Best Handheld: Bissell Cleanview Deluxe

Perhaps you’re looking for a HEPA-filtered mini to get small jobs done in a flash. Maybe you keep the big guns tucked away in a closet and this one is more accessible for the night shift clean. Regardless of the reasoning, if a handheld vacuum makes sense for your lifestyle, this is the one you want.

It has powerful suction, a convenient design for stairs, upholstery, and cars, and although it’s corded, the cord is 18 feet long—complete with a power wrap system. It even comes with a hose adapter for hard-to-reach crevices.

One Amazon shopper says it rid their futon of long dog hair in minutes. “I fired this thing up with the default rubber attachment on it. One swipe and I was completely amazed. I proceeded to clean the whole thing. Took me less than 5 minutes,” the reviewer writes. “I couldn’t believe how well it worked! Lots of suction! It completely removed the hair! It was really easy to open the canister to empty it too. No trouble at all.”

How to shop for the best HEPA vacuums

To find the best HEPA vacuum cleaners for people with allergies, here’s exactly what you should look for in your model of choice:

✔️ Make sure it’s certified. Look for vacuums with the official seal of approval from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). The program puts its applicants through rigorous testing to ensure that each product limits your exposure to allergens and offending particles.

✔️ Keep convenience in mind. Choose vacuums with brushes and portable canisters that can pick up dirt in hard-to-reach places and suction pet hair and dander, leaving your space cleaner. According to Dr. Parikh, you should look for an option that is “easy to use and convenient and able to clean hard to reach places as well as large surface areas.”

✔️ Aim for versatility. It’s most efficient (and cost-effective) to go with a HEPA vacuum that can capture dirt and allergens on a variety of surfaces, whether it’s hardwood floors, carpets, or plush rugs.

How we chose the best HEPA Vacuum Cleaners

We consulted experts Mark Jacobson, M.D., an allergist at Allergy & Asthma Physicians in Hinsdale, Illinois and a past president of the Illinois Society of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology and Purvi Parikh M.D., an allergist with the Allergy & Asthma Network for their insight and recommendations. We also sifted through countless online reviews from verified customers to find the best HEPA vacuums available.

Why trust us

For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview medical experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Additionally, Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.

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