When looking for best HEPA vacuum for mold and allergies, your main concern should be eliminating airborne contaminants like dust, pollen, mold spores, pet hair, and sometimes even smoke.
The HEPA filter, which can capture up to 99.97% of the particles sucked into the vacuum and is exceptionally effective at capturing dust, should thus be your first consideration when choosing your perfect vacuum.
But other elements also play a role. How strong is the suction power on your vacuum, in particular? Can a bigger object be sucked up without being clogged?
Consider if you would prefer a stick, cordless, or upright vacuum over a bagged or bagless type, or even if you would prefer a robotic vacuum.
Finally, you should consider the weight, particularly if you regularly vacuum or have a bigger home. To discover more, continue reading our shopping guide for the finest HEPA filter vacuum.
Table of Contents
What Makes HEPA Vacuum Cleaners Unique?
The technology that powers HEPA vacuum cleaners’ filters is what gives them their charm and utility. Particles are captured by vacuums using airflow, which is then transferred to the associated canister or bag. Once here, the air is extracted from the storage space, passed through a filter, and then forced back out of the device. This filter works to prevent the vacuum from just releasing all of the particles back into the air, where you, the vacuum user, may breathe them in.
HEPA vacuums differ from other vacuums in that they include a filtering system. While most smaller particles will be filtered out by other devices, some of those really little and invisible specks that are present in your house cannot be stopped by them. The term “HEPA” really relates to the filter itself and stands for “high-efficiency particulate air.”
Although the filters can be made of a wide range of materials, their tightly pleated construction offers them the unique capacity to filter out a large number of small particles from an interior environment. HEPA filters are genuinely available for a variety of devices, including air filters and more substantial items like HVAC systems.
They must eliminate 99.7% of particles larger than 0.3 microns in order to meet the EPA criteria and qualify as a HEPA filter.
Types of best HEPA vacuum for mold cleaners
There are 5-types – each with its own sets of pros and cons.
a upright vacuum cleaner
Upright: These are quite hefty but simple to operate. They work best for vacuuming big, flat areas, and the majority of them are strong enough to quickly remove pet hair that has been lodged in carpet. Additionally, they are less portable and heavier than the other forms. If you intend to get an upright vacuum, be sure that it has attachments that will enable you to clean crevices and stairways.
Stick: Stick vacuums resemble upright models in appearance but are much lighter and more portable. The majority don’t have bags and need a lot more emptying than uprights.
Vacuum cleaners with a canister have a hose, a wand, and a canister unit on wheels. Most come with extra attachments for nooks and crannies as standard equipment, and most gather sucked debris in a bag for simple disposal.
Handheld: Handhelds are perfect for tiny cleaning tasks like spills or quickly vacuuming curtains and upholstery. They work well for quick jobs. Find out more about them right here.
Robot: Robot HEPA vacuums are excellent backup vacuums, much like handheld models. They operate automatically, removing mold spores, allergens, and loose pet hair, which speeds up and simplifies cleaning with your main vacuum.
TOP 10 best best HEPA vacuum for mold and allergies recommended by Expert 2022
Best HEPA vacuum for mold and allergies: Dyson Ball Multi Floor Vacuum
Now 36% off
$289 AT AMAZON
The awesomeness of Dyson vacuums is kind of well known (and pricey, tbh). This one is undoubtedly a fan favorite since it has so many wonderful features, like a high-reach wand that can collect dust from locations that are out of sight, a HEPA filter that is reusable forever, ball technology for easy steering, and more.
Rating: 4.6/5
Reviews: 1,503
Rave reviews: “The HEPA filter provides effective air quality protection, and the ball shape makes it very easy to handle (although many vacuums offer this filter these days, not all of them do). This vacuum has made me extremely pleased, and I heartily recommend it!”
—amazon.com
Best HEPA vacuum for mold 2022: Honiture Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum
$500 AT AMAZON
Bissell 2999 MultiClean Vacuum with HEPA Seal System – TOP best HEPA vacuum for allergies
$196 AT AMAZON
BEST HEPA VACUUM WITH ATTACHMENTS: Hoover WindTunnel 2 Upright Vacuum
Now 26% off
$126 AT AMAZON
This vacuum is quite effective and reasonably priced. The tool is bagless, with a 25-foot extension chord, a long cleaning reach that extends to the ceiling, and more. Additionally, it has attachable cones so you can reach your home’s deepest, dustiest corners and angles. Which is always positive!
Rating: 4.3/5
Reviews: 3,907
Rave reviewer: “You can only expect so much from a vacuum when you have two children and four pets. We vacuum practically every day, and thus far, this has been a great investment. As of now, the suction has been able to keep up with cat fur, litter, and everything else. It’s quite peaceful and there’s enough power. It is ordinary to lightweight in weight and simple to move about and use. This would rank as the best middle-tier vacuum, in my opinion. It has been shown to be priceless.” —amazon.com
HEPA vacuum for mold and allergies: Shark NV356E S2 Professional Upright Vacuum
$280 AT AMAZON
This Shark vacuum with a HEPA filter should be on your radar, with over 17,500 reviews on Amazon. It swivels, making it incredibly simple to move, and the top comes off with the push of a button. You might wonder why there is a remove button. This prevents you from having to move the complete machine about the home to clean nook-like floor areas and difficult-to-reach surfaces.
Rating: 4.5/5
Reviews: 17,598
Rave review: “I adore this vacuum so much. I wanted a nice vacuum at a good price because I have 2 dogs, a cat, and a 6 month child, and I got it. Excellent suction, a wide variety of attachments, and ideal for both carpet and hard floors. likes to pick up dog fur in unbelievable quantities.” —amazon.com
BEST HEPA vacuum 2022: Kenmore Intuition BU4022 Bagged Upright Vacuum
$200 AT AMAZON
With this vacuum, cleaning is not the only thing that is made simpler; dust and dirt disposal is also made very simple. How? With the product’s no-touch HEPA bag technology, you may discharge your garbage into the trash can without having to use your hands by pressing a button.
Rating: 4.6/5
Reviews: 582
Rave reviews: “This vacuum is awful! (Get it?) I’m quite impressed by the strength, weight, and mobility of my new Kenmore intuition! There is absolutely NO dust escape from the bag. Only because it was too big and heavy did I decide to replace my final Kenmore vacuum after 18 years of service.” —amazon.com
BEST CORDLESS HEPA VACUUM CLEANER: Aposen Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
SHOP AT AMAZON
BEST HEAVY-DUTY HEPA VACUUM: Vacmaster Pro 8 Gallon Certified Hepa Filtration
Now 52% off
$129 AT AMAZON
The optimum use for this HEPA vacuum is for large messes. Along with a 30-foot extension cord, it has a tank and hose that are crush-proof. Most significantly, this device contains many filters for maximum protection and allergen collection, including a HEPA cartridge filter, a microfiber pre-filter, a sealable tear-resistant collecting bag, and a HEPA-material exhaust filter.
Rating: 4.4/5
Reviews: 565
Rave review: “I must admit that although I have never bought a HEPA vacuum or shop type vacuum, I was really delighted with this one. Given what it provides and the low price, it is well worth the money.” —amazon.com
Vacuum for mold and allergies: GeeMo Vacuum Cleaner Corded 17000PA 3 in 1 Stick
SHOP AT AMAZON
BEST REMOTE-CONTROLLED HEPA VACUUM: iMartine
$200 AT AMAZON
Features to look for in best HEPA vacuum cleaner for mold
A HEPA stick vacuum cleaner.
It might be challenging to select the finest HEPA vacuum cleaner, especially for a novice buyer. For your consideration, we have listed the features below.
Weight
When selecting a HEPA vacuum cleaner, weight is an essential factor. After all, you’ll be moving it about while pushing and maybe carrying it.
Bag or no bag
The use of bags is preferable since, without them, you must empty the dirt container very carefully. If you don’t want to bring the same mold spores and allergies back into your house, it’s better to empty bagless bins into an outside trash can.
Pre-filter
The cost of replacing HEPA filters might be high. In order to keep the HEPA filter cleaner for longer and increase its life, a pre-filter is placed in front of it and traps the slightly bigger particles before they reach the HEPA.
Real HEPA vacuum for mold
Don’t be duped by “HEPA-like” and “HEPA-type” vacuum cleaners if you’re looking for a true HEPA vacuum cleaner. They do, in fact, have far superior filtration systems than standard vacuums, but if you want the real deal, always go with a True HEPA.
Extras and attachments
Pet hair, dust, mold spores, and other allergies are frequently present on furniture, wooden floors, and other surfaces, so they don’t simply prefer carpets. Therefore, it would be ideal to pick one that has all the tools you’ll need to vacuum a variety of awkward spots.
Noise of best HEPA vacuum for mold
Some vacuums have a loud sound. rather loud. Consider purchasing one with a low output decibel.
FAQs of Best HEPA Vacuum for Mold
Which vacuum, bagged or bagless, is preferable?
Better models for HEPA vacuums are those with bags. These models can reduce irritating exposure, particularly for those with allergies or respiratory conditions. When you replace the bags, they are typically sealed to prevent the discharge of dust and other allergens into the air. Can HEPA filters be reused?
Not at all. HEPA filters are one-time usage only. Since water can reduce these filters’ ability to catch particles, they cannot be washed. Therefore, if you purchase a vacuum with a HEPA filter, you will need to account for additional costs to replace the HEPA filter. Can mold spores be vacuumed?
Due to their inherent tiny size, conventional vacuums are less successful at gathering mold spores. A HEPA vacuum is your best option if mold is a problem since it can capture particles as small as 0.3 microns, including mold spores.
WAIT! YOU DIDN’T RECOMMEND ANY ROBOTIC VACUUM CLEANERS.
For a good reason, we are certain that we did not. Many people like the “set it and forget it” attitude of a robotic vacuum, but it does have certain drawbacks. The locations a robotic vacuum cannot access are many. Little crevices are overlooked, which means you aren’t collecting all the dust, mold spores, and other allergies. Additionally, robotic vacuums typically don’t have as strong of a suction as conventional HEPA vacuums.
Best Vacuum Cleaning is not advocating against buying a robotic cleaner. Go with one if it makes the difference between vacuuming and not vacuuming! So that you can perform some “deep” vacuuming once or twice a month, you should usually have a second vacuum on hand.