Vacuums
Frequent vacuuming is one of the most effective ways to keep your home clean and free of allergens. In my research to determine what the best vacuum is and why, I found the most important criteria when making a selection is to make sure to use a certified sealed HEPA vacuum. Using a vacuum with a HEPA filter and a sealed vacuum system prevents dust from recirculating back into the air. I personally prefer a dust bag to fully contain dust and toxins and I like dusting accessories to get into the nooks and crannies with ease as well. Beyond that, which make and model of HEPA vacuum is more about personal choice, needs, layout of your home, and how much you want to spend. After reviewing several vacuums, here are my top choices:
Credit: Miele
Miele Certified Airclean Sealed System vacuums are my top choice. They offer a few different options in this category, but my favorite model (and what I use in my home), is the Miele Complete C3 which is one of their HEPA sealed system vacuums. I also have and love the Miele Complete C3 Canister Vacuum. It works well on low pile carpet and hard surfaces, the suction is strong, all attachments are stored in a compartment on the vacuum, and the cord retracts at the push of a button. The hose extends high enough to vacuum my walls and ceiling. Given all that it can do, it is still lightweight, compact, and easy to use. The bag and filter both have indicators of when they need to be changed and replacing them is an easy process at a reasonable price. The cost of this model is higher than other vacuums, but it is truly built to last making it a long-term investment worth the price tag. The only cons are storing the vacuum as the hose takes up more space than an upright model and the directions to put the vacuum together were not very clear making setup cumbersome. Overall, this vacuum is incredibly effective and a worthwhile investment.
The Dyson Ball Multi Floor Upright Vacuum Cleaner with HEPA filter is another good sealed system choice. Dyson brand may be a more eco-friendly option for owners who wish to avoid a bag system, but it may not be ideal for asthma and allergy sufferers as emptying the canister can release particles back into the air (I suggest emptying the canister outside of the home). The filters are washable making it more cost effective but, unlike Miele, there is no indicator as to when the filter needs to be washed. This could be a pro or con depending on if you will remember to wash and dry the filter as recommended. I prefer a bagged system, but I still count it as a quality choice for its warranty, performance, filtration, and having no additional cost for filters and bags may be appealing to some.
Credit: Euroclean
Nilfisk is another highly rated brand that I have also tried out. The NILFISK Euroclean GD930 Canister is a good sealed system HEPA vacuum and is ideal for multi surfaces. It has great suction power and performance, but it does not have an auto rewind electrical cord which could be considered a drawback and is less ideal for multi-level homes as it is not a compact design. The replacement filters are on the more expensive side but this machine has good reviews and it’s a bagged system which I prefer as it completely traps dust.
The Shark AZ1002 Apex Powered Lift- Away Upright vacuum is an economical bagless option with high performance reviews from Good Housekeeping. It is good for multi-surface cleaning and has a power brush which is great for pet owners. It is lightweight and has compact storage. I believe you get what you pay for, but this is a good budget friendly option that has a sealed HEPA filter system which is my top priority in selecting a good vacuum.
Bissell MultiClean Allergen Pet Upright Vacuum with Filter Sealed System, 2999 is another budget friendly option. It is a HEPA Sealed System and traps dirt into a canister system. Suction was rated as adequate so it's not a top performer but it’s a good budget friendly option for a sealed HEPA vacuum.
All of the vacuums I have highlighted above are great options. Choosing from there really depends on the flooring in your home, if you have pets, if you want a bagged or bagless machine, if you will be carrying the vacuum up and down different levels within your home, and how much you want to spend. Fortunately, there are a wide range of vacuums on the market today with sealed HEPA filter systems and it comes down to what the needs of your home are and your budget.
* These vacuums were found by personal research and the top choices were tested. All vacuums meet my criteria having a sealed HEPA filter system.
In this post I consulted information from the following sources:
pubmed.gov