If you suffer from allergies, a HEPA filter is a must. HEPA filters trap 99.97% of particles and remove them from your environment. Versatile attachments like crevice tools and motorized pet hair brushes enhance cleaning efficiency, while a sealed system prevents dust from escaping back into your living space. In our extensive review, four vacuum cleaners stood out from over 99 evaluated models.
We analyzed 152,328 reviews, rigorously filtering out fake and low-quality reviews using our data-driven Trust Rating. Our thorough process ensures that only the top-performing vacuums, certified as tested and proven in real-world conditions, make it to our buying guide. This meticulous approach guarantees that the recommended models deliver exceptional performance and reliability.
How Did We Rank the Best HEPA Vacuums?
Our True Score system and analysis of over 200 sites underpin our guide to the best HEPA vacuums. By evaluating diverse testing methods, expert reviews, and customer feedback, we identified 2 required test results, 1 preferred test result, and 1 must-have specification. This structured approach allows us to present a definitive buying guide, empowering you to make an informed and confident purchase.
Our commitment to unbiased reviews is powered by our ‘True Score’ system, targeting low-quality and fake reviews. When you shop through our links, you’re backing our mission. Dive deeper to see how.
?️ Minimum Specifications
- Must have a HEPA filter
? Test Criteria
- Bare Floor Performance: The vacuum sucks up 95% of debris when cleaning bare surfaces such as tile, vinyl planks, and hardwood floors.
- Pet Hair Performance: The vacuum sucks up 95% of pet hair from any surface.
? “Nice To Haves”
- Carpet Performance: The vacuum sucks up 75% of debris when cleaning carpets, including low pile and high pile.
Latest Updates
- 06/20/2024: Republished the list to include the best HEPA vacuum cleaners based on our True Score system.
Top HEPA Vacuums For 2024
Prices accurate at the time of publishing
Best Overall
Runner Up
Best Value
Best Budget
Best Mid-Range
Premium Pick
Shark Stratos Cordless
Best Cordless
Shark Stratos Cordless excels on bare floors and pet hair, boasting top debris pick-up rates. Its lightweight and cordless design enhances maneuverability.
True Score
86876Experts
86785Customers
Absolutely Fresh
SAVE $253$499.99$247.30Read More
Snapshot
Reasons to Buy
- Impressive suction power
- Great bare floor performance
- Great Carpet cleaning performance
- Excellent pet hair cleaning performance
Reasons to Avoid
- Attachments are very limited
Specifications
Bagless Yes 
Bin Capacity 0.18 gal 
Brush Roll Shut-Off Unknown 
Carpet Height Adjustments Yes 
Cleaning Path Width 10″ 
Compatible Floor Type All floors 
Cord Length Cordless 
Corded/Cordless Cordless 
Filter Type HEPA 
Hypoallergenic Yes 
Pet Yes 
Product Weight 8.9 lbs 
Vacuum Type Stick Vacuums 
Wet And Dry Usage No All Specs
Test Results
Bare Floor Performance (% of Debris Cleaned) 99 Carpet Performance (% of Debris Cleaned) 89 Pet Hair Performance (% of Debris Cleaned) 100 Noise Level (dB) 77 All Retailers
$247.30$500Save $253
$319.95$400Save $80
Our Verdict
The Shark Stratos Cordless is a versatile vacuum that excels in bare floor and pet hair cleaning. It boasts a superior bare floor debris pick-up rate of 98.83%, and for pet hair pick-up, it scored a perfect 100%, making it ideal if you’re a pet owner constantly dealing with fur in your home. It also performs exceptionally well on carpets, picking up 89.28% of dirt and debris in carpet fibers.
However, it’s worth noting that the Shark Stratos Cordless’s bin capacity is on the smaller side, at 0.18 gallons. This means you might find yourself emptying it frequently during extensive cleaning sessions. Despite this, the vacuum is lightweight, at 8.9 lbs, enhancing maneuverability and ease of use throughout your home.
Compared to the Shark Stratos Ultralight, the two share many similarities like their bin capacities, noise levels, and pet hair performance. The Stratos Cordless has superior carpet cleaning performance, though, and is cordless, allowing for easy movement between rooms without hassle. It’s the more efficient and convenient pick if you live in a carpeted home. The Stratos Ultralight is the better value if you’re on a budget, and keep in mind that it’s corded, which may limit mobility but still gives you consistent power without the need for recharging.
The Shark Stratos Cordless offers a blended mix of performance and convenience. While it’s a pricey model, its excellent performance on bare floors, carpets, and pet hair makes it a reliable pick if you suffer from allergies and have a home with various types of flooring and debris.
Read Less
Best Overall
Runner Up
Best Value
Best Budget
Best Mid-Range
Premium Pick
Shark Cordless Vertex Pro Powered Lift-Away
Best Cordless Stick
Shark Cordless Vertex Pro excels in large homes with a large bin, offering exceptional pet hair removal and carpets and bare floor cleaning performance.
True Score
85842Experts
87340Customers
Absolutely Fresh
SAVE $80$399.99$319.99Read More
Snapshot
Reasons to Buy
- Excellent performance on all floor types
- Good battery life
- Outstanding pet hair pick-up rate
- Low on-going costs
- LED headlights
Reasons to Avoid
- The brush roll is not removable
- Poor stain-removal performance
- Lacks a turbo brush
Specifications
Bagless Yes Bin Capacity 0.34 gal Brush Roll Shut-Off No Carpet Height Adjustments No Cleaning Path Width 10″ Compatible Floor Type Carpet, Hardwoods Cord Length Cordless Corded/Cordless Cordless Filter Type HEPA Hypoallergenic Yes Pet Yes Product Weight 12.4 lbs Vacuum Type Stick Vacuums Wet And Dry Usage No All Specs
Test Results
Bare Floor Performance (% of Debris Cleaned) 99 Carpet Performance (% of Debris Cleaned) 89 Pet Hair Performance (% of Debris Cleaned) 100 Noise Level (dB) 77 All Retailers
$319.99$400Save $80- $399.00$400Save $1
- $525.00$599Save $74
Our Verdict
The Shark Cordless Vertex Pro Powered Lift-Away is an exceptional vacuum for cleaning large homes with pets and bare floors. It picks up 98.57% of debris on hard floors, and it also does a fantastic job with pet hair, scoring a perfect 100%, which is ideal if you have pets that shed frequently. It also delivers strong carpet cleaning performance, effectively removing 89.36% of dirt and debris from carpet fibers.
When we look at the Shark Vertex Pro, the Shark Cordless Vertex Pro shows superior carpet cleaning performance and a larger bin capacity of 0.34 gallons. This means you’ll have to empty the bin less frequently while cleaning, making it ideal if you have to clean a large home with carpeted areas. However, it’s heavier at 12.4 lbs, which might affect its portability and ease of use. The Vertex Pro is better if you need something lighter to push and pull around your home.
One of the key features of the Shark Cordless Vertex Pro Powered Lift-Away is its cordless design. This gives you the freedom to clean without the constraints of a power cord. The HEPA filter is great for trapping small particles and reducing allergens in your home if you or your housemates suffer from allergies.
Despite being heavy, this vacuum delivers impressive cleaning performance, especially on bare floors and pet hair. If you have the arm strength and value a larger bin capacity, this vacuum offers convenient, efficient cleaning for spacious homes.
Read Less
Best Overall
Runner Up
Best Value
Best Budget
Best Mid-Range
Premium Pick
Shark Stratos Ultralight
Best Hardwood Floors
Shark Stratos Ultralight excels on bare floors and pet hair, features a HEPA filter for allergy sufferers, and offers quiet operation with a long cord for easy reach.
True Score
83811Experts
861kCustomers
Absolutely Fresh
SAVE $181$399.99$219.00Read More
Snapshot
Reasons to Buy
- Good bare floor cleaning performance
- Decent carpet cleaning performance
- Great pet hair performance
Reasons to Avoid
- Below average suction power rating
Specifications
Bagless Yes Bin Capacity 0.2 gal Brush Roll Shut-Off No Carpet Height Adjustments No Cleaning Path Width 8.25″ Compatible Floor Type All floors Cord Length 30 ft Corded/Cordless Corded Filter Type HEPA Hypoallergenic Yes Pet Yes Product Weight 8.6 lbs Vacuum Type Stick Vacuums Wet And Dry Usage No All Specs
Test Results
Bare Floor Performance (% of Debris Cleaned) 98 Carpet Performance (% of Debris Cleaned) 82 Pet Hair Performance (% of Debris Cleaned) 99 Noise Level (dB) 77 All Retailers
- $219.00$400Save $181
- $294.99
- $299.99
Our Verdict
If you’re on a budget and your home has mostly bare floors, the Shark Stratos Ultralight is a great corded vacuum that cleans 97.5% of bare floor debris. The Shark Stratos Ultralight also excels in pet hair performance with a 99.33% pickup rate, ensuring a clean home if you own pets.
Compared to the Shark Stratos Cordless, it doesn’t perform as well on carpets (82.25% vs. 89.28%), so it would be the more efficient pick if you have many carpeted areas. The Stratos Cordless is also not restricted by a cord and offers more freedom of movement for convenient vacuuming. The Stratos Ultralight is the least expensive option, making it the better value if you want a balance between performance and budget. Though it has a corded design, it has a 30-foot cord length, which offers extensive reach without frequent outlet changes.
One of the standout features of the Shark Stratos Ultralight is its low noise output at 76.8 dB, contributing to a quieter cleaning experience. It also has a moderate bin capacity of 0.2 gallons, balancing size and convenience. However, it doesn’t have advanced features such as smart app integration or self-emptying technology, which might be a drawback if you’re looking for high-tech capabilities.
The Shark Stratos Ultralight provides excellent value with its impressive performance on bare floors and pet hair, low noise output, and outstanding portability. While it may lack some high-tech features, its effectiveness, and affordability make it a solid vacuum if you want a balance of performance and value in your vacuum cleaner.
Read Less
Best Overall
Runner Up
Best Value
Best Budget
Best Mid-Range
Premium Pick
Shark Vertex Pro
Best Cordless For Pet Hair
Shark Vertex Pro excels on bare floors and in pet hair removal. Its HEPA filter and cordless design allow for easy mobility, making it ideal for medium-sized homes.
True Score
81813Experts
82355Customers
Absolutely Fresh
SAVE $80$479.99$399.91Read More
Snapshot
Reasons to Buy
- Has an anti-allergen HEPA filter
- Low noise output
- LED screen for status display
- Large dirt canister
- Lightweight and easy to maneuver
Reasons to Avoid
- High maintenance requirements
- Struggles with fine debris on low pile carpet
- Long charge time
Specifications
Bagless Yes Bin Capacity 0.25 gal Brush Roll Shut-Off Unknown Carpet Height Adjustments Unknown Cleaning Path Width 10″ Compatible Floor Type Carpet, Hardwoods Cord Length Unknown Corded/Cordless Cordless Filter Type HEPA Hypoallergenic Yes Pet Yes Product Weight 8.82 lbs Vacuum Type Stick Vacuums Wet And Dry Usage No All Specs
Test Results
Bare Floor Performance (% of Debris Cleaned) 99 Carpet Performance (% of Debris Cleaned) 83 Pet Hair Performance (% of Debris Cleaned) 100 Noise Level (dB) 82 All Retailers
- $399.91$480Save $80
- $434.99
- $449.99
Our Verdict
If you don’t mind loud noise while vacuuming, the Shark Vertex Pro is a lightweight vacuum that delivers impressive performance on bare floors. It picks up 98.5% of debris, making it a fantastic option if your home has hard flooring. It’s exceptional for pet owners, with an impressive pet hair pickup rate of 99.66%. Its carpet cleaning performance is decent at 82.61%, but it’s not the most efficient option for dealing with many carpeted areas.
This vacuum’s bin capacity is adequate at 0.25 gallons, making it suitable for small to medium-sized homes. Its cordless feature enhances mobility, allowing for easier cleaning of larger spaces. Its HEPA filter effectively traps fine particles, thus improving indoor air quality. Although it has a higher noise level of 82.35 dB, this should not be an issue if you don’t have any noise-sensitive children, pets, or neighbors.
Compared to the Shark Cordless Vertex Pro Powered Lift-Away, the Shark Vertex Pro is significantly lighter, making it the more convenient vacuum if you don’t want to strain yourself while vacuuming. However, the Lift-Away offers better value due to its cheaper price and larger bin capacity, making it ideal if you’re on a budget and live in a large home.
Despite its loud noise level, the Shark Vertex Pro’s excellent bare floor and pet hair cleaning efficiency and cordless functionality make it a solid choice if you want a balance of performance and convenience while vacuuming your small—to medium-sized home.
Read Less
Which Criteria Matters for Testing Best HEPA Vacuums?
By focusing on these criteria (2 required, 1 nice to have), anyone can quickly and easily compare these vacuum cleaners and how they’ll perform. This helps you make an informed decision and purchase a vacuum cleaner that will meet your needs.
| CRITERIA | RANGE | REQUIRED | DEFINITION |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bare Floor Performance | > 95% | Yes | How much debris the vacuum sucks up when cleaning bare surfaces like tile, vinyl planks, and hardwood floors. |
| Pet Hair Performance | > 95% | Yes | How much pet hair the vacuum sucks up from any surface. |
| Carpet Performance | > 75% | No (Nice to have) | How much debris the vacuum sucks up when cleaning carpets, including low pile and high pile. |
Our Trusted Data Sources
We looked at 120+ vacuum cleaner reviewers and found that 27 are trustworthy (60%+ Trust Rating). The three we have listed below are our most trusted for vacuum cleaner.
- Dagobiet Morales Alfaro – RTings, LinkedIn
- Derek Hales – Modern Castle, LinkedIn
- Sabine Heinlein – Wirecutter, LinkedIn
Interested in a comprehensive analysis of our data sources? We’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find a detailed list of every vacuum cleaner review website we’ve identified, organized by their respective Trust Ratings from highest to lowest. But we didn’t stop there. We’ve meticulously reviewed each publication and verified the data by checking whether the authors have bio links to MuckRack or LinkedIn. We’re committed to not only checking the facts but ensuring their veracity.
Vacuum Cleaner Test Data & Results
1. Bare Floor Performance Test Results
As the name suggests, bare floor performance references how well a vacuum does when it’s cleaning up tiles, vinyl planks, or hardwood flooring. Debris comes in a variety of sizes of course, and much of the testing revolves around picking up debris that ranges in size from cereal to bits of dirt to sand to a mix of everything above and more.
We recommend that a vacuum be able to pick up at least 95% of debris from a bare floor to ensure you end up with clean floors. Hitting a perfect score is obviously ideal, but the worse a vacuum performs here, the more work you need to do sweeping up or re-vacuuming. Missing debris is frustrating, and can invite pests if you miss bits of food, or annoyance if you step on something barefoot and hurt yourself.
Bare Floor Performance
> 95%
Acceptable range of performance
Definition: How much debris the vacuum sucks up when cleaning bare surfaces like tile, vinyl planks, and hardwood floors.
Units of Measurement: % (percentage)
Tools to Measure: Scale
Why It’s Important:
A vacuum is supposed to clean, so if it can’t pick up most of the debris on a floor, it’s not doing its job.
Bare Floor Performance in % (higher is better; 0 = No Data)
2. Pet Hair Performance Test Results
If you own pets, the ability of a vacuum to suck up pet hair, be it with attachments or the brush itself is extremely important. Pet hair can stick to furniture, dig itself into the carpet, and clump together under beds and in corners. If you have allergies and need to keep pet hair out of your home as best as you can, you’ll need a vacuum that gets rid of as much pet hair a possible when cleaning.
We recommend that a vacuum has a pet hair cleaning performance of at least 95%. Higher is always better, but if you can get rid of most of the pet hair, you’ll have an easier time breathing and less dander flying away and sticking to clothes and furniture. Poor pet hair cleaning performance can invite repeated vacuuming and more annoyance for anyone who suffers from allergies.
Pet Hair Performance
> 95%
Acceptable range of performance
Definition: How much pet hair the vacuum sucks up from any surface.
Units of Measurement: % (percentage)
Tools to Measure: Speed-checking software
Why It’s Important:
If you have pets and want to keep your home free of pet hair, you need good pet hair cleanup performance.
Pet Hair Performance in % (higher is better; 0 = No Data)
3. Carpet Performance Test Results
Carpet Performance
> 75%
Acceptable range of performance
Definition: How much debris the vacuum sucks up when cleaning carpets, including low pile and high pile.
Units of Measurement: % (percentage)
Tools to Measure: Scale
Why It’s Important:
If you have carpet, how well a vacuum cleans directly impacts how your carpet feels to walk on, and prevents pests from moving in.
Carpet cleaning ability is another important part of how your vacuum performs. Whether you have low-pile, high-pile, or rugs, how effectively a vacuum cleans up the dirt and debris left behind on the carpet is enormously important to keeping your carpet comfortable.
Generally speaking, we recommend a carpet cleaning performance of at least 75%. You might notice this is much lower than bare floors, and that’s because carpet is harder to clean. Short of devoting the time to actually shampoo and dry out a carpet, thoroughly cleaning out a carpet is very difficult, and good vacuums will reach deep between fibers and pull out long-forgotten crumbs.
Carpet Performance in % (higher is better; 0 = No Data)
Best HEPA Vacuums: Mistakes To Avoid
- Ignoring Certification: Not all vacuums claiming HEPA filtration meet the necessary standards. Ensure the vacuum is certified by reputable organizations like the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) or the High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) Association.
- Neglecting Sealing: A vacuum’s effectiveness heavily relies on its ability to prevent air leaks. Overlooking the sealing of the vacuum’s body and filtration system can lead to unfiltered air bypassing the HEPA filter, reducing its efficiency.
- Not Considering Vacuum Power: HEPA filters can restrict airflow, so it’s essential to choose a vacuum with sufficient suction power to maintain performance even with the added filtration. Look for models with high-powered motors designed to work efficiently with HEPA filters.
- Forgetting Maintenance: Proper maintenance is key to ensuring the longevity and effectiveness of HEPA vacuums. Neglecting regular filter replacements or failing to clean the vacuum’s components can diminish its filtration efficiency over time.
The Best HEPA Vacuums Tests Compared
Product |
True Score
|
Bare Floor Performance
|
Carpet Performance
|
Pet Hair Performance
|
Noise Level
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 86 |
|
|
|
|  $247.30 $500 $253 |
Shark Cordless Vertex Pro Powered Lift-Away
| 85 |
|
|
|
|  $319.99 $400 $80 |
| 83 |
|
|
|
|  $219.00 $400 $181 |
| 81 |
|
|
|
| $399.91 $480 $80 |
