How We Ranked the 4 Best HEPA Vacuums

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By

Evan Shephard Avatar

Reviewed By

Evan Shephard
Updated Jun 20, 2024 6:55 PM
best hepa vacuum guide that shows the top best vacuum cleaner model

A whopping 75% of electronic and appliance reviews are untrustworthy. That’s why every reviewer gets a Trust Rating so our True Score System filters out the fake reviews. See how we do it.

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 152,207 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

See how we test the testers

  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    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.

    Shark Stratos Cordless Review →

    True Score

    85
    86
    6

    Experts

    85
    783

    Customers

    SAVE $178
    $499.99
    $322.00
  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    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.

    Shark Cordless Vertex Pro Powered Lift-Away Review →

    True Score

    85
    84
    2

    Experts

    87
    340

    Customers

    SAVE $80
    $399.99
    $319.99
  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    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.

    Shark Stratos Ultralight Review →

    True Score

    84
    82
    1

    Experts

    86
    1k

    Customers

    SAVE $151
    $399.99
    $249.00
  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    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.

    Shark Vertex Pro Review →

    True Score

    81
    81
    3

    Experts

    82
    351

    Customers

    SAVE $150
    $449.99
    $299.99

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.

CRITERIARANGEREQUIREDDEFINITION
Bare Floor Performance> 95%YesHow much debris the vacuum sucks up when cleaning bare surfaces like tile, vinyl planks, and hardwood floors.
Pet Hair Performance> 95%YesHow 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.

  1. Dagobiet Morales Alfaro – RTings, LinkedIn
  2. Derek Hales – Modern Castle, LinkedIn
  3. 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 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 in % (higher is better; 0 = No Data)

3. Carpet Performance Test Results

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

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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

Shark Stratos Cordless

  • Best for Cordless

85
  • 98.83%

  • 89.28%

  • 100%

  • 76.65 dB

$322.00
$500
$178
85
  • 98.57%

  • 89.36%

  • 100%

  • 77 dB

$319.99
$400
$80

Shark Stratos Ultralight

  • Best for Hardwood Floors

84
  • 97.5%

  • 82.25%

  • 99.33%

  • 76.8 dB

$249.00
$400
$151

Shark Vertex Pro

  • Best for Cordless For Pet Hair

81
  • 98.5%

  • 82.61%

  • 99.66%

  • 82.35 dB

$299.99
$450
$150

HEPA Vacuum Questions (FAQ)

What features should I look for in the best HEPA vacuum?

When choosing the best HEPA vacuum, look for features such as strong suction power, a sealed system to prevent dust from escaping, multiple attachments for versatile cleaning, and ease of use. Additionally, consider the vacuum's weight, noise level, and whether it's suitable for both carpets and hard floors.

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