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Weve tested hundreds of vacuumsthese eliminate 99.97% of dust, pet dander, and certain bacteria and viruses.
Credit:Better Homes & Garden
Powerful suction or long battery life shouldnt be the only things to consider when shopping.
To remove even more pollutants, look for a vacuum with a HEPA filter.
I find that they kick up much less dust than a non-HEPA filtered vacuum cleaner.
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For more on how we tested vacuums, seeour testing processbelow.
Its heavier weight and larger size make it bulky to move up and down stairs.
The Shark Navigator is anupright vacuumwith a variety of convenient features that surpassed our expectations during testing.
The Shark NV360 Navigator instantly turns into a handheld model when you lift the canister off the base and pull out the hose.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Henry Wortock
One of these is its lift-away function, which instantly turns it into a handheld.
Another plus is its 25-foot power cord and larger .9-quart dustbin.
Even without the use of the crevice tool, it still got the edges of the rooms completely clean.
It earned high marks for maneuverability, as it smoothly transitioned from hardwood to carpeted flooring.
The powerful suction and effectiveness on the upholstered chair impressed us.
And some hair did get stuck in the brush roller, which took elbow grease to remove.
It was not easy to remove hair wrapped around the brush because the brush is not removable.
The Kenmore Compact Canister Vacuum is sleek compared to similar models.
Better yet, it’s cheaper than our other top favoritesand just as effective.
Maneuverability can be a challenge forcanister vacuumsas they consist of two piecesthe canister itself and the vacuum head.
Some hair was tangled around the brush during testing and we had trouble getting it out.
This quickly became our go-to vacuum at home.
Its a very, very pricey vacuum.
For hard floors, we used the fluffy cleaner head, which removed most debris in one pass.
It worked slightly faster on smoother hardwood over grouted tile.
That said, the LCD screen bumps up the price of an already expensive vacuum.
But, for those really invested in the HEPA filters capabilities, it might be their new favorite feature.
There’s a learning curve for figuring out the vacuum.
For those looking to keep their home as allergen-free as possible, its a great feature.
However, theres a learning curve to understanding how to work the vacuum.
In the first test, hair got stuck to the brush roll and popcorn kernels resisted being sucked in.
However, once we figured it out, it immediately performed better.
We saw no diminished battery life or new issues since our first test.
While it might need a few uses to understand how it works, its a reliable vacuum.
This one by Nicebay earned high marks during the tests.
The vacuum has a HEPA filter and a stainless steel filter.
Still, its a sleek model thats at a reasonable price for a handheld vacuum with a HEPA filter.
The vacuum held up very well, continuing to clean quickly and easily.
We appreciated the light, sleek build and more modern design compared to other handhelds we’ve used.
Then, we recorded the noise levels of both the high and low options using a decibel reader.
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We recorded how effectively the vacuum picked the debris up in one minute.
For the handheld vacuums, wecleaned hair off of a rug.
Additionally, we evaluated upright vacuums for maneuverability by cleaning debris along a path mapped out with painters tape.
The Kenmore Compact Bagless Canister Vacuum is sleek and portable compared to other options.Credit: Better Homes & Garden / Dera Burreson
For effectiveness on upholstery, wecleaned an upholstered chairusing any relevant attachments.
Cordless vacuums were also used to clean cotton balls off of the top of a shelf.
Dustbin Capacity
Dustbin capacity can affect how convenient a vacuum will be to use for longer periods.
If you tend to spot clean frequently, this likely wont be a problem.
Accessories
Mostvacuums come with accessoriesthat are made to tackle specific debris types or fabrics.
Consider what surfaces besides the floor youll be cleaning with your new vacuum.
If the relevant accessory is not included, some brands, like Dyson, offer additional accessories separately.
Cordless options remove the inconvenience of having to plug and unplug the cord from outlet to outlet.
However, they pose the risk of running out of battery in the middle of cleaning.
Your Questions, Answered
What is a HEPA vacuum?
These are vacuums that contain HEPA filters, which are pleated mechanical air filters.
The name stands for “High-Efficiency Particulate Air.
That can include viruses or bacteria found in dust.
For instance, a 1-4 MERV rating means the filter can remove 20% of all particles.
A 16 means a filter can remove more than 75% of all particles.
However, HEPA filters cannotremove gas or odorsassociated with pets, cigarettes or cooking.
For that, you will need a carbon-activated filter.
Is a HEPA vacuum worth it?
I think every house needs onethey make a huge difference.
A human hair strand isbetween 17 and 181 micronswhich most vacuums are capable of removing.
Pet dander, however, is much smaller at around6 microns.
Dust and skin particles can be as small as .05 microns, although they can be much larger.
Of course, the best HEPA vacuums will only remove whats embedded in your floors and upholstery.
If youre looking to remove these microns from the air as well,youll need an air purifier.
Do HEPA filters remove pet dander?
How often should you change a HEPA filter?
HEPA filters shouldnt be washed as a form of maintenancethey need to be replaced.
If your filter is looking gray or dusty, swap it immediately to ensure optimal results.
She has written many articles on vacuums and air purifiers for BHG.com.
For this article, she spoke withBecky Rapinchuk, the founder of Clean Mama.
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What Is BHG Recommends?
In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products.
At less than 8 pounds, the vacuum is extremely lightweight and maneuverable.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson
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A swivel head makes the Shark WS642AE Wandvac Cordless Stick Vacuum easy to maneuver around obstacles.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Elise Wang
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A tester uses the Nicebay Handheld Cordless Vacuum to clean kibble off a hardwood floor. It’s reasonably priced for a sleek model with a HEPA filter.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson
We tested each vacuum on a variety of surfaces, including stairs, medium-pile carpet, and high-pile carpet.Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
During testing, we evaluated any included upholstery attachments to see how well they performed.Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
