Best Vacuum for Allergy Sufferers

A good vacuum can be a game-changer for anybody who suffers from seasonal allergies. But if your vacuum spews more dust and debris than it picks up, you could be doing yourself more damage than good.

That's one reason Consumer Reports measures emissions when we assess vacuum cleaners. The best vacuums for allergy sufferers keep dirt well-contained and the air clear.

If you're especially sensitive to dust and allergens, purchasing a vacuum with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter is a good starting point.

"There are newer vacuum cleaners that have different filtration systems, but we always recommend that a HEPA filter is there somewhere," says Sanaz Eftekhari, vice president of corporate affairs and research at The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. "The HEPA filter will trap the matters and molecules that are coming in, so they won't go back into the air."

The other consideration is whether the vacuum has a bag. Though many of the bagless vacuums in our tests have low emissions, emptying the bin of a bagless vacuum can result in a dust cloud that's difficult to escape.

Bagged Uprights with the Lowest Emissions 

Kenmore Elite Pet Friendly 31150

CR's take: Strong airflow for devices and superb pet-hair pickup are top attractions of the bagged Kenmore Elite Pet Friendly 31150. Though you can get a fine performer for less, its cost includes helpful features, like a brush on/off switch, which safeguards a bare floor's finish and prevents scattering of debris; suction control, which protects drapes; and manual carpet pile-height adjustment. It gets an excellent rating for clean emissions.

Miele Dynamic U1 Cat & Dog

CR's take: A Very Good upright vacuum cleaner overall, the Miele Dynamic U1 Cat & Dog does an impressive work eliminating embedded dirt from carpets and hardwood floors. It spits little if any dust or debris back into the room, getting an Excellent rating for clean emissions. Its pet-hair pickup is an advantage for dog and cat owners who might be tackling piles of fur on carpets or bare floors. It's more comfortable to handle and quieter than many vacuums in our tests.

Miele Dynamic U1 Maverick 

CR's take: The Miele Dynamic U1 Maverick boasts an Excellent rating for its performance on our emissions trials. It fares well at carpet cleaning and has excellent pet-hair pickup but could be better at cleaning bare floors. The Miele also comprises a brush on/off switch to safeguard bare floors and prevent scattered dust and debris. It's hassle-free to handle but noisier than some of the vacuums in our tests.

Bagged Canisters with the Lowest Emissions

 Kenmore Elite Pet-Friendly UltraPlush 81714

CR's take: The Kenmore Elite Pet-Friendly UltraPlush 81714 is definitely friendly for pet owners and earns an Excellent on our pet-hair test. It's also a champ at cleaning bare floors and a solid performer at cleaning carpet, making it an excellent choice if you have a combination of flooring. Although it made the grade in our emissions test, there are quieter selections.

Kenmore 81614

CR's take: If you have bare floors and a dog, the Kenmore 81614 is the vacuum for allergy because it aces both of those tests. It doesn't do quite better on carpet. And of the two Kenmore canisters, it's the better deal for pet fans. Emissions are clean, although you'll find that this vacuum is slightly noisy as you work. This vacuum is a CR Best Purchase for its top performance at a good price.

Miele Complete C3 Marin

CR's take: Even though it's a bit costly, the Miele Complete C3 Marin is worth a look for its fine cleaning and pet-hair pickup. It receives an Excellent rating on our emissions test. Carpet cleaning and airflow for tools are both impressive, and pickup on bare floors is outstanding. Other pluses comprise manual carpet pile-height adjustment, suction control for drapes, and a brush on/off switch for bare floors. The Miele is one of the noiseless vacuums in our tests.

Resources and References:

• Benefits of HEPA Filters