The Best Vacuum Cleaner For Allergies And Pet Hair
If you suffer from allergies or have a pet in your home, keeping up with the household cleaning can be an absolute nightmare. Vacuuming daily is essential to keep dust and dander out of your living space, but it’s hard to find a vacuum that truly gets the job done without making your allergies flare up. We’ve all been there before – searching high and low for the best vacuum cleaner for allergies and pet hair that will give us the cleanliness we need while still considering our individual needs.
Look no further; I’ve done thorough research and testing on what we feel are some of the best vacuum cleaners suitable for anyone dealing with allergens or hair from pets! Keep reading to learn more about our top picks and what features they offer so you can make an informed decision when shopping around.
What to Look for in a Vacuum Cleaner for Allergies and Pet Hair
Before browsing for the perfect vacuum cleaner, you must know what features you should be looking for. Here are some key points to consider:
✅ HEPA Filtration
HEPA filtration stands for High-Efficiency Particulate Air filtration. This filter may collect a great deal of dust and dirt that would otherwise be released back into your home’s air by a conventional vacuum. HEPA filters trap dust mite, allergens, and pet dander, making them a great choice for anyone suffering from allergies. They’re designed to capture particles as small as 0.3 microns – that’s tiny!
So, if you want to ensure your vacuuming is as effective as possible in reducing the allergens in your home, a HEPA filter is a must-have feature.
✅ Powerful Suction
Suction power is the strength of a vacuum cleaner to pick up dust, dirt, and pet hair from your floors or carpets. This is particularly important if you have pets, as their hair tends to embed itself in carpets and upholstery. A vacuum cleaner with strong suction power ensures that no trace of pet hair or allergens remains on your surfaces or in the air.
Look for a vacuum cleaner with adjustable suction power to change it according to your cleaning needs. For example, a higher setting would be helpful for deep carpet cleaning, while a lower setting can be used for hard floors or delicate rugs. When conquering allergies and pet hair, having a vacuum cleaner with solid suction power makes a difference!
✅ Bagged vs. Bagless
When choosing the best vacuum cleaner for allergies and pet hair, you must decide between a bagged or bagless vacuum. Both types have their pros and cons. Bagged vacuum cleaners have a bag inside that collects all the dust, dirt, and pet hair. When the bag is full, you remove it and replace it with a new one. This makes bagged vacuum cleaners a great choice for allergy sufferers as it drastically reduces exposure to allergens during disposal.
On the other hand, bagless vacuum cleaners collect dust and debris in a container or cup. When it’s full, you’ll need to empty it out. While they are more environmentally friendly and save you the cost of buying replacement bags, they can expose you to allergens when you empty the dust container. If you choose to go with a bagless vacuum, ensure it has a reliable filtration system to minimize the spread of allergens during emptying.
✅ Attachments and Accessories
Attachments can be a game changer for vacuum cleaners, especially for tackling pet hair and allergens. Here’s why:
➤ Crevice Tool
This narrow, flat nozzle fits into tight corners and reaches between cushions and other tight spaces where pet hair and allergens love to hide. It’s a crucial attachment for any allergy sufferer or pet owner.
➤ Dusting Brush
Typically round with long, soft bristles, a dusting brush attachment is designed for delicate cleaning jobs, like dusting off shelves or blinds. It can also be used for gently cleaning items like lampshades or curtains, which can accumulate allergens.
➤ Upholstery Tool
This wide attachment helps to pick up pet hair and allergens from sofas, mattresses, cushions, and other upholstery items. If you have pets that love to lounge on the furniture, an upholstery tool is a must-have.
➤ Pet Hair Tool
Some vacuum cleaners have special pet hair tools designed to tackle stubborn fur. These might use rubber material to attract hair or have special designs to prevent hair from tangling in the brush. If your furry friend is a heavy shedder, consider investing in a vacuum with a specialized pet hair tool.
Remember, the best vacuum cleaner for allergies and pet hair suits your home and needs. When deciding, consider the layout of your home, your pets’ habits, and your specific allergy triggers.
✅ Size and Weight
The vacuum cleaner’s physical size and weight are other essential aspects to consider. If your home has multiple levels or many stairs, you’ll want a lightweight and easy-to-carry vacuum. On the other hand, if you have a large area to cover, a bigger vacuum cleaner with a wider cleaning path might save you time. It’s about striking a balance between ease of use and efficiency.
A smaller, lighter vacuum might be easier to maneuver, especially in tight spaces, but it may require more passes to clean a room. A larger vacuum might cover more ground quickly, but it might be harder to navigate around furniture or up and down stairs. Choosing a vacuum cleaner that fits well with your home size, layout, and physical comfort is important.
Best Vacuum Cleaner For Allergies And Pet Hair
Now that you know what to look for in a vacuum cleaner, here are our top picks for the best vacuum cleaner for allergies and pet hair:
Shark AZ3002 Stratos Upright Vacuum
The Shark AZ3002 Stratos Upright Vacuum is a top-notch choice for tackling allergies and pet hair. This vacuum boasts the most potent suction of any Shark model, ensuring that it picks up more dust particles, debris, and pet hair in just one pass, thanks to the innovative DuoClean PowerFins technology.
What sets this vacuum apart is its Odor Neutralizer Technology. This feature ensures that your vacuum doesn’t just clean your home but also keeps it smelling fresh by preventing foul odors from forming inside the vacuum.
Another significant feature of the Shark AZ3002 is its self-cleaning brush roll. This is a lifesaver for pet owners, as it effectively picks up pet hair without getting tangled.
The vacuum is also very versatile. It has a Powered Lift-Away function that allows you to detach the pod for motorized cleaning under furniture or detach the nozzle to clean hard-to-reach areas above the floor.
When it comes to allergens, the Shark AZ3002 doesn’t disappoint. It comes with an Anti-Allergen Complete Seal technology that works hand in hand with the HEPA filter to trap 99.9% of dust and allergens inside the vacuum cleaner.
For easy and hygienic debris disposal, the vacuum features a removable dust cup with Anti-Wrap technology, ensuring you never have to touch the mess.
In terms of power, this vacuum cleaner is unmatched, with an impressive 1416.0 watts, making it the perfect tool for combating allergies and pet hair in your home.
BISSELL Revolution HydroSteam Pet
Next on our list is the BISSELL Revolution HydroSteam Pet Pro Carpet Cleaner. This vacuum cleaner not only helps you fight pet hair and allergens but also contributes to a noble cause, with every purchase helping to save homeless pets. One of its standout features is the HydroSteam technology, the only one of its kind in carpet cleaning. This technology offers twice the cleaning power, helping to wash and remove deeply embedded dirt, stains, and allergens, particularly in the SteamWash Max Clean Mode.
Thanks to its Steam Pretreat Mode, the HydroSteam technology also becomes useful when dealing with tough, sticky messes. Besides being a robust cleaning device, it also ensures quick drying, with your carpets ready to use in approximately 30 minutes in Quick Dry Mode.
The BISSELL Revolution HydroSteam Pet Pro Carpet Cleaner also has two specialized tools. The 2-in-1 Pet Upholstery Tool can handle wet and dry messes without steam, making it highly effective on pet hair. The 6″ Tough Stain Tool is ideal for cleaning stairs and oversized furniture without steam. These features make this vacuum cleaner a worthwhile investment for handling allergies and pet hair.
Dyson Upright Vacuum Cleaner, Ball Animal 2, Iron/Purple
Say hello to a powerhouse in vacuum cleaners – the Dyson Upright Vacuum Cleaner, Ball Animal 2. This vacuum cleaner means business regarding suction power, which is the best in class. It ramps up power levels when dealing with stubborn tasks, ensuring your home stays clean and allergen-free. The cleaner head adjusts itself according to the floor type – be it carpet, wood, vinyl, or tiles, sealing in suction for optimum cleaning.
The Dyson Ball Animal 2 is also well-equipped with various tools, including a tangle-free turbine, stair, and combination tool to cater to all your cleaning needs. What’s more, it has a whole-machine filtration system ensuring all allergens are kept inside the vacuum and not blown back into your home – a crucial feature for those suffering from allergies.
Finally, the bin-emptying process is as hygiene-friendly as it gets. Simply push a button to empty the bin, eliminating the need to touch the dirt. This Dyson model is undoubtedly a top contender for the best vacuum cleaner for allergies and pet hair.
Kenmore Elite 81714 Pet-Friendly Ultra Plush Lightweight Bagged Canister Vacuum
The Kenmore Elite 81714 is a top recommendation for those struggling with allergies and pet hair. This vacuum is designed to clean every nook and cranny of your home, car, or garage swiftly and efficiently, thanks to its multiple attachments and swivel head. The PET POWERMATE attachment, a standout feature of its design, efficiently pulls tenacious pet hair from various surfaces. In contrast, a special design prevents hairs from tangling around the brush.
The vacuum is powerful with the Ultra Plush Nozzle feature, delivering strong airflow for a deeper clean. Its HEPA filter system is a godsend for allergy sufferers, trapping 99.7% of debris, including dander and dust, within the vacuum and reducing allergy-induced pollutants in your living space.
But that’s not all. This vacuum’s 2-motor system offers superior suction strength. It has an exclusive Stair Grip feature, allowing the machine to rest securely on staircases for thorough cleaning. The adjustable telescoping aluminum wand extends to 10′, perfect for cleaning furniture, car interiors, and tight spaces.
Weighing in at a lightweight 22 lbs, the Kenmore Elite 81714 is compact and easy to maneuver. Its 26′ retractable cord and neatly stored accessories make storage a breeze. This vacuum cleaner is the complete package for dealing with allergies and pet hair, offering efficiency, power, and convenience in a single device.
Sirena Bagless Vacuum Cleaner Black Platinum
Last but certainly not least, we have the Sirena Bagless Vacuum Cleaner Black Platinum. This innovative vacuum sets itself apart with its water-based technology. Instead of dealing with messy bags or frustrating clogs, Sirena uses water to trap dust and dirt efficiently. This unique feature ensures that every part of your home gets thoroughly cleaned.
The Sirena doesn’t just stop at being an amazing vacuum cleaner. It also offers two-speed modes. By using the LOW-speed mode, you can efficiently clean your home and improve the air quality inside your rooms by water-washing and aromatizing the air.
This vacuum cleaner comes fully equipped with six different attachments. Whether you need to clean carpets, hardwood floors, or even upholstery, Sirena has covered you. With its Crevice Tool, Dusting Brush, and Inflation Tool, no corner of your home will be left untouched.
The Sirena Bagless Vacuum Cleaner also comes with an industry-leading 10-year warranty on the motor, three years on parts, and a year on labor. This warranty provides peace of mind and assures you of the product’s quality and durability.
The Sirena Black Platinum Edition also offers some bonus items to improve your cleaning routine. Along with the vacuum cleaner, you will receive a Sirena Turbo Brush, a Fragrance Pack, an Ocean Breeze Deodorizer, and a replacement HEPA Filter. You can even use your Sirena as a mattress vacuum to ensure a healthy and clean sleeping environment. With all these features and benefits, the Sirena Bagless Vacuum Cleaner Black Platinum proves itself to be a strong contender for the best vacuum cleaner for allergies and pet hair.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best robot vacuum for pet hair and allergies?
The best robot vacuum for pet hair and allergies should have a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, powerful suction, and advanced technology for navigating your home. It should be capable of picking up fine dust particles, pet hair, and allergens, ensuring a clean and healthy living environment.
Q: Can an air purifier help with allergies?
Yes, an air purifier can be extremely helpful for those dealing with allergies. It works by pulling in air from your surroundings, filtering out harmful particles like dust, pollen, and pet dander, and then releasing clean air back into your room. This improves the overall air quality and helps reduce the symptoms associated with allergies.
Q: Why should I choose a handheld vacuum for dealing with pet hair?
A handheld vacuum is a compact, portable device, perfect for quick clean-ups and hard-to-reach areas. It can effectively pick up pet hair from your furniture, stairs, and car interiors. Moreover, many handheld vacuums have special attachments designed specifically for pet hair removal.
Q: How does a cordless vacuum work on hard floors?
A cordless vacuum is usually equipped with different cleaning modes for various surfaces, including hard floors. It can effectively pick up debris, dust, and pet hair without damaging your floor. Some models even come with a bare floor setting, which ensures a thorough, gentle cleaning on delicate surfaces.
Q: What is a cordless stick vacuum, and is it good for allergies?
A cordless stick vacuum is a lightweight and versatile cleaning tool. It operates on a rechargeable battery, allowing you to move around your home without being tethered to an outlet. Many cordless stick vacuums feature a HEPA filtration system, making them a great choice for allergy sufferers. They can capture 99.97% of particles, including allergens, and keep them locked inside the vacuum, ensuring they don’t re-enter your home’s air.
Conclusion
All in all, a vacuum cleaner is an essential item for many allergy and pet hair sufferers. The vacuum cleaner options laid out above are all great choices for making your home clean and allergen-free. Ultimately, finding the right one for you will depend on your specific needs and lifestyle: do you need something with a lot of power to tackle thick carpets or a lighter-weight option for ease of use? No matter what you decide, investing in a quality vacuum cleaner is key when it comes to protecting those living with allergies or cleaning up pet hair from your home. Now that you know which type of vacuum best suits your needs, why not take the next step and try one out yourself?
