And a speck of dust won’t slip through: a review of vacuum cleaners for allergy sufferers

Medical statistics claim that more than 30% of the population suffers to some extent from sensitivity to household dust. This means that in almost every family there are people for whom cleanliness and order in the house is not just one of the conditions for a comfortable existence, but also a way to significantly alleviate the manifestations of the disease. Due to the seriousness of the problem, choosing the right vacuum cleaner is especially important - for allergy sufferers and asthmatics, you should use models that can efficiently clean all types of surfaces from dust and dirt, prevent the re-entering of suspended particles into the atmosphere, and ideally, humidify and disinfect the air in the room .

We have made a selection of effective vacuum cleaners, the cleaning technology of which was specially developed taking into account the needs of people prone to allergies and pathologies in the respiratory system. All products included in our TOP 10 earned high marks from experts and collected the maximum number of positive reviews from ordinary customers, which allowed us to consider them the best in this category of cleaning equipment.

TOP 10 best vacuum cleaners for asthmatics and allergy sufferers

The design of a vacuum cleaner for asthmatics and allergy sufferers is not much different from a conventional dust collection unit, but there are several main features that characterize products of this type. This includes the presence of an additional fine filter, a reliable dust collector, a large number of attachments and simple maintenance, which involves quickly removing debris from the container with minimal contact with allergens. You should also pay attention to the useful power of the device - the higher it is, the more effective the final cleaning result will be.

How to choose a vacuum cleaner for allergy sufferers

Allergy sufferers react extremely sensitively to fine dust, which conventional vacuum cleaners often cannot cope with. Therefore, when choosing household appliances, you should pay attention to several important parameters.

Availability of HEPA filter

A vacuum cleaner for allergy sufferers must be equipped with HEPA, and not lower than class 11. Such a unit will ensure the retention of 99.9% of the smallest particles.

Power

The suction power of the unit should be 300-400 W. Models that are too weak will not cope with high-quality dust extraction; they will rather move it around the apartment.

Additional attachments

The device should be supplied with a turbo brush and a nozzle for cleaning carpets. They will allow you to remove dust from any surface, not only smooth, but also fleecy.

Design Features

It is better to choose a vacuum cleaner for an apartment for allergy sufferers with a closed, sealed garbage container that does not let small particles into the surrounding area or inside the unit. A plus for the device will be the presence of an aqua filter. A dust container that supports push-button cleaning is also a good option.

Advice! It is not recommended to buy vacuum cleaners with classic bags, since during the waste disposal process you will have to come into direct contact with allergens.

Why does an allergy sufferer need a special vacuum cleaner?

House dust allergy is one of the most common types of allergies.
House dust can cause the development of symptoms of rhinitis, conjunctivitis, bronchial asthma, and aggravate the course of dermatitis. Children with allergies are especially affected by dust, whose airways, due to their age, “catch” more allergens. Elena Shuvatova

doctor - allergist-immunologist, candidate of medical sciences, medical director of the portal for people with allergies "Allergotop"

– Dust occurs indoors all year round. It is formed by fibers of cellulose (paper), textiles (carpets, clothing, bed linen), and desquamated epidermis of humans and animals. Dust can contain molds, bacteria and pollen. However, the main allergens of house dust are dozens of species of micromites with pronounced allergenic activity. The most harmful are mites of the genus Dermatophagoides – Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae. The presence of their fragments (scales, larval skins) and excrement is primarily responsible for the allergenic properties of house dust.

Read about the vacuum cleaner testing program HERE

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Rating of the best vacuum cleaners with an aqua filter for allergy sufferers

Units with a water filter are considered the best for allergy sufferers. Small debris and irritating mucous particles in such devices settle in a container with liquid, and their entry back into the apartment is completely excluded.

Arnica Bora 7000 Premium

A stylish vacuum cleaner for allergy sufferers with a suction power of 420 W is equipped with a 1.2 liter aqua filter. Supports air aromatization, equipped with HEPA 13 and a turbo brush. The power can be adjusted at your discretion.

The average price of Arnica Bora 7000 starts from 19,000 rubles

pros

• high power;
• double suction system;
• presence of a water filter;
• There is a HEPA 13 fine cleaning system.

Minuses

• The trash bin is quite small;
• increased cost;
• short cord 5.7 m;
• no wet cleaning function.

Karcher DS6 Premium Medical

The dry cleaning unit is equipped with a 2 liter aquafilter and a HEPA 13 cartridge. Ideal for allergy sufferers, it provides powerful suction with an energy consumption of only 650 W. Comes with crevice and furniture nozzles, can collect spilled water.

You can buy a Karcher vacuum cleaner for allergy sufferers from 18,000 rubles

pros

• good power with economical energy consumption;
• the quality of cleaning does not decrease as the aquafilter fills;
• nozzles for floors and furniture are provided;
• cord length is 7.5 m.

Minuses

• noise level is 80 dB;
• small dust container - only 1.7 l;
• The mass of the unit is 7.5 kg.

Thomas Perfect Air Feel Fresh

A powerful 1700 W vacuum cleaner is equipped with an aqua filter with a capacity of 1.9 liters. Supports dry cleaning and liquid collection, equipped with HEPA 13 and air aroma. Provides high-quality room cleaning for allergy and asthma sufferers, comes with attachments for floors and furniture. The cord length is 8 m.

You can buy Thomas Perfect Air from 17,000 rubles

pros

• support for air aromatization;
• HEPA 13 system;
• range of action is 11 m;
• The aquafilter is quite spacious.

Minuses

• works noisily - 81 dB;
• weighs 7 kg;
• There are no turbo brushes among the attachments.

Top 3 premium vacuum cleaners for allergy sufferers

If you have high demands on the quality of cleaning and have a large room, it makes sense to take a closer look at expensive devices. They provide better protection against fine dust and allergens and are more reliable.

Polti FAV30

The unit is equipped with a steam generator and allows you to disinfect indoor floors. The power is 2450 W, the design includes a 1.8 liter aqua filter, a boiler and HEPA 13 at the outlet. The user can adjust the suction strength; six attachments are supplied with the unit, including one for windows.

You can buy Polti FAV30 from 38,000 rubles

pros

• presence of a built-in steam generator;
• wide selection of attachments;
• HEPA filter 13;
• removes old and greasy stains.

Minuses

• weighs 8 kg;
• high price;
• The water tank volume is only 500 ml.

Miele SKRR3 Blizzard CX1

A powerful vacuum cleaner with a 2 liter cyclone container consumes 1100 W of energy. It efficiently collects dust and the smallest allergens, takes up little space in the apartment, and the suction intensity can be adjusted independently. The unit filter does not require maintenance.

You can buy Miele SKRR3 for allergy sufferers from 29,000 rubles

pros

• vertical installation;
• garbage tank full indicator;
• cyclone design of the dust collector;
• good capacity.

Minuses

• makes a lot of noise;
• does not support floor washing mode;
• the price is above average.

Dyson DC37 Allergy Musclehead

The powerful unit with a suction force of 290 W is equipped with a 2 liter cyclonic dust tank. It is equipped with nozzles for upholstered furniture and various floor coverings, the range of action is 9.3 m. There is a HEPA filter, which is fundamentally important for allergy sufferers.

Dyson DC37 price starts from 49,000 rubles

pros

• capacious cyclonic dust collector;
• good retraction force with economical energy consumption;
• high maneuverability;
• presence of a HEPA filter.

Minuses

• noise level at 82 dB;
• heavy weight 7.5 kg;
• overpriced.

Top 3 budget vacuum cleaners for allergy sufferers

Typically, inexpensive vacuum cleaners have modest capabilities. But among such units there are also models that provide high-quality cleaning of the apartment, even for allergy sufferers.

Samsung SC4326

The compact 1600 W unit for dry cleaning is equipped with a 1.3 liter cyclone dust container. Equipped with a HEPA 11 filter, it operates within a radius of 9.2 m. The suction power of the device is 360 W, the unit is easy to clean after use.

You can buy Samsung SC4326 from 4600 rubles

pros

• budget price;
• presence of a HEPA filter;
• light weight 4.2 kg;
• There is a power switch.

Minuses

• high noise level - 80 dB;
• when the container is filled, the quality of cleaning decreases;
• The dust collector is small in volume.

Shivaki SVC 1748

The Japanese vacuum cleaner for allergy sufferers with a 3.8 liter water filter is equipped with a HEPA cleaning system and sucks up debris with a power of 410 W. Makes little noise during operation. Reviews note the high build quality of the unit and the absence of plastic odor.

The price of a Shivaki vacuum cleaner for allergy sufferers is about 6,000 rubles

pros

• affordable price;
• spacious dust collection tank;
• noise level is only 68 dB;

Minuses

• does not support wet cleaning;
• weight is 7.5 kg;
• The maneuverability of the vacuum cleaner is low.

Vitek VT-1833

A Russian vacuum cleaner with a water filter is well suited for allergy sufferers. Comes with a turbo brush and other attachments. Equipped with a five-stage dust collection system that captures the smallest particles. The unit's performance is 400 W, there is a power setting.

The average price of a Vitek vacuum cleaner starts from 8,000 rubles

pros

• presence of an aquafilter;
• The kit includes a turbo brush;
• the vacuum cleaner can be placed vertically;
• innovative allergen capture system.

Minuses

• the price is closer to average;
• does not support wet cleaning of the apartment;
• low build quality.

How can I solve the problem?

There is a lot of conflicting information on the Internet regarding how each gadget helps with allergies and other ailments.

I decided to test everything personally, and in my particular situation, none of the gadgets helped .

I can’t answer for everyone, but just in case, I’ll leave a list of the devices I used - it will make someone think twice before trying to solve health problems using technology from the Internet.

Air purifier Xiaomi Mi Air Purifier 3

Cleans the air from small particles. It will not remove dust and fur! Very sensitive to the installation site. Too “hype”, but the reality is much sadder. Costs 16,445 rubles.

Xiaomi Mijia Vacuum Cleaner robot vacuum cleaner

It turned out to be useless for allergies; it simply allowed for light cleaning of the room a little less often. There is no substitute for an ordinary “unit” with a pipe and all the things. A little expensive, but it works at the level of robotic vacuum cleaners at least a third cheaper. Cost 26,627 rubles.

Humidifier Xiaomi Smartmi Air Humidifier 2

Makes you feel better, just like any moisturizer. It works tolerably well, especially compared to the amazingly expensive, “pop” and smart analogues. Alas, it turned out to be absolutely useless in the fight against allergens. I paid 8,640 rubles for it.

Basic criteria for choosing a good vacuum cleaner

If you want to buy the truly best vacuum cleaner for allergy sufferers, you should definitely consider the following points:

• suction power must be at least 350 W;
• you need dust collection attachments capable of extracting small particles from fleecy materials;
• The filter system used must prevent the emission of dust from the vacuum cleaner during operation and ensure minimal contact with it when cleaning the unit.

Attention! When choosing a model, read the technical documentation in detail. Manufacturers often indicate the power consumption of the motor, which is always higher than the suction power of the unit due to its efficiency.

How to choose the right vacuum cleaner

Suction power

The suction power is in the range of 250-480 W.

Important! This indicator should not be confused with power consumption, which is usually indicated on packaging boxes and is in the range of 1500-3000 W.

The lower this value, the less electricity the device will consume, which saves money.

The suction power is indicated in the device passport in the characteristics section. In this case, we are not talking about savings, but about the possibility of performing one’s functions well. The greater the power of the device, the more intense the air is sucked in and the better the dust is removed.

The value of the required power depends on the degree of dustiness and the dimensions of the room being processed: for a small one, 250-320 W is enough, and a large one will require setting the value to 480 W. However, it should be remembered that constant operation at high power wears out the device and reduces its service life, so you should choose a device with adjustable suction power.

Vacuum cleaner power level

There are two types of power regulators: digital and mechanical. The cost is higher for devices with digital regulators, but this will pay off with higher performance than mechanical ones.

The power value is set depending on the surface being processed:

• for parquet, tiles, linoleum - 350 W;
• for carpet - 400 W;
• for carpets with long pile - 450 W.

Advice!
For allergy sufferers, you should choose a vacuum cleaner with a power of at least 350 W. There are types of vacuum cleaners that come with accessories that increase power. These include turbo brushes and attachments with the function of knocking out soft surfaces, for example, on a sofa.

Filter system used

The best vacuum cleaners for allergy sufferers contain a filtration system that allows for high-quality cleaning.

There are two options:

• multi-level dry cleaning, which uses containers or bags;
• a water filter, which is a container of water.

  
  Aquafilter with lid

Types of dry filters:

• HEPA filters;
• cyclone;
• electrostatic;
• minor ones are bactericidal and carbon.

The operating principle of water filters is based on the ability of particles to settle on the surface of a liquid. A suspension is formed consisting of water, water bubbles and dust. When it passes through the filter, dirt remains inside, and clean air comes out. An additional effect is to humidify the air.

How HEPA filters work

HERA is an abbreviation of an English phrase translated into Russian as “highly efficient air purification.” Such systems are widely used in medicine, the food industry and other enterprises that require sterile working conditions.

HEPA filter for vacuum cleaner

HEPA filters typically consist of a rigid frame holding a fibrous material that is folded in a special way. They are capable of catching the smallest inclusions, but quickly become clogged when in contact with a heavily contaminated flow. In vacuum cleaners they are installed last, in the direction of air movement. In this case, they operate stably and ensure an almost complete absence of dust in the outgoing stream.

Depending on the material used and the design of the vacuum cleaner, HEPA cassettes can be of two main types:

• disposable, replaced when clogged;
• reusable and easy to wash.

Disposable filters have a paper base reinforced with fiberglass. Reusable ones are made from fluoroplastic fibers with activated carbon inclusions. They can withstand low pressure water jets and can last up to two years.

Reusable HEPA filter

Such devices are classified according to the degree of capture of airborne particles measuring 0.06 microns. This indicator for different classes is:

• HERA 10 - up to 85%;
• HERA 11 - up to 95%;
• HERA 12 - up to 99.5%;
• HERA 13 - up to 99.95%;
• HERA 14 - up to 99.995%.

Good to know! There are traps of a higher category, but their use on household devices is not economically feasible.

Primary dust collection systems

Vacuum cleaners with S-class traps capture up to 99.97% of airborne particles. If HEPA filters are responsible for the most subtle and critical purification of outgoing air, then primary filtration systems perform the grunt work of capturing and collecting the bulk of dust. They can be of very different material designs and operating principles. Sometimes they can compete with HERA cassettes in terms of the degree of cleaning.

S-filters for vacuum cleaners

Cyclone filters

“Cyclone” is a cone-shaped filter. The air flow in the dust collector begins to twist around its axis. Due to the occurrence of centrifugal force, all particles are pressed against the walls of the container. After switching off, they fall to the bottom of the container.

There is only one fine filter. It is a barrier to small particles less than 0.3 microns. Filter replacement is required no more than once a year. The cleaning percentage is 99.7%. The advantages include ease of use and no need to buy replacement bags. The disadvantages are high power consumption and noise generated.

Cyclone vacuum cleaner

Electrostatic filters

The operating principle of electrostatic filters is based on the law of attraction of unlike charges. The device contains two plates with different charges. Dust particles flying past one of the plates acquire a positive charge and are attracted to the negative plate, and vice versa.

The advantages include:

• reliability;
• ease of operation;
• ability to trap particles of different sizes.

  
  Electrostatic filter

Additional bactericidal and carbon filters

Such additional barriers reduce the content of various microorganisms in the air, which prevents the possibility of diseases, especially with insufficient ventilation.