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Home upkeep may go beyond getting your floors cleaned, and your windows dusted, depending on where you live.
You will also need to ensure air levels remain healthy in humid or warm environments: otherwise, you can quickly jump from occasional spores to musty smells and eventually to mold. Learn more about the best HEPA vacuum for mold review.
This is why vacuuming and mopping all tile floors, as well as filtering out any debris on your fabric furnishings, may be essential for home health.
Fortunately, technology now allows us to combine several appliances and even add a dash of automation to the recipe. Below you will find a combination of the best HEPA vacuums for mold prevention.
Whether you need something capable of vacuuming and mopping, or just a potent suction that won’t damage your hardwood floors, make sure to check out all the options below.
| Best HEPA Vacuum for Mold | Product Information | Check Price |
|---|---|---|
Top | Shark NV501 Rotator Professional Lift-Away Upright Vacuum with HEPA Filter, Swivel Steering, LED Headlights, Wide Upholstery Tool, Dusting Brush & Crevice Tool, White/Red | Check Price |
Top | Prolux Tritan Bagged Canister Vacuum Cleaner with HEPA Filtration and Complete Home Care Tool Kit | Check Price |
Top | Miele Complete C3 Marin Canister Vacuum Cleaner - Corded | Check Price |
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Top | Shark NV352 Navigator Lift Away Upright Vacuum with Wide Upholstery and Crevice Tools, Lavender | Check Price |
Top | Tineco PWRHERO11 Snap Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, Lightweight Handheld Stick Vac 120W Powerful Suction for Carpet, Hard Surface, Pet Hair | Check Price |
Our Picks for a HEPA Vacuum for Mold
Shark Rotator NV501
- Detachable pod for cleaning under furniture or detach the nozzle to clean above the floor, on upholstery, furniture, stairs, and more.
- Works with a HEPA filter to trap dust and allergens inside the vacuum cleaner.
A pivoting set of steering wheels, a large capacity dust bin and a complete set of brushes and rollers: from the very beginning, the Shark Rotator meant to tick every box in the vacuum cleaner sphere.
Did they achieve it? Well, they didn’t score perfect marks on everything, but they do provide a well-rounded product. Let’s start by taking a look at the overall design choices: first, this is an upright model, so the long stick is meant to keep you from crouching or kneeling at all.
So what happens if you need to tackle the hidden space under your couch or reach on top of your shelves? This is where the flashy “Lift-Away” mode comes in handy.
In reality, this is just a way to disassemble the vacuum partially so that you can use it temporarily as a handheld model. However, it works well, the “lifting” motion is intuitive and straightforward, and when you put everything back, a nice click will let you know it was done well.
There are a few other minor details that showcase the tremendous amount of thought placed in this product. The LED headlights on the main nozzle are small, but they are located where they can have the most impact.
This will help you spot any damp areas on your carpet where mold may be able to grow unnoticed.
As long as we are on the topic of mold, we should also mention the HEPA filter. This vacuum cleaner features a “true HEPA” filter that is completely sealed at can trap up to 99.9% of all allergens.
You won’t need to open them to wash them, and as long as you don’t overfill the dust bin, you shouldn’t need to clean them very often.
On the other side, the overall model is pretty heavy. It also includes no dedicated pet hairbrush: although its smaller brush roller and upholstery tools can be used for hair, you will need to make sure they don’t jam.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Very large Dust cup. | No pet hair tool. |
| The Lift-Away design makes it easy to turn it into a handheld vacuum. | Heavy. |
| True HEPA Filter. | |
| Best HEPA Vacuum for Mold Reviews |
Prolux Tritan
- The Prolux Tritan is a powerful deep cleaning vacuum cleaner that is designed to clean carpet, rugs, hardwood floors, tile and more! With its on board tools, rubber wheels that will protect your floors and self-retracting cord it’s incredibly simple and easy to use!
The old school shape of the Prolux Tritan feels at odds with its relatively small size. In reality, this vacuum is a miniature powerhouse, built with pretty heavy materials – and thus capable of deep cleaning several different floor types
The suction power can be adjusted into four different settings, ranging from multi-floor to long pile carpet cleaning.
This will be very helpful if you live in a very humid area, as draperies are an excellent place for allergens, bugs, and mold to hide. Anything the Tritan catches will go directly into its main bag, protected by its HEPA filter.
The complete “Home Care Tool Kit” includes a duster brush, upholstery tool, crevice tool, and two main heads to tackle all these different materials.
Once you combine these with the soft rubber wheels, you will see why this may be one of the best vacuums for hardwood floors.
This is a corded model, however. If you are fond of freedom while cleaning or simply prone to tripping, this could pose a problem.
The cord itself is coated in rubber to avoid damaging or leaving lines on the floor, plus it is self-retracting.
Users reported that this vacuum is also remarkably silent. However, the central hose seems to form an awkward angle, which makes it hard to store.
Finally, as the power button is located on the canister, you will have to bend over every time you want to turn it on.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Four different suction settings. | The cord is pretty thick. |
| Small and light. | Difficult to store.. |
| Includes a full Home Care Tool Kit. | |
| Best HEPA Vacuum for Mold Reviews |
Miele Complete C3 MARIN Canister Vacuum
- FilterBag volume - 4.5 litres
- Power source type: Corded Electric
- Wattage: 1200 watts
- Integrated accessories
With an industrial-quality HEPA filter and 16 replaceable filter bags, the Miele canister vacuum aims to keep your home with hospital-level cleanliness.
Plus, the combination of an extendable yet slim central hose and a full range of tools means that you will be able to vacuum every corner of your home without the help of any other devices.
Technically speaking, this is a multi-floor model. It comes with five different suction settings, plus an auto mode that will automatically adjust to the carpet length beneath it.
In reality, while the stronger settings can tackle deep-pile area rugs without a problem, things are less rosy for hardwood floors: users report that the wheels can occasionally leave a sticky residue behind, which you will need to mop afterwards.
This is a bagged model, although you may not need to purchase extra bags for a while. The Complete package comes with 16 replaceable bags.
You will need them eventually, but on the other hand, these auto-sealed bags complement the true HEPA filter rather nicely.
They will allow you to dispose of all trapped dust with almost zero risk: a quick foot release pedal on the main canister will automatically expel the bag already closed.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy to maneuver. | You will need more bags eventually. |
| The bags are easy to replace. | The wheels are not the best. |
| Adjustable and automatic suction settings. | |
| Best HEPA Vacuum for Mold Reviews |
Shark Navigator NV352
- Lift-Away: Lift Away the detachable pod and easily clean, above-floor areas like stairs and furniture.
- Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology and a HEPA filter trap dust and allergens inside the vacuum.
Similar to the Shark Rotator, the Navigator model often strikes as bulkier and heavier.
Do not mistake this for meaning it is unwieldy; however: at only 14 pounds and equipped with the same Lift-Away design, this is a very maneuverable tool that can clean your carpets, curtains, and furniture.
The main dust canister, which is entirely transparent, will allow you to monitor both the canister itself and the sealed HEPA filter within. This will help you prevent any possible jams, extending your vacuum cleaner’s total life span.
Another significant improvement over the Rotator is the ease with which you can clean the inside filter. There is a small door at the bottom of the main canister.
Just open it and reach for the filter and the two layers of foam around it without dealing with the dust bin at large.
On the other hand, detaching the canister itself is not easy, as the small lever you will need to press is not immediately visible.
In addition, the power cord is relatively short, and you will need to switch outlets within the larger rooms of your home.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy to lift and push around. | The power cord is too short. |
| The HEPA filter is easy to clean. | The canister is hard to detach. |
| Full set of attachments. | |
| Best HEPA Vacuum for Mold Reviews |
Tineco PWRHERO11
- A large battery and variable power modes deliver up to 40 minutes uninterrupted run time, suitable for big cleaning jobs.
- Big messes are no match for PWRHERO11 Snaps 450W brushless motor; delivers powerful suction but still being quiet; ideal for use around children and pets.
This cordless vacuum cleaner enjoys a long battery life, a relatively hidden engine, and a large dustbin. It also has a 4-stage HEPA filtration system, which allows the PWRHERO11 to tackle most types of microparticles, dust and debris.
This model offers three power settings. The largest can reach bursts of up to 450 watts, although it will burn through your battery pretty quickly.
At the lowest setting (hard floors), it can run for up to 40 minutes without interruption. This is more than the time required to vacuum most homes.
With a total capacity of 0.6 litres, this vacuum’s dust bin is larger than the one offered by most cordless models. There are larger and bulkier models out there, although they will require you to remain within the range of a power outlet.
On the other hand, the Tineco PWRHERO keeps everything light and flexible.
Some users reported that this model tends to tangle long hairs inside its main canister. This could create a bulky clump that will require you to empty it more frequently, but it doesn’t seem to damage the vacuum itself.
Finally, the default mounting rack doesn’t double as a charging station, which was disappointing.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Light. | It can form hair clumps. |
| Large dustbin. | The rack doesn’t double as a charging station. |
| Decent battery life. | |
| Best HEPA Vacuum for Mold Reviews |
Mold Protection Basics
Mould overgrowth is a frequent issue for homeowners across most of the Southern United States (and even in some Northern states, at least during the summer).
Mold is a type of fungus, which often spreads from one corner where a spore has landed. If it happens to land in a moist environment, it will progressively apply until it’s time to send its spores around.
Mold is one of those things that are easier to prevent than to get rid of. Some important things to consider when it comes to mold prevention are:
- Mold prefers porous and organic materials, as well as fabric. However, they can still grow on tiled floors if they are constantly wet (like in the bathroom).
- Proper air circulation and frequent ventilation will help you prevent any suspended spores from taking hold and reproducing.
- Most rapid mold infestations can be traced back to water damage or leaks. This is why you should make sure to dry any wet furniture or clothes within 24 hours.
If a mold patch is less than 10 square feet and it hasn’t touched your ventilation or HVAC system, you should be able to clean it up yourself. To prevent it from returning, however, you should try to find the source of moisture.
Ideally, a home inspector or plumber should visit your home and look for leaks. In addition, you will want to keep the house free from spores, dirt and debris.
A true HEPA filter that can tackle particles of 0.4 microns or less will help you get rid of most spores.
New Features to Look Out For
If you are trying to keep your home mold-free, your biggest priority should be to acquire a vacuum cleaner with the best possible filtration system.
However, home vacuuming technology has experienced two significant innovations in recent years. If you can afford to splurge on your home cleaning gadgets, or want a backup system that lets you play around with the latest tech, look out for the following:
Smart Home Integration
Vacuum cleaners with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity can be integrated into a larger Smart Home ecosystem. This will allow you to use Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant to issue voice commands or pre-program the suction settings using a smartphone app.
Other models expand this function by sending alerts to your smartphone when it’s time to vacuum a specific room or when the battery is about to run out.
Robot vacuums
Best made famous by the Irobot Roomba S9 or the Robovac 11s, a robot vacuum cleaner promises users the opportunity to automate the task.
Most basic robot vacuums for hardwood are, at least, able to traverse flat surfaces on a regular schedule, picking up dust on the way.
More sophisticated options include full integration with Alexa, the ability to map your home and designate specific routes for each room or act like a robot mop for localized spills.
Final Thoughts
Often, we think of vacuums as a simple way to tidy up our home before company comes. But keeping air quality high inside your home can help you improve your health and keep mold infestations at bay, too.
The models we have reviewed here all offer genuine HEPA filters, which can seal spores, dust, and allergens away from your family’s lungs.
