HEPA vacuum cleaner essentials

HEPA vacuum cleaner (HEPA vac) is a vacuum cleaner with HEPA filtration in it. HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particle Arrestant filter. It is required to remove at least 99.97 percent of airborne particles down to 0.3 micron size.

An important detail when choosing a HEPA vacuum cleaner, is where exactly the HEPA filter is installed. The two main options are with air filters before and after the vacuum cleaner motor. If the HEPA media filter is placed after the vacuum motor, you should pay more attention to how well your HEPA vacuum cleaner's inside is sealed, as dust particles, or fine droppings of dust mites from a dirty vacuum cleaner bag, will be blown into the air through various HEPA vacuum cleaner holes, even before they reach the filter.

So, even if a particular vacuum cleaner has a certified HEPA filter in it, look also for a "HEPA sealed" one, especially if the filter is after the HEPA vac motor.

You will also have to choose between options with and without a vacuum cleaner bag. While a bag-less option does not require buying replacement bags, having a bag makes it easier to dispose of what you've caught in your vacuum cleaner, without a mess, with only minimal contact to those dirty and harmful collections.

When choosing a good quality HEPA vacuum cleaner, it is important that the HEPA vac also has at least a few prefilters before the HEPA filter itself. Or else you will need costly filter replacements much more often.

If you want a better quality (longer life) HEPA vacuum cleaner, also choose a one with a "bypass" (or "two-stage") motor system, when the motor chamber is isolated from the impeller chamber. Or else the dirt particles during cleaning will easier penetrate into the motor parts, reducing the motor life.

Don't confuse HEPA type filters with the true HEPA air filters
Only true HEPA air filters are certified to provide 99.97 percent air filtration efficiency at 0.3 micron particle size. Don't expect much from cheap HEPA type air filters. What to search for at the HEPA filter label.