RTINGS

The best vacuum for pet hair and allergies at a budget-friendly price point that we've tested is the BISSELL Zing Bagged Canister. While it doesn't come bundled with a HEPA filter, you can buy aftermarket HEPA-rated bags and a HEPA filter to improve its air filtration performance and trap most airborne particles like pet dander or pollen. That said, it doesn't have an allergen-sealed body, so you'll still want to step up to a pricier model like the Airsign HEPA Vacuum or Miele Classic C1 PowerLine Pure Suction if you suffer from very serious allergies and need the extra layer of filtration. It's small enough to be stored in most closets and weighs very little, making it easy to drag around from room to room. Unusually for a vacuum in this price bracket, its power cord can be rewound with the press of a button, though be aware that it's short.

With its floorhead bristles retracted, this vacuum does a good job of cleaning up solid debris on low and high-pile carpeting, but it struggles with bulkier debris, which can clog its suction inlet. Pet hair also tends to get stuck in its floorhead when the bristles are extended. Consider the Eureka Mighty Mite if you're looking for a more budget-conscious vacuum that delivers a stronger overall performance. You can use aftermarket HEPA-rated bags and a HEPA filter with the Eureka, but be aware that some models have vents behind their rear wheels, bypassing any post-motor filtration and negating the benefit of using a HEPA filter.

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Bagless Canister Vacuum Comparison