Vacuums for Allergy Sufferers

Some canister vacs excel in filtration and low emissions

On specialty vacuum retail sites, you'll see a lot of praise heaped upon vacuums by Miele, and this brand most often rises to the top in tests conducted by foreign review publications like Which? and Choice magazines. Miele vacuums are more expensive than most Hoover or Kenmore models, and owners argue there's a good reason -- that these vacuums are very durable, and because of their sophisticated filtration systems are the better choice for those with allergies. Miele used to be a brand associated mostly with high-performance -- and high-cost -- vacuums, but Miele has also expanded its line to include more budget-friendly models.

The most cost-effective Miele canister vacuums are those in the Miele S4 series; these canisters have a completely sealed system and triple-layer filtration bags. A HEPA filter is optional, but the manufacturer says that the standard bags meet HEPA standards. Review sources also say that some non-HEPA filters are now just as effective. These models weigh just 11 pounds compared to 22 or 24 pounds for most mainstream brands like Hoover and Kenmore, which makes these Miele vacuums great for vacuuming stairs or homes with multiple floors (they're easier to carry up and down stairs). All of the Miele S4 vacuums have variable suction that's controlled by a dial. Since most don't come with a powered brushroll in the floor tool, they are better for bare floors and low-pile carpet than deep-shag carpets.

The Miele S4212 Polaris and Neptune are identical features-wise, and only differ by color and the type of standard floor tool they ship with. The Miele S4212 Polaris (*Est. $400) is light blue in color with a combination carpet/floor tool without a brushroll. This model is equivalent to the older light yellow Miele S4210 Carina (now discontinued). The Miele S4212 Neptune (*Est. $500) is a brighter shade of light blue and comes with a parquet floor brush and a turbo brush with brushroll.

Experts at Which? magazine choose the Miele S4211, the British equivalent of the S4212 Polaris, as a best buy. Editors say the S4211 is fast, easy to maneuver, effective on both carpet and hard floors and excellent for removing pet hair. Emissions and allergen control are also excellent, and the unit's compact size makes it ideal for vacuuming stairs. We found very few consistent complaints from owners about the Miele vacuums; many say they've owned other vacuums in the past and that the Miele has so far proven easier to use and more durable.

The Miele Plus S251 (*Est. $500) is slightly larger than the S4212 Polaris, but owners still say it's compact and maneuverable. The maximum power setting is also a bit lower on the Plus S251 than on the S4 series, but owner feedback on its suction and overall cleaning effectiveness is consistently good. This model comes with a power brush, a smooth floor tool, a non-telescopic wand, a dusting brush, an upholstery nozzle and a crevice tool.

Miele vacuums also come in a range of more expensive models like the Miele Capricorn S5981 (*Est. $1,100) and the Miele Callisto S5281 (*Est. $850). Aside from adding more features and conveniences like filter-change indicators, wider floor tools, more accessories and protection against overheating, we didn't find evidence in reviews that these more expensive models clean much better than the less expensive Miele canisters.

Sebo is another pricey brand whose test results don't always measure up to its cost. The Sebo C3.1 (*Est. $900) gets top marks from AllergyBuyersClub.com, but in other testing it comes in around the middle of the pack. The C3.1 comes with a large powerhead and a bare-floor brush, and testers say it performs well on both carpeted and bare flooring. Pet hair removal is only average, though, and some reviewers say it's hard to maneuver. The HEPA-grade filter excels at keeping emissions under control, but the same is true for the much less expensive and higher-rated canisters from Hoover and Kenmore. Owners do say Sebo vacuums are reliable, however.

Oreck currently offers four canister vacuums -- two full-size and two mid-size -- priced from $500 up to $900. Even on the most expensive model, you have to choose between a powerhead or straight-suction floor tool (you don't get both). The full-size models come with a HEPA filter, but none of the models have sealed systems. The Oreck DutchTech DTX 1400B (*Est. $900) did fairly well during testing. It wasn't the easiest to use and at 25 pounds, it is comparatively heavy. We found very few user reviews for any of the Oreck canister vacs, and those we did find are divided evenly between glowing and disappointed.

The Rainbow E-Series E2 (*Est. $1,900) weighs a staggering 32 pounds, part of which can be attributed to this model's water tank, which traps dust particles. The Rainbow bills itself as more than just a vacuum; it can also be used to dust plants and inflate balls and other toys. Despite Rainbow's good reputation, testing showed the E2 to be noisy and not very aggressive on bare floors or carpeting. Rainbow vacuums do have one edge over the others: they are among the least repair-prone vacuum brands.