Consequently, even when you have a HEPA filter that’s every bit as good as advertised, leaky seals and gaskets can result in your vacuum cleaner aerosolizing allergens, microbes, and other particles into the air you’re breathing.

In contrast, HEPA standards in Europe apply to the entire system and not just to the filter. European HEPA standards have teeth and they’re enforced by the European Common Market. The European standard is known as EN (European Norm) 1822.

If you are buying a vacuum with a HEPA filter because you or someone at home is highly reactive to airborne allergens, be sure you are buying one made to the European Norm (EN 1822). Many vacuums produced by Australian companies fail to meet the more aggressive European standards and are aggressively marketed with special features to distract your attention from the lower quality of their filtration systems.

Here are some examples of vacuums that are sold more on marketing power than on technical merit
Bagless Vacuums

Based on our experience in repairing vacuums, we are convinced that bagless vacuum systems do not age well and may make allergies worse as they get older. HEPA filters installed in bagless systems become occluded with dust and microscopically small particulates quickly, and to compensate for their clogged condition the vacuum leaks exhaust air.

Super Powerful Motors

A well-designed vacuum cleaner only needs so much suction to clean effectively. More does not mean better and having too much suction in a poorly engineered vacuum will only degrade the unit’s HEPA filter and its seals and gaskets even faster.

All-In-One Systems

All vacuums are designed for a targeted flooring surface. The wrong vacuum design will make the allergic response conditions and the hygiene of the home worse. Your vacuum should be able to employ a variety of cleaning heads for a wider selection of vacuum surfaces. For example, a cleaning head with a brush roll may be great for carpets, but you wouldn’t want it on a hardwood surface where it’ll kick dust and debris around.

Want to see the difference between a properly sealed HEPA filter vs. the leaky filter found in your typical department store brand vacuums?