When I bought my Shark vacuum a couple of years ago it was essential that it contained a HEPA filter. We all have hayfever in our house and dust makes us all sneeze. Plus, we have our dog Xena who sheds hair all the time. My Shark vacuum, with its washable HEPA filter, has been a godsend. If we start to sneeze or the vacuum starts to smell then I know it’s time to switch out the filter for a clean one and we can all breathe easy again.
If you need a vacuum with a HEPA filter you are in luck because several Shark vacuums have HEPA filters especially those designed to pick up pet hair. Most of the upright and stick Shark vacuums have HEPA filters. Of the handhelds and robot vacuums, there are a couple to choose from. Check below for a list of Shark vacuums with HEPA filters.
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What is a HEPA filter?
If you suffer from any kind of dust induced allergy then HEPA filters are your friend! Why? Because HEPA filters are capable of removing a very high amount of dust particles from the air. If your vacuum has a HEPA filter then you can be confident that a high proportion of the dust extracted from your floors and home furnishings won’t end up wafting through the air.
Having a HEPA filter in your vacuum ensures that pollen, dust mites and other allergens are less likely to cause you an allergic reaction when you clean your house. For me, it’s essential.
Here’s the science bit:
HEPA stands for high-efficiency particulate air. HEPA is an efficiency standard for filters. To comply with the standard, the filter must take out at least 99.95% (ISO, European Standard) or 99.97% (ASME, U.S. DOE) of particles whose diameter is equal to 0.3 μm.
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Which Shark vacuums have HEPA filters?
If you are looking for a Shark vacuum that contains a HEPA filter my recommendation is to go for a cordless stick vacuum as currently most of them have HEPA filters, and what is great too is that they are washable.
Do Shark upright vacuums have HEPA filters?
Yes, a large proportion of Sharks upright vacuums have HEPA filters. If you prefer an upright vacuum, for the very best filtration, go for the Shark APEX Upright Vacuum with Powered Lift-Away. Not only does it have a HEPA filter but also Shark’s Complete Seal filter system.
Several of the latest Shark upright vacuums have HEPA filters. Here is a handy list:
| Shark Upright Model | Has HEPA a filter? | Anti-Allergen Complete Seal filter? |
|---|---|---|
| Shark APEX Upright Vacuum with Powered Lift-Away, DuoClean with Self-Cleaning Brushroll | Yes | Yes |
| Shark Rotator Lift-Away ADV Upright Vacuum with DuoClean PowerFins and Self-Cleaning Brushroll | Yes | Yes |
| Shark Navigator Pet Pro Upright Vacuum with Self-Cleaning Brushroll | Yes | Yes |
| Shark Navigator Lift-Away ADV Upright Vacuum | No | No |
| Shark Navigator Swivel Pro Complete Upright Vacuum | Yes | Yes |
Shark upright vacuums that have HEPA filters
For those vacuums that don’t feature a HEPA filter, it doesn’t mean that allergy sufferers shouldn’t consider it because you have Shark’s Anti-Allergen Complete Seal filtration system instead. This captures and traps 99.9% (based on IEC standard 62885-2 Cl. 5.11 at 0.3 to 10 microns) of dust and allergens which is the same percentage of dust that HEPA filters claim to remove.
Do Shark stick and cordless vacuums have HEPA filters?
Many of the latest Shark corded and cordless stick vacuums have HEPA filters. So this is great news for allergy sufferers. Here’s a handy list:
| Shark Vacuum Model | Has HEPA a filter? |
|---|---|
| Shark Vertex Pro Lightweight Cordless Stick Vacuum with DuoClean PowerFins | Yes |
| Shark Vertex Lightweight Cordless Stick Vacuum with DuoClean PowerFins | Yes |
| Shark Cordless Pet Plus with Anti-Allergen Complete Seal | Yes |
| Shark WANDVAC System Ultra-Lightweight Powerful Cordless Stick Vacuum with Charging Dock | No |
| Shark Navigator Freestyle Cordless Upright Vacuum | No |
Shark Cordless vacuums that have HEPA filters
Do Shark robot vacuums have HEPA filters?
Shark makes a whole range of different vacuums including robot vacuums. The good news is that a couple of them now do contain a HEPA filter which is great news for allergy sufferers.
If your Shark robot vacuum doesn’t have a HEPA filter, my advice would be to set your robot to work at night or when you are out of the house. That way any allergen dust particles would have a chance to settle before you come back into the room.
| Shark Robot Vacuum Model | Has HEPA a filter? |
|---|---|
| Shark AI Robot Self-Empty XL | Yes |
| Shark IQ Robot Vacuum with Self-Empty Base | No |
| Shark AI VACMOP Robot Vacuum and Mop | No |
| Shark IQ Robot Vacuum | No |
| Shark ION Robot Vacuum | No |
Shark robot vacuums with HEPA filters
Do Shark handheld vacuums have HEPA filters?
Handheld vacuums are great to have around for cleaning up food crumbs, pet hair and little messes. You can have them charging on your countertop ready for action.
Unfortunately, none of the Shark handheld vacuums currently have HEPA filters. My advice would be to buy a stick vacuum with a HEPA filter that has a detachable top so that you can use it as a handheld device too.
| Handheld Shark Model | Has HEPA filter? |
|---|---|
| Shark WANDVAC System Ultra-Lightweight Powerful Cordless Stick Vacuum with Charging Dock | No |
| Shark WANDVAC POWER PET Cordless Hand Vac, Ultra-Lightweight and Portable for Car and Home | No |
| Shark WANDVAC Cordless Handheld Vacuum | No |
| Shark UltraCyclone Pet Pro+ Cordless Handheld Vacuum | No |
Shark handheld vacuums with HEPA filters
For an all in one solution where you combine a handheld and upright vacuum, I recommend my Shark Duoclean. You can remove the top part and use it as a handheld vacuum along with the benefits of the HEPA filter. It has a separate attachment which is great for cleaning the stairs. There are also attachments that make it great for cleaning up crumbs from countertops.
How to know if your vacuum has a HEPA filter
All Shark vacuums should have a filter in them but not all have HEPA filters. Generally, Shark handheld vacuums do not have HEPA filters. If your vacuum is designed especially for pet owners then it very probably has a HEPA filter in it. Check the user manual for your particular model and it should state there.
If your Shark vacuum does not have a HEPA filter then check if it has Shark’s Anti-Allergen Complete Seal filtration system instead which has a similar level of filtration as the HEPA standard.
How to clean Shark HEPA filters
Always check the instructions for your particular Shark vacuum cleaner, but in general, they can be washed in cold water. For my cordless Shark Duoclean, the filters along with the HEPA filter can be washed in cold water and then dried naturally.
- Remove the filter, it’s often located near the motor.
- Tap it to remove excess dust.
- Wash under cold water.
It is not recommended that you use detergent because over time the filter can become clogged. However, I like to wash mine with detergent because it makes the air smell nice when I vacuum. I’m happy to replace the filters if they were to get clogged up.
I find it most convenient to have a spare set of filters so that I can have one washed and ready to swap into the vacuum.
Where to buy Shark vacuum HEPA filters
I bought my replacement filters from Amazon. They aren’t by Shark but seem to work just as well.
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