HEPA filters have become an increasingly common option in smart homes for those who really, really want to make sure they’re removing every bit of allergen or potential infectious particle. Often found in air purifiers, a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter is designed to remove at least 99.97% of particles 0.3 micron in size or larger. Such a highly efficient filter can quickly fill with clogging particles as you vacuum, which means users should be ready to regularly clean them, too. But HEPA filtration can get complicated based on the type of filter your device uses. Let’s go through the important FAQs you should know about HEPA filters in vacuums. No, and this can get tricky. A true HEPA filter is what we mentioned above — a filter rated to capture at least 99.97% of particles 0.3 micron or greater. That’s a lot of air particles, including anything that might be dangerous like viruses, pet dander, and even the tiniest pollen particles. The catch is that few filters are actually true HEPA, and they are even rarer on home vacuums. This doesn’t stop marketing blurbs from claiming that vacuum filters are HEPA, often using the word “HEPA” or “HEPA-like” as a catchall to insinuate, “It’s a really good filter, guys.” True HEPA filters are large and generally shaped like thick columns: That makes them rare on vacuum cleaners and more common on air purifiers that have lots of room for filters. You can find HEPA-level filtration on some larger canister and upright vacuums, usually combined with advanced sealing to trap all possible dust particles, but don’t confuse this with a certified HEPA filter. Not really. In nearly every case, HEPA filters are designed to be replaced entirely. If a HEPA filter is marked permanent, it’s almost certainly not a true HEPA filter. HEPA filters are so efficient at filtering out particles, most of the particles they capture end up embedded deep inside the filter’s substrate. That means you can’t clean out a HEPA filter by vacuuming it, which would only take off some of the surface particles and increase the chance of permanently damaging the filter. HEPA filters are also not designed to be washed. Washing a true HEPA filter can easily damage it so that it can no longer filter properly. Plus, the amount of particles washing it will remove will be low anyway. All right, what about vacuum filters that aren’t true HEPA but are designed to be permanent? How do you wash them? As always, it’s a good idea to read the manual and see what sort of cleaning it suggests. If it’s all right to wash the filter, then run it under cool (not warm) water with a tiny amount of detergent until the water runs clean. After that, it’s important to leave the filter out to air dry for around 24 hours, until it is entirely dry. Otherwise, a little moisture could cause mildew problems when the filter is put back into the vacuum cleaner. If your HEPA-like filter or true HEPA has a pre-filter to trap larger particles, you should always take these out and wash them every few months. Pre-filters are sturdy, and almost always designed to be permanent, so frequent washing won’t hurt them. When to replace a HEPA vacuum filter can vary based on use. Generally, HEPA filters in residential use can last two to three years before they need to be replaced. In commercial scenarios, HEPA filters are replaced every several months or so. Generic “HEPA” filters may need to be cleaned every several months too, especially smaller filters used on stick vacs and similar models. Manuals can provide more specific information. There are also signs that a filter has outlived its purpose — mildewy smells or the sudden return of allergies can indicate it’s time to look up your device model and order a compatible replacement filter. No. Although again some may use the word HEPA, robot vacuums are too small for true HEPA filtration. However, models can use high-efficiency filters that still do a solid job of capturing particles. iRobot, for example, claims that its high-efficiency Roomba filters can capture 99% of dog and cat dander. No, Roomba filters are generally not designed to come into contact with liquid, which can damage them. However, basic filters are designed to be cleared up from time to time by tapping the filter against your trash to displace debris. The high-efficiency filters we mentioned above often need to be replaced entirely. SwitchBot, a company responsible for a variety of smart home gadgets, launched the K10+ Pro robot vacuum last August. Offering solid performance, a reasonable price tag, and a tiny footprint that reaches areas missed by larger competitors, it quickly became an easy recommendation for budget shoppers. Fast forward to today, and SwitchBot is now offering the K10+ Pro Combo — a 3-in-1 vacuuming solution that pairs the robot with a cordless vacuum and auto-emptying base station. Robot vacuums are an excellent addition to most smart homes, but they’re still not a full replacement for traditional vacuums. For example, they can’t yet clean stairs, and sensitive areas of your home are often easier to clean yourself (such as around expensive home décor or underneath desks littered with cables). That’s where the SwitchBot K10+ Pro Combo comes into play, as you can clean these areas with the cordless vacuum while the K10+ Pro handles the rest of your home. The Roborock Saros 10 and Roborock Saros 10R are two of the hottest robot vacuums of 2025. Offering heaps of suction, robust obstacle navigation, premium designs, and highly automated docking stations, they’re both easy recommendations for shoppers seeking the best robot vacuum money can buy. But aside from sharing very similar names, the Saros 10 and Saros 10R share many of the same specifications — and it might be tricky to determine which is better for your home. However, you’re not alone. Much of the online community is still debating the merits of these two robots, and after extensive hands-on testing of both products, I still can’t say with certainty that one is vastly superior to the other. SwitchBot has officially launched two new air purifiers — the SwitchBot Air Purifier and the SwitchBot Air Purifier Table. Both are equipped with a HEPA filter to tackle all sorts of air particulates and allergens, though the Air Purifier Table offers several additional features that make it a more versatile member of your smart home. Regardless of which air purifier you choose, you’ll get a capable device that can clean a 215-square-foot space in just over seven minutes. For a larger 1,800-square-foot space, that gets bumped up to an hour. Carrying a clean air delivery rate (CADR) of 236 cubic feet per minute and capable of operating at a quiet 20dB, it should be a solid choice for both standard bedrooms and larger living spaces. Along with a HEPA filter to remove bacteria, the SwitchBot Air Purifiers feature a carbon filter to extract pet odors from the air along with a pre-filtration layer to trap pet fur.
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