Water filters for vacuum cleaners are a great way to clean your floors without all of the hassles. They’re easy to use, and they work quickly.
The problem is that most people don’t know how to choose a water filter vacuum cleaner. That’s why we wrote this guide!
I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about choosing the best water filter vacuum cleaner for your home or office! You can thank us later.
In this guide, I’ll talk about all the things you need to look for in a good cleaner, plus why these following three are my top picks.
The best water filtration vacuum cleaner from our tests was by far the Polti Eco Steam & Water Filtration Vacuum because it combines the powerful dirt removal effects of steam cleaning with 21 cleaning accessories so you can remove all the allergens from your home in no time.
Here’s the top 3 real quick, after that I’ll get into more detail on these products:
| Water filtration vacuum cleaners | Images |
|---|---|
| Overall best water filtration vacuum cleaner: Polti Eco Steam Vac | 
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| Best upright water filtration Vacuum Cleaner: Quantum X | 
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| Best cheap water filtration vacuum: Kalorik Canister | 
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| Best Water Filtration Vacuum For Pets: Sirena Pet Pro | 
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In this post we'll cover:
- Water filtration vacuum buyer’s Guide
- Best water filtration vacuum cleaners reviewed
- How does a water filtration vacuum cleaner work?
- FAQs
- How do water filtration vacuum cleaners work?
- Are water filtration vacuums better?
- Can you use a Rainbow vacuum to purify the air?
- Can I put essential oils in my Rainbow vacuum?
- Do you need to load the vacuum with water first?
- Do I have to empty the water filtration vacuum cleaner after every use?
- Water filtration vacuum vs HEPA
- Conclusion
Water filtration vacuum buyer’s Guide
Here’s what to consider before buying a water filtration vacuum cleaner:
Some of these vacuum cleaners cost more than $500, therefore it’s important to do your research before making a purchase.
Price
As I mentioned above, these vacuum cleaners are quite pricey. The more expensive brands are also better ones when it comes to performance and longevity.
A Rainbow can last you for decades, whereas a cheap model won’t last more than seven or eight years, maybe even less.
Personal cleaning needs
If you’re looking into water filtration vacuum cleaners, you probably want a spotlessly clean home. These machines outperform regular vacuum cleaners because they pick up more dirt and put out purified air.
Therefore, they do more than just clean. The type of vacuum you choose (there are 6 different types) depends on the types of surfaces in your home.
If you have large carpeted areas, look for a vacuum with a motorized cleaner head that’s suitable for cleaning soft carpets.
This kind of head makes cleaning deep messes in the carpet fibers easy. Usually, bulky machines are the best for carpets and rugs.
If, on the other hand, you have more hard surfaces, then a machine like the Kalorik is the better choice. It’s more suited for low-pile carpets and hardwood floors.
Since it’s air-powered, it picks up more fine dust particles. Also, the smaller and lighter machines are better for hard surfaces because they are easy to maneuver.
The canister water filtration vacuum cleaner is ideal for all types of above-floor cleaning tasks. These machines usually come with a variety of accessories like dusting brushes, special edge tools, and crevice tools.
Canister vs upright
There are two types of water filtration vacuum cleaners.
Canister models
These models are easier to use. The main reason is that even though they are relatively bulky and heavy, the weight is not supported by your wrists.
As well, cleaning time is reduced by at least half because it’s easier to pull and maneuver the canister vacuum around the room. Moreover, the canister machine is the best model for above-floor cleaning.
Upright models
The upright model is less popular because it’s less practical.
These machines are slightly less heavy and bulky, so it doesn’t take as much energy to use them and move them around. But the downside is that the wrists support the weight so they can be tiring to use for longer periods.
But the upright vacuum is also great because it’s much easier to maneuver, takes up less storage space, and you can be more efficient.
Weight
The weight is extremely important. All water filtration vacuum cleaners are heavier than your average dry hoover.
So, it’s important to think about how much weight you can lift and pull around. If you have back problems or small stature, an upright model can be better because it’s slightly lighter than the canister ones.
I’ve listed the weight of each vacuum so you can know which one is best for your needs.
Best water filtration vacuum cleaners reviewed
In this section, I am going to review and share my top picks and tell you all about the amazing features of each one.
Overall best water filtration vacuum cleaner: Polti Eco Steam Vac
- steam function & water filtration system
- model: canister
- weight: 20.5 pounds
Having a combo vacuum cleaner that is a steam cleaner, regular dry vacuum, and water-filtration vacuum is the optimal cleaning to own these days because you can kill germs, viruses, and remove dirt more efficiently on all surfaces.
If you’re struggling to keep your home clean and you’re concerned about dirt, dust, pet hair, and germs, then you need a heavy-duty machine to get the job done.
These days, it’s even more important to keep all the surfaces in your home extra clean to prevent infections. Therefore, the water-filtration vacuum is definitely worth the investment.
The Polti vacuum cleaner is designed to work well on hardwood floors and tiles, but you can also use it on all types of carpets and area rugs.
Polti is one of the most popular water filtration vacuum models. It comes with a premium price tag, but it’s one of the most effective ones you’ll ever find. It does more than simply clean with water – it has a high-pressure steamer that heats up in only 10 minutes.
Therefore, you can disinfect any surface in your home after you remove the dirt and grime with the regular vacuum function.
The most impressive feature is the hardwood floor cleaner setting: it intermittently runs the steam while the regular vacuum dries and sucks in all the dirt from your floors. Just imagine how much time you’re saving by mopping, disinfecting, and vacuuming at the same time!
You get a whopping 21 accessories when you buy the vacuum cleaner. Therefore, you have many cleaning options. Not only are you killing the bacteria and viruses, but you also remove spots from upholstery, mattresses, fabrics, carpets, and sofas.
It’s similar to using a steam mop if you use it to clean the kitchen floor and grimey tiles. You can even use the vacuum to remove dirt and spots from the walls or clean windows and glass showers!
Like the Rainbow vacuum (which is a lot more expensive), you can clean soft surfaces like upholstery, to get rid of pet hair and crumbs. With the high-speed setting, you can remove even the deeply embedded dirt particles.
The reason why the Polti is a great cheaper alternative for expensive Rainbow vacuums is that it cleans and purifies the air very effectively too.
This vacuum has an EcoActive water filter which efficiently traps any dirt and debris.
But, the allergens like pollen and fine dust from the air are also sucked up and funneled down. These are trapped at the bottom of the tank so they have no chance of escaping.
This is a great cleaner for people who suffer from allergies.
Through the HEPA filter and the side vents, fresh air is pumped out. This results in cleaner, fresher air than previously because 99.97% of allergens are gone!
If you’re worried about safety, this vacuum has a child-safety lock and safety cap on the steamer so kids can’t burn themselves with the hot steam.
Although it’s a great cleaner, it’s not quite as effective for large or thick carpets because the steam function is more powerful than the regular dry vacuum.
But, it’s still a great multifunctional tool and you will clean up pretty quickly and best of all you don’t need to use chemicals to have a clean home.
Also, you should note that the Polti is quite a heavy vacuum that weighs about 20 lbs, so it might be tiring to use it for extended periods.
One of the biggest problems with large vacuum cleaners is that the telescopic wands break after a couple of years.
Even though this is a very bulky vacuum cleaner, the telescopic wand doesn’t break and you have 21 accessories for every kind of task.
It might be confusing until you figure out what each one is best for.
Learn more about the different types of dust that can be in your home and their health effects here
Best upright water filtration vacuum cleaner: Quantum X
- cleans wet & dry spills
- model: upright
- weight: 16.93 pounds
If you’re sick and tired of bulky canister vacuum cleaners, you’ll be happy to know that you can get this efficient Quantum upright water filtration vacuum.
You can easily pick up all kinds of wet and dry messes, dirt, grime, as well as pesky pet hairs from all soft and hard surfaces.
The main advantage of the Quantum X is that it has powerful and effective suction. Some cheaper water filtration system vacuum cleaners like Kaloric have weaker suction.
But, because the Quantum X doesn’t use a classic HEPA filter, it doesn’t get clogged up and doesn’t lose suction.
The use of Micro-Silver Technology ensures that all the dirt is sealed inside and you discard it once you empty the water tank.
There’s a minor inconvenience though, you always need to empty the water tank after you vacuum and then clean it.
It’s not as simple as just turning on the vacuum and starting to clean, you need to add and empty the water tank with each use.
Compared to other Quantum vacuums, the X model is the best for allergy sufferers is that it picks up allergens and since it filters using water, even people with dust allergies can vacuum without sneezing and suffering while doing chores.
That’s because the Quantum X traps all the dust and allergens and immediately filters them into the collection tank so they don’t float in the air.
Also, since there are no filters, it costs less money to maintain this cleaner. It’s well built and can last a lifetime with proper maintenance.
This vacuum can clean both dry messes and wet spills so it’s a great multitasking tool.
You can clean both hardwood floors, tile, carpets, and all kinds of fabrics with this vacuum cleaner. It comes with an adjustable cleaning head so you can get into those tight spaces.
You can get as low as 4 inches so you can clean under the couch, the bed, or under furniture. The telescopic head is long and lets you reach 18 inches further and rotates 180 degrees.
This means you can get into all tight spaces and reach spots you didn’t even think you could vacuum! Most canister vacuums don’t allow you to do this, let alone a stand-up vacuum!
There’s even an LED light so you can see the dust hiding and don’t miss a spot.
At 16 lbs, this vacuum is still quite heavy, but lighter than the Polti and Rainbow. Therefore, it’s suitable for people who don’t want to lift heavy bulky canister vacuums.
This is the kind of vacuum cleaner that will work wonders on dirty carpets. If you have pets, you need to try it because even when you go over “clean” looking rugs, you’ll be amazed at how much dust and hairs you still pick up.
It’s more affordable than most water filtration vacuum cleaners but there are many plastic components so you can tell it’s not as sturdy as a heavy-duty Rainbow, yet it works in a similar way.
Polti vs Quantum X
The Polti is the ultimate vacuum cleaner if you want the steaming function. The Quantum X is more basic and lacks this feature.
However, the Quantum X is lighter and easier to maneuver because it’s an upright model, not a canister.
When you get the Polti though, you can really clean it all – upholstery, carpets, hardwood, tiles, walls, glass, etc.
It’s the best all-around water filtration system vacuum out there and can seriously compete with the famous Rainbow models which are much more expensive.
The Hyla is another brand of good vacuums and it can purify really well – however, the Polti and Quantum are both great at removing allergens from the atmosphere. They effectively trap and hold the dirt in the container so you have cleaner air.
Polti has a washable HEPA filter so it’s easy to clean. But, the Quantum X doesn’t have any filters you need to clean so it’s even more convenient.
If you want versatility you can’t beat the Polti with its 10 attachments that allow you to clean almost any surface. The steam removes all the allergens, dirt, and dust plus it disinfects.
The Quantum X is not quite as effective because it lacks the steam feature.
Best cheap water filtration vacuum & best bagless: Kalorik Canister
- wet or dry cleaning
- model: canister
- weight: 14.3 pounds
When it comes to the best water filtration vacuum cleaners, most people stay away from these machines because they are very expensive. But, luckily, this Kalorik model is very affordable and has tons of great reviews.
This model is less sophisticated than its pricier counterparts, but it still cleans effectively. What makes this wet & dry vacuum cleaner such a great cleaning tool is the fact that it does more than just vacuum.
It has a cyclonic water filtration system that cleans the air and reduces the number of allergens in your home.
I’m impressed at how quiet this vacuum cleaner is compared to similar models. It has an extra motor gasket, so it’s much quieter so you can clean the house without disturbing everyone.
The bagless design makes it easy to use because you don’t need to keep emptying and cleaning the bag. The overall design is fairly simple, but the machine is easy to use.
It has a caddy design with 4 wheels, so you can easily move it around and maneuver it without straining your back.
I recommend this particular vacuum cleaner for those of you looking for the benefits of a water filtration system without the big bulky design of expensive models.
This vacuum cleaner works very well on all floor types. This means it can clean all kinds of surfaces, both soft and hard.
The wheels make it easy to pull the machine across all the different flooring types, including hardwood, laminate, carpets, and area rugs.
But best of all, you don’t need to press any additional buttons – simply transition from one surface to the next.
The vacuum cleaner has a large canister to allow for a deep clean. You don’t need to keep changing the water as often because this extra-large canister has a big capacity.
Just think about all the cleaning you can do. You can pick up all the dirt and dust in multiple rooms in one go.
When you buy the Kalorik, it comes with several accessories and attachments that make cleaning easier. There is a special dust brush to help you pick up even the finest dust particles.
Then, there is a crevice tool for those hard-to-reach cracks and crevices you struggle to clean. In my opinion, the best attachment is the heavy-duty 2-in-1 floor brush which helps you pick up those big wet and dry messes like spills.
If you’re looking into water filtration vacuums, you surely want to stop using bagged machines. This bagless vacuum is effortless to use because you don’t need to empty and replace the bag.
All you have to do is empty the water, which means you don’t get your hands dirty. As well, the bagless design (as opposed to bagged) reduces the number of dust particles and allergens released into the atmosphere.
This vacuum cleaner is great for pet owners because it picks up all the pet hair and dander and traps it in water. Therefore, your home will have less pet fur flying around causing allergies.
It’s also a good machine to have if you suffer from asthma and allergies because it removes almost all allergens from the floor, the furniture, and the air.
The only problem with this model is that it’s not as efficient on hardwood floors, some smaller particles are often left behind.
Also, it’s a very noisy vacuum cleaner compared to the more expensive models I’ve reviewed.
The good news is that it’s very light and at only 14 lbs it’s definitely easier to move around than the others.
If this sounds like a vacuum cleaner your home needs, you won’t be let down by the quality, the performance, or the price!
Best water filtration vacuum for pets: Sirena Pet Pro
- best for pet hair, wet and dry cleaning
- model: canister
- weight: 44 pounds
Pet owners know how much mess pets can make in the house. Whether it’s endless amounts of pet hair or the occasional accidental liquid mess, you need a good vacuum cleaner to tackle the clean-up.
The water filtration vacuum cleaner is the handiest household machine because it’s going to help you clean efficiently.
The Sirena works on both hard floors and soft carpeted surfaces, so it’s a great option. It comes with many attachments that make cleaning any surface easy peasy.
The water is much better at trapping and the pet hairs and dander than my classic upright vacuum cleaner. I personally love this vacuum cleaner because it removes all the pet odors and leaves my home smelling fresh.
After all, I want to eliminate odors and refresh the air in my home. It removes germs and allergens, so the air is breathable and nobody has to suffer the harsh effects of allergies.
So, if you want to stop cleaning filters and emptying dust bags, then this Sirena vacuum is an excellent choice. It’s heavy but it’s probably the most effective at removing dirt and pet hair.
Another feature that has me excited is that the Sirena works as a stand-alone air purifier.
The motor is a powerful 1000W component and it has great suction power. But, you can use this vacuum on two modes, depending on your needs.
You can use it at low speed and it works as an air purifier. At high speed, it sucks up all the dirt both wet and dry very rapidly.
This vacuum comes with a variety of 6 attachments. Use them to clean carpets, hardwood floors, furniture, mattresses, and more.
You have a perfect tool for any type of cleaning task. The Sirena can also be used to inflate mattresses and balloons.
This vacuum cleaner reduces the number of allergens in your home. Water is the best method of trapping allergen particles.
It is an impenetrable barrier for dust mites, pet hair, dander, germs, and pollen. Therefore, this device is the best choice if your home is full of pet hair. It helps reduce allergens for asthma and allergy sufferers.
With the Sirena, you can easily clean both wet and dry messes. So, even if you spill juice or dry cereal, you can pick it all up effortlessly.
After picking up wet messes, you can rinse the hose by vacuuming up a glass of clean water.
Sirena doesn’t cause odors and it doesn’t get smelly over time. As long as you empty and clean the water, you aren’t going to spread odors around.
Other vacuum cleaners get smelly and moldy, but this one doesn’t. It also eliminates the odors in your home when you vacuum and it will purify the air. This is especially handy for pet owners, as we all hate that wet dog smell.
This vacuum cleaner has an additional HEPA filter which removes over 99% of dust and dirt for a superior clean.
It has a great air cleaning ability which means the vacuum cleans, purifies, and removes more dirt, germs, and allergens.
The air itself gets water-washed and then it’s returned fresh. The HEPA filter is washable so you can clean it as often as you like!
The Sirena is often compared to the Rainbow – and it’s just as good! In 15 minutes, you will notice the water tank is all muddy because it picks up every tiny particle of dirt!
My main criticism is that this vacuum is also quite noisy. But, it’s not too bad considering you can work quickly with it.
Another problem is that the electrical cable is very stiff and tends to tangle quickly. Therefore, it’s a bit harder to use than the upright Quantum X.
Also, this vacuum cleaner is very bulky and weighs 44 lbs, so it can be hard to maneuver.
Overall though, it’s hard to beat the efficient cleaning power.
If this sounds like a machine that makes life easier, check it out.
Kalorik vs Sirena
The Kalorik is one of the most affordable water filtration vacuum cleaners on the market. In comparison, the Sirena is much more expensive. However, these are both suitable for different needs.
Kalorik is a great vacuum for pet-free households looking for a deep clean of their carpets, upholstery, and hardwood floors. It’s budget-friendly and pretty good. It has many plastic components so it’s not as well-built as the Sirena.
The Sirena is specifically designed for pet owners and it offers a much better suction and thorough cleaning capacity. It has a HEPA filter for extra filtration and a bag.
The Kalorik is a bagless vacuum and it’s easier to clean and change the water. It’s just more basic, so it depends on your living space and how messy your house gets.
Even though it’s cheap, Kalorik has features like auto turn-off and indicator lights to let you know when water and dust tanks are full.
With the Sirena, you can expect the vacuum cleaner to last you a decade at least, so it’s a great investment. It has 3 different attachments for all surfaces and the suction is better than the Kalorik.
How does a water filtration vacuum cleaner work?
They use water rather than a filter to help get rid of dirt, debris, and odors from the air. Sucked up with normal air suction, it’s then filtered using water to make sure that the dirt, debris, and odors are trapped in the water.
The more you suck up, the dirtier the water gets – this helps to see just how much dirt and gunk are being captured!
They are better at handling wet messes, too, given their waterproof nature to become with. They also get rid of more bacteria and pathogens from the air, and they pump out more air than a normal vacuum.
As a very powerful filtration system, these are so easy to use and the fact you just empty out that dirty water to clean it out makes it even easier to use than ever before.
If you’re curious how water ‘filters’ the air, let me explain briefly. Water droplets bond or destroy the dirty particles, including dirt, dust, pollen, and other small impurities.
There is a special hydrophobic filter around the motor and the water-bonded dirt stays trapped in the water basin.
Are water filter vacuum cleaners better?
For many people, a vacuum cleaner is just that. They see it as an appliance to help them get rid of all the dirt and debris from their house or apartment and don’t really think about what happens after this.
The problem with these cleaners is that they often leave behind a lot of particles on the floor which are not visible to the naked eye but can be detrimental to our health over time.
This means that you may have cleaned your home thoroughly only for there still being traces of dirt in places where you cannot reach such as under furniture or between cracks in floorboards etc.
There are several types of vacuum cleaners available today, including water filter vacuum cleaners.
These work by using suction via a hose connected directly into one end of your bin (which also holds any collected dust) before being sucked through another long tube connected directly onto your cleaning head which then gets pushed out through small holes at its tip allowing you to suck up those
The fact they are more powerful and versatile is not a secret; it’s just a fact. Based on the principle “Wet Dust Can’t Fly”, water filtration vacuums are better at getting the air filtered.
They are more versatile in the kind of mess that they can be used to deal with. As well, they tend to be very effective at trapping away all the garbage and gunk without issue.
They are also more energy-efficient than their normal selves. Therefore, these vacuums are a very effective form of cleaner.
The fact they tend to remove even more mess from the air makes them such a useful option for cleaning with.
That being said, they are much heavier. Usually, they are larger, bulkier, much harder to move around. This factor makes them quite dangerous to move around on your own if you lack physical force.
They are harder to maneuver, too, and you need to be smart about where and how you move around. Dropping or spilling water filter vacuum cleaners is a lot messier than a dirt-based one, that’s for sure!
Also, the water gets dirty so fast that they need to be replaced a fair amount of times. Therefore, make sure you have ample access to water sources wherever you are cleaning.
Top brands within the water filter vacuum cleaners’ industry include names like Rainbow, Hyla, Quantum, Sirena, Shark, Hoover, Miele, and Eureka, so much sure you take a look around some of these top brands and try to decide the model you want to pick up.
Top advantages of water filtration vacuum cleaners
As I mentioned above, there are many benefits to using a water filtration vacuum, especially if your home gets very messy.
No clogging and loss of suction
A classic vacuum cleaner will lose suction power as the canister or bag gets full. To get a good clean, you need to keep emptying the bag all the time.
With a water filtration vacuum cleaner, you don’t have to worry about clogging and loss of suction. The water traps the dirt particles and water doesn’t clog, so that’s one issue you don’t need to worry about.
So, you don’t need to replace the filter, unclog the machine, or worry about reduced suction power.
Cleans up wet messes
Let’s face it, many of the messes we deal with on a daily basis are wet. Kids spill juice, you spill pasta sauce, and pets bring in soggy mud.
These messes require more than a dry vacuum cleaner. The main advantage is that a water filtration vacuum cleans up any type of wet mess and you don’t need to have two separate bins or fumble around with the machine’s settings.
Great for cleaning pet hair
Pet hair is notorious for clogging up your vacuum cleaner’s hose and filters. A water filtration vacuum doesn’t get clogged. The water traps pet (and human) hair very efficiently without clogging up your vacuum.
So, if your sofa is full of pet fur, simply bring out the vacuum and you can clean up in an instant.
Purify the air & remove allergens
Did you know that water filtration vacuums are better at trapping dirt particles? These machines have an improved filtration system.
There are no loopholes in the filtration system, therefore more dirt and dust get trapped. Therefore, you get a better clean and purer air.
The vacuum cleaner purifies the air as it sucks up the dirt without leaving behind that classic vacuum cleaner odor. But the biggest pro of this type of vacuum is the fact that it removes more allergens than the regular vacuum cleaner.
This means it returns cleaner, more breathable air into your home, which is important, especially for those suffering from allergies.
What are the disadvantages of water filtration vacuum cleaners?
Before you take the plunge and buy a water filtration vacuum, let’s examine some of the disadvantages.
These aren’t deal-breakers because the pros outweigh the cons. However, it’s good to know as much as possible about these machines beforehand.
Heavy & weighty:
First of all, you need to keep in mind that these types of vacuum cleaners are massive. Seniors and kids will have a hard time using them.
These are recommended for healthy adults who can push them around. Since the vacuum uses water, it is much heavier than a regular upright or canister vacuum. If you have to carry it up the stairs, it’s going to be hard work.
As well, these vacuums are big so they need lots of storage space. Also, due to their large size, they are hard to maneuver.
If you try to clean in corners and around furniture, you’ll have a hard time moving around and you can even get stuck.
Dirty water:
When you vacuum, the water gets dirty very quickly. Therefore, you need to keep changing the water. This can be time-consuming and annoying, especially if you want convenience.
Unfortunately, you can’t leave the dirty water in the machine, so you must clean it after each use.
Finally, consider the price. These types of vacuum cleaners are significantly more expensive than classic models, so be prepared to spend a lot more.
FAQs
In this section, we’re answering your questions about water filtration vacuum cleaners.
How do water filtration vacuum cleaners work?
They work differently compared to classic vacuums because instead of sucking dirt into a filter, the mess goes into a water tank. The water traps all the dirt particles and purifies the air in the meantime. Some models also have a HEPA filter for double filtration.
Conclusion
If you regularly need to clean up all kinds of messes both wet and dry, the water filtration vacuum cleaner is a great investment.
Imagine cleaning with just clean water and getting a cleaner, allergen-free home. These kinds of vacuums promise a superior clean without the need to change bags, filters, and no bins to empty.
Even though this vacuum is heavier, it’s highly efficient.
Make no mistake, though, there are many positives for people with allergies and asthma to using water filter vacuum cleaners!
I'm Joost Nusselder, the founder of Tools Doctor, content marketer, and dad. I love trying out new equipment, and together with my team I've been creating in-depth blog articles since 2016 to help loyal readers with tools & crafting tips.
