Asthma and allergy sufferers will appreciate the Karcher DS5500 compact canister vacuum's ability to capture 99.9 percent of all particles greater than 3 microns. The catch is that in order to reap this benefit, the user must fill the DS5500 with water before each use. Similar in theory to the Rainbow vacuum's water filtration method of particle recovery, this machine relies on water for its thorough removal of particles. Three other filters are also used and include a HEPA filter, an exhaust filter, and an auxiliary filter. The combined action of these four filtration methods results in its unusual ability to capture particles.

If your concern is capturing bacteria, dust mites, spores, pollen, and dust, the added labor of filling and emptying this machine before and after each use may be a worthwhile tradeoff. On the plus side, this canister does not require the purchase of replacement bags. All collected dust and particles are simply dumped down the drain in the collected water. Expensive for a canister model, the DS5500 incorporates many of the features that you would expect on a model in this price range.

Made in Germany and weighing a comfortable 19 pounds, the Karcher DS5500 offers telescopic wands constructed of durable stainless steel. A floor/carpet nozzle is packed with the machine, which also has a 6.6 suction hose, an upholstery brush, and a crevice tool. Best for cleaning fairly small areas, this unit holds 2 liters of waste water and has a rather short cord (measuring just 18 feet).


Pros: Excellent partical collection system, no added expense for replacement bags
Cons: Must fill with water before every use, expensive

Warranty
1 year