Oh how I love this vacuum cleaner! Gepa is the way. There are asthmatics in our house, and every time we vacuumed, the wheezing started. Not good. I'm also tired of lugging a heavy vacuum cleaner around stairs and corners. It is very comfortable. It works very well and is actually fun due to its effectiveness. We call it the Ghostbusters vacuum cleaner. We use it in the car, in the garage, in the stairwell, in the bathroom, on hardwood floors, it's a monster cleaner. HEPA works very well. No more panting after cleaning! Just be careful with that on your back. It's bulky so you might bump into doorways or narrow corridors. Just plan ahead and you'll be fine.