These days, many vacuums come with accessories such as Wi-Fi compatibility, advanced particle detection, and an entire army of specialized accessories. However, if you don’t need or care about these features and are on a budget, you can still get an efficient vacuum cleaner for much less.
Suction power and ease of use are the most important factors for any type of vacuum cleaner, and all of our cheap vacuum cleaner recommendations meet these criteria. While we use the word “cheap” throughout this document, we are referring to value, meaning the best performance and utility you can get for the least amount of money.
We tested all kinds of vacuums, including those in the $600 to $800 range, and it turns out that $100 to $200 can also get you a great vacuum. Here’s how we tested each of our budget vacuums. Check out these tips on how to buy a cheap vacuum cleaner.
The best cheap vacuums on 2022
Best Cheap Corded Vacuum: Bissell Cleanview Swivel Pet Vacuum, $118.44 at Amazon the Bissell Cleanview Swivel vacuum is bulky, but it’s powerful and works smoothly. It even comes with several attachments to pick up pet hair and clean hard-to-reach places.
Best Inexpensive Cordless Vacuum: Hoover OnePWR develop Pet Cordless Vacuum, $199 on Amazon this affordable Hoover vacuum impressed us with its quiet but powerful cleaning power. It feels light to maneuver since the dust bin is at the base of the vacuum, although this design also prevents you from cleaning under low spaces.
Best Cheap Robot Vacuum: Eufy RoboVac 15C Max Robot Vacuum, $189.99 on Amazon with a price tag of less than $200, the Eufy RoboVac 15C Max Robot Vacuum offers an impressive set of features, including smart connectivity, and performs well at picking up most debris on carpet and wood floors.
Best Cheap Handheld Vacuum: Black+Decker Dustbuster Cordless Handheld Vacuum, $39.99 at Amazon the Black+Decker Dustbuster Cordless Handheld Vacuum (model HHVI315JO42) is the most affordable and best handheld vacuum we’ve tested, and it performs well on carpet, hardwood and in the car.
Best Cheap Vacuum for Pet Hair: Bissell CleanView Swivel Rewind Pet Vacuum Cleaner, $154.49 at Amazon. While there are cheaper options, the Bissell CleanView Swivel Rewind Pet Vacuum Cleaner is the most affordable vacuum that does a great job picking up pet hair.
1. Bissell CleanView Swivel Vacuum
The Bissell Cleanview Swivel Vacuum is a classic corded upright vacuum. As restrictive as cords are in this type of vacuum, Bissell has incorporated many thoughtful design features to compensate for this drawback.
The large square vacuum head has a brush roll that effectively lifts and removes debris, large and small, and passes all of our cleaning tests with flying colors. From whole Cheerios to fine flour, the vacuum sucked up all particles cleanly and quickly. It also worked well with pet hair.
It has five settings for different floor types, which you have to lower and adjust at the top of the vacuum head. But to turn the vacuum on, you simply press a lever at the base with your foot. There is also a separate foot pedal to tilt the vacuum and allow it to pivot in different directions.
The generously sized dust bin is easy to remove by simply clicking the release button at the top. You won’t be in direct contact with dirt or dust because the contents are empty at the bottom of the unit. The canister has a handle on top, so you can carry your vacuum downstairs or into other rooms with ease.
For its consistent, powerful suction and maneuverability, this vacuum is already a great deal. Even better, it comes with a few attachments, which you attach to the 6-foot-long hose to clean upholstery or get into cracks. For these cleaning tasks, we might prefer a cordless handheld vacuum, but it’s good to have this option. We like the attachments store right on the vacuum, so they never get lost.
Pros: Powerful suction, large cleaning head, large hygienic dust pan, comes with accessories, convenient foot controls.
Cons: A little heavy, noisy.
Buy: Bissell CleanView Swivel Vacuum
2. Hoover vacuum cleaner
You won’t have to compromise on cleaning ability or price with this handy cordless vacuum. It effectively picks up most fine particles from carpet, hardwood and tile. It has a harder time with larger particles like Cheerios.
The vacuum is heavier than its cordless competitors, but it doesn’t feel that way because the dust pan is near the head of the vacuum, rather than on the handle. This makes vacuuming more comfortable and less tiring. It’s also quiet when it cleans, and you can barely tell it’s picking up small particles (it is).
As a cordless vacuum, it would be even more convenient to use if the location of the dust pan didn’t interfere with access to low spaces under furniture. Unfortunately, you’ll have to find another way to clean under your bed and sofas. Another small drawback is that the power buttons and different modes are on top of the dustpan, which forces you to bend over every time you want to turn the vacuum on and off or change modes.
Still, we loved this vacuum for its consistent and reliable cleaning ability, reasonable battery life and quiet motor. If you don’t want to spend over $200 or just need a basic cordless vacuum, this one will meet your needs and exceed your expectations.
Pros: Quiet, cleans well on all surfaces, less tiring to use because the dust pan is at the base of the vacuum, large dust pan.
Cons: Doesn’t come with accessories, dust pan location doesn’t reach low spots, a little heavy.
3. Eufy RoboVac 15C Max Robot Vacuum
The Eufy RoboVac 15C Max robot vacuum had the best performance of the models we tested that cost less than $250. On hardwood and carpet, it cleaned up all the pet hair, kitty litter and coffee grounds we spread. However, it had trouble with the flour, leaving behind 10% of the flour on the hardwood and 40% on the carpet.
The 15C Max also had trouble in the corners. On the carpet, he came within an inch of the corner, but he picked up almost none of the flour we spread. On hardwood, it didn’t come within 2 inches of the corner: not very good.
The Eufy robot vacuum completed its cleaning cycles an impressive 75% of the time without getting stuck. At its maximum suction power, the vacuum was among the quietest we tested, at 60 decibels, about the noise level of a normal conversation.
Setting up the vacuum only took about 10 minutes, including logging into the app (iOS and Android). The Eufy 15C Max’s slim design allows it to fit under most furniture and other tight spaces.
Pros: Compatible with Google Assistant and Alexa, excellent performance on hardwood and carpet, fits in tight places, supported by the app, quiet, doesn’t get stuck easily.
Cons: Can’t set no-go areas, didn’t do a good job of cleaning flour off carpet and getting into corners.
Buy: Eufy RoboVac 15C Max Robot Vacuum
4. Black+Decker Dustbuster Cordless Handheld Vacuum
We tested eight models for our guide to the best handheld vacuums, and the Black+Decker Dustbuster cordless handheld vacuum (model HHVI315JO42) was both the best option in terms of budget and the best overall.
It was one of the best at cleaning every surface in our tests, especially hardwood. While most vacuums struggled with flour and Cheerios, the Dustbuster was the best at picking up both materials.
The Dustbuster couldn’t be easier to use. It only weighs about 2 pounds. Two buttons control this well-balanced device: an on/off button and a dust pan release button. Once you release the garbage can, you pull the filter to empty the debris. The filter is washable with soap and hot water.
The Black+Decker handheld vacuum was quieter than most models we tested, but it was still as loud as a noisy restaurant.
Pros: Large dust pan for a handheld vacuum, cleans well on all surfaces, relatively quiet operation, user-friendly, lightweight.
Cons: No battery charge indicator, short runtime.
Buy: Black+Decker Dustbuster Cordless Handheld Vacuum
5. Bissell CleanView Swivel Rewind Pet Vacuum
The Bissell CleanView Swivel Rewind Pet Vacuum (model 2254) is like our top pick for a corded vacuum, the Bissell CleanView Swivel (model 2252). The differences are that the 2254 has a retractable power cord and a pet hair corner tool that allows you to suck up hair that has accumulated in corners.
We tested the Bissell CleanView Swivel Rewind Pet specifically for our guide to the best vacuums for pet hair, and it excelled. It picked up all the pet hair on carpet, hardwood and upholstery without the brush getting tangled.
The Bissell 2254 did particularly well on hardwood, although it had trouble picking up flour on all surfaces.
We particularly liked the ease of maneuvering the unit with its swivel head. With one hand, we could move it to the desired location. The retractable cord stayed out of our way while we cleaned, and we tackled messes in prime areas effortlessly with the detachable hose.
Unfortunately, we had trouble emptying the trash can without sending the debris out of the trash can. Be sure to position the trash can trap mechanism in your trash can before releasing it.
Pros: Retractable cord, pick up all pet hair in all of our tests, powerful suction, excellent on hardwood.
Cons: Difficult to remove debris
Buy: Bissell CleanView Swivel Rewind Pet Vacuum
Our test method for cheap vacuums
Suction Capacity: We tested each of the vacuums on five materials (flour, coffee grounds, cat litter, whole Cheerios and dog hair) on three different surfaces (carpet/rug, hardwood and tile). We scattered half a cup of each material on each surface - resulting in 15 tests for each vacuum cleaner - and rated each vacuum cleaner on its ability to powerfully, cleanly and thoroughly vacuum the material. Our robot vacuum tests also included corner cleaning and obstacle avoidance. If the vacuum comes with attachments, we also tested them on surfaces (e.g., the crevice tool on furniture cushions and car seats) and evaluated their effectiveness.
Battery life: If the vacuum is cordless, we used it until its battery died and compared the actual battery life to the advertised life.
Comfort and ease of use: We noted the ergonomics of each vacuum cleaner: the fatigue of holding it, the ease of maneuvering it and the effort required to activate the power button. We also noted whether it could fit under low spaces and any other useful features such as a headlamp to light your cleaning path.
Disposal Method: We evaluated the cleanliness and ease of emptying the trash can after a cleaning session. How is the garbage can opened? Is it necessary to reach inside to touch dirt and dust that hasn’t been completely emptied?
Storage: We noted how the vacuum breaks down into parts and whether it comes with a wall mount or docking station.
Warranty and customer service: We registered each vacuum, noted the warranty terms, and spoke to customer service representatives to assess the ease of registration and quality of service.
How to find a good cheap vacuum cleaner?
They created not all cheap vacuums equally. Often, vacuum parts or motor fail after a few months of use because of poor construction. Here are some features to look for in a vacuum cleaner, even if you are careful with your budget:
The motor: The motor is the most important factor in suction, and therefore cleaning ability. Edward Chudleigh, a former Dyson engineer for 11 years, recommends a brushless motor: “Brushless motors are very efficient and use more of the battery power to clean the floor. The problem with brushless motors is that there is more friction in the system, which consumes some of the battery power and makes the machine less efficient.”
Brush Roller Type: The size, location and type of brush on the vacuum affect the amount of dust swept, and also the ability of the brushes to dig into various surfaces to lift dirt and debris.
Filter type: Look for HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters, which are allergy-friendly. They trap and remove at least 99.97% of dust, pollen, dirt, mold, bacteria and other airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns.
Battery life (if applicable): Inexpensive cordless vacuums may not have as long a battery life as their more expensive competitors. You may need to recharge your battery more often, or consider buying a replacement backup battery to keep on hand for longer cleaning jobs.
Cord and hose length (if applicable): Long cords and hoses reduce the need to search for an outlet throughout your home. The average cord length for an upright vacuum is 25 to 30 feet.
Warranty: Even inexpensive vacuums should come with at least a one-year warranty on parts and labor. All of our best inexpensive vacuums come with a 1 to 3 year warranty. Be sure to register your vacuum online to speed up the warranty process.
Glossary
HEPA: stands for “high-efficiency particulate air”. A HEPA filter traps and removes at least 99.97% of dust, pollen, dirt, mold, bacteria and other airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns and is found in air purifiers and vacuum cleaners.
Whole machine filtration: they seal the entire machine to prevent unfiltered particles from escaping. All air passes through the filter before being expelled.
Dustbin: Where all dust, dirt and hair are stored while vacuuming. We should empty the dustpan into the trash can when you are finished cleaning.
Brush Roller: A cylinder with bristles in the cleaning head that rotates and helps release dirt from carpets and rugs. The bristles of a brush roll can leave scratches on hardwood and tile, so you should turn off the brush roll if possible. Replace your brush roll when the bristles are worn out (just like on your toothbrush).
Crevice tool: This is a long, flat attachment with an angled tip. It gets into tight corners, including baseboards and stairs, and between sofa cushions.
Dust Brush: A small attachment with soft bristles. It is ideal for blinds, windowsills and delicate objects.
Upholstery Tool: A wide, flat attachment that provides strong suction. It is ideal for fabric-covered furniture such as mattresses, chairs and sofas.
