The 4 best cheap vacuum cleaners we tested in 2021

April 15, 2021

Bissell, Hoover, and Moosoo make excellent affordable vacuums that don’t compromise quality.
The handheld vac in our guide is under $100, while the corded, cordless, and robot vacs are under $200.
See also: The best vacuums

These days, many vacuums come with bells and whistles like Wifi compatibility, advanced particle detection, and a whole army of specialized attachments.

But if you don’t need or care for these features and you’re working within a budget, you can still get an effective vacuum for much less money.

Suction power and ease of use are the most important factors to focus on, and all of our cheap vacuum cleaners below tick those boxes. Though we use the word “cheap” throughout, what we’re really referring to is value — the best performance and utility you can get for the least amount of money.

Popular Reviews

We’ve tested all kinds of vacuums, including those in the $600-$800 range, and it turns out $100-$200 can get you a great vacuum, too. Here’s how we tested each of our budget vacuum contenders. For help on how to shop for a cheap vacuum and when to find the best deals, check out these tips.

Here are the best affordable vacuums:

Best cheap corded vacuum: Bissell Cleanview Swivel Pet Vacuum
Best cheap cordless stick vacuum: Hoover OnePWR Evolve Pet Cordless Vacuum
Best cheap robot vacuum: Moosoo MT-720 Robot Vacuum
Best cheap handheld vacuum: Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Cordless Hand Vacuum

Updated on 04/15/2021: We overhauled this guide with new picks based off of in-depth testing. We also added sections on how to shop for a vacuum and features to consider. We’re continuing to monitor the performance and durability of our picks and will be testing contenders for a new cheap canister vacuum category next.

The best cheap corded vacuum

The Bissell Cleanview Swivel Vacuum is a bit on the large side, but it’s powerful and operates smoothly. It even comes with multiple attachments to pick up pet hair and clean hard-to-reach spots.

Overall size: 13 x 14 x 44.5 inches
Weight: 15 pounds
Dust bin capacity: 0.26 gallons
Filter type: Washable HEPA
Battery life: Not applicable
Cord length: 27 feet
Attachments: Crevice tool, pet tool
Warranty: Three years on parts and labor

Pros: Powerful suction, large cleaner head, large and hygienic dust bin, comes with attachments, convenient foot controls

Cons: A bit heavy and clunky, loud

Bissell’s Cleanview Swivel Pet Vacuum is your classic corded upright vacuum. As restrictive as the cords are on these kinds of vacuums, Bissell builds in many thoughtful design features to make up for the inconvenience.

The large, square cleaner head has a brushroll that effectively lifts and removes small and large debris, passing all of our cleaning tests with flying colors. From whole Cheerios to fine flour, the vacuum sucked up all the particles cleanly and quickly. It worked well with pet hair as well.

It has five settings for different floor types, which you must bend down and adjust at the top of the cleaner head. But turning on the vacuum is as easy as pressing a lever at the base with your foot. There’s also a separate foot pedal to tilt the vacuum and allow it to swivel in different directions.

The dust bin is a generous size and easy to remove by simply clicking the release button at the top. The contents empty out at the bottom so you’ll have minimal or no direct contact with all the dirt and dust. The bin has a handle on top, letting you carry your vacuum downstairs or to different rooms with ease.

For its consistent, powerful suction and easy maneuverability, the vacuum is already a great deal. Even better, it comes with a few attachments, which you affix to the 6-foot-long hose to clean upholstery or get into crevices. For these cleaning tasks, we might still prefer a cordless handheld vacuum, but it’s nice to have the option here. We do love that the attachments are stored directly on the vacuum so you’ll never lose them.

The best cheap cordless stick vacuum

This affordable Hoover vacuum impressed us with its quiet but strong cleaning power. It feels light and easy to maneuver since the dust bin is located at the base of the vacuum, though this design also prevents you from cleaning under low spaces.

Overall size: 9.5 x 11 x 44 inches
Weight: 8.2 pounds
Dust bin capacity: 0.3 gallons
Filter type: Washable HEPA, no extra filters included
Battery life: 30 minutes
Cord length: Not applicable
Attachments: None
Warranty: Three years on parts and labor

Pros: Quiet, cleans well on all surfaces, less tiring to use because dust bin is located at base of vacuum, large dust bin

Cons: Doesn’t come with attachments, dust bin location means you can’t get under low spots, a little heavy

You won’t compromise cleaning ability or price in this convenient cord-free vacuum. It picks up most small and fine particles effectively on carpet, hardwood, and tile. It has a harder time with large particles like Cheerios.

The vacuum is on the heavier side compared to cordless competitors, but it doesn’t feel like it because the dust bin is located near the cleaner head, rather than the handle. This makes vacuuming feel more comfortable and less tiring. It’s also quiet and smooth as it cleans, and you can barely tell it’s picking small particles up (rest assured, it is).

As a cordless vacuum, it’d be even more convenient to use if the dust bin placement didn’t obstruct access to low spaces under furniture. Unfortunately, you’ll need to figure out another way to clean under your bed and couches. Another small drawback is that the power and various mode buttons are located on top of the dust bin, so you need to bend down any time you want to turn your vacuum on and off or change modes.

Still, I loved this vacuum for its consistent and reliable cleaning ability, reasonable battery life, and quiet motor. If you don’t want to spend more than $200 or you only need a basic cordless vacuum, this one will meet your needs and exceed your expectations.

Shop more of the best cordless vacuums here.

The best cheap robot vacuum

If you’re looking for a cost-effective vac that cleans well on a variety of surfaces, gets deep into corners, and runs quietly, the Moosoo MT-720 Robot Vacuum is your best bet.

Overall size: 4.5 x 16 x 5 inches
Weight: 3 pounds
Dust bin capacity: 0.18 gallons
Filter type: Washable HEPA, no extra filters included
Battery life: 15 minutes
Cord length: Not applicable
Attachments: Motorized brush tool, upholstery tool, and crevice tool
Warranty: One year warranty on parts and labor

Pros: Good performance on carpet and hardwood, excellent corner cleaning, quiet operation, compatible with Google Assistant and Alexa, low-profile design

Cons: Gets stuck easily, can’t set no-go zones

For a low price, the MT-720 offers plenty of smart features and a user-friendly design. It costs less than many corded and cordless vacuums, plus it’ll do all the cleaning work for you so you can get back some time in your day.

It’s easy to set up and start using in just five minutes. The app lets you schedule the vacuum to clean at the same time every day or mix it up. You can also choose smart, wall follow, spiral, random, and manual control cleaning modes. The app creates a map of the area cleaned, but you cannot set no-go zones as you can with other room mapping robot vacs.

The MT-720’s performance is good on hardwood and carpet, picking up almost all of the coffee grounds, cat litter, and pet hair. It does an outstanding job in corners, coming within an inch of the corner and picking up 70% of the flour on carpeting and 85% on hard flooring. It’s also small enough to get into tight, low spaces that other models might miss.

Counterintuitively, the strong suction doesn’t translate into loud operation. On high suction, the sound meter registered 66 dB, or a little louder than a business office. On low, it was 59 dB, which is quieter than normal conversation.

The biggest negative with the MT-720 is that it tends to get stuck easily. During testing, it regularly got stuck on the one-inch threshold between the living room and kitchen of the testing area.

Shop more of the best robot vacuums here.

The best cheap handheld vacuum

The compact Bissell Pet Hair Eraser vacuum is convenient to keep in your car or on hand for small and short cleaning tasks. It’s not too heavy and picks up everything from fine pet hairs to ground coffee.

Overall size: 4.5 x 16 x 5 inches
Weight: 3 pounds
Dust bin capacity: 0.18 gallons
Filter type: Washable HEPA, no extra filters included
Battery life: 15 minutes
Cord length: Not applicable
Attachments: Motorized brush tool, upholstery tool, and crevice tool
Warranty: One year warranty on parts and labor

Pros: Comes with attachments, compact and relatively light

Cons: Short battery life, disposal method could be more hygienic, weak suction for large particles

Sometimes you don’t need a full-sized vacuum cleaner. A small handheld vacuum is a useful addition to your cleaning kit because you can store it in your car, desk, or closet.

Bissell’s handheld vacuum is powerful and cleans most particles up completely (it struggles with large particles like Cheerios). We’ve noticed that you need to hold it at about a 45-degree angle to the surface for the suction to be most effective.

For my hand, which is admittedly on the smaller size, the grip is large and a little uncomfortable to hold after a long time. But with a short 15-minute battery life, you won’t be grasping this portable vacuum for too long anyway. You also don’t need to hold down a power trigger — there’s a simple on/off button.

We love that it’s a convenient tool to have nearby when you notice some debris around you or if you spill something and want to clean it up immediately without lugging out your traditional upright vacuum. An added bonus: the included attachments. The motorized brush is our favorite and effective at removing stubborn, embedded dirt.

The downsides of the vacuum are that it emits a loud and high-pitched whirring noise when in use, and it’s difficult to clean. There are a few steps to accessing the dust bin, and once you pull it out, dust and other fine particles tend to release into the air. If you’re not prepared, they’ll fly right into your face.

Our methodology

Vacuuming ability: I tested each of the vacuums against five materials (flour, ground coffee, cat litter, whole Cheerios, and dog hair) on three different surfaces (carpet/rug, hardwood, and tile). I scattered half a cup of each material on each surface — resulting in 15 tests for each vacuum — and rated each vacuum on its ability to suck up the material powerfully, cleanly, and thoroughly. Our robot vacuum testing also included corner cleaning and obstacle avoidance. If the vacuum came with attachments, I also tested the attachments on appropriate surfaces (e.g. crevice tool on furniture cushions and car seats) and rated their effectiveness.
Battery life: If the vacuum is cordless, I used it until its battery died and compared the actual battery life to the advertised battery life.
Comfort and ease of use: I noted the ergonomics of each vacuum: how tiring it is to hold, how easy it is to maneuver, and the effort required to activate the power button. I also noted whether it could fit under low spaces and any additional helpful features like a headlight to illuminate your cleaning path.
Disposal method: I evaluated the cleanliness and ease of emptying the dustbin after a cleaning session. How is the bin opened? Do I have to reach inside and touch dirt and dust that didn’t empty out completely?
Storage: I noted how the vacuum breaks down into multiple parts and whether it comes with a wall mount or docking station.
Warranty and customer service: I registered each vacuum, noted warranty terms, and spoke to customer service reps to evaluate the ease of registration and quality of service.

What else we tested

What we recommend and why:

Shark Navigator Lift-Away Upright Vacuum: Overall, this popular upright vacuum has solid cleaning performance and it’s easy to use, but it didn’t outperform the Bissell and it felt slightly heavier to handle. Its cleaning head is also smaller.

Tineco Pure One X Smart Vacuum: We love the lightweight and smooth maneuverability of this cheap cordless vac, which somehow also manages to include all the works, including a paired app and a few attachments. It was our pick for the best cordless vacuum for pet hair. If you’re okay with a small dustbin and weaker carpet performance, you’ll like the Tineco.

What we're testing next

To round out the vacuum types in this guide, we’re testing canister vacuums next. They’re easier to maneuver since the canister is separate from the hose and cleaner head, and many have powerful, thorough cleaning suction. They tend to be more expensive than uprights, around $300-$400. One of Miele’s well-known canister vacuums is $1,500.

Eureka Mighty Mite Bagged Canister Vacuum Cleaner: Weighing 8.6 pounds, with a long hose and cord, this Eureka canister vacuum is easy to carry around the house. It comes with multiple attachments and even has a blower port to help you clean your oft-neglected garage and outdoor spaces. It’s one of the most popular options on Amazon.

Hoover PortaPower Lightweight Commercial Canister Vacuum: Hoover’s canister is a tiny bit lighter, at 8.3 pounds, and it’s compact enough to sling over your shoulder. Its cord is 33 feet long, making this vacuum especially suitable for large spaces.

How do I find a good cheap vacuum?

Not all cheap vacuums are created equal. Often, shoddy construction results in your vacuum parts or motor breaking down within months of use. Here are some features to look for in a vacuum, even if you’re being budget-conscious:

Motor: The motor is the most important contributor to suction, and thus, cleaning ability. Edward Chudleigh, a former Dyson engineer of 11 years, recommends a brushless motor: “Brushless motors are very efficient and translate much more of the available power from the battery to cleaning the floor. The trouble with brushed motors is that there is more friction in the system which in turn eats some of the battery power and, amongst other things, makes the machine less efficient.”

Type of brushroll: The size, placement, and type of brush on the vacuum affect how much dust is swept up, and also whether the brushes can dig into various surfaces to lift up dirt and debris.

Type of filter: 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 with a size of 0.3 microns.

Battery life (if applicable): Cheaper cordless vacuums may not have as long as a battery life as more expensive competitors. You may need to charge 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 hunt around the house for an open outlet. The average cord length of an upright vacuum is 25-30 feet.

Warranty: Even budget vacuums should come with at least one year of warranty on parts and labor. All our best cheap vacuum picks come with 1-3 years of warranty. Make sure to register your vacuum online to speed up the warranty process later.

How often should you clean and change your vacuum filter?

The guidance varies model by model and there are different kinds of filters (cartridge, disk, foam, cloth), so you should check your product manual. Generally, you should wash and dry it when you notice a smell or if you observe a decline in vacuum performance. Some vacuums will also alert you when you need to change the filter. A clean filter is important for effective cleaning; a dirty filter restricts airflow and decreases suction power.

Where and when are the best vacuum deals?

Prime Day (usually in the summer) and Black Friday/Cyber Monday (also known as Cyber Weekend) are the best times to find all-time-low prices on top vacuum brands like Shark, Dyson, Hoover, and Bissell. They’re usually discounted across all major retailers, including Amazon, Target, Walmart, and Best Buy.

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 with a size of 0.3 microns and can be found in air purifiers and vacuums.

Whole machine filtration: The entire machine is sealed to prevent unfiltered particles from escaping. All air passes through the filter before it is expelled.

Dustbin: Where all the dust, dirt, and hair are stored as you vacuum. The dustbin should be emptied out into the trash after you’re done cleaning.

Brush roll: A cylinder with bristles located in the cleaning head that rotates and helps release dirt from carpets and rugs. The bristles of a brush roll may leave scratches on hardwood and tile, so you should turn off the brush roll if possible. Replace your brush roll when the bristles wear out (like on your toothbrush).

Crevice tool: A long, flat attachment with an angled tip. It’s good for getting into tight corners including baseboards and stairs and between couch cushions.

Dust brush tool: A small attachment with soft bristles. It’s good for blinds, windowsills, and delicate objects.

Upholstery tool: A wide, flat attachment that allows for strong suction. It’s good for furniture with fabric upholstery like mattresses, chairs, and couches.

See more vacuum buying guides

The best cordless vacuum cleaners
The best robot vacuum cleaners
The best vacuum cleaners

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Disclosure: This post is brought to you by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. We frequently receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising sales team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at [email protected].

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