The 10 Best Affordable Vacuum Cleaners Get the Job Done for Less

After rolling up our sleeves and testing more than 350 vacuums in The Lab, we have found a few inexpensive gems that rival the cleaning power of some of the priciest models on the market. We've tested vacuums ranging from $20 to $1,600, with an average of about $282. But these top-notch picks all fall under our definition of inexpensive or affordable vacuums at $200 or less.

To make it to this list, a vacuum had to perform well and have a more wallet-friendly price tag. These are not the vacuums that will feel cheap from the moment you unbox them—these are the machines that will get the cleaning job done for less, as proven by our rigorous and thorough testing.

Under $200

An Upright Vacuum That's Lasted for Four Years (So Far)

Shark NV360 Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe Upright Vacuum

$220 $190 at Amazon $190 at Wayfair $200 at Target

Best For: Those with plenty of storage space, carpets, or deep-cleaning needs.

Oh, Shark Navigator, how do we love thee? Let us count the ways. This vacuum has been a favorite of ours since we originally tested it in 2021, and then again in 2023. After four years of owning it, it also remains a true staple in one of our editor’s homes. Because it's an older model, too, the price tag has slowly decreased over the years, landing it squarely on our under-$200 list, and—most importantly—giving you an excellent bang for your buck. 

As a corded, upright vacuum, the Shark NV360 brings powerful suction and versatility. It’s effective on hard floors and carpet, although carpet is where it really shines. The 0.9-quart dust bin means you can clean your entire home without having to pause to empty it.

By design, upright vacuums are bulky and hardy machines. This one has swivel steering, so it’s more agile than you might expect just from looking at it; however, it’s still not quite as nimble as a stick vacuum (more on those next). The Shark Navigator NV360 also has a lift-away canister so you can extend your reach when using the wand, though. We’re big fans of this vacuum and think you’d be hard-pressed to find a better machine when it comes to price and performance. 

_{Weight: 16.96 pounds | Cord Length: 25 feet | Attachments: Crevice tool, upholstery tool}

A Cordless Stick Vacuum That's Light and Made for Daily Tidying

Levoit LVAC-200 Cordless Stick Vacuum

$200 $178 at Amazon

Best For: Those with a mix of flooring types and in need of a lightweight, long-lasting vacuum.

If you're looking for a vacuum that's nimble and easy to store, a cordless stick vacuum is the way to go. Compared to upright vacuums, stick vacuums are much smaller and slimmer in design, but are often not as powerful as a result. The Levoit LVAC-200 Cordless Stick Vacuum combines the power of an upright vacuum and the design of a stick vacuum, and is a true menace on carpets, tile, hardwood, and stairs.

Our editor, who owns the Shark NV360 above, also owns this pick, so she regularly sees them compete side-by-side. She was instantly impressed by how the Levoit LVAC-200 could leave carpet lines behind and pick up snack leftovers left lovingly by her toddler in one swoop. After cleaning her split-level home top to bottom, the dust bin was packed with hair, dust, and crumbs.

Thanks to swivel steering, it was also easily able to reach under her daughter's crib and around table legs. Plus, the slimmer design makes it easier to pull out for everyday cleaning. (The Shark NV360 is still a prime choice for deep cleaning.)

Weighing just 3.2 pounds, including the battery pack (which tends to add weight for other cordless models), the Levoit LVAC-200 is also really easy to lift up and down stairs, easily earning its spot on our best lightweight vacuums list. A light on the battery pack shows you how much more cleaning you can do before charging, which is painless since the battery detaches from the vacuum with the push of a button. Our editor was able to clean her whole house twice before charging up.

When you're done cleaning, emptying the dust bin is also a breeze. It detaches, too, and even hair wrapped around the filter just quickly falls into the trash can. Our editor likes to loosen up the debris with a wooden appetizer skewer first, so she doesn't have to use her hands. She also has taken out the post-motor filter and pre-motor filter to wash them, and can't say enough how easy it was. (The brand recommends cleaning them once per month and replacing them entirely every three months.)

All this said, this pick's the one to go for if you're looking for something lighter and more flexible than the Shark NV360. A cordless design alone makes it easier to use.

_{Weight: 3.2 pounds | Battery Life: Up to 30 minutes (45 minutes in our experience) | Attachments: 2-in-1 crevice tool, 2-in-1 pet tool}

A Bagged Vacuum That Keeps Dust and Debris Trapped

Hoover Complete Performance Bagged Upright Vacuum Cleaner

$160 at Amazon

Best For: Those with allergies or pets who don't mind an extra, recurring expense of dust bags.

Another upright vacuum, the Hoover Complete Performance Vacuum is practically the complete package, pun intended. We like it for many of the same reasons we like the Shark Navigator; it’s powerful, durable, and packs a cleaning punch. 

Among the differences, however, is that this vacuum is bagged. This means that instead of emptying or dumping your canister of dirt into the trash (which can result in a cloud of dust), all collected debris remains contained in a bag, which you throw away and replace with a new one. It's the ideal way to empty your vacuum if you or someone else in your home has allergies.

It does, however, mean that keeping a supply of replacement bags on hand is necessary, and an expense you’ll need to factor in. They range from under a dollar per bag to up to a few dollars per bag, depending on whether you buy from Hoover or a separate brand.

The frequency you’ll change your bag will depend on your cleaning habits and household (pets, for example, come with lots of hair you’ll likely pick up). But you can expect to get through multiple rooms or even multiple cleaning sessions before needing to make a swap.

The other difference with this vacuum is it’s about five pounds heavier than the Shark NV360, so it’s not a great option for homes with lots of stairs—unless you like to combine your vacuuming with your arm workouts. But, if you like the idea of having a bagged vacuum, Hoover's Complete Performance Vacuum is a great, budget-friendly pick, costing just over $150 at time of publish.

_{Weight: 22.4 pounds | Cord Length: 25 feet | Attachments: Upholstery tool, crevice tool, extension wand}

Under $150

A Lightweight Vacuum That Can Bend Under Furniture for You

Kenmore Elite Cordless Stick Vacuum With EasyReach Wand DS4095

$150 $108 at Amazon

Best For: Anyone who wants a flexible vacuum that can bend under furniture for them.

If you have your eyes on a stick vacuum and your budget, the Kenmore Elite Cordless Stick Vacuum is ideal. Again, cordless stick vacuums are light (this one is just shy of 6 pounds total) and tend to be easier to maneuver and store than upright and canister-style vacuums. This model takes it one step further by having a wand that bends, so you can reach further underneath tables and furniture.

We were pleased with the weight distribution, too, which made it comfortable to use (so your arm isn’t likely to feel tired after just a few minutes of cleaning). This may sound picky, but after testing over 350 vacuums, we notice the small things! This machine is also relatively quiet when it runs. 

The cordless element is another major perk. The rechargeable battery lasts up to 40 minutes, and that’s close to what we found when testing, too—we saw it go to 50 percent power after 17 minutes of usage. (This is also about the same as Levoit's LVAC-200.)

Cordless vacuums typically have more compact dust bins since they’re found on the handle rather than at the base. This vacuum’s dust bin is one liter large, which is enough to clean a couple of rooms, an apartment, or even a small house, depending on your cleaning routine. (Pets that shed and dining areas with lots of crumbs mean it’ll fill up more quickly.)

All in all, the Kenmore Elite Cordless Stick Vacuum offers all our favorite features, though—it’s super maneuverable, easy to use, and great for quick rounds of spot cleaning. Compared to the Levoit we also love, it weighs more but is also more flexible by design.

_{Weight: Under 6 pounds | Battery Life: 40 minutes | Attachments: Combination crevice and dusting tool}

A "Starter" Vacuum That Our Editor Can't Part With

Bissell 2252 CleanView Swivel Upright Bagless Vacuum with Swivel Steering

$120 at Amazon View on Newegg.com

Best For: Anyone who just moved into their first home or apartment.

The only upright vacuum on our list to fall below the under-$150 threshold, the Bissell 2252 CleanView Swivel Upright Bagless Vacuum is one that we keep coming back to again and again.

We’ve tested multiple iterations from the Bissell CleanView line over the years, and while we don’t necessarily think you can go wrong with this line, we particularly like this pick for being a reliable whole-house vacuum (and one of our editors still has hers, despite having tested and used far more expensive brands in her home). 

As an upright vacuum, this machine has robust cleaning abilities, a large capacity, and corded power that’ll get you through all your chores. In fact, the 27-foot cord even gives you a bit more reach than the other upright vacuums we’ve featured. The swivel steering makes it fairly easy to maneuver, but it’s worth noting that, compared to some of the pricier brands and models, it can feel a bit looser. But once you’re used to it, we think you’ll find it comfortable to use.

It’s also worth noting that the Bissell 2252 CleanView Swivel Upright Bagless Vacuum does well with wall edges and baseboards, too, thanks to the subtle but effective bristles that are on the side of the vacuum head. If you’re buying your first vacuum (or you’re shopping for someone who might need one), we think it’s a great basic, “starter” vacuum. 

_{Weight: 15 pounds | Cord Length: 27 feet | Attachments: Pet TurboEraser tool, crevice tool}

A Canister Vacuum That's Easy to Move Around Your Home

Kenmore 10701 Compact Bagless Canister Vacuum

$120 $110 at Amazon View on Kenmorefloorcare.com

Best For: Folks with a lot of stairs and that don't mind lifting, bending over, and moving around more with their vacuum.

If comparing some of these vacuum types to one another has you feeling a bit like Goldilocks (one is too small, one is too big), then allow us to introduce you to canister vacuums. The wand and head are connected by a hose to the canister, which houses the dust bin and is usually situated on wheels so you can steer and maneuver it independently.

The Kenmore Compact Bagless Canister Vacuum 10701, in particular, proved exceptionally agile and powerful when we tested it in the lab against machines three and four times its cost. The canister is much smaller than other similar styles, and while it has wheels for smooth maneuvering around your home, we thought it was simple to use when holding the canister, too.

The 16-foot cord is fairly short for a vacuum, so you might find yourself unplugging and replugging it multiple times for each cleaning session. This downside—and the logistics of handling two pieces—would be the main reasons we see to not opt for it. If bending over, lifting, or maneuvering the pieces a lot aren’t deal-breakers for you, though, then it’s a great option. 

_{Weight: 10 pounds | Cord Length: 16 feet | Attachments: Dusting brush, crevice tool, floor brush}

A Robot Vacuum That's a True Standout in Its Field

Black + Decker RoboSeries Robot Vacuum

$150 $130 at Amazon $150 at Walmart $130 at Wayfair

Best For: Those looking for a (mostly) hands-free cleaning experience.

Very few robot vacuums dip below $150, and even fewer are worthy of our recommendation. The Black+Decker RoboSeries Robot Vacuum is the exception. If you’ve always wanted the satisfaction of watching a disc-shaped robot cruise over your floor and do your cleaning for you, but you didn’t want to break the bank to do it, then today is your day. 

It’s normal to approach a robot vacuum of this price with some skepticism, and while this one isn’t perfect, we’ve been overall pleased with it. The pros are that it’s effective (it picks up hair, crumbs, and other grime in its path), consistent (we noticed no dips in performance during our extended, six-month period of home testing), and offers useful conveniences like scheduled cleaning and app control. Though it also comes with a remote control, so you don’t need a smartphone to control it.

The potential downsides are that, while it certainly gets the job done, it doesn’t offer the same bells and whistles many other robot vacuums have, and if you’re used to fancier or more robust machines, it’ll likely feel pretty basic in comparison.

While not unique to this particular model, programming limitations rarely make a robot vacuum a full replacement for a manual vacuum, too. In other words, you’re not able to steer it for spot-cleaning or spills. Robot vacuums also can’t navigate up stairs. Still, the Black+Decker Robot Vacuum will leave your floors better than when you started and extend the time in between deep cleans.

_{Weight: 10 pounds | Battery Life: 120 minutes | Cleaning Path Width: 12.5 inches}

Under $100

A Versatile Vacuum That's Perfect for First Homes or Dorm Rooms

Dirt Devil Versa 3-in-1 Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner

$90 at Wayfair $90 at Target $88 $80 at Home Depot

Best For: Anyone in the market for a handheld vacuum and a regular vacuum.

Dirt Devil is known for budget-friendly vacuums with plenty of power, and we've tested several picks from their lineup both in the lab and at home. The Dirt Devil Versa 3-in-1 Cordless Stick Vacuum is a favorite of ours. However, it definitely has some caveats to match its under-$100 price point.

To start, this vacuum only has 12 minutes of battery life, which is more competitive with our favorite handheld vacuums than our favorite cordless stick ones. However, during that time, this vacuum will pick up messes in just one back-and-forth motion, meaning you can cover more area and make good use of your (albeit limited) time.

This vacuum also has a detachable handheld vacuum built in, setting it apart from our other options and making it a particularly versatile option in our eyes. The handheld vacuum acts as the dust bin when the vacuum is in its full form, and is very easy to snap in and out of place once you line up the nozzle. And because the Dirt Devil Versa is this effective 3-in-1 option at a low price, we do think it's perfectly suited for a first home or dorm room, where you just need something that works and is not too bulky to use or store.

That said, this definitely is not the vacuum for you if you have a large home or frequently do longer cleans. The 12-minute battery life isn't up to larger tasks, and the battery takes around six hours to charge—so you can't necessarily charge it quickly and then get back to your cleaning later that same day. The power cord is built into the vacuum's body, though, which is a unique feature that we find super convenient and wish was the case with more cleaning tools.

_{Weight: 5 pounds | Battery Life: 12 minutes | Attachments: None, but has a detachable handheld vacuum}

A Vacuum-Mop That Our Editor Says Is Undeniably Efficient

Shark VM252 Vacmop Pro Cordless Wet/Dry Stick Vacuum

$100 $70 at Amazon $81 at Walmart $80 at Wayfair

Best For: Homes with lots of hard floor that also needs to be mopped.

Another non-traditional option, the Shark Vacmop Pro manages two chores at once: light vacuuming and mopping. It’s just the tool you would want on hand to clean up around your dining table after a dinner party, or to freshen up the floor after your dog tracked in a trail of mud.

Now, to be clear, it’s only suitable for hard flooring, so this is not the pick to get if your home has lots of carpets and rugs. But for kitchens, bathrooms, mudrooms, and high-traffic, hard floor areas, it’s a great grime-buster. 

The shape and size of this machine rival a stick vacuum, but the head uses disposable mop pads to collect and capture debris, and to soak up wet or sticky messes. The replacement pads mean that there’s an extra cost for maintaining this vacuum (each pad is a little more than a dollar, at time of publish).

When you use it, you’ll do a round of dry vacuuming first, and then you can spritz the floor with a cleaning solution and complete the mopping step. (Shark does include a bottle when you buy the Vacmop, but you’ll need to buy more down the road, too. It’s roughly $10 for a 68-ounce bottle). All said and done, if you like the idea of checking two chores off your list at once, we recommend the Shark Vacmop. 

_{Weight: 3.34 pounds | Battery Life: 20 minutes | Attachments: None}

Another Canister Vacuum With Some Acceptable Quirks

Bissell Zing Bagless Canister Vacuum

$80 at Amazon $103 at Walmart $80 at Wayfair

Best For: Anyone looking for a straightforward vacuum that's easy to empty.

While we experienced a few more hiccups with the Bissell Zing Canister Vacuum than the other picks on this list, the value of a fully functioning canister vacuum for less than $80 is hard to pass on. This option offers powerhouse-level suction that’s suitable for both carpet and hard floors, a retractable—albeit short—cord at 15 feet, and a roomy, 2-liter dust bin. 

The vacuum's basic design also means that it’s straightforward to use, too. There are two brush levels for hard floors and carpet, and there's a simple switch on the head of the vacuum to adjust for them. As expected, it lacks the bells and whistles of pricier models, but the dust bin is very simple to remove and empty. There's one latch to lift it from its position, and another to release dirt.

Now, did we have some hair wrap on the head of the machine? Yes. And did we experience the handle and wand coming apart and needing to be popped back together? Also, yes. But, we're satisfied enough to trade a bit of extra effort for powerful cleaning and a lower price tag. 

_{Weight: 10 pounds | Cord Length: 15 feet | Attachments: Dusting brush, crevice tool}

How to Shop for an Affordable Vacuum

Here at The Spruce, we like to think we’re experts on which vacuums to buy and use for any occasion, including when you’re buying on a budget. These are the top tips to ensure you’re getting the exact machine you need, for a price you’re comfortable with.

Only Buy the Features That You Need

There are some snazzy vacuums out there, and if you want to splurge, we would point you toward powerful cordless picks and high-tech robot vacuums that clean with the press of a button. But, those bells and whistles come at a cost, and at the end of the day, a vacuum doesn’t need to self-empty (when the dust bin in your vacuum automatically empties into a larger container) or have a fancy LED readout to get your home clean.

If you zero in on the exact settings that are important to you, you’ll be able to more easily rule out pricier models. Not sure where to start when it comes to key settings and features? Try these.

Corded or Cordless Design

A corded vacuum offers consistent, powerful suction, but the downside is that you’ll be tethered to your outlets as you vacuum (though, some vacuums have cords up to 25 to 30 feet to give you lots of room to roam). On the other hand, a cordless model will be easier to move around your home, but the battery has a finite amount of power, and the suction isn’t as strong. 

A Closer Look at Our Favorites
Corded	Cordless
Shark NV360 Navigator	Kenmore Elite
Hoover Complete Performance	Shark Vacmop Pro
Bissell 2252 CleanView Swivel	Black+Decker RoboSeries
Kenmore Compact Bagless 10701	Dirt Devil Versa
Bissell Zing	Levoit LVAC-200

Bagless or Bagged Design

While bagless options are more popular these days, bagged vacuums still have their place. If you or someone in your home has allergies, bagged vacuums contain the dirt and grime you’ve collected, so you don’t have to come in contact with it. However, you'll need to buy compatible replacement bags.

Bagless vacuums, instead, have a canister or container where dirt is collected, which you’ll empty or pour directly into your trash. We have just one bagged vacuum on our list, the Hoover Complete Performance Vacuum.

The Included Attachments and Settings

Sometimes, one machine can do the work of many. Most vacuums come with attachments (like an upholstery brush, which you can use on couches and other upholstered furniture), so factor those in as you’re shopping. It’s also common for machines to be adjustable, like the Shark NV360 Navigator (which has a lift-away pod), or to come with additional accessories.

Think Beyond Category

Think of vacuums like cars; there are multiple makes and models to choose from, though they all serve the same or similar purposes. Just like minivans and convertibles, upright vacuums and robot vacuums offer a different user experience, but will still take you from point A to point B (in this case, a dirty home to a clean home!). 

Now, there may be a specific reason why a certain style works better for you than others (like when the mobility and weight of the machine is a factor), but if you’re flexible on the type of vacuum, we recommend looking across categories to score the best deal. Here’s a rundown of the main types that appear on our list.

• Upright: Typically the most powerful, these vacuums are among the bulkiest designs out there. They’re almost always corded, too. But, if you’d like to clean your entire house in one go, they’ll get the job done. 
• Stick: Light and agile, stick vacuums are great for touch-ups and light, ongoing maintenance. They’re easier to store and are smaller in design than upright vacuums, but often don’t hold as much dirt or offer as much suction power. On our list, we also have a stick vacuum that doubles as a spray mop, turning it into a convenient and efficient vacuum-mop combo.
• Canister: A cross between upright and stick vacuums, canister vacuums have a slim stick and head, but the container that captures debris is at the end of a hose, so you can move the head on its own. The downside, however, is that you’re lugging around both pieces, instead of one.
• Robot: An affordable robot vacuum is still a bit of a unicorn these days, but there are some worthy choices out there. Robot vacuums have a motor that'll move them over your floor without any effort from you, but they still require ongoing maintenance and may pose challenges with obstacles, too (you don’t want to leave socks or cat toys around most).

A Closer Look at Our Favorites
Upright	Stick	Canister	Robot
Shark NV360 Navigator Deluxe	Kenmore Elite	Kenmore Compact Bagless 10701	Black+Decker RoboSeries Robot Vacuum
Hoover Complete Performance	Shark Vacmop Pro	Bissell Zing
Bissell 2252 CleanView Swivel	Levoit LVAC-200
	Dirt Devil Versa

The Best Time to Buy a Vacuum

While we’ve picked this list of vacuums mostly based on their full price (as well as their effectiveness and features), you can often find even lower prices on vacuums around the peak holidays and major shopping events, such as Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Amazon Prime Day. (Don’t forget that many competitors will match Amazon prices, too!) 

Other good times to watch for sales are long weekends (like Memorial Day or Labor Day) and ahead of gift-giving holidays (like Mother’s Day and Father’s Day). We can never quite predict what the exact discounts will be, but The Spruce keeps track of these sales for you.

How We Tested the Vacuums

We've tested over 350 vacuums in The Lab and at home since 2021. Each round of testing includes a thorough assessment of multiple categories, where we pose and answer dozens of questions about each product’s overall performance to establish a baseline of takeaways for the product category. Here’s a sampling of what those questions might be.

• Setup: How involved was the process of setting up your vacuum? How long did it take? We’ll come away with an understanding of what’s normal, as well as what vacuums are more labor-intensive to set up than their peers.
• Effectiveness: What sort of messes did the vacuum pick up? How did it handle hair, cereal, or coffee grounds? In other words, did the vacuum meet our expectations for how much and how well it can clean? 
• Noise Level: Does the noise level seem appropriate? Can you have a conversation over it? We expect some noise with any vacuum, but this is where we determine whether the noise level is reasonable for a particular model. 
• Portability and Maneuverability: Did the weight of the model make it easier or more difficult to handle? Did any specific design features, like a long cord or clever wand, improve the way you handled this vacuum? Since no one ever stays in one spot to vacuum, this set of questions allows us to assess how it feels to move the machine around, and to switch flooring types.   
• Ease of Emptying: What's emptying the dust bin like? Clearing out a vacuum can be messy, and we always ensure that there are no surprises here.
• Overall Value: Would you pay the listed price for this product? Why or why not? We want to make sure that the price matches the performance and features you're getting, and determine if each vacuum is priced fairly compared to the average price for vacuums like it as well.

Once testing is complete, we boil down the results and identify the best-performing vacuums based on our in-person experience, both at home and in the lab, and overall vacuum expertise. 

What to Do With Your Old Vacuum?

If you're buying a new vacuum to replace a broken one, we recommend recycling your old machine. Check with your regional recycling centers (the the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has helpful resources), or you can pop into a Best Buy, which will (usually!) take them.

Why Trust The Spruce?

Dena Ogden is an associate editor for The Spruce who’s been writing professionally since 2016, and with The Spruce since August 2022. She specializes in our appliances, cleaning, home tech, and organization topics, writing about vacuums, storage products, and cleaning supplies, to name a few. 

For this story, she referenced testing data from The Lab and our home testing, where we take our favorite vacuums home to see how they hold up for months. She also consulted with our editors to determine the best inexpensive and affordable vacuums based on The Spruce’s testing expertise and real experience.

Ogden has had the Bissell 2252 CleanView Swivel Upright Bagless Vacuum for years, and while she’s tested multiple other vacuums and cleaning machines, she can’t bear to part with it.

Our Experts:

• Marisa Viglione, associate editorial director at The Spruce who specializes in vacuums, washers and dryers, air purifiers, and more. 

The 5 Best Vacuums of 2025, Tested and Loved by Our Cleaning Editors