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Clean your floors on a budget with the best vacuums under $130
In recent years, it seems like higher-end and expensive brands like Dyson and Roomba have dominated the vacuum market. But believe it or not, it is still possible to find a decent vacuum at an affordable price. In fact, there are quite a few reliable vacuums on the market for less than $130 -- including every option in this guide.
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ZDNET Recommends
Whether you're looking for a stick vacuum, a handheld model, or an upright vacuum, there are plenty of budget-friendly options to consider. There are also cheap vacuums specifically for pet hair in case your dog or cat sheds all over your house.
Below, you'll find a roundup of the best cheap vacuums from leading brands like Bissell, Dirt Devil, and Black and Decker.
Also:
- Extra-large dust cup
- Includes washable filter
- Heavier than other cheap vacuums
- Height handle not adjustable
Features: Weight: 7.7lbs | Cleaning path: 10.5 inches wide | Filter: Washable
The Eureka AirSpeed Ultra-Lightweight Vacuum is a truly impressive vacuum for the price. Even though it's designed with the power and suction of an upright vacuum, it's compact and lightweight enough to compete with stick vacuums as well.
One of the Eureka AirSpeed Ultra-Lightweight Vacuum highlights is its detachable handle. When you separate the handle from the vacuum's body, you can extend the vacuum's reach to clean ceilings, ducts, and bookshelves. And with additional built-in tools (crevice tool and dusting brush), you can tackle even more cleaning tasks.
This Eureka vacuum would be an excellent option for budget-conscious shoppers, including anyone in college or in a small apartment. It would also be a good vacuum for dog or cat owners who clean up pet hair often.
- Handheld and stick vacuum
- Includes attachments for different types of cleaning
- Small dust cup
- Must be plugged in during use
Features: Weight: 2.75lbs | Cord length: 16.5ft | Cleaning path: 9.7 inches
The Eureka Lightweight Stick Vacuum Cleaner is a solid choice if you're looking for a compact vacuum for basic cleaning. It weighs less than three pounds and has swivel steering, making it easy to vacuum around corners or furniture.
One of the greatest features of the Eureka Lightweight Stick Vacuum Cleaner is its three-in-one functionality. You can use it in the upright position, which is ideal for carpeted rooms or hardwood floors. Or, you can remove the stick and use it as a handheld vacuum to fit into smaller spaces, like car seats or stairs.
Right now, you can find this Eureka vacuum on Amazon for less than $40. It delivers good value for the money thanks to its versatility, but it's worth mentioning that it needs to be plugged for us (even as a handheld vacuum).
- Extremely lightweight
- Excellent price point (less than $35)
- Limited power
- Not cordless
Features: Weight: 3lbs | Color: 4 options | Cord length: 15ft
If you're looking for a cheap, easy-to-use vacuum, check out the Bissell Featherweight Stick Lightweight Bagless Vacuum. With its simple design and affordable price tag, it's not hard to see why this Bissell product is one of the best-selling vacuums on Amazon.
The Bissell Featherweight easily converts from a stick vacuum into two other positions like the Eureka vacuum. You can use the crevice tool as a hand vacuum for furniture, corners, and car floors by attaching the crevice tool. Or, you can attach the floor nozzle to the hand vacuum and use it as a stair vacuum.
The Bissell Featherweight has more than 64,000 customer reviews. The basic model is blue, but it's also available in black, purple, and green if you prefer a bit more color.
- Designed to reduce suction loss
- High vertical reach
- Bulky
- More moving parts than a stick vacuum
Features: Weight: 9lbs | Cleaning path: 11 inches | Bonus: 2-in-1 dusting brush and crevice tool
If you're looking for a classic upright-style vacuum, add the Dirt Devil Endura Reach to your list. It's the starter model in the company's budget-friendly Endura line and does a fantastic job on carpet, hardwood floors, tile, and other surfaces.
This vacuum is built with Dirt Devil's patented Endura Filtration System, which promises powerful performance and minimal suction loss. The Dirt Devil Endura Reach also comes with a 1.5-liter dirt cup, which is much more than you'll get with a stick vacuum. When you need to clean high or hard-to-reach spots, you can pull out the Quick Release Wand, which gives you up to 10 feet of overhead reach.
- Cordless
- Includes bonus attachments for various cleaning jobs
- Battery life
- Not the best option for large areas
Features: Weight: 2.6lbs | Cleaning path: Spins 180° | Power: 16V Cordless Lithium
In contrast to the other cheap vacuums we've highlighted, the Black and Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean is best-suited for small cleaning jobs. Its handheld, cordless design makes it perfect for vacuuming your car or cleaning up bits of dirt and debris around the house.
The Black and Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean can be used in tight spaces and across different surfaces thanks to the crevice and brush tools and the rotating nozzle. It comes with a transparent dirt cup, so you can quickly see how full it is and know when it's time to empty.
It's worth considering if you want a cheap vacuum for your car or kitchen, but it won't be the best option for whole-house cleaning.
- Cordless
- Both a stick vacuum and a handheld vacuum in one
- LED-lit cleaning path
- Run time is low
- No HEPA Filter
Features: Weight: 6lbs | Cleaning path: 9 inches | Filter: 16.9oz
If you opt spend a little more than our other picks, you get a 2-in-1 vacuum that is cordless for just $130. This vacuum is part stick vacuum, part handheld vacuum, depending on what spots need vacuuming.
It also has two speeds so that you can quickly pick up messes on hard floors and carpets. Plus, LED lighting illuminates the 9-inch cleaning path, so you can vacuum in dimmer environments if needed.
One thing to keep in mind that this vacuum only lasts 30 minutes on a single charge, and it'll take you about five hours to charge.
What is the best cheap vacuum?
The best cheap vacuum is the Eureka Airspeed Ultra-Lightweight Compact Bagless Upright. It has great power and suction at an affordable price, and even does the best with pet hair!
Vacuum | Price | Weight |
Eureka Airspeed Ultra-Lightweight Compact Bagless Upright Vacuum | $55 | 7.7lbs |
Eureka Lightweight Stick Vacuum Cleaner | $34 | 2.75lbs |
Bissell Featherweight Stick Lightweight Bagless Vacuum | $34 | 3lbs |
Dirt Devil Endura Reach | $55 | 9lbs |
Black and Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean | $59 | 2.6lbs |
Black and Decker Powerseries 2-in-1 | $130 | 6lbs |
Which cheap vacuum is right for you?
With so many options to consider, it may be hard to determine which cheap vacuum is best for you. Here are some helpful hints to guide your decision-making process.
If you're looking for the cheapest possible option, consider the Bissell Featherweight Stick Lightweight Bagless Vacuum. It's a highly-rated vacuum that you can use for all types of indoor cleaning -- and it costs less than $35.
If you want a versatile vacuum that can be used in multiple ways, check out the Eureka Lightweight Stick Vacuum Cleaner or the Dirt Devil Endura Reach Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner. Each of these vacuums can be re-configured to clean specific areas (like stairs or high shelves), giving you the most value for your money.
If you need a cheap portable vacuum, look into the Black and Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean Cordless Handheld Vacuum. Its compact size and cordless design are great for vacuuming your car or other small spaces.
Here is another useful decision tree chart you can refer to for help:
Choose this cheap vacuum... | If you want... |
Eureka Airspeed Ultra-Lightweight Compact Bagless Upright Vacuum | The best overall option |
Eureka Lightweight Stick Vacuum Cleaner | Both an upright and handheld vacuum |
Bissell Featherweight Stick Lightweight Bagless Vacuum | A super budget-friendly vacuum |
Dirt Devil Endura Reach | A vacuum with excellent filtration |
Black and Decker Dustbuster AdvancedClean | A portable, handheld vacuum |
Black and Decker Powerseries 2-in-1 | A slightly pricier cordless vacuum |
How did we choose these cheap vacuums?
There are plenty of budget-friendly vacuum cleaners on the market, but many of them are disappointing.
To find the best cheap vacuums for this list, we evaluated several criteria, including:
- Price: Of course, price is the most important factor when shopping for a cheap vacuum. We made sure that all of the products on this list cost less than $100. Several of them are even under $50.
- Design: Stick vacuums are probably the most popular type of cheap vacuum, but there are other designs as well (including upright and handheld vacuums). We know that every buyer has different preferences, so we aimed to include a variety of vacuum types and styles in this guide.
- Bonus features: When you buy a cheap vacuum, you can't expect all of the fancy features that you'll get with a higher-end model. However, some affordable vacuums have surprisingly good bonus features, such as LED headlights, advanced filtration systems, and high-powered motors. While these extras aren't necessary, they added extra points in our review process.
- Customer reviews: Every product on our list received excellent online reviews. At the time of publication, each cheap vacuum listed above has earned at least 4.3 out of 5 stars on Amazon, based on thousands of ratings.
What's the cheapest type of vacuum?
Generally speaking, stick vacuums are the cheapest type of vacuum on the market (and on this list). However, you can find other types of vacuums (such as handheld, upright, and canister models) at reasonable prices as well.
What is a good cheap vacuum for pet hair?
Our top pick, the Eureka Airspeed Ultra-Lightweight Compact Bagless Upright vacuum, is great for pet hair since it has a wide cleaning path and incredible suction.
Should I buy a cheap vacuum?
You may get more long-term value out of a more expensive vacuum, but if you're on a strict budget, there's nothing wrong with purchasing a cheap vacuum -- just make sure to do your research beforehand, so you don't waste your money on a bad product.
If you need some guidance, check out the products above. Each one was carefully chosen to help budget-conscious shoppers find the best vacuum for their needs.
Are stick or upright vacuums better?
It depends on how you plan on using your vacuum. All of the stick vacuums featured in our list are designed to convert into handheld vacuums, which are ideal for cleaning stairs and small spaces near the floor.
On the other hand, the upright vacuums that we chose have longer handles so you can reach higher areas (like bookshelves). In general, upright vacuums also have larger dust cups and more powerful motors.
How long does a vacuum filter last?
It's recommended that you clean/replace your filter every three-six months. Thoroughly cleaning your filter means taking it out and washing it in mild detergent and rinsing it.
Also, be sure to let the filter dry completely before your next vacuum session, as a damp filter won't work as well as a dry one.
Are there alternative cheap vacuums worth considering?
We wanted to include a range of price points, vacuum types, and bonus features in our best cheap vacuums list, which is why the products listed above made the final cut. However, there were some excellent honorable mentions, including: