The Best Cheap Vacuums of 2016 - NerdWallet
Based on 7,882 analyzed reviews
NerdWallet Shopping’s scoring of the best affordable vacuums are based on our analysis of the opinions of experts and shoppers like you.
Picking an inexpensive vacuum isn’t easy. We researched some of the most popular models on the market to make your decision less confusing. To narrow down the field, we looked at expert opinions from review sites such as The Sweethome, CNET and Good Housekeeping. Next, we analyzed user reviews to see what shoppers were saying about the various attributes of each vacuum.
We recognize that consumers look for different qualities in vacuums, so we scored users’ observations on multiple features of top models, including their performance on carpet and hard surfaces.
These vacuums are our top picks, ranked in order of overall score.
1. Shark Navigator Freestyle SV1106 Cordless
Cordless and quiet, the Shark Navigator Freestyle SV1106 stick vac ($98) impressed reviewers with its powerful suction of dirt, dust, debris and stubborn pet hair off of both hard flooring and carpet.
Shark Navigator FreestyleSV1106
How well it cleans: 9.3
Equally good on hard flooring and carpet
Ran through a charge quickly
2. Dirt Devil BD20035Red Cordless
The lightweight, bagless, cordless Dirt Devil BD20035Red ($64.78) stick vacuum works like a dream on hard flooring and stairs, and when you’re done, the dust cup is mess-free and easy to empty.
Excellent on stairs
Neat and easy cleanup
Difficult to maneuver into tight spots
3. Eureka AS3030A
The powerful Eureka AS3030A ($99.99) upright features adjustable height settings and AirSpeed technology that reviewers praised for its ability to clean ceramic, wood and tile flooring.
Excellent job on hard flooring
Neat and easy-to-empty dust cup
Not great on stairs
4. Bissell Zing 6489
The Bissell Zing 6489 ($49.99) is a lightweight, bagless canister vac with suction you can adjust depending on the job. It cleans low-pile carpeting, upholstery, bare floors and stairs effectively.
Excellent on hard flooring and stairs
Insufficient cord length
With its lightweight design, blower port, auto shut-off, triple filtration bag system and variety of attachments, the Eureka Mighty Mite 3670G ($65.97) canister vacuum is perfect for users who value portability.
Light weight makes cleaning stairs easy
Does well on hard flooring
Did not perform well on carpets and rugs
Power cord is too short and inconvenient
Read our full Eureka Mighty Mite 3670G review
6. Bissell CleanView Onepass 9595a
Weighing in at just 15 pounds, reviewers loved the upright Bissell CleanView Onepass 9595a’s ($79) performance on carpeting and upholstery, and especially lauded the job its turbo brush tool did on stairs.
Bissell CleanView Onepass 9595a
7. Bissell Lift-off Pet 53Y81 Cordless
One of NerdWallet’s best stick vacuums, the lightweight Bissell Lift-off Pet 53Y81 ($53.25) is quiet and easy to use for smaller jobs around the house.
Bissell Lift-off pet 53Y81
Ineffective on pet hair and litter
Clogged easily
The lightweight upright Hoover WindTunnel UH70120 ($99) has a five-position adjustable height feature, WindTunnel Technology for consistent suction, a 27-foot retractable power cord, an extension wand, crevice tool, and powered hand tool to get into those hard-to-reach areas.
Fantastic for pet hair pickup
Poor performance on hard flooring
Less than helpful customer service
Read our full Hoover WindTunnel review
If you can spend up to $200 on a vacuum, consider these models as well:
The powerful upright Oreck Commercial XL2100RHS ($176.70) features a low-profile head that slides under furniture with ease, powerful suction, and a MicroSweep brush that digs in deep to make dirt disappear.
Great job on both hard flooring and stairs
Hands-free transition between surfaces
Lengthy power cord adds weight
2. Hoover WindTunnel Air UH72400
The lightweight upright Hoover WindTunnel Air UH72400 ($128) is the perfect choice for apartment dwellers with wood, tile or linoleum floors.
Impressive performance on hard flooring
3. Electrolux Ultrasilencer El6986a
The most expensive vacuum ($183.83) on our list — the cheery purple Electrolux Ultrasilencer E16986a canister vac — is quiet, lightweight and easy to clean.
Electrolux UltrasilencerEl6986a
Not great on carpets and rugs
Less-than-helpful customer service
4. Hoover WindTunnel Pet UH70935
Because of its air-powered, rubber-bladed pet hand tool, and pet upholstery brush, the powerful upright Hoover WindTunnel Pet UH70935 ($129.99) scored a spot on our top vacuums for pet owners. It also features a 10-foot hose and extension wand to help clean those hard-to-reach spots.
Extremely effective pet hair removal
Heavy weight makes it difficult to maneuver
The upright Shark NV356’s ($159.99) Turbo Brush attachment works wonders on pet hair while the powerful suction effectively cleans hard floors and carpeting.
Turbo brush eliminates pet fur
Great on carpet and rugs
Awkward to maneuver into tight spots
6. Shark NV22L
The Shark NV22L ($147.99) is a lightweight upright that cleans carpet, hardwood and stairs with ease, but also comes with a pet hair tool, an easy-clean dust cup, and a detachable hose for getting at those hard-to-reach spots.
Excellent on carpeting and stairs
The best cheap vacuums buying guide
Whether your home is covered in lush carpeting or wide wooden planks from long ago, picking the most effective vacuum for your particular needs can be a tricky proposition — especially if you want to spend less than $100. Here are some categories you should consider as you shop:
Although the Shark Navigator Freestyle SV1106 Cordless tested well on both hard flooring and carpet, most do better on one or the other. So if your house is mostly carpeted, you might want to consider an upright, like the Bissell CleanView Onepass 9595a. But if it’s all hardwood, the Bissell Zing 6489 canister vac might be the machine for you.
If your living space has ornate mouldings or lots of nooks and crannies, you might want to prioritize a model with a detachable hose, like the Hoover WindTunnel UH70120, which can easily get into small spaces. Pet owners are going to want a vac that also does a good job on fur, like the Shark Navigator Freestyle SV1106 Cordless.
You can buy the best vacuum ever made, but if you can’t lift it comfortably, it’s not going to do you much good. Uprights tend to be heavier and bulkier, so if you’re going to be carrying it up and down the stairs, you may want to opt for a stick vac, like the Shark Navigator Freestyle SV1106 Cordless. If you do go with a cordless, its battery-life is short, so weigh the pros and cons as you weigh the vacuum.
Infants, close neighbors and skittish pets are valid reasons to factor the volume of the vacuum into your decision. The Dirt Devil BD20035Red got high marks for its prowess on stairs, but users were less impressed by its noisy motor.
The benefit of a corded vacuum is you don’t have to worry about recharging it. But the downside is that your cleaning area is limited to spots with outlets, which can be inconvenient.
People who live in small homes or generally clean in short bursts may be able to get the job done with one 20-minute charge, so a cordless might make sense for them. But if you live in a larger home and prefer to get all your cleaning done in one fell swoop, a corded upright model may be better for you. The length of the cord can also be a deal breaker for some, so if that’s important, check it before you buy.
Nobody wants to make a big mess after they’ve finished cleaning, so it’s important to factor in ease of cleaning the machine when you’re making your decision. Dumpable dust cups can save you money on bags, but they’re sometimes more mess than they’re worth.
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