The 5 best cheap vacuum cleaners we’ve tested on carpeting, smooth floors, and upholstery

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Nowadays, many vacuums come with bells and whistles like WiFi compatibility, advanced particle detection, and a whole army of specialized attachments. However, 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 for any type of vacuum, and all of our affordable vacuum cleaner recommendations check off those boxes. Though we use the word “cheap” throughout, we’re referring to value — the best performance and utility you can get for the least amount of money. 

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

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The best cheap vacuums in 2022

Best cheap corded vacuum: Bissell Cleanview Swivel Pet Vacuum, $118.44 at Amazon
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.

Best cheap cordless stick vacuum: Hoover OnePWR Evolve Pet Cordless Vacuum, $199 at Amazon
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.

Best cheap robot vacuum: Eufy RoboVac 15C Max Robot Vacuum, $189.99 at Amazon
With its sub-$200 price, the Eufy RoboVac 15C Max Robot Vacuum offers an impressive suite of features, including smart connectivity, and performs well picking up most debris on carpeting and hardwood flooring.

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 tested, performing well on carpet and 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 out there, the Bissell CleanView Swivel Rewind Pet Vacuum Cleaner is the most affordable vacuum that still does an outstanding job of collecting pet hair.