Look, everyone wishes they knew how to make cleaning their house easier. (Think you're an exception? Take a quick peek at this guide to germs you should be cleaning off your dirty floor). But the trick to cleaning your floors easily is as simple as having a few brilliant housecleaning tools on lock (and the best affordable vacuums are among them).
I hate to break it to you, but owning a decent vacuum cleaner is just one of those #adulting things that you have to do, much like paying rent or doing laundry once in a blue moon. What's the best starter vacuum for someone who's never had to think about cleaning before (#thanksmom)? Good question. While the best affordable vacuum cleaner prices range from $20 to a cool couple hundred, you'll typically find yourself in the clear, as long as you're snagging a vacuum cleaner with great reviews.
Imagine: No more late-night, barefoot treks to grab a glass of water only to feel your feet picking up crumbs your roommate left behind at dinner. Ahead, eight of the best vacuums for keeping your floors clean and free of super-gross stuff you'd rather not live with.
For the Occasional Vacuumer — Reach Trouble Spots Quickly With Cordless Vacuum
Black & Decker Cordless Dust Buster , $52, Amazon
Don't really see yourself vacuuming on the reg? That's fine — but you should still be equipped to clean up messes when needed. Consider this No. 1 best-selling household vacuum cleaner your best budget-friendly pal. Not only does its energy-efficient charge last up to 18 months, but because of the translucent design, you can see when you need to empty it before it becomes clogged. The suction works on carpet, tile, and furniture, and users say its floor stands recharges the vacuum unbelievably quickly.
Still Too Big? This Handheld Vacuum's More Compact
Black & Decker Dustbuster , $23, Amazon
This tiny Dustbuster gets the job done and take up much less space while doing it. Not only can you actually mount this one's charging stand on the wall to keep floorspace clear, but it comes with a brush and crevice tool for quickly and completely cleaning up after the wayward spice spill or reaching around dusty furniture. Plus, because the filter is actually washable, you ensure the suction remains powerfully strong for as long as you need it to — reviewers are saying it kicks kitty litter, old-school style.
Get Three Vacuums In One From the Best-Selling Stick Vacuum
Dirt Devil Lightweight Bagless Stick Vacuum , $19, Amazon
When you've had it with stooping over to clean up runaway pita chips, invest in what's basically categorized as an electric "sweeper" — and the No. 1 best-selling one, at that. The best part? No dusty, dirty bag to empty! This vac is cleaned by just popping open the container and pouring the contents into the trash. It's three vacuums in one (hand, utility, and stick), thanks to its different attachments, and the warranty lasts a full year. Bye-bye, crumbs!
Or Target Pet Hair With Specialized Rubber Nozzle
Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Handheld Vacuum , $26, Amazon
Still struggling to snag pet hair off the couch arm with a lint roller? This compact vac can handle tile, hardwood, carpet, and upholstery, and its rubberized nozzle is able to attract and hold on that stubborn pet hair, no matter where it is. You can switch from the rubberized attachment to the hard nozzle to clean bigger messes. One user said he's still as thrilled with the purchase two years later. He said, "The power is fantastic, the torque from the motor actually makes the vacuum jump in your hand when you flip the on switch."
Allergy-Prone? This Vacuum Captures Polluted Air Particles
VonHaus Stick & Handheld Vacuum with Sponge Filtration, $40, Amazon
If you're the type who's always wiping away a watery eye or holding back a sneeze, get the vacuum that's able to suck up the irritating air particles causing you to cough. Whereas other vacuums' filtration cycles can circulate those particles back into the air, this one's sponge filtration locks them in. The vacuum's generous 18-foot cord ensures you can go where you need to. One user said the powerful suction was "like a jet engine on a stick."
If High-Traffic Carpets Are Your Priority, This Vacuum Deep Cleans
Eureka As One Upright Vacuum, $60, Amazon
This vacuum is created with "Airspeed" technology, which basically means it's able to funnel more air to reach those tougher, deep-buried dirt clusters in the carpet. It has a 20-foot long cord for getting every inch of the room you need to without accidentally unplugging it from the wall, and the washable filters and bagless design require less maintenance than a model needing regular bag purchases and filter replacements. This vacuum's special because despite its deep-cleaning technology, it's still built to be lightweight, which means no unwieldy movements.
Hate Cleaning Filters? This One Requires Less Upkeep
Hoover Sprint QuickVac Bagless Upright, $48, Amazon
Who doesn't get grossed out by changing filters and vacuum bags? This one doesn't have a messy bag to change out, and its special multi-cylconic filter technology separates dirt particles in such a way that the filter doesn't need to be changed as often as many other models. There's a removable wand for reaching up to dusty light fixtures (up to seven feet!) or down across baseboards, and there's even a button that rewinds the cord to prevent messy tangles and tripping. Yes, please.
Be One-And-Done With the Best Seller in Upright Vacuums
Bissell 9595A Vacuum With One Pass , $79, Amazon
If you're a one-and-done shopper who's OK shelling out a few more for the security of having the same tool for years, take a close look at this one. The best-selling upright cleaner on Amazon right now, this model is guaranteed to last you and your roommates at least two full years with the manufacturer's warranty, and its innovative suction design ensures you won't be doing more than one pass across your living room carpet. It even comes with attachments for cleaning your upholstery, and an extension wand for those hard-to-reach spots.
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Images: Fotolia (1); Amazon (8)
