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We think of it as a major investment — and it can be — but there's no reason to spend an entire month's paycheck on a vacuum cleaner unless you want a luxury brand. As this list proves, the best cheap vacuums can also be highly rated and extremely effective at picking up dirt, dust, debris, and even pet hair.
Best of all, none of these well-reviewed and regarded vacuums costs more than $115 (and most are a fraction of that price). Whether you prefer a bagless vacuum cleaner, an upright model, a handheld vacuum you can use on upholstery, or one with a canister that you can carry around the house, there's something for everyone on this list. Pet owners will get a kick out of models that can actually suck up even the most stubborn, embedded cat hair (and plenty of reviewers stand by that claim), while low-profile vacuum designs allow you to get under your sofa, chairs, and other low spaces so that your house is the cleanest it has ever been.
Some of these top choices are pulled straight from Consumer Reports, which provides unbiased product reviews, while others are fan favorites on Amazon. But the one thing they all share in common: They'll save you plenty of money while delivering a top-notch cleaning experience.
1The Feather-Light Vacuum You Can Whip Up & Down Stairs
Dirt Devil Simpli-Stik Lightweight Cordless Bagless Stick Vacuum, $20, Amazon
Weighing in at less than four pounds, this incredibly lightweight cordless, bagless vacuum cleaner is the one you need if you live in a place with multi levels (or if just don't feel like straining your biceps). This stick vacuum includes a detachable hand vacuum and an onboard crevice tool that lets you reach and clean under furniture and tight spots. The rinseable filtration system means never again having to buy another vacuum bag.
2A Bagless Upright Vacuum With An Impressive Consumer Reports Score
Hoover T-Series WindTunnel Rewind Plus Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner, $110, Amazon
Many upright vacuums will cost you — and some can command prices as high as $1,000 or more. But this bagless upright vacuum cleaner by Hoover stands out because it's a Consumer Reports favorite, with a score of 65, and it's also their most affordable pick. Some great features you can expect from this vacuum include a lightweight design (it's just 16 pounds, which is super light for an upright), a set of tools that boast strong airflow, manual pile height adjustment, and the ability to suck up pet hair like nobody's business.
3A Consumer Reports Favorite Vacuum That Swerves To Clean Every Angle Of Your Room
Dirt Devil Power Swerve Pet 16V Lithium Cordless Stick Vacuum, $80, Amazon
With a Consumer Reports overall score of 63, the Dirt Devil Power Swerve is one of few very affordable cordless stick vacuum cleaners that garnered high praise from the non-biased product review source. CR determined that this low profile design vacuum, which fits easily under furniture, is very good at cleaning carpets and excellent at getting rid of pet hair. It's also extremely quiet so you can vacuum early in the morning without waking up the world.
4A Bagless Stick Vacuum That's Excellent At Cleaning Bare Floors & Edges
Bissell Featherweight 3106 Vacuum, $30, Amazon
Another Consumer Reports pick (with a score of 63), this cheap stick vacuum converts to a hand vacuum and include a crevice tool to reach crumbs and dust anywhere they roam. It's good on carpet, excellent on bare floors, and very good at cleaning around furniture and appliance edges, according to Consumer Reports. This bagless model has an easy-release dirt cup and a 16-foot power cord.
5A Lightweight Canister Vacuum That Alerts You When Its Bag Is Full
Bissell Zing Bagged Canister Vacuum, $50, Amazon
If you prefer a canister vacuum that comes with a bag, this one is an affordable option with powerful suction and the ability to convert from bare floors to carpet with the switch of a flip. It includes a telescoping wand, automatic cord rewind, and full bag indicator and is a cinch to transport from one room or floor to another.
6The Most Compact, Lightweight Canister Vacuum That Comes With A Blower Port
Eureka Mighty Mite Canister Vacuum, $60, Amazon
As far as canister vacuums go, it doesn't get much lighter than this one — the Eureka Mighty Mite weighs just nine pounds, but boasts a 12-amp motor that provides powerful suction. It comes with a crevice tool, dusting brush, and upholstery nozzle, but the features don't stop there. Its blower port can be used to blow away dirt and debris from garages and outdoor spaces, making this the perfect vacuum for both your indoor and outdoor cleaning needs.
7A Powerful Handheld Vacuum For Pet Hair
Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Handheld Vacuum, $29, Amazon
With more than 5,000 glowing customer reviews and ratings, this pet hair handheld vacuum is a winner because of features like its unique rubber nozzle, which suctions up pet hair from upholstery and stairs, and a 16-foot power cord that lets you travel freely around your home. Reviewers say it works best on furniture and rugs and gets every last strand of pet hair out of these fabrics, that the suction power is "amazing," and that it's so compact you can use it behind furniture and to clean small crevices.
8A Two-In-One Stick & Handheld Vacuum With HEPA Filtration
VonHaus 2-In-1 Corded Upright Vacuum And Handheld Vacuum Cleaner, $40, Amazon
It will be a challenge to find another full vacuum cleaner system that has as much value as this one. This two-in-one corded upright vacuum and handheld vacuum cleaner delivers 130 air watts of suction power, boasts a dust container that's simple to remove and clean, and features a HEPA and sponge filtration system that locks in allergens and bacteria — perfect for anyone who suffers from allergies. Use it on hard floors, carpets, stairs, and even upholstery — it's a multi-tasking dynamo with a 19.5-foot power cord.
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