The 4 Best Cheap Vacuums Under $100 (Updated 2021)
Most people don't need an expensive vacuum cleaner. Modern machines have the power and capability to deal with pet hair, pile carpets, and hard floors at a more attractive price.
Whether you're looking for a cordless stick vacuum, bagless or handheld, our guide will help you find the best budget vacuum that will meet your needs and keep your wallet happy.
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Are Cheap Vacuums Worth the Money?
There are hundreds of cheap vacuum cleaners on the market, and unfortunately, many of them aren’t very good. They may have poor-quality build construction, low suction, lack filters, or have a host of other small annoyances.
Vacuum cleaner manufacturers have noticed this gap in the market and have developed budget vacuums that get the job done. These affordable vacuums may not have all the nifty features and accessories of their more expensive counterparts, but they still offer excellent suction to remove pet hair, dust, and other debris from your floors.
It can be incredibly tricky to find the right vacuum for your needs, especially on a budget. We've simplified the process by finding some of the best affordable vacuums on the market. Whether you're looking for an upright vacuum, a canister vacuum, or even just something to get rid of pet hair, we've compiled a list of the best affordable vacuum cleaners.
Our Best Choice
Shark Navigator Lift-Away
Offers under $175.
The Lift-Away offers three essential vacuum functions: handheld vacuum, upright stick vacuum, and stair vacuum. It's a relatively lightweight stick vacuum cleaner, making it perfect for quickly vacuuming the house while still providing enough power to remove stubborn pet hair from carpets and upholstery.
While you'll often use this vacuum in its upright mode, you can also detach the vacuum head and use it as a handheld dustbuster. The swivel head is useful, particularly if you have many awkward spaces or corners. The crevice tool can reach into small niches with ease, so you can rest assured that every part of your home is clean and dust-free.
Stick vacuums tend to be relatively cumbersome, so it's nice to see a stick vacuum that can move around with ease. The rubber hose and extension attachment make getting behind your couch very easy.
One small quibble we had with the vacuum is its limited range. The cord is quite short, so you'll be wrangling the cable around between different power points. However, if you have a small home or don't mind pausing after cleaning each space, this is one of the best cheap, budget vacuum cleaners we've seen for a while.
The Pros
- Multiple vacuum options for different uses
- Lightweight and easy to use
- The crevice tool is easy to move around, and the main head will expertly swivel into any small space
- Perfect for hardwood floors and regular clean-up jobs, and can also handle high pile carpets relatively well
The Cons
- Short power cord makes moving between rooms tricky
Best Robot Vacuum
Pure Clean Robot Vacuum Cleaner
Offers under $86.
Robot vacuums are becoming increasingly popular thanks to their hands-off functionality. Unfortunately, most reputable products start at over $1000 and finding a good budget pick is challenging.
One of the best robot vacuum cleaners in our price range of $100 or less is the Pure Clean Robot Vacuum Cleaner. It has most of the features you'd expect from a robotic cleaner, including a cliff-sensor that stops it from going over the stairs. The robot has dual rotating brushes that effectively pick up dirt and hair, and its low profile ensures that it will get under most couches, tables, and other hard-to-reach places.
One aspect where the Pure Clean shows its budget origins is its cleaning power. The robot only has a 90-minute battery life, and while it can pick dust and debris off bare floors, it struggles with carpet and other difficult-to-clean areas.
Overall, this is the best budget robot vacuum that you can get for the price. It may not be useful for intense spring cleaning, but it's perfectly adequate for regular, daily cleans. If you run it every day, you can prevent the build-up of pet hair and dirt, making it the perfect choice for short, everyday home maintenance.
The Pros
- Excellent price for a robot cleaner
- Cleans hard floors exceptionally well and has a low profile to help it reach under tables, couches, and cabinets
- Very convenient and intuitive to use
The Cons
- Low power and short working range
Best Hand Vacuum
Black and Decker Dustbuster Handheld Vacuum
Offers under $60.
Handheld vacuums are an excellent backup for your primary cleaning tool. They're convenient enough to clean up small messes without having to haul out the big guns. Depending on your cleaning style, you can even use a handheld vacuum for your regular cleaning schedule.
The Black and Decker Dustbuster is a cordless vacuum that weighs less than two pounds. The HEPA filter and large canister and dust bowl ensure that your home remains dust and dirt-free.
Our reviewer found that having the Black and Decker mounted on the kitchen wall ensured that it was within easy reach to clean up any small, annoying spills. The wide cleaning head and rubber nozzle will pick up dirt in a wide area, while the larger dust cup allows for longer times between emptying the canister.
The Black and Decker is also great for pet owners since its powerful suction is enough to handle pet hair and dander, stray kibble pieces and treats, kicked-out kitty litter, and other household dirt.
The Pros
- The lithium-ion battery recharges quickly and provides excellent run time
- The angled nozzle is perfect for getting into hard-to-reach areas that a traditional stick vacuum cleaner can't reach
- Washable dust cup and filter ensure that your is hand vacuum pristine at all times
The Cons
- Some users report problems with the runtime and faulty battery
Best Bagless Vacuum
Mighty Mite Corded Canister Vacuum Cleaner
Offers under $75.
If you live in a small space, having a canister vacuum is often more than enough to keep up with your cleaning needs. The Eureka Mighty Mite is the best cheap vacuum with excellent suction power to handle carpets, hard floors, and anything in between.
The Mighty Mite comes with seven different attachments, making it the cleaning powerhouse of canister vacuums. You can even reverse the suction to turn the cleaner into a blower, which is perfect for keeping your garage, driveway, and deck clean without clogging up the canister.
The Mighty Mite shines in small spaces, where its 20-foot cord and small size don't interfere with your cleaning routine. It's the best cheap vacuum for small apartments or homes where you don't need anything more.
If you're looking for a cheap vacuum cleaner that outcompetes many more expensive models, the Eureka Mighty Might is well worth the price.
The Pros
- Small and easy to store
- Lightweight
- Powerful motor
The Cons
- Small canister
Honorable Mention
Bissell Cleanview Upright Bagless Vacuum
Offers under $96.
If you live in a small space, having a canister vacuum is often more than enough to keep up with your cleaning needs. The Eureka Mighty Mite is the best cheap vacuum with excellent suction power to handle carpets, hard floors, and anything in between.
The Mighty Mite comes with seven different attachments, making it the cleaning powerhouse of canister vacuums. You can even reverse the suction to turn the cleaner into a blower, which is perfect for keeping your garage, driveway, and deck clean without clogging up the canister.
The Mighty Mite shines in small spaces, where its 20-foot cord and small size don't interfere with your cleaning routine. It's the best cheap vacuum for small apartments or homes where you don't need anything more.
If you love the convenience of an upright vacuum cleaner but hate the hassle of dealing with bags, the Bissell Cleanview vacuum is an excellent bagless upright option. The vacuum comes packed with high-end features common to most Bissell models, including OnePass, Scatter-Free, and the Cleanview that shows you when the vacuum is getting full.
Like most Bissell products, this vacuum has powerful suction, making it great for removing pet hair and debris. It works well on carpets, though you may need more than one pass to pick up every piece of debris.
The Cleanview Bagless Vacuum is corded and comes with a respectable 25-foot cable. The cord rewind feature works well, making packing up the cleaner a breeze. The canister tank is large enough to handle multiple sessions, which is especially useful if you a small apartment and don't want to empty the tank every time you finish a clean-up job.
We also liked the host of features and accessories you don’t typically find in budget models. The Bissel comes with an extension wand, upholstery tool, dusting brush, and crevice tool, all of which fit neatly in storage spaces on the machine's body.
The Pros
- Excellent suction power
- The large canister can hold a lot of dust and dirt
- Scatter-Free Technology keeps pieces of debris from flying away on bare floors
- A two-year warranty provides excellent peace of mind
The Cons
- ClearView tank will get dirty very quickly
Other Alternatives
One of the categories we didn't mention is the cordless stick cleaner. These vacuums have the convenience and power of a stick cleaner while eliminating the annoyance of a cable.
Traditionally, cordless, cheap vacuum cleaners lacked in power and weren’t worth the price you paid. However, modern products have good runtimes with excellent power, and more are starting to develop novel features and accessories.
As with any product, the best idea is to do your research. A Dyson cordless stick vacuum may be incredibly powerful, but is it the vacuum best for your needs? Don't be afraid to follow the links above and shop around. Let our team and site help you find the best cheap machines for you!