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

Our top pick, 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.

Pros: Powerful suction, large cleaner head, large and hygienic dust bin, comes with attachments, convenient foot controls 

Cons: A bit heavy and clunky, loud  

Bissell's Cleanview Swivel Pet Vacuum is your classic corded upright vacuum. As restrictive as the cords are on these kinds of vacuums, Bissell builds in many thoughtful design features to make up for the inconvenience. 

The large, square cleaner head has a brush roll that effectively lifts and removes small and large debris, passing all of our cleaning tests with flying colors. From whole Cheerios to fine flour, the vacuum sucked up all the particles cleanly and quickly. It worked well with pet hair as well. 

It has five settings for different floor types, which you must bend down and adjust at the top of the cleaner head. But turning on the vacuum is as easy as pressing a lever at the base with your foot. There's also a separate foot pedal to tilt the vacuum and allow it to swivel in different directions. 

The dust bin is a generous size and easy to remove by simply clicking the release button at the top. The contents empty out at the bottom so you'll have minimal or no direct contact with all the dirt and dust. The bin has a handle on top, letting you carry your vacuum downstairs or to different rooms with ease. 

For its consistent, powerful suction and easy maneuverability, the vacuum is already a great deal. Even better, it comes with a few attachments, which you affix to the 6-foot-long hose to clean upholstery or get into crevices. For these cleaning tasks, we might still prefer a cordless handheld vacuum, but it's nice to have the option here. We do love that the attachments are stored directly on the vacuum so you'll never lose them.

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.

Pros: Quiet, cleans well on all surfaces, less tiring to use because dust bin is located at base of vacuum, large dust bin 

Cons: Doesn't come with attachments, dust bin location means you can't get under low spots, a little heavy 

You won't compromise cleaning ability or price in this convenient cord-free vacuum. It picks up most small and fine particles effectively on carpet, hardwood, and tile. It has a harder time with large particles like Cheerios. 

The vacuum is on the heavier side compared to cordless competitors, but it doesn't feel like it because the dust bin is located near the cleaner head, rather than the handle. This makes vacuuming feel more comfortable and less tiring. It's also quiet and smooth as it cleans, and you can barely tell it's picking small particles up (rest assured, it is). 

As a cordless vacuum, it'd be even more convenient to use if the dust bin placement didn't obstruct access to low spaces under furniture. Unfortunately, you'll need to figure out another way to clean under your bed and couches. Another small drawback is that the power and various mode buttons are located on top of the dust bin, so you need to bend down any time you want to turn your vacuum on and off or change modes. 

Still, we loved this vacuum for its consistent and reliable cleaning ability, reasonable battery life, and quiet motor. If you don't want to spend more than $200 or you only need a basic cordless vacuum, this one will meet your needs and exceed your expectations.

Shop more of the best cordles vacuums here.

With its sub-$250 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.

Pros: Google Assistant and Alexa compatible, good performance on hardwood and carpeting, fits into tight spots, app-supported, quiet, doesn't get stuck easily

Cons: Can't set no-go zones, did a poor job of cleaning up flour on carpeting and getting into corners

The Eufy RoboVac 15C Max Robot Vacuum had the best performance of the models we tested that cost under $250. On both hardwood and carpeting, it cleaned up all of the pet hair, kitty litter, and coffee grounds we laid out. However, it had a hard time with flour, leaving behind 10% of the flour on hardwood and 40% on carpeting.

The 15C Max also had trouble in corners. On carpeting, it came within an inch of the corner, but it barely picked up any of the flour we laid out. On hardwood, it didn't get closer than 3 inches to the corner: not very good.

The Eufy robot vacuum finished its cleaning cycles an impressive 75% of the time without getting stuck. On its highest suction power, the vacuum was among the quietest we tested at 60 decibels, about as loud as normal conversation.

Setting up the vacuum only took about 10 minutes, including connecting to the app (iOS and Android.) The slim design of the Eufy 15C Max allowed it to fit under most furniture and other tight spots.

Right now, when you use the promo code "WSCPHWYH7I" at check out, you can save $60 on the 15C Max on Eufy.

Shop more of the best robot vacuums.

The Black+Decker Dustbuster Cordless Handheld Vacuum is the most affordable and best handheld vacuum we tested, performing well on carpet and hardwood and in the car.

Pros: Large dustbin for a handheld, cleaned well on all surfaces, relatively quiet operation, user-friendly, lightweight

Cons: No battery charge indicator light, short battery runtime

We tested eight models for our best handheld vacuums guide, and the Black+Decker Dustbuster Cordless Handheld Vacuum (model HHVI315JO42) was both the best budget option and best overall. 

It was one of the best at cleaning on every surface in our tests, especially hardwood. While most of the vacs struggled with flour and Cheerios, the Dustbuster was the best at picking up both of these materials.

The Dustbuster couldn't be easier to use. It only weighs about 2 pounds, is well-balanced, and operates using two buttons: an on/off button and a dustbin-release button. Once you release the dustbin, you pull out the filter to empty debris. The filter is washable in soap and warm water. 

The Black+Decker handheld vac was quieter than most of the models we tested, but it was still about as loud as a noisy restaurant. 

Shop more of the best handheld vacuums.

While there are less expensive 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.

Pros: Features a retractable cord, picked up all of the pet hair in all of our tests, powerful suction, great on hardwood

Cons: Messy debris disposal

The Bissell CleanView Swivel Rewind Pet Vacuum Cleaner (model 2254) is similar to our best corded pick, the Bissell CleanView Swivel (model 2252.) The differences are the 2254 has a retractable power cord and a pet hair corner tool for sucking up fur that's collected deep in corners.

We tested the Bissell CleanView Swivel Rewind Pet specifically for our guide to the best vacuums for pet hair, and it excelled. It picked up all of the pet hair on carpeting, hardwood, and on upholstered furniture without the brush getting tangled. 

The Bissell 2254 did especially well on hardwood, though it struggled to collect flour on every surface.

We particularly liked how easy it is to maneuver thanks to the swivel head. Using just one hand, we could move it to the spot we wanted. The retractable cord stayed out of our way as we cleaned, and we tackled messes in elevated areas effortlessly with the detachable hose. 

Unfortunately, we struggled to empty the dustbin without sending debris outside of the trash can. Make sure you position the dustbin's trapdoor mechanism within your trash can before releasing it.

Shop more of the best vacuums for pet hair.

What else we recommend and why: 

Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Cordless Hand Vacuum: We like how light and compact this handheld vac is and that it comes with crevice, upholstery, and motorized brush tools. However, it has weak suction for larger particles, messy debris disposal, and a short battery runtime. At almost half the price, we think our Black+Decker pick is just better.

Shark Navigator Lift-Away Upright Vacuum: Overall, this popular upright vacuum has solid cleaning performance and it's easy to use, but it didn't outperform the Bissell and it felt slightly heavier to handle. Its cleaning head is also smaller.

 Tineco Pure One X Smart Vacuum: We love the lightweight and smooth maneuverability of this cheap cordless vac, which somehow also manages to include all the works, including a paired app and a few attachments. If you're okay with a small dustbin and weaker carpet performance, you'll like the Tineco.

Vacuuming ability: We tested each of the vacuums against five materials (flour, ground coffee, cat litter, whole Cheerios, and dog hair) on three different surfaces (carpet/rug, hardwood, and tile). We scattered half a cup of each material on each surface — resulting in 15 tests for each vacuum — and rated each vacuum on its ability to suck up the material powerfully, cleanly, and thoroughly. Our robot vacuum testing also included corner cleaning and obstacle avoidance. If the vacuum came with attachments, we also tested the attachments on appropriate surfaces (e.g., crevice tool on furniture cushions and car seats) and rated their effectiveness. 

Battery life: If the vacuum is cordless, we used it until its battery died and compared the actual battery life to the advertised battery life. 

Comfort and ease of use: We noted the ergonomics of each vacuum: how tiring it is to hold, how easy it is to maneuver, and the effort required to activate the power button. We also noted whether it could fit under low spaces and any additional helpful features like a headlight to illuminate your cleaning path. 

Disposal method: We evaluated the cleanliness and ease of emptying the dustbin after a cleaning session. How is the bin opened? Do we have to reach inside and touch dirt and dust that didn't empty out completely? 

Storage: We noted how the vacuum breaks down into multiple parts and whether it comes with a wall mount or docking station. 

Warranty and customer service: We registered each vacuum, noted warranty terms, and spoke to customer service reps to evaluate the ease of registration and quality of service.

Not all cheap vacuums are created equal. Often, shoddy construction results in your vacuum parts or motor breaking down within months of use. Here are some features to look for in a vacuum, even if you're being budget-conscious:

Motor: The motor is the most important contributor to suction, and thus, cleaning ability. Edward Chudleigh, a former Dyson engineer of 11 years, recommends a brushless motor: "Brushless motors are very efficient and translate much more of the available power from the battery to cleaning the floor. The trouble with brushed motors is that there is more friction in the system which in turn eats some of the battery power and, amongst other things, makes the machine less efficient."

Type of brush roll: The size, placement, and type of brush on the vacuum affect how much dust is swept up, and also whether the brushes can dig into various surfaces to lift up dirt and debris. 

Type of filter: Look for HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters, which are allergy-friendly. They trap and remove at least 99.97% of dust, pollen, dirt, mold, bacteria, and other airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns. 

Battery life (if applicable): Cheaper cordless vacuums may not have as long as a battery life as more expensive competitors. You may need to charge your battery more often, or consider buying a replacement backup battery to keep on hand for longer cleaning jobs. 

Cord and hose length (if applicable): Long cords and hoses reduce the need to hunt around the house for an open outlet. The average cord length of an upright vacuum is 25-30 feet. 

Warranty: Even budget vacuums should come with at least one year of warranty on parts and labor. All our best cheap vacuum picks come with 1-3 years of warranty. Make sure to register your vacuum online to speed up the warranty process later.

HEPA: Stands for high-efficiency particulate air. A HEPA filter traps and removes at least 99.97% of dust, pollen, dirt, mold, bacteria, and other airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns and can be found in air purifiers and vacuums. 

Whole machine filtration: The entire machine is sealed to prevent unfiltered particles from escaping. All air passes through the filter before it is expelled. 

Dustbin: Where all the dust, dirt, and hair are stored as you vacuum. The dustbin should be emptied out into the trash after you're done cleaning. 

Brush roll: A cylinder with bristles located in the cleaning head that rotates and helps release dirt from carpets and rugs. The bristles of a brush roll may leave scratches on hardwood and tile, so you should turn off the brush roll if possible. Replace your brush roll when the bristles wear out (like on your toothbrush). 

Crevice tool: A long, flat attachment with an angled tip. It's good for getting into tight corners including baseboards and stairs and between couch cushions. 

Dust brush tool: A small attachment with soft bristles. It's good for blinds, windowsills, and delicate objects. 

Upholstery tool: A wide, flat attachment that allows for strong suction. It's good for furniture with fabric upholstery like mattresses, chairs, and couches.

• The best cordless vacuum cleaners
• The best robot vacuum cleaners
• The best vacuum cleaners
• The best handheld vacuums
• The best vacuums for pet hair