The best cheap vacuums are what you need if you want to keep your home clean but don't have a huge budget, and we've picked out the leading options for you. Our expert reviewers have tested all manner of vacuums across multiple price points – budget (under £200 / $250), mid-range (£200-£400 / $250-$500), and premium (over £400 / $500) – and in this guide, we'll focus on the budget bracket, with some options extending into the lower mid-range category.
Our reviewers have tested all the vacuum cleaners on this list extensively, putting them through a series of standardized tests in a range of environments to see how they perform. We don't just focus on technical specs but find out what they're like to use in practice: how easy they are to lug up stairs, what kind of debris they get stuck on, how long the cord stretches and so on.
We've used all this experience to draw up a comprehensive list of the best cheap vacuum cleaners on the market right now. Our selections include some of the best vacuum cleaner options for those on a tight budget, including some that compare well to even the best cordless vacuum cleaners.
The best cheap vacuum overall
The Dreame R20 is hands-down our favorite budget-friendly vacuum, offering excellent performance and features for an extremely reasonable price. Officially, it's $449.99 / £279, but discounts are very common and you should be able to pick it up for closer to $220 / £240 – not ultra-budget, but affordable and outstanding value for money.
This vacuum is lightweight, compact, and very easy to maneuver. It aced our suction tests, offering strong pickup on both hard floors and carpet – in fact, it managed to suck flour from the cracks between wooden floorboards, as well as clearing large volumes of dog hair from a rug (we rate this amongst the best vacuums for pet hair). Those with delicate wooden floors will appreciate the extra, soft floorhead designed specifically to clean and buff hard floors without risking scratches.
Unusually at this price point, there's dust detection included, and the vacuum will automatically raise or lower its suction depending on how dirty the floor is. That means an effective clean without wasting battery. Speaking of which: the R20 offers incredibly long runtimes of up to 90 minutes on a single charge, plus speedy recharging.
The trigger is a little sensitive, and easy to accidentally press. However, we're pleased to see a lock for continuous running, and an air intake slider on the floorhead for times when the vacuum becomes too hard to push. Otherwise, a slightly annoying whiney running noise is the only complaint we can really level at this vacuum.
Dreame (pronounced 'Dreamy') is a sub-brand of the Xiaomi empire and while it's a relatively new player in the appliances space, we've been extremely impressed with almost all of the products we've tested so far, so it's definitely one to watch.
Read our full Dreame R20 vacuum review
The best cheap corded vacuum
If you can handle a cord, you'll almost always end up with more suction compared with going cordless – and you'll often save money too. The best cheap corded vacuum we've tested is the Shark Stratos Corded stick vacuum cleaner. At list price it's $299.99, but it's often reduced, dropping closer to $180).
This specific model isn't available in the UK, but the HZ500UKT is very similar and also very budget-friendly, coming in around £160.
On test, the Stratos Corded offers powerful suction on both hard floors and carpets, including edges and corners. Like most cordless vacuums, it boasts a modular design that can handle a range of cleaning tasks, from pulling pet hair off upholstery to sucking cobwebs from the ceiling, as well as larger debris. At 10m / 33ft, the cord is long enough that you shouldn't feel too tethered to the wall.
This model also boasts an odor neutralizer technology that might seem like a gimmick, but which we found really does leave floors and carpets smelling fresh after use. Other highlights include LED headlights for better visibility in dingy corners, and an anti-hair wrap floorhead.
Overall, the Shark Stratos Corded stick vacuum is a strong choice for anyone who has tougher cleaning needs – it's definitely worth considering if you have lots of carpet, or a hairy pet.
Read our full Shark Stratos Corded stick vacuum review
The best cheap Dyson vacuum
Update: There's an updated version of this vacuum on its way, called the Dyson V8 Cyclone. It boasts more suction and longer runtimes, and might be worth holding out for rather than buying the older version.
Okay, it's not cheap, but if you have your heart set on a Dyson, this is the lowest-priced option. It's not up there with the latest and greatest models, but it's still a very capable cleaner, offering good suction and excellent maneuverability.
The V8 has two power modes, Standard and Max, controlled by a toggle switch. Our reviewer found the vacuum to be lightweight and versatile – like many of the models on this list, you can use it as a floor vacuum, or remove the wand to turn it into a handheld.
While you will sacrifice some of the fancier features of today's very best Dyson vacuums – there's no automatic suction adjustment, LCD info screen or laser floor illumination – it's still an excellent cleaner. You're still getting that high Dyson quality, meticulous engineering and well-designed accessories for different cleaning tasks. The design is functional and user-friendly, with an extremely easy-to-maneuver floorhead.
Buying notes
If you're after a budget Dyson, there are a couple of other options worth knowing about. The model up from this one is the Dyson V11. It's all-round a better vacuum than the V8, and like that model, also attracts semi-regular discounts. See exactly how the two compare in our Dyson V8 vs V11 article. It's worth checking around to see how much V11 costs before buying a V8.
Read our full Dyson V8 review
The best ultra-budget vacuum
If you're on a really tight budget and have a home that's mostly hard floors with the occasional rug, the Ultenic U16 is well worth a look. It's the cheapest of the bunch (deals-depending) and offers good performance for that low, low price.
While the build quality isn't the highest, the design is ergonomic and lightweight, there's a generously sized bin, and a space-age style screen to provide info. Ultenic has added bright green headlights to the floorhead that, while nothing like as effective as Dyson's version, still do a good job of highlighting dirt that might otherwise be missed. Our tester was also a fan of the wand, which can be released to bend forwards for cleaning under furniture.
The U16 switches on and off with a button rather than a trigger, which means so sore finger if you're cleaning for longer periods. Speaking of which, Ultenic promises an hour of cleaning per charge – our reviewer managed 54 minutes, which is still very impressive, and especially at this price point.
The suction is plenty good enough for hard floors but not powerful enough for carpet. To effectively clean carpeted floors, you'll need to unleash Turbo mode, which will sap the battery in double-quick time.
Read our full Ultenic U16 Flex review
Alternatives to consider in the US
The Detect Pro is nimble, lightweight, and boasts a bunch of useful automation functions. The suction is very good and there's an optional auto-empty dock if you want to splash out. You can often pick one up for around $250.
Read the full Shark Detect Pro review
The U20 is another affordable but highly capable vacuum from Dreame. Our tester found it handled all kinds of messes extremely well, and was especially great at handling pet hair. It also comes with a good range of detail tools.
Read our full Dreame U20 review
This ultra-budget vacuum is regularly discounted to around $160, and delivers decent bang for buck. It offers good suction on hard floors, is easy to drive around, and can stand up on its own when not in use. Avoid if you have carpets, though.
Read our full Levoit LVAC-200 review
Alternatives to consider in the UK
The Henry Quick delivers strong power and flexible suction, and while dust bags might feel old-school, they mean no more messy emptying and are good news for allergy sufferers.
Read our full Henry Quick review
This budget-friendly Shark vacuum delivers decent suction for quieter households with mostly hard floors. It's straightforward to use, and easy to store, thanks to a freestanding design.
Read our full Shark Anti Hair Wrap IZ202UK review
How to choose the best cheap vacuum
Choosing the best cheap vacuum is all about finding the right balance between price, power and features that suits you best. There are a number of factors to take into account.
The first and probably most important is suction power. Even at lower price points, it's possible to find models with powerful motors so don't settle if you don't have to. Secondly, ensure the vacuum has a decent filtration system. HEPA filters are ideal for trapping allergens, but may increase the overall running cost.
Thirdly, consider versatility. If your house has both carpets and hard floors, look for vacuums that can handle both effectively. Fourthly, pay attention to attachments. Even budget vacuums should include basic tools like crevice nozzles and upholstery brushes for versatile cleaning.
Furthermore, you'll need to make a fundamental choice between corded and cordless models. The former often provide more power for less money, while the latter offers convenience at a higher price. Another decision is bagged vs. bagless. Bagless models save on replacement costs but may require more frequent emptying and maintenance; learn more about the disadvantages of bagless vacuum cleaners. Finally, you'll need to decide on a balance between weight and maneuverability. Choose a vacuum you can comfortably handle, especially if you have stairs or mobility issues.
How we test vacuum cleaners
To test vacuum cleaners, we get hands-on to ensure that the promises made by manufacturers live up to the reality. We evaluate performance on various floor types using fine dust, dirt, and larger items like crumbs and cereal. We assess ease of movement on both carpet and hard floors, and check if dust pickup is even across the cleaning head or concentrated in one area.
When we review vacuums, we also take account how simple it is to empty the vacuum and convert it to different modes, how quiet or noisy they are, and for cordless models, we time battery life. We pay attention to included tools and attachments, and assess how intuitive each vacuum is to use without extensive reading of the manual (which let's face it, none of us has time for).
Read more about how we test vacuum cleaners.
FAQs
How long do cheap vacuum cleaners last?
The lifespan of cheap vacuum cleaners varies greatly, but typically ranges from two to five years with good maintenance. Some budget brands offer decent warranties, which can be a good indicator of how long they're expected to last. Bear in mind, too that corded vacuums typically last much longer than cordless ones.
Factors affecting longevity include how well they're built, how often you use them, and how well you maintain them. To make even a cheap vacuum last for years, be sure to empty the dust container or replace bags regularly, clean or replace filters as recommended, and check for clogs or worn parts.
Read more about how long vacuum cleaners should last.
Will a cheap cordless vacuum be any good?
Even a cheap cordless stick vacuum can be worth using, but this type of vacuum cleaner does come with trade-offs. They offer great convenience and are ideal for quick clean-ups and homes with limited storage. However, cheaper models often have a relatively short battery life and less powerful suction compared to corded alternatives. So if you need a vacuum for heavy-duty cleaning or have a larger home, a corded model in the same price range will probably offer better value overall.
What's the difference between a bagged and bagless vacuum cleaner?
Bagged vacuums collect debris in disposable bags , while bagless models use a removable dust cup. The former typically offer better filtration and are better for allergy sufferers, as emptying is less messy. They're also more convenient, as they require less frequent emptying. On the flipside, bagless vacuums are more environmentally friendly and cost-effective long-term, as there's no need to buy bags. However, they may release more dust when emptying and require more frequent filter cleaning. In cheaper models, bagless designs are often more common due to their lower manufacturing costs.
