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Cheap Vacuum Cleaners, Best Cheap Vacuum Cleaner

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High end
$60
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$500
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In this review:
  1. Cheap Vacuum Cleaners, Best Cheap Vacuum Cleaner
  2. Bagless Vacuum Cleaners, HEPA Vacuum Cleaners
  3. Light Vacuums, Vacuum Accessories
  4. Vacuum Cleaner Reviews
  5. Vacuum Deals
  6. Discount Vacuum Cleaners Features Comparison Table
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Related Guides: Canister Vacuums, Handheld Vacuums and Robotic Vacuum Cleaners

Cheap Vacuum Cleaners Buying Guide

Shopping for cheap vacuum cleaners can be a daunting task. Upright vacuums -- the most popular by sales volume -- range in price from about $50 to $1,000, with the latter netting you a German-made Miele.

The assortment of product features is vast and includes everything from special models for pet owners to cheap lightweight vacuum cleaners for dorm rooms. The primary differences between higher-priced vacuum cleaners and cheap vacuum cleaners boil down to convenience. For example, upscale Miele upright vacuums can swivel, lay flat to reach under furniture, and come with many more attachments than cheap upright vacuums. The good news for the budget-minded consumer is that a simple yet efficient vacuum cleaner capable of picking up pet dander, pollen, dust mites, and embedded dirt in carpets and on hard-surface floors can be had for less than $150.

In the cheap vacuum cleaners segment, Bissell, Hoover, Dirt Devil, and Eureka are the top manufacturers. Each offers a variety of cheap upright vacuums at several price points within the Cheapism niche. As you start shopping, the product features to note include cleaning width (or path), power cord length, bag or bagless design, filtration, and hose length, as well as the machine's weight and ease of use.

The specs for these features vary by model and affect the cheap vacuum cleaners' efficiency and user-friendliness. A wide cleaning path is desirable because it means fewer sweeps across the floor. A longer hose affords easier access to hard-to-reach areas and a longer power cord provides greater reach overall and necessitates fewer outlet changes. A lightweight vacuum is easier to push around and haul up and down stairs, although lighter generally coincides with smaller and less powerful motors than what you find on pricier models.

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Then there's the bag versus bagless issue. Vacuum cleaners that suck dirt into a bag are generally considered more effective and less messy to deal with. A bagless vacuum saves money long term (you don't have to keep buying bags), but emptying the cup where the dirt collects can send dust flying everywhere; also, some bagless models don't pick up as many allergens as their bagged counterparts. Here is where the filtration system comes in. A budget vacuum with a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter traps 99.97% of the irritating particulates that pass through the filter; HEPA filters are especially beneficial for people who suffer from allergies and asthma. Other filtration systems also claim to capture more than 99% of the mites, allergens, and the like that are drawn into the vacuum.

With so many variables to consider, how can the frugal shopper choose the best cheap upright vacuum? In consumer reviews of discount vacuum cleaners, we noted that cleaning ability, noise, and weight are the issues that surface most frequently. Taking account of consumers' comments and the preferred feature assortment, we identified several models that qualify as best and good cheap vacuum cleaners and a couple of discount vacuums that may prove disappointing.

High on our list are the Bissell 3950 Velocity Bagless (starting at $130, Amazon), which garners much praise for its ease of use and cleaning performance. The Eureka 4870 Boss SmartVac (starting at $120, Amazon) is also a favorite because it's a powerful machine with a long cord that makes quick work of pet hair and dander. Two other models we like include the Hoover U5140-900 Tempo WidePath Bagged Upright (starting at $79, Amazon) for its overall performance and value, and the Dirt Devil M088160 Breeze Upright Bagless (starting at $48, Amazon) for its powerful motor, stretch hose, and light weight. On the other hand, you might want to avoid the Eureka Upright Vacuum Bagless 4700 (starting at $60, Amazon) and Kenmore 11 Amp Upright Vacuum 3701 (starting at $100), both of which pull in complaints about clogged hoses and build quality.

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by Raechel Conover (Google+ Profile)

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Best Cheap Vacuum Cleaners

Bissell 3950 Velocity Bagless
Gold Medal

Bissell 3950 Velocity Bagless

This upright vacuum has a cleaning path of 15 inches, on-board tools with a TurboBrush for detail work, and a bagless, two-stage cyclonic design that users praise for ease of use and cleaning performance. Read more »
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Eureka 4870 Boss Smartvac
Gold Medal

Eureka 4870 Boss Smartvac

With a 15-inch cleaning path, 30-foot power cord, and headlight, this powerful upright earns high marks from users for ease of use and cleaning power despite its hefty 21-pound weight. Read more »
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Good Inexpensive Upright Vacuums

Hoover U5140-900 Tempo Widepath Bagged Upright
Gold Medal

Hoover U5140-900 Tempo Widepath Bagged Upright

Less glamorous and feature-rich than other uprights in its price class, the TempoWidepath locks horns with competitors on power and filtration, and as the name implies, cleaning width; user reviews consistently give this budget upright a solid grade.
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Dirt Devil M088160 Breeze Upright Bagless
Gold Medal

Dirt Devil M088160 Breeze Upright Bagless

With many of the basic features of more expensive models, including a powerful 12-amp motor, stretch hose, and on-board cleaning tools, this lightweight Breeze with its 13-inch cleaning path is a solid choice for various floor types and carpets.
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Don't Bother Cheap Upright Vacuums

Euro-Pro NV30 Infinity Bagless Cyclonic

Although this upright entry in the cheap market segment is described in user reviews as stylish, the consensus is that this is a poor performer with both function and design issues.

Eureka 2996AVZ Bagless

At first blush, this bagless model has all the needed features, including a HEPA filtration system, but user reviews of economical uprights complain about weak suction.

Eureka Upright Vacuum Bagless 4700

Users complain that the Eureka Upright Bagless 4700 overheats easily and needs to cool for at least 30 minutes before vacuuming again; they also report the hose tends to clog. This model has a narrow 13-inch cleaning path wide, 25-foot power cord, and weighs 17.5 pounds.

Kenmore 11 Amp Upright Vacuum 3701

Clogging and poor suction are the main gripes consumers have with the Kenmore 11 Amp Upright 3701. This bagless vacuum weighs 19.5 pounds, includes a HEPA filtration system and eight-foot hose, and cuts a 15-inch cleaning path.

 
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