Best Vacuum Cleaners


Vacuum cleaners are one of those ho-hum appliances found in almost every home. An effective and reliable vacuum is essential for suctioning up the dirt, dust, and debris that settle onto floors and upholstery on a never-ending basis. There are plenty of types to choose among -- upright, canister, stick, handheld, even robotic. We cover the latter two styles in separate guides, but we picked through the rest of the offerings, both bagged and bagless, and read scores of reviews to glean the best vacuum cleaners under $150.


See full Buying Guide

Our Top Pick

Bissell CleanView With OnePass 9595A
Our Picks
Bissell CleanView With OnePass 9595A


Best Upright Vacuum Under $100


Pros:

  • 12-amp motor delivers strong suction that conquers pet hair, experts and users say, with particularly impressive performance on bare floors.
  • 5 height settings; brushes and suction on the sides for cleaning along baseboards.
  • 6-foot hose, TurboBrush, crevice tool, dusting brush, and extension wand.
  • HEPA and washable foam filters.
  • 25-foot cord.
  • 2.2-liter dust cup.


Cons:

  • Less effective at pulling up embedded dirt from carpets in expert testing.
  • No suction control.
  • Scattered complaints about excessive noise, dust leaking out of the exhaust, or a chintzy build.


Takeaway: Tried and true, this Bissell upright vacuum exceeds thousands of users' expectations, according to reviews. It deftly handles jobs often left for heavier-duty machines, like picking up pet hair. Its strong suit seems to be hardwood and other bare surfaces, but this vacuum acquits itself nicely on carpets and rugs, as well. Users appreciate the five height settings, long 25-foot cord, large dirt cup, accessories, and value price.

Bissell Zing 2156A


Best Canister Vacuum Under $100


Pros:

  • Very strong suction works equally well on bare floors, rugs, and upholstery, according to reviews.
  • Variable suction control; bare floor and carpet settings; automatic height adjustment.
  • Combination crevice tool/dusting brush and extension wand.
  • 2-liter dirt cup.
  • 3-stage filtration.
  • Automatic cord rewind.
  • Lightweight, at 10.23 pounds.
  • "Best Bang for the Buck" among canister vacuums in BestReviews' comparison.


Cons:

  • Accessories don't always stay attached, users report, and there's no onboard storage.
  • Debris may collect near the top of the dust cup, requiring frequent dumping.
  • Scattered griping about weak suction from the 9-amp motor.
  • 16-foot cord and 4-foot-8-inch hose are relatively short.


Takeaway: The full-featured Bissell Zing bagless canister vacuum surprises many reviewers with its all-around usefulness. Many report having bought this lightweight model for light duty in the car and quick touch-ups on floors but set it to work on more challenging tasks, with good results. At a little over 10 pounds and fitted with a carrying handle, the vacuum is easy to cart around.

Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV352


Best Combination Upright/Canister Vacuum Under $150


Pros:

  • "Lift-Away" design turns the vacuum from an upright into a canister.
  • Strong suction picks up pet hair and penetrates carpet, users report; some say it outperforms high-end models.
  • Wide pet upholstery tool, dusting brush, and 24- and 5.5-inch crevice tools; on-board tool holder; accessory bag.
  • Swivel steering.
  • On/off switch for the brush roll.
  • Sealed anti-allergen system with a HEPA filter.
  • 2.84-liter, bottom-empty dust cup.
  • 12.5 pounds; the canister alone weighs 7.5 pounds.
  • 5-year warranty.
  • Wirecutter's pick.


Cons:

  • Some complaints about the unit tipping over.
  • Scattered reports of small plastic pieces breaking.


Takeaway: The Shark Navigator Lift-Away earns extra points for versatility, with its removable canister. Many users say the swivel steering helps it maneuver well around furniture and into corners while the canister is handy for spot cleanups and stairs. Only a bit of grumbling about a narrow cleaning path and an awkward, top-heavy design dampen otherwise laudatory reviews, which also highlight the array of practical accessories and fair price.

Dirt Devil Featherlite Cyclonic SD40120

Dirt Devil Featherlite Cyclonic SD40120 Review


Good Cheap Bagless Canister Vacuum


Pros:

  • Compact but does the job adequately, many reviewers say, especially on bare floors, small area rugs, and car interiors.
  • Variable suction control.
  • Swivel steering.
  • Crevice/brush tool and telescoping wand.
  • Automatic cord rewind.
  • Lightweight, at 10.2 pounds.
  • Rinsable HEPA filter.


Cons:

  • No rotating brush roll for carpet cleaning.
  • Some grousing in reviews about insufficient suction from the 8-amp motor.
  • Some complaints about the vacuum tipping over when pulled.
  • Tiny 0.6-liter dirt cup.
  • Relatively short 16-foot cord.


Takeaway: For the most part, users like the inexpensive Dirt Devil Featherlite Cyclonic. It's easy to maneuver and carry around, and a 5-foot hose, telescopic wand, and dusting/crevice tool extend its reach into high and tight spaces. Seniors and users with small homes are well pleased with this model, noting user-friendly qualities such as the compact size, bagless design, rinsable filter, and good pickup.

Eureka Mighty Mite 3670G


Good Cheap Bagged Canister Vacuum


Pros:

  • Easily cleans bare floors and outdoor spaces, according to most user reviews.
  • Blower port makes it ideal for decks, patios, and garages.
  • Crevice tool and dusting brush; onboard tool storage.
  • Lightweight, at less than 9 pounds.


Cons:

  • Some complaints about poor build quality and crimping in the hose.
  • Scattered gripes about loud noise.
  • Disappointing power from the 12-amp motor, some users say.


Takeaway: Marketed as the canister vac for bare floors, whether indoors or out, this model might be of limited use to people with lots of carpeting in their homes. Some reviewers caution that the floor nozzle just can't handle the pile on a rug, but most users are quite pleased with the oomph of the Eureka 3670G Mighty Mite canister vacuum. They say it's user-friendly and more than adequate for many cleaning tasks. Many also appreciate that it uses bags to keep dirt contained and avoids the potentially messy task of emptying a dust cup.

Hoover WindTunnel 2 Whole House Rewind UH71250


Good Cheap Upright Vacuum


Pros:

  • Pulls up pet hair, light debris, and hidden dirt from carpets with ease, according to reviews.
  • 12 amps and 2 channels of suction.
  • Allergen-blocking technology with a rinsable HEPA filter and odor-absorbing carbon filter.
  • Multi-floor brush roll with an on/off pedal.
  • 5-setting height adjustment.
  • Stretch hose, pet turbo tool, pivoting dusting brush, and crevice tool; onboard tool storage.
  • 25-foot cord with auto rewind.
  • 3-year warranty.


Cons:

  • Disappointment with the upholstery tool among some reviewers.
  • Some complaints about overheating.
  • Some desire for a longer cord or a larger dirt cup (1.29-liter capacity).
  • Heavier than other top picks, at 16.1 pounds.


Takeaway: Users laud the features on this Hoover WindTunnel vacuum, particularly the retractable cord, height adjustment, easy-to-change attachments, and easy-to-empty canister. They likewise commend the results, with several noting that carpets look much cleaner -- new, even -- after a once-over. This versatile vacuum provides a good balance between performance and price.

Hoover WindTunnel 3 Pro Pet UH70930


Pros:

  • 12 amps and 3 channels of suction do the trick for pet hair and general debris, some users say.
  • Washable HEPA filter.
  • 5-position height adjustment; multi-floor brush roll with on/off switch.
  • Pet turbo tool, crevice tool, pet upholstery tool, and telescoping extension wand.
  • Long 10-foot hose and 27-foot cord with auto rewind.
  • 1.36-liter dirt cup is a snap to empty, users say.


Cons:

  • Lots of complaints about performance and durability.
  • On the heavy side, at about 17 pounds.
  • Average rating of 2.5 out of 5 stars from more than 250 reviewers on Target.com.
  • Average of just 3.1 stars from more than 650 reviewers on Hoover.com.


Takeaway: The Hoover WindTunnel 3 Pro Pet Upright (model UH70930) comes loaded with pet-specific tools, but that's not enough to allay users' disappointment. Reviews harp on poor reliability, citing mishaps such as overheating, clogging, turbo tools that quit agitating, and generally weak performance. Other vacuums -- including specialized models aimed at pet owners -- cost less and give users less to lament.

Dirt Devil Jaguar UD70230


Pros:

  • Suctions up pet hair as promised, some reviewers say.
  • Rinsable HEPA filter with carbon odor management.
  • 5-level height adjustment.
  • Long 25-foot cord and 8-foot hose.


Cons:

  • Complaints from users about weak performance and components.
  • Many reviews call the longevity into question, and the 1-year warranty is relatively short.
  • Of the nearly 130 customers who have reviewed this model on the manufacturer's website, two-thirds give it a negative rating (1 or 2 stars).
  • Lackluster average of 3.3 out of 5 stars from nearly 160 reviewers on Amazon.


Takeaway: Problems abound with the Dirt Devil Jaguar UD70230 Pet Upright Vacuum, according to a majority of reviews. Users bemoan a hose that doesn't stay connected, turbo pet tools that don't rotate, filters that clog, and a motor that cuts out. Some of the critical reports were even posted by users who received this vacuum as part of a promotion. It includes pet-specific, electrostatic attachments with agitating motion, and boasts a very frugal price, but the weight of negative reviews suggest bypassing this model.

Buying Guide

Choosing a Vacuum Cleaner

Vacuum cleaners are one of those ho-hum appliances found in almost every home. An effective and reliable vacuum is essential for suctioning up the dirt, dust, and debris that settle onto floors and upholstery on a never-ending basis. There are plenty of types to choose among -- upright, canister, stick, handheld, even robotic. We cover the latter two styles in separate guides, but we picked through the rest of the offerings, both bagged and bagless, and read scores of reviews to glean the best vacuum cleaners under $150.


The type of vacuum to choose ultimately depends on personal preference, as well as on the home to be cleaned: Are most floors carpeted or bare? Are there lots of steps and draperies or blinds? Do you have children or pets? What about the ergonomics of an upright versus a canister model, with the vacuum head on the end of a hose? Is portability critical? Where will the vacuum be stored? Each type of vacuum cleaner has its pros and cons.


Upright Vacuums

Uprights are the more common, and traditional, type of vacuum cleaner. They're generally considered the go-to household appliance for heavier cleaning, like ridding deep-pile carpets of embedded dirt and pulling up mounds of pet hair. As the name implies, there's no bending over when operating these machines and the push-pull motion isn't too taxing. The wide cleaning path -- usually 13 to 14 inches -- requires fewer "sweeps" across the floor or carpet to cover a large area. The main drawback of uprights: They can be hard to maneuver into corners and under furniture owing to the wide and thick head.


Canister Vacuums

Canister vacuums are quite versatile. A hose serves as the conduit between dirt and machine and connects to an array of attachments. Canisters are compact and lighter than uprights, easier to carry around, and better suited for stairs. They're also a tad quieter. On the downside, users may need to bend over slightly while cleaning and must pull the vacuum from behind, a setup that's perhaps less comfortable and opens the possibility of dinging furniture or walls. The nozzle attachments also tend to cover less territory than an upright vacuum. However, the narrower nozzles on canister models -- usually around 10 inches -- are easier to maneuver in smaller rooms, around furniture, and into corners.


Stick Vacuums

A subset of the upright segment, stick vacuums are bagless, sometimes cordless, and lighter than uprights and canisters. They're engineered for small jobs, like daily sweeps of tile or hardwood floors, quick once-overs for area rugs, or simple cleanup behind shedding pets or messy kids. Some stick models are combo units featuring a detachable handheld powered component. Users swear by the convenience and ease of use, although they gripe about batteries that run out of juice quickly, often in 15 minutes or less.


Bagged vs. Bagless Vacuums

As with the choice between canister and upright, the decision to go bagged or bagless is personal. One difference is that the dirt cup in a bagless vacuum must be emptied and cleaned frequently, preferably after each use. Some users consider this a grubby chore. A closed bag provides a layer of protection against escaping dust and dirt, which may irritate allergy sufferers. Still, many like the simplicity of dumping the contents of the dust cup into the garbage compared with opening the vacuum to remove the bag and always keeping replacements on hand. Some experts are partial to bagged vacuums, saying they do a better job deep-cleaning carpets and rugs than bagless models do. Proponents of the bagless variety counter that bagged vacuums incur ongoing cost and are less eco-friendly because of the endless stream of used bags going into landfills.


Pricey vs. Cheap Vacuums

The market for cheap vacuum cleaners is filled by well-known brand names such as Bissell, Hoover, Dirt Devil, Eureka, Shark, and Black & Decker. Oreck occupies a middle ground in terms of price, along with models from some of the manufacturers previously mentioned. Popular high-end labels, some bearing price tags of $1,000 or more, include Dyson, Miele, and Kirby. Upscale models generally outflank less costly vacuums with more powerful suction, more robust technology, more complex air filtration systems, and more features and accessories. They do a better job cleaning carpets with deep pile and picking up debris with less scatter. Still, the best cheap vacuums get the job done more than adequately, though perhaps not to white-glove standards.


Vacuum Cleaner Reviews: What We Considered


In researching our picks, we looked to commentary from sites such as Consumer Reports, TopTenReviews, CNET, BestReviews, and Wirecutter, which test products they review. The experts there are familiar with many different models and adept at spotting the stars, including some in the budget range. We also sought firsthand feedback in scores of consumer reviews on manufacturers' web pages and retail sites including Amazon, Best Buy, Home Depot, Kohl's, Target, and Walmart.


Two priorities regularly surface in vacuum reviews: cleaning ability and ease of use. We also factored in the weight, attachments, and cords, which affect ease of use; the filtration system, which has health implications; and the durability of these low-budget cleaning machines. Although the issue of noise arises occasionally in vacuum cleaner reviews, it rarely impacts users' overall assessment.


Each type of vacuum has its strengths, and expectations for canister vacuums differ slightly from those for uprights, not to mention stick vacuums. Reviews indicate that users are more likely to demand an upright that sweeps the whole house for weekly cleanings, a canister for more frequent cleanups, and a stick vacuum for spot jobs.


Cleaning Performance

Users want a vacuum that suctions up dirt, debris, and dust from all types of surfaces -- hardwood and tile floors, rugs large and small, shag and low-pile carpeting, baseboards and stairs, furniture and drapery -- without leaving anything behind, creating more scatter, or emitting nasty particles back into the air. Pet owners want all that plus thorough pickup of pet hair, fuzz balls, and dander. Each model on our list generally meets these standards. Some reviewers are so impressed with the performance of our favorite canister and stick vacuums that they use the machines for more tasks than they planned.


Still, none of our budget picks garners exceptional ratings from reviewers. An average of 4 stars (out of 5), give or take a decimal point or two, is about as good as it gets. Insufficient suction, motorized accessories that don't work, and dirt blowback are among the biggest performance irritants.


Consumers sometimes seem to expect more from this basic home appliance than it is engineered to provide. Cheap vacuums are primarily intended for lighter duty rather than whole-house deep-cleaning, and some users express annoyance when the suction falters on room after room of thick carpeting. But, for the most part, reviewers accept the minor limitations and praise the models on our list.


Ease of Use

A potpourri of features helps make the best inexpensive canister and upright vacuums easier to operate, and stick vacuums generally are very user-friendly. According to reviews, users are particularly enamored of cords that rewind automatically and motorized brush rolls with an off switch, so the rotating brush doesn't scatter dirt across a hard surface before the vacuum has a chance to suck it up. Only some models in the budget zone are blessed with these elements, however. Different cleaning heights for different surfaces are a plus; some vacuums transition automatically among different carpet piles and bare floors and others are manually adjusted for the surface at hand. (The experts at Consumer Reports prefer manual adjustment because it's more precise, although adjusting the machine may require bending way down.) Dirt cups and bags that are easy to detach and replace, don't fill up too quickly, and don't clog with pet hair likewise find favor with reviewers, as do features like swivel steering.


Weight

In the not too distant past, upright vacuum cleaners were bulky beasts weighing 30 to 40 pounds, while canister vacuums were bulbous and awkward. These days consumers can find high-performing electric cleaners with compact styling, svelte profiles, and envy-inducing weight. Uprights are generally heavier than canisters, which often are designed for portability and ease of use on stairs; stick vacuums are lighter still. We read occasional comments about certain models feeling heavy, especially to older users or those with physical limitations.


Attachments

These days, upright vacuums almost always feature a hose, and there isn't much difference between the array of attachments included with a canister versus an upright. Stick vacuums are comparatively thin in the accessories department.


Common cleaning aids include a crevice tool, dusting brush, upholstery brush, and extension wand, or some combination. Pet-oriented vacuums usually feature a turbo (motorized) tool of some kind, and turbo tools for stairs and upholstered furniture are part of the package with some standard vacuums, as well. Users appreciate onboard attachments that travel with the machine and hoses that don't kink.


Cord Length

Nearly all upright and canister vacuums get their power through a cord plugged into a wall outlet. The length of the power cord is often an afterthought that users come to regret. The models we researched have cords ranging between 16 and 27 feet. Depending on the area to be vacuumed, a few extra feet of cord can mean the difference between efficiency and frustration. The longer the cord, the greater the reach and the fewer outlet changes. Some reviewers complain that even 25-foot cords seem short. Of course, the full reach is extended by the hose, and often an extension wand. Some stick models run on batteries with no cord to get tangled or constrain movement, although then the run and recharge times can be limiting.


Filters

Air sucked into a vacuum cleaner alongside dirt and dust should be filtered for health reasons before being expelled. The gold standard is a HEPA filter, which traps more than 99.97 percent of dust, bacteria, pollen, and other nasty particles and is especially recommended for people with asthma or allergies. HEPA filters almost always appear on high-end vacuums and increasingly show up at the budget end of the market. Several models we picked come with a HEPA filter, usually as part of a multi-stage filtration process. Some vacuums intended for pet-filled households add an odor-absorbing carbon filter into the mix. Others have standard multi-level filtration that may include a secondary anti-allergen filter. Regardless of type, filters should be cleaned or replaced regularly; be sure to read the owner's manual for care instructions.


Durability

Complaints about build quality (lots of plastic) and limited durability pop up in reviews of nearly all the models we researched. Reports about pieces breaking -- especially small items like the clip that holds the dirt cup or a turbo brush that stops spinning -- surface occasionally. More often we read about machines overheating and then conking out. Possible explanations include a dirty filter or a clogged dirt cup or hose, any of which may trigger a shutdown to avoid damaging the motor. In many cases cleaning out the blockage sets things aright, but some reviewers say their machines never worked again.


Warranties on most low-cost vacuums run one or two years. Some Shark models carry a five-year warranty.