Vacuum Cleaner Reviews

Filed in: Canister Vacuums, Cheap Appliances, Cleaning, Home and Garden, Home Improvement, Shopping, Vacuum Cleaners

Price Range

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Mid-range

High end

$60

$180

$500

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What To Expect: Inexpensive Upright Vacuums Performance

When it comes to buying an inexpensive upright vacuum, the process requires some thought. Questions to ask yourself before making the purchase include: Where will I use the vacuum most--on hard-surface floors or carpets, or both? Do I need a high filtration model with a HEPA filter? Will I need a lightweight model to carry up and down stairs and easily move around my home? And of course, which budget model does the best job?

Among user and expert reviews of budget upright vacuums, the consensus on overall performance varies.

Most reviewers, however, say noise, cleaning ability, and the machine's weight are the issues that merit the most attention.

Value Upright Vacuums Cleaning Performance.

Vacuums are now multi-tasking machines: they pull up dirt from rugs and carpets, "sweep" hardwood and ceramic tile floors, "dust" around moldings and furniture, and pick up pet hair and dander wherever they fall. The best low-cost uprights have powerful suction and well-designed attachments. One expert review of the Eureka 4870 Boss Smartvac on howstuffworks.com praises this budget machine's cleaning power and affordability; user reviews on Amazon.com echo this assessment. One consumer notes on the Amazon site that the Eureka 4870 Boss Smartvac digs deep into the carpet for cleaning and brings back its plush feel, and performs admirably on hard floors, as well. The Bissell 3950 Velocity Bagless likewise excels on carpets, according to users posting on Amazon.com, where one comments on how much dirt this low-priced model picked up during its maiden voyage and how well it cleaned cat hair from upholstered furniture. The experts on howstuffworks.com also praise the Hoover U5140-900 as a machine that performs as well as far pricier models. Even with a short hose, the suction is so powerful on this thrifty Hoover, writes one user on Epinions.com, that it will suck up a sock and other sizeable objects. (Of course, the hose might get clogged or the belt might break, but that's another matter...) The Eureka Altima 2996AVZ Bagless, on the other hand, garners its share of criticism. One user posting on Amazon.com says it spews dirt and dust, and the hose, filter, and dust catcher require an annoying amount of maintenance.

Low-cost Upright Vacuums Noise.

Vacuum cleaners have long suffered a reputation for being a noisy appliance. But because muffling the sound can send the price skyward, budget vacuums are often forgiven their loud ways. User reviewers on Buzzillions.com like the budget price of the Dirt Devil M088160 Breeze and its lightweight design, but say the machine is simply too loud. Similar sentiments are echoed in user reviews of the Bissell 3950 Velocity on Target.com, although one reviewer soberly notes that all vacuums are noisy. So here's a tip: if the noise is really irksome, consider using small ear plugs while vacuuming or wait until no one is home.

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Budget Upright Vacuums Weight.

Both expert and user reviewers of cheaper upright vacuums seem willing to overlook concerns about the machine's weight as long as it performs well. One user review on Epinions.com of the Eureka 4870 Boss, for example, appreciates this reasonably-priced upright for its power and cleaning ability, but cites its 21 pounds as heavy and too cumbersome to use on shag rugs. Best Buy customers posting on the retailer's website also give this inexpensive model extremely high marks for performance, quality, and value, but gripe about its weight.

Upright Vacuums Warranty.

Most economical upright vacuums have a one-year warranty on parts and labor. Keep in mind that pets in the house tend to take a heavier toll on the machine's durability, regardless of price. Also, more vacuums are sold during the winter months when pine needles from holiday trees clog motors and overall use increases because folks spend more time indoors and clean more often.

Best Cheap Vacuum Cleaners

Bissell 3950 Velocity Bagless »

starting at $100

Eureka 4870 Boss Smartvac »

starting at $80

Good Inexpensive Upright Vacuums

Hoover U5140-900 Tempo Widepath Bagged Upright »

starting at $53

Dirt Devil M088160 Breeze Upright Bagless »

starting at $52

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