If you want your floors to sparkle, a quality vacuum cleaner with strong filtration and great suction is essential. We’ve tried and recommended brands like Dyson, Tineco and Miele in our best vacuum and best cordless vacuum guides, but those models are hundreds of dollars. That’s why we collected different types of vacuums under $100 for the budget-first shopper.
SKIP AHEAD Best vacuums under $100 in 2024 | How to shop for an affordable vacuum
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How we picked the best vacuums under $100
We’ve written about vacuums before, and learned from cleaning experts what to look for when shopping for a vacuum to match your living space. Using their guidance, we selected affordable vacuums with the following in mind:
- Price: We kept our selections to vacuums that cost under $100.
- Type: Different types of vacuums are better suited to different living spaces, so we included a range of stick, canister, upright and handheld models.
- Top-rated: We selected vacuums with at least a four star average rating from reviews on retailers like Amazon.
Best vacuums under $100 in 2024
The best vacuums under $100 came from brands like Eureka, Black + Decker, Dirt Devil and more. Below each recommendation we list important specifications like vacuum weight, bin volume and more.
Lowest price: Bissell Featherweight Stick Vacuum
- Low price
- 3-in-1 design
- Low suction power
This Bissell vacuum is the lowest priced option on our list. It has a three-in-one design, which means it can be converted between a long stick, short stick or handheld shape. It cleans both carpet and hardwood floors, and comes with a crevice tool to tackle hard-to-reach spots, according to the brand.
The vacuum is bagless — its dust bin can be opened and emptied into your trash can.
Type: Multi | Bags: No | Weight: 2.6 lbs | Cord length: 15 feet | Battery life: N/A, wired | Bin volume: 0.67 liters
Best affordable canister vacuum: Eureka WhirlWind Canister Vacuum
- Powerful suction
- Lightweight for its size
- A bit bulky
Canister vacuums can deliver more powerful suction compared to sticks models. This Eureka model has suction controls on the handle that lets you swap between carpet, upholstery and hard floors. It also has swivel steering that makes it easier to maneuver around the house or under chairs and tables, according to the brand.
The vacuum has an automatic cord retractor and quick dust release on the side of the canister. It is bagless and includes a washable filter.
Type: Canister | Bags: No | Weight: 8.2 lbs | Cord length: 16 feet | Battery life: N/A, wired | Bin volume: 1.2 liters
Best affordable upright vacuum: Eureka PowerSpeed Pet Turbo Upright Vacuum Cleaner
- Large bin capacity
- 25 foot long cord
- Heavy
Upright vacuums are a bit bulkier than cordless models, but make up for that added weight and size with more powerful suction. This model has the largest bin capacity on our list at 2.6 liters, making it a good fit for anyone cleaning a large space.
The vacuum’s roller is height adjustable, with five settings between high carpet and bare floor. It comes with tools like a dusting brush, crevice tool, upholstery tool and pet brush, which can be stored on the vacuums for easy access.
If you are willing to spend a little more, the Bissell CleanView Upright Vacuum is one of our favorite upright vacuums, and is often on sale for about $115.
Type: Upright | Bags: No | Weight: 10 lbs | Cord length: 25 feet | Battery life: N/A, wired | Bin volume: 2.6 liters
Best affordable handheld vacuum: Black + Decker Handheld Vacuum (CHV1410L)
- Compact and portable
- Great for cars
- Short battery life
This is a great handheld vacuum for the car, the garage or any other small space. It is lightweight at 2.6 pounds, and has a crevice tool for hard-to-reach places. It comes with a removable slim nozzle that can rotate 180 degrees to give you more control as you clean, according to the brand. The one-way flap valve also keeps debris securely inside the vacuum.
If you have some truly difficult nooks and crannies to manage, also consider the Black+Decker Pivot Vac, which has an adjustable nozzle that pivots 200 degrees making it easier to clean at various angles.
Type: Handheld | Bags: No | Weight: 2.6 lbs | Cord length: N/A | Battery life: Up to 10 minutes | Bin volume: 0.6 liters
Best affordable stick vacuum: Dirt Devil Power Swerve Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum
- Powerful and portable
- Decent bin size
- Short battery life
Technically this vacuum is listed at $110, but we’ve largely seen it listed for about $90 at most retailers. It has a large rolling brush that can clean both hardwood floors and thick carpeting, according to the brand. Plus the brush nozzle swivels, making it more maneuverable than a large upright vacuum.
It has a built-in LED indicator light that tells you the battery status, and the canister is decently large at 0.7 liters.
Type: Cordless | Bags: No | Weight: 5.5 lbs | Cord length: N/A | Battery life: Up to 15 minutes | Bin volume: 0.7 liters
Best affordable vacuum mop: Shark VacMop Pro Cordless Vacuum Mop
- Cordless and lightweight
- Two tools in one
- Short battery life
This Shark tool is a cordless vacuum and mop in one — it can suck up dirt and debris, spray cleaning solution and mop up messes. To use the mop, you’ll need some Shark VacMop pads as well as VacMop cleaning solution. The button near the handle sprays cleaning solution forward, while disposable VacMop pads on the bottom of the vacuum wipe up messes.
This vacuum is cordless, lightweight and has headlights on the roller that can easily illuminate any hidden crumbs or dust that’s on the floor.
Type: Cordless, vacuum+mop | Bags: No | Weight: 3.34 lbs | Cord length: N/A | Battery life: Up to 13 minutes | Bin volume: 0.67 liters
Best affordable robot vacuum: iRobot Roomba Vac Essential Robot Vacuum
Robot vacuums roam around your space automatically, picking up dust and debris as they go. This model retails for well over $100, but we haven’t seen many robot vacuums under $100, and compared to most competitors, this is a low-priced option.
It has a low-profile at about 3.15 inches high, meaning it can clean under most furniture. It does not have advanced, intelligent mapping features, but it still recognizes and avoids obstacles like furniture and stairs, according to the brand.
You can use the Roomba app to schedule cleanings and set up voice-control through smart home devices with Amazon Alexa and Google Home.
Type: Robot | Bags: No | Weight: 6.17 lbs | Cord length: N/A | Battery life: Up to 120 minutes | Bin volume: 0.378 liters
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How to shop for an affordable vacuum
Before purchasing any vacuum, think about your living space — size, surfaces, outlets, floorplan. One type of vacuum is probably best for your needs, according to experts in our guide to the best vacuums. We break down each vacuum type below:
Canister vacuum
Canister vacuums have a separate canister that contains the motor and dust bin, plus a long hose with interchangeable attachments. This is a great option for the homeowner who has stairs and different surfaces to clean — they are generally easier to carry than upright vacuums. With all its extra parts, it may be difficult to store.
Upright vacuum
Upright vacuums are a great option for homes that have large, wide-open spaces because they pivot and swivel easily. They tend to be very heavy, however, meaning they are hard to take up and down stairs. Some, but not all upright vacuums come with a wand attachment, which can clean vertical surfaces, like walls, upholstery and curtains.
Stick vacuum
Stick vacuums are slim and lightweight, making them a good option for quick cleanups and homes with minimal storage space. These are best for people with smaller spaces to clean since they’re not as powerful as canister vacuums.
Cordless and handheld vacuum
Cordless vacuums and handheld vacuums are typically the most compact and portable. They are a great fit for vacuuming out your car or spot cleaning, but are typically less powerful than corded models. For that reason, handhelds should not replace a larger, heavier-duty vacuum for all your home cleaning, but instead be used as an extra option.
Robot vacuum
Robot vacuums can run at any time — even when you’re not home. They help tackle forgotten corners and clean under furniture that larger vacuums may not be able to reach. However, they tend to be slower than most other types of vacuums, so they’re not the best option if you’re looking for a quick cleanup.
Bag type
Bagless vacuums are popular and encompass all of our recommended picks. They have a container, called a dustbin, that collects the dirt and debris that you need to empty. Bagless models are great for those who don’t want to have to worry about buying and changing out bags, but may not be the best vacuums for allergies, as small dust particles can sometimes escape the bin.
Bagged vacuums, on the other hand, keep dust particles contained in a bag, which can be better for people with strong allergies. But these bags need to be replaced after they are full, so it is a recurring cost compared to bagless models.
Why trust NBC Select?
Ambar Pardilla is a former reporter for NBC Select.
Harry Rabinowitz is a reporter at NBC Select who covers technology including guides to smartwatches, portable air conditioners, and over-ear headphones. For this piece, he referenced past interviews with experts in both the cleaning and electronics industry to better understand the strengths and weaknesses of different kinds of vacuums. He then performed intensive research online into the best affordable vacuums of varying types.
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