Quality suction experiences don’t have to be pricey. The best vacuums under $100 come in all shapes and sizes. They can take on tough jobs without busting the budget. Note: some brands we reviewed change prices frequently so the cost may be slightly over $100.
With economy comes simplicity. Most of the vacs on the list offer functional features while limiting unnecessary upgrades and options. Batteries and bags tend to drive costs up. As a result, most lower-price point vacs tend to to have cords and be bag-free.
Note: Looking for an option in the next tier up? Here are our rankings of the best vacuums for $200 or less.
Vacs of all shapes are represented in the lineup. They include slim and stowable stick vacs and high-tech automatic robot systems. Capping the budget doesn’t mean cutting off some of the options.
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall: Roomie Tec 2-in-1 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
- Best Canister: Bissell Zing Compact Canister Vacuum Cleaner
- Best 2-in-1: Eureka 2-in-1 Quick Pick Up Lightweight Vacuum Cleaner
- Best Stick: iwoly V600 Lightweight Stick Vacuum Cleaner
- Best Robot: Pure Clean PUCRC25 Automatic Robot Vacuum Cleaner
- Best for Carpet: Eureka PowerSpeed Upright Vacuum Cleaner NEU180B
Best Vacuums Under $100 Buying Advice
Best Overall: Roomie Tec 2-in-1 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
- Weight: 4.5 lbs.
- Power Source: Cordless, Rechargeable battery
- The High Points: Converts to hand vac, lightweight, compact
- The Low Points: Price, durability, short battery life
The Roomie Tec 2-in-1 Cordless Vacuum Cleaner strikes a balance between flash and function. It allows owners to enjoy some fancy features while staying within a budget.
LED headlights, battery-powered cordless operation, and convertibility to a portable hand vac are some upgrades included with this lightweight vacuum.
It weighs in at under five pounds. The Roomie Tec 2-in-1 is one of the sleekest carpet-ready vacuums within its price range, by far.
Its turbo brush assists in cleanups of all sorts. It enables the vac to tackle a variety of terrain types.
This super portable cordless vac can operate for up to 20 minutes on a full charge. When the time comes to re-up the energy, the Roomie Tec can be parked in its charging dock.
To protect long-term battery life, the dock features an auto-shut off function. That cuts additional power to the battery once it’s fully charged.
What Reviewers Say
Cat owners with carpeting report success when removing kitty litter trails and fuzzy balls of fluff from the depths of their floor fibers. Other flooring types are easily cleared of similar debris too, according to some Roomie Tec 2-in-1 owners.
Owners rave about the vac’s compact and lightweight design. However, there are some gripes about the dirt bin’s holding capacity.
During the bin dumping process, a few users report being less than impressed that the filter needs to be removed to empty the bin. That adds an often messy step to the process.
The Roomie Tec 2-in-1 Cordless Vac can stand on its own. That is the case whether it’s on the docking station or in the middle of a routine cleanup.
Reviewers value this feature. It allows them to step away for a moment without worrying about propping the vacuum first.
Features & Considerations
The compact floor head of the Roomie Tec 2-in-1 swivels up to 180°. It can fit into most tight spaces.
The coverage area of the head is relatively small, though. So a few extra swipes may be necessary to complete the job.
The pull-away handheld vacuum weighs 2.1 pounds. It can be used for various household applications. Those include vehicles, upholstery, stairs, and even some dry outdoor and patio tasks.
A removable beater bar is housed in the floor head. It is vital when it comes to digging into carpet fibers.
Users who won’t be cleaning carpets might want to consider removing the bar for improved suction on hard surfaces.
Best Canister: Bissell Zing Compact Canister Vacuum Cleaner 2156A
- Weight: 9.3 lbs.
- Power Source: Corded – 15 feet
- The High Points: Price, washable filters
- The Low Points: Can be bulky to use and store, trouble with plush carpet
The Bissell Zing Canister Vacuum can clean hard and carpeted surfaces. It has adjustable suction settings to better target the floor type at hand.
During operation, the wand and floor head are nearly weightless. The heavy-duty canister wheels are designed to go with the flow. They follow users on their path to cleanliness.
Three-stage filtration helps capture and keep fine particles within the system once they’ve been wrangled. The relatively large dirt bin can handle quite a bit of dust and debris before needing to be emptied.
Nearly 20 feet of operating range is possible when combining the 15-foot power cord with the nearly five-foot hose. And when it’s time to pack it all in, you can engage the convenient cord rewind function with a foot pedal on the canister.
What Reviewers Say
Many Bissell Zing owners seem to be happy with their budget buy and rave about vac’s value when they stack it against other comparable models (Shark vacuums, for instance). A couple of reviews noted that durability seemed to be similar to that of vacs twice or three times the price.
A few users mentioned that the tools didn’t seem to lock in place and could pull away from the hose during operation, especially when up against the resistance of carpet.
The general consensus also seems to establish that the tools could be better, and some users have sought out compatible add-on accessories and tools to customize their suction experience.
The vacuum is lightweight for a canister vacuum, and while this is a plus during transport, it can be a problem during operation. A couple of reports note that the vac can tip over on occasion, though it seems to be fine once it’s upright.
Features & Considerations
The Bissell Zing Canister Vacuum comes with a 10” multi-surface floor tool, crevice tool, and dusting brush. You can attach the extension wand to reach ceilings, stairs, and under furniture.
Vacuuming high pile carpets might be a challenge to clean completely, as the vac floor head doesn’t have powered roller brushes, which can present limited suction capabilities in this type of application.
You may need some extra storage space for the Zing; the vac is small, but the hose can add some bulk to its footprint.
Best 2-in-1: Eureka 2-in-1 Quick Pick Up Lightweight Vacuum Cleaner
- Weight: 4.4 lbs.
- Power Source: Corded – 15 feet
- The High Points: Washable filter, converts to handheld vac, price
- The Low Points: Doesn’t work well on thick carpet
The Eureka 2-in-1 Quick Pick Up Vacuum looks like a standard stick sweeper, but it’s got a few upgrades below the surface. The vac is designed for various applications, though not for medium to high pile carpets.
It can tackle cleanups on hard floors (like laminate), stairs, and can vacuum low pile carpet and area rugs too.
The Eureka 2-in-1 sucks, it stands on its own, and it’s super affordable. The slim and sleek vacuum weighs just 4.4 lbs. and is compact enough to have one on every level of the house. The onboard handheld vac can handle stairs, furniture, and other tough-to-reach spots.
A switch allows users to power up the motorized brush roll when operating on carpeted surfaces, though the brush roll should be shut down when attacking hard surfaces.
What Reviewers Say
A few reports rave about this simple machine’s ability to vacuum hardwood floors and area rugs. The vac is lauded for being super lightweight and easy to operate, with one reviewer mentioning that toddlers can even use it.
The power cord is shorter than some users would prefer, but a few also note that they still favor the corded power source over maintaining batteries and full charge sessions. This powered suction can be so intense that it can be virtually impossible to vacuum certain area rugs without sucking them up into the vac.
Filter cleaning and replacement are vital to the Eureka 2-in-1 Quick Pick Up’s performance, and a few owners recommend keeping extra filters on hand.
Features & Considerations
The power cord for the Eureka 2-in-1 Quick Pick Up is on the short side, though this keeps overall vac weight and bulk down. For easy operation and storage, the vac can stand upright on its own. You can remove the handle to further limit the space it takes up.
According to some users, the dirt bin is of reasonable size and easy to remove when it needs to be emptied. The debris dumping process can get messy, though, and dust may escape back into the room at times.
The filter is washable and should be cleaned after every few dirt bin dumps. Replacement of the filter may be necessary over time; proper airflow is key to suction power, so if suction seems to be lower than usual, it’s probably due to the filter’s condition.
Best Stick: iwoly V600 Lightweight Stick Vacuum Cleaner
- Weight: 3.3 lbs.
- Power Source: Corded – 23 feet
- The High Points: Price, lightweight, easy to store
- The Low Points: Doesn’t work on carpet, durability
The iwoly V600 Stick Vac is a slim, sleek, and super affordable system that can introduce users to the world of skinny vacs without impacting the budget. The vac is a good match for hard surfaced households and is especially helpful for quick pickups.
HEPA-style filtration grabs fine particles and filters the air during the vacuuming process. The filters are washable and reusable, and extras are available to keep on hand. The dirt bin is easy to release and dump, designed to limit a user’s contact with the recently removed debris.
When it comes time to hit high spots and cracks and crevices, the iwoly V600 can convert to a 3.5-pound handheld vac and go mobile. Car upholstery, stairs, and quick crumb crises can be resolved effectively and efficiently.
What Reviewers Say
The overall tone of user reviews for the iwoly V600 Stick Vac is that it’s a good value for the price. Some owners note that while it may lack some of the upgrades and fancy design features of other stick vacs, it really does a great job sucking and providing the primary functions necessary to have an enjoyable cleaning experience.
It might be worth removing the vac’s roller brush, according to a couple of reviewers. Since the vacuum isn’t really designed for carpeted surfaces anyway, this brush just gets in the way, impeding suction and requiring the occasional de-clogging.
The iwoly V600 powers itself down if it starts to overheat, per owner reports. This can be slightly annoying and inconvenient; however, it seems that regular filter maintenance or replacement can resolve the issue.
Features & Considerations
An adjustable extension tube can convert the iwoly V600 from a floor vac to a compact hand vacuum. To further its versatility, attachments include a brush nozzle, crevice tool, and floor head.
Other accessories are available as add-ons. It’s best to keep a filter or two on hand as the vacuum seems to be extra sensitive to its filtration system being clean.
The iwoly V600 is a good entry-level stick vac for simple applications. Carpeted surfaces and deep cleans aren’t necessarily its forte, but for owners with solid floors and minimal to average messes, this vac could be a winner.
Best Robot: Pure Clean PUCRC25 Automatic Robot Vacuum Cleaner
- Weight: 3.53 lbs.
- Power Source: Battery – Up to 55 minute runtime
- The High Points: Long battery life, price, washable filters
- The Low Points: Not programmable, can’t handle plush carpet, no auto return or docking station
The Pure Clean PUCRC25 Automatic Robot Vacuum Cleaner is a great introduction to bot vac life, especially for those who are open to being a bit interactive with their battery-powered assistant.
This compact vac is less than 12” in diameter and under 3” tall, and can zip in, out, and under nearly every obstacle it encounters.
It doesn’t have lots of bells and whistles, but the Pure Clean PUCRC25 has features that are key to convenient operation, like brushless suction, rotating side brushes that stir up debris, and a long-lasting battery that can power the vac for nearly an hour.
The PUCRC25 cleans the air while clearing the floor with HEPA-style filtration and washable filters. The dirt bin is pretty compact due to the physical size of the vac, but is easy to release when the time comes to dump it.
What Reviewers Say
You may need to do some prep to “bot vac-proof” the house. The vac can get hung up on area rugs, cords, and curtains, and there may be a handful of spots where the PUCRC25 might get stuck.
According to numerous reviewers, the vacuum does an excellent job of nabbing pet hair and fine dust, and while its cleaning pattern seems to be random, the vac gets the job done. Many users mention that even though the vac has fewer features, this doesn’t impact its ability to pick up debris.
The PUCRC25 is relatively quiet during operation, though pets can be a bit wary of the wandering floor warrior for quite some time.
Features & Considerations
Anti-fall and obstacle detection sensors help protect the vac and its surroundings, though the vac may still need monitoring during its first few tours to determine any threats it can’t see.
The PUCRC25 can get lost on occasion, mainly when its battery power runs out. There isn’t a charging dock for it to call home, and users will need to collect the bot and plug it into the charging cord to recharge. The re-juicing process takes about four hours to complete.
Operation is basic, with an onboard power button. There isn’t a remote control, Wi-Fi connectivity, or any programming available for the PUCRC25; it’s simple system best fit for daily maintenance, especially in households with pets.
Best for Carpet: Eureka PowerSpeed Upright Vacuum Cleaner NEU180B
- Weight: 10 lbs.
- Power Source: Corded – 25 feet
- The High Points: Powerful suction, adjustable settings, price
- The Low Points: Heavy, bulky, noisy operation
The Eureka PowerSpeed Upright Vacuum Cleaner is versatile, with five suction settings designed for different flooring applications. A bristled brush roll digs into carpet fibers to release debris, and the large dirt bin can hold excessive amounts of grime before needing to be dumped.
The easy-release, lever-action dirt bin is easy to dump and keeps particles contained during the process. The filtration system does a good job of grabbing fine dust and pet dander and requires monthly maintenance to keep things sucking smoothly. The filters are washable and you should completely air dry them prior to use.
The power cord is lengthy and provides good range during operation. Though light for a carpet cleaning vacuum, the Eureka PowerSpeed weighs in at around 10 pounds and can be a bit bulky to transport and store.
What Reviewers Say
The Eureka PowerSpeed Upright Vacuum does well with removing pet hair and other fine debris from all surfaces, including high pile carpets & vacuuming your car, according to multiple reviews. The vac has good suction, is easy to keep clean, and has a simple and intuitive design.
The vac is easy to assemble and is ready to use right out of the box. The flexible extension hose can be a bit cumbersome to use and put back into place.
A couple of owners report an unpleasant noise with a high pitch while using the vac on hard floors, like luxury vinyl plank. Other users note that the vac seems louder than other vacuums, though it still does an excellent job at floor debris removal.
Features & Considerations
Some accessories come with the Eureka PowerSpeed Upright: an upholstery tool, crevice tool, and dusting brush are all stored on-board and can be attached to the flexible extension hose for specific tasks.
The floor head covers a cleaning path 13” wide, though it’s a bit big and bulky and may struggle to fit into tight spaces. The flex hose may need to be incorporated for cleanups along baseboards and under furniture.
Additional attachments are available as add-ons, including a motorized turbo brush for carpeted stairs and stubborn pet hair, and a telescoping crevice tool for out-of-reach applications.
Side by Side Comparison
| Product | Our Rating | Weight | Power Source |
|---|---|---|---|
 Roomie Tec 2-in-1 Cordless View on Amazon –> View on Walmart –> | Best Overall Overall: 4.7 | 4.5 lbs. | Cordless, Rechargeable battery |
Bissell Zing Compact Canister View on Bissell –> View on Amazon –> | Best Canister Overall: 4.6 | 9.3 lbs. | Corded – 15 feet |
 Eureka 2-in-1 Quick Pick Up View on Amazon –> View on Walmart –> | Best 2-in-1 Overall: 4.5 | 4.4 lbs. | Corded – 15 feet |
iwoly V600 Lightweight Stick View on Amazon –> View on iWoly –> | Best Stick Overall: 4.2 | 3.3 lbs. | Corded – 23 feet |
 Pure Clean PUCRC25 Robot View on Amazon –> View on Walmart –> | Best Robot Overall: 4.5 | 3.53 lbs. | Battery – Up to 55 mins. |
Eureka PowerSpeed View on Walmart –> View on Home Depot –> | Best for Carpet Overall: 4.5 | 10 lbs. | Corded – 25 feet |
The Complete Best Vacuums Under $100 Buyer’s Guide
What to Know Before Buying a Value Vacuum
The best vacuum won’t be the same for every user or application. There aren’t a lot of broadly versatile options, so it’s important to zone in on the primary purpose of the vac and go from there.
You should consider body style, weight, and power sources, too, as they will set the tone for the relationship. Dust bin capacity is another variable worth weighing, though specific applications and regularity of usage will dictate what size is adequate.
Residences with fluffy pets (and pet-friendly flooring) and messy kids may want to consider vacs with larger bins, while spot cleaning situations will probably experience limited impact by bins of smaller size.
Body Style
You will find unique benefits with all vacuum body styles. On opposite ends of the body build spectrum, canister and stick vacuums can both provide lightweight operation and sleek floor heads to allow access to tight corners and stairs. This is where the similarities split.
Maintaining its slim structure, a stick vacuum tends to have a small dirt capacity but is extremely easy to maneuver and transport from room to room. A canister vac typically houses a sizable dirt bin, often closer in capacity to that of a traditional upright vacuum.
It is, however, much bulkier than a sleek stick vac and can be difficult to move from room to room. Traversing and cleaning stairs can also be a tedious task.
Somewhere in between these two vacuum formats lies the traditional upright vacuum, the hybrid 2-in-1 variations, and in a league of its own, the robot vac.
Upright vacs tend to pack a pretty heavy punch, with plenty of suction and lots of dirt capacity. With these buffed up benefits come added bulk, preventing them from being cordless and making them a bit difficult to operate.
The versatile floor/hand vac combination can be extremely helpful in tackling a variety of suction chores. With dirt capacities that fall between stick vacuums and uprights, these multi-purpose vacs can be a good compromise.
And for owners ready to take the push-pull out of the experience, there’s the automatic robot vacuum option. The little dust decimating systems are compact, and so are their dirt bins.
These low-profile bots are ideal for spot cleaning and consistent pet hair management while you sleep, watch TV, or do literally anything other than operate a vacuum.
Applications and Uses
Carpeting tends to be the most unforgiving floor covering when it comes to vacuums. The rules of extracting debris from these plush fibers can’t be defied, and without powerful suction, positive connections, and often beater bars to help the process, most carpets just will not get clean. When considering vac options, the choices narrow if carpet is in the mix.
Most vacuums designed for carpets can adequately clean hard floor surfaces too, but the opposite is often not the case. However, if vacuuming smooth tiles and wood floors are the main targets, nearly any vac style can usually do the trick.
Pet owners may want to zone in on vacs with HEPA-style filtration, easy-to-empty dirt bins, removable beater bars, and upholstery tools to get the job done. Multi-stage filters can assist in capturing the tiniest of bits of dander.
Homes open to (almost) full-service automation can entertain the bot vac option. These self-propelled suction systems can be excellent assistants when it comes to keeping daily dirt at bay, and can often extend the time between whole-house deep clean sessions for quite a while.
Weight and Portability
A vacuum’s weight will probably be a significant determining factor in a user’s satisfaction with it. During operation, mobilization, and storage, size matters. Lighter, sleeker styles may be better fits for multi-story homes where stairs are involved, while canisters and traditional uprights can be great options for one-level living.
The footprint of a vacuum is another important consideration; when suction sessions have subsided, the vac has to be stored somewhere.
Some stick vacs can be mounted on a wall or stashed in a small corner, while canister and upright vacuums may require some extra space. Robot vacs can exist in a one-square-foot area and can be stored under furniture if needed.
Power Source
When it comes to time to juice it up, these vacs have a couple of options. Corded vacuums are a mainstay in the industry, offering consistent power for an unlimited (though a little tethered) cleaning experience.
Cord lengths are important to consider, though longest isn’t always best due to the added bulk and cord management required during operation.
Cordless vacs allow for easy mobility and often save some time during the vacuuming process. However, the power juice is limited, and the free motion debris decimation won’t last forever.
Batteries die. They need time to recharge and regroup and will need some extra attention when the vac job is complete.
How We Ranked the Best Vacuums Under $100
Given the simplistic designs and economical features within the affordable vacuum range, there were also just a few variables to consider when determining the rankings.
The vac’s overall ability to accomplish its primary processes is a weighty factor. Satisfactory suction, easy maintenance, and features that make the vacu-act simple all come into play when it comes to a fulfilling vacuum ownership experience.
Price is also a major, if not the most important factor in choosing the best vacuums. When it comes to sticking to a budget, a vac’s end cost versus its performance and features is key.
We also considered consumer reviews. They can provide insight into years of use and durability, and can also validate or negate manufacturer’s claims.
Ease of Use/Maintenance
If a vacuum is difficult to operate or maintain, there’s no doubt it’ll see less use and in turn, breed a deep level of discord within the system operators. Easy dump dirt bins and automatic cord rewinds can help keep the sucking vibes good, and weight and mobility are important too.
A lengthy power cord or a long-lasting battery also stack the chips in a vac’s favor, and the ability to move between suction settings during operation allows you to clean multiple floor surfaces at a time.
Features and Functions
While most budget-friendly vacuums don’t have a lot of the same bells and whistles that pricier vacs tend to tout, there are some specific functions offered that can help the suction process.
LED headlights can shed some much-needed light under furniture and expose often-camouflaged debris like pet hair and dust. Simple suction settings can also make a world of difference during a cleaning session, creating a customizable force best for the floor surface being sucked.
Crevice tools, dusting brushes, and extension wands can allow users to break away from the floor to reach other applications high and low. Vacs with the 2-in-1 handheld option take this concept even farther, providing a secondary suction system capable of tackling tough spots like stairs, vehicles, and the scary place behind the toilet.
Consumer Reviews
The wacky world of consumer reviews can provide excellent insight into what goes into owning a lower price point vacuum. These reports, tidbits, and modern-day musings are scoured for useful information regarding function, features, and durability.
Though some reviews are quite general and vapid, others paint a colorful picture of what a week in the life of a budget vac owner’s life is like.
From filter washings and cord rewindings to handle lengths and clips and housings, all the little details seem to rise to the surface. Warranty issues, parts failures, and minor issues that really make users tick are also exposed, providing a varied scale of pros and cons for each vac.
Price
The price tag of a product is ultimately the biggest factor when ranking the best vacuums. Every dollar counts in these value-based vacs, and there need to be some added functions or features that come along with a bump up in price.
On the flip side, a lower priced product can get away with a simplistic style and limited functionality as long as it still does what it was designed to do. If it says it’s gonna suck, it better do it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When it comes to a budget-friendly suction system, there are a few variables that tend to align. Batteries and bags tend to add quite a bit to a vac’s price tag, so it’s not common to see either of these design features in a vac that dips below the $100 mark.
A vacuum built for affordability will typically have adequate to excellent suction capabilities, an efficient and cost-effective power source, and minimal accessories or bells and whistles. Some vacs focus on functions like suction adjustability, portability, and versatility, but rarely do the vacs offer more than one or two of these added features.
What kind of maintenance is required for a bagless vacuum system?
The benefits can be big with a bagless vacuum. The recurring cost of replacement bags is eliminated, and in a well-designed system, the debris dumping process is simple and clean.
However, in a bagged system, the bag is doing the heavy lifting when it comes to capturing and disposing of the particles sucked into the system. A bagless system will require users to participate in some of this process, which involves keeping filters clean and able to breathe.
Most bagless vacs use washable and reusable filters, and owners should plan to clean, rinse, and air dry them somewhat regularly. Manufacturers usually mention recommended maintenance timelines within a product’s owner’s manual, but as a general rule, it’s best to plan on going through a full cleaning process every three months or so.
For maximum usage, it’s best to have one or two additional filters on hand so you can still use the vacuum while a filter is in the washing process.
What features are important for different floor surface applications?
Suction power and beater bars are the two primary features that determine a vac’s ability to adequately eliminate debris from a floor’s surface. In the case of hard floors, less is best. Lower suction and minimal beater bar function tend to yield the best results.
And as the carpet pile rises, so should suction and beater bar power. This can also lead to too much of a good thing, especially when combining the plushest of carpets with the strongest of suction (a shop vac, for example), which usually ends in an immovable vacu-statue stuck tight to the floor.
You can quickly clean carpet packed with pet hair, dander, and other dusty debris with a bristly beater brush, which can disrupt the particles for easier extraction.
What are the typical trade-offs that come with a lower price tag?
Some of the most common features and functions of a vacuum system are usually scaled down a bit in vacs on the lower end of the price spectrum.
Cordless, battery-powered operation is rare, and attachments and accessories are few and far between.
There is often less versatility with a budget vac; users can benefit most from an affordable vacuum by zoning in on the primary application to be conquered and selecting a vac designed to tackle the task.
