No one wants to spend a fortune on something as mundane as a vacuum cleaner, but choosing a cheap vacuum cleaner is a risky process: choose the wrong one and you’ll be wasting your money on a model that doesn’t clean properly and needs to be replaced prematurely.
I’ve tested dozens of vacuum cleaners at different price points, and I have good news: There are affordable vacuum cleaners that do a great job of cleaning without breaking the bank. Below, I’ve rounded up the best budget vacuums to buy and found the best deal on each one to save you from having to shop around.
1. Dream R20
The Dreame R20 is a really solid all-rounder at a very affordable price. It’s relatively easy to find for around £200 and you get features and extras that are usually priced much higher. There’s automatic suction adjustment based on dirt detected, generous run times, and a separate soft floor head designed for hard floors (it will get close to the surface and polish it without risk of scratches). There is also a mini motorized upholstery tool that is among the best I’ve used for removing pet hair from furniture.
In my review, the Dreame R20 achieved solid scores across the board when it came to cleaning, and performed especially well in my in-depth carpet and pet hair tests. It’s not the nastiest cleaner I’ve used (the V8 below is a better choice if outright power is your priority), but it will be more than adequate for most people’s needs.
2. Dyson V8 Advanced
If suction power is your priority, this is the affordable vacuum cleaner you would choose. It’s simpler than the Dreame (there’s no automatic suction adjustment and only two power modes to cycle through) and comes with fewer accessories. However, what it lacks in bells and whistles, it makes up for in sheer power. If you have a lot of carpets or pets that have moved out to clean up afterward, this is the vacuum to choose.
The V8 is the oldest model in Dyson’s current cordless line, and there’s a slightly updated version with 130 AW of power instead of the original 115 AW. A little confusingly, there’s also an even more up-to-date option, called the Dyson V8 Cyclone; It’s better in every way, but deals are rare, so expect to pay more if you go for that version.
3. Shark HZ500UKT Corded Stick Vacuum Cleaner
Opting for a corded vacuum instead of a cordless one is a great way to maximize bang for your buck, and this one from Shark is great value for money. As a general rule, corded vacuum cleaners tend to offer better suction than cordless ones and generally last longer, too.
While I haven’t tested this exact model, we’ve reviewed other similar corded vacuums from Shark and been impressed (here’s an example review). In fact, Shark is one of my favorite vacuum brands and consistently gets high scores. The features look good, too: There’s no automatic suction setting, as you’ll find on the Dreame (#1), but this vacuum has a handy wand that bends forward for cleaning under furniture, a tangle-free head, and comes with three detail tools, including a mini motorized head for upholstery.
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