We updated this guide in November 2021 to include new products recommended by Carolyn Forte, Director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Appliances and Cleaning Products Laboratory, and to ensure that the items are up-to-date and in stock. Our new selection includes the Eureka bagless vacuum cleaner.

It is possible to buy an excellent vacuum cleaner for $100 or less. Compared with higher-priced models, cheaper vacuum cleaners usually contain more plastic parts, may lack some high-end features (such as adjustable suction, rope rewinding, telescopic rods or additional accessories), and may not last as long as high-end models . But if you don't need (or want!) your vacuum cleaner to last forever, then a cheap vacuum cleaner can certainly get the job done without the bells and whistles.

The Good Housekeeping Institute cleaning laboratory regularly tests various vacuum cleaners-for hundreds of years-including pet hair vacuum cleaners, hardwood floor vacuum cleaners, canister vacuum cleaners, stick vacuum cleaners, handheld vacuum cleaners, robovacs and more. For each model, we tested it to see how it can adsorb different types of debris (from sand to pet hair). We also considered the operability of different types of floors, common household obstacles, and stairs. From the intuitiveness of control to the process of changing bags, emptying the trash can or cleaning the filter, we are all looking for ease of use.

We have selected these cheapest vacuum cleaners from internal testing and classification expertise; some are from brands that have performed well for us in the past and received positive consumer feedback. Most importantly, they are all priced at $100 or less. The following choices stand out in our evaluation as models that provide great value. Here are the best budget vacuum cleaners for less than $100 in 2021: