10 Best Budget Vacuum Cleaners 2026 in the United States

The Shark Upright Vacuum, Navigator Lift-Away NV356E, is a solid choice for those looking for a budget-friendly vacuum cleaner, particularly pet owners. One of its standout features is the Lift-Away functionality, allowing you to detach the pod to clean stairs and furniture, which adds versatility. The vacuum includes a HEPA filter with an anti-allergen complete seal technology, which is effective in trapping 99.9% of dust and allergens, making it suitable for those with allergies. In terms of maneuverability, its swivel steering feature helps navigate tight spaces and furniture easily.

The vacuum is designed to handle pet hair effectively, thanks in part to its Pet Power Brush and additional attachments like the dusting brush and crevice tool, which are included for more specialized cleaning tasks. It offers a brushroll shutoff feature for switching between carpet and bare floor cleaning, enhancing its adaptability across different surfaces.

However, the vacuum isn't cordless, which might restrict its range of operation due to dependence on power outlets. At 13.7 pounds, it's relatively lightweight for an upright vacuum, but some users may find it a bit heavy for extended above-floor cleaning. The noise level of 80 dB is on the higher side, which could be a concern for those sensitive to noise.

Its extra-large dust cup capacity of 0.87 liters supports longer cleaning sessions without needing frequent emptying, although it might be smaller for those with larger homes. Its effectiveness in cleaning pet hair and allergens, combined with a range of useful attachments, makes it a strong contender in the budget vacuum cleaner category.

The Shark Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum is a solid choice for those looking for an affordable, versatile vacuum under $300. Its cordless design offers freedom of movement without being tied to an outlet, backed by a decent 40-minute runtime to clean most homes on a single charge. The vacuum features strong suction power, branded as Hypervelocity suction, which performs well on both hard floors and carpets, making it suitable for everyday messes and pet hair. The included removable hand vacuum and pet-specific attachments like the Pet Multi-Tool and crevice tool add convenience for above-floor and tight-space cleaning. The HEPA and foam filtration system helps capture fine dust and allergens, a plus for pet owners.

At around 7 pounds, it’s relatively lightweight and has a low-profile design that fits under furniture easily, but it may still be a bit bulky for some users during extended cleaning sessions. Noise level is moderate at about 80 dB—not the quietest but typical for this type of vacuum. While the XL dust cup is handy for less frequent emptying, the 4-hour charging time is on the longer side. This vacuum is best suited for pet owners and households with mixed flooring who want a cordless, budget-friendly option with decent cleaning power and useful accessories, though those needing very quiet operation or ultra-lightweight gear might want to consider other models.

The Eureka PowerSpeed Upright Vacuum is a solid choice if you're looking for a budget-friendly vacuum that works well on both carpets and hard floors. At only 10 pounds, it’s easy to carry and maneuver around furniture or up stairs, which is great for everyday cleaning without much hassle. Its 960-watt motor provides strong suction that performs reliably across different surfaces, whether you have rugs or bare floors.

This vacuum is bagless and features a large 2.6-liter dust cup, meaning you won’t have to stop and empty it frequently during cleaning sessions. Emptying the dust cup is designed to be quick and clean, which helps avoid mess. It uses a foam washable filter, which is a basic but effective filtration system, though it may not capture as many tiny allergens compared to HEPA filters.

One handy feature is the adjustable brush roll height with five settings, letting you customize the vacuum for carpets or floors, improving cleaning precision. It also comes with pet-specific attachments like a turbo brush and crevice tools, making it a decent pick for homes with pets. However, it is a corded vacuum, so you’ll be limited by the cord length and need to plug it in during use. Also, the noise level at 88 dB is on the louder side, so it might be noticeable during operation. There’s only one power speed, so you won’t have options for quieter or more intense cleaning modes. This vacuum fits well for budget-conscious users who want a lightweight, easy-to-use upright vacuum with good suction and pet-friendly tools but is less ideal if you prefer cordless freedom, advanced filtration, or quieter operation.