Vacuum cleaners are one of those household accessories that most people don’t think about too much, mostly because they only use it when they need to. When one eventually breaks, many people will be shocked at how much newer models cost and regret that they didn’t take care of their old one in the first place.
But worry not; we’ve compiled a list of 3 of the best cordless vacuum cleaners under $100 that will suck up dirt and grime in your home without sucking your wallet dry.
The great thing about vacuum cleaners is: you get a lot of value for your money. The best cordless vacuums under 40 dollars are mostly 2-in-1 stick models. Although inexpensive, they boast of suction power that rivals that of more expensive models.
Canister and upright vacuums are usually in the 60 to 75 dollar range. While they have the suction power of more expensive models, they usually offer nothing more than the $40 ones, save for a possible hose attachment.
But the best cordless vacuums under USD100 usually provide more-than-adequate suction power and premium features without breaking the bank. In fact, many of the features we’ll be discussing today can be found in more expensive models.
To help you get the most value for your money, we’ve compiled a list of the top three cordless vacuum cleaners under $100. These are the models that we think give you the best bang for your buck.
Bissell Zing Rewind Canister Vacuum
- 2 pounds
- Corded – 15 feet
- Pros: Can clean multiple types of surfaces, retractable cord, optimized for cleaning stairs, three-stage filtration system
- Cons: Upright vacuum users will have to adjust to canister vacuums, despite its ability to clean multiple surfaces it really is better suited for hard floors, plastic casing makes it look cheap
- Price: $49.99
The Bissel Zing is a true jack-of-all-trades, being able to work efficienctly on carpets, hard and soft floors, but more importantly, stairs. The Zing is able to climb up and down stairs, making it easier to clean each step more thoroughly.
It has 3 filters, much to the delight of people with asthma and rhinitis everywhere. This means that, out of all the commercial vacuum cleaners available in the market, the Zing is the one that is most dedicated to containing allergens and other pollutants, leaving your home or office much easier to breathe in. The filters are all renewable and eco-friendly, although taking them out and cleaning them regularly is essential if you want to retain the strong suction power of the Zing.
When all the vacuuming is done, the Zing makes packing up easier with its retractable cord. A minor feature for some, but for many people who hate winding up bulky cords, it’s a godsend. It also has an attachment to keep the hose upright, giving you a chance to take short breaks in between vacuuming.
Many early adopters of the Zing were happy with the powerful suction it offered. The Zing can operate close to a shop vac’s power with much less noise but with a comparable level of efficiency. The bag-less design of the Zing also means that you won’t have to spend extra on additional bags: just take out the filter, clean it, and you’re ready to go again.
With the ability to clean carpets and hard floors, the Zing is perfect for any home. To vacuum carpets, the Zing offers a lever that lowers bristles from the head of the vac to make carpet vacuuming a breeze. Meanwhile, its canister vacuum design and hose attachment make stair vacuuming just as easy. The Zing features a handle on top of its small body to help you pick it up and place on any stair you like.
Its downside, however, comes from the canister design that makes stair cleaning easy. With a canister vacuum, you have to pull the vacuum behind you while you go around the house, unlike an upright vacuum which requires more of a push motion. Upright users will definitely have to navigate a slight learning curve when they first start using the Zing.
Another downside is its cheap design. For something that works extremely well, its aesthetics are not one to brag about. While this is a minor detail for some, a few people might find that it clashes with their house’s overall design and might pass on this wonderful product because of it. But, I guess, try not to judge a vacuum by its casing!
VonHaus 600W 2-in-1 Lightweight Stick Vacuum
- 6 pounds
- Corded – 19.5 feet
- Pros: large container for dust, lighter than most models, 2-in-1 capabilities, HEPA filtration
- Cons: long cord can be cumbersome, less effective on non-hard floors, attachments are not a perfect fit on the head
- Price: $39.95
With its light-weight design and versatile capabilities, the VonHaus is the perfect 2-in-1 vacuum for people in a budget. It can operate both as stick vacuum and as a portable vacuum, making it useful in houses with multiple floors. Despite lacking an extendable attachment, the portability of the VonHaus makes such an attachment unnecessary.
The VonHaus also boasts a High-Efficincy Particulate Air filtration system, or HEPA. It’s one of the most efficient vacuum filters out there, capable of containing even the finest of particles in its mesh. All the filters are reusable, so there’s no need to purchase new ones. The HEPA filtration is especially useful for people with pets, as it can contain even large particles like fur. The VonHaus’ large, 1.3L tank means you only need to empty it out once every cleaning, a chore that not many people look forward to. Despite the size of the tank, it’s still surprisingly light.
Although the VonHaus can be used on different floors, it really is more efficient cleaning up hard floors. Early purchasers of the VonHaus were very disappointed with the vacuum’s ineffective carpet cleaning capabilities. Cleaning carpets at even the lowest possible setting is a complete let-down with the VonHaus, with some users claiming that it won’t work at all.
Hard floors, however, are a different story. The VonHaus excels on all manner of hard floors, from laminated wood and hardwood, to tile and granite. Just make sure to keep it off the carpeting and you’ll be one happy homeowner.
Another downside is the cord. The VonHaus’ 19.5-foot cord is impressive, until it starts getting in the way of cleaning. A number of users have reported the cumbersome nature of the VonHaus’ cord, and for something that’s supposed to help, it instead becomes a hindrance. Despite the number of attachments it comes with, there aren’t any that will help with the cord issue.
Speaking of attachments, the VonHaus comes with a few, but unfortunately not one of them are very useful because they barely fit on the vacuum, if at all. Not only does this make vacuuming difficult, it also presents the risk of spewing out dust all over the place.
Despite these setbacks, the VonHaus’ price still makes it one of the most cost-efficient purchases you can make, as compared to other 2-in-1’s. Ideally, future models will come with attachments that will solve the cord’s cumbersome nature (perhaps provide a retractable one like the Zing, or better yet, cordless).
Possibly The Best Budget Vacuum Cleaner Under $100:
Hoover WindTunnel 2 Whole House Rewind (UH71250)
- Weight: 16.1 pounds
- Corded – 25 feet
- Pros: Has a retractable cord, works on carpet and hard floors (especially tile), extended cleaning reach, no loss of suction, consistent suction action, works effectively on carpets and hard floors, extended reach, retractable cord.
- Cons: Heavier than other models, awkward power button, large particulate matter can be hard to clean out, rotating brush must be turned off manually.
- Price: $99.99
With a household name like Hoover, people expect the best, and with the WindTunnel 2, it doesn’t disappoint. One of the most striking qualities of the WindTunnel 2 is consistency: that is, over the past couple of years that it has been released, many users have commented on the WindTunnel 2’s suction, or more specifically, the suctions consistency. Unlike its competitors, the WindTunnel 2’s suction doesn’t get any weaker. In fact, it remains the same every use, whether it’s the first time or the thousandth time.
The suction power also remains the same regardless of terrain, whether its wood or carpet, tile or granite. The WindTunnel can suck up dirt on every surface, and its powerful multi-cyclonic engine can suck up even large particulate matter with relative ease. Its multiple attachments mean it’s also extremely versatile for its price tag.
The rotating brush at the end can be switched on and off with a simple button, so you can transition from carpet to hard floor without so much as a bend over. There’s also an extendable hose that helps you clean out hard-to-reach places. This makes it almost as good as a portable vacuum.
Unlike the VonHaus but much like the Zing, the WindTunnel 2’s extra long 25-foot cord is retractable, which makes both packing up and cleaning less of a chore. The retractable cord means that you only need to stretch out the WindTunnel 2 for as long as you need it, without unwinding its entire 25-foot length.
A few downsides, however: many users have reported debris sticking to the inner walls of the canister, with some users saying that they needed to use pressurized air to clean the canisters just to ensure nothing is left behind. Especially for pet owners, pet fur can be hard to clean and will definitely need some aggressive use of pressurized air to make sure that no strand of pet fur gets left behind. Bit of a hassle, if you asked me!
Another con is its swivel head attachment, with some users claiming that it’s too sensitive, turning and pivoting at the slightest movement. However, some people love it, and cannot now imagine living without it. So that one is up to user preference, it seems.
At 16 pounds, the WindTunnel 2 is also one of the heaviest budget vacuums out there and may not be suitable for people looking for something easy and lightweight. The Hoover WindTunnel 2 is no pushover!
With the cheapest model clocking in at USD99, it’s certainly the most expensive budget vacuum on this list. Despite this, it packs premium features all at a very affordable price.
