What if I told you that I could help you find some of the best vacuums under 300 dollars? Chances are you’d be a bit skeptical, right? I don’t blame you.
Electric vacuums have come a long way since they first hit the market in 1905. Today, they’re sophisticated cleaning machines with all the bells and whistles you could ever need to keep your home sparkling clean. Of course, with all that capability comes a hefty price tag.
High-end vacuums can cost well over $1000! Thanks to big-name brands continually pushing suction technology to its limits, there’s no sign that premium units will go anytime soon. In fact, it’s estimated that the vacuum market will be worth more than 17.6 billion dollars in 2024 [1].
Despite what the market might lead you to believe, you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a high-quality vacuum. Imagine being able to clean your carpets and hard floors effectively without breaking the bank. How much easier would it be to have an affordable machine that you can rely on?
In this guide, we’re going to help you find that vacuum cleaner. We’ve curated a collection of some of the best vacuum cleaners under $300 that money can buy. We’ll even provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision you won’t regret. But first, on to the vacuum cleaners!
Comparing the Best Vacuums Under $300
Here are some of the very best vacuums under $300 that you can buy today.
| Best Vacuums under 300 | Power Cord | Weight | Capacity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Shark DuoClean NV803 (Editor’s Choice) | 30 ft. | 15 lbs. | 0.9 dry quartz | Check Price |
| 2. Bissell Hair Eraser 1650A | 30 ft. | 18 lbs. | 1.5 liters | Check Price |
| 3. Shark Rotator NV501 | 25 ft. | 15.5 lbs. | 1.3 quarts | Check Price |
| 4. Shark Ion Robot RV750 | N/A | 5.51 lbs. | 0.38 liters | Check Price |
| 5. Miele Grey Classic C1 | 21 ft. | 11.4 lbs. | 4.76 quartz | Check Price |
| 6. Severin MY7118 | 19.5 ft. | 23.9 lbs. | 1.8 liters | Check Price |
| 7. Bissell Air Ram 1984 | Cordless | 7.75 lbs. | 0.6 liters | Check Price |
1. Shark DuoClean NV803
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From the famed vacuum brand, Shark, is this versatile little machine. It’s a unique hybrid vacuum that can be used in a variety of different ways.
Technology:
The thing that sets this unit apart from others is the unique powered lift-away system. At first glance, it looks like your average upright vacuum. However, you can remove the core of the system from the base and use the machine as a lightweight canister vacuum.
Performance:
From a performance standpoint, the vacuum checks off all the boxes. It offers powerful suction, a fast roller brush, and a wide vacuum head. Thanks to the swivel base, the vacuum is very easy to maneuver under furniture and around corners.
Specs:
- Soft bristle brush
- Anti-allergen seal
- Swivel steering system
- Built-in LED lights
- Bagless
- 30-foot cord
- Can be used as upright or canister vacuum
- Easy to maneuver
- Only weighs 14.5 pounds
- Can be used on hard floors and carpet
- Bristles might not be firm enough for high-pile carpets
- Dirt canister is on the smaller side
Final Verdict:
All in all, the DuoClean vacuum has a lot to offer. With all the innovative design and many convenience features, it’s hard to believe that a cleaning machine of this quality is priced under $300.
2. Bissell Pet Hair Eraser 1650A
- Tangle-free brush roll, specialized pet tools - remove embedded pet hair everywhere
Do you have to deal with pet hair regularly? If so, the Pet Hair Eraser vacuum from Bissell may be for you. It has a uniquely designed roller that’s meant to prevent tangles while picking up stray hairs in seconds.
Technology:
The roller brush is independently powered from the rest of a vacuum. Thus, you can turn it on or off at will. The design is distinct, too. It follows the path of the rotation, minimising tangles and clogs.
Performance:
The vacuum uses cyclone technology to create powerful suction. That’s not all. Once dirt and hair get sucked up, it’s separated to prevent clogs. Once you’re ready to empty out the canister, dirt and hair fall out in one motion, making it a mess-free experience.
Specs:
- Upright vacuum
- Independently powered beater brush
- Swivel steering system
- LED lights
- Bagless
- 30-foot cord
- Comes with several attachments
- Works on virtually any surface
- Large dirt canister
- Replaceable filter and deodorizer
- Tangle-free brush design
- Can be cumbersome to maneuver
- Not as powerful on bare floors
Final Verdict:
Don’t let the old-school size of this vacuum fool you. It’s packing plenty of power and some great technology to keep your home clean.
3. Shark Rotator NV501
- LIFT-AWAY FUNCTIONALITY: Detachable pod for cleaning under furniture or detach the nozzle to clean above the floor, on upholstery, furniture, stairs, and more.
The Shark Rotator is another one of our best vacuums for under $300. It’s a sleek machine with professional-quality performance.
Technology:
Like the previous Shark model in our list, this machine features the powered lift-away canister. You can easily transition from an upright to a handheld canister with one button push.
Performance:
Carpets, luxury vinyl plank floors or hard floors, this machine can do it all. While the rolling beater brush is prone to tangling from pet hair, you can turn it off with a switch. The strong suction power can lift up dirt from smooth floors without any assistance from the brush.
Specs:
- Upright vacuum
- Lift-away canister
- HEPA filtration
- LED lights
- Swivel steering
- 25-foot cord
- Bagless
- Relatively quiet
- Keeps dust contained
- Comes with several tools
- 1.3-quart dust bin
- Light enough to carry
- Brush prone to tangling
- Not enough attachment storage
Final Verdict:
Thanks to its versatile design, this vacuum is a great all-in-one cleaning machine. It’ll take care of pretty much any surface, keeping your home clean from top to bottom.
4. Shark Ion Robot Vacuum RV750
- THREE BRUSH TYPES. ONE POWERFUL CLEAN: Tri-Brush System combines side brushes, channel brushes, and a multi-surface brushroll to handle debris on all surfaces.
With the Shark ION vacuum, you don’t even have to worry about cleaning. This compact cleaner can automatically clean your home every day.
Technology:
This is a high-tech vacuum that utilizes sensors to navigate your home. It will detect obstacles and work around them. Everything is controlled by a smartphone app. You can schedule cleanings, check on its status, and more. There’s even a microphone to pick up voice commands!
Performance:
As with all robot vacuums, you’re not going to get the strongest suction out there. If that’s not a deal-breaker, you can benefit from the multi-surface brush. It’s suitable for all floors and will not mar up smooth surfaces like other firm brushes.
Specs:
- Robot vacuum
- Auto-sense navigation
- Bagless
- Can be controlled with an app
- Cordless
- Comes with charging dock
- Dual brush design
- Cleans carpets and bare floors
- Works with Amazon Alexa voice commands
- Low profile shape
- Small dust bin
- Not the greatest for corners and walls
Final Verdict:
The smart technology used in this vacuum is great for maintaining your home between deep cleans. It’s not going to take care of stubborn spots or high-traffic areas that well, but it can pick up daily messes without missing a beat.
5. Miele Grey Classic C1
- This powerful but quiet German-engineered bagged canister vacuum has a combination floor head that is ideal for cleaning hard floors. High suction power – 1,200 W
The Miele vacuum is German engineering at its finest! This powerful vacuum offers 1,200 watts of suction power! It can take care of most messes without any issue at all.
Technology:
At the heart of the vacuum is the Vortex motor. It creates impressive suction that you can easily adjust to meet your needs. While most vacuums only have one operating mode, this one has 6 different power levels. You can adjust the settings with a simple knob to clean everything from hardwood floors to delicate drapery.
Performance:
The Miele C1 vacuum covers all the bases. Not only is it incredibly powerful, but it also has an efficient containment system. The vacuum does require bags. However, the replaceable bags have a tight seal and a built-in filter that can improve the air in your home while you work.
Specs:
- Canister vacuum
- Bagged system
- 6 power settings
- AirClean filtration
- Cord is approximately 30 feet long
- Filters air while it cleans
- Comes with several attachments
- Easy cleaning mode knob
- Works with carpet and smooth floors
- Weighs less than 12 pounds
- Requires replacement bags
- No carpet brush
Final Verdict:
If you’re looking for a vacuum that can do it all, give this model a shot. With its included attachments and multiple cleaning modes, you won’t have a problem taking care of most surfaces in your home.
6. Severin Germany Special Bagless Vacuum MY7118
- Cleans hard-floors and carpets, it's easy to handle thanks to adjustable power regulation, and provides high, constant suction on all surfaces
Here’s another German-engineered machine worthy of your attention. It’s a canister vacuum that’s built to be as versatile as possible. This model may be from a lesser-known brand, but it has a ton of cool features that set it apart from the crowd.
Technology:
Dozens of products out there use cyclone technology to pick up dirt. This particular vacuum creates multiple cyclones. After the first cyclone stage, the dirt is subjected to many smaller cyclones. This helps to remove the tiniest particles from the airstream, allowing you to pick up more dust than you even though possible.
Performance:
Like the previous vacuum we recommended, this machine has adjustable vacuum suction. The only downside is that there are only four modes to choose from. However, when you factor in the many attachments you’re getting, the vacuum becomes a multipurpose cleaning machine that’s fit for your home, office, and car.
Specs:
- Canister vacuum
- Baggless
- Multicyclone motor
- HEPA filtration
- Cord is approximately 30 feet long
- Comes with odor filter
- Includes several unique tools
- Adjustable suction
- Can be used on most flooring surfaces
- Quiet operation
- Can be difficult to maneuver
- Heavy
Final Verdict:
You may not have heard of Severin before, but this brand makes an excellent product that will serve you well.
7. Bissell Air Ram Cordless Vacuum 1984
- Every Purchase Saves Pets. BISSELL proudly supports BISSELL Pet Foundation and its mission to help save homeless pets.
Bissel is known for making some innovative vacuums. This model is no different. It’s an affordable vacuum under $300 that can be used to clean up every day messes in minutes.
Technology:
Packed in this tiny vacuum is some cool technology. All of the core components are built into the vacuum head. This makes the unit very small and easy to maneuver. There’s no hefty canister weighing you down. Just lift the telescoping handle, turn the vacuum on, and go.
Performance:
Don’t expect this vacuum to take care of serious messes. It’s not designed for that. Rather, it’s an everyday vacuum that you can keep in your kitchen or living room for spot cleaning. The vacuum is powered by a rechargeable battery that provides fade-free suction for about 40 minutes. It doesn’t have a motorized brush, making it safe for smooth floors.
Specs:
- Compact stick vacuum
- Cordless
- Bagless
- Built-in LED lights
- Multi-surface brush
- Swivel steering
- Easy to move
- Fade-free power
- Telescoping handle
- Gentle on hard floors
- Weighs less than 8 pounds
- Only 40 minutes of runtime
- Small dust bin
- Not as powerful on carpets
Final Verdict:
All in all, the Air Ram vacuum is a handy little machine. It’s a no-frills model that can complement another heavy-duty cleaner.
Are Cheap Vacuums Under $300 Worth It?
Those pricey vacuums are often showered with praise. They get glowing reviews and are often deemed as must-have products. While those premium vacuums certainly earn their merits, that doesn’t mean that more affordable alternatives don’t have a lot to offer.
Truth is, a lot of what you’re paying for with premium machines doesn’t even affect performance. For example, many high-end vacuum cleaners are filled with extras that are designed with convenience in mind. Those convenient features are great to have, but are they really worth those few extra hundred dollars? In most cases, they’re not.
Plus, there’s the whole issue with “brand tax.” Premium brands will spend millions of dollars to ensure that they become a household name. For example, Dyson reportedly spent 100 million dollars in 2018 just for advertising alone [2]. There’s nothing wrong with spending money to get the word out about a good product. But, those costs have to be recouped somewhere. More often than not, they’re recovered with a higher purchase price.
The $300 Sweet Spot
Having a budget of around $300 dollars to spend is a nice sweet spot when it comes to vacuum cleaners. As we mentioned earlier, vacuum technology has evolved quite a bit in recent years. However, spending upwards of $300 is a good way to ensure that you’re getting some of the latest technology available.
Cheaper vacuums do exist. However, they’ll only perform the bare essentials. Some won’t even do those very well. By looking at this price point, you can get things like cyclone suction, HEPA filtration, bagless canisters, and more. These features can make all the difference when it comes to quality and performance.
Selection Criteria When Buying the Best Quality Vacuum Under 300
There’s a lot to consider when you’re looking for the right vacuum cleaner. These are sophisticated devices, but quality can vary across the price spectrum. Our goal was to choose vacuums that had a nice balance between impressive performance, must-have convenience features, and an affordable price. Here are the criteria we used to provide you with our top picks.
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Effectiveness on Carpet
How good is a vacuum cleaner if it can’t clean up your carpets? One of the biggest elements that affect carpet performance, aside from suction power, is the beater brush. The beater brush is a rotating cylinder that contains stiff bristles. It’s electrically powered and spins to lift up dirt that’s deep within the carpet fibers. Powerful brushes can remove dirt that’s been hiding for years.
The quality of the brush can make or break your vacuum. Beater brushes are notorious for breaking down due to faulty belts and overall poor design. They can also get tangled with hair. It’s important to stick to vacuums with a high-powered roller brush that can take care of any type of carpet.
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Performance on Bare Floor
Most homes don’t have soft carpeting in every room. Unless you want to invest in multiple cleaning devices, it’s good to get a vacuum that can handle bare floors, too.
The main things to look for are strong suction power and the ability to turn off the beater bar. While the brushes may be great for carpets, they could damage hard floors. The stiff bristles can create surface scratches that become huge eyesores. Independently powered brushes are essential. You can stop the spinning function with a flip of a switch. This allows you to seamlessly transition from carpeted floors to bare floors without even stopping suction.
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Tools and Attachments
Having a collection of attachments and tools can turn your simple floor vacuum into an all-in-one cleaning device. Separate extension wands are great for sucking dirt off of molding, fan blades, and other hard-to-reach spots. Meanwhile, upholstery tools let you remove dust from your chairs, sofas, beds, and ottomans. Some vacuums even come with lighted crevice tools to ensure that no spot is missed.
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Dust Repository
In the past, bagged vacuums were the only option on the market. With these units, dust is deposited into a bag while also filtering the air before it exits the unit. Vacuums with bags still exist, but you can also choose to go bagless.
Bagless vacuums use a canister that you can simply open over the garbage can. Most have one-touch lids so that you don’t have to get dust on your hands when you’re emptying them. Typically, these vacuums are paired with reusable air filters.
There are pros and cons to both options. With bagless vacuums, you don’t have to worry about buying replacement bags. They’re cheaper to maintain and eco-friendly. However, vacuum bags tend to be better for allergy sufferers.
Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference. Just make sure that the repository system has plenty of room to let you vacuum without having to constantly empty it out. If you need something to tackle dust mites, why don’t you check out uv dust mite vacuums to getting rid of allergies.
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Ergonomics/Ease of Movement
Large and clunky vacuums can be a huge pain to maneuver. To make things easier, choose a vacuum that’s designed for comfortable use. We chose models that have ergonomic handles and simple movement systems. This includes smooth wheels and flexible swivel systems.
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Style and Weight
Finally, let’s talk about style and weight. You have several options when it comes to the overall style. Upright vacuums are a traditional option. They tend to weigh the most but offer the most suction power. Next up, there are stick vacuums. These have gotten quite popular in recent years because they’re light enough to use with one hand.
Canister vacuums roll around on the ground and are attached to a flexible hose. They can be a bit hefty, but they perform great. Those are the three main styles you can get. Handheld and robotic options are available, too.
Generally, stick vacuums are considered the most versatile. Not only are they light enough to use comfortably, but the small footprint makes them great for many areas in the home. Again, the style that’s right for you depends on personal preference. We’ve included a nice variety of styles in our recommended picks.
Wrap Up
As you can see, you don’t have to spend a fortune to get the best vacuum cleaner under 300 dollars. Give one of these vacuums a shot to see for yourself! They’ll let you experience that premium high-performance clean at only a fraction of the cost.
