Best Vacuum Under 200
Best Car Vacuum
September 10, 2018
Best Electric Weed Eater
January 25, 2019
Best Vacuums Under $200
Vacuuming your home often not only ensures that it remains in a pristine condition but also has a lot of other benefits.
These include getting rid of allergens, pet hair as well as bugs that may want to find their way into your carpets and upholstery.
It is therefore important that when shopping for a vacuum cleaner you go for a reliable, effective and cost friendly option that will give you these and even more benefits.
To help you determine the best vacuum cleaner, which can serve your cleaning needs best, we have come up with this guide which we hope you will find useful.
The Top 7 Best Vacuum Under 200
Quick Navigation
Whichever vacuum cleaner you decide to buy for your home, it should be effective, reliable and long lasting.
Moreover, you don’t need to break your back to get a vacuum cleaner with these
attributes. We have reviewed some top vacuums with excellent features that you
can buy for just under $200 which we are confident have attributes that make them
effective for thorough cleaning jobs as follows;
You may also see this vacuums under $100
1.Hoover WindTunnel 3 Pro Pet Bagless Corded Upright Vacuum UH70931PC, Metallic
Moreover, this vacuum cleaner has some advanced cleaning features such the 5 position carpet height adjustment. This makes it ideal to clean basically all types of floors easily and efficiently by just adjusting to suit the floor type you want to clean.
It is, therefore, a worthy investment on as you can expect to use it in a variety of cleaning applications be it for curtains and upholstery, carpets, area rugs, garages, and even cars.
Furthermore, this vacuum features a Multi-Floor Brush roll on/off move from carpet to hardwood with a press of a pedal; convenient for storage in small spaces. It also comes with a 27-foot cord. This helps avoid tangling with the cord while cleaning and also the hustle of winding the cord manually. The cord rewind also ensures that the cord is neatly stored inside ensuring it does not break or wear out easily.
This vacuum also comes with a number of accessories to help in cleaning different floor surfaces and upholstery. These include; an air powered pet hand tool which is used to pick up pet hair from floors, a pet upholstery tool to remove hair from furniture, a crevice tool for vacuuming tight spaces and an extension wand.
Key features
- Upright and bagless model
- 27 foot power cord
- Cord rewind
- 5-position carpet height adjustment
- 4 cleaning accessories
- Upright and bagless model
- Long power cord
- 5-position carpet height adjustment for more precise and thorough cleaning
- Extension Wand
- Lightweight design eliminates fatigue
- Bagless design requires more emptying
This is an upright and bagless model with a lightweight design for easy maneuvering and yet powerful suction to make vacuuming a breeze. The powerful suction combined with edge bristles makes this vacuum ideal for vacuuming corners and along baseboards. Furthermore, this vacuum features Scatter-Free technology with a triple action roll brush, which loosens, lifts and removes embedded dirt and pet hair from different surfaces. The scatter-free technology ensures that messes on hard floors are captured with minimal scatter.
With a 27-fiit power cord, this vacuum is makes cleaning large surfaces much easier and faster with little interruptions. Moreover, it has automatic cord rewind which is convenient in several ways. To start with, the automatic cord rewind ensures the power cord does not get tangled while you are vacuuming ensuring minimal disruption. Similarly, the cord gets stored neatly inside the vacuuming thereby reducing wear and tear.
Additionally, this vacuum uses a powerful, multi-cyclonic suction system which not only prevents dirt and dust particles from escaping into the air but also ensures that your vacuum’s motor remains powerful. The cyclonic suction also helps extend the life of the filter and vacuum as well making this vacuum one of the most economical yet powerful vacuums. Moreover, this vacuum uses multi-level filtration with a washable filter to trap fine debris and allergens from escaping to the air.
This vacuum uses a dirt bowl which is mess-free to empty ensuring that dust and allergens don’t escape to the surrounding air. It also comes with a number of accessories including a turbobrush tool, a dusting brush, crevice tool and extension wand making it versatile for cleaning different types of surfaces. In addition, this vacuum has a 5-position height adjustment to ensure different surfaces are cleaned thoroughly and perfectly.
Key features
- Upright and bagless model
- Turbo brush roll with scatter-free technology
- 27-foot power cord with automatic cord rewind
- 5-position height adjustment
- 4 cleaning accessories
- Scatter free technology ensure minimal scatter even on hard floors
- Automatic cord rewind is convenient and eliminates cord tangling
- 5-position height adjustment is more precise for thorough cleaning
- Bagless design may require more emptying
Ultra-lightweight, this vacuum weighs just under 8 pounds making it highly maneuverable for cleaning tasks that require more versatility. This is a vacuum that has been designed for multi applications including hard floors, carpets and even for car detailing. Moreover, this vacuum cleaner comes with different kits for home and car detailing applications. It also features swivel steering which enhances its maneuverability and makes cleaning much easier and faster.
Additionally, this vacuum cleaner has an ergonomic design with controls around the fingertips which allows you to easily from hard floors to carpets ensuring you get a thorough clean for any floor surface. The vacuuming settings can be changed from between carpeted and bare floors allowing for versatile use. This vacuum also comes with a number of accessories such as crevice tool for cleaning tight spots, a brush and extension wand.
With its slim design, this vacuum is also easy to store even in small spaces. It has 2 storage options; fixing the hand vacuum to the bottom of the wand or securing it to a wall mount all of which take very little space.
Key features
- Light weight for easy maneuvering
- Home and car detailing kits included
- Features for vacuuming carpeted and bare floors
- Easy storage
- Easy to maneuver
- Versatile for use in different applications
- Easy to store
- Ideal for light vacuuming applications
This is a lightweight upright vacuum featuring a detachable canister making it very portable for different cleaning tasks. It is also bagless but comes with a large capacity dirt bowl to ensure you can vacuum more with fewer interruptions. Moreover, the canister can be easily detached with a press of the button whenever you need to clean hard to reach places making this one of the most convenient and versatile vacuums ever.
Designed to ensure you in a clean and fresh smelling home, this vacuum uses HEPA filters in combination with Anti-allergen complete seal technology. The HEPA filter and anti-allergen seal helps trap up to 99.9% of dust and allergens in the vacuum. This kind of efficiency is ideal especially if you have pets or someone in your home suffers from allergies as you can be sure once vacuumed, there is little chance the allergens of pet will escape to outside air.
Apart from the lightweight design and construction, this vacuum also comes with swivel steering. These make it highly maneuverable and can more easily around furniture for thorough cleaning without fatiguing you. Moreover, this vacuum’s easy to empty, large-capacity dirt bowl and long power cord allows for extended cleaning without worrying about interruptions.
This vacuum cleaner also comes with a number of accessories to help keep your home perfectly clean. There is a pet power brush designed to pick pet hair from floors and upholstery, a dusting brush for upholstery and a crevice tool to reach and clean tight spots. These accessories make this vacuum highly versatile and ideal for use in multiple floor surfaces.
Key features
- Detachable canister
- Complete seal technology and HEPA filter
- Bagless but uses a large capacity dirt bowl
- Swivel steering
- 3 cleaning accessories
- Lightweight, versatile and yet very powerful
- The detachable canister allows for reach under furniture
- Anti-allergen and HEPA filter ensures that your home is allergen free
- Large dirt bowl and long cord provide for extended uninterrupted cleaning
- You have to detach the canister for some cleaning applications
Featuring a detachable canister, LED lights, swivel steering and LED lighting, this is one of the most iconic vacuums you can get for just under $200. It boosts of very powerful suction to loosen, remove and pick even stubborn dirt and debris from carpets and other flooring efficiently and effectively. This is further boosted with the detachable canister which allows makes this vacuum portable and ideal for use in a wide range of cleaning applications. Moreover, this vacuum uses Lift-Away technology with a single button push which makes it easier to lift the canister away whenever you need to clean hard to reach places.
Furthermore, this vacuum comes with a HEPA filter which is very effective in trapping allergens and dust inside the vacuum. It is also built with Anti-allergen complete seal technology ensuring no dust or allergens escape to the surrounding air. This vacuum is therefore an ideal addition for your home for cleaning purposes to completely get rid of allergens in the house.
This vacuum also features a premium pet power brush. This brush is highly efficient in picking up pet hair, dander and debris from all surfaces. All the dirt, pet hair and dust gets sucked into an extra large capacity dirt bowl through cyclonic action which not only ensures that your motor vacuum’s motor maintains powerful suction but also that no dirt escapes into the air or goes back inside the vacuum.
Additionally, this vacuum features a long power cord which allows for vacuuming large surface areas at a go. It also comes with a number of other accessories for cleaning which include a crevice tool, a dust brush and an extension wand. This vacuum is also easy to empty in a mess-free operation and has LED indicators that alert you when the dirt bowl needs to be emptied.
Key features
- Detachable canister
- LED headlights
- Swivel steering
- Extra large dirt bowl
- HEPA filter and Anti-allergen complete seal technology
- Premium pet brush and other accessories
- Detachable canister makes this vacuum lightweight and easy to maneuver in tight spots
- LED headlights and swivel steering improve control
- Extra large dirt bowl with long power cord provides extended cleaning times
- HEPA filter helps get rid of allergens
- The detachable canister needs to be removed for some cleaning tasks
This upright vacuum has a lightweight and portable construction and weighs just 15 pounds. It is therefore easy to maneuver and versatile for different cleaning tasks around the house. Furthermore, this vacuum has very powerful suction that easily picks up dirt, dust and debris and never loses suction throughout the vacuuming.
Moreover, this vacuum features a 25 foot power cord which provides ample length for cleaning large floor surfaces with very minimal interruption. Its dirt bowl is also designed with a large capacity to extend cleaning and is also easy to empty in a simple mess-free operation without letting dust and allergens escape to the air.
Designed for cleaning both carpeted and bare floors, this vacuum features a brushroll shutoff that lets you switch seamlessly between floors ensuring a thorough and more effective cleaning. Furthermore, this vacuum comes with a dusting brush and crevice tool for versatile cleaning around the house.
Key features
- Lightweight and portable
- 25 foot power code
- Never loses suction
- Brushroll shutoff
- Large capacity dirt bowl and 2 cleaning accessories
- Easy to maneuver around obstacles
- Never loses suction throughout the cleaning process
- Long power cord and extra large dirt bowl minimize interruptions
- Does not come with swivel steering
This vacuum has a lightweight design and construction with an extra large dirt bowl used to hold the dust, dirt and debris. It is therefore very easy to maneuver around obstacles, which is also aided by swivel steering.
Moreover, this vacuum comes with headlights which allow you to notice dirt spots more easily ensuring your house gets a thorough and efficient clean.
With a large wheel design and multi-surface nozzle, this vacuum adjusts itself automatically on different floor surfaces to ensure each type of floor surface is cleaned perfectly. The large wheels are engineered to glide smoothly on all types of floors to expertly and effortlessly clean them.
In addition, this vacuum features a clear brushroll cover allowing you to notice when debris gets trapped on the brushroll for easy cleaning.
Furthermore, this vacuum features a suction release valve which can be opened or closed for optimal maneuverability across different floor surfaces. This is also helpful when you are using other accessories to clean upholstery, curtains and other sensitive fabrics.
Similarly, this vacuum can stretch up to 4 times it length providing extended reach. The handle for the hose is simple to attach and remove whenever you need to extend reach.
This vacuum also comes with a number of versatile cleaning accessories which include the following: A turbo brush – which is very effective for picking up pet hair and dander from floors and furniture.
There is also a 7 inch crevice tool designed to be extra long for vacuuming tight spots and in between furniture. In addition this vacuum features a dusting brush which easily sucks dust from curtains, lampshades and other fixtures.
Lastly, this vacuum features an upholstery tool for use with satin curtains, embroidered pillows and other delicate surfaces.
Key features
- Large wheels design for smooth gliding and maneuvering
- LED headlights
- Clear brushroll cover
- Quick release suction valve
- Extended reach hose
- LED headlights provide illumination to spot dirt more easily
- Extra long hose and crevice tool provides extended reach for cleaning hard to reach spots
- Easy to notice when the brushroll needs to be cleaned
- Dirt bowl may require to be emptied more often.
What to look for when buying a vacuum cleaner under $200
Types of Vacuum Cleaners
Primarily, there are 5 types of vacuum cleaners depending on the shape and each type has different functionality. Some are dedicated for special cleaning tasks while others combine different cleaning tasks and therefore come at different prices as well. Knowing what to expect from a certain type of vacuum clean is therefore important when you need to make a purchase decision.
1. Handheld
Handheld vacuum cleaners have a compact and portable design. They are ideal for use in closed spaces such as inside cars or hard-to-reach places. Their versatility makes them very efficient for cleaning on the go and can be used for vacuuming at homes at well. Handheld vacuum cleaners come in different forms with different features and price tags. There are corded handheld vacuum cleaners which use mains electricity and cordless handheld vacuum cleaners which are powered by rechargeable lithium batteries. Apart from their versatility, these vacuum cleaners also have ergonomic designs which make cleaning a breeze.
Canister
These vacuum cleaners are of medium size as compared to stick and upright models. They have powerful suction just like upright cleaners but come with a slender frame resembling stick cleaners. The major difference between canister vacuum cleaners and the stick and upright models is the separate canister attachment. These types of vacuum cleaners can be used for both carpeted and bare floors because of their multi-functional design. However, they tend to be pricier than other models.
3. Upright
The upright models are the most sought-after and most popular vacuum cleaners in the market currently. They feature very powerful suction and offer very effective clean-up around the home. Moreover, these models are made with easy to understand functions and come with easy to use accessories making them the number one choice in most homes. Additionally, these vacuum cleaners provide settings which allow for use in carpeted and also bare floors.
Stick
These vacuum cleaners have been designed for light vacuuming jobs and feature less powerful suction than the canister and upright vacuums. Their design makes them ideal for use on hardwood floors, light carpets and area rugs. Furthermore, these vacuums feature a slender construction with a stick like handle which not only makes them maneuverable but also easy to tuck away in closet or corner spaces. They are also a bit lightweight than their canister and upright counterparts.
Robot/ Autonomous
In recent years, robot vacuum cleaners have become very popular with many people since they require very little effort but are as effective as conventional vacuum cleaners. They are able to roam around the house freely sucking up any dirt or mess on their way. These vacuum cleaners therefore not only save time but are also able to reach places that conventional vacuums aren’t able to reach such as under furniture. Their main drawback is the steep price you have to fork to get these cleaning marvels.
With the many designs, shapes and functionalities, knowing what to look for depending on your cleaning needs makes it easier to make a purchase decision. There are some features each type of vacuum has that makes them suited for your purposes. This is more especially if you have pets or suffer from allergies and require a vacuum cleaner that can pick pet hair and even micro-dust and organisms. Here are the top features you should look for before buying a vacuum cleaner.
Noise levels
Vacuum cleaners use motors for suction which often means some kind of noise that may require having some form of hearing protection. However, there are some vacuum cleaners mostly the handheld and canister types which are quieter than most other types. This is a consideration you may need to make depending on your noise tolerance levels.
Accessories
All vacuums often come with a number of accessories that make them efficient in cleaning applications. These accessories include; a crevice tool that is used to vacuum narrow spaces, a small upholstery brush and a round brush. Canister vacuums feature a powered intake which cleans more thoroughly than simple suction intakes. Some vacuums also feature edge cleaners which come in handy for vacuuming wall-to-wall carpeting.
Bagged or Bagless
Some vacuums use a bag to collect dirt while others collect dirt in a bowl or bin. Bagged vacuum cleaners tend to hold more dirt at a go and have the benefit of releasing very minimal dust to the air when being emptied. Moreover, these types of vacuums have an indicator which alerts you when the bag is full. However, you have to buy bags more often as they are not reusable.
On the other hand, bagless vacuum cleaners use hold dirt built in bin or bowl. They also use filters which need to be replaced or cleaned periodically. Emptying dirt and cleaning the filters can be quit messy as compared to bagged vacuums. They also have a size limitation which means you may need to empty the dirt bin more often when compared to using a bagged option.
Bare-Floor Options
Some vacuums will have features and equipments that can help clean vinyl, hardwood and other uncarpeted floors. In most instances, these vacuum cleaners have an on/off switch for the brush while other vacuums have a bare-floor setting.
Brush Agitator
A brush agitator is a roller with bristles that spans the width of the base of the vacuum. It is responsible for dislodging grit, dust and dirt from the carpet making them easy to be picked up by the intake easily. Some vacuum cleaners with this feature often have a switch to turn the roller on/off depending on the type of floor you need to vacuum at a particular time.
Suction Control and Carpet Pile-Height Adjustment
While this feature is automatic in most vacuum cleaners, those with manual adjustment offer precise control that allows for easy maneuverability and thorough cleaning. Additionally, vacuum cleaners with a switch to control suction are more ideal for cleaning curtains and upholstery as the air flow through the hose can be regulated for more effective cleaning.
Filter
To prevent fine particles from escaping into the air, most vacuums now use filters. There are different types of filters with the most efficient being the HEPA filters for vacuums. If you or someone in your house suffers from allergies, using HEPA filtration may be quite effective in getting rid of the allergens and alleviating the symptoms. However, vacuums with advanced filtration features may be more costly than those that don’t have the same.
Cord Control
Most vacuum cleaners come with electrical cords that enable them to vacuum over wide areas except for some handheld types that use rechargeable batteries. For some, there is a mechanism that lets free and wrap the cord at once than doing it manually which makes them highly convenient. The mechanism also helps avoid tangling of the power cords thereby enabling easy cleaning.
How to maintain your vacuum cleaner
Buying a vacuum cleaner is a great investment which you need to take care of if you expect it to keep your home clean and smelling fresh at all times. There are some few things that you can do to make sure that your vacuum remains as effective and offers powerful suction and cleaning for several years to come. They include:
1. Replacing the bag regularly
This is one of the easiest and quickest things you can do to ensure that your vacuum cleaner is in optimum operating condition. To keep your vacuum cleaning working best, do not weight for the bag to get full before replacing it. Rather, replace it when it is about two thirds full. This makes sure that their sufficient space for debris and dirt and your vacuum cleaner will therefore be picking up dirt and debris from your floors more efficiently. For bagless models, ensure that you empty the bowl more often as well.
2. Attaching the bag properly
This sounds very easy but is very important in ensuring your vacuum cleaner is working properly. If the bag is not attached as securely and snugly, debris may not find its way into the bag but will instead fill the inside of your vacuum cleaner which may cause damage to your vacuum. Buy the correct bag for your vacuum and ensure that its opening is securely attached to the nozzle. Some models come with holders, clips or hooks which ensure that the bag is firmly hooked.
3. Clean the brush roll
The brush roll picks a lot of items some of which may get wrapped around it thereby preventing it from spinning well. These items include hair, strings and floss among others and make the brush less efficient in scrapping dirt and debris from carpets. Checking the brush regularly to remove embedded items will ensure that it remains effective and your vacuum offers reliable and consistent thorough cleaning. While cleaning the roller brush, you should also check it’s bearings to see if they need cleaning or replacement as well as caps and the inside parts of your vacuum.
4. Check the belt
After cleaning the brush roll, the next part of your vacuum you should check is the belt. The belt helps keeps the roll in place and should be tight enough against the roll for your vacuum to function effectively. The belt should be uniform, not frayed or worn out otherwise you need to replace the belt. Generally, the belt needs replacement anywhere after 6 to 12 months depending on its condition and how often you use your vacuum cleaner. The replacement is easy as the new belt comes with step-by-step instruction. However, if you are unsure of how to do you can take your vacuum cleaner to a professional who can do the replacement for you at a small fee.
5. Cleaning the filters and hoses
Most new vacuums come with filters designed to get rid of allergens and other particles that contaminate indoor air quality. If you are using a vacuum cleaner with a filter, ensure you clean the filter whenever you remove the dirt bag or empty the dirt bowl. You also need to replace the filter periodically for your vacuum to work more efficiently. Also, check the hoses for any debris or large objects that may get trapped inside the hose which may make the hose to stop working perfectly.
While there are several other vacuums with more expensive tags than these that we have analyzed, you don’t need to break the bank for your home to be sparklingly clean. The most important consideration you should look for is whether the vacuum you are buying is reliable, can do the job effectively and won’t break down two months down the line. Nonetheless, you should be interested on other features such filtration if you have pets or if you someone in your household is sensitive to allergies.
For most other features such as design and maneuverability, most manufacturers are striving to ensure that the ergonomics are comfortable for users. That is why you will notice that most of these vacuums have a lightweight design and construction with some of them even featuring swivel steering to making them easier to maneuver.
Based on all these features, our top choice is The Shark Rotator Professional Upright Corded Bagless Vacuum for Carpet and Hard Floor with Lift-Away Hand Vacuum and Anti-Allergy Seal (NV501). Not only does this vacuum have all the features you should look for, it comes with illuminating headlights that make it easy to spot dirt more easily. Moreover, its extra large dirt bowl and long power cord with automatic cord rewind ensure you can clean as much as you want with very minimal interruption.
You may also want to consider The Shark Navigator Professional Upright Vacuum for Carpet and Hard Floor with Lift-Away Hand Vacuum and Anti-Allergy Seal (NV360). This vacuum has all the features that you should look for including anti-allergy seal. Its design and construction also ensures you clean longer with fewer interruptions.
