Who doesn’t like a good deal?
Today we’ll looking at the best vacuum cleaners below 200 bucks.
These machines have more refinement and power compared to the sub $100 models we featured a couple of months ago but a bit more expensive.
If you have $200 to invest (I don’t like to say spend because it is an essential tool) then any of these wood be great options.
The products you’ll see here will be a mix of uprights, canister, cordless, etc. so you’ll have to picking something that’ll suite your needs.
| Rank | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Model | |||||
Can be used on |
|||||
| Floor |  | | | |  |
| Upholstery | | | | | |
| Nooks & Crannies | | | | | |
| Crevices | | | | | |
| Battery | | | | | 20 volt Li-ion |
| Charge time | | | | | 4 hrs |
| Run time (minutes) | | | | | 15 minutes |
| Cord Length | 25 feet | 35 feet | 25 feet | 17 feet | |
| Power | 1,200 watts | N/A | 700 watts | N/A | 25-Aw |
| Dirt capacity | 1.2 dry quarts (up to fill line) or 1.15 liters 3.0 dry quarts (max) or 2.84 liters | N/A | 1.8 dry quarts (real usable capacity) or 0.95 liters | 1.98 liters or 1.05 quarts | 17 ounces or 0.5 liters |
| Washable filter | | | | | |
| Bagless | | | | | |
| Motorized brush | | | | | |
| Brush roll on/off | | | | | |
| Attachments | 5" crevice tool 24" crevice tool Dusting brush Pet hair power brush Wand | None | Combination crevice / dusting brush tool Pet/upholstery tool | 3-in-1 crevice / dusting brush / upholstery tool Hard floor brush tool Telescopic Wand | 2-in-1 nozzle /brush tool Long crevice tool Pet hair tool Stick vac floor head |
| Cleaning path (inchdes) | 9.25" | 12" | 9.25" | 11" | N/A |
| Weight | 13 pounds | 8 pounds | 10.6 pounds | 13.22 pounds | Approx. 4 pounds |
| Warranty | 5-years | 1-year | 3-years | 3-years | 2-years |
Our Pick: Shark Navigator Lift-Away NV352
This upright vacuum doubles as a canister vacuum thanks to the Lift-Away feature that separates the floor tool from the body.
Shark calls this the “Lift Away” feature and this product is one of the first to implement this.
As versatile as a cannister
It extends the reach of the vacuum to not just cleaning floors. But also other areas like stairs, upholstery, vents, ceiling fans, basically most parts of your home.
And this is one of the big reasons why this product has received positive feedback in sites like Amazon.
Even at its current price point (which is in the $160++ range) it still comes with a full 5 year warranty.
No swivel
It will not swivel like a Dyson upright. But this feature still helps in terms of maneuverability.
Usability wise, it will work well on both hardwood and carpet because it has a brush roll on/off feature. Cleaning carpeted stairs won’t be a problem as well because it has a mini motorized attachment.
Here’s how it looks like as an uprigh (left) t and canister (right)…
Can it deep clean?
Based on written and video reviews, it has that capability. But it will struggle with larger debris because of the low profile design.
Expect a snowplow effect when cleaning stuff like cereal or crushed chips.
Shark has address this issue with their latest upright called the DuoClean Powered LiftAway (NV803).
It has the latest “Duo Clean” brush roll that combines a soft roller and bristled brush that literally pulls dirt but it will cost over $300.
And if you want something with the same agitation for less, have a look at the DuoClean Rocket. It has the same DuoClean head but it has a similar design as a Dyson V6 but much cheaper.
Here’s comes the best part
This model comes with an extension wand. And when you add it all up has an overall reach of 37 feet (that includes the power cord) so you can cover a lot of ground here.
When you combine the features, tools and warranty this has got to be one of the best bargains out there right now.
Just remember that it doesn’t have an LED headlight and has no handle controls. If you don’t mind those omissions then this is the cleaner for you.
Deep Cleaner at a Budget: Oreck Commercial XL2100RHS Upright
To ensure that your carpet lasts a long time it has to be deep cleaned at least once a week so sand and grime don’t tear it.
Cheaper than a Dyson
If you cannot afford a Dyson upright that easily costs over $400, have a look at this dedicated floor cleaner from Oreck.
The Oreck XL2100RHS is a no frills commercial grade upright vacuum from Oreck that weighs ONLY 8 pounds!
Oreck keeps it simple
It is the definition of simplicity. Big bag on a frame attached on the motorized head.
This is by design to save on weight so don’t expect premium features like swivel steering, LED headlights and such. This machine will only clean floors.
The large gray bag that you see houses the bagged vacuum. Don’t worry about the cost of bags, a pack of 25 will cost just a shade under $23.
Belt replacement every 6 months
One concern I have is the need to replace the belt every 6 months. While it should not be hard, it does add to the maintenance cost (add to that the bag).
No brush roll on/off
Another concern would be the absence of a brush roll on/off feature.
This makes this hard to use on bare floor except for cleaning up small dirt like dust. The low clearance make it hard for this product to clean larger debris.
Noise is another concern and may not be the best option for those who have young children.
The lack of an LED headlight is another drawback. Oreck makes up for this with great agitation and suction. It is also the lightest of the bunch – your back will thank you for it.
Budget Upright: Shark Navigator NV105
The Shark Navigator NV105 is another lightweight upright option that’s cheaper – under $130 but slightly heavier at 10 pounds.
Cheaper but less versatile
Even though it is cheaper, this is slightly more versatile because it comes equipped with a hose and wand that you can use this to clean upholstery and stairs (to some extent). But does not have any “lift-away” feature found in the NV352.
Despite that, this would make a decent cleaner to have in mid-sized homes that have a mix of carpet and bare floor because it could clean both effectively.
Can it deep clean?
It can to some extent. But it won’t match a heavyweight like a Dyson in terms of suction power. Or a commercial upright like Oreck in terms of agitation.
Still in terms of value for money, it is hard to beat this upright that can clean upholstery and stairs to some extent.
Some cons
If there are cons for this product it would be the lack of a swivel steering feature, the small dirt cup, lack of a headlight and since this is lightweight – it will be prone to tipping over if you pull on the hose a tad too much.
Budget Canister: Hoover WindTunnel Air Bagless Canister
Canister vacuums are regarded as one of the most versatile cleaners available right now because you can use it practically anywhere and they weigh less than an upright.
The Hoover WindTunnel is a great option for under $200 – it’s actually under $140!
Has a motorized brush!
This is one of the rare models that comes equipped with a motorized brush roll.
Having a motorized brush roll makes this a much better performer on carpet.
More agitation than a Dyson
Compared to a Dyson DC39 Origin that does not have a motorized brush rather it is air powered which means less pick up on carpet.
The Hoover will be able to outperform any carpet performance test against the Dyson and will cost much less!
It has the the similar multi-cyclonic filtration system that the filter will last longer without the need for cleaning. Other tools included in the package are the 3-in-1 combo tool and hard floor brush.
Cordless Option: Black + Decker BDH2020FLFH
Just in case you’re looking for a cordless handheld, the Black & Decker BDH2020FLFH is one of the better options in the market right now.
It comes with all the tools you need from a handheld.
Not only that, they added a stick vacuum floor head which allows floor cleaning without bending.
Great for pet owners
Pet owners will also appreciate the unique design of the pet hair cleaning tool. It uses a rubberized ribbed head that works great on upholstery. Cleaning pet hair on your sofa or car interior will not be a chore with this handheld.
The default tool attached is the combo crevice and brush tool that will work well on vents and tight areas.
It also has a detachable hose that extend the reach. And it’ll doesn’t require users to constantly hold the body. You can leave the body on floor and take advantage of the 4 foot reach of the hose to dig in on fabric upholstery.
You can use it to clean floors
This variant with the stick vacuum floor head is more expensive compared to the BDH2020FL. But that’s a good investment if you’re planning on using this to clean high traffic areas.
The 20 volt lithium ion battery will run for 15 minutes which means this will only work as a spot cleaning tool.
Versatile
You’ll appreciate this feature when you just need to clean up spilled chips or dust bunnies accumulated in your bathroom’s ceiling vent.
Trust me you’ll want this feature in those scenarios.
Bringing out a heavy corded vacuum is the last thing on your mind when cleaning up small messes. That’s why these cordless vacuums are a great tool to have in your home.
To Wrap Up
Any of these 5 vacuums will give you the best bang for your buck if you’re looking for a cleaner under $200.
Why the Shark Navigator NV352?
The Shark Navigator NV352 wowed me with it’s versatility thanks to the Lift Away system. I never thought that an upright will posses such flexibility but kudos to Shark for their innovation.
This isn’t their best product but it’s one of the best value deals in my book.
Folks with allergies should go with Oreck
If you have allergies and like something with a bag then Oreck is the best option. It will not wow you with features but when it comes to cleaning, it performs. And that’s what matters most.
The simple, utilitarian design does not have any swivel steering, hose or even LED headlights. But it’s light as a cordless stick vacuum but it has the power of an upright.
It does not have any brush roll on/off feature so this isn’t very usable on bare floor. But for folks who need a deep cleaning machine on carpet this is a great option at less than $170.
Cheaper than the NV752
The Shark Navigator NV105 is another upright option but it’s less versatile than the Navigator NV352. However it’s cheaper and is still capable of cleaning above floors. But minus the Lift Away feature that separates the floor tool and canister.
Don’t sleep on the Hoover
For folks who want similar versatility of a Shark NV352. But don’t want to spend $170 for it the Hoover WindTunnel canister is a nice 2nd option.
Since this is a canister vacuum, it will clean multiple areas above the floor thanks to the hose and telescopic wand. Power cord though is short at just 17 feet so this limits range.
Cordless option
If you don’t want to bother with a cord then have a look at the Black & Decker BDH2020FLFH. It’s one of the best handhelds out there thanks to its 20 volt litium ion battery, 4 foot hose and a bevy tools that make it a great tag team partner to any upright like the Oreck.
The 20 volt battery take roughly 3 to 5 hours to charge and will run for about 15 minutes. There are two versions – the BDH2020FLFH that will cost roughly $130 and the cheaper BDH2020FL that’s around $50 less.
Overall you won’t go wrong with any of these you, just make sure to pick out one that will fit your need.
