Are you tired of wrestling with bulky, outdated vacuum cleaners that are extremely expensive? Say goodbye to compromise and hello convenience with our curated list of the best vacuum cleaners under $300! With a sleek design and powerful suction, these impressive vacuum cleaners revolutionize your cleaning routine by combining affordability with performance. The following budget-friendly cleaning tools offer unprecedented versatility and efficiency without hurting your wallet, regardless of whether you are dealing with hardwood floors, plush carpets, or hard-to-reach corners.
To find the perfect vacuum cleaner, we spent a few weeks rigorously testing the highest-rated vacuum cleaners on the market. The vacuums were tested on a variety of factors, ranging from the ability to remove pet hair left behind by two dogs and three cats to their ability to pick up cat litter spills with ease.
In our in-depth analysis, we evaluated various performance metrics, including suction power, maneuverability, and the effectiveness of the included attachments within this budgetary range. We found three standout winners after extensive testing, each capable of handling your cleaning requirements with precision and efficiency.
Side-by-Side Breakdown of Top Vacuums Under $300
| Vacuum Cleaner | Price | Special Features | Our Ratings | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dyson Omni-Glide Cordless | $272 | Washable filter, Lightweight & cordless, Omnidirectional cleaner head, Compact design, Advanced filtration | Performance: 4.7/5, Maneuverability: 4.5/5, Portability: 5/5, Quality: 4.9/5 | Lightweight & maneuverable, Powerful suction, Efficient filtration, 2-year warranty | Limited runtime (20 min), Small dustbin (0.2L), Slightly loud (70 dB) |
| Shark Rotator Professional Lift-Away | $219 | Lift-Away functionality, HEPA filter, Swivel steering, LED headlights | Performance: 4.9/5, Maneuverability: 4.7/5, Portability: 4.9/5, Quality: 4.9/5 | Versatile, Traps allergens, Maneuverable, LED headlights, Useful accessories | Corded, Requires filter maintenance, Loud |
| Kenmore Lightweight Bagged Canister – 600 Series | $289 | Triple HEPA filter, Dual-motor system, Motorized pet attachment, Aluminum telescoping wand | Performance: 4.7/5, Suction power: 4.8/5, Maneuverability: 4.4/5, Portability: 4.7/5, Quality: 4.5/5 | Convenient controls, Versatile, Good storage & attachments, Long-lasting | Slightly heavy, Not ideal for stairs, Uses disposable bags |
| Shark HZ2002 DuoClean Ultralight | $269 | DuoClean PowerFins, Handheld mode, LED headlights, Self-cleaning brushroll, Swivel steering | Performance: 5/5, Suction power: 4.9/5, Maneuverability: 4.9/5, Portability: 5/5, Quality: 5/5 | Works on multiple surfaces, Long cord, Easy to use, Lightweight, Strong suction | Small dustbin, Cleaning the vacuum can be tricky |
| Shark AI Ultra Voice Control Robot | $298 | Smart mapping, Self-emptying base, Self-cleaning brushroll, Voice control, Extended battery life | Performance: 5/5, Suction power: 4.9/5, Maneuverability: 4.8/5, Portability: 5/5, Quality: 5/5, Noise level: 4/5 | Auto-emptying, Smart mapping, Great for pet hair, Long battery life, Excellent carpet cleaning | Mapping can be inconsistent, Slightly noisy |
1. Dyson Omni-Glide Cordless Vacuum
The Dyson Omni-glide is Dyson’s slimmest and most maneuverable vacuum, suitable for quick cleanups on hard floors. Weighing less than 5 lbs, it’s ultra-compact and effortless to use, certified by United States Ergonomics. Featuring an articulating neck and 360-degree castors, it navigates around obstacles easily. Moreover, with advanced whole-machine filtration, it traps particles as small as 0.3 microns, ensuring cleaner air. Its cordless design transforms into a handheld vacuum, ideal for versatile cleaning. With two cleaning modes and a 20-minute runtime, it offers powerful suction where you need it, backed by a 2-year warranty for peace of mind.
Price:
$272 at Amazon
Special Features:
- Washable Filter: Easy-to-maintain washable filter ensures optimal performance.
- Lightweight and Cordless: Weighing less than 5 lbs and cordless design for effortless maneuverability.
- Omnidirectional Cleaner Head: Dual brush bars spin at the same speed for efficient hard floor pick-ups in both directions.
- Compact Design: Ultra-compact form factor and articulating neck for easy navigation around furniture and tight spaces.
- Advanced Filtration: Whole-machine advanced filtration traps 99.99% of particles as small as 0.3 microns, expelling cleaner air.
Our Ratings and Reviews:
- Performance 4.7/5
- Ease of Emptying 4.5/5
- Maneuverability 4.5/5
- Portability 5/5
- Quality 4.9/5
What We Like
- Lightweight and maneuverable design
- Powerful suction with two cleaning modes
- Efficient whole-machine filtration for cleaner air
- Durable construction with a 2-year warranty and lifetime Dyson support
What We Don’t Like
- Limited runtime of 20 minutes
- Small dustbin capacity of 0.2 liters
- Noise level (70 dB) to be slightly loud
2. Shark Rotator Professional Lift-Away Vacuum Cleaner
The Shark Rotator Professional Lift-Away (NV501) priced under $300 is a versatile upright vacuum designed to tackle various cleaning tasks easily. With its Lift-Away functionality, you can detach the pod for portable cleaning power, reaching under furniture or cleaning above the floor effortlessly. Also, equipped with Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology and a HEPA filter, it traps dust and allergens inside the vacuum, ensuring cleaner air in your home.
Furthermore, this vacuum is equipped with swivel steering for excellent maneuverability around furniture and in tight spaces. With included accessories like the wide upholstery tool, dusting brush, and crevice tool, this vacuum offers a comprehensive cleaning solution for your home.
This upright vacuum is perfect for cleaning furniture and tight spots!
Price:
$219 at Amazon
Key Features:
- Lift-Away Functionality
- Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology
- Advanced Swivel Steering
- LED Headlights
Our Ratings and Reviews:
- Performance 4.9/5
- Ease of Emptying 4.6/5
- Maneuverability 4.7/5
- Portability 4.9/5
- Quality 4.9/5
What We Like
- Versatile cleaning capabilities
- Traps dust and allergens inside the vacuum
- Maneuverable design
- LED headlights
- Accessories for comprehensive cleaning
What We Don’t Like
- Limitations of corded electric power
- Regularly clean or replace foam filters
- Loud
3. Kenmore Lightweight Bagged Canister Vacuum – 600 Series
You can use the Kenmore Canister Vacuum Cleaner to clean all types of surfaces in your home, including your car, carpets, hard floors, and especially pet hair. With its lightweight design and swivel head, it effortlessly maneuvers around furniture and tight spaces. The triple HEPA filter system ensures thorough cleaning by trapping 99.97% of dirt inside the vacuum, while the included attachments such as the PowerMate and Pop-N-Go brush tackle stubborn pet hair and dirt with ease.
Price:
$289 at Amazon
Special Features:
- Triple HEPA Filter System
- The dual-motor system excels in suction strength, with included attachments for various cleaning tasks
- Motorized attachment lifts stubborn pet hair quickly and stores it inside the vacuum for easy access
- Aluminum Telescoping Wand
Our Ratings and Reviews:
- Performance 4.7/5
- Ease of Emptying 4.6/5
- Suction power 4.8/5
- Maneuverability 4.4/5
- Portability 4.7/5
- Quality 4.5/5
What We Like
- Convenient Controls
- Versatility
- Storage and Attachments
- Longevity
What We Don’t Like
- Weight
- Performance on Stairs
- Bag Waste
4. Shark HZ2002 DuoClean Ultralight Vacuum
One of our top-tested vacuum cleaners is the Shark Vertex Corded Stick Vacuum. It is a lightweight yet powerful cleaning solution for all floor types. With its innovative PowerFins technology, featuring a PowerFin roller and a soft roller, this vacuum provides continuous cleaning contact to effectively remove dirt, debris, and hair from carpets and hard and wood floors alike, without the mess of hair wrap. Its handheld mode, weighing less than three pounds, offers convenient portability and streamlined suction for above-floor cleaning tasks. Equipped with advanced swivel steering, navigating around furniture and tight spaces is effortless, while the self-cleaning brush roll ensures consistent suction power.
Price:
$269 at Amazon
Special Features:
- DuoClean PowerFins: Innovative brush roll technology for deep cleaning on all floor types.
- Handheld Mode: Lightweight and portable design for versatile above-floor cleaning.
- LED Headlights: Illuminate hidden debris for thorough cleaning in low-light areas.
- Self-Cleaning Brushroll: Prevents hair wrap and maintains powerful suction performance.
- Advanced Swivel Steering: Provides excellent control and maneuverability around obstacles.
Our Ratings and Reviews:
- Performance 5/5
- Ease of Emptying 4.6/5
- Suction power 4.9/5
- Maneuverability 4.9/5
- Portability 5/5
- Quality 5/5
What We Like
- Effective on Multiple Surfaces
- Long Cord
- Easy to Use
- Lightweight and Maneuverable
- Powerful Suction
What We Don’t Like
- Size
- Ease of Cleaning
5. Shark AI Ultra Voice Control Robot Vacuum Cleaner
The Shark AI Ultra Voice Control Robot Vacuum offers the perfect cleaning solution for homes with pets and various floor types. With powerful suction, this robot vacuum efficiently cleans dirt and debris from carpets and hard floors.
Using Matrix Clean technology, it ensures that no spots are missed while deep cleaning the entire home in a precision matrix grid. An auto-emptying base holds up to 60 days’ worth of dirt and debris, eliminating the need for disposal bags. Moreover, its self-cleaning brushroll is designed to pick up more hair and prevent hair wrap, making it perfect for pet owners.
Price:
$298 at Amazon
Features:
- Smart Mapping: Utilizes 360° LiDAR vision for accurate home mapping and methodical cleaning.
- Self-Emptying Base: Holds up to 60 days of dirt and debris, eliminating the need for disposal bags.
- Self-Cleaning Brushroll: Prevents hair wrap and efficiently picks up debris from all surfaces.
- Voice Control: Compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for convenient hands-free operation.
- Extended Battery Life and Recharge & Resume.
Our Ratings and Reviews:
- Performance 5/5
- Ease of Emptying 5/5
- Suction power 4.9/5
- Maneuverability 4.8/5
- Portability 5/5
- Quality 5/5
- Noise level 4/5
What We Like
- Self-Emptying Base
- Smart Mapping Technology
- Effective Pet Hair Removal
- Extended Battery Life
- Outstanding Carpet Cleaning
What We Don’t Like
- Mixed Ease of Use
- Mapping Accuracy
- Noise Levels
The Testing Process We Follow
We reviewed user feedback and product specifications and selected five models marketed toward pet owners. In addition to the fact that pet hair is one of the most common applications for vacuum cleaner purchase, these vacuums are usually more powerful and full-featured and include carpet and furniture tools that work equally well in households without pets.
Moreover, we evaluated each vacuum based on its setup, design features, and performance, considering things such as suction power, battery life, capacity to suction dirt or debris, and effectiveness on different flooring types and pile heights.
Maneuverability Testing
We tested the vacuum’s maneuverability in different spaces, checking if it could pivot or rotate, go flat under furniture, and how heavy it felt. We also evaluated if it pulled, dragged, or got stuck on carpets, and assessed the impact of a lift-off canister, if available.
Suction Power and Performance Evaluation
We thoroughly assessed the vacuum’s suction power, focusing on its ability to handle pet fur and cat poop across various floor types, including fluffy carpets. Our evaluation included checking for debris spillage and any loss of suction power with a full canister. We also tested its effectiveness on different floor types, pile heights, and surfaces, noting attachment functionality. Additionally, we considered issues like tangling/clogging of the brush roll and the vacuum’s noise level, although this was not a primary factor.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the best vacuum under $300 involves considering key factors like suction power, maneuverability, and performance on different surfaces. Our testing revealed top models including the Dyson Omni-Glide, Shark Rotator Lift-Away, Kenmore Lightweight Bagged Canister, Shark HZ2002 DuoClean, and Shark AI Ultra Voice Control Robot. Each excels in specific areas such as versatility, pet hair removal, or powerful suction.
By weighing these factors, you can select a vacuum that meets your cleaning needs without exceeding your budget.
