10 Best Budget Vacuum Cleaners 2026 in the United States

The Shark Upright Vacuum, Navigator Lift-Away NV356E, is a solid choice for those looking for a budget-friendly vacuum cleaner, particularly pet owners. One of its standout features is the Lift-Away functionality, allowing you to detach the pod to clean stairs and furniture, which adds versatility. The vacuum includes a HEPA filter with an anti-allergen complete seal technology, which is effective in trapping 99.9% of dust and allergens, making it suitable for those with allergies. In terms of maneuverability, its swivel steering feature helps navigate tight spaces and furniture easily.

The vacuum is designed to handle pet hair effectively, thanks in part to its Pet Power Brush and additional attachments like the dusting brush and crevice tool, which are included for more specialized cleaning tasks. It offers a brushroll shutoff feature for switching between carpet and bare floor cleaning, enhancing its adaptability across different surfaces.

However, the vacuum isn't cordless, which might restrict its range of operation due to dependence on power outlets. At 13.7 pounds, it's relatively lightweight for an upright vacuum, but some users may find it a bit heavy for extended above-floor cleaning. The noise level of 80 dB is on the higher side, which could be a concern for those sensitive to noise.

Its extra-large dust cup capacity of 0.87 liters supports longer cleaning sessions without needing frequent emptying, although it might be smaller for those with larger homes. Its effectiveness in cleaning pet hair and allergens, combined with a range of useful attachments, makes it a strong contender in the budget vacuum cleaner category.

The Shark POWERDETECT Upright Vacuum Cleaner stands out in the budget vacuum category for its strong suction and smart cleaning technology. Its DuoClean Detect system uses sensors to automatically adjust suction and brush speed, making it effective on both carpets and hard floors. It especially excels at picking up pet hair, thanks to a self-cleaning brushroll that prevents hair wrap. With a HEPA filter and an Anti-Allergen Complete Seal, it captures 99.99% of dust and allergens, which is great if you have allergies or pets.

The vacuum is corded, so you don’t need to worry about battery life, but the 17.5-pound weight might make it a bit heavy for some users during extended cleaning sessions. It includes handy attachments like a crevice tool and pet-specific brushes, plus an odor neutralizer to keep things smelling fresh. The motor is powerful at 1416 watts, which helps with deep cleaning, and the design helps boost suction near edges automatically, removing the need for extra tools in tight spots.

This vacuum is an excellent choice if you want strong, adaptive cleaning for various floor types and pet hair, and don’t mind a bit of extra weight or being tethered to a power cord.

The Shark Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum is a solid choice for those looking for an affordable, versatile vacuum under $300. Its cordless design offers freedom of movement without being tied to an outlet, backed by a decent 40-minute runtime to clean most homes on a single charge. The vacuum features strong suction power, branded as Hypervelocity suction, which performs well on both hard floors and carpets, making it suitable for everyday messes and pet hair. The included removable hand vacuum and pet-specific attachments like the Pet Multi-Tool and crevice tool add convenience for above-floor and tight-space cleaning. The HEPA and foam filtration system helps capture fine dust and allergens, a plus for pet owners.

At around 7 pounds, it’s relatively lightweight and has a low-profile design that fits under furniture easily, but it may still be a bit bulky for some users during extended cleaning sessions. Noise level is moderate at about 80 dB—not the quietest but typical for this type of vacuum. While the XL dust cup is handy for less frequent emptying, the 4-hour charging time is on the longer side. This vacuum is best suited for pet owners and households with mixed flooring who want a cordless, budget-friendly option with decent cleaning power and useful accessories, though those needing very quiet operation or ultra-lightweight gear might want to consider other models.