Small But Powerful: The Best Vacuums Under $200

Are you just like us, and you cannot imagine your home being dirty? Do your little children or home pets leave a lot of dirt lying around? We know it can be a pain to take out your heavy- duty vacuum for every little mess that you need to clean. Everyday cleaning can be a breeze with a small, light but still powerful vacuum. Robot vacuums are a great option too that also provide some entertainment for your pets. 

In our article, we take a look at the 5 best vacuum models under $200. You will be surprised at how effectively they can accommodate your needs. These are small but powerful machines and can easily provide a full clean in 15-20 minutes.

Comparison table: 5 best vacuums under $200

	
Model
Characteristics
Benefits


	
Winner in the category
The most powerfulShark Navigator NV360
Surface Recommendation
Dual Action
Power Source 
Corded Electric 
Item Dimensions LxWxH
14.96 x 11.4 x 45.5 inches
Weight (pounds)
12.5
Wattage 
1200
✅ Removable container to clean stairs and overhead;

✅ Easy to empty dust cup.




	
Winner in the category
The best vacuum for carpetsBISSELL Cleanview
Surface Recommendation
Hard Floor
Power Source 
Corded Electric 
Item Dimensions LxWxH
13 x 14 x 44.5 inches
Weight (pounds)
17.51
Wattage 
1200
✅ Works perfectly on low and middle pile carpets;

✅ Storage of specialized tools (the turbo brush tool, dusting brush, crevice tool, and extension wand) are kept on board.


	
Winner in the category
The best robot vacuum cleanerAnker Eufy
Surface Recommendation
Hard Floor, Carpet
Power Source
Lithium battery (+ has a remote)
Item Dimensions LxWxH
12.8 x 12.8 x 2.85 inches (2.85 inches tall)
Weight (pounds)
5.73
Wattage 
1200
✅ Smart robot vacuum;

✅ Vacuums for up to 100 minutes.


	
Winner in the category
The best designWhall Aucma
Surface Recommendation
Hard Floor
Power Source 
Battery Powered
Item Dimensions LxWxH 
28 x 11 x 5 inches
Weight (pounds)
8.38
Wattage
150
✅ Can be turned into a car vacuum cleaner;

✅ Comes with a wall-mountable charging stand.


	
Winner in the category
The lightest modelEureka NES215A Blaze
Surface Recommendation 
Hard Floor, Carpet
Power Source
Corded Electric
Item Dimensions LxWxH
45.87 x 9.65 x 5.63 inches
Weight (pounds)
4.99
Wattage 
240
✅ Its compactness makes it easy to clean high and hard to reach places;

✅ Powerful (2 A) motor effectively picks up particles like dust and pollen.

How did we choose?

• First of all, we looked at the highest-rated vacuums for different floor types.
• We found 25 models that cost less than $200. 
• Then we selected 10 models for a detailed review (excluded outdated ones or models with fewer reviews). 
• After that, we analyzed more than 100 customer reviews. 

Thanks to our research, we know what people are looking for in vacuums and what the most important features are. Based on our research we highlighted the best criteria in each model. You can see the results of our calculation below. 

What to pay attention to when choosing a vacuum

Let us begin with the 3 most important vacuum features:

1. Powerful suction capability is in the first place. Without it, vacuums cannot handle dust and we’re not even speaking about hair, crumbs, and so on at the moment. Small vacuums are usually used for daily messes like scattered flakes or cat hair on an armchair. 

The Shark Navigator NV360 (review) is one of the most powerful vacuums on our list. It traps 99.9% of dust and allergens, preventing them from escaping back into the air. Thanks to this technology, this vacuum is a perfect choice for those with allergies as it becomes impossible for dust to stay lingering around. The Eureka NES215A Blaze (review) is also a powerful vacuum but it does not have the antiallergenic feature.

2. The lightness of the machine. A light vacuum is easy to carry and move around. Some vacuums can be transformed into a handle one, so the lighter it is, the easier you can clean stairs or corners of the ceiling and walls.

The lightest model on our list is the Eureka NES215A Blaze (review). Its weight is only 4.99 pounds that is even less than the robot vacuum Anker Eufy (review).

3. The ideal vacuum cleaner should work well with different types of carpets. It does not matter whether you have low or medium pile carpets, the vacuum power and the capability of its brushes should be enough to clean the dirt from any surface.

The BISSELL Cleanview (review) can perfectly work with any surface. All your hardwood floors and carpets will be clean in just a few minutes. If you have different types of floor surfaces, pay attention to the Eureka NES215A Blaze (review), which also works well with hardwood floors and low pile carpets. Medium carpets may be challenging. 

There are some additional factors that you should pay attention to when you’re deciding on the best vacuum under $200.

Additional factors to pay attention to

• Handles fur and hair — one of the main tasks of modern vacuums as almost all households have home pets.
• Brushes — of high quality, do not tangle hair while working, are easy to change if the vacuum has more than one.
• Well-designed vacuum — we are not just talking about the color or design, high-quality materials and portability also matter.
• Maneuverability, little size, and the ability to go alongside and under furniture  — with it you can clean all the nooks and crannies.
• Durability — the vacuum should be long-lasting, it’s not a cheap purchase.
• Ease of assembly and set-up — while you only need to do it once, it should be simple and straightforward.
• Filters — easy to replace, washable. 
• Quietness — works without buzzing.
• Easy to dump canister — if the vacuum is bagless, the canister should be easy to take out and clean.
• Battery — if it has one, it is important how quickly it charges, whether it can be separated and whether it has electric shock protection. 
• Extra accessories — additional brushes for different surfaces or types of mess.

Based on these criteria, we have chosen the top 5 vacuums under $200. You can read a detailed review of each model below.

A detailed review of each model

Shark Navigator NV360 — the most powerful

✅ Pros:

• The most powerful suction capability
• Includes extra accessories (an attachment with a roller, upholstery tool, and 5.5-inch crevice tool)
• The easy to dump canister
• Lightweight

⛔️ Cons:

• Small canister
• Short hose and cord (look for an extension cord as a solution) 

Pick up cat litter and all types of hair with the Shark Navigator NV360. It has the most powerful suction capability. It captures and traps 99.9% of dust and allergens while preventing them from escaping back into the air. Thanks to this technology, this vacuum is a perfect choice for those with allergies. The Eureka NES215A Blaze (review) is also a powerful vacuum but it does not have the antiallergenic feature. Also, you get optimum performance due to accessories such as an upholstery tool, a 5.5-inch crevice tool, and an attachment with a roller. All kinds of trash can be scooped up from any surface.

This vacuum also has an easy to dump canister. You can detach it from the roller base to clean the stairs. Pay attention that the Shark Navigator NV360 is a corded one. The cord is 25 ft in length but some users argue that it is not long enough. If you want a vacuum that can be transformed into a handle or car one, look at the battery-operated Whall Aucma (review).

BISSELL Cleanview — the best vacuum for carpets

✅ Pros:

• Works with all types of surfaces
• Maneuverable
• Light

⛔️ Cons:

• Not as powerful as the Shark Navigator NV360 (review)
• The hose does not secure well at either end

If you have different types of flooring at home the BISSELL Cleanview is the perfect vacuum for you. It is not as powerful as the Shark Navigator NV360 (review) but its suction capability and a set of special brushes will help you clean not only the hardwood floor but all kinds of carpets. It copes perfectly with dog hair, so you can be sure that your home is clean. Also, this vacuum is maneuverable which means that it is ideal for hard to reach areas like under your furniture. 

One specific feature that the BISSELL Cleanview has is onboard storage. Thanks to it all brushes and attachments such as the turbo brush tool, dusting brush, crevice tool, and extension wand are always near and you can change them at any time during the vacuuming. The only disadvantage is that you need some strength to attach the hose to the vacuum or it will not secure well. But at all the assembly process is easy and fast.  

Anker Eufy — the best robot vacuum cleaner 

✅ Pros:

• Smart robot vacuum
• Works with a battery (up to 100 minutes)
• Has a remote control
• Powerful suction capability

⛔️ Cons:

• Does not work as effectively as the BISSELL Cleanview (review) on low pile carpets
• Needs a lot of space for a charging base
• Not as quiet as the Eureka NES215A Blaze (review)

Do you run out of time to vacuum every day? If yes, then pay attention to the robot vacuum Anker Eufy. It will save you time during the day as you can just turn it on or program it to clean when you require. At first, it can seem like this vacuum bumps into everything. But give it some time and it will become smarter. Moreover, you can operate it with remote control. The Anker Eufy works well on medium pile carpets but it is not as effective as the BISSELL Cleanview (review) on low pile carpets.

As it is a robot vacuum, it works with a battery and gives up to 100 minutes of cleaning time. But do not think that it is not powerful. Its suction capability is almost as powerful as in the Shark Navigator NV360 (review). Also, its height of 2.85 inches makes it suitable for hard to reach places like under furniture. The highlight of this model is a drop-sensing technology to avoid falling downstairs and off ledges. This will ensure that your home is clean and your vacuum remains intact.

Whall Aucma — the best design

✅ Pros:

• Has a battery (15-50 minutes of run time)
• Can be turned into a car vacuum cleaner
• Comes with a wall-mountable charging stand

⛔️ Cons:

• Not easy to dump the canister
• Not as powerful as the Shark Navigator NV360 (review)
• Not as light as the Eureka NES215A Blaze (review) 

The Whall Aucma is a perfect vacuum if you need something battery powered, light, and of durable construction. We categorized this model as well-designed because it is portable, high quality, and also has a futuristic design. It is light but if you need a very light model, pay attention to the Eureka NES215A Blaze (review). Also, the Whall Aucma is small enough to clean under the furniture. 

Another advantage of this vacuum is that it can be transformed into a car or hand-held vacuum cleaner. And you will not depend on the power cord as this vacuum has a battery that can run for 15-50 minutes depending on the working mode (standard, medium, and high that provide you with different suction power). The Whall Aucma has a wall-mountable charging stand, which will save your space and minimize storage problems.

Eureka NES215A Blaze — the lightest model 

✅ Pros:

• The lightest model
• Powerful suction
• Works well with wooden floor and low pile carpets like the BISSELL Cleanview (review)
• Maneuverable  

⛔️ Cons:

• Not as powerful on medium-pile carpets as the BISSELL Cleanview (review)
• No carpet brush

The Eureka NES215A Blaze is the lightest model on our list. It is very useful when you need to clean a large area as you will get less tired. Also, you can transform this vacuum from a stick one to a hand vacuum and a stair vacuum as you need. Thanks to this and its compactness, you can clean not only the floor but also the stairs, chairs, and even ceiling or wall corners. Unlike the Whall Aucma (review), the Eureka NES215A Blaze is corded, so keep in mind that the outlet should be near (the cord length is 18 ft). 

This vacuum does not have a carpet brush but it does not matter. Its suction capability and maneuverability will clean your hardwood floors and low pile carpets almost as perfect as the BISSELL Cleanview (review). Also, the Eureka NES215A Blaze can go under furniture, so even dust from the most remote corners will be collected. Also, pay attention to the advantage of the easy to dump canister that does not let the dust fly back after cleaning. 

5 tips and tricks about vacuum cleaners

There are some tips and tricks about vacuum cleaners that we want to share with you. These tips will ensure that you get the most out of your vacuum cleaners. 

1. Do high reach vacuuming to improve the indoor air quality. As people move in and out of rooms, their dead skin mixes with dust and debris from the outdoors and mixes in the air. That is why it is so important to vacuum the corners of the ceiling and walls, as well as air ducts.

2. Use a cordless vacuum cleaner for more freedom of movement as the Whall Aucma (review). With a cordless vacuum, you will forget about damaged cords and broken prongs. Also, you will manage your time more effectively as you do not need to backtrack and unplug the vacuum from the outlet.

3. If you have allergies, find vacuum models with an “air filter” or a “HEPA filter”. But check that the air goes through this filter as some manufactures can manipulate with this feature.

4. Change the bag or empty the canister regularly. This is important so the dust does not accumulate. And to avoid breathing in the collected dust.   

5. Do deep cleans. Even if you vacuum every day, from time to time you should take out your big vacuum cleaner and do a deep clean. For the best effect, you can use special cleaning shampoo. This will help get rid of the dirt that has built up in your carpet. You can also use extra attachments and accessories to manage the dirt and cat or dog hair.   

Cleaners and attachments for a fast clean up

There are some things that we recommend you to add to your buying list. These will provide a swift and effective cleaning session. 

Carpet shampoo

Vacuum attachments accessories

Replacement part accessories for robot vacuums

Replaceable filters for vacuum cleaners

It is recommended to replace filters every 3 to 6 months to trap dust, allergens, and to prevent loss of suction. Here are replaceable filters for other vacuums from our list:

Mop

Sometimes you do not need to use a vacuum to clean your floor, all you need is a light clean for some dust or dirt. In such cases, we recommend using a mop.

Extension cord

Summary

A vacuum cleaner is a must-have for every home. Whether you have kids, pets, or just live alone, it is a device that will make your life easier and improve your health.  

We all want our homes to be clean that is why some of us prefer to vacuum several times per week and some even vacuum daily. Small but powerful vacuum cleaners under $200 are the best choice for those who prefer frequent cleans. There are a lot of variants: robot vacuums, cordless, bagless, and so on. To avoid being intimidated by the variety of options on the market, it is important to pay attention to critical features such as powerful suction capability, lightness, the ability to vacuum any surface as well as the ability to pick up fur and hair, maneuverability, an easy to dump canister, durability, battery, ease of assembly and set-up, extra accessories, filters, ability to go under furniture, compactness, and quietness.

Below you can see our top 5 vacuums under $200.

	
Shark Navigator NV360
Winner in the category
The most powerful


	
BISSELL Cleanview
Winner in the category
The best vacuum for carpets


	
Anker Eufy
Winner in the category
The best robot vacuum cleaner


	
Whall Aucma
Winner in the category
The best design


	
Eureka NES215A Blaze
Winner in the category
The lightest model

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