Best Vacuum Under $200 - Updated 2017
- Details
We recently published our 2017 list of Best Cheap Vacuums (units under $100) and it proved to be quite popular. The list provided good machines that are very affordable - but the $100 limit also cut out some great vacuums. Now we’ve moved the affordability bar up to $200 which has allowed us to capture vacuums with slightly better consumer ratings, longer warranties and even more good features.
Our 2017 list of Best Vacuum Cleaners under $200 includes 7 uprights, 2 stick vacs and 1 canister vacuum. Manufacturers that made the cut include Oreck, Shark, Bissell, Hoover and Panasonic. The models were chosen based on their features, performance, consumer ratings and cost. The final list of 10 machines is provided in the table below:
Best Vacuums Under $200
| Rank | Model | Type | Price (USD)* |
| 1 | Shark Navigator Lift Away Pro (NV356E) | Upright | 180 |
| 2 | Shark Rocket Upright (HV302) | Stick | 170 |
| 3 | Oreck XL Classic Ltd Edition | Upright | 199 |
| 4 | Oreck U2000R-1 | Upright | 170 |
| 5 | Oreck 2100RHS | Upright | 160 |
| 6 | Hoover Commercial Portapower | Canister | 105 |
| 7 | Shark Navigator Deluxe NV42 | Upright | 130 |
| 8 | Shark NV22L Navigator | Upright | 130 |
| 9 | Shark Navigator Freestyle | Stick | 100 |
| 10 | Panasonic MC-UG471 | Upright | 160 |
*Prices based on Amazon September 2017. Please note that pricing may change.
We highlighted the chart below in our discussion of the best vacuums under $100 but it is worth showing again. It illustrates the relationship between Average Owner Ratings and Vacuum Price in USD. Note that we have analyzed over 140,000 owner ratings on the site over the past 9+ years. The chart shows that there are quite a few machines rated above 80 (a respectable score) for between $100 and $200 and we see 4 vacuums that placed above 90 (something you do not see with the vacuums less than $100).
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1) Shark Navigator Lift Away Pro NV356E
This vacuum carries a lengthy 5-year warranty and there are thousands of owner ratings online which are mostly very good. It’s hard to argue with that kind of success. The Lift Away Pro has the Lift-Away feature (like a number of other machines from Shark). In addition, it is fairly lightweight and is designed for carpet and bare floors.
It includes a special professional dusting bare floor tool, and most owners praise the vacuum for its strong suction, light weight, maneuverability, large dust canister and Lift-Away feature.
PROS
- Lightweight
- Strong suction
- Very maneuverable
- Lift-Away feature works well
- Seems durable
- Easy to assemble
- Suction can be lowered for more delicate vacuuming
- Performs well, especially for the cost
CONS
- Lots of plastic used in the vacuum construction
- Small crevice tool sometimes falls off vacuum
- Hose isn't very long
For additional information read our Shark Navigator NV356E review.
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2) Shark Rocket HV302
Like the Bissell Powerglide above, the HV302 is somewhere between a stick vac and an upright. It is similar in some ways to the Dyson V6 stick vacs except the Dysons are smaller, lighter and cordless while the Rocket is heavier and has a power cord. Dysons are also more expensive.
Consumer ratings are very good for the Rocket. Owners like that the machine has strong suction, is fairly maneuverable, and is effective at dealing with pet hair. However the motor is at the handle end of the vacuum which makes it a little top heavy. As a result, some owners feel that prolonged vacuuming can be bit hard on the wrist.
PROS
- Maneuvers well
- Effective on pet hair
- Overall machine is light
- Good for stairs
- Fairly strong suction
CONS
- Small dust canister that does not detach from vacuum
- Hair tangles easily in brushroll
- Top heavy and can be hard on wrist over time
- No HEPA filter
- Attachments don’t store on vacuum
For additional information read our Shark Rocket review.
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3) Oreck XL Classic Limited Edition
This machine is also sometimes known as the Oreck UK2200. It get great reviews and, like the other Oreck’s on this list, does not abound with features. It does, however perform well on both carpet and bare floors and its extreme light weight make it very easy to move and maneuver. It is also noted by owners to be quite powerful.
The XL Limited Edition is a bagged vacuum with no hose, no tools and no attachments. It also has no HEPA filter. Although it does use a large “Allergen Filtration Bag” which Oreck claim is suitable for people with low to moderate allergy concerns. The brushbar on this vacuum is motor driven and there are no brushroll on/off control.
The power cord is a little on the short side at 25 feet and the vacuum carries 1-year warranty.
PROS
- Very lightweight
- Powerful
- Cleans carpet and bare floors well
- Uses large bags that are easy to change
- There are many Oreck XL repeat buyers
CONS
- No tools or attachments
- Power cord is a little short
- Can be hard to push on deeper pile carpet
- Fairly loud
- On/off switch on nozzle
For additional information read our Oreck XL Classic Ltd Edition review.
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4) Oreck U2000R-1 Commercial
It is important to understand just what you are getting if you purchase this upright vacuum. It is very much a no-frills machine and it doesn’t have a hose or any attachments, but it cleans large areas of carpet and bare floors very well. The U2000R-1 is a commercial vacuum but it is also quite popular with home owners who use it for residential cleaning.
The vacuum may have no tools or attachments but it has powerful suction and is lightweight at under 10 lbs. It also sports a very lengthy 40 foot power cord. The Oreck U2000R-1 is good bang for your buck and it is fairly affordable.
PROS
- Very lightweight
- Powerful suction
- Long power cord
- Cleans right up to baseboards
CONS
- Quite loud
- Long power cord can get in the way
- No hose or tools
For more information read our Oreck U2000R-1 review.
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5) Oreck 2100RHS
The Oreck 2100RHS is a reasonably priced, no frills, bagged upright vacuum. It is dubbed a commercial vacuum but, like the Oreck U2000R-1 above, is quite popular for residential use.
This machine is very lightweight at only 8.2 lbs and it is easy to lift and maneuver. It has a lengthy 35 foot power cord and a non-marring bumper but no hose. If you need a hose and attachments for overhead cleaning or doing stairs this may not be the right vacuum for you. When you buy this machine you get the vacuum, a manual, your warranty card and a vacuum bag. That’s it. However, it has powerful suction and is good on both carpet and bare floors. In addition, the floor nozzle has automatic height adjustment.
PROS
- Lightweight
- Long power cord
- Easy to assemble
- Easy to maneuver
- Powerful suction
CONS
- Have to clean and dry outside bag occasionally
- Some comments that the belt can slip
- Loud
- No attachments
For more information read our Oreck 200RHS review.
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6) Hoover CH30000
The CH30000 vacuum cleaner is also known as the Hoover Commercial Portapower. It is a compact, portable vacuum with a host of attachments. It is also very lightweight at only 8.3 lbs and it is worn over the shoulder via a shoulder strap.
The CH30000 is a bagged machine and it has a 3-layer cloth bag that can be reused. The unit can also use disposable bags but this requires a bag adapter kit. Consumers report that the vacuum has plenty of suction and they also like the lengthy 33 foot power cord. This vacuum is best for bare surfaces or low pile carpet. It also doubles as a blower, is made from ABS plastic and comes with a Manufacturer’s one-year commercial warranty.
PROS
- Nice long power cord
- Compact & portable
- Strong suction
- Long lasting cloth bag that is easy to empty
- Reasonable price
- Attachments work well
CONS
- May lead to sore shoulder if you vacuum for a long time
- Best on hard surfaces or low-pile carpet
For more information read our Hoover Portapower review.
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7) Shark Navigator Deluxe NV42
The Shark Navigator Deluxe NV42 is popular and reasonably priced. This is not a “Lift-away” machine (like many other Shark uprights) and it does not have HEPA filtration. But it performs especially well on carpet and pet hair. Filters are rinsable, there are brushroll on/off controls, and it comes with a pet hair power brush.
Owners like that the machine has strong suction and is fairly quiet. However it is advertised as lightweight but is really more of an average weight if compared to most uprights today. The NV42 also carries a respectably long 5-year warranty.
PROS
- Not too loud
- Strong suction
- Works well on pet hair
- Has brushroll on/off control
- Washable filters
- Easy to maneuver
- Respectably long warranty
CONS
- Not as lightweight as some expect
- No motor-driven attachment included
- Not all attachments store on vacuum
For more information read our Shark Navigator Deluxe NV42 review.
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8) Shark NV22L Navigator
The Euro-Pro Shark NV22L Navigator gets great reviews, has a 5-year warranty and can usually be found for under 200USD. The Navigator also has HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filtration which removes 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns or larger. This level of filtration is helpful for those suffering from allergies or asthma.
This vacuum also comes with brushbar on/off capability which is good for vacuuming on different surfaces (the ability to turn the brushbar off on delicate rugs or hardwood floors for example). The Navigator is bagless, comes with a 30 foot power cord, and has lifetime washable filters.
PROS
- 5 year warranty
- Has the ability to turn the brushbar on or off
- Washable filters
- Effective on both carpets and hard floors
- Easy and quick to assemble
- Easy to empty dust canister
- Filters are easy to clean
- Long extension hose
CONS
- No height control
- Power cord does not have auto-retract feature
- Not easy to vacuum under furniture
- Dust canister is a bit small
For more information read our Shark NV22L Navigator review.
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9) Shark Navigator Freestyle
The Freestyle is a popular cordless vacuum cleaner. At 7.2 lbs it is very lightweight and it has 2 speeds -low and high. On high it will operate for about 17 minutes and on low for about 24 minutes.
The vacuum also has a motorized brushbar and is designed for cleaning both carpet and bare floors. It is also fairly maneuverable and is and is effective at pulling up the likes of pet hair, dry cat food and kitty litter. However some owners report that the power on/off button isn’t that sturdy and it may jam or break – although this isn’t a common problem.
PROS
- Lightweight
- Powerful
- Good at pulling up pet hair
- Capable on both carpet and bare floors
- Good battery life
- Recharges fairly quickly (compared to some other stick vacs)
- Swivel head nozzle allows for good maneuverability
- Compact
- Very easy to assemble
- Dust canister is easy to empty
- Motorized brushbar
CONS
- Does not convert to a handheld
- Does not come with any attachments
- Not the right tool for vacuuming large size homes
- Some issues with the on/off button jamming or breaking
For more information read our Shark Freestyle review.
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10) Panasonic MC-UG471
We first reviewed this vacuum back in 2009 and it is still a popular, best seller today. Many vacuums come and go over this kind of time frame. The MC-UG471 has a few things going for it. It is great on carpet, it has a HEPA filter, it comes with several tools including an air turbine brush, and it has a headlight.
In addition this Panasonic vacuum is fairly quiet – something that is not always the case with many uprights. Also, a rarity on uprights, is the retractable power cord. Most owners love the feature.
But the vacuum isn’t perfect. It is on the hefty side at over 17 lbs and its performance on bare floors is only average. The power cord is also a bit short at 24 ft. This is likely a result of the retractable power cord feature. The MC-UG471 carries a 1-year warranty.
PROS
- Sturdy
- Strong suction
- Fairly quiet
- Great on carpet
- Retractable power cord
- Consumers like the Air Turbine tool
- Headlight
CONS
- Power cord a bit short
- Heavy vacuum
- Some feel it is not particularly good on bare floors
For more information read our Panasonic MC-UG471 review.
Frequently Asked Questions
> What is the best vacuum for pet hair?
> What is the best Shark Vacuum for pet hair?
> What is the best Shark Vacuum for hardwood floors?
> Shark vs Dyson - Which is best?
> How do you fix a vacuum cleaner?
> What is the best cheap vacuum?
> What is the best vacuum under $200
> What is the best vacuum for hardwood floors?
> Bagged vs bagless vacuums - which is best?
> What is the best bagged vacuum?
> What is the best bagless vacuum?
> What is the difference between canister vacuums and uprights?
> What is the best upright vacuum?
> What is the best canister vacuum?
> What is the best stick vacuum?
> What is the best cordless vacuum?
> What is HEPA filtration?
> What is the best lightweight vacuum?
> What is the best brand of vacuum?
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