Rank | Picture | Name | Rating | Shop |
#1 |  | BEST OVERALL VAX U85-AS-BE AIR STRETCH | ||
#2 | | BEST BUDGET VYTRONIX CYL01 CYLINDER VACUUM | ||
#3 | | VYTRONIX BCS01 CORDLESS | ||
#4 | | HETTY HOOVER HET160 |
In a hurry? Best Budget Choice: Vytronix CYL01 | Best Overall Choice: Vax U85-AS-Be
When we think of the words “budget” or “cheap”, we often associate those words with inferior products that will perform worse and have fewer features than those with a higher price tag. Usually, the best vacuum cleaners and finding a vacuum within £100 doesn’t seem viable.
When it comes to vacuum cleaners, this is not always the case. A great vacuum cleaner does not have to cost you a fortune (not everything has to be a Dyson). That is why today I am looking at what is the best budget vacuum cleaner under £100.
When we buy something, the main thing that most of us look at is the price tag. When looking for a cheap vacuum, it’s important to look at other aspects, such as suction power, ease of use, and included tools and accessories.
I have put all of these cheap vacuums through their paces and you will be very impressed with the results. With two kids and two dogs, my house can get pretty messy so each of these vacuum cleaners got a good workout in my house.
All of these products cost less than the leading brands but do not give you any less cleaning power. So if you want to get a good vacuum cleaner that costs you less than £100, then keep on reading!
Contents
- 1 Best Budget Vacuum Cleaner Under £100 Reviews and Recommendations For 2022
- 2 What To Look For When Buying A Cheap Vacuum Cleaner
- 3 What Is The Best Vacuum Cleaner Under £100?
Best Budget Vacuum Cleaner Under £100 Reviews and Recommendations For 2022
Vax U85-AS-Be – Best Overall Budget Vacuum
The Vax U85-As-Be is a powerful but inexpensive corded vacuum cleaner that nevertheless has many of the benefits of a cordless. That is to say that it is powerful, light, and highly maneuverable.
If you’re looking for a budget vacuum cleaner that will make it quick and easy to get a deep clean in any room, then this is a great choice. Let’s take a closer look at the features, specifications, pros, and cons.
Lightweight and Versatile Vac
When you think of a lightweight but powerful vacuum cleaner, you likely think of cordless options from the likes of Shark. VAX is able to offer many of these same benefits, but for a lower asking price.
One way that VAX manages to do this, is by providing a long cord. In fact, this is very much the vacuum’s “banner feature” seeing as it’s actually the longest reach of any UK vacuum cleaner! Specifically, that’s a reach of 17 meters.
In practice, that means that you won’t need to keep plugging and unplugging the VAX as you move around the house. Of course, it’s still not quite as practical as having a cordless, but on the plus side, it does mean you don’t need to remember to charge any batteries either!
Read More: Vax U90-MA-Re Air Reach review
The upright design makes this a vacuum that won’t have your back begging for mercy – unlike some other cheaper makes. Other features that make this a highly versatile product include the light weight.
This vacuum weighs just 5kg, which means you can very easily clean with just one hand. The range of tools also gives this model an edge when it comes to ease of use. Not only do you get a particularly long extension hose, but also a useful 3-in-1 tool for handling a range of different surfaces.
Perhaps the only obviously missing feature is 360 steering, which you’ll find on some more expensive Vax models.
Best Vacuum Cleaners with Power and Performance
So, are you trading the lightweight build for power here?
Not at all. The Air Stretch actually comes backing a very respectable 70mph of airflow, which is more than enough for most carpets and floors especially given the inexpensive price point. That’s especially true given the multi-cyclonic technology, which ensures it never loses any suction and is great at picking up dog hair.
In short, I found this vacuum cleaner to be an extremely good value for money. If you enjoy finding deals this may be the one for you. It’s easily comparable to more expensive models from Dyson. And while some buyers might want to spend a little more on a cordless option, this is still a highly versatile and very light tool for cleaning your home.
Pros
- Huge 17-metre cleaning reach – UK’s longest
- Lightweight for an upright – Weighs only 5kg
- Multi-cyclonic technology for no loss of suction
Cons
- Accessories are slightly fiddly to attach
- No variable suction control
VYTRONIX CYL01 – Cheapest Budget Vacuum
This cute little vacuum cleaner has an air of R2D2 about it and is exceptionally easy to store and manoeuvre. It also has the significant advantage of being affordable despite its many features and great design. The Vytronix CYL01 has all this for a very budget-friendly price.
Best Design and Comfort
The design is both aesthetically pleasing and practical. The small body is attached to a long hose and handle, and will trundle around behind you as you clean. The blue and gun-metal grey colouring is an appealing combination, and the wheels work well ensuring that you’re never dragging it.
Some other thoughtful features include the large 2L dust bin capacity which ensures you won’t need to empty it mid-clean. The lightweight design also makes this compact, inexpensive vacuum cleaner very easy to pack away and get out as you need it.
Read More: Vytronix VTBC01 review
Sometimes buying a cheap vacuum cleaner means wrestling with a large, unwieldy piece of machinery every time you want to do a quick clean. There are no such issues with the VYTRONIX, as it weighs just 4.4kg. The on-off pedal located by your foot is also a welcome design consideration.
Consumer Vacuum Performance
If you’re looking for something that can perform well on a budget, then the VYTRONIX CYLO1 should definitely be on your radar.
The 4 stage HEPA filtration system is a particularly great feature that will help to prevent blockages while at the same time clearing your air. This makes it a very strong choice for allergy sufferers that want a cheap solution.
The motor is high power and has no problem getting up most dirt despite its inexpensive price tag and diminutive stature.
That said, there are no precise values given for the power, which makes it hard to compare to other similarly-priced products. Suffice to say that it’s obviously not the most powerful on the market, but I didn’t have any complaints during day-to-day use.
I do feel that the manufacturers could have been a little more generous when it came to tools. You only get a single “2-in-1 dusting brush/crevice tool” and otherwise you’ll have to make do with the attached nozzle.
For me, the real selling points of the CYLO1 are the lightweight design, inexpensive price, and HEPA filter. If you like this style of vacuum cleaner and you are looking for something budget that will help with allergies, then it’s one of the best options available right now.
Pros
- Lightweight design – Weighs only 4.3kg
- 4-stage HEPA filtration system – great for allergies
- Large 2-litre dust bin capacity
Cons
- Attachments feel cheap and flimsy
- No variable suction control
VYTRONIX BCS01 – Best Budget Cordless Vacuum
The BCS01 from VYTRONIX represents excellent value for money. This budget vacuum cleaner is able to do many of the same things that far less inexpensive products boast about. It is extremely lightweight, cordless, and versatile.
But when something seems to offer more than all of the competition for the same price, it can sometimes raise some red flags. Have corners been cut?
Top Features at a Budget Price
In short, this vacuum cleaner seems to be able to do everything its more expensive competitors do for a far higher ticket price.
For starters, it is cord-free. That means that you will be able to clean anywhere around the home, without worrying about tripping over a cable or having to find a power outlet.
It’s worth noting that the battery life is only 35 minutes, which is a little on the short side if you plan on doing the whole house in one go.
This issue is compounded by the fact that the battery is non-removable, and the long charge time (2-3 hours). But for most situations, it is more than sufficient and especially given the convenient wall mount for easy charging.
What’s really impressive though, is the weight: which is only 2.3kg! That’s easy enough for even the most feeble homeowner to wield with vigour and I found this made it an easy and comfortable cleaning experience.
There’s only one tool included (a crevice/dusting tool) but given what you’re getting for the budget price point, I can’t mark it down too much for that.
Vacuum Cleaner Power and Design
No specifics are mentioned regarding the suction power, but I had no problems during my time with it and most reviewers are similarly happy with the experience. You should easily be able to pick up most crumbs and dirt, which is admirable given that combo of price and lightweight design.
The design is also surprisingly premium, with attractive purple highlights on an otherwise grey colour scheme.
So, does this cheap cordless cut corners?
It certainly lacks some of the extra features seen in the most expensive models, and the battery life does leave a little something to be desired.
But you’re getting all the main benefits of a much more expensive product for a very inexpensive rate. If you just want something you can pick up easily and clean with – with no need to worry about cords or doing your back in – then this is a brilliant option.
Hetty Hoover HET160 – Top Cylinder Under £100
Hetty Hoover is a member of the Numatic Henry family, and she has the same cheery smile as the rest of her siblings. She may look cute and fun, but underneath that playful exterior, there is a powerful vacuum that costs less than most.
The difference between Henry and Hetty Hoover is completely cosmetic. The only difference is the colour, and of course the eyelashes. Apart from that, they are completely the same in power and features.
Now, it’s worth pointing out that at the time of writing, Hetty’s price tag is less than £100, while Henry’s price is more expensive. Prices fluctuate all the time, but Hetty tends to be less than £100 most of the time.
If you check the price and she is more expensive than £100, then I still think it’s a good deal as she is such a powerful and effective vacuum.
Hetty is the replacement for the Hetty HET200, which Numatic is no longer producing. Hetty HET160 is smaller than her predecessor, but she still has a large 6-litre dust capacity which is up to 5 times larger than most bagless vacuums.
Hetty is eco-friendly and has an A rating, meaning she is powerful and energy-efficient. She is powered by a 620W high-efficiency motor which is more than capable of handling the toughest cleaning jobs.
With a huge 26-metre cleaning range, you will be able to clean a whole lot more without having to change power sockets. The 10-metre long power cord is easily wound into the internal storage with the cable rewind feature, leaving no messy cables lying around.
Cleaning Accessories And Attachments
Hetty comes with a number of tools and attachments that make it easy to clean all areas of your home. The crevice tool allows you to get right into the corners and is excellent for cleaning the car.
There is also a dusting brush, an all-purpose nozzle, and a few other bits and pieces. The extension tube is designed in a way so that you can clean under low furniture and other hard to reach places, such as vacuuming the stairs.
Hetty uses the same standard HepaFlo bags that Henry uses. These bags are completely sealed, meaning no dust will escape back into the room as you clean. This is essential if you suffer from allergies, and is the main reason an allergy sufferer should not use a bagless vacuum.
HepaFlo bags store up to 5 times the amount of dirt and debris as most bagless vacuums, and Hetty does not lose suction as they get full. Other bagged vacuums can lose suction when the bag is only half full, this is not the case with Hetty.
If you are looking for a low-priced vacuum that doesn’t skimp on performance, then you could do a lot worse than Hetty Hoover. She costs a lot less than most vacuums with the same power and features.
Pros
- Solid build quality – the UK’s most reliable vacuum cleaner
- Large dust capacity that is up to 5x larger than a bagless vacuum
- Good filtration with self-seal dust bags to lock in the dirt
Cons
- Takes up more storage space than a cordless or upright
- Can be difficult to manoeuvre in small spaces
What To Look For When Buying A Cheap Vacuum Cleaner
I know how hard it is to find a vacuum cleaner that is both affordable and also powerful, packed with accessories and actually able to clean your home. Many people think that a budget-priced vacuum cleaner means less power.
To be fair this is usually the case since manufacturers have to make sacrifices to keep the price down, but there are still plenty of vacuum cleaners that are affordable and also great for cleaning the house.
I wanted to share a few things that you should look for when you are trying to get as much quality for your money as possible.
Price Is Less Important Than You Think
While it may seem logical that a cheap vacuum will equal less power, this is not always the case. While the models on this page all cost a lot less than the more expensive brands, such as Dyson, Shark, and Miele, their lower price doesn’t mean they are bad products.
When you purchase a more expensive model, what you are essentially paying for are more features and accessories and more technological advances that the manufacturers claim will provide better cleaning.
This may be what some people are looking for, but most people just want a vacuum that will clean their home. When your kids bring in their bikes with dirt on the tires or your dog makes a mess with their food, most budget vacuums will deal with this fine.
The products that we have looked at today all have a relatively cheap price tag compared to most, but the most important thing to remember is they will keep your floors clean. And isn’t that the whole point of a vacuum?
The Deik cylinder, which is recommended by CHOR Services, costs well under £100 and has many great reviews on Amazon.
Now, I’m not saying that there is no point in buying an expensive vacuum. If you have the money and are willing to pay the higher price, then go ahead and buy one of the expensive models. You will generally get a better quality cleaner that will provide more power, more suction, and more tools and accessories.
What I am saying is that you probably don’t need all of those things to keep your home clean, and if you have less money to spend then these cheap vacuums will do just fine. Not all cylinder vacuums are created equal either, so it is important to keep that in mind if you do have the extra money.
Read More: Best vacuum cleaner UK
Look At The Power
You do not have to be a techno-wizard to know that the more watts the more power the vacuum has. If you are looking to spend under 100 pounds, you will most likely be looking at 600 to 800 watts.
At this price range, not all vacuums will actually tell you how many watts of power they use or even mention anything about the kind of power that they have. You certainly want to look at vacuums that talk proudly about the kind of power they have.
Accessories Are Key
You are simply not going to get as much suction at under 100 pounds like you would with a Dysfon that costs a few hundred pounds.
However, if a vacuum comes with a bunch of accessories like all three that I have reviewed do, these accessories can make up for a vacuum not having the most powerful suction in the world.
For example for a really short carpet that the regular vacuum struggles with bits of dirt and mess that are stuck to the carpet hard, a crevice tool or even the upholstery tool will get that off. So as long as there are accessories, budget-priced vacuums can still clean the whole house.
Look At The Filters
These days you will have a harder time finding a vacuum that does not have a smart filtration system than one that has something that spits out a load of dust. The vacuums that I have tested allow you to clean the filters, actually, this is far more common than not.
But there are some vacuums (although not as common) that require the filters to be replaced which adds cost onto the operating costs of your vacuum cleaner.
So your budget-priced vacuum is not all that much of a cheap vacuum if you have to replace the filters a couple of times per year. Make sure that the filter the vacuum has is great at doing its job, but also that you can clean it.
Read More: Best vacuum cleaner for builders dust
How Big Is The Canister And How Hard Is It To Empty?
To be honest with you this is not something that bothers me as I tend to empty the canister after every couple of uses no matter how much mess I have picked up as I like it to be clean.
However the larger the canister the more mess it can handle before you have to empty it. I know some people that only empty the canister when it is literally full to the brim so a larger canister is what you want if that is how you are.
Speaking of emptying the canister this is something else I suggest that you look at. I say this because the last thing that you want to do is have to stick your hand in there and pull out the mess, that is gross! The best cylinder vacuums will have a system in place where the rubbish just falls out or it has a lever that lets you push it out.
Read More: Best bagless vacuums in the UK
Upright Vacuum Or Not?
At this price, you are most likely going to get an upright vacuum cleaner or one that is canister based where you drag it around with you. I find that the kind you drag around with you (canister based) tend to be more versatile when it comes to cleaning a house from top to bottom.
However, I do know that some people like the more old-school style of an upright vacuum cleaner. Think about which kind you like to use as you will hopefully be using this vacuum for the next 5 to 10 years.
Read More: The best upright vacuums in the UK
What Is The Best Vacuum Cleaner Under £100?
I know it is taking the easy way out, but out of the vacuums that I tested over the last few weeks they all did their job and they did it very, very well. Not only are these under £100, but three of them are also £30 or more under £100!
That is fantastic value for money. I really liked the Hetty Hoover and thought that it did a great job. It cleaned good, had some great accessories and the canister was nice and large.
While I liked the Hetty and the Vytronix models, I really do not think there is much between these vacuums at all. However, as I have to pick a winner I would say that the Vax U85-AS-Be is the one that I would pick as the best vacuum cleaner under £100.
It has the perfect accessories, it is far more powerful than you would think and in general, it really can make cleaning your home from the floors to the roof much easier for you.
