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Australia’s Best Cheap Vacuum Cleaner Reviews For 2021

The best cheap vacuum cleaner reviews are meant to open up your eyes to a world of excellent budget vacuums!

Budget vacuums are designed to be more durable these days, but can the best budget vacuum cleaners hold their own against the premium brands?

Most cheap vacuums will attract you with the low price, but then the product quality will be horrific.

We’ve been afraid to recommend certain popular vacuum brands as we have experienced issues such as the suction fading or parts disintegrating.

Our best cheap vacuum reviews, we believe, will save you from buying a dud item.

5 Best Cheap & Affordable Vacuum Cleaners in Australia 2021

  • Akitas Cylinder Vacuum Cleaner
  • Hoover Enigma 2800W
  • Bissell Featherweight
  • Hoover Essential Upright Vacuum
  • Puppyoo WP536

Image Cheap Vacuum Best Of
New 2400W Cylinder Vacuum Cleaner Bagless Cyclonic HEPA Filter
Akitas Vacuum Cleaner Best Cheap Vacuum Cleaner
New 2800W Vacuum Cleaner Bagless Cyclonic with Turbo Head (Blue)
Hoover Enigma Best For Pest hair
BISSELL 2024F Featherweight Stick Vacuum, Blue
Bissell Featherweight Best Budget Vacuum
Hoover Essential Upright Motorised Wide Brush Bagless 3-in-1 Vacuum Cleaner - Upright Vacuum
Hoover Essential Vacuum Cheap Upright Vacuum
PUPPYOO WP536 Stick Vacuum Cleaner Cordless HEPA Filtration, Portable Lightweight 2 in 1 Upright Handheld Bagless Electric Broom, Lithium-ion Battery Rechargeable Cyclone Quiet Vacuum Cleaner
Puppyoo WP536 Quite Vacuum

Top vacuum cleaners are a sizeable investment for most middle-income Australian homes.

With the best cheap vacuums, however, you’ll be convinced that you won’t have to spend a fortune on vacuum cleaners.

We’ve divided our pick of the best budget vacuum reviews based on the best cheap cylinder, best cheap pet vacuum and the best cheap cordless vac. 

Akitas Cylinder Vacuum Cleaner

On Sale
  • Powerful 2400W motor , >320W suction power, >24Kpa Vacuum
  • True Cyclonic filtration technology, bagless desgin, 3L dust bin
  • Telescope tube, soft hose, 2 in 1 floor brush nozzle, full set of crevice tool

Japan-based Akitas has produced a cheap, yet effective cylinder vacuum with this 2400-watt machine.

At 5 kilograms, it is fairly lightweight for a cylinder vacuum, which makes it sweetly mobile and easy to carry upstairs.

Cyclonic dust capture is one of the key reasons why we recommend this low-cost vacuum cleaner. 

While suction power that is generated by the intense motor is potent, this vacuum does struggle to pick up pet hair.

The reason for that is the lack of a rotating brush or cleaner head that can agitate carpet fibres.

A 2-in-1 floor brush will ensure that you can switch seamlessly between carpets and hard surfaces at home.

A 3-litre dust canister is heavily appreciated, and we also loved how easy Akitas has made dumping!

A telescopic tube and crevice attachment, combined with the lightweight stature, makes this vacuum a good contender for cleaning dark corners!

One issue that our testers kept having with this vacuum is a minor one.

Vacuum attachments keep slipping off the hose often.

When you have to deal with particularly high-pile carpets, however, this can be more than just an annoyance.

Ultimately, we believe you will be hard-pressed to discover a sharper deal when it comes to cheap cylinder vacuums!

Features:

  • Weight: 5 Kg
  • Warranty: 1 Year
  • Dust Capacity: 3L
  • Power (Watts): 2400 watts
  • Cost-effective pricing
  • Powerful suction from Cyclonic dust capture and potent motor
  • At 5 kilos, somewhat lightweight for a cylinder vac
  • The crevice tool is a nice touch
  • A 2-in-1 floor brush makes floor transition simple
  • Sufficient dust canister capacity
  • Excellent on hard surfaces
  • Not energy-efficient
  • Struggles a tad when picking up pet hair

Hoover Enigma 2800W

  • Strong 2800W Max Power, Geniune Multi Cyclonic Filtration
  • Spinning Turbo Nozzle equipped, Best performance for pet hair
  • Washable HEPA filter, 99.7% plus filtration result

The Enigma brand has been a god-send for Hoover’s fading international brand.

With the rise of Dyson, Shark, Bissell, Bosch and Vax, the Hoover name - which used to be synonymous with vacuums - has taken a plunge.

With their range of Enigma vacuums, however, Hoover is trying to claw back its market power.

This 2800 watt beast is not exactly the most energy-efficient device you could have at home, but it is an affordable powerhouse.

A unique spinning turbo nozzle attachment makes this vacuum an especially potent contender in dealing with delicate pet fur.

Other accessories such as an extendable telescopic tube and crevice tool were useful in getting into tight corners.

The filtration on this budget vacuum really sets it apart from most other cheap vacuums.

Washable HEPA filters will capture over 99.95% of all microscopic pollen, dust and allergens your vacuum sucks up.

HEPA filtration makes this vacuum one of the best options for homes with allergy sufferers or people with severe breathing troubles.

At 7.5 kilograms, it is not a light vacuum, but the telescopic tube will take care of most of your staircase cleaning needs.

We reckon it is worth taking a punt on this vacuum as Hoover extends a one-year warranty on this affordable vac.

Features:

  • Weight: 7.5 Kg
  • Warranty: 1 Year
  • Power (Watts): 2800 watts
  • Package Dimensions: 49.2 x 39 x 34.4 cm
  • Excellent pricing
  • Powerful suction sucks up even large debris
  • A spinning nozzle is super-effective against pet hair
  • Nice accessories such as a telescopic tube and a crevice attachment
  • One-year warranty
  • HEPA filtration makes this a good choice for allergy sufferers
  • Not energy-efficient
  • Not lightweight at 7.5 kilos

Bissell Featherweight

On Sale
  • Multipurpose 3 in 1 Versatility
  • Easily converts to a hand vacuum
  • Lightweight under 2 Kg Low sound 76 Db

U.S-based Bissell has long been working on lightweight stick vacuums that act as powerful cleaners that come in an affordable package.

Although many people considering such an ultra-light cleaning device are looking for a budget vacuum that supports their primary vacuum at home.

The Bissell Featherweight 2024F holds a distinctive advantage over most lightweight cleaners as it is corded and does not depend on batteries. A 4.5-metre long power cord is not immense, but it sure does get the job done if you live in a modest space.

By converting to a handheld cleaner, this is one of the best budget vacuums because of the cleaning versatility it lends.

With about 0.5 litres of dustbowl capacity, we have to point out that you may have to often empty this device during long cleaning sessions!

On thin carpets and hard surfaces such as porcelain tiles and floorboards, the Bissell Featherweight performs at a remarkably high level for the price-tag.

On the other hand, thick rugs are a nemesis of this vacuum as it has a tough time digging deep into the fibres, given the limited brushbar technology.

By weighing only a little over 2 kilograms, our team of testers rarely broke a sweat while covering ground rapidly!

With all of the features that have been packed in, the low price of the Bissell Featherweight 2024F will attract Australian homeowners that want the security of an established name of one of the best budget vacuum cleaners around.

Features:

  • Weight: 2.05 Kg
  • Warranty: 1 Year
  • Multipurpose 3 in 1 Versatility
  • Affordable pricing
  • Corded
  • Lightweight at 2.05 kgs
  • Thin carpets and hard floors are excellently handled
  • Handheld cleaning capability
  • Struggles slightly against thicker rugs
  • Limited dust canister capacity
  • The power cord could have been slightly longer

Hoover Essential Upright Vacuum

On Sale
  • Motorised power head with a wide brush bar
  • Bagless cyclonic technology to maximise cleaning efficiency
  • Detachable wand with a flexible hose for hard-to-reach areas

One of the best budget vacuum cleaners from U.S.-based Hoover, the Essential Upright has also found a place in Vacuumit’s list of the best vacuum cleaners in Australia.

The world-famous Hoover brand has practically become synonymous with vacuum technology because of a strong emphasis on producing for the needs of homeowners and families.

Although it may look bulky at first glance, the Essential Upright is a remarkably versatile cleaner as it can convert to a handheld.

For the low price, we absolutely love how Hoover cuts no corners, by fitting a motorised powerhead on this vacuum that easily lifts carpet fibres to dislodge stubbornly embedded debris. 

With the press of a switch, you can also easily switch to hard surfaces as well.

For pet owners, the pet tool attachment with this budget vacuum will make pet hair upkeep much more manageable.

However, a drawback of the pet tool attachment is that it can only be made use of when the upright vacuum is in handheld mode.

An extendable cleaning wand on this upright vacuum will easily reach underneath furniture and tight corners.

The low price of this vacuum also throws up one more complication - loud operation.

Our team of testers, however, reckon that it is a relatively low price to pay for the immense value provided through this budget upright vacuum’s cleaning prowess.

Features:

  • Weight: 4.68 Kg
  • Warranty: 1 Year
  • Dust Capacity: 1.6L
  • Affordably priced
  • Switching between floor types is easy
  • Converts to a handheld device for more versatility
  • Carpet cleaning becomes easy because of a motorised vacuum head
  • Extendable cleaning wand stretches 2.4 metres
  • Pet tool attachment
  • Slightly noisy operation
  • The pet hair attachment can only be used in handheld mode

Puppyoo WP536

  • [2 in 1 design, 3 differents brushes]: Upright&handheld vacuum cleaner, versatile used for hard floors, rugs, sofa, cars, computers. Easily to clean...
  • [Lightweight cordeless design & equipped with wall bracket]: No restriction of a cable, 2.5kg ultralight, a vacuum cleaner easily to hand and operate....
  • [2 suction power mode]: Power normal, for the hair of animals, debris and dust. Power maximum, for the clean of stubborn stains. A vacuum cleaner has...

Don’t scoff at, or write off, Puppyoo just because it’s Chinese-made. 

The Chinese market is the largest appliances market on the planet, overtaking the United States a decade ago.

Puppyoo, through careful marketing and excellent build-quality, has captured a place as the number one vacuum manufacturer in this market.

As our team of testers got their hands on the lightweight WP536 stick vacuum, we could see that this was a seriously underrated beauty.

At barely 2.5 kilograms, the WP536 is super-lightweight and nimble.

This stick vacuum will convert to a handheld device for better versatility in cleaning your car interiors or stairs.

You can also swivel the vacuum head up to 180 degrees for greater coverage and excellent mobility around obstacles.

HEPA filtration is a major positive in such an affordable vacuum.

With 25 minutes of battery life, the WP536 isn’t really miles off the 30 - 45 minutes of battery life you can expect in high-end stick vacuums.

The battery does take about 3 hours to recharge completely, which isn’t especially great.

Carpet performance is especially great, with a direct-drive cleaner head going a long way in agitating carpet fibres.

For those especially stubborn spots, there is are two power modes - with the maximum power mode a real MVP!

On lower power modes, we found that the WP536 will last for about 35 minutes.

We do wish that there was a larger dust canister capacity than 0.5 litres.

All things considered, the versatility of this cheap stick vacuum makes it a winner in our book!

Features:

  • Weight: 2.5 Kg
  • Warranty: 1 Year
  • Dust Capacity: 0.5L
  • Affordable
  • Super-lightweight at 2.5 kilos
  • The battery will last for 35 minutes on lower power modes
  • Converts to a handheld
  • Vacuum head swivels 180 degrees
    Multiple power modes
  • HEPA filtration takes away 99.95% of all allergens
  • Excellent on carpeted surfaces
  • Limited dust canister capacity
  • The battery takes 3 hours to recharge

What Should I Inspect Before Buying A Cheap Vacuum?

The top vacuum brands such as Dyson, Miele, Shark, Bissell and Hoover have made a name for themselves with sturdy vacuums.

While the wide array of accessories and high-tech features may not be present in even the best budget vacuums, don’t be disheartened.

More often than not, some of the cheapest vacuums we’ve reviewed give even the best vacuums a run for their money in suction power and versatility!Let’s inspect some critical factors to consider before buying a cheap vacuum for your home. 

Filtration 

Through our experience in vacuum testing, the best kind of filters we have seen are HEPA filters.

HEPA filtration can remove over 99.95% of all allergens, up to 0.3 microns in size.

Washable HEPA filters don’t come cheap though, so it will be a challenge to find them in a budget vacuum.

Suction

With a swing towards more energy-efficient appliances, even the vacuum industry has begun to spend more time and effort in developing powerful, energy-efficient motors.

This has helped in the development of good cheap vacuums, with adequate suction power. 

While some cheap vacuums will not disappoint, an overwhelming majority have shoddy suction.

Some cheap vacuums even have suction that wears off after a few weeks of use, which is super-hard to predict.

Bagless or Bagged

Bagged vacuums have one significant advantage over bagless vacuums - there is a lower risk of dust re-entering while dumping.

For homes with allergy sufferers, this is a major positive.

But if you are after a budget vacuum, then perhaps you are looking for a low-cost option.

Bagged vacuums, where you may have to keep spending on replacement bags, may not be the answer. 

Accessories

This is one area where cheap vacuums have a lot of catching up to do with the bigger brands.

We recently did a Dyson V11 review and found that the pricey vacuum comes with thirteen (yes, you read that right!) different attachments.

With budget vacs, however, you may not be able to find more than a couple of essential attachments - if any at all!

Dustbin Capacity

In order to minimise costs, almost all of the cheap vacuums we’ve come across have a limited dust canister capacity.

While this isn’t anything more than an annoyance, if you have a lot of cleaning or live in a large space, this can be more than just irritating.

Keep an eye out for a budget vacuum with a large dust canister, so that you can clean with relative ease over long periods.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do High-End Brands Make Cheap Vacuums?

We know how everybody is - we trust a brand before we trust a product!Some of the top cheap vacuums we’ve had a chance to review are not from famed brands.

That does not mean that the top vacuum manufacturers aren’t testing this space.

We’ve seen some of the best cheap vacuums come from renowned brands such as Numatic (the Henry Hoover parent) or Vax and Bosch.

Are Cheap Vacuum Cleaners Any Good?

Let’s state the reality. You have to measure your expectations when you are buying a budget vac!

The premium vacuum brands have an array of features and well-crafted engineering that sets them apart.

The good news is there are plenty of cheap vacuums that can match premium brands in a few ways.

Some of the best cheap vacuums we’ve tested could match up with the big boys on suction, filtration and accessories included. The top cheap vacuums could even display cleaning versatility by converting to a handheld device.

Our top advice to you would be to identify the greatest need for your home - and choose a budget vacuum that can deliver in that regard.

Final Verdict On The Best Cheap Vacuums

We’ve had to reel in our expectations, but we’ve found that there are budget vacuums out there that do an exemplary job.

While they may not be able to reach the craftsmanship or engineering prowess of high-end brands, they can do some things well.

The vacuums that have found a place in our best budget vacuum reviews are all top-quality products at an affordable price.

For a good pet vacuum that won’t break the bank, check out the spinning nozzle on Hoover’s Enigma range.

China-based Puppyoo has done a lot of things right to be the market leader in China, and the WP536 stick vac is a testament to that.

Japanese Akitas has a real winner with their 2400W beast, with unreal suction from Cyclonic dust capture.

Ultimately, you may not find everything you were looking for in a cheap vacuum.

But you might find exactly what you were looking for!

References

Sources

  1. 'Vacuum Cleaners' - Product Review
  2. 'Cheap Vacuum Cleaners' - CanstarBlue
  3. 'The Healthiest Vacuum Cleaners for Your Home' - Health.com
  4. 'Market & Industry Scoping Report Vacuum Cleaners' - ENERGY STAR

Last update on 2023-10-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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