What are the best vacuum cleaners for under $100?

[Wapsie B]

I've got an older Hoover bagless that clogs all the time. I'd like an upright with a HEPA filter. But most of all I want one that really sucks.

[quakerboy]

1. Eureka

Optima model. Mine was $40 2 years ago, light weight, works pretty damn well. The only downside is if you are dealing with shedding people, you have to clean hair off the brush after each major vaccum session. Filter is easy to clean, thing is pretty simple and durable.

[Wapsie B]

4. I've been kinda leaning towards Eureka

if for nothing else I haven't owned one yet. The Oreck and even the Sears Progressive clogged fairly often, although the Sears wasn't too bad to unclog. I just didn't want to pay that much for a rug sucker right now.

[quakerboy]

8. Seriously

the little green Eureka Optima upright. $40 from amazon when I last looked. Well worth the price. 2 years later, its as good as new, we haven't even had to break out the second filter yet(soon, probably another 2 months). Best deal on a Vacuum that I've yet seen. It works as well or better than most of the industrial 200-800 dollar vacuums we've had at work, and way better than any cheapie that I have ever interacted with. As I said, the only problem is I have long hair, and shed like mad, so we have to clean it off the brush regularly. My only move up from here would be a nice Dyson.

[emilyg]

9. Dyson worth the money. But - very heavy.

[quakerboy]

12. Hmm.

didnt know that. maybe if i get a bigger place. and a better job.

[REP]

14. I've got a Eureka Optima and a Dyson Animal - they're both great

The Eureka is a little messier to clean, but not terrible. It's very light but doesn't have many attachments, so stair-cleaning can be a challenge, though its super-light weight helps. The Eureka cleans well, but might need a second pass if you have a lot of animals running loose. The Dyson gets everything the first time, is very easy to empty without getting dust everywhere, and has a unch of nifty attachments - but its expensive and is heavy as hell.

[MonkeyFunk]

2. Get a mutt from the pound

I call my dog the "bio-Roomba"

[Wapsie B]

6. There's a pound down the street.

I'll see what I can find.

[Ellen Forradalom]

10. My thought exactly.

Ours earns his keep that way too.

[LeftyMom]

3. Cheap vacuums are an excersise in frustration.

Get the latest consumer reports vacuum test. IIRC, the last one I looked at rated some models in the $150ish range very highly, kenmore and I think sharp and panasonic did well without being a lot of money, but that was years ago and they've probably looked at newer models since.

If you want good filtration, get a bagged model (if you have allergies, it doesn't make sense to have all those filters and then have to empty out the dirt cup and kick all that dust and crap up in the air) they usually work better anyhow, and bags are cheaper and easier to find than the filters (hint: big lots of bags are super cheap on ebay.)

[Wapsie B]

5. I'll look at those brands.

I did like the Sears Progressive overall, although that's outta my price range right now.

[MonkeyFunk]

7. Yup... I agree

some things are worth spending the money on. I've bought cheap vacuums that crapped out in no time. A really good one will last a lifetime.

[MissMillie]

17. I agree

I found I had to buy a new one every year.

About 12 years ago I spent $300 and got a good vaccuum. It's a Sharp. It's been terrific. I think I've had to have the latch to keep it upright repaired just twice, but other than that, I've had no problems.

[kath]

11. We bought a Eureka "The Boss" Smart vac a few months back, because it is a Consumer Reports Best Buy

we've been quite happy with it. Got it from Bed Bath & Beyond - reg. price was $150, but with one of their 20% off coupons it came to only $120. It has a closed HEPA system.

[CreekDog]

18. i've had the same one for about two years

it's held up well.

[RainDog]

13. just had to replace mine

and I really recommend a cannister vac rather than an upright. KMart, where I am, has had Kenmore cannisters on sale. They are so much easier to use on steps and work as well as an upright, and at the same or less cost...depending on what you get.

[Lasher]

15. Looking at Consumer Reports ratings online (gotta subscribe)

Sears Kenmore Progressive with Direct Drive 35922 is the top rated upright and a best buy at $300. It has HEPA filtration.

Eureka Boss Smart Vac 4870 upright is rated a best buy at $150. It has HEPA filtration.

The Hoover Tempo Widepath U5140-900 upright does not have HEPA filtration but it costs only $60, and is rated almost as highly as the Eureka Boss Smart Vac 4870.

The Hoover EmPower U5262-910 upright has HEPA filtration and costs $100.

The top rated canister model is the Electrolux Oxygen EL6988D, which costs $400. It has HEPA filtration.

Of all rated canister models, the cheapest is the Hoover Duros S3590 at $160, and it doesn't have a HEPA filter.

[CreekDog]

16. Consumer Reports shows this as the highest rated vacuum under $100

(i would avoid bagless models because they hold less and you are exposed to dust and particles when you empty them --though they are cheaper)

this one is $60, but lacks HEPA (but you can use HEPA bags with it!): Hoover Tempo Widepath U5140-900




this has nearly the same rating, includes separate HEPA filter: Eureka Boss Smart Vac 4870 (I have this one, it's great) but $150

[marzipanni]

19. I'm confused.

If a vacuum cleaner really sucks, then it doesn't suck?
:shrug: