Best Budget Cordless Vacuums 2025 (Under $150)

Let me get this out of the way: I’m not the kind of person who gets excited about vacuuming.
I’d much rather be doing literally anything else than pushing a noisy stick around the apartment.

But here’s the thing — if you have the wrong vacuum, you end up hating cleaning even more.
And when I finally gave up on my old corded upright (you know the type: bulky, loud, always tangling the cord around chair legs), I promised myself I’d only buy vacuums that made cleaning as painless as possible.

That’s why cordless sticks have basically taken over my home. They’re light, easy to grab, and you don’t have to play “find the outlet” every 10 minutes. But there’s one catch: most of the good ones cost $400–$600 (hello Dyson). That’s not “grab-and-go”; that’s “ouch-my-wallet”.

So I went down the rabbit hole of budget cordless vacuums. After testing, reading, and frankly returning a couple of disappointments, I’ve landed on a shortlist of models that usually sit under $150, yet still deliver the goods for apartments, small homes, and pet owners.

Here are my honest picks — not the polished, “every product is perfect” list you see elsewhere. This is my personal, slightly picky take after living with them.

Top Cordless Vacuums (Editor’s Picks)

🧪 My Hands-On Experience with Each Model

Now let’s get into the meat of it: what each vacuum is like to actually live with.
Specs are fine, but here’s what I found when I actually used them in my apartment (with one cat, a lot of dust, and too many stairs).

1) INSE Cordless Vacuum – 2 Batteries

If I had to pick just one under-$150 vacuum for most people, it’s this one.
Why? Two words: battery anxiety.

Every cordless vacuum has the same Achilles heel — you pull it out for a “quick clean,” and five minutes later, the battery is already crying. The INSE basically solves this by giving you two batteries in the box. That’s rare at this price.

My notes after two weeks of use:

• Runtime: I regularly got 35–40 minutes per pack on standard mode, closer to 20 on max suction. With both, I could clean my whole small apartment twice over.
• Handling: The stick is super lightweight (just over 3 lb). I can carry it up and down stairs one-handed.
• Floor performance: On hard floors, the suction was excellent. It picked up cat litter, crumbs, dust bunnies — all in one pass. On rugs, it worked decently, though not as deep-cleaning as a high-end Dyson.
• Maintenance: The filter is washable, and the dustbin empties with one button. But be prepared: if you have long hair or pets, you’ll be untangling the roller weekly.

What I loved:

• The peace of mind of swapping to a fresh battery.
• The wall mount — I actually installed it, and it makes grabbing it mid-week super easy.
• Quiet enough that my cat didn’t immediately flee (a win).

What I didn’t love:

• The brush head feels a bit “budget” — plastic-heavy.
• Strong suction mode eats through battery life fast.
• The dustbin is on the small side; you’ll empty it often.

Still, for under $150, the INSE punches way above its weight. If you hate cords and want reliability, this is the one I personally keep charged and ready.

2) BuTure Cordless Stick Vacuum

If the INSE is the “practical pick,” the BuTure is the “suction champ” at this price.

Honestly, I was surprised by how much pull this thing has. On max mode, it actually felt close to my old Dyson V7. The LED lights on the head were a small touch, but they revealed dust I wouldn’t have seen otherwise (both satisfying and horrifying).

My notes after testing:

• Runtime: Around 30 minutes per charge on low, 15–18 minutes on high. Not amazing, but typical.
• Handling: A little heavier than INSE, but still easy to carry.
• Floor performance: On hardwood + tile, it ate everything. On rugs, better than INSE at pulling deeper dirt. Pet hair was no problem.
• Extras: It comes with a crevice tool and a mini brush — good for sofas and car seats.

What I loved:

• Suction power — seriously impressive for this price point.
• The LED floor head — once you have it, you won’t go back.
• Swappable battery design (though only one battery included).

What I didn’t love:

• Louder than others on high mode.
• Runtime could be longer.
• Slightly bulkier in the hand.

If you’re in an apartment with mostly rugs or carpets, the BuTure is the one I’d recommend. It just bites into fibers better.

3) HONITURE Cordless Vacuum

The HONITURE has one feature I instantly loved: the soft roller head. If you’ve got mostly hardwood or laminate floors, this thing glides like butter and picks up everything from dust to rice grains.

My notes from use:

• Runtime: 30–35 minutes on low.
• Handling: Feels very balanced in hand.
• Floor performance: Best of the bunch for hard floors. On carpets, decent but not as strong as BuTure.
• Maintenance: One-click emptying was genuinely handy. The filter is washable, though you’ll need to let it dry fully (I learned that the hard way — dust stuck inside after a damp filter).

What I loved:

• Smooth roller action — my hardwood looked polished after passes.
• HEPA-style filter — great for allergies.
• Easy emptying mechanism.

What I didn’t love:

• Slightly weaker on thick rugs.
• Build feels a bit more fragile than INSE.
• Price sometimes creeps just over $150 unless you catch a deal.

If you’re 80% on hard flooring and don’t have heavy-shedding pets, this is the most pleasant to use.

4) PRETTYCARE Cordless Vacuum

I’ll be honest: the PRETTYCARE feels like the “entry-level” choice here. But in some scenarios, that’s actually perfect.

It’s super lightweight (about 3 lb) and very quiet, which makes it ideal for quick daily cleans in small apartments. I could literally vacuum with one hand while carrying laundry with the other.

My notes:

• Runtime: ~30 minutes.
• Handling: Feather-light. This is the one I’d give to a kid or a roommate who “forgets” to help with chores.
• Floor performance: Great on hard floors. Struggles on thick rugs and with lots of pet hair.
• Maintenance: Washable filters, simple dustbin.

What I loved:

• So light it feels almost toy-like (in a good way).
• Quiet enough that I vacuumed while someone was on a Zoom call in the next room.
• Low price — often closer to $100 on sale.

What I didn’t love:

• Not powerful enough for carpets or heavy messes.
• Accessories feel a bit cheap.
• Small bin.

I’d recommend this for students, minimalists, or anyone with a small hard-floored space. It’s not the beast of the bunch, but it’s painless to use.

Comparison Table

Best Overall

INSE Cordless Vacuum - 2 Batteries

• 2 batteries included
• Up to 80 min runtime
• Wall mount and tool kit

4.5•$119-$149

See price on Amazon→

Best Suction on a Budget

BuTure Cordless Stick Vacuum

• Strong suction for price
• LED head
• Detachable battery

4.4•$109-$139

See price on Amazon→

Best for Hard Floors

HONITURE Cordless Vacuum

• Soft roller for hard floors
• HEPA-style filter
• One-click emptying

4.4•$119-$149

See price on Amazon→

Best Lightweight

PRETTYCARE Cordless Vacuum

• Very lightweight
• Quiet operation
• Washable filters

4.3•$89-$129

See price on Amazon→

*Prices are approximate and may change. Always check the live price on Amazon before buying.

⭐ Best for Different Needs

• Best Overall: INSE Cordless - 2 Batteries (runtime + accessories make it the safest bet).
• Best Suction on a Budget: BuTure Cordless — hits harder than others for carpet cleaning.
• Best for Hard Floors: HONITURE — glides and leaves floors looking polished.
• Best Lightweight: PRETTYCARE — stress-free daily pick-up for small spaces.

💡 My Buying Tips (from hard lessons)

Over the years, I’ve made every mistake possible when buying vacuums. Here are the 5 rules I wish I knew earlier:

1. Always check the real runtime. Ignore the “up to 60 min” claims. That’s always on the lowest mode. Assume half that in real use.
2. Two batteries change everything. If you hate being rushed, get one with a spare (like INSE).
3. Floor type matters. Don’t buy a soft roller if you’ve got thick carpets; don’t buy bristle-only if you’ve got hardwood.
4. Filters matter more than you think. Washable ones save money. HEPA-style helps with allergies.
5. Wall mounts are worth it. If your vacuum lives in a closet, you won’t use it.

❓ FAQ (with my blunt answers)

Are budget cordless vacuums good for pet hair?
Yes — if you buy the right one. The BuTure handled cat hair best in my tests. The PRETTYCARE? Not so much.

How long do batteries last?
Around 2–3 years before they noticeably fade. That’s why swappable packs are gold.

Do I really need HEPA filtration?
If you sneeze a lot (like me in spring), yes. Otherwise, it’s a nice-to-have.

Cordless vs corded stick?
Cordless wins for daily sanity. Corded still wins for deep, whole-house cleans.