Samsung Jet 75
Nearly identical to the Jet 90, the Samsung Jet 75 offers comparable cleaning power, a similarly attractive build, the same 60-minute battery life, the same HEPA filtration and the same 200 air watts of suction. The main difference docking station needs to be drilled into the wall while the Jet 90 uses a free-standing dock. The Jet 75 didn't perform as strong as the Jet 90 in the CNET Testing Labs midpile sand test but since it's at a lower price point to some that might be worth the deal.
Dyson V11 Torque Drive
With a motor that automatically adapts to the type of floor it's cleaning and a fancy LCD screen, the Dyson V11 Torque Drive might feel like an upgrade. It typically retails for around $700 but you can often find it on sale closer to $475. WHile the Dyson V11 lived up to the hype with highly consistent cleaning power across all of CNET Lab testing, it was, however, outperformed by newer models like the Dyson V15 Detect and other competitors on our best list.
Miele Triflex HX2
With its price point around $700, we had high hopes for the Miele Triflex HX2. But the three-in-one stick vac performed poorly in the sand test with low low- and midpile carpets bringing down its overall performance score.
Greenworks 24V Cordless Vacuum
This vacuum is a true contender, able to match the performance of some $500 or more hand-held stick vacuums while coming in around $320. In addition to all the tools it includes, it touts a fast 30-minute recharge time and a solid 45-minute runtime.
Shark Rocket Pet Pro
Typically retailing for less than $350, the Shark Rocket Pet Pro remains a solid budget option provided you can find it in stock. It offers excellent cleaning performance with crumbs and other small bits of debris on hardwood floors and satisfactory pickup power on carpets and with dust. It features HEPA filtration and a self-cleaning, anti-tangle brush head (helpful for preventing pet hair clogs) and converts to a convenient handheld cleaner when needed.
It wasn't a strong performer in our toughest tests, but the Mooso XL-618 proved perfectly capable for basic cleaning, particularly with crumbs and on hardwood floors. It also converts to a handheld vacuum that you can use to clean your car or furniture. Retailing for around $150 and frequently on sale for under $80, the XL-618 is about as inexpensive as cordless vacuums get. If you're willing to sacrifice some cleaning power to save some cash, it's worth a look.