When the news reached my ears that Aldi was launching a £60 "Dyson rival" stick vacuum cleaner, my heart sank a bit. After two years of reviewing stick vacuums, one of the biggest things I learned is that ultra-cheap vacuums are almost always a big old waste of money.My rule of thumb with vacuums is that the absolute cheapest you can go is around £150. Listen, I'm sorry. I know that's still a decent chunk of change, and especially for a gadget that no one really enjoys using. But if you want a vacuum that's going to do more than gently brush your carpet while emitting a light breeze of suction, you'll need to absorb the cost. Below, I've rounded up my top affordable stick vacuum picks. My #1 choice is the Dreame R20, which sits right at the top of our best budget vacuum ranking and delivers very capable cleaning, a lightweight and maneuverable build, and some bonus advanced features, all for an extremely reasonable price. Shark is also a solid brand to look at — its range is sprawling, and prices fluctuate regularly, but it rarely disappoints on performance, and there's usually a discounted option in the lineup that's worth snapping up. Read on for 6 budget vacuum cleaners I'd buy instead of Aldi's newest option. Or, if you're interested in how these picks compare on the wider market, head to my general best cordless vacuum guide.Brilliant budget vacs Dreame R20 cordless vacuum Read our full review ProsLightweight and manoeuvrableExcellent suction performanceGood selection of toolsExceptional battery lifeVery competitive price pointConsPower trigger is over sensitiveSlightly annoying whiney noise in useNo low-power mode Dyson V8 cordless vacuum Read our full review ProsAffordable for a Dyson Versatile 2-in-1 designWell-designedUseful attachmentsStill impressive suctionConsLong recharge timeSmall binNot as powerful as newer modelsLacks some useful features Ultenic U16 Flex Cordless Stick Vacuum Read our full review Shark Corded Stick Vacuum Cleaner, HZ500UK Shark Clean & Empty Cordless Vacuum BU3521UKTSB Shark Stratos Cordless Pet Pro IZ402UKTSB