Not sure about buying a refurbished vacuum? This Hoover deal may convince you

There are few investments that are as important as home appliances. You’re purchasing items you’ll use nearly every day — so what you choose now will affect your time, your stress level and your home’s cleanliness for years to come.

While many vacuums are inexpensive, those models aren’t always made to last. Investing in a high-quality vacuum means your home will be cleaner and safer for your family, but also that cleaning will be easier and faster. The best machines, though, come with hefty price tags. That’s why smart shoppers do their research, and invest in a refurbished vacuum.

Refurbished vacuums have been either dinged and can’t be sold as new, or have been returned by the customer. In either case, the appliance is cleaned, refreshed and repaired, then sold at a significantly lower price. It may or may not be in original packaging, but the machinery inside has been vetted to be in new working order either by the manufacturer or a manufacturer’s representative.

“Any item that is returned to the manufacturer/producer is checked, repaired and re-tested,” according to Best Vacuum Guide. “Any worn out or damaged part is repaired or replaced, and any blemish is eliminated. So, you get a product that is just like new.” Another advantage Best Vacuum Guide points out: refurbished vacuums come with a warranty, usually 30-90 days, but sometimes longer if you purchase from a manufacturer directly. Online marketplaces like eBay often offer add-on extended warranties for little money too.

“These companies can’t sell these goods as new anymore, so they run them through a few tests, spruce them up a little bit and you’ve got yourself refurbished items,” says personal finance blogger Daniel Packer of Sweating the Big Stuff. “The best part? They usually come with a can’t-miss price tag.”

Here are 7 editor-picked refurbished vacuums that offer high-quality cleaning without the high cost.

Easy to take anywhere — even outside to clean your car — the Hoover BH52230 Cruise Ultra Light Cordless Floor Vacuum is a battery-operated appliance that weighs less than five pounds. Its long neck makes for simple cleaning of ceilings, drapes and furniture, and the vacuum can be converted to a smaller handheld for cleanup in tight spaces. Though it normally retails for $101.99, this refurbished model is offered at $84.99.

An excellent choice for apartments because of its compact size, this Shark NV770 DuoClean Lift-Away Upright Vacuum Cleaner packs a lot of power into its petite frame. Swivel steering and LED headlights allow for easy maneuvering, and a built-in HEPA filter and Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology make this canister vacuum a good choice for allergy sufferers. At $199.99, this refurbished model is 23 percent off the manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $259.99.

By using a ball as this vacuum’s movement mechanism, rather than four wheels, Dyson’s Ball Multi Floor 2 allows for easy navigation and nimble movements. The cyclone canister vacuum has a self-adjusting cleaner head that automatically raises and lowers to maximize cleaning on a given surface, and a washable filter that will last as long as the vacuum does. Its HEPA filtration is also certified as asthma- and allergy-friendly by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. At $189.99, you’ll save $40 off the original price.

Cleaning up after fluffy pets is a particular challenge. Not only are you trying to fight the eternal battle against pet hair, you’re also trying to control pet odors and other messes from your four-legged pal. This Ecovacs Deebot Oszmo 610 Smart Robotic Vacuum makes cleaning up after your pets easy. The V-Shaped makes it super easy to lift dirt and fur, across hard surfaces and carpets. You can schedule cleanings, and it’s even compatible with Amazon Alexa. This machine is 65 percent off the manufacturer’s suggested retail price, at $169.99.

The best kind of housework is the housework you don’t have to do yourself, right? A robotic vacuum does the cleaning while you’re out of the house, or while you’re just kicking back. This Eufy RoboVac 15C operates on Wi-Fi, and can be controlled from a remote or an app on your smartphone. It automatically adjusts the suction level depending on the mess it’s cleaning up, and has up to 100 minutes of cleaning on a single charge. This refurbished model is $189.99, $60 off the $249.99 manufacturer’s suggested retail price.

This space-age alternative to human-powered vacuuming is a self-guided machine that does the work for you. The iRobot Roomba 860 Robotic Cleaner has a three-stage cleaning system and tangle-free extractors for easy cleanup after it’s finished cleaning the floors. There’s even a scheduling tool to allow you to set up a week’s worth of cleaning at once. This Roomba is $199.99, 60 percent off the $499.99 the manufacturer’s suggested retail price.

Another lightweight vacuum, the Dyson Light Ball Multi Floor Midsize Upright Vacuum easily maneuvers over carpet, hardwood, vinyl and tile flooring. This powerful machine includes easy height adjustment, a self-adjusting cleaner head, hygienic bin for emptying dirt and debris, and has whole-machine HEPA filtration that traps bacteria, mold and pollen particles. At $189.99, the refurbished model is a deal.