There’s no better way to anchor a space, indoors or out, than by unrolling a rug. Needless to say, here at The Spruce, we’ve tested hundreds of styles—from all-natural jute and hand-tufted wool to printed vintage look-alikes and flatweave runners—to see how they perform in living rooms, hallways, kitchens, and even on back patios.
In doing so, we’ve learned you don’t always have to spend a fortune for a quality area rug. In fact, several options we love are less than $100. You just have to know what to look for.
In our opinion, the best affordable rugs are also incredibly durable. If you’re fine with blended fibers or man-made constructions like polyester and polypropylene, it’s easy to scoop up a 4 x 6-foot piece for $100 or less, all without limiting your choices between patterns, palettes, and even piles.
What We Like
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Vintage-passing patterns
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Great range of sizing and colors
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Easy-to-maintain, non-shedding polyester construction
Yes, there are designer collaborations you can snag from Amazon for under $100. This best-selling collection between Loloi (a family-owned textile brand based in Dallas, Texas, known for its floor coverings) and home renovation duo/internet-famous couple Chris Loves Julia is rarely listed at full price.
A perfect pairing of a power-loomed, durable polyester and vintage-inspired pattern earned this rug top praise from our team. We love it so much that we already want to purchase the same rug in a different size. With its standout price, pretty design, soft texture, and easy maintenance, what’s not to love?
In fact, after roughly a year of use, it still impresses. The low pile structure is a breeze to vacuum (no shedding!), and the traditional floral motifs in a range of faded color combinations are ideal for reducing the visibility of dirt, dust, and other sources of debris if you’re not able to cross off the chore as frequently as preferred. It also refuses to stain.
There are only a couple of discrepancies to be mindful of. While the rug is fantastic for its value, the low pile does feel a bit flat (despite being soft!). We compensated for the lack of cushion and a slippy canvas backing by simply pairing it with a pad.
Dimensions: 3 feet, 6 inches x 5 feet, 6 inches | Material: Polyester | Pile Height: 0.13 inches | Color Options: 8
Tip from Our Team
Many affordable rugs are thinner than their pricier counterparts. I recommend choosing a thicker rug pad underneath. With your pad, any rug can feel plusher and offer extra cushioning against hard floors.
Credit: The Spruce
What We Like
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High faux fur pile and dense fibers
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Soft and fluffier in person than photos online
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Durable enough to handle vacuuming and machine-washing
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No change to softness over time
When you think of budget rugs, you probably don’t imagine high-quality faux fur options—but we’re here to tell you the Ashler Faux Fur Rug is impressive despite its incredibly low price. With 3 x 5 foot rugs priced at just $36, this is a product that defied all of our expectations in both lab and at-home testing.
With long white synthetic fibers (polyester, to be specific) that mimic the look of fur, we loved the density and soft feel of this rug. It wowed us with its fluffy nature, and both the appearance and the feel remained consistent over six months of testing. While we could tell the fibers were synthetic, we were still impressed by their feel.
We also loved how durable this rug proved. It’s machine-washable, but we were blown away at how well it handled vacuuming. Faux fur rugs and real fur rugs tend to be difficult to vacuum thanks to their extra-long fibers and loft height, but this budget rug was no issue.
Best of all, after brushing the rug with a pet brush to simulate clawing, there was very little shedding. But we do wish it were available in a wider range of sizes, specifically large sizes. The largest size option is 6 x 9 feet, but we found it’s meant to be an accent in a room rather than the centerpiece.
Dimensions: From 2 x 2.9 feet to 6 x 9 feet | Material: Polyester | Pile Height: 2.8 inches | Color Options: 21
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The rug is machine-washable, so it’s easy to remove stains.
Credit: The Spruce
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We spot-cleaned coffee stains and vacuumed the rug, and it didn’t shed when vacuumed.
Credit: The Spruce
What We Like
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Holds up well
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Hypoallergenic
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Foam rug pad included
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OEKO-Tex-certified
This Tumble rug doesn’t lose its smooth, soft texture after multiple wash and rinse cycles, beating out other washable brands, especially since it comes at an affordable price (with a complimentary pad valued at $59 to boot).
But the best part? During testing, we found the spillproof treatment forces spills to bead at the surface, allowing us more time to wipe up coffee and wine before even having a chance to bleed through the surface.
If not for this waterproof feature, we would have never chosen such a light colorway (the warm-toned, light distressed beige), especially since it’s used in a house with accident-prone children and pets. But stains simply refuse to set, and it refuses to attract pet hair and dust.
It’s the biggest benefit of going with Tumble, as we put this rug to the test with one of our team members who has owned multiple machine-washable rugs before from brands like Crate & Barrel and Target. While its low density and pile are soft but not plush, the pad counteracts the flat feel, giving it a bit more cushion underfoot.
It also connects like puzzle pieces, and once placed, refuses to slip and slide, particularly on the concrete floor our tester placed it on. Pockets on the back end hold the foam down like adhesive grippers.
Dimensions: 3 x 5 feet | Material: Polyester | Pile Height: 0.25 inches | Color Options: Varies
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The Tumble Tabor Rug comes with a built-in rug pad, so it won’t slip under your feet.
Credit: The Spruce
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Though we tested a light color, it survived numerous spills after laundering it.
Credit: The Spruce
Tip From Our Team
Washable rugs can be tossed right into your washing machine, but in my experience, you’ll want to skip the dryer. Drying them even on low heat can lead to noticeable shrinkage, so you’re better off air-drying your rugs, even though it takes longer.
What We Like
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Soft for outdoors
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Knitted look, like a chunky sweater
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Washing just requires rinsing with a hose
As far as indoor-outdoor rugs go, products tend to lean heavily on one environment or the other. And those durable enough to endure the elements tend to feel like plastic more than anything. But not this rug.
Crafted with polypropylene, a thick, soft fiber also known as olefin, we discovered in testing that this design by NuLoom would do just as well indoors as out. And we love that it almost feels like wool.
It was fine to leave outdoors, and although it has a tightly braided weave, it can be hosed down for a quick clean without the worry of mold or mildew growth. Plus, the lighter gray colorway features subtle speckling (aptly named salt and pepper), ideal for obscuring dirt and other bits that could be more easily visible, even potential future stains.
We were also pleasantly surprised by the lack of loose threads, snags, and pulls, especially after dragging potted plants and furniture across its surface. So feel free to lay this one out beneath a dining or patio set.
Dimensions: 4 x 6 feet | Material: Polypropylene | Pile Height: 0.3 inches | Color Options: 3
Our first impression of Safavieh’s Courtyard collection was that the outdoor rug felt incredibly high quality, and we loved the detailed stitching in subtle checker, chevron, and diamond geometrics. While available in 10 different monochromatic color combos, including bright greens and blues, we were particularly smitten with the beige.
Aside from its versatile design, which allows it to be kept indoors by the end of the summer season (we brought the 8-pound rug into her home without any issues), we were most impressed with its lack of wear, despite the fact that two dogs were constantly playing on top of it. The only sign of age is a slight fraying at a couple of the corners; otherwise, we expect this rug to last for years.
It’s also incredibly easy to clean, earning points in the outdoor category, including pet accidents, which the Bissell Light Green Machine easily handled. Mulch and chunks of dirt have never been a cause of concern, coming free with a few swipes of a broom or passes from the vacuum. It also has yet to fade, though it hasn’t been exposed much to constant direct sunlight.
Dimensions: 4 feet x 5 feet, 7 inches | Material: Polyester | Pile Height: 0.25 inches | Color Options: 1
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The Safavieh Courtyard rug held up well with only slight fraying when tested outdoors.
Credit: The Spruce
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It was very easy to clean and remove stains from the rug during our tests.
Credit: The Spruce
What We Like
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Supportive and cushioned
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Durable cotton backing
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Soft with wool fibers
It can be difficult to find a natural fiber rug that’s also affordable, but this blend we tested from Bungalow Rug is the best of both worlds. The mix of viscose and wool gives you the durability of wool, but the added softness of viscose.
This ensures it’s less scratchy than full wool rugs and, in this case, more affordable. We found the material extremely supportive and cushioned when walking barefoot on hardwood floors, but not exactly plush. It has a cotton backing, which contributes to the durability.
Even though it has a high, cushy pile, the rug bounces back easily, so you can use it in moderate and high traffic areas. Also, our robot vacuum could easily navigate and clean the rug, which we love for convenience.
Dimensions: 2 feet x 3 feet, 7 inches | Material: Wool, viscose | Pile Height: 0.5 inches | Color Options: 5
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The Spruce
Tip From Our Team
Natural fiber rugs tend to shed—in fact, they can shed just as much as a 100 percent wool rug. If the shedding is driving you crazy (and you don’t want to keep vacuuming up fibers!), just know that it’s temporary and should stop after about a month of daily wear.
Credit: The Spruce
What We Like
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Thick pile and plush, inviting texture
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Durable in high-traffic areas
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Easy to clean, even when stained
When we tested Safavieh’s Milan Shag Collection Accent Rug, we loved that it delivered on two of the most important details: comfort and plushness. Like any good shag rug, this affordable version was thick, offered a nice 2-inch pile height, and was incredibly inviting as we walked on it barefoot. We love its dense fibers and, after six months of using it at home, we’re even happier to report it’s still looking like new.
When we first rolled out this shag rug, we liked that it immediately laid flat and featured no curling at the corners (a common issue, especially with cheaper rugs in the first few days of use.) We tested its durability by not only using it for six months but also clawing at it with a pet brush, spilling on it, and vacuuming it regularly, and we were thrilled to see it handle all of these tests effortlessly.
In fact, aside from some slight frizzing from the pet brush (which was easily fixed with one pass of a bare hand), there were no changes.
The only real drawback about this Safavieh rug is it isn’t the most stylish option on our list. It’s available in eight plain colors, and while you can choose a bold color or a neutral, every option looks like your average carpet. If you’re searching for more eye-catching patterns or some unique flair for your room, this won’t be a good fit. That being said, though, we love its feel and its easy-clean nature for simpler aesthetics.
Dimensions: 3 feet 6 inches x 5 feet 6 inches (with other options available) | Material: Polypropylene | Pile Height: 2 inches | Color Options: 8
What We Like
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Vibrant colors and eye-catching pattern
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Incredibly easy to vacuum and clean
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Pet and pet hair friendly
With brighter-than-expected hues and a classic Oriental-inspired pattern, AllModern’s Ovid Runner is our top pick for adding warmth to hallways, narrow rooms, or anywhere you might need a long and narrow runner.
In addition to its standout appearance, we love how durable this runner is when we tested it at home. Not only does it hold up to foot traffic well after six months, but we liked how well it hid dirt and stains that appeared over time. And when we cleaned this runner, it was a total breeze to get it looking like new.
We also particularly like how this runner performs in a house with pets. Even with regular wear and tear (and plenty of fur and litter!) from a cat, it didn’t show any wear.
The only real pain point we have with this budget-friendly rug is its thinness. It’s very low pile height meant it wasn’t plush underfoot by any means, but we still liked that it added a slight bit of warmth on top of hardwood floors. We definitely think a rug pad is necessary here to get a bit more cushioning.
And speaking of rug pads, adding one to this AllModern rug will also help keep it in place. Because the Ovid Runner is so lightweight, it can move around a bit as it’s walked and stepped on. A grippy rug pad will help prevent slips and sliding, in our experience.
Dimensions: 2 feet, 2 inches x 6 feet, 11 inches | Material: Viscose | Pile Height: 0.13 inches | Color Options: 2
Final Verdict
Our pick for the best affordable rug is the Chris Loves Julia x Loloi Jules Area Rug. We love the durability it offers, which ensures you’ll get years of use out of even a lower-priced investment. If you’d prefer an even more affordable option, we also like the Ashler Faux Fur Rug, our best budget pick, which delivers the inviting coziness of faux fur for an impressively low price.
How We Tested the Best Affordable Rugs
We’ve tested dozens of rugs at The Spruce, putting them through walking, dirt and liquid spills, simulated pet claws, and plenty of different real-life environments both in The Lab in Des Moines, Iowa, and in the homes of our team of editors across the country.
In addition to placing the rugs we tested in high-traffic areas for up to six months (or a year, in some cases), we also tested their performance in the face of mud, coffee spills, and even random rainstorms. We put them through vacuuming, washing (according to the care instructions, of course), wear and tear from kids of all ages, and plenty of daily traffic.
As we’ve tested washable rugs, indoor/outdoor rugs, and rugs both thin and plush, we’ve considered details like rug construction, their intended purpose and placement, and price. For this list, we focused only on rugs priced at $100 or less in roughly a 4 x 6-foot format (if available, that is; otherwise, we chose rugs slightly smaller or larger within the price range).
Ultimately, we found there are some trade-offs you’ll make when choosing a more affordable rug. Rugs under $100 tend to be thinner, with low pile and less cushiness underfoot. They are also typically made with manmade fibers like polyester and nylon–but the tradeoff is these synthetic alternatives do tend to be incredibly durable.
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The Spruce
Slightly Bigger Budget? Buy These Rugs
An internet-famous jute rug, the Hart by Revival is a handmade flatweave that can be purchased in an unbleached, brindled look, a brown dye, or modern white.
A full wool rug right over $200, this Better Homes & Gardens pick blew us away with its style-forward look and easy-to-clean construction.
If you want a faux fur rug that’s a bit bigger, pick this Quince one that’s still under $100.
This Rifle Paper Co. outdoor rug has an eye-catching design and a durable construction and starts at $110.
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The Spruce
What to Look for When Buying Affordable Rugs
Materials Make the Difference
In most cases, the cost of a rug is directly related to the materials used in its construction. While synthetic fibers may get a bad rep, they’re actually incredibly durable (hello, low-maintenance upkeep).
Most of our favorites–including our overall best rug from Loloi and Chris Loves Julia–are constructed with either polyester or nylon, both of which are durable and water- and stain-resistant, and touted for holding vibrant colors, despite that some are even safe to stick in the wash.
If your heart is set on natural materials, we find jute and cotton tend to go for better prices, but you’ll likely have to avoid wool and silk.
Sizing and Price Tags
Sizing can impact a price tag more than materials. The difference between a 4 x 6-foot rug and a sprawling 9 x 12-foot upgrade can be hundreds upon hundreds of dollars. But that doesn’t mean you should go with a smaller format to save your coin. Nailing down the right dimensions is paramount for a rug to look right in your space. Standard sizing you’re likely to come across includes:
- 3 x 5 feet
- 4 x 6 feet
- 5 x 8 feet
- 8 x 10 feet
- 9 x 12 feet
To figure out which size to shop, first consider your furniture placement. In living rooms, the front legs (of sofas or accent chairs) should sit on top of the rug with plenty of room to spare, not on the very edge. Underneath a dining table, you’ll want to be able to pull a chair out and have it still sit on the rug.
If you don’t quite have the budget to make a bigger rug work, especially if your heart is set on color or pattern, don’t fret. Our hot tip is to go with an affordable jute and layer the brighter piece—albeit in a smaller cut—on top.
Patterns, Palettes, and Piles to Fit Your Vibe
Don’t make our list of the best affordable rugs an end-all, be-all. There are myriad design choices for this decorative detail, whether you’re looking for a punchy pattern (like a geometric harlequin or something more neutral to layer another area rug), we love tapping a natural fiber like jute for this exact reason.
Suppose you’re designing a room from scratch. You can either go with a bold pattern or swap an existing style to easily blend in with the rest of your room’s decorative objects and upholstery; you can’t go wrong with something more neutral. Plus, there are subtle ways to ensure the product doesn’t appear flat—experts recommend playing with pile heights and textures.
Most affordable rugs (and most of the rugs on this list) feature a low pile, also known as a flatweave, which loosely translates to the fiber heights. If your rug is a quarter of an inch or shorter, it’s likely a flatweave. Anything bigger, like the Safavieh Milan Shag Accent Rug (our best shag pick), is considered a high pile.
The pile can also influence how soft or cushy a rug feels. Designers often opt for something a bit bigger in cozy spaces like bedrooms and dens. Low piles are ideal in high-traffic areas.
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The Spruce
Non-Slip Backings and Pads are a Must
If you ever walk into a room and wonder if your rug got up and grew legs, be sure to either prioritize non-slip backings or add a rug pad to your cart, as these added features can help keep your chosen floor covering securely in place. This is paramount if you want to add a piece to a high-traffic area, such as a kitchen or hallway, where rugs are even more prone to roaming underfoot.
Slippage and curling at the edges can also happen if a budget-friendly buy lacks any sort of traction underneath. To avoid tripping hazards such as these, you can also scoop up corner grippers (we found this discounted four-pack on Amazon for $9) that act like superglue or Velcro for your floor.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Heather Adams is a senior editor at The Spruce, and if you visit her home, you’ll find washable rugs in every room. With years of experience shopping for, using, and spot-cleaning rugs of every price point and material, including wool, synthetic fiber, and natural fibers like jute, she used her own experience paired with The Spruce’s years of rug testing to highlight the best affordable options.
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