We Tested Hundreds of Affordable Rugs, But These 8 Are the Best Bang for Your Buck

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 almost never 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 purchasing 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}

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 definitely 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. We found zero white furry fibers in our vacuum, and it was easy to get even pesky coffee grounds out. Best of all, after brushing the rug with a pet brush to simulate clawing, there was very little shedding.

Our biggest gripe about this incredibly durable budget option? We do wish it was available in a wider range of sizes, specifically large sizes. The largest size option is 6 x 9 feet, and since it’s really meant to be more of an accent than the centerpiece of a room, it’s more widely available in smaller sizes.

_{Dimensions: From 2 x 2.9 feet to 6 x 9 feet | Material: Polyester | Pile Height: 2.8 inches | Color Options: 21}

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 our tester more time to wipe up coffee and wine before even having a chance to bleed through the surface. 

If not for this waterproof feature, our tester 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}

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, 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 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 (our tester 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}

This natural fiber rug has enjoyed a long-running, best-seller status at Swedish design stalwart IKEA. It looks far more expensive than its price tag suggests, adding an earthy element to whatever room you place; its warm, cozy vibe is suitable for kitchen spaces and dining rooms as much as home offices and guest bedrooms. 

Aside from its internet-famous price point, however, perhaps what we appreciate the most over is its ability to lay flat. And that’s not exactly an easy feat with jute—a fiber harvested from leafy plants—as the tightly woven fibers can feel and look a bit unruly or chunky.

The Lohals, however, has earned a reputation for its visually pleasing texture that refuses to wrinkle. This also makes it great for capturing dirt and preventing it and other debris from being tracked throughout the home, but it doesn’t play as well with water.

And although jute is known for being softer than other grassy materials like sisal, it’s not precisely as plush or soft as wool, either, which is something to be mindful of if you’re looking for something plush underfoot. 

^{Dimensions: 4 feet, 4 inches x 6 feet, 5 inches | Material: Jute | Pile Height: 0.5 inches | Color Options: 1 (neutral)}

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 handled 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}

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 loved how durable this runner was when we tested it at home. Not only did 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 looking like new.

We also particularly liked how this runner performed 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 found with this budget-friendly rug was its thinness. Its 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}