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}

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)}

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}

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}

Most rugs are built with backings, but this flashy find from Fab Habitat looks the same, no matter which side you flip it on. Made with premium, recycled plastic, you can choose between 20-plus flashy color combos and patterns.

In our testing, however, we went with the geometric burnt orange to add a splash of color to a back deck. It lays flat underneath a six-person patio table and refuses to heat up on particularly sultry, summer days, providing a cool place for diners to rest their bare feet. 

Keeping it rooted beneath furniture is one surefire way to keep this light rug in place. Otherwise, it can be rolled up and easily transported to the park as an impromptu blanket or towel that won’t get ruined by messy eaters or dewy grass. But its less-than-a-pound weight has also been beneficial when storing it during the winter. 

Cozy isn’t exactly the word we’d use to describe it, as it’s best suited to outdoor spaces. However, it’s an easy-to-care-for, eco-friendly rug that resists the growth of mold and mildew. It’s also incredibly quick-drying (it feels drier than our tester’s deck does after strong rainfall).

^{Dimensions: 4 x 6 feet | Material: Plastic | Pile Height: N/A | Color Options: 27}

Wool rugs often carry a high price, but that’s not the case with the Rugs USA Moonglade Rug. This area rug is our favorite pick for anyone who’s searching for a shag rug that’s easy to care for and yet wonderfully fluffy underfoot.

We were impressed when we tested this 100 percent wool rug. It’s not only soft to the touch, but its longer fibers were still surprisingly easy to clean. Spills and stains came out almost effortlessly, and we thought the combination of the rug and a grippy rug pad (also sold by Rugs USA, but at an extra cost) made for one great slip- and slide-proof combination.

Another standout feature of this washable shag rug we loved? Its high pile and plush, thick feel. This is a rug that’ll provide its own cushioning underfoot, adding softness, warmth, and almost a full inch of soft wool wherever it’s placed. Just keep in mind that you’ll want to keep door size in mind if you’re placing this rug near an entryway or right inside (or outside) a room.

We didn’t love that loose dirt, like soil, sand, and dust got trapped in the wool’s shag-like fibers, which made vacuuming it up tricky. We found we needed to use either a handheld vacuum to get up close or shake the rug out to get it fully dirt-free. However, it was still easier to clean than a shag alternative with extra long fibers.

^{Dimensions: 3 x 5 feet | Material: Wool | Pile Height: 0.95 inches | Color Options: 1}