8 Best Vacuums Under $200 – Reviews and Buying Guide

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Daniel
Daniel
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Daniel is among our most talented writers: based on the dull expert reports he's able to make up a comprehensive, reader-friendly article which anyone can benefit from. Also read more
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Tom
Tom
Tom
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Initially being an engineering specialist, Tom has never stopped learning and acquiring other knowledge and skills. Now he’s involved in technical support for a well-known read more
Last updated: August 08, 2023
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There is a stigma out there that to get the best, you have to pay the most. But let’s be honest. Today, you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a high-quality and versatile vacuum cleaner that is going to last you a good long time. In fact, you can save yourself a bit of money and get the best vacuum under $200. For that money, you can pick almost anything you might need to get you home tidy, from all-in-one vacuum cleaners with multiple attachments to robot vacuums or even cordless ones, without compromising on quality.

Now, the vacuum market is absolutely flooded with products, and it can be exceedingly difficult to find the best one for the best price on your own. Well, don’t you worry about that! We have done all of the hard work for you by researching the kinds of features that quality vacuums have, as well as looking through thousands of customer reviews to find the tip-top products in this price range.

In this article that you are about to dive into, you will find an in-depth description and review of the top vacuums under $200 today. If you are beginning your search for the vacuum of your dreams, then you can also check out our buying guide. In it, you’ll learn everything you need to know to make an informed decision and get the perfect cleaner for your home.

Quick Summary

  • Editor's Choice: Shark Navigator NV352
    "2-in-1 lightweight vacuum cleaner with detachable canister, lots of attachments, and HEPA filter; 5-year warranty"
  • Best Robot Vacuum: ILIFE V3s Pro
    "Robot vacuum with up to 60 min battery life and scheduled auto clean; features 0.3L bin, HEPA filter, and pet hair cleaning option"
  • "Bagless upright vacuum suitable for bare floors and carpets; includes several attachments for more versatility"
  • Most Versatile Attachments: Prolux Tritan
    "Bagged canister vacuum with plenty of attachments for any surface and purpose; comes with 12 Amp motor and HEPA filter"
  • "Upright vacuum with the proprietary Pet Approved Windtunnel system and 5-level height adjustment; good for any type of surface"
  • Best Cordless Vacuum Cleaner: Bissell AirRam 1984
    "Cordless upright vacuum cleaner with removable 22V lithium-ion battery and multi-surface brush roll; very lightweight"
  • Best Canister Vacuum Cleaner: Kenmore 200 Series 81214
    "Bagged canister vacuum with a 2-motor system and the Power Flow technology for better performance; multi-floor cleaning"
  • Best Robot Vacuum for Carpet: Pure Clean PUCRC25 V1
    "Robot vacuum with 3 cleaning modes, HEPA filter, and up to 55 min of battery life"

Top 8 Vacuums Under $200 Review 2024

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Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 5804 people in the past 30 days
10
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.8
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.6
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.8
10
1
Editor's Choice

Shark Navigator NV352

Features
  • Upright and lift-away vacuum cleaner
  • On/off brush roll
  • Cleans bare floors and carpets
  • Includes a dusting brush, 5.5” crevice tool, 24” crevice tool, wide pet upholstery tool, pet power brush
  • Swivel steering
  • 5’ hose length
  • Dust cup capacity: 1.2 dry quarts
  • Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology + a HEPA filter
  • 25’ power cord
  • Product weight: 12.5 lb
  • Pod weight: 7.5 lb
  • Warranty: 5 years

Shark has been making high-quality vacuums for a long time. Such is the case for the Navigator, which just might be the best vacuum under $200. It is perfect for multiple surfaces, since you can switch the brush roller on and off. It also is sealed up very well, making it impossible to lose suction.

This Shark vacuum is one of the lightest uprights on the market today. As such, it is extremely maneuverable. The canister can be taken off and used as a handheld, making it ideal for steps or high ceilings. This vacuum also comes with tons of accessories and attachments, making it a one-stop shop for whole house cleaning.

Unlike lots of other vacuums on the market, this one comes with a five-year warranty. This is great because the seals on the hose and canister might break down through heavy use. If you are looking for a whole house kind of a vacuum at a reasonable price, then the Shark Navigator is for you.

    What do we love it for?
  • Lightweight
  • Detachable canister for stairs
  • HEPA filter
  • Lots of accessories
  • Long warranty
  • Maneuverable
    What were we disappointed with?
  • Short cord
Also Product Ranking:
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Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 6776 people in the past 30 days
9.7
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.3
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.6
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.6
9.7
2
Best Robot Vacuum

ILIFE V3s Pro

Features
  • Robot vacuum
  • Vacuum and sweep floors
  • Ideal for hardwood floor
  • Pet hair cleaning option (hard floor)
  • Auto/Spot/Edge cleaning modes
  • Up to 60 min runtime
  • Remote control
  • Scheduled auto clean
  • Self-charging
  • HEPA filter
  • 0.3L bin capacity
  • Warranty: 1 year

If you are looking for something to clean up your hard surfaces and you don’t want to do it yourself, then this is a good vacuum for you. It has a long run time and will automatically seek out the dust and debris for you, though it has some trouble with corners. It has multiple modes and can pick up even large piles of pet hair with ease, as long as it is on a hard surface.

Even though the capacity of this robotic vacuum is pretty small, it does come with a HEPA filter. This will help to keep all of the dust that it sucks up in its removable canister, which will help to keep your floors cleaner. You can also set it to automatically clean your rooms at the same time each day.

Even though this is a fully automatic robotic vacuum, it is still built very well and should hold up for you for a long time. It comes with a one-year warranty. If you are looking for a way to keep your hard surfaces relatively dust-free without spending time on it, then this is a great vacuum.

    What do we love it for?
  • Cleans automatically
  • Long run time
  • Charges automatically
  • HEPA filter
    What were we disappointed with?
  • Small capacity
  • Might miss dirt in corners
  • Only for hardwood floors
Also Product Ranking:
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Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 9941 people in the past 30 days
9.5
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.4
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.1
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.4
9.5
Features
  • Upright vacuum cleaner
  • Bagless
  • 8-amp motor with MultiCyclonic cleaning system
  • Cleans bare floors, carpets and area rugs
  • Easy to use
  • Includes a pet hair corner tool and pet tool
  • Swivel steering
  • Scatter-free technology
  • 13.5″ cleaning path
  • 6’ hose length
  • Weight: 17.7 lb
  • Warranty: 3-year limited

Are you looking for an affordable pet vacuum? The Bissell Cleanview 2252 Swivel model is the one for you. The equipment combines excellent performance with budget-friendly affordability to provide you with the best floor care. It has been developed for families with furry animals and is supplied with specialized features and pet tools that help you take care of your house.

The vacuum is equipped with a triple-action brush roll and scatter-free technology. This association of powerful features helps your equipment get rid of embedded pet hair, even on hard floors and carpets. We love the fact that it is lightweight and easy to push around and carry. Additionally, its swivel steering makes it easy for you to clean corners, edges, and other obstacles in the house.

It is also important to mention that the Bissell Cleanview Swivel Pet 2252 Vacuum uses a multi-level filtration system. It catches debris, fine dust, and prevents particles and dirt from escaping and seeping back into the cleaned area.

Although the vacuum does not have a bag, it features an easy to empty 1-liter clear bin, a wand, and a hose for above-floor cleaning.

Unfortunately, it has clogging issues and is bulky. You might need a bit of space to store it.

    Why is it special?
  • Budget-friendly
  • Easy to clean around edges and corners
  • Multi-cyclonic suction system
    What are the flaws?
  • Clogging issues
  • Bulky
Also Product Ranking:
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Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 3034 people in the past 30 days
9.5
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.0
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.0
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.4
9.5
4
Most Versatile Attachments

Prolux Tritan

Features
  • Canister vacuum
  • Bagged (comes with six bags)
  • Multi-floor cleaning: carpets, area rugs, hardwood floors, tile and other
  • 12 Amp motor with 100 inches of water lift and 107 CFM
  • Adjustable power knob
  • Comes with a crevice tool, duster/upholstery tool, and the Combi Floor Tool (for different surface types) – onboard storage
  • 6’ crushproof hose
  • 23’ retractable power cord
  • Weight: 15 lb
  • HEPA filter‎
  • 1-year warranty

This is one of the most powerful vacuums on our list, as well as the best bagged vacuum we could find for under $200. It can be used for both solid and liquid cleanups on pretty much any surface. This cleaner uses a HEPA filter and removable bags for sold cleanups. If you want to clean up water with it, you would need to remove the bag and filter.

It also comes with tons of accessories that can be used on all of those hard to reach or hard to clean areas. The hose is somewhat short, but it will never lose suction, even if you accidentally step on it. The cord is also on the short side.

The durability of this vacuum is completely up to you. If you use it for water, you’ll have to regularly clean it out, or it will get gunked up and stop working efficiently. If, however, you keep after it, this cleaner should last you well past the one-year warranty.

    Why did it make our list?
  • Can be used for water and solids
  • HEPA filter
  • Lots of accessories
  • Easy carry handle
    What is not ideal about it?
  • Short cord
  • Short hose
?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 4420 people in the past 30 days
9.5
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.3
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.4
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.4
9.5
Features
  • Upright vacuum cleaner
  • A.W.S Pet Approved Windtunnel system
  • On/off brush roll
  • Cleans hard floors and carpets
  • Includes extension wand, crevice tool, pet upholstery tool and air-powered pet hand tool
  • 5-level height adjustment
  • 12’ hose length
  • Activated carbon HEPA media bag
  • Clean-Drop Bag system
  • 30’ power cord
  • Weight: 15.9 lb
  • Warranty: 2 years

If you are someone who has tons of furry friends at home, then you’ll want to check out this vacuum. It is an upright vacuum that has different height adjustments. This will allow you to get a proper seal and powerful suction on tons of different surfaces, no matter how thick or thin they are. It also comes with some pet specific accessories that will allow you to easily suck up all of the furs on your sofa, chair, or even on the steps.

This vacuum has a 12’ hose that can be detached. This will allow you to reach all of those tough to reach areas. It is a bit heavy to lug up and down the steps, but with its long power cord would be perfect for cleaning one floor of your home.

This vacuum is well made and should last a good long time. The only thing that might break down over time is the height adjustment. But don’t worry; a 2-year warranty covers everything in this vacuum.

    What are our favorite features?
  • Long power cord
  • Lots of accessories
  • HEPA Certified Bag
  • Adjustable height for various surfaces to ensure suction
    What could be better?
  • Heavyweight
Also Product Ranking:
?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 9455 people in the past 30 days
9.0
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
8.7
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
8.8
Features & Benefits
Product Review
8.5
9.0
6
Best Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

Bissell AirRam 1984

Features
  • Upright vacuum cleaner
  • Cordless; removable 22V lithium-ion battery
  • 30 min runtime
  • Multi-surface brush roll
  • Cleans hard floors, carpets and area rugs
  • Removable dirt bin with a built-in, easy empty slider
  • 0.6L tank capacity
  • Wide-range LED lights
  • Weight: 8 lb
  • Warranty: 2-year limited

This is a cordless vacuum that would be perfect for when you have just enough time for really quick cleaning. It would also be perfect for someone who has a smaller home. The battery life is relatively short, so if you have a bigger area to clean, you might feel like you are racing the clock using this vacuum.

One of the coolest things about this vacuum is that you don’t need to do anything fancy to switch between surfaces, which is a big time saver. The brush roll on this cleaner is perfect for carpeted or hard surfaces. The dustbin, which is on the small size, is quick and easy to switch out.

If you have a smaller area to clean, then this would be a perfect vacuum for you. If, however, you are looking for something to clean your whole house, then this might not be the best choice. It comes with a two-year warranty, though it is certainly built to last much longer than that.

    Why did it make our list?
  • Cordless
  • Multi-surface brush
  • Lightweight
  • LED lights
    What is not ideal about it?
  • Short run time
  • No filter or bag
Also Product Ranking:
?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 5823 people in the past 30 days
9.0
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
8.6
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
8.6
Features & Benefits
Product Review
8.8
9.0
7
Best Canister Vacuum Cleaner

Kenmore 200 Series 81214

Features
  • Canister vacuum
  • Bagged
  • Multi-floor cleaning: bare floors, carpets, area rugs, linoleum
  • 2-motor system and Power Flow technology
  • Comes with a crevice tool and a dusting brush (stored in the canister)
  • Detachable wand
  • 24’ power cord
  • Automatic cord rewind
  • Weight: 22.6 lb
  • HEPA filter and paper dust bag‎
  • 1-year warranty

This canister vacuum is built to be used on multiple different surfaces and, as such, has a bunch of different modes that will give you the amount of cleaning power and suction to get the job done right.

It utilizes both a HEPA filter and a dust bag to collect debris, which makes it one of the tidiest vacuums out there. Though it is a bit heavy to be carried up and down the steps, detachable wand and accessories make it easy to clean everything on one floor. The cord is a bit short, but at least you won’t have to wind it up, since the cord will automatically retract and rewind.

This is a cleaner that is built to last. It is properly sealed up, the filter and dust bag will help to keep its parts clean, and it is highly durable. However, if something should fail, there is only a one-year warranty. If you are looking to clean on one floor of your house and you have lots of different surfaces on that floor, then this is the perfect vacuum.

    Why is it special?
  • Automatic cord rewind
  • Detachable wand for hard to reach areas
  • HEPA Filter
    What are the flaws?
  • Heavyweight
  • Short cord
?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 6698 people in the past 30 days
8.5
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
8.0
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
8.0
Features & Benefits
Product Review
8.1
8.5
8
Best Robot Vacuum for Carpet

Pure Clean PUCRC25 V1

Features
  • Robot vacuum
  • Bagless
  • Sweep and vacuum tile, hardwood flooring, and short carpet
  • Rotating underbrush and two auto side sweeper brushes
  • 2.9” low profile
  • Obstacle detection and anti-fall cliff sensors
  • Auto/Random, Spiral, and Edge cleaning modes
  • Up to 55 min runtime
  • HEPA filter
  • 0.2L bin capacity
  • Warranty: 1 year

The biggest difference between this robotic vacuum and the other one on our list is that this one can be used on some carpets. While they can’t be too thick, the fact that it can be used on multiple surfaces is a handy feature.

This vacuum is bagless and has a small capacity. It makes up for this with a long runtime and automatic charging. Another great feature is the side brushes, which allow this circular vacuum to clean dirt and debris from corners quite well. It also uses a HEPA filter, which helps to ensure that all of the dust it picks up stays inside for good.

As with any piece of technology, upkeep is key to its durability. As long as you check the brushes regularly, this robotic vacuum should last well past its one-year warranty. If you are looking for a quick and easy way to clean your low carpets or hard floors, then this is a great choice for you.

    Why did it make our list?
  • HEPA filter
  • Automatically charges
  • Long run time
  • Long side bristles to reach corners
    What is not ideal about it?
  • Only for use with hardwood or short carpet
  • Small capacity

Things to Consider

If you’re looking for your ideal vacuum and have only $200 in your pocket, you should pick the one that you’ll use to the full. Think carefully of what you are going to do with it, and the types of features and accessories that will make your life easier. In this section that is exactly what we will check out!

What’s different about vacuum under $200?

Best Vacuum under 200

Within the world of vacuums, there are tons of different options. The common thought on all of the choices is that the cheaper the vacuum, the worse it works, and the more expensive the vacuum, the better it cleans. This is true to a point. However, once you start getting into vacuums under $100 or slightly above that price point, they all work pretty well. The big difference that occurs from here on, all the way up to $200, is the number of features and accessories that the vacuums come with.

So, when you are beginning to shop, don’t immediately count out a vacuum just because it isn’t the most expensive.

Vacuum type

Before you can buy a vacuum, you should first figure out exactly what type you want to get. There are a couple of different options out there, which you can check out below.

Upright

Upright vacuums are usually a bit lighter than a canister vacuum. They are also more maneuverable. This makes the perfect for cleaning small spaces or on multiple floors and steps. They can be corded or cordless. The biggest downside to an upright vacuum is that, due to their design, they don’t have large capacities.

Canister

If you are looking for a vacuum that has a ton of power, accessories, and capacity, then you’ll want to check out a canister vacuum. These vacuums are great for cleaning multiple surfaces, as long as those surfaces are all on one floor. Canister vacuums tend to be on the heavier side, which might make hauling them up and down stairs difficult.

2-in-1

2-in-1 vacuums are relative newcomers to the cleaning scene, but they have quickly become one of the most popular types available. With this type of vacuum, you can clean just as you normally would in one mode, but then you also have the option of breaking the vacuum down into a handheld cleaner, which is perfect for hard to reach places, car seats, or couch cushions. These vacuums aren’t usually the most powerful on the market, but they are convenient to use.

Bagged

Bagged Vacuum Cleaner

If you truly want to make sure that all of the dirt that you suck up when you are cleaning stays in the vacuum, then you will want to get one that uses a bag. This will help to seal up the dirt, which will help to keep your house much cleaner. The only downside, however, is that bags can get a bit expensive, and they cannot be reused.

Bagless

A bagless vacuum won’t weigh as much as one that uses a bag, and they are much quicker to empty out. All you have to do is take out the canister, dump it out, and put back in. Then you can get right back to cleaning. Even though these vacuums come with some filtration system to help keep airborne dirt inside the vacuum, they will usually let a little bit out.

Brush type

Depending on the surfaces that you intend to clean, you can select from any number of different brush types/rollers. If you have nothing but hardwood floors, for instance, you wouldn’t need the same type of brush as you would if you had deep carpets.

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Also, if you have multiple different surfaces in your household, you’ll want to be sure to get a vacuum that gives you the option of when you want to utilize the brush at all. That way, you’ll be able to make sure that you don’t scratch your hardwood floors with a rolling brush, while also getting up all of that ground in dirt on your carpets.
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Accessories and attachments

Nozzle for vacuum cleaner

A household isn’t just made up of floors alone! There are window ledges, stairs, molding, and any number of little nooks and crannies that you just simply cannot get to with a standard vacuum. Many modern vacuums offer a wide range of accessories, from a crevice tool and specialized brushed for different types of floor or pet hair removal. Be sure to check them out if you need.

Suction

As you expect, the amount of suction that is produced by a vacuum is important when it comes to cleaning! The amount of suction of a vacuum is the collective amount of pull that the cleaner can generate and will determine exactly how clean you can get your floor.

The vacuums that have the best amount of suction aren’t always the most powerful or the loudest. Rather, what determines the amount of suction is twofold. First off, the vacuum has to seal properly on the floor. Otherwise, it won’t be able to pick up much of anything. Secondly, the vacuum itself needs to be sealed up nice and tight. As long as both of these points are met, you’ll have plenty of suction to get your cleaning done in no time.

Purpose

Obviously, the general purpose of any cleaner is to, you know, clean. However, you also need to think of the kinds of dirt that you will be sucking up with your vacuum. This includes whether you live alone or with a family, particularly if you have kids. The more people you have tromping through your house, the more powerful and higher capacity vacuum you’ll need.

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Something else to take into consideration is if you have pets. Though you love your pets, you have to be honest and admit that they are responsible for tons of messes in your home, especially when they are shedding. Be sure to get a vacuum that will make cleaning up all of that hair quick and easy, and with no clogging, too.
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Capacity

The capacity of a vacuum is how much space it has within itself to hold and contain dirt and dust. The larger the capacity, the more debris it holds, and therefore, the longer you can keep on cleaning. The smaller the capacity, the more often you will have to empty your cleaner.

Filtration

Bagless vacuums need some sort of filtration system to help them keep small dust particles from exiting the vacuum while you clean. If you do go for a bagless vacuum, be sure to get one that utilized certified HEPA filters. These types of filters have been tested and proven to trap much more airborne dust particles than other filter types.

Ease to Maintain

It should come as no surprise that you have to occasionally clean out your vacuum. With all of their different moving parts and their dirty job, a vacuum is, after all, a complicated machine.

When you are searching for a vacuum, you want to make sure to get a model that is easily cleaned out. Otherwise, you will probably put it off, which will cut down on the lifespan of the cleaner.

Weight

The biggest thing that you need to take into consideration when you are thinking about a vacuum’s weight is where you intend to use it in your home. If you are only going to use it on one floor, then the weight really won’t matter too much, since you will not have to take the cleaner up the steps. If, however, you intend to use it on the steps or multiple levels of your home, the lighter, the better.

Cord length

How long the cord of your vacuum really depends on how big of a home you have that you’ll need to clean. If you have a smaller home, then a shorter cord should do just fine, since you won’t need to move too often to find a new outlet anyways.

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If, however, you have an older home that doesn’t have a ton of outlets or your home is bigger, then a longer cord would be a huge advantage. That way, you won’t need to move your plug all that often when you clean, which will end up saving you tons of time in the long run.
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Noise

Noiseless vacuum cleaner

Though you want to have a powerful vacuum, that doesn’t mean you want it to sound like a jet is taking off in your living room every time you are cleaning. As long as you get one that only puts out around 70 dB, you should be able to complete your chores without getting a splitting headache from your vacuum.

Warranty

When you get right down to it, vacuums have tons of moving parts. From their motors to their accessories, there is a lot that can, and eventually will go wrong with them. That’s why you need to be sure to look for one that has a pretty good warranty that will replace parts if they fail.

Obviously, the longer the warranty, the better off you will be. Just be sure to read the fine print carefully, since a lot of companies will say that they offer a really long warranty, but only a 1-year warranty on the accessories, then a five-year warranty on the motor.

Conclusion

Well, there you go! Now that you know everything there is to know about vacuums, you are ready to find the right one for your needs. Hopefully, this article has been a big help, and you can find the vacuum of your dreams! Have a great day, and thanks for reading!

10
Total Score
Shark Navigator NV352 - Editor's Choice
3 comments
avatar
Jane Mitchell

I am looking for the best vacuum for a modest price, so this vacuum under 200 $ list seems to be a good one. I have one question, though. Is vacuum cleaner from Panasonic, the budget pick one, durable enough?

avatar
Mike Weiner

Hi Jane,
I bought this one recently because of this list, too, btw. Seems to be durable, nothing to complain about at all

avatar
Charles Brown

Dear Jane,

Yes, according to customers’ reviews, Panasonic MC-UG471 is one of the best vacuums under 200 available. We have not met any complaints concerning its durability. So, be sure this is an excellent option for a budget vacuum.

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