There are many vinyl plank flooring options on the market, but most cost over $3 per square foot. Finding anything affordable and under that price tag can be challenging. Even if you do find something, it’s usually low quality. Luckily, we’re here to help. Our team of experts has tested over 30 affordable vinyl plank products and compiled a list of our top six cheap vinyl plank flooring options priced under $3 per square foot.
We made our product decisions based on various key durability factors, including overall thickness, wear layer thickness, warranty length, online reviews, and water resistance. Hence, we didn’t include low-quality vinyl products such as TrafficMaster or ProCore. Please note that all of our cheap vinyl plank options are rigid core planks that can be installed using the click-lock method, requiring no glue or nails.
Keep scrolling to discover our six options, and learn about what to look for in a cheap vinyl plank as well as the pros & cons of budget vinyl plank flooring in general.
- Cheap Vinyl Plank Flooring – Top 5 Picks Under $3
- 1. Mohawk SolidTech Essentials
- 2. Newton Twin Creeks Luxury Vinyl
- 3. TritonCore Waterproof Vinyl
- 4. Home Decorators Collection 12mil LVP
- 5. MSI Everlife XL Cyrus
- 6. Flooret Modin Base LVP
- Compare Our Picks
- Things to Consider When Buying Cheap Vinyl Plank Flooring
- Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Cheap Vinyl Plank Flooring
- Looking for a Professional Flooring Fitter?
- Our Verdict
- FAQs
Disclaimer: Please note this post may contain affiliate links. We may receive a commission if you click at no extra cost to you. All recommendations and opinions remain our own.
Cheap Vinyl Plank Flooring – Top 5 Picks Under $3
- Mohawk SolidTech Essentials – Best Overall
- Newton Twin Creeks Luxury Vinyl – Writer’s Choice
- TritonCore Waterproof Vinyl – Best Value
- Home Decorators Collection LVP – Most Popular
- MSI Everlife XL Cyrus – Most Stylish
- Flooret Modin Base LVP – Worth a Mention
Here’s a quick rundown of our top six vinyl plank options priced under $3 per square foot. Keep reading below for an extensive description of each vinyl plank product, including its key features, pros & cons, specifications, and pricing range.
1. Mohawk SolidTech Essentials
First on my list is Mohawk SolidTech Essentials. This is the perfect choice if you’re looking for something priced under $3 per square foot made in the US by a reputable brand. Mohawk is one of the biggest flooring brands in the US and Worldwide, operating since 1920.
Mohawks SolidTech Essentials line is their most affordable line from the SolidTech vinyl plank series, which is known for its fantastic scratch resistance. You can choose from numerous trendy hardwood styles featuring wood knots and graining visuals with standard plank sizes measuring 7 by 48 inches.
When it comes to thickness, SolidTech Essentials performs reasonably well; the planks are 4.5mm overall, and the wear layer thickness is 12mil. The wear layer thickness is a clear protective layer. We consider a 12mil wear layer to be decent for average-traffic residential purposes. However, if you have a high-traffic household with pets and kids, you should buy a 20mil product instead.
What makes Essentials stand out is its fantastic online reviews. After researching the web, we found that most homeowners leave positive reviews regarding SolidTech Essentials. After all, it’s made by a huge brand, Mohawk. Furthermore, SolidTech Essentials comes with a pre-attached underlayment pad as well as a 25-year residential and 6-year commercial warranty.
All things considered, Mohawk SolidTech Essentials is one of the best affordable click-lock vinyl plank options on the market. As long as you don’t have a high-traffic household with kids, this is our go-to option for under $3 per square foot.
Price Range: $2.05 – $2.70 Per Square Foot
SolidTech Essentials Key Features:
- Trendy Hardwood Styles
- 4.5mm Overall Plank Thickness
- 12mil Wear Layer
- Pre-Attached Underlayment Pad
- 100% Waterproof
- Easy Click Installation
- Micro Bevel Edging
- 7” x 48” Plank Size
- Rigid Vinyl Core
- 25-Year Residential & 6-Year Commercial Warranty
- Made in the US
2. Newton Twin Creeks Luxury Vinyl
Newton is a US-based flooring brand known for its affordability, style, and high performance. The brand claims to strive for three things; to make floors that you’ll love, to make floors you can afford, and to make floors that will last. At just under $3 per square foot, Newton’s Twin Creeks collection is among the cheapest vinyl plank options on the market.
Like most Newton Vinyl collections, Twin Creeks displays gorgeous wood looks featuring classic earthy tones and modern pale grays. The Dakota style caught our eye with its rustic oak appearance combined with detailed embossing and a micro-bevel edge.
Finding durable vinyl plank flooring with a budget of under $3 per square can be challenging. Newton vinyl is one of the few options that doesn’t disappoint in terms of durability. The planks have a strong SPC (stone-polymer core) known for high density, stability, and complete waterproof protection. Overall plank thickness is 3mm, and a clear 12mil wear layer protects the design layer against scratches and scuffs, making it suitable for pets.
Furthermore, Newton’s Twin Creeks range can be installed using two methods; floating and glue-down. On top of that, this product is covered by a decent 20-year residential and 15-year commercial warranty.
Overall, Newton Luxury Vinyl is definitely an excellent luxury vinyl plank option if you’re on a limited budget. It’s not the most durable on the market; in fact, none of the cheap vinyl plank options included in this guide are. But it’s certainly one of the most durable and stylish options under $3 per square foot.
Price Range: $2.87 per Square Foot
Newton Twin Creeks Key Features:
- Gorgeous Wood Looks
- SPC Core (Stone-Polymer Composite)
- 12mil Protective Wear Layer
- 100% Waterproof
- Low VOC
- 7” x 48” Plank Size
- Micro-Bevel Edging
- 20-Year Residential / 15-Year Commercial Warranty
3. TritonCore Waterproof Vinyl
An overall plank thickness of 8 mm and a 20mil wear layer for under $3 per square foot? That can’t be right… Well, it is. That’s why TritonCORE Vinyl is our best value pick if you’re after cheap vinyl plank flooring.
TritonCore is exclusively sold by FlooringInc, a major online flooring store in the US. It’s one of FlooringInc’s bestselling products, probably due to its affordability. You can purchase TritonCore vinyl plank flooring for as low as $2.87 per square foot.
As mentioned above, TritonCore planks are 8mm thick. They are made from 4 layers; a 20mil protective wear layer, a luxury vinyl design layer, a waterproof bamboo-polymer core, and a 1.5mm cork underlayment pad. You can choose from several stylish wood-look designs with standard plank sizes being 7 inches wide and 48 inches long.
Furthermore, TritonCore is backed by a lifetime residential and a generous 15-year commercial warranty. The commercial side of the warranty is pretty impressive and on par with leading vinyl plank products. Such an extended commercial warranty suggests that FlooringInc is confident in the durability of TritonCore in high-traffic commercial environments.
All in all, if you want excellent value for money, choose TritonCORE. It’s simply the thickest vinyl plank product on the market, priced below $3 per square foot. The only downside is that there aren’t many styles to choose from compared to other options on our list.
Price Range: $2.87 Per Square Foot
TritonCORE Key Features:
- Stylish Wood-Look Designs
- 8mm Overall Plank Thickness
- 20mil Wear Layer
- 100% Waterproof
- Bamboo & Vinyl Composite Core
- Wood-Mimic Textured Surface
- Attached 1.5mm Cork Underlayment
- 7” x 48” Plank Size
- Lifetime Residential & 15-Year Commercial Warranty
- Easy Float (Locking) Installation
4. Home Decorators Collection 12mil LVP
If you’ve ever shopped at Home Depot, you may have come across some Home Decorators Collection products; it’s Home Depot’s own brand. The Home Decorators Collection consists of various home decor products, including vinyl plank flooring. It’s one of the most popular cheap vinyl floors amongst US homeowners.
Home Depot’s Home Decorators Collection Vinyl Plank flooring is one of their bestselling floors due to how cheap it is compared to the big brand names such as Shaw or Cali Vinyl. In particular, their 12mil range is great value for money, priced between $2.49 and $2.99 per square foot.
The Home Decorators 12mil Vinyl range planks are 5mm thick overall and come in 7 by 48-inch plank sizes. These planks have a fully waterproof stone-polymer composite (SPC) core. This core type is known for being one of the toughest for rigid-core vinyl plank flooring.
Furthermore, Home Decorators Vinyl Planks have an attached IXPE underlayment pad saving you money on installation. Speaking of installation, these planks can be installed using the DIY-friend click-and-lock method. Additionally, Home Decorators Vinyl is covered by a lifetime residential and 5-year commercial warranty.
In summary, Home Decorators Collection 12mil can be the perfect choice if you’re after an affordable, popular, decent-quality vinyl plank floor. However, we recommend spending 50 cents per square foot more and grabbing their 20mil vinyl plank line instead for better scratch protection.
Price Range: $2.49 – $2.99 per Square Foot
Home Decorators Vinyl Key Features:
- Light & Dark Hardwood-Look Styles
- 12mil Wear Layer
- 5mm Overall Thickness
- Attached IXPE Underlayment
- Fully Waterproof
- Stone-Polymer Composite Core (SPC)
- Easy Click Lock Installation
- 7” x 48” Plank Size
- Lifetime Residential & 5-Year Commercial Warranty
5. MSI Everlife XL Cyrus
MS International is one of the leading flooring, countertop, and wall surface distributors nationwide. The brand was founded in 1975. Since then, it has expanded to what it is now, with 40 distribution centers across US and Canada. In addition, all their flooring is manufactured in the state of Georgia.
Everlife XL Cyrus is one of MSI’s most affordable but most stylish lines. It’s priced at around $2.95 per square foot. As the name suggests, planks from this range are larger than usual, measuring 9 inches wide and 60 inches long, giving them a trendy modern look.
Homeowners can choose from around 30 unique XL Cyrus styles. Many of these styles feature enhanced wood graining and knotting imaging which is a rarity with cheap vinyl plank flooring. Hence, we chose this line as our most stylish, affordable vinyl plank pick.
MSI XL Cyrus planks are 5mm thick overall and come with a pre-attached 1.5mm IXPE underlayment. They have a rigid core, are 100% waterproof, and can be installed using the locking installation method. What makes them stand out is MSI’s signature CrystaLux 12 mil wear layer, which is supposed to be ultra scratch, stain, and dent resistant.
All in all, if you’re after something cheap vinyl plank floor that doesn’t compromise on style or quality, MSI Everlife XL Cyrus is definitely worth considering.
Price Range: $2.95 per Square Foot
MSI Everlife XL Cyrus Key Features:
- Stylish Textured Wood Looks
- Features Wood Grains and Knots
- XL 9” x 60” Plank Size
- 5mm Overall Thickness
- 12mil Protective Wear Layer
- Manufactured in the USA
- Pre-Attached 1.5mm IXPE Underlayment
- Easy Click-Lock Installation
- Lifetime Residential & 6-Year Commercial Warranty
- Rigid Core
- 100% Waterproof
6. Flooret Modin Base LVP
Flooret is an up-and-coming US flooring brand that was founded in 2015. They claim their main goals are superior construction, style, and transparent sourcing. The brand specializes in luxury vinyl plank flooring, offering two lines; Modin Base and Modin Signature. Modin Base is the cheaper of the two Flooret vinyl plank lines, priced at $2.95 per square foot.
Homeowners can choose from a large selection of light and dark hardwood-look designs with enhanced wood knots and graining visuals. The size of each plank is 6 inches wide and 48 inches long. Additionally, each plank comes with a pre-attached IXPE underlayment pad.
Modin Base Luxury Vinyl has a fully waterproof stone-polymer composite (SPC) core. It can be installed in kitchens and bathrooms. Besides that, it is 5mm thick overall and has a respectable 20mil protective wear layer.
The thick wear layer makes it stand out from other similarly priced options, which usually have a 12mil wear layer. Furthermore, the planks have an extra aluminum oxide top coating for even more protection. Also, Flooret Modin Base can be installed using the locking (floating) method, and it’s covered by a lifetime residential and 10-year commercial warranty.
In summary, Flooret Modin Base is a good-quality vinyl plank available for an affordable price tag. We didn’t put it higher on our list because Flooret is still a relatively new brand and doesn’t yet have the reputation of Mohawk or MSI. Besides that, it’s 100% worth considering.
Price Range: $2.95 Per Square Foot
Flooret Modin Base Key Features:
- Light and Dark Hardwood-Look Designs
- Enhanced Wood Knot and Graining Visuals
- Standard Size Planks (6” x 48”)
- Fully Waterproof
- 5mm Overall Plank Thickness
- 20mil Wear Layer
- Aluminum Oxide Top Coating
- SPC (Stone-PVC) Composite Core
- Pre-Attached 1mm IXPE Underlayment
- Lifetime Residential & 10-year Commercial Warranty
- Floating Click Installation
Compare Our Picks
| Product Name | Price Per Square Foot | Overall Thickness | Wear Layer | Warranty (Res / Com) |
| Mohawk SolidTech Essentials | $2.05 – $2.70 | 4.5 mm | 12mil | 25-Year / 6-Year |
| Newton Twin Creeks | $2.87 | 3 mm | 12mil | 20-Year / 15-Year |
| TritonCORE Waterproof Vinyl | $2.87 | 8 mm | 20mil | Lifetime / 15-Year |
| Home Decorators Collection (12mil) | $2.49 – $2.99 | 5 mm | 12mil | Lifetime / 5-Year |
| MSI Everlife XL Cyrus | $2.95 | 5 mm | 12mil | Lifetime / 6-Year |
| Flooret Modin Base LVP | $2.95 | 5 mm | 20mil | Lifetime / 10-Year |
Things to Consider When Buying Cheap Vinyl Plank Flooring
There are many things you have to consider when choosing a cheap vinyl plank floor. Below are some of the most critical factors.
Wear Layer
The wear layer is a transparent layer at the top of vinyl planks responsible for protecting the design layer from scratches, scuffs, and dents. The thicker the wear layer, the better. We recommend avoiding 6mil or 8mil wear layer vinyl plank products as these are super-thin and not durable. 12mil is pretty much a must for residential purposes. However, choosing a 20mil vinyl plank flooring is a much safer option for high-traffic households with pets or kids.
Brand Reputation
Brand reputation is vital when it comes to vinyl plank flooring. Many small brands claim their flooring is super scratch-resistant or pet-proof, but when you look at the specifications, it’s a different story. For best results, it’s best to go for a tried and tested product made by a reputable brand with lots of positive online reviews. This is why we listed a Mohawk product on the top of our list rather than a lesser-known option such as Flooret Vinyl. However, beware, as this isn’t always the case. For example, Shaw stocks some ultra-thick and durable vinyl plank flooring, but their 6mil lines are pretty much useless when it comes to durability.
Attached Underlayment
Most rigid core vinyl plank products nowadays come with a pre-attached underlayment pad, usually cork or IXPE. However, some cheap vinyl planks don’t. Therefore, it’s vital to choose a vinyl plank product with pre-attached underlayment, which saves you money on installation materials, and you can install your new flooring straight onto your subfloor.
Plank Thickness
Overall plank thickness plays a key role in the stability and durability of your vinyl plank floor. Generally, the thicker the vinyl plank, the better. We recommend choosing something at least 4.5mm thick; anything thinner will likely be less durable and more dependent on the subfloor. If you want something thick but priced under $3 per square foot, TritonCORE by FlooringInc is a good option.
Where is it Made?
With so many flooring products made in third-world countries, it’s always a good sign if a vinyl floor is made in the US. Choosing a floor made in the US ensures quality, safety measurements, and fair-paid labor of the manufacturing plant workers. Additionally, if you’re giving money to a flooring company that makes their floors locally, that money will be invested back in your local area rather than abroad.
Warranty Length
The manufacturer’s warranty is vital in choosing the right affordable vinyl plank product. Of course, the longer the warranty, the better. Most brands offer lifetime residential warranties on their flooring, so it’s hard to decide which is best. Therefore, we recommend paying close attention to the commercial warranty length, which differs from brand to brand. Furthermore, a commercial warranty covers the floor in high-traffic scenarios.
Delivery or Pick-Up?
Another question you should ask yourself is delivery or pick-up. Are you going to order the floor online and have it delivered to your home, or will you pick up the floor from a local store? It’s important to know that if you’re having the floor delivered to your home, some planks will most certainly be damaged.
This can also occur when buying from a local store. Still, if you find any damaged planks, you can return them and exchange them immediately.
FloorScore Certification
The FloorScore certification is a US certification that ensures flooring is safe for use in residential environments. It ensures the flooring only releases safe levels of VOC emissions. FloorScore certification is a must when choosing vinyl plank flooring. If you’re interested in Low VOC or Zero VOC flooring, feel free to check out our Best Low VOC Vinyl Plank Flooring Buying Guide.
Style
Last but not least, you should consider the style of a cheap vinyl plank floor. Unfortunately, many discount vinyl floors look fake & cheap, meaning the floor looks unappealing. When choosing a cheap vinyl floor, ensure it has enhanced wood knotting and graining embossing and a micro-bevel edge. For best results, order samples of the floor you plan to buy before making a final decision.
Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Cheap Vinyl Plank Flooring
Below are the three most common mistakes people make when buying low-budget luxury vinyl plank flooring.
Don’t Buy the Cheapest Option
Rigid vinyl plank flooring is sold for as little as $1.49 per square foot. Choosing such a cheap floor may be tempting, but please don’t do it. The cheapest vinyl flooring options on the market, such as TrafficMaster or ProCore, are known for being the worst quality and will not last long. You’re much better off spending more on a quality vinyl floor that can last over ten years rather than 1 or 2 years.
Don’t Forget to Check the Installation Method
You will notice many affordable options when searching for cheap vinyl plank flooring. Some of these can only be installed using the glue-down method rather than the easy click-lock method. Glue-down installation will cost you more, and glue-down planks are much thinner than click-lock vinyl planks. Therefore, pay close attention to the installation specifications.
Don’t Forget to Order More than you Need for Wastage Cut-Offs
Many people forget to order more flooring than they need to cover their square footage to allow for waste. For example, if you have a 130-square-foot bedroom, you should order around 10% more. Therefore you should order 143 square feet. Failing to do this may lead to you having to purchase more of the same flooring, which could already be out of stock by the time you realize your mistake.
Looking for a Professional Flooring Fitter?
Lots of our readers often complain that they can’t find flooring installers in their area. We recommend you try our free estimation tool to get at least 3 free quotes from qualified & approved installers in your area within 24 hours.
The tool is powered by Networx who have been helping people find qualified flooring installers for over 20 years.
Our Verdict
So which one of these six cheap vinyl plank products would we recommend the most? Well, if our budget is under $3 per square foot, we would choose either Mohawk SolidTech Essentials, MSI Everlife, or Newton Twin Creeks. Both of these products are stylish, durable, and made in the US by reputable brands. All the other choices are still viable options.
In a nutshell, thanks for reading our cheap vinyl plank flooring buying guide. We hope we’ve helped you find a good deal for under $3 per square. If you would like to suggest more similarly priced vinyl plank products or ask a question, feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section at the bottom of the page.
FAQs
Which rigid core vinyl plank product is the cheapest?
ProCore, Home Decorators Collection, and Mohawk SolidTech Essentials are the cheapest click-lock vinyl plank products. ProCore starts at $1.49 per square foot, Home Decorators at $1.79 per square foot, and SolidTech Essentials at $2.05 per square foot.
How much does it cost to buy 3000 square feet of vinyl plank flooring?
The average price for 3000 square feet of vinyl plank flooring is around $12000. However, choosing a cheap product such as Mohawk SolidTech Essentials can set you back only $6000. It all depends on which product you choose.
Is cheap vinyl plank flooring worth buying?
Some cheap vinyl plank flooring is very poor quality and looks fake. However, there are also some stylish and decent-quality options for as little as $2 per square foot.