Just a few years back, stick vacuum cleaners couldn't match the suction power of traditional upright or canister vacuums. Nowadays, these compact and lightweight models have become powerful enough to be your primary vacuum cleaner. Whether you're dealing with pet hair, daily dust, or those hard-to-reach corners, the best stick vacuum cleaner can make your cleaning routine significantly easier.
But with the plethora of options available, how do you choose the right one for your needs? To make your search easier, we've tested the top models available on the market in 2024 and listed our best 5 picks. Read on to explore our tested reviews to find an ideal model and get practical maintenance tips as well.
Why Do You Need a Stick Vacuum Cleaner?
Designed for optimal ease of use, stick vacuum cleaners bring a multitude of benefits that make them a must-have in any modern household. Here's why you should consider adding one to your cleaning arsenal:
- Lightweight and Maneuverable: Unlike their bulkier upright or canister counterparts, stick vacuums are lightweight, making them easy to carry from room to room and up and down stairs. This portability eliminates the dread of vacuuming expansive areas or multi-level homes. Their slim profile allows you to effortlessly glide around furniture and into tight spaces without straining your back.
- Versatility: Stick vacuums excel in their versatility. A good stick vacuum cleaner is often equipped with various attachments and capable of handling multiple types of flooring, from deep-pile carpets to hardwood floors and even upholstery. Transitioning from one surface to another is often seamless, enhancing their utility across your entire home.
- Efficient for Quick Cleanups: Stick vacuums are designed for convenience and are ideal for quick, spontaneous cleanups. Because they're easy to handle and often cordless, you can quickly tackle spills and dirt without dealing with cumbersome setups. This feature is particularly valuable in homes with children or pets where messes are frequent and unpredictable.
- Minimal Storage Space Required: Their compact design means that they take up less storage space, a benefit for those living in apartments or homes with limited storage options. Easily tuck your stick vacuum into a closet or even hang it on a wall mount for quick access.
Best Stick Vacuum Cleaners in 2024
Here, we've put a variety of top-rated stick vacuum cleaners to the test and compiled a list of the best ones for you. Each model combines lightweight design, powerful suction, and advanced features to simplify your cleaning routine. Let's take a closer look:
Best Stick Vacuum with Long Runtime: Samsung Bespoke Jet AI
If you want to clean your big house for a long time without frequent recharges, the Samsung Bespoke Jet AI is your go-to choice. This powerful cordless stick vacuum offers a remarkable runtime of up to 100 minutes, ensuring your entire home sparkles without interruption.
Its AI Cleaning mode intuitively senses floor type, adjusting suction and runtime to deliver optimal performance on any surface. Whether it's hardwood, carpet, or tile, this vacuum provides superior cleaning results every time. The innovative All-in-One Clean Station takes care of everything. It automatically empties the vacuum, charges it, and neatly stores all components.
Pros:
- Longest battery life available
- Adaptable AI Cleaning mode
- Automatic maintenance
- Effortless storage and charging solution
Cons:
- Pricey
- The build quality feels a bit flimsy.
Best Cordless Vacuum for Hair: Dyson V15 Detect
Dyson V15 Detect is the ultimate solution for effortless and efficient home cleaning. If you are a pet owner or a beauty with long hair, it may be your better choice. Its anti-tangle conical brush bar spirals off long hair and pet hair into the bin, keeping your vacuum running smoothly.
Powered by the Dyson Hyperdymium motor, which spins up to 125,000rpm, this vacuum delivers powerful suction to thoroughly clean your home. The LCD screen provides real-time updates, showing exactly what has been picked up, giving you scientific proof of a deep clean. The Dyson DLS technology automatically senses and adjusts to different floor types, ensuring the perfect balance of power and runtime.
Pros:
- Anti-tangle Hair Screw Tool
- Real-time digital reporting
- Three optimized cleaning modes
- Powerful motor for deep cleaning
Cons:
- Higher price tag.
- Can be noisy at full power
Best Convertible Stick Vacuum: Miele Triflex HX1 Cat & Dog
When asked, "What is the best stick vacuum cleaner?" the Miele Triflex HX1 Cat & Dog is a top contender. It features a unique 3-in-1 design that offers extreme flexibility and comfort, making it easy to clean everything from hardwood floors to carpets, furniture, and even ceilings.
What sets it apart is its extra-wide electrobrush Multi Floor XXL. Together with LED lighting and automatic floor detection, this advanced brush ensures quick and efficient cleaning across all types of flooring. Besides, pet owners and allergy sufferers will appreciate the maintenance-free HEPA4 Lifetime Filter, which retains 99.999% of dust, ensuring a healthier home environment.
Pros:
- Powerful corded-like suction performance
- Extra-wide electrobrush for efficient cleaning.
- HEPA4 Lifetime Filter for allergy relief
Cons:
- Not as easy to maneuver under furniture
- Expensive
Best Stick Corded Vacuum Cleaner: Shark HV371 Rocket Pro DLX
The Shark HV371 Rocket Pro DLX is one of the best stick vacuum cleaner corded options, especially designed to tackle deep carpet cleaning and excel in homes with pets. Featuring a robust 500-watt motor, this vacuum provides powerful suction capable of lifting pet hair and deep-seated dirt from a variety of surfaces, not just carpets.
Its versatility is further enhanced by its ability to convert into a handheld vacuum, making it ideal for floor-to-ceiling cleaning. With a sizeable 0.68-quart dust cup, you can clean extensive areas without the need for frequent emptying, which enhances its user convenience significantly.
Pros:
- Exceptional suction power allows for thorough cleaning of carpets.
- Easily switches from a full-sized stick vacuum to a handheld unit
- Low-profile design and swivel steering enhance the ability to clean under furniture
Cons:
The cord may limit range and maneuverability compared to cordless models
Can feel heavy to use for some users
Best Lightweight Stick Vacuum: Hoover ONEPWR Evolve Pet
As the best lightweight stick vacuum, the Hoover ONEPWR Evolve Pet makes cleaning effortless for pet owners. Weighing less than 9 lbs and feeling as light as 2 lbs when reclined, it offers unmatched maneuverability and comfort during use.
You can experience the advantage of 3X more dirt and pet hair dirt cup capacity, reducing trips to the trash can. Plus, you can transition seamlessly from carpets to hard floors with the On/Off brushroll feature, ensuring thorough cleaning at the touch of a button. Featuring a 4.0 Ah MAX battery, you can clean without limits after just 3-4 hours of charging.
Pros:
- Ideal for tackling stubborn pet hair.
- Lightweight and easy to maneuver
- A large dirt cup for lower emptying frequency
Cons:
- Not as effective on thick carpets
- Build quality is not robust
How We Tested
To identify the best stick vacuum cleaner, we conducted thorough assessments of each model's ability to effectively capture fine dust, dirt, and larger debris like cereal and cookie crumbs. Beyond cleaning performance, we also scrutinized how easily each vacuum maneuvered around furniture, into tight corners, and across different floor types.
Durability was a key factor in our ratings, alongside ease of emptying the dustbin, noise levels during operation, and the longevity of battery life. We scrutinized each model's versatility, assessing how easily it converted into handheld mode and the practicality of its tools and accessories for edge cleaning and pet hair removal. User-friendliness was paramount; we prioritized models that were intuitive to use without requiring extensive manual reading.
Practical Tips for Maintaining Your Stick Vacuum Cleaner
To ensure your stick vacuum cleaner continues to operate at peak efficiency, regular maintenance is crucial. Here are some practical tips that can help prolong the life of your vacuum and maintain its cleaning power:
- Regularly Empty the Dust Cup: To prevent loss of suction and overheating of the motor, it's important to empty the dust cup before it reaches full capacity.
- Clean or Replace Filters Frequently: Most stick vacuums come with filters that need regular cleaning or replacement. Washable filters should be cleaned according to the manufacturer's instructions, usually once a month, and allowed to dry completely before reinstalling. Replace non-washable filters as recommended to keep the vacuum functioning efficiently.
- Check and Clean the Brush Roll: Hair and debris can easily get tangled around the brush roll. Periodically check it and carefully cut away any tangles with scissors. This prevents the brush roll from slowing down, which can strain the motor and reduce suction.
- Inspect the Battery (for cordless models): To maximize battery life, always follow the manufacturer's charging guidelines. Avoid leaving the vacuum on the charger indefinitely once it's fully charged, and store it in a cool, dry place to prevent battery degradation.
- Keep the Air Path Clear: Make sure the internal air paths in the vacuum are clear. Check for blockages in the tube, especially if you notice a decrease in suction power. Clearing out these areas can restore full suction efficiency.
- Store Properly: When not in use, store your stick vacuum in a dry area. Avoid places with extreme temperatures as they can affect the plastic components and the battery. If possible, hang the vacuum on a wall mount or store it upright to save space and protect its structure.
Best Alternative to a Stick Vacuum Cleaner
While stick vacuum cleaners are lightweight and powerful, there are scenarios where a more compact handheld vacuum might be more suitable. Handheld vacuum cleaners are lighter than stick vacuums, easier to maneuver in tight spots, and simpler to store.
This makes them perfect for quick cleanups, especially in homes with children or pets where messes are frequent and unpredictable. Here are two leading handheld vacuum models from eufy that offer convenience without compromising on power.
eufy HomeVac H11
Compact and featherlight, the eufy HomeVac H11 is as portable as it gets. Weighing just 1.2 lbs and roughly the size of a wine bottle, this vacuum is designed for effortless use and simple storage. Despite its small size, it delivers a powerful cleaning performance with 5500Pa of suction power, making quick work of everyday messes.
The included 2-in-1 crevice tool ensures that no corner is left unattended, whether it's deep in the sofa cushions or under low furniture. Charging the H11 is just as convenient, thanks to its micro USB connectivity, allowing you to power up from virtually anywhere in your home. This model is ideal for users seeking a minimalistic yet powerful cleaning tool for light, everyday tasks.
eufy H20
The eufy H20 is a powerhouse in a small package, designed for effective car interior cleaning and reaching into tight spaces. With a robust 40AW suction power, this handheld vacuum ensures that messes are cleaned quickly and efficiently in just one pass. It's not just about power; the eufy H20 is also about convenience. Fully rechargeable in your car in just one hour, it provides 30 minutes of uninterrupted cleaning time.
Its ultra-lightweight design, weighing only 1.44 lbs, allows for easy maneuverability, while the built-in LED light ensures no dirt or dust speck is missed during your cleaning sessions. The included car-specific attachments, including a built-in retractable tool, extension hose, and brush head, make it an indispensable tool for keeping your vehicle pristine.
Conclusion
Ultimately, choosing the best stick vacuum cleaner hinges on your specific cleaning needs and preferences. Whether you prioritize battery life, suction power, or ease of maneuverability, each of the top picks reviewed here excels in different aspects, ensuring there's a perfect match for every household. By weighing these options carefully, you can make an informed choice that enhances your cleaning experience. Remember, maintaining your vacuum cleaner can significantly extend its lifespan and efficiency, so follow our practical tips to get the most out of your purchase.
FAQs
Do stick vacuums have good suction?
Yes, modern stick vacuums typically offer strong suction comparable to traditional upright models, thanks to advancements in motor and design technologies. They are designed to efficiently clean various surfaces while maintaining a lightweight and maneuverable build.
What is the life expectancy of a stick vacuum?
The life expectancy of a stick vacuum can vary widely depending on usage, maintenance, and the specific model. Generally, well-maintained stick vacuums can last anywhere from 3 to 7 years, with some higher-end models potentially lasting even longer.
Can a stick vacuum replace a normal vacuum?
A stick vacuum can replace a normal vacuum for many households, depending on their cleaning needs. Stick vacuums offer convenience, lightweight design, and sufficient suction for daily cleaning tasks. However, they may not match the power or capacity of larger upright vacuums for heavy-duty or deep-cleaning jobs.