If you are considering buying a stick vacuum, read this list of the 10 best stick vacuums of the year. We have selected the best that are available on the market so that you can make an informed shopping decision.
What Is a Stick Vacuum?
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- How Do Stick Vacuums Work?
- Can I Replace My Upright or Canister Vacuum With a Stick Vacuum?
- Is a Stick Vacuum Better Than a Handheld?
- How Do I Pick the Right Vacuum?
- Where Can I Buy a Stick Vacuum?
- How We Reviewed
- Overall Price Range of Stick Vacuums
- Top 10 Brands and Models
- Dyson V6 Motorhead Cordless
- Dyson V6
- Shark Navigator Freestyle SV1106 Cordless
- Shark Rocket HV301
- Dyson V8 Absolute Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner
- Bissell Lift-Off Pet 53Y81 Cordless
- Dirt Devil BD20035Red Cordless
- Electrolux Ergorapido Ion EL1030A Cordless
- Dirt Devil Power Air Corded Bagless Stick Vacuum for Hard Floors SD20505
- Hoover Linx BH50010 Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner
- The Verdict
A stick vacuum is a lightweight version of a more traditional upright vacuum cleaner. It is usually not as powerful as an upright vacuum and is limited in accessories and attachments. These vacuums are typically lightweight and easy to store and use, which is good for disabled or elderly users. They work well for spot cleaning and quick cleanups. Since these vacuums have less powerful motors and very few extras, they tend to be less expensive than uprights.
How Do Stick Vacuums Work?
Stick vacuums are easier to maneuver than upright or canister vacuums. They are flexible enough to get into tight corners and areas. They usually come with a combination brush tool for different types of cleaning, from hard floors to carpets.
Can I Replace My Upright or Canister Vacuum With a Stick Vacuum?
Probably not. If you are on a tight budget and can only afford a stick vacuum, then something is better than nothing. However, stick vacuums are best as options for quick spot cleaning behind upright and canister vacuums, which should be the machines doing the heavy cleaning work in your home.
Is a Stick Vacuum Better Than a Handheld?
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It depends on what cleaning job you have. You can use both types on floors, carpets and small messes. Because a handheld is smaller and more versatile, you can take a handheld to places such as your car, countertops, and tabletops. However, if you have a large cleaning area, the stick vacuum is the better choice of the two. For frequent kitchen spills, a handheld is recommended. A stick vacuum with a brushbar works on carpets and can generally handle cleaning a small apartment. Handhelds and stick vacuums without brushbars are not ideal for carpet cleaning beyond a few spots. Some manufacturers now combine the two, making stick vacuums with a detachable handheld unit, in case you require both types.
How Do I Pick the Right Vacuum?
You need to consider what type of floor you have, how many levels are in your home and how often you vacuum. If you have a lot of carpet, an upright vacuum would be the best choice. If you have hard floors with a few rugs or low-pile carpeting, a canister vacuum with a floor nozzle, a motorized brush roll and height adjustment options for varying carpet pile heights would be best. If you typically vacuum daily, the stick vacuum would be a good choice for quick pickups of pet hair, dirt, food crumbs and other debris. Having a stick vacuum or a handheld to pick up the small messes during the week makes the larger weekly cleaning jobs easier. If you have a multi-level home, consider the lightweight vacuum options with excellent suction power and extended run times. You may wish to have more than one vacuum for different purposes.
Where Can I Buy a Stick Vacuum?
You can purchase stick vacuums from department stores, specialized vacuum cleaner stores and online retailers.
How We Reviewed
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We have done the investigative work on stick vacuums so that you don’t have to spend time surfing the web or visiting countless stores. We researched different models and took available information from the manufacturers and consumer reviews into account when compiling this list.
Overall Price Range of Stick Vacuums
We have seen stick vacuums priced as low as $25. However, the lowest-priced stick vacuum on our list, the Dirt Devil Power Air Corded Bagless Stick Vacuum for Hard Floors SD20505, starts at $57. We believe in the adage that you get what you pay for. While the Dyson line of products always sells at a premium price, the products are consistently rated well by reviewers and consumers alike, with the most expensive product, the Dyson V8, priced at $415.
Top 10 Brands and Models
Dyson V6 Motorhead Cordless
- 75% more brush bar power than the V6 Cord free vacuum
- Cord free; Hassle free
- Up to 20 minutes of continuous suction; Trigger releases instantly; Battery power is only used for cleaning
Key Features
This cordless vacuum provides up to 20 minutes of continuous action. It comes with a crevice tool for narrow spaces and tight gaps and a direct-drive cleaner head that drives bristles deep into carpet to remove dirt.
PROS
CONS
Pricing
$280 - 300
RATING
4.7/5 stars
WARRANTY
2-year
Limited Warranty
Dyson V6
- Cord free. Hassle free. Quickly and easily clean when you need to
- Up to 20 minutes of continuous suction. Trigger releases instantly. Also features max power mode which provides up to 6...
- The Direct drive cleaner head drives bristles deeper into the carpet to remove even more dirt. 15 cyclones, arranged...
KEY FEATURES
Similar to the Dyson V6 Motorhead, the main difference between the two is that this model lacks the direct-drive cleaner head for carpets. The lifetime filter is washable. The cleaner head cleans all floor types using stiff nylon bristles to remove dirt from carpets and allow for edge-to-edge cleaning since they cover the full width of the head. Carbon fiber filaments are useful for removing fine dust on hard floors.
PROS
CONS
Pricing
$250 - 270
RATING
4.5/5 stars
WARRANTY
2-year
Limited Warranty
- Rechargeable cordless convenience provides premium pet hair pickup throughout the home
- Powerful and lightweight Portable and versatile at only 7.5 pounds
- 2 speed brushroll optimized for carpet and bare floors
Key Features
Ideal for small and single-story homes, this rechargeable cordless vacuum works well on carpet. At only 7.5 pounds, the stick vacuum has a two-speed brush roll, which works well on carpets and bare floors.
PROS
CONS
Pricing
$94 – 130
RATING
4.4/5 stars
WARRANTY
2-year
Limited Warranty
Shark Rocket HV301
- Never loses suction or power
- Cleans carpets and bare floors
- Lightweight - only 7 pounds. Amps- 4.2. Wattage- 500
Key Features
This stick vacuum can be used for cleaning an entire home, from floor to ceiling. It comes with a hard floor attachment and a washable microfiber pad. The vacuum can pick up fine dust and large debris from bare floors and has swivel steering for maneuvering around furniture. There are fingertip controls that allow you to switch from carpet to hard floor cleaning.
PROS
CONS
Pricing
$175 – 200
RATING
4.4/5 stars
WARRANTY
5-year
Limited Warranty
Dyson V8 Absolute Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner
- Cord free; Hassle free; Powerful suction; Washable lifetime filter
- Up to 40 minutes run time when using a non-motorized tool
- Lightweight and versatile, for easy home cleaning; Instant release trigger means battery power is only used while it’s...
Key Features
This cordless stick vacuum provides powerful suction and has 40 minutes’ worth of runtime when a non-motorized tool is used. It has a direct-drive cleaner head with stiff nylon bristles that work into carpets to retrieve deep dirt. HEPA filtration captures allergens and emits cleaner air.
PROS
CONS
Pricing
$415
RATING
4.4/5 stars
WARRANTY
2-year
Limited Warranty
Bissell Lift-Off Pet 53Y81 Cordless
- Every BISSELL purchase helps save pets. BISSELL proudly supports BISSELL Pet Foundation and its mission to help save...
- The V-shape directs larger debris into the center suction path, while the ends of the V capture small, fine debris
- Easily cleans aroundfurniture legs and on low pile are legs; Hose Length: No Hose
Key Features
This cordless stick vacuum cleans stairs, upholstery and dry spills. There is a pet hair nozzle for removing pet hair and a crevice tool for cleaning hard-to-reach areas. The brush roll has an on/off switch to adjust to different surfaces and floor types. A two-way folding handle makes compact storage easy.
PROS
CONS
Pricing
$68
RATING
4.4/5 stars
WARRANTY
1-year
Limited Warranty
Dirt Devil BD20035Red Cordless
- 16V Lithium Battery for longer runtime, faster charging and fade-free power
- Spin3Pro Premium Brushroll for powerful carpet & hard floor cleaning
- Odor Trapping Filter to reduce and minimize pet odors
Key Features
This is an all-purpose stick vacuum that performs best on bare floors and stairs. Its brush roll has an “on” feature for carpets and “off” for hard floor cleaning. The dirt cup empties at the touch of a button. The vacuum, which uses a nickel-cadmium battery, has a foldaway handle for easy and convenient storage.
PROS
CONS
Pricing
$83
RATING
4.2/5 stars
WARRANTY
2-year
Limited Warranty
Electrolux Ergorapido Ion EL1030A Cordless
- EXTREME LOW ANGLE CLEANING – This cordless stick vacuum has a full flat floor brush that can get deep under almost any...
- LONG RUN TIME – With 2 power settings, the ECO mode has approximately 35 minutes of run time, while the Max mode can...
- INTERCHANGEABLE – Stand-alone rechargeable battery packs are also available, so you may keep a spare for extensive use...
Key Features
This cordless stick vacuum has a 180-degree swivel head, which makes maneuvering easy, and an LED headlight. It has a 30-minute run time and uses a lithium-ion battery. A rubber cliff hanger pad allows the vacuum to stand and doesn’t slide. Tools include a brush and crevice tool. The brush roll is removable and easy to clean. The dust cup is easy to empty. This vacuum works best on bare floors.
PROS
CONS
Pricing
$120 – 209
RATING
4.2/5 stars
WARRANTY
2-year
Limited Warranty
Dirt Devil Power Air Corded Bagless Stick Vacuum for Hard Floors SD20505
- Dirt cup capacity - 2 liters
Key Features
This stick vacuum is corded but bagless, collecting all dust and dirt into a cup that you empty with a one-touch button. It uses cyclonic filtration and a 10-amp motor to create powerful, constant suction. The 20-foot long cord lets you continuously vacuum a room and the low-profile nozzle helps make cleaning underneath furniture easy.
PROS
CONS
Pricing
$57
RATING
4.1/5 stars
WARRANTY
1-year
Limited Warranty
Hoover Linx BH50010 Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner
- FADE FREE LITHIUM ION BATTERY: Interchangeable batteries provide cordless freedom to clean anywhere
- EXTREME RECLINE HANDLE: Reach further without having to move any furniture around
- EDGE CLEANING BRISTLES: Removes dirt, dust, and pet hair against those hard to reach edges
Key Features
The cordless vacuum uses a lithium-ion battery system and has WindTunnel technology, which uses suction to lift and remove debris and dirt. The extreme recline handle reaches under furniture easily, while edge-cleaning bristles remove pet hair, dust and dirt in hard-to-reach places. The vacuum is made for multi-floor cleaning, transitioning easily from carpet to hard floors. The fuel gauge shows how much battery life is left.
PROS
CONS
Pricing
$110 – 200
RATING
4/5 stars
WARRANTY
2-year
Limited Warranty
The Verdict
Though there are two newer models of the Dyson stick vacuum on the market, and the Dyson V8 makes our list, the best stick vacuum option is the Dyson V6 Motorhead Cordless. It is the most reliable and garners the best consumer reviews of the group. Though the battery life is relatively short and there may be some mess involved in emptying the canister, it’s a lightweight vacuum that’s easy to use on all surfaces.
Featured Image via Pexels
