A regular upright vacuum cleaner may be a workhorse, but let’s face it, using and maintaining one isn’t all that easy, especially if you live in a small place with limited storage space.
A stick vacuum cleaner on the other hand, is perfect for performing quick daily clean-ups in addition to regular vacuuming. It’s a great choice, especially if you’re just looking for a cleaner that’s lightweight and compact (you can learn more about lightweight vacuum cleaners here).
Simple Guidelines to Follow:
Here are some simple guidelines to help you find the best stick vacuum for your home:
Weight
Most of these weigh less than 10 pounds, and some of them weigh even less than 4! The final weight during use depends on the motor, the type of cleaning head, and any attachments that you might be using.
Design
Cleaning machines with foldable or telescopic handles can be stored in shelves easily. Those with smaller cleaning heads are easier to store but may need more passes over the surface when cleaning. A compact design also makes it easy to clean tight spots and uneven surfaces such as stairs.
Battery
If you’re not into cords, no problem. There are plenty of cordless stick vacuums that come with rechargeable batteries and can even rival some of the best corded stick vacuums in terms of power and performance.
However, the charge and run time is something you really want to take into consideration if you choose to go this route. Ideally, you want to choose a model with a run-time that’s greater than the duration of your average cleaning session.
Power
Power rating is usually measured in amps, volts or watts. Expect them to be less than those of uprights and canisters. Since higher power rating is correlated with a stronger suction strength, it makes sense to pick the highest one you can in the available range.
Multiple power settings are useful when cleaning different types of surfaces. For example, hardwood floors require a lot less suction power than thick carpeting. Make sure to check out this hardwood vacuum guide if a good stick vacuum for hardwood floor is what you’re looking for.
Filter
If you or someone in your household deals with allergies, look for a cleaner with a HEPA filter. A good filter system can help trap more dust and prevent it from getting back into the air.
Attachments
Many of these cleaners come with attachments to clean crevices, upholstery or curtains, and the ability to convert into a handheld. Look for both types of features, but remember that the suction power should be high enough to be effective.
Brand
You’ve probably seen many kinds of generic models being sold at bargain shops over the years. Although they are much cheaper than some of the more popular brands like BISSELL, Dyson, Shark, Dirt Devil, Miele, and Hoover, the quality is usually not comparable. If you want a good vacuum that you can rely on, and has a history of doing what it’s suppose to do, then your best bet is to stick with one of the top brands mentioned earlier. The extra you pay now, will save you money, time, and stress over the long haul.
Affordability
One of the best things about these types of vacuums is their affordability. However, you’ll need to also keep in mind the availability of parts and services so you can keep yours running well for a long time!
Look for one that has all the features you need but try to stay within your budget. A lot of vacuum companies love to toot their own horns and show off their bells and whistles, many of which sound nice but aren’t really necessary for most people.
Special Situations
Even if you find a cleaner that has all the desirable features and attachments mentioned above, you still have to consider your own situation and if there are any special needs or restrictions.
Every household is different, and depending on what you’re cleaning, you may need to sacrafice certain features in favor of others.
Here are some special situations where you might want to reconsider your options:
- Pet Hair – If you have pets at home that like to shed all over your floor, then a regular stick vacuum might not be up for the task. You’ll want to go with a cleaner that’s specifically intended for dealing with this type of mess, like the BISSELL PowerEdge 81L2T, which is currently one of the best stick vacuums for pet hair. It has hair-attracting, V-shaped wipers that push larger debris into the center of its suction path, while smaller particles are picked up along the way via the “arms.” This is much more effective than suction power alone, which it actually something it also has a lot of. The biggest downside is that it’s not really the most quiet vacuum on the block.
- Carpet – Stick vacuums can do a fine job at picking up surface debris from most low to medium pile carpeting, but they’re not ideal for deep cleaning carpets. If you have a lot of carpeting in your home, consider picking something a bit more powerful, like an upright vacuum cleaner. When it comes to stick vs upright, on average, the difference in suction power is quite significant. Stick models are more suitable for quick clean-up jobs on bare floor surfaces like hardwood, and tile.
- Bagged vs Bagless – A lot of the best rated stick models use bins or cups to collect dirt. The advantage of this is you never have to buy replacement bags for it. The disadvantage is that you may be exposed to dust and dirt more easily while emptying, which is really bad for allergy sufferers. Whether you choose to buy a stick vacuum with a bag or not, you can always use a damp cloth to cover your nose and mouth during the “dumping” process to minimize your exposure.
Reviews
Reading customer reviews is one of the most important things to do before purchasing any kind of product online. Luckily for us, there are many stick vacuum reviews on trusted online retail sites like Amazon.com.
Here is a comparison chart of the top 3 stick vacuums currently available:
Top 3 Stick Vacuum (Classic & New) Comparison Chart 2023:
| Top 3 Stick Vacuums | (1 - 10) | Price | Power | Performance | Weight | Features | Customer Feedback | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | VonHaus 600W 2-in-1 with HEPA | |||||||
 | Hoover Linx BH50010 Cordless Stick | |||||||
 | BISSELL PowerEdge Pet 81L2T | |||||||
*Click on any vacuum cleaner above to see customer feedback reviews and price on Amazon.com