Searching for a new stick vacuum? Wondering what these products are even used for or why you should get one? We break down the best applications for these little vacuums, what to look for when shopping for one, and why you would even consider one over another type of vacuum. Be sure to also check out our comprehensive, side-by-side best stick vacuum review to see which are the top models on the market today.
Why Should You Get a Stick Vacuum?
First off, you may be wondering what a stick vacuum even is and why in the world you would want one. Aren't regular vacuums plenty good enough? The answer is yes….and no. While traditional vacs, like canister vacuums, will undeniably have substantially superior cleaning performance, with a larger motor, better suction, and a larger collection bin, a stick vacuum is leaps and bounds ahead when it comes to convenience and ease of use.
A stick vacuum's main purpose is for conveniently cleaning up lighter duty or smaller messes. They allow you to leave the bulky traditional vacuum in the closet while you clean up that cup of flour or rice that you spilled. These products aren't really meant to supplant a traditional vacuum; instead, they allow you a readily available option for a quick spot clean, an easy way to freshen up your house in between deep cleans, or if you live in a very small house or apartment, even clean your entire home. In addition, many of these models transform into a handheld, "Dustbuster"-style vacuum or have plenty of included attachments to clean hard-to-reach places in your home, ranging from your upholstery to underneath appliances.
Now, if you have kids or pets that generate a lot of mess, a stick vacuum may not be quite sufficient. But if the idea of replacing your broom and dustpan with a slightly more modern option appeals to you, then read on as we start to narrow down which flavor of stick vacuum will be the best for you.
Step 1: Light Cleanup or Frequent Use?
The first thing to think about when starting the process of selecting a new stick vacuum is whether you are looking for something that will just be used for small, intermittent messes — the typical use of these products — or if you are going to attempt to supplant a standard vacuum and use it for deeper cleans. If you are looking for a product to supplement your existing cleaning solution, you should look for a stick vacuum that is compact, convenient to use, and scored highly in our Ease of Use metric.
You would be best served by a model that is capable of cleaning non-floor areas of your home, whether it's a handheld vacuum that is separated from the main base or by switching the floor attachment for a different one.
Those looking primarily for a supplemental cleaning option shouldn't be overly concerned with cleaning power, as all of the models that we looked at should handle lighter-duty messes with ease, leaving your standard vacuum to handle the heavy ones. However, you should instead place a higher weight on different cleaning modes available, the ability to turn the rotating brush head on and off, and the number of included accessories. The ability to turn the rotating brush head on and off is a surprisingly critical element, as this can make all the difference between cleaning up rice with ease or creating a rice-pocalypse, with the rotating brush flinging grains everywhere and generating even more mess than you started with.
If you are looking to use a stick vacuum as your primary cleaning device or generally have more intense messes to clean up, then you will want to focus on cleaning prowess over convenience. For those that live in a smaller studio or one-bedroom apartment, a standard vacuum may be overkill, while a high-performance stick vacuum may be the perfect fit.
Step 2: To Cut the Cord, or Not?
With the advent of smaller, more powerful motors and compact lithium batteries, cordless stick vacuums have rapidly gained popularity. Cordless models offer significantly less hassle, increased agility, and maneuverability, and are easier to use — all without sacrificing too much in terms of cleaning performance. However, while you might initially think these are superior to corded models, there are some distinct advantages and disadvantages to both.
A cordless vacuum should definitely be at the top of your list if you are primarily looking for a product that can augment your existing vacuum and will mainly be used for light cleans in between deep cleans. This is the situation where a cordless vacuum will shine. It's convenient to grab, use briefly, and easy to maneuver without worrying about a cord tangling you up. The reduced cleaning power shouldn't be an issue if you are using it for lighter messes between deep cleans, and the entire cleanup should be easily accomplished before the battery depletes. In some cases, a cordless vacuum can even match the cleaning power of a corded model — though you can expect to shell out a decent amount of cash and don't expect it to have a long battery life.
A cordless model, especially a cordless model that converts into a handheld vacuum, is also a great option for venturing outside of your home. This is the perfect tool for cleaning your car, boat, or RV, allowing you to finish the job quickly and easily without ever tripping over a cord.
While these points may lead you to believe that there is no point in getting a corded model, there are some distinct disadvantages to them. These products usually cost more than their corded counterparts, have a much shorter lifespan due to their batteries aging over time, and can't match the cleaning power of the corded models, bringing us to why you might want to consider sticking with a cord.
Corded stick vacuums are a fantastic option if you live somewhere where there are constant sources of mess, and you are going to place more reliance on your stick vacuum for your routine. Kids, dogs, cats? All three? In this case, you need a vacuum that won't die on you after 10 minutes, and that won't be flummoxed by larger messes. While there are cordless models that fulfill these requirements, the comparable corded model will usually cost about a third as much.
Step 3: Time to Accessorize?
Now that you have decided what you will use your stick vacuum for and whether or not to cut the cord, you are probably down to just a few models and are looking for something to make your final determination. It's now a good time to think about any particularly difficult areas of your home to clean and see if any of the models you are considering have a dedicated attachment or accessory that will help you clean that area.
There are many accessories for every conceivable cleaning use, either included or available for purchase with these products. Having a hard time cleaning under your stove or washer/dryer? Look for a model with an under-appliance cleaning brush. Trying to get pet hair off your couch or favorite armchair? Look for a pet hair or upholstery brush. While the available or included accessories aren't usually enough on their own to drive your purchase decision, it can be a great way to finalize your decision after you have narrowed down the pool of products to a handful of finalists.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you have found some use from this article when trying to decide if you should purchase a stick vacuum and what model. You can also consult our How We Test article for a detailed breakdown of our testing plans and processes or our comprehensive, head-to-head stick vacuum review of specific models for detailed information about how each of the top brands stack up.
