If are on the hunt for the best stick vacuum cleaner, we are here to help you look for the best vacuum cleaner to help you to tackle messes around the home. The best stick vacuum cleaners are versatile and many can convert into handheld models and come with a wide range of attachments to help you reach every nook and cranny. No matter how big or small the mess is, they'll allow you to make light work of dust and will leave floors, sofas, and other upholstery looking spick-and-span in no time at all.
Stick vacuum cleaners are lightweight and portable yet powerful enough to suck up everything from crumbs to cobwebs. They are mostly cordless vacuum cleaners, but you can get some corded stick models, too.
Best stick vacuum cleaner shortlist:
• Best for cleaning hair: Shark Anti Hair Wrap Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner [IZ202UK]
• Best for homes with pets: Dyson V8 Absolute Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
• Best for performance: Vax Blade 4 Pet Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
• Best for value: Tower T513005BLG Pro RXEC20 Corded 3-in-1 Vacuum Cleaner
Stick vacuum cleaners usually need to have a wall mount for storage installed as they're unable to stand upright on their own. It's also worth noting that they don't tend to have as large a dust cup compared to other vacuum types. However, they're great for just whipping out if you've got a smaller mess that needs cleaning up right away and getting those tighter, hard-to-reach spaces dust-free again.
If your vacuum is due for an upgrade, we've rounded up the best stick vacuum cleaners for the job of making your home look clean and tidy once more.
Best stick vacuum cleaners
Best for cleaning hair
Tackle floors, ceilings, stairs, sofas and much more with this Shark Anti Hair Wrap Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner. The flexible wand bends so you don't have to, making it even easier to get rid of dust under low-lying furniture. Perfect for homes with pets, it has anti-hair technology to ensure hair doesn't get clogged around the brush roll, so you can clean your floor free from tangles.
Customer review: "At last a powerful vacuum that is lead-free and can also be used in the car. Despite not having stairs I'm sure it would be brilliant for them. It is worth getting the one that comes with two batteries so one can charge while the other is in use. With the attachments you can get into all the nooks and crannies that have never been vacuumed before. It is a joy to use. And of course, it was a bargain price and came very quickly."
Pros
- The wand bends for compact, freestanding storage
- Removes hair from the brush roll as you clean to keep it tangle free
- Five-year guarantee
Cons
- Heavier compared to others
Run time: | 40 minutes |
Capacity: | 0.7 litres |
Weight: | 4.74kg |
Best corded stick vacuum
Another stick option from Shark, but a corded version. This Shark Corded Stick Vacuum Cleaner has a DuoClean floorhead that offers effective cleaning on both hard floors and carpets with LED headlights that illuminate the way and help you see where all the dust and dirt lie. It also includes a Pet Tool, Crevice Tool and Multi-Surface Tool and can be converted into a handheld model to give you more flexibility.
Customer review: "Good suction as expected, you can’t beat a corded vacuum. Great for home and car as handheld detaches from main vacuum. Extra long cord is very useful. Easily changes with a press of a button from hard floor to carpet mode. Very compact for storage. Easy to empty, only downside is the little t shape power accessory stays in one position so can’t manoeuvre around small spaces like car foot well but the hose attachment works well instead so no biggie. Had dyson vacuums before and this is just as good and I’d say better than any expensive cordless vacuum and just as convenient."
Pros
- Long 10m cable
- Five year guarantee
- Can be used as a handheld, too
Cons
- Some people may prefer a cordless version to have freedom of movement around the house
Run time: | N/A |
Capacity: | 1 litre |
Weight: | 5.25kg |
Looking for more options from Shark? Take a look at our Shark vacuum cleaner article for the best from the brand.
Best for homes with pets
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The Dyson V8 Absolute Cordless Vacuum Cleaner's advanced filtration system captures dust and seals in 99.99 per cent of microscopic particles as small as 0.3 microns. There are three cleaning tools included; a combination tool for switching between cleaning tasks, a crevice tool to clean surfaces and edges, enabling you to get right into narrow gaps, and a mini motorhead to tackle pet hair on upholstery, stairs, and even in the car.
Customer review: "Super product and reasonable price - no need to spend more on other similar models. Picks up pet fur really well on all surfaces and the charge lasts for a long time. Would recommend."
Pros
- Low noise but powerful
- Three different power modes
- De-tangling technology
Cons
- Dust cap capacity isn't as big compared to other models
Run time: | 40 minutes |
Capacity: | 0.54 litres |
Weight: | 2.56kg |
Best for capacity
With a lightweight, ergonomic design and a 1.2 litre dust capacity, the Beldray BEL0813NRG Airgility Max is designed for maximum convenience so you can easily move from room to room to clean your whole house. It has powerful suction and a motorised floor brush to glide across the floor with ease, along with a range of attachments, including crevice and brush tools so you can also tackle upholstery and curtains, too.
Customer review: "Fab little hoover very lightweight brilliant on gliding no pushing or pulling even has a little rubber round the hoover so it doesn't knock your skirting boards and brilliant for folding away fab fab fab hoover do not hesitate to buy I've had expensive in the past but definitely go for this one👍"
Pros
- Two speed settings
- Converts into a handheld
- LED headlights on the brush head
Cons
- Could come with more attachments
Run time: | 50 minutes |
Capacity: | 1.2 litres |
Weight: | 3.5kg |
Best for performance
Lift stubborn dirt and hair from your carpets, car and upholstery with ease using the Vax Blade 4 Pet Cordless Vacuum Cleaner. It captures up to 99 per cent of dust particles and has antimicrobial protection built in to help protect your bristles from bacterial and fungi growth. It also comes with a motorised pet tool that offers powerful cleaning for those compact and hard-to-reach places.
Customer review: "I have had a number of vacuum cleaners from well-known brands and have broken down after a while this product seems very robust and has very good suction I recently had some building work in my house and was quite dusty but this vacuum cleaner mop the dust."
Pros
- Brushless motor
- LED light to help you see the dirt
- Three-year guarantee
Cons
- Not as many additional attachments compared to other stick vacuum cleaners
Run time: | 45 minutes |
Capacity: | 0.6 litres |
Weight: | 3.1kg |
Best for allergy sufferers
The Miele Triflex HX2 Cat & Dog Vacuum Cleaner comes with a whole load of additional accessories to help get your house looking spick-and-span again. It has three cleaning modes for flexibility: comfort mode which is ideal for larger spaces, reach modes for those more difficult spots such as under sofas and the corners of your ceiling, and compact mode for quick clean-ups.
Customer review: "Compact and light to use, great cleaning ability, easy to use across multiple surfaces as it adapts its power to suit during use. No regrets here"
Pros
- Comfort, reach and compact modes so you can clean every part of your home with ease
- Ultra-wide brush that adjusts speed and power to suit your floor type
- 99.999 per cent filtration for capturing fine dust, allergens and viruses
Cons
- The capacity is smaller compared to others
Run time: | 60 minutes |
Capacity: | 0.5 litres |
Weight: | 3.6kg |
Best for value
At under £50, this Tower T513005BLG Pro RXEC20 Corded 3-in-1 Vacuum Cleaner is great value for money. It's got a one-litre dust cap so it stores and collects a large amount of dust, with a quick release function so you can empty it straight into your bin with no fuss or mess. The cyclonic suction provides consistent airflow so it can effortlessly suck up and break down dirt from all floor types and the pole extends so you can reach dust and cobwebs that collect on ceilings and curtains.
Customer review: "Machine was delivered next day at no cost. Works just as advertised, lightweight, strong suction and efficient. Highly recommend this machine and the seller. Won't hesitate to buy from seller again. Great service overall. Happy customer."
Pros
- Great price
- Compact and lightweight
- Comes with a crevice and brush tool
Cons
- Power cord could be longer
Run time: | N/A |
Capacity: | 1 litre |
Weight: | 1.46kg |
FAQs
Which is better: A stick or an upright vacuum cleaner?
Whether a stick or upright vacuum cleaner is better will all depend on your needs. A stick vacuum cleaner has plenty of pros. They allow you to move around furniture with ease, they're slim and great for those with limited storage space. Plus, they're simple to empty and usually have multiple power options so you can tailor the suction to your mess.
The best stick vacuum cleaners can almost always be converted into handheld vacuum cleaners so you can use them for cleaning your car or down the back of the sofa. However, despite all their positives, some stick vacuums just don't have the power that an upright vacuum can offer. They can also be limited on run time if you choose a cordless model.
On the other hand, upright vacuums are ideal for giving carpets a good deep clean. They're also easy to store because, as the name suggests, they're able to stand upright so you can pop them in a store cupboard and they'll stand on their own. Although upright vacuum cleaners are the most traditional and popular choice, they can be a bit of a nightmare to transport up and down the stairs. They don't always give you the flexibility to get right into nooks and crannies without using additional brush heads and tools that tend to be more readily available with stick vacuum cleaners.
How to clean a stick vacuum cleaner:
To keep your floors looking spick and span for longer, even your vacuum cleaner needs a good clean every now and again. All of the best stick vacuum cleaners are different so they will have different parts that need taking out and giving a good scrub. Here are some cleaning steps that should apply to most stick models, but if you're unsure, we'd recommend getting in touch with the customer service department of your chosen vacuum brand as they'll be able to give you personalised tips based on your actual model.
1. Firstly, you'll want to disassemble your stick vacuum into individual compartments so you can give the dust cup, vacuum head, the actual stick itself and all the accessories a good wipe inside and out with warm, soapy water.
2. Then, you'll want to concentrate on the brush head. You'll want to take out the brush roll and make sure to unwrap any hair that may be around it and clean off any other debris. Make sure to give inside the brush head a good wipe, too.
3. Lastly, you'll want to give your filter a good clean. This can be done by just giving it a rinse under a cold tap.
4. Before you put your stick vacuum cleaner back together, make sure you allow everything to dry fully. You'll want to leave it a good 24 to 48 hours before you put everything back together, which should be plenty of time for all the individual components to air dry.
Rosie Floyd is a Pets, Homes and Garden Product Writer for Yours, specialising in home appliances, décor and furnishings, as well as all things dogs. After completing her Journalism & Media degree from Coventry University back in 2015, she started her career writing about must-visit holiday destinations, moving on to creating content around outdoor living and garden buildings, before joining the team at Bauer.