Stick Vacuum Guide: What to Buy & What to Skip in 2025

The Shark PowerDetect Clean & Empty earned an 8/10 for good reason: in our experience its suction and convenience features stand out. We found the 380 AW suction and 70-minute battery life extremely capable for whole-home jobs, and the self-emptying base that charges and automatically empties the wand is a big timesaver. During our review the unit’s 8.1 lb weight made it less nimble than lighter cordless models, and remember the auto-empty only activates with the wand and floorhead attached.

The Dyson Gen5outsize is our top-tier pick and earned a 9.5/10 for delivering corded-style suction and long runtimes. In testing we were impressed by the 262 AW suction and the two-battery system that boosts total runtime to about 140 minutes, which is ideal for large homes. We found it heavy at 8.6 lbs and pricey, and some plastic attachments felt less robust, but if powerful cleaning and versatile tools matter most, this one earns its high rating.

Shark’s Detect Pro scored 7/10 and in our testing it’s a nice middle ground if you want tech features with a lightweight build. We found the QuadClean brushroll and 240 AW suction effective across hard floors and carpets, and the auto-empty base made hands-free disposal easy. However, our experience shows a 60-minute battery may not be enough for bigger homes, and some users reported a flimsy feel — limited attachments further reduce versatility for specialized tasks despite the strong cleaning head.

The Dyson V15 Detect Absolute scored 8.5/10 and impressed us with smart cleaning tech and strong suction. In our testing the laser-revealed dust and anti-tangle system made hair and invisible debris easy to target, and the 230 AW suction did a superb job on mixed surfaces. We found holding the trigger to be fatiguing on long sessions, the small dustbin required frequent emptying, and it won’t stand upright on its own — still, it’s a highly effective deep-clean tool.

Samsung’s Jet 75 Pet earned a 6.5/10 and in our experience is a solid, lightweight option for pet owners on a budget. We found the 200 AW suction and included pet tools handled fur and upholstery well, and the 5.7 lb weight made it easy to carry between rooms. During our testing battery life around 60 minutes was limiting for larger homes, and there were durability concerns after extended use — replacement batteries also come at a premium, so factor that into long-term cost.

The Shark Cordless Stick scored 7.5/10 and in our testing is a practical, easy-to-use machine thanks to its self-emptying base. We found the 240 AW suction and lightweight handling excellent for daily maintenance, and the auto-empty base removes the mess of manual bin emptying. However, our experience shows it runs loud, especially on Boost, and the base’s dustbin needs frequent emptying because of limited capacity — a tradeoff between convenience and ongoing maintenance.

The Shark Vertex Pro is a strong performer that scored 7/10, delivering high suction and effective HEPA filtration in our tests. We found the 309 AW suction and 60-minute runtime cleaned carpets and hard floors thoroughly, and the anti-allergen brush helped capture fine particles. That said, the heavy design made extended use tiring, there’s no brushroll on/off switch for delicate rugs, and routine maintenance is higher since many parts need regular cleaning — great power with some convenience compromises.

If you want a high-tech, easy-to-maneuver stick, the Dyson V12 Detect Slim (score 7/10) is worth a look — its 5.22 lb frame and laser illumination really help reveal hidden dust on hard floors. In our testing the 150 AW suction paired with HEPA filtration cleaned mixed surfaces well, and the crevice, dusting, upholstery and pet-hair tools are handy for targeted jobs. We found the $449.99 price and the small dustbin limiting for longer sessions, and auto mode can sometimes be too aggressive on delicate rugs.

The POWERSERIES Extreme MAX is a solid budget-friendly option that earned a 6.5/10 thanks to practical features and reliable pickup on most surfaces. During our review we found the anti-tangle beater bar and included crevice, dusting and pet tools made quick work of crumbs, debris and hair in tight spots. Its 37-minute runtime is decent, but the low 20 AW reading and more than three-hour charge time mean it struggles on high-pile shag rugs and isn’t ideal for long deep-clean sessions.

Shark’s Stratos Cordless scored 7.5/10 by delivering impressive suction and pet-hair performance with the convenience of a flexible wand and freestanding storage. In our testing the wand made it easy to reach under furniture and the HEPA filtration handled allergens, but the oddly shaped dustbin is hard to clean despite being easy to empty. We also noticed significant power loss after roughly ten minutes despite a nominal 60-minute battery rating, and its heavier 8.73 lb build reduces overall agility.

The Dyson V11 Stick Vacuum (score 8/10) is a strong performer across floors — in our testing the 115 AW suction and 60-minute runtime cleaned carpets and hard floors with minimal maintenance. We found the included crevice, dusting, upholstery and pet tools make targeted cleaning straightforward, and the HEPA filter keeps things tidy long-term. That said, the plastic construction feels fragile in hand, there’s no mopping option for spills, and lightweight tasseled rugs can snag the head during use.

The Samsung Jet Soft Brush is a specialized tool that earned just 5.5/10 — during our review it excelled at picking up fine dust on hard floors and in crevices thanks to its soft brush design and 200 AW suction. We found the featherweight 1.8 lb build makes detailed cleaning less tiring, but its very high $860 price and model compatibility limits mean it only makes sense if you already own a compatible Samsung vacuum. Our experience shows it’s great for precision work, not broad value.

The Dyson Cyclone V10 Dok scored 5.5/10 and in our testing delivered strong suction even on its lowest setting, making it a capable daily driver for mixed floors. We appreciated the 60-minute runtime and lightweight 5.71 lb frame for easy maneuvering, but our experience shows the lack of onboard tool storage is a real inconvenience — you’ll need separate storage for accessories. If you value raw suction and don’t mind stashing tools separately, it’s a powerful but slightly less convenient pick.

The Dyson V15s Detect Submarine Absolute earned its high 9/10 score by combining strong suction and a wet-cleaning roller that delivers more comprehensive floor care than most sticks. During our review we found the 125 AW suction, HEPA filtration and 60-minute runtime handled both dry and wash jobs well, making it excellent for homes that want one tool to do both. Be aware the wet roller’s lack of a sealed dirty water container can drip during removal, and the 9 lb weight makes it heavier to push for long sessions.

The Tineco S10 ZT scored 6.5/10 and in our testing its ZeroTangle technology stood out — hair rarely wrapped around the brush roll, which cut maintenance time significantly. We liked the lightweight 5.15 lb build and 40-minute runtime for everyday maneuverability, but our experience shows the small dustbin demands frequent emptying during larger jobs, reducing overall efficiency. If you value low-hassle hair management and nimble handling, it’s a practical midrange pick with a clear tradeoff in bin capacity.

If you live with pets, the Tineco A11 Pet (7/10) is worth considering—our experience shows its 450W suction and versatile attachment set handled fur on upholstery and rugs very well. In our testing the lightweight 5.62 lb build made it easy to steer under furniture, and the HEPA filter is reassuring for allergy-prone homes. During our review battery life was the main limit — the 70-minute rating can fall short on bigger jobs — and it doesn’t stand on its own, so you’ll need wall mounting and a fairly large charging base for storage.

If you need an inexpensive, pet-focused stick vacuum, the Shark Pet Cordless (score 6/10) is a practical pick for quick cleanups. In our testing it was lightweight and handled pet hair surprisingly well, and the included crevice tool helps reach tight spaces. We found the suction underwhelming for deep-cleaning carpets, the dust cup filled fast, and the separate charging cord felt awkward compared with integrated docks — good for spot work, less so as a primary whole-home cleaner.

For ultra-budget cleaning the Bissell Featherweight is surprisingly useful — it earned a 7/10 in our guide for delivering versatile, convertible performance at only $33.98. We found the 2.9 lb frame and handheld conversion make stair, upholstery and quick spot cleanups simple, but the short power cord and small dirt cup mean limited range and frequent emptying. It struggles with large debris as the compartment fills, so think of it as a fast touch-up tool rather than a whole-home solution.

For corded power at a budget-friendly price, the Shark Rocket Pro DLX earned a middling 6.5/10 but shines where maneuverability matters — in our testing the lightweight 8.58 lb frame and 500-watt suction cleared both carpets and hardwoods efficiently. We liked the removable hand vacuum for stairs and upholstery and the washable filter keeps maintenance simple. During our review the corded design limited reach compared with cordless sticks, the small dust cup meant frequent emptying, and the unit won’t stand upright for storage, which can be inconvenient.

If you want a budget-friendly, ultralight option for quick touch-ups, the Eureka Rapid Clean Pro is worth considering — though it scored just 5.5/10 in our guide. In our testing the 5.3 lb frame and 40-minute runtime made it easy to maneuver around furniture, and the LED headlights really helped reveal dust in dim corners. We found the 150 AW suction adequate for bare floors, but the small dust cup and recurring clogging — especially with pet hair — plus noisy operation are real tradeoffs.

The LG CordZero Kompressor scored 7.5/10 in our review thanks to its innovative Kompressor bin and long runtime. We liked having two quick-release batteries for up to 120 minutes of runtime during larger cleaning sessions, and the 210 AW suction handled mixed floors well. During our testing the compact dust bin still filled quickly despite compression, and the top-heavy balance made the wand feel heavier in use — practical for power, but awkward for extended, one-handed cleaning.

If you need a light, affordable pet-focused stick, the Samsung Jet 60 Pet scored 6/10 and in our testing felt easy to carry around the house thanks to its 6 lb weight. We found the 150 AW suction and included pet tools work well on upholstery and stairs, but pet hair tends to wrap around the brush roll and the 40-minute battery drains quickly on higher power settings. Practical for spot cleaning, though maintenance and runtime limit it as a primary full-home machine.

The ICONPET TURBO (7.5/10) is a practical pick if pet hair is your main headache — in our testing the Tangle-Free brush roll minimized wrap and the built-in LED headlights helped reveal debris in dark corners. We found the 7 lb weight made it easy to carry between rooms and the included pet tools were genuinely useful for upholstery and stairs. During our review battery life was underwhelming on higher power settings (rated 50 minutes), and the top-heavy, non-self-standing design can make extended use and storage a bit awkward.

If you want near-commercial suction in a consumer robot, the eufy X10 Pro Omni (8.5/10) really delivers — in our testing the 8,000 Pa motor pulled dirt from deep pile and hard floors with impressive consistency. We found the AI obstacle avoidance made navigation far less fiddly around chairs and toys, and the auto-mop washing and drying cut down on manual upkeep. That said, during our review the large 26.4 lb base needs a lot of floor space and the self-empty/clean cycles are noticeably noisy; our experience shows replacement dust bags and cleaning solution add ongoing costs despite the washable filter.