The 6 Best Stick Vacuums of 2024

The Dyson V15 Detect is the best stick vacuum we've tested. It delivers superb performance on bare floors and low- and high-pile carpets. It can automatically adjust its suction power to adapt to the surface you're cleaning, and it also has a dirt sensor that measures and counts the size of debris sucked into the vacuum, which is helpful if you want to know about the presence of fine particles in your home. The downside of its strong suction force is that it can make it hard to push around on some rugs. Battery life depends on the setting; it can run for over 70 minutes in its most energy-efficient mode, but that drops to under 10 minutes when using its 'Boost' suction, so you'll need to work fast when cleaning stubborn messes. Unfortunately, the vacuum does feel fragile in places, which is disappointing for a vacuum at a premium price point.

If you're looking for a stick vacuum that feels considerably more robust, the Miele Duoflex HX1 is a wonderful alternative with a similar automatic power adjustment system and great overall performance. It also allows for a few different configurations thanks to the inclusion of an extension hose and flexible XL crevice tool (depending on the variant), making it ideal for cleaning hard-to-reach places or tasks like cleaning your couch. That said, its tiny dustbin, which is just under half the size of the Dyson's, can be a significant annoyance, as you'll need to empty it at the end of almost every cleaning session.

If you're shopping at an upper mid-range price point, the Shark Stratos Cordless is a good choice. Compared to the Dyson V15 Detect, this vacuum is noticeably heavier and has a larger twin-roller floorhead, so maneuvering in tight areas can be more of a hassle. However, it's cheaper and still delivers strong overall performance on most surfaces. Its Clean Sense IQ system uses an infrared sensor to measure the amount of debris you suck up and automatically adjusts the suction power to match the required load. Its dustbin is bigger than the Dyson's, so you won't have to empty it as often. Another nice feature is its hinged wand, which makes cleaning under most tables and chairs much easier, as you don't have to crouch too much.

A replaceable cartridge in its floorhead emits a detergent-like scent to mask unpleasant odors as you clean, though that can become overwhelming if you vacuum often. Its max battery life of about an hour is good; however, recharging takes over four hours, which is much longer than the Dyson. This leads to a lot of downtime between cleaning sessions if you don't have a second fully charged battery on hand. The Shark also gets bogged down on thick carpeting. Alternatively, if you want a more powerful stick vacuum and are okay with losing out on the Shark's automatic power adjustment system, the Samsung Jet 75 is worth a look.

The Samsung Jet 60 Pet is the best stick vacuum we've tested if you're shopping for a mid-range model. Despite a shorter runtime of around 40 minutes and a less sturdy build than the Shark Stratos Cordless, this model still offers a pretty impressive range of features at a lower price point. It boasts a five-stage filtration system that traps allergens as you clean, and it comes with a miniature turbo brush that's very effective in dealing with pet hair on fabric.

Performance is okay on bare floors, though it's worth noting that the bundled Jet Fit floorhead can push some larger pieces of debris around instead of sucking them up, and it struggles with lifting away stubborn debris on carpeted surfaces. Another downside is that emptying its dustbin can still release a cloud of dust and debris. This model can't automatically adjust its suction power; if that's a must-have feature, check out the Tineco PURE ONE S11, but know that it's a little harder to find from most retailers than the Samsung vacuum.

The Wyze Cordless Vacuum is the best stick vacuum cleaner in the budget range that we've tested. It offers strong overall debris pickup performance on both bare floors and carpets, easily clearing away solid debris and pet hair. Unusual for a vacuum in this price range, it also features a HEPA exhaust filter that's fairly effective in trapping fine particles like dust or pet dander as you clean. Battery performance is also strong for a budget-friendly cordless vacuum; it lasts almost an hour in its most energy-efficient mode, exceeding the pricier Samsung Jet 60 when running in a similar setting.

Unfortunately, the Wyze vacuum's build quality falls short compared to the Samsung model, with the plastic used in its construction feeling somewhat thin and toy-like in places. Thankfully, maintenance is relatively easy, as you can disassemble and reassemble the vacuum without too much effort.

The Shark Stratos UltraLight is the best stick vacuum cleaner with a corded design that we've tested. You might be limited in terms of overall cleaning range compared to the cordless models on this list, but you also won't have to worry about running out of charge part-way through a cleaning session. The Stratos UltraLight also shares a few commonalities with the Shark Stratos Cordless as well: this includes its DuoClean PowerFins floorhead, which uses angled fins on its main roller to prevent hair from getting tangled up, and a replaceable cartridge in its floorhead that emits a pleasant detergent-like scent as you clean.

However, there are a few drawbacks you'll have to contend with: the primary brushroll isn't removable, so it's a chore to clear away any hair that does get stuck. Unlike the Stratos Cordless, it doesn't have a MultiFlex folding wand, so cleaning under most tables and chairs is much harder.

Check out the Samsung Bespoke Jet if you're searching for a cordless stick vacuum and are sensitive to pollen or pet dander. Generally speaking, bagless vacuums like this aren't the best if you have allergies; regardless of how advanced their filtration system is, shaking out a dustbin still releases a cloud of dust, which isn't as hygienic as tossing out a sealed dirtbag. However, the Bespoke Jet differs from most bagless vacuums: it comes with a charging dock that doubles as a self-emptying station, similar to self-emptying robot vacuums like the Roborock Qrevo. This dock transfers debris from the vacuum's dustbin through an airtight seal into a disposable dirtbag inside the stand-up station, meaning you don't have to worry about emptying its dustbin manually. The vacuum also has a five-stage filtration system that's effective in trapping allergens as you clean.

Performance-wise, it does a good job dealing with debris on low- and high-pile carpeting, though it falls short of the Dyson V15 Detect on bare floors, with its bulky twin-roller head pushing around some larger debris. One point in its favor is that it comes with two batteries that you can charge simultaneously, effectively doubling your potential runtime and making it a great option for longer cleaning sessions. However, its dual-roller floorhead is considerably bulkier than the Dyson vacuum's single-roller head, making it harder to maneuver.