What is a stick vacuum and how is it used?

Stick vacuums are incredibly impressive modern appliances used to keep your home clean. If you are looking to purchase a vacuum, you will probably come across many types of stick values, given their unmatched versatility and popularity as a vacuuming ‘all-rounder’. Stick vacuums are named as such due to their long, thin form-factor. Typically, stick vacuum cleaners will feature a vacuum brush attached to a long stick which is connected to a small handheld motor and dust collection unit. 

Stick vacuums work best on hard floors and are often used to collect pesky pet hair. However, the attached brush can be swapped out for an alternative, depending on the surface that needs cleaning, such as carpet or delicate floorboards. With a rechargeable battery pack, stick vacuums are relatively lightweight, mobile and are built to be used clean in almost every scenario and location - including the car and hard to reach places.

Reasons to buy a stick vacuum for your home

Stick vacuums are lightweight and operate quietly, making them an efficient, convenient and versatile appliance for light to medium household cleaning for most sized households. There are a range of models, sizes and attachments designed to complete every type of task with ease. Swap out the brush and cleaner head to pick up pet hair from deep within your carpet or quickly tidy up your hard floorboards. Use the crevice tool to pick up debris from hard to reach corners or use an upholstery brush to keep your furniture spotless.

Stick vacuums pack a punch with a powerful motor that delivers clean suction to remove dirt, dust and debris from your floors. They also use a HEPA filter to trap allergens and pollutants, ensuring your air is clean and safe for you and your family to breathe. Since they are almost always cordless, they offer unmatched maneuverability and flexibility. Stick vacuums can be converted to a handheld version by removing the stick component. Making sure no corner, shelf or furniture throughout your home gets missed.

Stick vacuum features to look for

Given the wide range of stick vacuums on offer, you must keep in mind these key features when making a purchase:

• Charge and run-time. Depending on the size of your home, the time it takes to recharge your vacuum and the length of time it runs for will be vital factors in your decision to purchase a stick vacuum. If you have a large home, you will need a vacuum that runs for long enough on one charge to clean your entire home.
• Available attachments. A significant advantage of a stick vacuum is the ability to swap out the attachments for different cleaning tasks. A stick vacuum should have multiple brush heads and tools to choose from, such as a soft brush for hard floors and a crevice tool for hard to reach places.
• Variable power. A stick vacuum should have different modes to choose from. When cleaning crumbs from a hard floor or fabrics like a curtain, you won’t need much power. This conserves battery power for when you really need it, such as maxing out the motor to freshen up a soiled carpet.
• Controls and LCD screens. Stick vacuums with an on/off switch, or a switch lock, make continuous operation a lot easier. Others with a trigger require you to hold it down while you clean. Depending on the size of your home, this may be an essential factor. Some models come with an informative LCD screen, telling you details such as your remaining battery charge, the status of the filter and dust bag.