Buying guide for best Dyson stick vacuums

When it comes to high-performing, feature-packed vacuum cleaners, Dyson has a list of best-buy products that are hard to top. Known for its innovative, user-friendly vacuums, the brand offers a variety of options. This includes an outstanding line of stick vacuums.

A Dyson stick vacuum is a lightweight, compact vacuum cleaner that’s easy to maneuver and just as easy to store. Notably, Dyson sticks are not corded vacuums. They are all cordless vacuum cleaners, and as such, they come with rechargeable batteries. You can use them anywhere in your home without worrying if there’s an outlet nearby.

The low profile of a Dyson stick vac allows you to easily clean up under beds, couches, and other furniture. And, while it’s true that stick models aren’t quite as powerful as upright vacuums, Dyson stick vacuums feature superior suction power compared to the competition.

Most Dyson stick vacuums only require 3.5 hours to fully charge.

What to look for in the best Dyson stick vacuums

Suction power

For any vacuum cleaner, suction power is vital because it impacts cleaning performance. How much dirt and debris do you want to pick up? You can’t expect a stick vacuum to be as powerful as an upright or canister model, but there is some variation among stick models when it comes to suction power.

Vacuum cleaner suction power is measured in air watts (AW). All Dyson stick vacuums offer at least 100 AW of suction power, which is about the same amount as a lower-end upright vacuum. However, some top-of-the-line Dyson vacuums offer even more suction thanks to a more powerful motor—these vacuums offer two times the suction power of other cordless stick vacuums. Hence, where deep cleaning is not achievable with all cordless stick vacuums, it is achievable with Dyson.

Some Dyson stick vacuums offer multiple suction-level adjustments or power modes. You adjust the vacuum based on the floor type you want to clean. For example, you’d use a lower power mode for a hard floor and a higher level for high-pile carpeting. Some models have two suction levels; others have three.

Runtime

As mentioned, because these are cordless vacuum cleaners,  they rely on rechargeable battery power. The runtime you get from a single battery charge determines how long you’ll be able to use your stick vacuum. Some Dyson models offer just 20 minutes of runtime, while others offer up to 60 minutes.

• If your house is large and you plan to use the stick to clean your whole home, choose a model with the longest runtime possible.
• If you’re using your Dyson stick model as a supplemental vacuum for quick cleaning jobs, any Dyson stick should offer adequate runtime.

Weight

Stick vacuums are meant to be lightweight, but some Dyson models weigh more than others. Dyson stick vacuums range from 5 to 7 pounds. Those with greater suction power—and cleaning power—tend to weigh more.

Features of the best Dyson stick vacuum cleaners

Hand vac convertibility

Some Dyson stick vacuums can convert to a handheld vacuum. You simply detach the vacuum’s handle from the suction head, and you’re able to use it to tackle small messes, clean stairs, or vacuum your car interior.

HEPA filter

All Dyson stick vacuums have HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters. Notably, this fact is not true of all cordless stick vacuums. The HEPA filters in Dyson vacs can remove 99.97% of particles that are as small as 0.3 microns. HEPA filtration makes Dyson stick vacuums desirable for pet owners dealing with pet hair and people with allergies or asthma.

No-touch dirt emptying

Many Dyson vacuums offer hygienic no-touch emptying. This means your hands never come into contact with the dirt cup or the contents inside. Instead, you simply push a button or pull a lever to empty the dirt directly from the vacuum into your trash can.

Adaptive technology

Some Dyson stick vacuums feature adaptive technology, which allows them to automatically adapt to the floor surface that you are cleaning. The vacuum sensors adjust the cleaning performance for multi-floor surfaces such as wood, tile, linoleum, area rugs, and high-pile carpet without you having to do anything more than run the vacuum over the floor.

LCD screen

Higher-end Dyson stick vacuums feature an LCD screen that provides a countdown of your runtime so you always know how long you’ll be able to clean. The display also provides reports on vacuum performance and alerts you if there’s an issue with the appliance.

Additional tools

Many Dyson vacuums include accessories and attachments to make them even more versatile. You can find models that include the following tools:

• A crevice tool for cleaning around edges and in tight areas
• A combination tool for going back and forth between multi-floor surfaces
• A mini motorized tool for cleaning smaller surfaces
• A mini dusting brush for delicate materials
• A stiff dirt brush for tough embedded dirt
• An extension wand for reaching higher spots in your house, like the curtains or ceilings

How do you know a stick vacuum is the right choice?

You may be looking at cordless stick vacuums from Dyson because you love the brand and like the lower price tags on stick vacs as compared to other types. Even if you know you want a Dyson, though, how do you know that a cordless stick vac is the right type of Dyson for you?

Many people don’t use a stick vacuum as their primary cleaning machine. The reason: stick vacuums, although lightweight and affordable, do not always have the powerful suction needed to achieve a deep clean.

Dyson’s cordless stick vacuums actually do tend to have more powerful suction than stick vacuums from other brands. That said, you might want to look at affordable Dyson upright choices before buying a stick vacuum to get an even bigger bang for your buck.

For example, the Dyson Ball line of upright vacuum cleaners is an affordable line of strong contenders. Take, for example, the Dyson Ball Animal 2. A machine designed to pick up pet hair, it costs just a bit more than the Dyson v8 Animal but has the corded power of an upright. It also offers a telescoping handle, a self-adjusting cleaner head, and rotating brushes.

In short, while we think Dyson stick vacs are some of the best buys in the vacuum cleaner world, you may be able to get a Dyson upright vacuum cleaner for just a little bit more money. And you may find that’s the type of machine actually prefer.

What’s the best buy in a Dyson stick vacuum?

Dyson cordless stick vacuums vary in price based on the amount of suction power they offer as well as their special features. Most models cost between $250 to $700. What’s the best buy for you? Here’s a breakdown of prices.

Inexpensive

The most affordable Dyson stick vacuums have suction power of around 100 AW. They offer some special features, such as a HEPA filter and various versatile attachments. The cost for these models typically ranges from $250 to $350.

Notably, a low-cost Dyson in this price range may still cost more than a high-end product from another company, like Bissell. If you want a top-shelf vacuum cleaner from a budget company like Bissell, check out our pages on Best Bissell Vacuums and Best Bissell Stick Vacuums.

Mid-range

Dyson stick vacuums in the middle of the pack have a suction power of around 115 AW. They offer a variety of special features such as a HEPA filter, no-touch dirt emptying, adaptive technology, and accessories. They usually range from $300 to $450. If you’re interested in this price range, don’t forget to check out the Dyson Cyclone v10, a machine with Torque Drive cleaner head.

Expensive

High-end Dyson stick vacuums have sucking power two times greater than standard cordless stick vacuums. They offer many special features, including a HEPA filter, no-touch dirt emptying, adaptive technology, an LCD display, and accessories. They typically range from $450 to $700 in price.

A good example of a quality product in this price range is the Dyson v10 Absolute cordless. This Absolute model comes with two extra cleaner heads and can run for up to 60 minutes even though it’s not a corded vacuum.

If you’re looking for a new vacuum cleaner in this price range but would prefer a canister vacuum—and you’re not picky about whether the vacuum comes from Dyson—check out the offerings from Miele.

Tips

• Wash your filter monthly. To keep your vacuum at peak performance, it’s important to wash its filter regularly. Aim for at least once a month or any time that the filter light flashes. Don’t use soap on your washable filters; the company suggests that cold water is enough to get them clean.
• Dump the dirt often. Empty your Dyson stick vacuum’s dustbin as it soon as reaches the max line. The suction power will suffer if you overfill the dustbin.
• If the suction power goes down, it could be a sign of one of several problems. There may be a clog in the suction stick, which you should be able to clean out. The battery may not be charged as fully as it could be. Or, as mentioned, it could be time to change your filter or clean out your dustbin.
• Change attachments on the fly. Dyson stick vacuums that include accessories usually have a quick-release button so you can quickly change accessories by pressing the release switch, removing the previous accessory and replacing it with a new one.

Dyson stick vacuums often include a wall-mounted docking station that makes storing and charging your vacuum much easier.

FAQ

Q. Does Dyson make robot vacuums?

A. Yes. Dyson has released just a few robot vacuum models, and they’re quite pricey. Other notable makers of robotic vacuums include Shark, Samsung, and iRobot.

Q. Should I recharge my Dyson stick vacuum after each use?

A. Yes, you should recharge your Dyson stick after each cleaning session. Many Dyson stick vacuum batteries are designed to be charged permanently, so you can leave your machine charging all the time when not in use. If the battery is full, it stops drawing electricity.

Q. Can you use a Dyson stick vacuum to pick up liquid?

A. Dyson stick vacuums are not designed to be used as a wet/dry vac. Using your vacuum to pick up water or any other liquid can cause serious damage that hampers its performance and voids the warranty.

Q. What type of warranty coverage do Dyson stick vacuums have?

A. Most Dyson stick vacuums offer two years of warranty protection. The warranty covers problems that arise due to defects in workmanship or parts. It doesn’t cover damage that results from accidents or misuse.