What is a stick vacuum and how does it work?

The parts of a stick vacuum

Most cordless sticks share the same basic parts. Designs vary, but the layout below is typical.

How suction is created

The motor spins a fan at very high speed, often tens of thousands of revolutions per minute, which lowers the air pressure inside the machine. Air rushes in through the floor head, carrying dust and debris with it.

Makers describe suction in different units, such as air watts or pascals, which makes comparisons tricky. Our suction explainer explains what the numbers mean.

How dust is separated

Most cordless sticks are bagless. Air spins through a cyclone or a set of small cyclones, flinging heavier dust and debris outward into the bin. A mesh screen catches hair and fluff. Finer dust then passes through one or more filters before the air leaves the machine.

Some sticks, such as certain Henry models, use bags instead. Our bagged or bagless explainer explains the trade-offs, and our HEPA explainer covers filtration.

Floor heads and tools

The floor head does much of the cleaning. Motorised brush heads drive bristles into carpet pile, while soft roller heads suit hard floors. Many heads now include anti-tangle combs, lights or sensors that adjust power to the floor.

Remove the wand and the body becomes a handheld. Fit a crevice tool, brush tool or mini motorised tool to clean stairs, sofas, cars and shelves.

Batteries and runtime

Most sticks use a lithium-ion battery that gives somewhere between 20 and 90 minutes depending on the model, mode and head. Quoted maximums are in the lowest mode with a non-motorised tool, so real runtime with the main head is shorter.

Some batteries are fixed into the handle; others click out so you can charge them separately or swap in a spare. Our runtime explainer covers what affects runtime.

Long runtime cordless vacuums →

What a stick vacuum is good at

Sticks are ideal for quick daily cleaning, flats and small to medium homes, hard floors and stairs. They store on a wall dock, ready to grab, and convert to a handheld for above-floor jobs. Their main limits are runtime and bin size compared with a corded vacuum.

Our stick vs upright comparison and stick vs cylinder comparison explain when a corded vacuum might suit you better.

Questions to ask when choosing

Think about the size of your home, your floors, pets and storage. A larger home needs longer runtime or a swappable battery. Lots of carpet needs a strong motorised head. Pets need an anti-tangle head and a good-sized bin. A small home with little storage benefits from a light, compact stick.

Our best cordless vacuums guide lists strong all-rounders, and our lightweight guide covers compact models.

Stick vacuums compared with other types

Compared with a corded upright or cylinder, a stick trades unlimited runtime and a large bin for convenience and lightness. Compared with a robot vacuum, a stick needs you to push it, but cleans stairs, sofas and corners a robot cannot reach. Many homes combine a stick with one of these.

Our stick vs robot comparison and handheld vs stick comparison explain each pairing.

Frequently asked questions

Is a stick vacuum the same as a cordless vacuum? Most stick vacuums are cordless, but a few corded sticks exist. Cordless vacuums also include handhelds and some uprights.

Are stick vacuums worth it? For most flats and small to medium homes, yes. Large carpeted homes may also want a corded vacuum for deep cleans.

How long do stick vacuums last? Several years with care; the battery usually wears first. See our lifespan article for details.

Can a stick vacuum clean carpet? Yes, with a motorised brush head. See our carpet article for which sticks do best.