Everyone needs a vacuum cleaner, be it an upright, canister, cordless, or corded stick vacuum. Whether you have kids or pets – or even if you don’t – homes get dirty, and they need to be cleaned often. But with so many types, brands, and models of vacuums to choose from, how do you know which one to get? From portable to commercial, bagged to bagless, and push to robotic, there’s a lot to consider. A vacuum is usually an investment.
Corded stick vacuums enable you to vacuum areas you might otherwise not be able to get to, and they’re easy to transport and store. A stick vacuum typically uses a dustbin, as opposed to a bag, and are lighter in weight than the standard upright or canister vacuums.
With the help of our home and family advisor, Richard Bartlett, we looked for the best corded stick vacuums available. After researching a range of specs for a wide variety of corded stick vacuums, our home and family advisor reviewed and approved five stick vacuums that he considers to be the top choices. Paying attention to durability, maneuverability, quality build, suction power, and versatility, we compiled full reviews to help you pick your next corded stick vacuum. Read how he chose the top 5.
Cleaning shouldn’t have to be a daunting task. Our home and family advisor chose the Shark HV302 Rocket Pet Corded Stick Vacuum as his top choice for the best corded stick vacuums. This vacuum affords you the opportunity to quickly clean up messes in harder-to-reach areas. This versatility makes the corded stick vacuum perfect for your home, car, recreational vehicle, or boat.
Our Home and Family Expert’s Top 5 Corded Stick Vacuums
Here are the top five picks from our home and family expert. Compare the ratings and key features of the different models.
| Editor’s Picks | Brand | Rating | Weight (Pounds) | Converts to Handheld | Cord Length (Feet) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Shark HV302 Rocket Pet Corded Stick Vacuum | 8.2 | 25 | ||
| Best Budget Option | Eureka Lightweight Corded Stick Vacuum Cleaner | 2.8 | 16.5 | ||
| Best Suction | Shark ZS351 Rocket Corded Ultra-Light Vacuum | 8.8 | 25 | ||
| Best for Stairs | Eureka Flash Lightweight Stick Vacuum Cleaner | 7.4 | 30 | ||
| Best for Pets | HV322 Rocket Pet Plus Corded Stick Vacuum with LED Headlights | 8.6 | 25 |
*Ratings are on a scale of 1 to 5 and based on reviews, feedback, and opinions of actual customers
In This Article
Who Should Buy a Corded Stick Vacuum
- Those who live in small spaces, such as a studio apartment, recreational vehicle, or boat. A corded stick vacuum is a handy vacuum cleaner for small living spaces. It stores easily in a closet or off to the side hanging on the wall, and weighs under 10 pounds so it’s not difficult to maneuver around a small area. The vacuum head swivels more than a traditional vacuum, so you can get to more difficult spots.
- You need a lightweight vacuum that’s easy to move around. A big plus to the corded stick vacuum is that it’s lightweight. Some vacuums are big and bulky, and require a lot of strength to push around or haul up and down stairs. Plus, they can tip over and cause damage when vacuuming the floor. A stick vacuum gives you the opportunity to clean without strenuous activity.
- Your living area has a lot of spots that a traditional vacuum doesn’t fit in to. Corded stick vacuums are a great accompaniment to your traditional vacuum cleaner. Heavy-duty vacuums can’t always get under the couch, bed, around corners or in specialty nooks. A stick vacuum is smaller, has a longer neck, and makes sharper turns than a traditional vacuum.
Who Should Not Buy a Corded Stick Vacuum
- Those with large living areas that need a lot of power and suction. Corded stick vacuums are not known for their suction and power. They’re adequate for cleaning up regular messes but if you have a large home or need to do some heavy-duty cleaning, a traditional upright or canister vacuum cleaner is the better bet.
- You have a heavy-duty mess to clean up. Even if your living area is small, a corded stick vacuum is not meant to pick up large or liquid messes or deep-clean and vacuum the carpets.
Research Tips
Here are some tips and best practices to consider when purchasing a corded stick vacuum. Be sure to do adequate research on the product you’re considering purchasing, look for key features, and ask your friends or family if they have any recommendations on corded stick vacuums for your home or car.
- Power and suction – What good is a vacuum without adequate power and suction to pick up the debris from your floor? Look for a corded stick vacuum that will perform the job at hand. Whether you have hardwood floors or carpet, research the wattage and amps to ensure you get the right vacuum for your particular needs.
- Consider the surfaces you want to vacuum – Corded stick vacuums can clean most bare surfaces, but some are better equipped for carpets and upholstery. Do you need one that’s versatile? Some stick vacuum cleaners switch from bare floor to carpet and back with either a push of a button or automatically. Stick vacuums with brush rolls do better on carpets, while those without and with less power are meant for bare floors only (like laminate floor vacuums). Check whether the unit comes with attachments for cleaning corners, crevices, and furniture.
- Big messes, little messes – Not all corded stick vacuums can clean all types of messes. Are you doing light housework? Do you need to clean up after kids or pets? Are your messes typically dust and a little dirt or do you need a vacuum that picks up liquids or big piles of debris? Choose a corded stick vacuum that fits the types of messes you usually need to clean up.
- Ease of use, maneuverability, and weight – Most corded stick vacuums are lightweight and range from 3 to 10 pounds, which can make a difference depending on your personal ability. Consider the weight and size if you need to hold the vacuum over your head, push it around a large house, or carry it up and down stairs. Most stick vacuums transform into handheld vacuums, but that’s also where the majority of the weight is centered.
- Additional options and features – A corded stick vacuum is designed to quickly and effectively perform light clean up duties. Most feature a long nozzle for reaching high areas and some come with other specialty attachments for you to clean furniture, crevices, drapes, and more. Consider whether you need attachments designed for particular jobs.
How Much Do They Cost?
Between $40 and $275
The average price for a corded stick vacuum runs somewhere between $50 and $150. But stick vacuums can range in price anywhere from under $50 to almost $1,000, depending on the features you’re looking for. The average corded stick vacuum has adequate power and suction, is easy to push around, and may come with an extension or handheld dust buster. More expensive corded stick vacuums have those features and more, such as allergy-specific vacuum filters, more power and suction, larger dust bins, and lengthier cords.
Our Methodology: Why Trust Us
With the help of my home and family experience, as well as some in-depth research, I selected the top five corded stick vacuums based on durability, quality, efficiency, and power. There are several factors to consider when choosing a stick vacuum, whether you know a thing or two about vacuums or not. It’s important to consider what’s best for the job at hand. – Richard Bartlett
The Best Corded Stick Vacuums: Full Reviews
The Shark HV302 Rocket Pet Corded Stick Vacuum features 500 watts and 4.2 amps of power. It weighs just under 9 pounds and is powerful enough to pick up pet hair from carpets. Switch from bare floor to carpet with the touch of a button, and clean your home from top to bottom and corner to corner. Thanks to the low-profile design, the Shark stick vacuum also cleans under furniture. The cord length is 25 feet so you can comfortably move around each room. The dust bin empties quickly into your trash.
The Shark Rocket Stick Vacuum easily converts to a convenient handheld vacuum so you can clean the furniture, stairs, and other upholstery. Use the lengthy nozzle with the handheld to reach your ceilings, far corners, and out-of-reach crevices. The included upholstery tool allows you to pick up pet hair and other debris from stairs and furniture. The Shark stick vacuum has a handy hook on the wand to hang on your wall in the closet.
- Converts to handheld unit
- Long nozzle for hard-to-reach areas
- Compact storage
- Small dust bin
- Does not have brush roll
Our expert’s top budget pick is the Eureka Lightweight Corded Stick Vacuum Cleaner. Unlike most stick vacuums, the Eureka is freestanding and stays upright on its own for simple use and storage. Meant mostly for hardwood floors, this corded stick vacuum is as light as they come – just under 3 pounds and has a cord length just over 16 feet. Good for small messes and quick cleanups, the Eureka comes with two attachments for harder-to-reach areas such as crevices, furniture, and stairs.
The Eureka Lightweight Corded Stick Vacuum features a base head that’s about 10 inches in width and can swivel all the way around. The bottom portion of the vacuum detaches into a handheld vacuum with the option to attach the short nozzles that are included. This stick vacuum features 2 amps and 240 watts of power, and has an easy-to-empty dust bin.
- Super lightweight
- Stands on its own
- Converts to handheld
- Not meant for carpets or deep cleaning
- Does not have brush roll
If you’re looking for a corded stick vacuum with the best suction, our expert chose the Shark Zs351 Rocket Corded Ultra-Light Vacuum for that category. Powerful enough for most carpets, this stick vacuum features a self-cleaning brush roll that picks up both pet and human hair without the dreaded hair wrap. Lightweight and with a swivel steering head, the Shark corded stick vacuum also converts to a handheld unit so you can clean the furniture and stairs, and other areas that might be harder to get to.
The Shark Rocket corded stick vacuum boasts 500 watts and 4.2 amps of power. Achieve better results while the front LED lights on the base light up your way and illuminate hard-to-see debris. Use the extended nozzle to hit the ceilings or deep crevices, and the shorter nozzle for quick messes to be found at your fingertips. This stick vacuum is made of durable plastic, weighs just under 9 pounds, has an extra large dust bin, and features a 25-foot cord length.
- Self-cleaning brush roll
- LED lights on base head
- Converts to handheld
- Does not stand on its own
For those whose homes have a lot of stairs to keep clean or have heavy-duty stair traffic, our home and family expert chose the Eureka Flash Lightweight Stick Vacuum Cleaner as the best stick vacuum for stairs. This vacuum cleaner features a 30-foot cord, helpful for going up or down the stairs without having to plug or unplug the unit. Weighing just over 7 pounds, the Eureka corded stick vacuum is equipped with a brush roll and can switch from bare floor to carpet seamlessly and without issue.
The Eureka Flash stick vacuum has a swivel head that features LED lights that shine on debris you might not otherwise see. The motor is self-propelling, and the vacuum comes with multiple attachments so you can reach crevices, corners, and under furniture. It also converts to a handheld unit to effectively clean places like windowsills and base boards. The corded stick vacuum features a large dust bin that’s easy to empty. Use the portable storage base to help your stick vacuum remain upright and tucked away out of sight when not in use.
- Extra long cord
- Includes brush roll
- Portable storage base
- Does not stand on its own
When you have a pet, you have a lot of pet fur or hair floating around your home, clinging to furniture, stairs, and the floors. Our expert’s favorite stick vacuum for pets is the Shark HV322 Rocket Pet Plus Corded Stick Vacuum. Effective on all surfaces and switching easily from bare floor to carpet, this stick vacuum converts to a handheld unit so you can easily reach multiple areas, including furniture and pet beds. The unit comes with multiple attachments meant for picking up pet hair, such as a crevice duster and multi-tool that features a brush for capturing hair.
The Shark Rocket Pet Plus is outfitted with LED headlights to help you see the pet fur around your home. The swivel head allows you to go around corners and under furniture, while the brush roll aids in picking up all types of debris, dirt, and fur. This stick vacuum has a 25-foot cord and a large dust bin that empties right into the trash bin with little issue.
- Made specifically for picking up pet hair
- Multiple attachments
- Includes brush roll
- Does not stand on its own
- Brush roll is not self-cleaning
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I look for in a corded stick vacuum?
Is a stick vacuum better than an upright?
Do stick vacuums work on carpet?
Do stick vacuums stand on their own?
Should I dust or vacuum first?
Article Sources
Safe Smart Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
- Types of Vacuum Cleaners. Homedepot.com. Accessed August 12, 2022.
- Everything You Need To Know About Stick Vacuums. Vacuumjudge.com. Accessed August 12, 2022.
- Do Stick Vacuums Stand on Their Own? (The Truth!) + More! Wowsoclean.com. Published December 10, 2021. Accessed August 12, 2022.
Home and family advisor for Safe Smart Family with more than a decade writing about home and family lifestyle topics and expertise in home product reviews
