Stick vacuums have soared in popularity in recent years because of their lightweight, cordless convenience. These ultra-portable vacuums run on rechargeable batteries, allowing for easy mobility around a home without wrestling with cords. Slim stick vac designs also store much more compactly than traditional upright or canister vacuums, taking up minimal floor space or tucking into closets with wall mounts.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Cordless Stick Vacuums for Canadian Homes
Benefits
Cordless stick vacuums offer some major advantages over full-size vacuums:
Convenience
Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries allow you to vacuum anywhere with continuous power instead of restrictive cord lengths that limit the reach and require inconvenient mid-cleaning plug changes. This is especially helpful for cleaning stairs, under beds, curtains, and even cars.
Lightweight Design
Typical stick vacuums weigh between 3 and 6 pounds, which allows easy one-handed carrying up and down stairs without strain, maneuvering under furniture, or vacuuming overhead curtains, ceilings, fans, and vents much more comfortably than hefting traditional uprights. They are also far lighter than most full-size vacuums.
Space Savings
Slim profiles around just over a foot wide make tidy storage in crowded closets or small homes much easier, taking up minimal floor space. Stick vacs stow vertically against walls using included mounts or stands. This saves room compared to sprawling upright vacuums.
Quick Cleanups
Convenient handheld modes with motorized mini-powered heads allow fast pickups of small spills, debris trails, or dust bunnies in high-traffic areas without needing to unpack and unwind a heavy corded upright. Perfect for quick once-overs.
Affordability
With Canadian prices as low as $100 to $150 for starter stick vacs, an inexpensive cordless model allows upgrading from older, bulkier vacuums on a budget. It's a great low-cost option for smaller spaces short on storage room.
Drawbacks
Stick vacuums do have some compromises versus full-size models:
Limited Runtimes Per Charge Session
Even high-capacity lithium-ion batteries in premium stick vacs max out around 60 minutes of vacuuming time before requiring a recharge. For larger multi-level homes, runtimes may only complete full cleanings of over 2,500+ square feet of floor space in one session with a battery swap or top-up.
Lower Suction Compared to Uprights
Compact, slim stick vacuum bodies house smaller motors and dust bins than traditional full-size vacuums, limiting maximum air watts suction capabilities. Compared to more powerful corded models, this reduces pickup abilities for ground-in debris on heavy traffic carpets. Most sticks lack powered brushrolls as well.
Ongoing Replacement Filter and Battery Costs
While sticks themselves may cost less, the replaceable filters are needed every 3 to 6 months, and batteries that degrade after 2 to 4 years of use require ongoing investments that are unmatched by upright vacuums' largely self-contained designs.
Key Specs and Features to Evaluate
When choosing your ideal stick vacuum cleaning needs, you can check stick vacuum reviews from Canada for main specifications that strongly determine practical cleaning performance:
1. Weight and Maneuverability
Stick vacuums, which can weigh as little as 3 pounds up to 6 pounds without attachments, are exceptionally easy to carry upstairs, fit under beds and furniture, and reduce arm strain over long vacuuming sessions compared to bulkier and heavier upright models. Plus, convenient handheld and wand modes allow cleaning from all angles - even curtains and ceiling fans.
2. Suction Power Across Floor Surfaces
While not matching heavy-duty shop vacs or top-of-the-line full-sized vacuums, advanced cordless stick vacs now provide enough suction for hard floors and area carpets from 15 up to 150 air watts via high-efficiency motors and multi-cone cyclonic systems. Sealed HEPA filtration also helps ensure small particles make it into the bin.
3. Runtime Duration Per Charge
Lithium-ion batteries allow most modern cordless stick vacuums to run for 20 to 60 minutes of vacuuming, depending on the model, power settings used, accessories attached, and flooring type. Helpful battery life indicators let you monitor remaining runtime. Quick charging then ranges from 2.5 to 5 hours before the next cleaning. Backup batteries extend run periods indefinitely.
4. Dust Bin Capacity
Smaller, streamlined stick vacuum dust bins have an average capacity of 0.3 to 0.7 liters since large bins add undesirable weight. Their translucent construction makes it easy to monitor debris buildup and remember to empty them regularly. Larger uprights hold more between trips to the trash.
Alongside core suction power, included tools like crevice nozzles, soft dusting brushes, furniture attachments, and built-in LED headlights further expand the vacuum's cleaning versatility for diverse messes around the home. Sticks meet most daily cleaning needs.
Top Cordless Stick Vacuum Brands in Canada
Leading brands available across Canadian retailers include:
Dyson
Famed for pioneering bagless vacuums, Dyson stick vacuums now feature the latest V15 model with laser illumination and up to 60 minutes of runtime. Expect premium pricing from $700 to $900.
Shark
Shark's Anti Hair Wrap DuoClean cordless stick vacs, known for their great value, start at around $300 and feature dual brush rolls for deep carpet cleaning and versatility on hard floors.
Bissell
Another affordable brand is Bissell, which sells stick vacs like the Featherweight model for as low as $140. These vacs have useful attachments, 20-minute runtimes, and convenient charging stands.
Hoover
Hoover stick vac options range from cheaper cordless bags like the SL20 to the premium Hoover OnePwr Evolve Pet cordless cleaner, with deep carpet cleaning brush rolls and a runtime of over 50 minutes.
Tineco
Smart sensor tech automatically adjusts suction power across surfaces with Tineco's advanced cordless vacuums. The A11 Hero model can also be converted to a handheld vacuum.
Pricing Considerations
Cordless stick vacuum prices vary widely in Canada from around $100 to upwards of $900, depending on features and capabilities. Typical price ranges include:
Budget Stick Vacuums
The most affordable stick vacs cost between $100 and $200 representing lighter, more basic models best suited to hard floors and area rugs. Great options for small spaces include the Bissell Iconpet, Hoover Linx, and ONSON D18.
Mid-Range Stick Vacuums
Feature-packed mid-tier stick vacuums cost between $300 and $500 and add conveniences like swappable batteries, HEPA filtration, improved attachments, and increased suction power. Top picks include the Hoover OnePwr Blade and Shark Anti Hair Wrap vacuums.
Premium Smart Stick Vacuums
High-end Dyson, LG, and Tineco stick vacuums cost up to $900 and incorporate the most advanced power adjustments, filtration, lightweight materials, and runtimes of over one hour for whole-home cleaning convenience.
While more affordable vacuums are well-suited for smaller spaces, their runtime limits may frustrate larger floorplans. Investing more provides the power and battery endurance needed for convenient whole-home cleaning without cords getting in the way.
Conclusion
Cordless stick vacuums offer a lightweight, versatile cleaning option. They are conveniently tailored for smaller homes, apartments, condos, and dedicated spaces like stairs or vehicles. Their bagless, portable design with swappable batteries allows quick cleaning without the hassle of cords or hauling bulky traditional uprights.
While more affordably priced stick vacuums are well-suited for modest spaces, their shorter runtimes and less powerful suction may eventually frustrate owners with larger homes and mostly carpeted floors. Moving up in price and quality provides the boosted airflow, sustained battery endurance, and filtration needed for convenient whole-home cleaning.
When furnished with guidance on vital considerations like weight and ergonomics for portable use, expected runtimes per charge, suction abilities across floor types, dust bin capacities, and noise output, buyers can confidently select an exceptional stick vacuum that matches their cleaning needs. Compare leading brands available locally in Canada.
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