Buying guide for best Hoover stick vacuums
With a balance of power and portability, stick vacuums are the go-to device for those seeking to clean smaller homes and apartments. These lightweight vacuum cleaners offer a world of versatility for their users, with a variety of attachments that can be employed when tackling carpets, rugs, floors, stairs, and even furniture and cars.
Hoover is one of the most trusted and iconic names in vacuums. This American company has been selling cleaning devices for over 100 years, and they offer a range of options, including an assortment of stick vacuums that are ideal for compact spaces. Unlike bulky upright vacuums, stick vacuums can get into every nook and cranny and are easy to store when not in use.
Hoover’s stick vacuum collection offers convenience and specialized features that seek to make cleaning more efficient, effective, and perhaps even enjoyable for those who find vacuuming a chore. For quick shopping, don’t forget to check out our product recommendations for the top Hoover stick vacuums.
Key considerations
Stick vacuums
Stick vacuums offer more maneuverability than upright and canister vacuums. They have a slender, lightweight design that allows for easy movement through rooms and convenient storage as well. Stick vacuums also provide more power and coverage than handheld vacuums.
As such, stick vacuums are ideal for those in smaller spaces, particularly apartments or multi-level homes, as well as any space that has a variety of surfaces. Stick vacuums lack the size and power of upright vacuums, which are designed for larger homes, particularly those occupied by active families with kids or pets. However, they will serve apartments and cozier homes where you want a vacuum that doesn’t take up a lot of space.
Cordless
Hoover’s collection of stick vacuums are all cordless, powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. The cord-free design allows for easier cleanups, particularly isolated spot cleaning where a mess needs to be tackled quickly. What’s more, no cord means no cords getting tangled around furniture or the need to find a new outlet as you move from room to room.
However, batteries run for a limited time each usage and need to be properly maintained. Hoover stick vacuums offer between 15 minutes and 45 minutes of runtime, depending on the battery’s capacity and how it’s being used. Generally, you need about one minute of runtime for every 40 to 50 square feet of space in your home. However, you may not be tackling every inch of your space when breaking out the vacuum. While additional runtime is convenient, keep in mind that it typically raises the vacuum’s price.
Expect charging times to take between three and four hours to achieve max capacity. Cordless vacuums can be less reliable than corded models that have a trusted, unlimited power source in outlets. They tend not to last as long either, as batteries will likely need to be replaced every few years.
Surfaces
Hoover stick vacuums pick up dirt from a variety of surfaces, making them ideal for those who have both carpet and hard floors in their home. The devices can toggle power based on the surface. Hard floors require basic suction since dirt is easy to pick up, while thicker carpets call for increased agitation in order to dislodge and pull up debris trapped within the fibers.
If you have delicate or expensive floors, you’ll want to take note of the brush head. Some models are not as gentle as others and can damage certain flooring.
Some Hoover vacuums, including a few stick models, feature an LED headlight at the front. These handy lamps help identify any dirt or other particles in darker carpets that may be hard to spot.
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Features
Attachments
Most Hoover stick vacuums come with at least one attachment to add versatility. The main brush head easily comes off with the click of a button and attachments can be added in its place. Similarly, some models allow you to replace the stick portion with an attachment, turning the vacuum into a handheld cleaner for more precision.
- Crevice tool: This is the most common and important attachment included with Hoover stick vacuums. The slender nozzle attaches to the bottom of the unit and allows for the cleaning of corners and edges around the home. Crevice tools are ideal at getting into couch cushions, along floorboards where dust accumulates, and even around ceilings.
- Upholstery tool: This attachment, as the name suggests, is designed for furniture. It allows for powerful yet gentle cleanup of dirt and crumbs from chairs and couches. It minimizes agitation and disturbance of the material so that it doesn’t damage the furniture.
- Dusting brush: A dusting brush allows for cleaning in hard-to-reach places, particularly where dust accumulates. Use this attachment for ceiling fans, atop shelves, and for those spots that can’t be easily accessed by hand.
- Microfiber hard-floor nozzle: A specialized attachment, this option is designed for hard floors. It’s relatively large in size, allowing you to pick up bigger pieces of debris or crumbs. It’s also more sensitive in order to avoid scratching or marring the surface of hard floors.
Pet hair
Some Hoover stick vacuums are designed to tackle long, thick pet hair that comes from active and shed-prone furry friends. These models come at a premium price but feature brush heads that dig deeper and better agitate clingy hair. Some pet models include a specific attachment designed to pick up the toughest of pet hair.
While pet-focused vacuums can prove useful, they may not be necessary for all pet owners. If you have a short-haired dog or low-profile carpets, the extra power may be overkill.
FloorSense technology
Some stick models feature FloorSense, one of Hoover’s trademarked technologies. With FloorSense, the vacuum will identify the surface it’s cleaning and automatically adjust. For carpets, the brush head will turn more quickly, agitating the fibers to better pick up dirt. When the vacuum moves to floors, the brush will recognize the surface and slow its roll so as not to disperse particles and damage floors.
DID YOU KNOW?
Stick vacuums are designed to make vacuuming easier. Their slim profile, lightweight construction, and simple usage may even encourage you to vacuum weekly.
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Accessories
Carpet cleaners: Hoover Pro Clean Pet Upright Carpet Cleaner
Stick vacuums will pick up dirt and dust, but they won’t penetrate deep down into carpets. For that, you’ll need a powerful carpet cleaner like this Hoover model, which is specifically designed for pets and is used to remove stains and odors.
Brooms: OXO Large Upright Sweep Set
It’s advised to give floors a quick sweep before using a stick vacuum in order to target any larger or more troublesome pieces of debris that could clog the vacuum. This sizable broom and dustpan set by OXO is durable and effective.
Hoover stick vacuum prices
Inexpensive: For a little under $200, you can find a lighter, less powerful yet still reliable Hoover stick vacuum. These models have a shorter runtime.
Mid-range: Most Hoover stick vacuums cost between $200 and $250, with options that include a variety of attachments.
High-end: The most powerful and versatile of the stick vacuums by Hoover cost over $250. These feature longer-running batteries and powerful suction.
Most vacuum clogs take the form of thick dust balls or clumps of hair. These can be extracted with small tools, like a pencil, coat hanger, or tweezers.
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Tips
- Empty outside. If possible, empty the contents of the stick vacuum’s canister outside of the home. Dust will escape upon opening the canister, creating a new mess or dispersing into the air.
- Use the wall mount. Most Hoover stick vacuums come with a wall mount so that you can save space when storing. Some wall mounts allow for the hanging of attachments as well.
- Avoid wet messes. Hoover stick vacuums are not recommended for cleaning damp or wet areas in the house. Sucking up moist materials can clog the vacuum and create even more of a mess when it comes time for emptying.
- Clean regularly. It may not always appear like floors are dirty, but a quick run of a vacuum will prove otherwise. Floors and surfaces should be vacuumed every one or two weeks, depending on who’s in the home and how frequently.
FAQ
Q. How do I maintain the battery on a Hoover stick vacuum?
A. Once you are done vacuuming, it’s important to charge the battery so that it’s ready for its next use. Avoid using the vacuum with a battery that isn’t fully charged. The battery will need to be charged when your new vacuum arrives. Make sure to place the charger in a cool, dry place away from any potential exposure to extreme temperatures or moisture, which can damage the battery.
You can expect the stick vacuum’s battery to last about three years. Once the battery dies, do not throw it away. It must be disposed of in an environmentally conscious manner. Your city or town should have guidelines for getting rid of batteries, which may mean dropping it off at a specific location or scheduling a pickup.
Q. How do I fix a clog in a Hoover stick vacuum?
A. One of the appeals of stick vacuums is their ease of use and maintenance. Since most Hoover stick vacuums come apart in several pieces by design, finding and removing a clog is fairly simple. You can remove the main attachment from the bottom of the device and inspect that. On most models, you can also remove the tube, allowing you to check for a clog there as well as near the handheld portion of the unit. Lastly, the canister is easily removed for emptying.
Q. How do I clean a Hoover stick vacuum?
A. Cleaning stick vacuums is fairly simple. After you empty the dust canister, wash the filter by running it under warm water. Rinse thoroughly and then let it air dry for 24 hours. Do not operate the unit until the filter is completely dry. The separator – the band around the dust canister – can also be removed and wiped down. Avoid using soap or other harsh chemicals when cleaning your stick vacuum.
