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So you’re inching your way into making your house the home of your dreams, decorating it with dashes of your own whimsy.
But cleaning a house, be it big or small, is a tedious job. And the vacuum cleaners with their bulky build just don’t seem to make the cut.
You’re probably considering buying one of the more modern stick vacuums. Worried about the price? Don’t be! Good things don’t always need to cost you a fortune, and we’re here to prove just that.
This list of the high-quality stick vacuums under $500 will help you pick out the one that suits your home and cleaning streak.Read through to find out just what we’re talking about.
Best Stick Vacuum Under $500
Starting from portability to charge time, battery life, and suction power, there are a plethora of things to look out for when buying a cleaning item.
The best thing to do in this case is to check out our reviews where we’ve clearly identified the pros and cons of the best products in the market.
Dyson Cyclone V10 Absolute Stick Vacuum Cleaner
This was the product that set the company on a milestone of creating amazing new stick and cordless machines yet never looking back. The product is a result of 5 years worth of development.
So it won’t be too far off to call this one a revolutionary item. And given its features and how much power it packs, it really isn’t a surprise but rather expected.
The motor inside this product is one of the smallest and lightest motors the company has ever made. Despite being over 40% lighter in comparison to previous motors, it can spin up to 125,000 rpm.
There’s a mini soft dusting brush included here. So you can use it on keyboards, curtains, and mattresses.
In action, it’s got 40 minutes of fade-free power in suction mode 1 and 20 minutes in suction mode 2. Again, it’s a cordless vacuum, so you have a lot of freedom plus battery runs for a long time.
This is quite the convenient product since it comes with both a combination tool and a wall mount. The detachable soft roller cleaner lets it pick up large debris and fine dust particles.
It’s also worth mentioning that this item has a really good balance in the user’s hand. You’ll be able to reach under your furniture and stand up to grab stuff from ceiling corners easily.
The long hose is removable so that you can turn it into a powerful hand tool as well. Another nice bonus is that any accessory from a V7 or V8 model is totally compatible with this one too.
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MOOSOO Cordless Vacuum 4 in 1 Powerful Suction Stick Handheld Vacuum Cleaner
Looking for something on a tight budget but still gets the job done? Then check this one out. This is a cordless vacuum that’s lightweight and easy to put together.
It has a plethora of features that make it versatile and efficient, and here’s our take on it.
Number one feature we’ll discuss is the cyclonic filtration system that can remove up to 99.99% of microscopic dust particles from the air.
It’s good for improving the overall living environment of your home by capturing and removing allergens.The second feature that’s a big winner is the washable HEPA filter. It can be replaced once a month and can be washed to improve suction power.
Storage is easy since this is wall mountable. You’ll have this fully charged in 5 hours since the batteries on this are quite powerful.The batteries are made of Lithium-ion with a capacity of 2200 mAh.
There are two-speed modes, and the battery is actually detachable so you can charge it separately if the cord doesn’t reach.
Not to mention the LED lighting system makes it easy to see in dark spots of the room and get them vacuumed.Its head is quite flexible, so you can get into all the hard-to-reach areas by folding and bending it.
As for floor suitability, it works great for hardwood, tile, marble, or carpeted floors. While it won’t totally clean a thick carpet, you can run it and clean flat pile, carpet runners with ease.
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Related Guide: Robot Vacuum Under $500
Dyson V7 Motorhead Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner
Keeping in mind about the homes with hard floors and less carpeting that need to get all the dirt out of those wood edges, we included this in our list.
While this product does work well on carpeted floors, you’ll have to run it on max power. But that usually reduces run time. Hence, the bigger the house, the longer it’ll take you to clean.
Even so, it comes with some really cool features for something under 500$. It’s got double the power of the V6 and great suction.
For beyond the floor cleaning, there’s a handheld feature as well. The dirt ejector is hygienic since it empties everything into the bin in a single go.
One of the most convenient things about this product is probably the docking section. It is wall-mountable, and you can charge it by sliding it in.
The attachments that come with the package can be popped onto the docking station as well. Stiff nylon bristles that are built-in drive into carpets and capture dirt.
It takes about 3 to 3.5 hours for the battery to get fully charged. When using a non-motorized tool with this, the run time lasts about 30 minutes and 20 minutes on normal mode.
This’ll fit under couches easily due to the low-profile head, and the bin volume for this is 0.14 gallons (which is plenty). The instant release trigger included in this lets the product save more battery power.
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Dyson V8 Animal Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner, Iron
All the pet-lovers out there will know how much fur a Maine Coon or German Shepherd sheds in a week (or even a day). We know cleaning all that up is a dirty business.
Hence, you might want to consider this vacuum from Dyson that’s specifically designed for pet-loving households.
There’s nothing more satisfying than cleaning messes that our pets make with a stylish lightweight machine in a matter of minutes.
First and foremost, this is a lightweight device at about 5.5 pounds. So it won’t weigh on your hand and you’ll be able to lift it up to clean fans or ceiling corners.
Another pro is that it has great maneuver. The motorized head is very flexible and can get into smaller spaces with ease.
Although you have to hold the trigger down while cleaning, it’s not too much of a problem when you’re just cleaning up something quick.
It might make you tired while vacuuming the whole house though. On the bright side, it does save battery life. It’s also cordless, so battery life is a big factor here.
Lots of attachments are included with this product. It comes with a mini motorized tool, a combination tool with bristles, and a mini soft brush.
The motorized head is mostly made of plastic and is perfect for carpets and hard floors but not for wood.
Since there are felt motorheads in the market, you can attach those with this and get the job done.
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Tineco A11 Hero EX Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner
Did someone say attachments? This beautiful product from Tineco is basically synonymous with the word because it includes more than ten of them.
Starting from the familiar mini-motorized tool to ones that look alien, you’ll be getting lots of versatile use options out of this machine. On a bonus note, it’s a really pretty color.
This product has two of the rarest features in cordless stick cleaners — awesome suction power and quietness. Your average machines have a DC motor.
But this one has a digital one that gives 5 times more suction power in comparison. It’s possible to take this up to 120W in max mode, and you’ll get fine results.
It has two Lithium batteries, both of which are 2000 mAh. These provide up to 50 minutes of run time, which will let you clean the entire house uninterrupted. It also has LED headlights, and a 4-stage sealed HEPA filtration.
You can clean dust particles of 0.3-micron size and expel fresh, clean air removing allergens from the living space.
For instant cleaning, you can use trigger mode, and for large areas, continuous power can be used. The one-touch empty dustbin makes it easier in comparison to vacs with filters.
It’s a master on the hard floors and great for transitioning from hard to soft surface around the house.
On a carpet, the regular head has no issue picking up larger debris though it struggles otherwise while it gets a straight A+ in deep cleaning.
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Dyson V7 Animal Pro+ Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
This is yet another option for people with pets at home and needs regular cleaning. In comparison to the V6, you’ll get 50% more run time with this device. That means you can use this for half an hour more.
It also has a larger bin capacity and 75% more suction power. Pair all this up with attachments and the extra neat features, and you have a solid masterpiece.
If you’re worried about pollen and allergens at home, then this can be used to clear those up as it has a HEPA filter.
The product is cordless, and you can use it to clean car seats and get into all the tiny corners and crevices to lift all the dirt and food scraps.
The attachments included with this are a mini-motorized tool, the combination tool, a mini soft dusting brush, a crevice tool, a dirt brush, and a hard floor tool that’s especially for going under the fridge or bed. With so many extra items, the price is definitely a good deal.
It has a whole machine filtration system that catches 99.97% of dust particles while expelling cleaner air.
You don’t have to replace a bin bag or clean a filter out as this comes with a hygienic bin emptying feature.
It ejects and empties the dust with a single action. The crevice tool it comes with can be bent and extends.
This requires one lithium battery to run and needs about 3.5 hours to charge. The docking station is super convenient and wall-mountable.
Despite all the good points, one thing you have to keep in mind is that this is a heavy tool. You can turn it into a handheld vac, but with the original head and pole, it weighs quite a lot.
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Dyson (214730-01) V8 Absolute Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner
With so many versions of the V8 lineup form this company, you’re probably wondering what the difference is. We wondered the same, and here’s what we found.
It is a lightweight (5.75 pounds) machine with the dimensions of 9.9 x 8.9 x 49 inches. This Absolute version does have its own quirks, which make it stand out.
Much like other cordless cleaners, it is hassle-free and runs on batteries. Up to 40 minutes of powerful suction is promised with this. But that’s not exactly what you’ll get with it.
Given you don’t use it with any motorized tool while in the normal mode, it’ll run for around 25 minutes.
As for cases where you do use any motorized tool or amp it up to max mode, you’ll get only 7 minutes.
But since it has a hold-on trigger to run the system, it’ll save tons of battery life and get you through rooms before running out.
If the battery temperature is below 37.4 degrees Fahrenheit (3 degrees Celsius) then the machine will automatically switch off. This feature has been included to prevent damage to the motor and battery.
It’s better to store this in an area with a temperature below this rate and charge it only after it cools down. Charging immediately after a full discharge is likely to reduce battery life in the long run.
The voltage for this device is 21.6 V. This has been made especially for hard floors, but you can use it on car seats and sofas by attaching other tools.
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Dyson V7 Animal Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner, Iron
One of the biggest gripes in the previous models from this brand was emptying the dust afterward.This is the product the company fixed the issue and redeemed themselves with.
All you need to do is pull out the lid of the bin, and the lower half automatically opens and empties out. No touching is required.
This has two filters, and they’re both really accessible and easy to twist or pull off. With this, the user will get a number of tools — crevice tools and brushes alongside combination tools.
One of the most exciting items included is the motorized handheld head which has bristles that spin. This can be used to clean stairs.
The motorized brush head that’s been given with this machine is supposed to imitate a regular vacuum in performance.
It has a nylon and carbon fiber bristles, which we guessed were meant to create static on the floor and pull out all the dust.
It is pretty loud when used in the max mode. So if you have kids or sensitive pets, don’t use it in nap time.However, it takes 3-4 hours to charge fully.
This product has 30 minutes of battery life. When using the crevice tool, the machine exceeds this time limit, and even when using a motorized brush head, the time just drops to 26-27 minutes.
This combined with the trigger system, saves run time. So you don’t have to worry about the machine dying on you.
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Tineco Pure ONE S12 M Lite Smart Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner
Chances are this is one of the geekiest cleaning equipment you’ll ever come across. This is a premium high-end cordless cleaner that’s on the top of its game.
You’ll get a nice selection of accessories with it, and each one is of good quality. With this everything you expect in a name brand product is included and more.
For example, this has an LED display at the top of it. This has the iLoop(TM) Smart Sensor Technology that can sense dirt and debris and adjusts the suction power accordingly on its own.
The run time can be extended up to 80 minutes with this for total cleaning. You’ve got a cyclonic style motor with 500W power on this that has an ultra-high performance.
For anyone who’s been cleaning with vacuums for a long time, the biggest nightmare is when the filter doesn’t dry after washing even after 24 hours. But with this one, they actually advise not to wash it.
The box comes with two filters and a filter vacuuming attachment system. If this didn’t win your heart yet, then consider the trigger lock feature.
And there’s Wi-Fi on this which is just wild. Instead of the old echo/turbo or normal mode settings, this has a capacitive touch strip on the handle for this device.
Besides the usual attachments, there’s an articulate one that lets you increase the length of the stick and reach drapes or the ceiling. Lastly, it’s mountable on the wall with electric connectors to charge it there.
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BISSELL ICONpet Cordless Vacuum Cleaner, 22889
Our final pick is one that’s sure to pull at your heartstrings because it’s from BISSELL — a company that supports homeless pets. Their products match their ethics, and this vacuum is no exception.
It’s a high performance, stylish, and well-made to help you take care of your home while thinking about the animals. And it’s pretty inexpensive given the quality overall.
This has been designed especially for homes with pets, and so packs a lot of power. It has a 21.6V Lithium-Ion battery that takes approximately 4 hours to charge.
The filter has a sealed system. Being just 7 pounds, it’s light on the hands and can be maneuvered easily.
You can use this to clean under the shelves and beds or any dark place since it has LED lights on the head.
It even comes with some neat accessories — a soft bare floor brush roll, a pet dusting brush, and a flexible crevice tool.
The roller brush it comes with doesn’t get tangled with fur or pet hair. Besides, the product is cordless, so you can use it with much freedom.
It’s possible to empty the canister once you’re done without removing parts of the vacuum. The battery life is also decent. Charging is easy since the docking station both acts as a tool mount and charging spot.
So, whether you’re the proud owner of a Labrador or Golden Retriever (or even a hairy Poodle), you can get this product knowing it’ll perform well.
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Important Features to Consider Before Buying
Here are the things you need to consider before buying one of these stick vacuums.
The Filter
It’s the filters that do the actual magic of vacuums. Filters trap all the dust and dirt particles and make sure your room gets clean air output. This is why you need to check what type of filter the cleaning equipment has.
If you are particularly allergic to dust or have an asthma patient at home, it’s a good idea to get one with a HEPA filter.
HEPA filters are designed to clean up to 99.97% of allergens and pollutants, which makes them perfect for people with a dust allergy. Check whether the filter is washable or not.
Many foam filters are easy to wash, so it’s quite convenient. And check with the manufacturer about how long you can use a filter before a replacement is needed.
Weight
While a flimsy machine isn’t going to last, a super heavy one will put more strain on your hands. Isn’t that the opposite of what it’s supposed to do? This is why weight is a factor you need to check before buying.
The type of material it’s built will affect the overall weight of the product. So do check the material.
Does the machine deliver most of the weight to the ground? Such vacuums are usually lighter on the hand and easier to maneuver around.
Running Time
Another matter to check is the running time. Every vacuum cleaner in the store has a certain running time enlisted in its features. The running time means how long your cleaner will work at full charge. But there’s a catch.
Most of the cleaners in the market don’t run as long as they claim to be and something with a 40 minutes tag will probably just last for 20. But don’t be put off by this.
The trick is to get one with at least 40 minutes running time or more. A cleaner with 60 minutes running time will do just fine when you are using a non-motorized tool.
Charging Time
If you’re the type of person who is absolutely articulate with their cleaning schedules, this will matter the most.
Some models may take 5 to 6 hours to get charged fully while others might require to charge overnight.
Although it’s not an issue when you can just charge them when you aren’t using them, there are certain pros of getting one with good batteries.Charging time is connected to battery type.
You might want to ask the salesman about the battery types before making the purchase. The most common battery types for cordless vacuums are nickel-metal hydride and lithium-ion batteries.
They work better than nickel-cadmium batteries and also last longer. Some models still use lead-acid batteries (which might leak).
Extra Tools and Accessories
You know what makes a device versatile? Add-ons and extra tools that you can attach and detach to your liking are what.
So, for getting multiple types of use out of your cordless cleaner, check what tools it comes with.
Many vacuums offer crevice tools, hard floor tools, or an upholstery tool to let you clean all the nooks and crannies easily.
A vacuum without added tools isn’t bad, but it does limit your use of it. By letting you only clean carpets and the suitable type of flooring, it lets you do just the bare minimum.
That’s why it’s better to go with a model that comes with versatile options in the first place. A mini motorized tool or soft dusting brush can turn a regular cordless vacuum into a car/furniture cleaner.
Wattage
The air watt rating indicates how well the power produced gets converted to suction on the basis of air movements through the vacuum.
Consider models with higher voltage batteries because they’ll provide more power and will hence give better performance. Anything starting from 18V and upwards will be perfect.
LED Light Feature
Who said a budget vacuum couldn’t be fancy? Lots of options are out there for you to choose from that have LED lights attached to them.
They’re neat because you’ll get to see under beds and sofas easily. Not to mention how handy this feature is when cleaning rooms without adequate lighting.
Bin Bags or Bagless?
Now coming to the big question — to get one with bags or no bags? Bagless vacuums have some pretty big advantages when it comes to expense and suction.
With them, you won’t have to buy dirtbags. There’ll be almost no loss of suction power in case of vacuums without bags.
But you’re going to have to clean the filters from time to time and get them replaced at one point.
As for the vacuums with bags, they’re the best options for people with allergies. No dirt gets released back into the air, and there’s no filter-cleaning involved. You can get a big dirtbag to make it last longer.
Suction Power
Handstick cleaners are designed to be light and smooth to move, but they often lack suction power. You need to have a benchmark set here.
Suction power is what makes the machine pick up dirt properly without leaving a grain or spec. Do not settle for anything below 18V.
Many times vacuums lift the dirt only from the middle portion and not from the edges. This leaves out the crevices and corners of furniture unclean. And this is why your vacuum will need more power to suck the dirt down the hose.
Say No to Noise
With the amount of noise pollution going on in our roads today, the last thing we need is noisy equipment at home.
Bagless vacuums tend to be louder compared to those with bags. Again, the size of the motor will heavily impact how noisy the machine is.
You’ll notice that a cleaner with a smaller but high-powered motor is quieter than one that’s got a big yet low-powered motor.
If noises from machines seem particularly annoying to you, go for something with 72 dB or lesser noise level.
Quieter vacuums can be life-saver, especially when you have a baby or sensitive pets.
Design (Aesthetics Matter!)
The design of the vacuum matters a lot too. If yours is a Dyson-type vacuum, then the battery and dust compartment is probably located at the top part. These weigh heavier on the hand but perform amazingly.
But the ones that have the canister at the bottom seem lighter because those designs transfer their weight onto the ground rather than on your hand.
However, the catch is in cleaning under furniture. The ones with the canister at the top can be used to clean in small spaces in between the furniture and under beds.
However, the bulky lower part makes the latter types harder to use in such areas.
Easy-Clean Canisters
A machine that’s difficult to clean will just create more work than reducing it. Something like that isn’t worth buying.
So no matter the budget, consider how easy it is to clean the cleaner’s canister. Check whether the filter or canister can be removed or not.
These days there are models with removable cleaning brushes for ease of use. Remember that the suction power is also improved when the machine’s filter is kept unblocked. So get one that’s easy to clean.
The Speed Settings
Although this shouldn’t be the deciding factor while getting stick cleaners, we thought you’d like to know about it.
The settings included in most of these handheld cleaners are two-turbo and low-speed settings.
Most of the time (almost always), you’re going to have to run your machine on turbo mode yet still complain about the suction not being enough. But you need to use the other setting once in a while too.
When you want to use your machine on your furniture or mattress, that’s when the low-speed setting comes into play.To remove pet hair from your sofa, this mode is the one you want.
Therefore, it’s a good idea to get one with two modes instead of one. The price might drop a bit for one with just turbo mode, but consider how much more work you’ll get done with both.
Floor Type
The next tip we’ve got for you is to check what floors the machine can be used on. This isn’t a fast-fashion clothing style with a “one size fits all” tag.
Not all vacuums can be used on all types of floors. So make sure the one you’re getting works for your flooring at home or wherever you plan to use it.
Do you have hard floors or soft ones? Are the surfaces mostly carpeted or just bare wood? Tiles and mosaics will need different types of machines.
Don’t hesitate to ask the store owner and salesperson to know whether that product is suitable for the floor you’ll use it on.
Try Before You Buy
The last and final advice is to test run your machine. You should try running it on different types of floors and get a feel for the suction. Use it for a while and check the canister and filter — is it easy to clean?
Also, consider your furniture type and see if the machine fits everywhere. Try before you buy because it’s your money and you shouldn’t settle for anything that just won’t work.
Useful Tips about Vacuum Cleaning for All Kinds of Floors
No matter how good your vacuum is, it might not work for the floor you have if it’s not built for it. That’s why you first need to know what kind of floors you can use a certain model on.
Different Settings for Different Floors
Use the different settings for transitioning from hard to soft floors. It’s best to maintain a cleaning schedule so that you don’t have to deep clean carpets every day.
Start from the Center
A rule of thumb is to vacuum carpets and rugs from the center going outward. If your machine isn’t waterproof, don’t use it to pick up wet food items or debris.
Charge It as Needed
Cleaning thick carpets or densely packed dirt in crevices will require your machine to be set on max mode.
So have it charged accordingly before since most cordless products don’t last long when powered on high.
Frequently Asked Questions
For pet hair, there’s a specific type of stick vac that has more suction power comparatively. The Animal version of some name brand vacuums like V7 or V8 works great in this regard.
Honestly, almost any vac can be used given it’s fully charged and set on max power. Usually, to remove pet hairs from sofas and couches it’s better to use the soft brush or combo tool.
The reason might be for using it on turbo/max mode all the time. Unless you’re deep cleaning or getting some really stubborn dirt off, it’s not necessary to use maximum power all the time.
The run time for almost all stick vacs reduces significantly when they’re using full suction power.
Filters are usually cleaned once a month. As for bin bags, you’ll notice when it starts to stain and get worn down. It’s really all about individual users.
These types of cleaners take about 3-5 hours to charge. Some might require more time, and you can leave those at the charging dock overnight.
You can use a vacuum with a High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter that’s built to remove pollens and allergens while expelling clean air into the environment.
These can get rid of almost 99.97% of the dust, so it’s best for asthma patients.
Final Words
Cleaning is a breeze when you have the right tools at hand. It’s a bonus when the gear is on a budget.
So go ahead and get one from our list of the top-rated stick vacuum under $500 because you deserve the best.