These days, we are always looking for ways to make things easier. And a stick vacuum is one of the gadgets that make vacuuming more convenient. A good one is easy and light to move around, easy to store and offers multiple uses to handle various kinds of mess. 

When picking the best stick vacuum in Australia, first we’ve looked at the most popular vacuums worldwide. Then from those, we reviewed CHOICE, the customer advocacy group, as well as Consumer to check whether they’ve been reviewed or recommended there too.

Focusing on the Australian market, we checked productreview.com.au to see how the stick vacuums performed in Aussie households.

When opting for the stick vacuum, you need to consider the fact that it will be less effective than the standard one. 

The main criteria that we used when looking for the best one are the convenience, effortless steering, quick charging time and long run time, a minimum of 20 minutes. They are generally more expensive but that’s the price you’ll pay for their convenience.

The 9 Best Stick Vacuums in Australia

• Our Top Pick #1 Dyson V8 Absolute
• Our Top Pick #2 Dyson V7 Animal
• Our Top Pick #3 Bosch Athlet Zoo’s ProAnimal
• Dyson V10 Absolute+
• LG CordZero A9 MULTI 2X
• Dyson V6 Absolute
• Shark Rocket Complete DuoClean
• Bissell AirRam
• Kmart 2 in 1 Cordless Stick Vacuum

Our Top Pick #1 – Dyson V8 Absolute

The Dyson V8 Absolute is the champion of stick vacuums and with Dyson’s vacuum legacy it doesn’t come as a surprise. 

It is the same price in Australia as the Dyson V7 Animal, but better. When comparing the two, the V8 features more attachments, longer running time and better suction.

Multifunctional

It features two different cleaning heads suitable for various floor types. The soft one is suitable for hard floors and the direct-drive cleaner head is designed for carpets and dives deep to remove even the ingrained dirt.

Four different cleaning tools make sure that this bad boy handles all the cleaning tasks. It comes with a mini motorised tool which is ideal for upholstery, a mini soft dusting brush, a crevice tool and a combination tool that enables you to reach the ceilings. 

2-in-1

Another great thing about our top stick vacuum is that it is basically two vacuums in one and it can transform into a handheld. This is great for spot cleans and reaching difficult places such as stairs, desks, or even the boot of your car.

Battery Life

One of the crucial features, where most of the cheap stick vacuums fail, is the battery life. That’s why an impressive 40-minute battery life and 4 hours until the full recharge of the V8 makes a big difference. 

According to the customer reviews, the time listed is accurate and even on max power mode, it can last up to 10 minutes, which is sufficient time in order to deep clean a certain area.

The HEPA Filter

The High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter unique to Dyson is separating this stick vacuum from the pack even further. It makes it a great choice for allergy sufferers since it catches particles smaller than 0.3 micrometres, filters 99.7% of the bacteria, pathogens and microbial spores.

It clears the particles that can cause health issues and the sealed system captures allergens for cleaner air. This filter was even approved by the National Asthma Council’s Sensitive Choice programme. 

Other Good Points

Another good detail about this vacuum is that the docking station that charges it also holds all the attachments, which means that the vacuum can be stored neatly.

Even though the dust bin fills up quickly it’s easy to empty and doesn’t require any touching which makes it completely mess-free. 

The quality of the vacuum is reflected by the hundreds of happy customer reviews. 

Negatives to Keep in Mind

Price

The best stick vacuum comes with a big price tag. But because it’s capable and versatile enough to be the main vacuum rather than a secondary one, the price can be justified. 

Trigger

Instead of a classic on/off switch, it requires you to squeeze the trigger in order to operate, therefore can be challenging and uncomfortable for older people or those with chronic wrist pain.

Our Top Pick #2 – Dyson V7 Animal

Not so far behind our winner is the close runner up, Dyson V7 Animal, which is Dyson’s older model but still remains the top choice.

In Australia, it is sold for the same price but doesn’t offer as much as the V8. Let’s see how the two compare. 

The V7 Animal features:

• 3 instead of 4 cleaning tools: crevice tool, combination tool and mini motorized tool. It doesn’t have the mini dusting brush for cleaning electronics
• 30 minutes of suction with a full charge
• 1 cleaner head: the direct-drive cleaner head is effective with pet hair and deep cleaning the carpets, it doesn’t feature a soft head for the hard floors
• Max power tool included for boosted cleaning
• 2-in-1: transforms into a handheld
• Charging and storage stand
• The same mess-free disposal bin that requires no touching

The Dyson V7 Animal features the majority of the Absolute’s functions and is a good investment, which is reflected by positive reviews and is loved by Aussies. 

Our Top Pick #3 – Bosch Athlet Zoo’o ProAnimal

If you’re after something more affordable, consider the Bosch Athlet Zoo’s ProAnimal vacuum which is around $300 cheaper than the Dyson competitors. 

Its bizarre name reflects its main area of expertise. It’s specifically designed for picking up pet hair and its effectiveness in that is confirmed by independent reviews. 

On/Off Switch

Contrary to the Dysons, this Bosch stick vacuum has a traditional on/off switch that is easier to operate and not challenging on your wrist.

Long Runtime

It has an impressive 60 minutes of runtime that can be charged back to full within 6 hours. And while some reviews say it lasts only 40 minutes, it is still longer than you would expect from a stick vacuum. 

Flexibility

It features upholstery as well as crevice tool that is effective on a variety of surfaces from floors to ceilings, stairs or tight corners.

It has a great suction power for a range of flor types but only comes with 1 brush head and misses the hard-floor specific one. 

There are 3-speed modes in comparison with Dyson’s 2. Level 1 is designed for easy cleaning and long runtime, the level 2 is designed for normal cleaning and the third turbo function has the shortest runtime but can combat ingrained dirt.

Other Good Points

• Washable filter
• LED indicator that notifies you when the filter needs cleaning
• No charging stand allows you to store it hidden in a corner
• Good reviews

Negatives to Keep in Mind

• The longer, 6 hour change time
• No storage for accessories
• Doesn’t transform into a handheld vacuum as Dyson does
• No HEPA filter
• Small bin gets full quickly and the filter needs to be pulled out, so it can be messier

The Rest from the Best

Dyson V10 Absolute+

This is an upgraded version of the Dyson V8. And while the Dyson V10 Absolute+ will cost you a lot more, it doesn’t bring that much more to the table.

It comes with 3 power modes, but on the level 2 setting, the one which you will probably use the most, it cleans less well that the V8.

The range of attachment tools is expanded with 2 more, making it 8 altogether. The extra flexi-crevice tool and an extension hose seem unnecessary rather than useful.

Dyson claims ‘60 minutes of fade-free suction’ which seems to be true at the lowest setting. While the reviews are positive, because it is extremely expensive, you should only consider it if you seriously need that extra minutes of runtime. 

LG CordZero A9 MULTI 2X

The LG CordZero A9 MULTI 2X is more expensive than the Dyson 2 top picks but the features aren’t convincing enough to spend that much extra money.

It claims 80 minutes of runtime but the independent testing showed that it is nowhere near that number. On turbo mode, the run time goes drastically down, lasting only 12 minutes. It comes with 2 batteries which are useful and save you the need to wait before you can use it again.

It doesn’t have Dyson’s exclusive HEPA filter but it features 5-step filtration. Filters are removable and washable, but the clean up can be messy. At least the bin remains easy to empty.

Other features include 2 attachment tools, comb and crevice ones, adjustable height, allowing 4 different lengths and a multi-surface brush head with a hard floor specific one too. 

Dyson V6 Absolute

Dyson V6 Absolute is cheaper while similar to V7 and V8. While it has a shorter running time of 20 minutes, it still has some good features like 3 cleaning tools, max power mode and a HEPA filter.

That is the reason why the V6 is worth considering as a more budget-friendly option, especially for a small house that doesn’t require a long run time. 

Shark Rocket Complete DuoClean

The Shark Rocket Complete DuoClean has all the essential features such as 1 brush head, 2 power modes and 3 attachable tools while it is more affordable than Dyson’s two top picks. 

Additionally, it also has built-in LED lights that help you see the mess in the dark areas. And while it also transforms into a hand vac, it is corded, which makes the maneuvering a bit more difficult. 

Bissell AirRam

The basic cordless stick vacuum, Bissell AirRam is a good entry-point choice with impressive suction and hair picking abilities. 

The visible battery gauge shows you how much battery it has left. It has a 30-minute runtime, 5-hour recharge, and it is a little bit bulky making certain areas hard to reach. 

It only has 1 non-changeable head and no attachment tools. It also lacks a bag or a cylinder. It compresses dirt into disposable small bales instead, which minimises dust. 

Kmart 2 in 1 Cordless Stick Vacuum

The cheap Kmart 2 in 1 Cordless Stick Vacuum is very affordable and well-reviewed.

It includes 2 in 1 crevice tool and motorised power brush suitable for different surfaces. It also claims 40-minute run time and a HEPA filter. At that price, we’re a little bit sceptical about those two. 

Factors to Consider Before You Buy

• Low Profile – the stick vacuums that are bulky make it harder to reach more difficult spots
• Easy Steering – easy manoeuvring is the biggest convenience and advantage of stick vacuums and makes up the bulk of its pleasant experience
• Runtime – a few models can deliver 1 hour run time but some of them can only manage 10 minutes, when choosing your stick vacuum, base your run time requirements on the size of your home and try to aim for a minimum of 20 minutes
• Size – choose one that is thin, convenient and lightweight

• Versatility – vacuums that are made to work with a variety of surfaces won’t scratch the delicate floors
• Multi-use – if you’re using your stick vacuum as the main rather than a secondary vacuum, choose the one with more functionality and accessory cleaning tools
• Battery – aim for a minimum of 20-volt battery which will ensure decent suction power- decent suction power
• Waste removal – the washable or HEPA filters reduce the amount of dust and make it easier to clean
• Go Cordless for convenience and for a corded one if you’re after instant power without the need for charging
• If you’re after cleaning deep carpets and ingrained mess, choose the vacuum that offers more cleaning power

The Verdict

When you choose a stick vacuum over a normal one, you need to be ready to sacrifice the suction power and battery performance. What you get in return is the convenience that makes it easy to clean around the furniture and allows quick on-the-spot cleanups. 

Our best picks are the Dyson V8 Absolute with impressive run time, a range of tools and a HEPA filter that ensures cleaner air. The Dyson V7 Animal, being the same price in Australia, is a great choice too. It is very similar to V8 and offers good runtime, 2 power modes, 3 tools, HEPA filter and 2-in-1 flexibility.

If you’re after a good stick vacuum but want to save a few hundred dollars, the Bosch Athlet Zoo’s ProAnimal is a great choice with a wide range of attachments and exceptional at cleaning pet hair.