Every Reason Why I Love This (Best List-Winning!) $34 Stick Vacuum

For the most part, especially as a career product tester, I do believe you get what you pay for. In most cases, cheap furniture will have to be replaced within a couple of years, and poorly made home tech products eventually malfunction. Among the few exceptions is the BISSELL Featherweight Stick Vacuum, the under-$35 answer to keeping a clean home without shelling out hundreds — if not thousands — for the tools to do so. When I purchased the Featherweight vacuum, I was working on a move to NYC with little to no spare cash… or space for that matter. At first, you might be skeptical as to how well this tiny machine works. However, not only am I amazed at the heavy-duty jobs it’s handled over the years, but the fact that it’s still going strong is beyond me. Let’s just say, it continues to earn it’s spot as a Best List winner for a reason.

Weighing less than 3 pounds, this BISSELL gives me no excuse to not tidy every corner and surface of my apartment, from sofa to ceiling fan. I’ve been known to lift the entire thing to vacuum up ceiling dust bunnies, but it does break down into a handheld vacuum with an extended crevice tool if you’re not as rebellious (or lazy… depending on how you look at it). Said crevice tool is mighty useful for cleaning otherwise hard-to-reach areas of the home, including the tops of window frames, in between the couch cushions, and baseboards. Regardless, its parts break down, making it easy for storing in apartments and homes with limited space. That said, even when it’s fully assembled, the vacuum is slim enough to fit in my tiny coat closet without taking up any more room than my broom.

Additionally, the Featherweight is bagless and features an easy-empty dirt cup that you can detach at the push of a button. This allows for hassle-free maintenance after every clean. You’ll also be happy to learn that the vacuum works well on just about any surface, be it hard floors or mid-pile rugs.

Because it’s corded, the BISSELL Featherweight doesn’t die mid-session, nor do I need to wait for it to recharge fully before using it again. This definitely gives it a leg up on even the most expensive cordless models out there, in my opinion. And, if you’re worried about the cord getting tangled or being too short, there’s no need. At 15 feet long, the cord allows you to clean across the room from its outlet while also allowing you to easily keep it straight as you move. Despite its incredibly lightweight design, the Featherweight has proven itself a sturdy cleaning tool that holds up amid daily use.

Reliability is everything when it comes to household essentials, and this vacuum delivers that on all fronts, from immediate use to longevity and durability. Something that could matter just as much, though, is color variety, and the Featherweight comes in three different hues that make buying one for every floor in your home mighty tempting. If my Featherweight vacuum wasn’t still doing its best work, I’d buy it (or a few…) again in a heartbeat.

Buy: BISSELL Featherweight Stick Vacuum, $33.98