Best 2-in-1 Handheld & Stick Vacuum Cleaners

The Shark Rocket Ultra-Light HV302 is a powerful stick vacuum cleaner that works to compete alongside models from companies like Dyson. Using a powerful motorized brush roll that can be turned off seamlessly in the middle of operation, the Shark Rocket is a no-brainer for homes that have both hardwood and carpet. As a stick and upright vacuum cleaner, there’s virtually nothing to complain about. While Shark’s stick vacuums function more like a capable stick vacuum than a traditional 2-in-1 model, this Rocket model vacuum has more than enough strength to make handheld mode worthwhile for cleaning.

As a handheld product, however, you may need a little bit of elbow grease to get the Rocket moving. At a little under 8 pounds, the Rocket can be a bit heavy to maneuver around with one arm. As a corded vacuum, there’s little worry about running out of power, but moving this motor and bin around is going to take some work on your end. Thankfully, there are more than enough attachments to maximize your time spent cleaning. This model also cannot stand upright, but an included wall mount fixes this problem easily.

The Home & Car Detail kit is a welcome addition and makes this a worthy product to use as a car vacuum on top of a 2-in-1. The dusting brush and crevice tool are also long and easy to use, and when it comes to floors, the hard floor hero works best for tight corners and the like. So provided you’re willing to bulk up a bit and take some time to get used to a few quirks, this product has something for everyone.

2-in-1 vacuum cleaners, as we’ll be getting into a little bit later on, are not known for their powerful suction power but rather their versatility. This Dyson product manages to keep the 2-in-1 model while still maintaining their standard of power.

The Dyson V8 is Dyson’s premiere stick vacuum, which, like the Shark Rocket, can be quickly converted into a handheld product. This Dyson also includes a brush roll that can be turned off and even a soft brush roll attachment that will protect hardwood floors while still cleaning in between planks and panels.

Suction power has always been the primary focus of the Dyson company, and this holds true with the V8. That strength results in significantly reduced functionality. The attachments included especially the motorized pet tool, are well-built and work great, though the trigger-based operation is often reported to be uncomfortable. If you manage to hold down the trigger constantly, the vacuum will drain far faster than its reported 40-minute runtime, which can be a big issue for larger homes. Still, build quality and suction are second-to-none when compared to others on this list. If you’re looking for a 2-in-1 vacuum with a focus on flooring and strength, the Dyson V8 might be the pick for you.

Hoover’s 2-in-1 entry looks precisely as you would expect a hybrid vacuum cleaner to work, and with a size and cordless variant like this, Hoover clearly took the time to make a product to last. The Hoover 2-in-1 Air Cordless Deluxe stick vacuum cleaner is one of the higher-end models in Hoover’s Air line and comes with battery functionality that can make it a joy to use for smaller homes.

While the Shark Rocket and Dyson V8 focused on flooring, the Hoover’s big strength is its handheld functionality. The motorized turbo tool makes it easy to pick up pet hair and clean upholstery with more detail than many of our other picks, and the crevice tool is thin and small enough to get into the tightest of places. Unfortunately, that’s where the attachments end on the handheld functionality.

In stick vacuum mode, the Hoover 2-in-1 Air uses an on/off brush roll to pick up dirt and debris without damaging your hardwood floors. LED headlights make this a much simpler task in the darker sections of your home, but since the brush roll still spins quite a bit on hardwood mode, you might be spewing dirt around more often than with other products on this list.

The biggest detriment to the Hoover 2-in-1 is the battery life. The 15-minute duration is listed without including the motorized tools, so for larger homes, this could pose a problem. For smaller homes and apartments, however, the Hoover 2-in-1 Air Cordless Deluxe is great option for pet hair, carpets, and most other needs.

This Dirt Devil product is about as straightforward as a 2-in-1 vacuum can get. Rock-bottom pricing and simple solutions clearly inspired both the design as well as the name of this Dirt Devil product. The Dirt Devil Simpli-Stik is a lightweight, corded stick vacuum cleaner that features a removable handheld vacuum much like that on the Hoover 2-in-1 Air. Coming in under 4 pounds, there’s little to fear about this vacuum putting dents on furniture or scratching up floors. Unfortunately, this lightweight design means that there’s no brush roll to really pick up debris in carpet fibers.

In handheld mode, the Simpli-Stik benefits from a build in crevice tool. With this, there’s never a need to search for or stow away attachments. There are no additional attachments or features, but the small motor packs enough of a punch to make cleaning simple. The smaller bin size means that emptying the debris will need to take place about every room or so, but since the Simpli-Stik is designed with apartments and small homes in mind, this might not be much of an issue. Long story short: provided you’re alright with the lack of versatility; the Dirt Devil Simpli-Stik simply works.