Review: Dirt Devil Simpli-Stik Vacuum

3.4
Based on methodology below
61
Insights analyzed
31
Grouped by key features
5
From expert reviews
Scores below reflect consolidated expert coverage across these features.
Bottom Line

Choose it for quick hard-floor crumbs in small spaces and a cheap handheld option; Skip it if you need pet-hair lift on carpets or easy large-debris pickup—this stick is light and simple, but limited.

Best for

Dorms, apartments, RVs, and quick kitchen/bathroom touchups where you want a super-light, corded stick that also converts to handheld for crumbs and corners.

Not for

Homes with lots of carpet, pets, or frequent large-debris messes; the brushless floorhead and small intake mean hair and bigger bits can be frustrating.

Verdict

Across the reviews, the Simpli-Stik lands as a bargain, corded 3-in-1 that’s genuinely handy for fast hard-floor touchups. Multiple testers note strong airflow for its size and surprisingly good crevice pickup, plus a quick switch to handheld mode. The main tradeoff is floorhead design: without a brush roll and with a low-clearance nozzle, it struggles with embedded hair, thicker rugs, and larger debris unless you lift or angle the head. Noise can be high, and the small bin/filter can clog or dirty quickly, so upkeep matters. If you treat it as a lightweight spot-cleaner (not a primary vacuum), it makes sense.

Pros

  • 4.5
    based on 1 review
    Crevice / Groove Pickup (Hard Floors): 4.5, based on 1 review
    Crevice/groove pickup on hard floors is a standout; at least one comparison found one-pass crevice pickup performance that many vacuums fail to match.
  • 4.4
    based on 3 reviews
    Weight: 4.4, based on 3 reviews
    Very light overall; multiple reviewers call it extremely lightweight and easy on the arm, making it suitable for quick grab-and-go use.
  • 4.2
    based on 3 reviews
    Hard Floor — Fine Dust Pickup: 4.2, based on 3 reviews
    Hard-floor fine debris pickup is generally strong, with multiple demos showing fast cleanup of dust and small particles on kitchens/hardwood.
  • 4.2
    based on 1 review
    Surface safety with attachments: 4.2, based on 1 review
    Attachments/floorhead materials are generally considered safe for hard floors; one review notes soft wheels that shouldn’t scratch and a rubber strip that guides debris without scuffing.
  • 4.0
    based on 2 reviews
    Storage footprint and upright-stand stability: 4.0, based on 2 reviews
    Easy to store due to the slim, lightweight stick format; several reviews frame it as a closet/dorm-friendly backup vacuum.
  • 4.0
    based on 1 review
    Aesthetic design and finish: 4.0, based on 1 review
    Design is often described as compact and good-looking for the price, with a simple, no-frills finish.
  • 4.0
    based on 1 review
    Bin and Bag: 4.0, based on 1 review
    Small bagless dirt cup is easy to open and dump, but capacity is limited so frequent emptying is likely for bigger messes.
  • 4.0
    based on 1 review
    Cord management: 4.0, based on 1 review
    Cord management is modest but present; at least one review mentions cord wrap/holders on the back, while others still found the cord a general nuisance.
  • 4.0
    based on 1 review
    Ease of use: 4.0, based on 1 review
    Ease of use is a core strength: reviewers repeatedly mention grab-and-go convenience, simple mode switching, and low effort on hard floors, with most frustrations tied to the cord and floorhead limitations rather than complexity.
  • 4.0
    based on 1 review
    Edge and Baseboard Cleaning (Hard Floors): 4.0, based on 1 review
    Edge/baseboard cleaning is helped by floorhead cutouts and a crevice option; some reviews explicitly call out decent edge cleaning on hard floors.
  • 3.9
    based on 2 reviews
    Convertible handheld design: 3.9, based on 2 reviews
    The 3-in-1 conversion (stick to handheld/crevice) is repeatedly praised as fast and convenient for couch crumbs, corners, and quick spot jobs.
  • 3.7
    based on 3 reviews
    Suction and Airflow: 3.7, based on 3 reviews
    Airflow/suction is surprisingly strong for the class; reviewers note good pickup in crevices and solid hard-floor results. Performance drops when the floorhead can’t maintain clearance or when intake clogs on bigger bits.
  • 3.6
    based on 2 reviews
    Assembly and Setup: 3.6, based on 2 reviews
    Assembly/setup is straightforward: parts slot/screw together quickly, and switching configurations is simple once you learn the release buttons.
  • 3.6
    based on 1 review
    Floorhead design: 3.6, based on 1 review
    Floorhead design is a key limiter: no brush roll and low clearance can make big debris harder to ingest without lifting, though some like the rubber strip and edge cutouts.
  • 3.6
    based on 4 reviews
    Price and Value: 3.6, based on 4 reviews
    Consistently described as very cheap ($20–$30 range). Value depends on expectations: great as a backup/spot-cleaner, but disappointing if you want full-home cleaning or strong carpet results.
  • 3.6
    based on 4 reviews
    Build quality and durability: 3.6, based on 4 reviews
    Build quality impressions vary: some call it plasticky and cheap-feeling, while others say the plastic feels relatively solid; one review suggests it survived rough handling/throws.
  • 3.5
    based on 1 review
    Comparative performance: 3.5, based on 1 review
    In head-to-head comparisons with similar ultra-cheap sticks, it tends to place behind models with better floorhead gates or swivel steering, but remains competitive on hard-floor fine debris and crevice pickup.
  • 3.5
    based on 5 reviews
    Overall opinion: 3.5, based on 5 reviews
    Overall sentiment is polarized: some reviewers recommend it as a handy, ultra-budget hard-floor spot vacuum, while others call it close to useless for real cleaning—mainly due to carpet/hair limits, noise, and small-intake frustrations.

Cons

  • 3.3
    based on 2 reviews
    Cord length: 3.3, based on 2 reviews
    Cord length is short by upright standards (around 15–18 ft mentioned), so larger rooms may require frequent outlet changes.
  • 3.2
    based on 2 reviews
    Filtration / Dust Containment: 3.2, based on 2 reviews
    Filtration is basic and relies on a washable/rinsable filter. Some reviewers say it loads with dust quickly, which can reduce performance if not cleaned.
  • 3.1
    based on 1 review
    Accessories and Tools: 3.1, based on 1 review
    Includes a basic floorhead and a crevice tool; the crevice tool is often viewed as the most useful accessory, while lack of a brush tool limits pet-hair capability.
  • 3.0
    based on 1 review
    Area Rug Handling: 3.0, based on 1 review
    Best treated as hard-floor first; small mats and area rugs are workable for surface pickup, but thicker rugs are a weak spot due to no brush roll and floorhead geometry.
  • 2.9
    based on 3 reviews
    Controls and UI: 2.9, based on 3 reviews
    Controls are simple but not always ergonomic; at least one reviewer disliked the low-mounted on/off switch compared to handle-mounted designs.
  • 2.9
    based on 2 reviews
    Maintenance requirements: 2.9, based on 2 reviews
    Maintenance is simple (dump cup, rinse filter), but the filter may need attention more often than expected to maintain airflow.
  • 2.8
    based on 3 reviews
    Hard Floor — Large Debris Intake: 2.8, based on 3 reviews
    Large debris intake is mixed: some tests show it can grab rice/loose change, but other comparisons say the Simpli-Stik struggles unless you lift/angle the head because the gate is small/low to the floor.
  • 2.8
    based on 1 review
    Maneuverability and Handling: 2.8, based on 1 review
    Handling is decent for straight-line quick cleaning, but the fixed floorhead means less steering precision than competitors with swivel heads.
  • 2.7
    based on 3 reviews
    Cordless convenience: 2.7, based on 3 reviews
    Being corded is a love/hate tradeoff: no battery fade, but the cord can tug and limit reach, especially when moving room to room.
  • 2.4
    based on 3 reviews
    Carpet — Low-Pile Pickup: 2.4, based on 3 reviews
    On low-pile carpet it can handle surface debris and some pet hair, but it’s not meant for deeper carpet cleaning and can feel underpowered without agitation.
  • 1.8
    based on 1 review
    Clogging and debris prevention: 1.8, based on 1 review
    Clogging risk shows up mainly with larger items or when using the small intake; careful angle/technique helps, and handheld/crevice mode can handle some bigger bits better.
  • 1.5
    based on 1 review
    Hair Pickup — Carpets: 1.5, based on 1 review
    Hair pickup on carpets is frequently criticized; reviewers note you really need a brush roll to loosen embedded hair, and this model struggles there.
  • 1.5
    based on 1 review
    Noise level: 1.5, based on 1 review
    Noise can be high; one review measured about 101.6 dB and describes it as loud for such a small vacuum.

FAQ

Is it good for carpet and rugs?

It can pick up surface debris on low-pile carpet or small mats, but it is not a true carpet vacuum. With no brush roll, embedded hair and thicker rugs tend to be a weak spot.

How loud is it?

One reviewer measured it around 101.6 dB, and several comments imply it is loud for its size. Expect a sharp, high-noise profile compared with larger uprights.

Does it work well on hard floors?

Yes for quick pickup: multiple reviews show strong hard-floor performance, including fine debris and small food spills. Larger debris can depend on how you angle the floorhead.

How do you empty and maintain it?

It uses a small bagless dirt cup with a removable filter. Emptying is simple, but the filter may get dusty quickly, so rinsing/cleaning and fully drying it helps keep suction consistent.

What makes it 3-in-1?

Reviews describe three modes: stick vacuum, handheld dustbuster-style, and a detail/crevice configuration (handheld plus tool or wand) for tighter areas.

Reviews we analyzed

Video Reviews

#1
4.3
Choose the Stylus Elite if you want a lightweight cordless stick with a self-emptying base and strong everyday pickup; Skip it if your...
#2
4.3
Choose if you want class-leading suction with a sealed auto-empty station; Skip if the big dock and luxury pricing don’t fit your home...
#3
4.3
Choose the Dyson V8 Animal for lightweight, powerful cordless cleanups and pet hair. Skip it if you need strong large-debris pickup on hard...
#4
4.3
Choose the Gen5 Outsize if you want elite cordless pickup plus fewer bin dumps; Skip if you need something lighter or less expensive,...
#5
4.3
Choose the Dreame Z30 for strong suction and a big accessory kit at a Dyson-like experience for less; Skip if you need long...
#6
4.3
Choose the Narwal S20 Pro if you want a lightweight wet-dry vac-mop with standout edge cleaning and a quiet self-drying cycle. Skip if...
#8
4.3
Choose it for strong, near-upright cleaning power in a lighter corded stick; Skip if you want hassle-free cord handling or a larger dust...