Dirt Devil Simpli-Stik Vacuum

Dirt Devil Simpli-Stik Vacuum Review

Brand: Dirt Devil
Updated: 3 months ago
3.4
Consolidated expert score
61
Review insights
31
Scored features
5
Expert reviews

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.

Feature Scorecards

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.

Compared With Category Average

Compared with other Stick Vacuums & Electric Brooms, this product is below average in Hair Pickup — Carpets, Noise level, Cordless convenience.

Attribute This product Category average Difference
Hair Pickup — Carpets 1.5 4.1 -2.6
Noise level 1.5 3.8 -2.3
Cordless convenience 2.7 4.4 -1.7
Clogging and debris prevention 1.8 3.5 -1.7
Carpet — Low-Pile Pickup 2.4 4.1 -1.7
Maneuverability and Handling 2.8 4.2 -1.4
Controls and UI 2.9 4.0 -1.1
Hard Floor — Large Debris Intake 2.8 3.9 -1.1

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.

Consider This Instead

If you want better Clogging and debris prevention

Choose Dyson V8 Plus Cordless Vacuum. It scores 4.7 vs 1.8 for Clogging and debris prevention, with a 4.2 overall score.

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