Keeping a clean home is a constant battle, especially when you’re dealing with quick messes or living in a smaller space. For years, I struggled with bulky vacuums or inefficient brooms that just seemed to push dust and pet hair around rather than picking it up. The thought of wrestling a heavy machine out for every little spill or accumulation was exhausting, and letting things slide only made the problem worse, leading to tracked-in dirt and allergens building up. Finding a simple, lightweight tool that could handle everyday cleanups without the hassle felt like a necessity. A vacuum like the Dirt Devil Simpli Stik Plus 3-in-1 Vacuum Cleaner would have certainly eased those cleaning burdens significantly.
What to Look For in a Lightweight Vacuum
When you’re in the market for something to tackle everyday floor messes, particularly in apartments, dorm rooms, or homes with mostly hard floors, a lightweight stick vacuum is often the go-to choice. These tools are designed to provide a quick and easy way to clean up dirt, dust, crumbs, and pet hair without the bulk and weight of traditional upright or canister vacuums. They’re ideal for someone who needs a convenient solution for frequent, small cleanups or who lacks significant storage space. However, if you have a large home with extensive wall-to-wall carpeting or need deep cleaning power for embedded dirt, a lightweight stick vacuum likely won’t be sufficient; you’d probably need a more powerful upright or a specialized carpet cleaner.
Before buying a product in this category, consider what you need it for. Will it be your primary vacuum or a secondary tool for quick tasks? What types of floors do you have – mostly hard floors, low-pile carpets, or high-pile carpets? How important is portability and ease of storage? Do you prefer the consistent power of a corded model or the freedom of a cordless one (and the associated battery life considerations)? Look into features like the weight, cord length (if applicable), dirt cup capacity, filtration type, and any extra attachments or conversion options (like a hand vacuum mode) that might enhance its versatility for your specific cleaning needs.
Introducing the Dirt Devil Simpli Stik Plus
The Dirt Devil Simpli Stik Plus 3-in-1 Vacuum Cleaner is presented as a straightforward, easy-to-use cleaning tool specifically designed for tackling messes in small spaces. It promises to take the chore out of cleaning with its lightweight design and versatility. When you purchase it, you typically get the vacuum unit itself, which includes the stick attachment, the hand vacuum component, and the floor nozzle, along with its reusable, rinsable filter. Compared to bulkier traditional vacuums, its main selling points are its portability and convenience. While Dirt Devil offers various models, this particular version, the Simpli Stik Plus, is often highlighted for its balance of simplicity and function, building on the basic concept of a lightweight stick vac with the added hand vac capability. This product is perfect for individuals living in dorm rooms, apartments, or smaller homes with primarily hard floors, or as a supplementary vacuum for quick cleanups on hard surfaces in larger homes. It is not the right choice for someone needing powerful suction for deep carpet cleaning or covering vast areas on a single pass.
Here’s a quick look at the pros and cons based on my experience and common feedback:
Pros:
* Extremely lightweight and easy to maneuver.
* Converts easily into a hand vacuum for versatile cleaning.
* Bagless design with a rinsable filter is convenient and cost-effective.
* Excellent performance on hard floors like hardwood, tile, and vinyl plank.
* Compact size makes storage simple.
* Generally affordable.
Cons:
* Plastic clips holding components can be fragile and prone to breaking.
* Suction power is adequate for hard floors but insufficient for effective carpet cleaning.
* The suction path/head isn’t very wide, requiring more passes.
* Some users report issues with motor longevity or overheating.
* Steering/maneuverability of the floor head can feel stiff compared to swivel designs.
Exploring the Features and What They Offer
Having used the Dirt Devil Simpli Stik Plus extensively, I can really speak to how its specific features translate into real-world cleaning experiences.
Lightweight, Easy-to-Use Design
One of the most immediate benefits you notice with the Simpli Stik Plus is just how light it is. Weighing in at around 3.6 pounds, it’s incredibly easy to pick up, carry from room to room, and maneuver around furniture. This low weight is a game-changer for quick cleanups. Instead of dreading pulling out a heavier machine, you can grab this vac and be done in minutes. For someone with mostly hard floors, like tile or hardwood, this lightness is particularly beneficial. It glides easily and, crucially, doesn’t risk scratching delicate surfaces the way a heavy vacuum with aggressive wheels might. It truly makes cleaning feel less like a major chore and more like a simple sweep.
3-in-1 Versatility: Stick and Hand Vac Modes
The “3-in-1” aspect refers to its ability to function as a full stick vacuum, a hand vacuum, and apparently a detail vacuum (though the main use is stick and hand). The transition between the stick and hand vacuum is straightforward – you just detach the main body from the stick and floor head. This versatility is incredibly useful. Need to clean stairs? Pop it into hand vac mode. Crumbs on the counter or sofa? Hand vac. Dusting shelves? Hand vac. This allows you to tackle messes beyond just the floor with a single tool. While it’s not a replacement for a dedicated, powerful hand vacuum for tough jobs, for surface-level dirt and dust, the hand vac mode of the Dirt Devil Simpli Stik is perfectly adequate and adds significant value, especially in smaller living spaces where you don’t want multiple cleaning gadgets cluttering things up.
Bagless Convenience and Rinsable Filter
The bagless design is a huge plus for both convenience and ongoing cost. You don’t need to constantly buy replacement bags. When the dirt cup is full, you simply detach it, empty it into the trash, and reattach it. It’s quick and easy. The filter included with the Simpli Stik Plus is also reusable and rinsable. This means you can wash it under running water to clean off accumulated dust and debris, let it dry completely, and put it back in. This saves you money on filter replacements over time. Based on user feedback, cleaning the filter regularly is pretty essential, especially if you’re dealing with a lot of pet hair, as it helps maintain suction power. Some users noted that the filter assembly, which includes a hard plastic surround, is effective at capturing hair but also makes it hard to get *all* the trapped dirt out sometimes, potentially leading to clogging issues if not cleaned frequently and thoroughly.
Corded Power Advantage
Unlike cordless stick vacuums that run on battery life, the Dirt Devil vacuum cleaner is corded. It plugs directly into a wall outlet and maintains consistent power as long as it’s plugged in. This means you never have to worry about a battery running out mid-clean or degrading over time. The cord length is stated as 18 feet, which is decent for navigating a room without constantly changing outlets, especially in smaller apartments. While the cord can sometimes be a bit of a hassle to manage and limits your range compared to a cordless model, the trade-off is reliable, full-strength suction throughout your cleaning session.
Performance on Hard Floors
This is where the Simpli Stik Plus truly shines, particularly on hard floor surfaces. On hardwood, tile, vinyl plank, or laminate, it effectively picks up dust, dirt, crumbs, and pet hair. Users who switched from brooms or even heavier vacuums specifically for their hard floors found it to be a significant improvement, capturing fine particles that brooms might miss or just scatter. Its lightweight nature and easy maneuverability make it ideal for navigating around furniture and getting into corners on these surfaces. If your primary cleaning area is hard flooring, this Dirt Devil vacuum performs admirably for daily or bi-weekly cleaning.
Limitations on Carpet and Suction
It’s important to manage expectations regarding its performance on carpet. While the manufacturer mentions it’s suitable for “light carpet cleaning,” user experiences suggest its suction power is simply not strong enough for anything beyond the most superficial surface dirt on low-pile carpets. It lacks a brush roll to agitate carpet fibers effectively, which is essential for pulling up embedded dirt and pet hair from rugs or carpeting. If you have significant carpeted areas, this is not the vacuum for you. Furthermore, some users noted that the suction opening on the floor head is relatively narrow. While it gets the job done on hard floors, this means you might need to make more passes over an area compared to a vacuum with a wider cleaning path. The suction is described as “ok” but not particularly powerful, reinforcing that it’s best suited for lighter debris on hard surfaces, not heavy-duty vacuuming.
Design Fragilities and Motor Issues
Based on user feedback, one of the more concerning aspects is the apparent fragility of some plastic components, specifically the clips designed to hold the dirt cup or other sections together. Multiple users reported these small plastic pieces breaking relatively quickly, sometimes within months, rendering the vacuum difficult or impossible to use correctly without resorting to tape or other makeshift repairs. This seems to be a design weakness, especially in newer iterations compared to older, more durable models. Additionally, a few users mentioned issues with the motor quitting or potentially overheating after only a few months of use, which raises questions about long-term durability for some units. While many users have the product for a year or more without motor issues, these reports are worth considering as potential disadvantages.
Compact Size and Easy Storage
True to its design for small spaces, the Simpli Stik Plus vacuum cleaner has a slim profile that makes it easy to store in tight spots, like a closet corner or behind a door. Its lightweight nature also means you can easily hang it on a hook if you have one available. This convenience is a significant benefit for anyone living in apartments, dorms, or smaller homes where storage space is limited. It doesn’t take up much floor space, keeping your living area tidy even when the vacuum is not in use.
Overall, the features of the Dirt Devil Simpli Stik Plus are clearly aimed at making quick, light cleaning as effortless as possible, particularly on hard surfaces. While its lightweight nature, bagless design, rinsable filter, and 3-in-1 functionality are definite strengths that solve everyday cleaning problems, potential buyers should be aware of its limitations on carpet and the reported issues with the durability of plastic clips and motor reliability for some individuals.
What Real Users Are Saying
Having looked at feedback from numerous individuals who purchased the Dirt Devil Simpli Stik Plus 3-in-1 Vacuum Cleaner, the general sentiment is quite positive, especially among those using it primarily on hard floors. Many appreciate its light weight and how simple it is to grab for quick cleanups of everyday dust and debris. People with pets frequently mention how effectively it handles pet hair on hard surfaces, saving them significant time compared to sweeping. The easy conversion to a hand vacuum is also a feature users find valuable for cleaning stairs, furniture, and cars. However, the positive feedback is tempered by consistent reports of certain components feeling flimsy, particularly the plastic latches or clips that hold the dirt container or main sections together. Some users experienced these breaking after relatively short periods of use, raising concerns about the product’s long-term durability. There are also occasional mentions that the suction could be stronger and the cleaning path wider.
Final Thoughts on the Simpli Stik Plus
Let’s circle back to the initial problem: the need for a simple, quick way to clean up everyday messes, especially in smaller spaces or on hard floors, without the fuss of a heavy machine. Ignoring these messes can lead to dust and dirt accumulating, affecting air quality and the general cleanliness of your home. The Dirt Devil Simpli Stik Plus is a great fit for solving this problem for several key reasons. Its incredibly lightweight design makes it effortless to use frequently. The 3-in-1 functionality provides versatility for tackling various surfaces beyond just the floor. And its strong performance on hard floors means it effectively captures the dust, dirt, and pet hair that often proves challenging for brooms. If you live in a smaller space, have mostly hard floors, and need a convenient tool for regular light cleaning, this vacuum is definitely worth considering. To learn more about the Dirt Devil Simpli Stik Plus and see current pricing, Click here.