Ryobi Advanced Stick Vacuum

Purchasing a vacuum cleaner can be a daunting task, especially with the myriad of options available on the market. I recently had the opportunity to test the Ryobi Advanced Stick Vacuum, model PBLSV719B, and I’m here to share my experience with this cordless cleaning tool.

Design and Build Quality

The Ryobi Advanced Stick Vacuum stands out with its sleek, modern design. The build quality, however, is a mixed bag. While the vacuum feels sturdy overall, particularly with its brushless motor and advanced electronics, some components like the canister hinges and latches feel fragile. During use, I found myself handling these parts with extra caution to avoid any accidental breakage.

One of the design features that caught my attention was its ability to stand upright on its own. This is particularly useful for quick pauses during cleaning sessions and for convenient storage. However, the wall attachment provided for mounting the vacuum felt rather flimsy and doesn’t inspire confidence in its durability.

Performance and Usability

Performance-wise, the Ryobi Advanced Stick Vacuum delivers commendable suction power, rated up to 120 AW. This power is particularly noticeable on hard floors, where the vacuum excels. The specialized roller bar designed to minimize pet hair wrap is a thoughtful addition, although its effectiveness on carpets leaves something to be desired. It takes several passes to remove pet hair from low-pile carpets, and it struggles with deeper pile carpets.

One of the standout features is the HEPA filter, which captures up to 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 microns. This is a great feature for households with allergy sufferers or pets, as it significantly reduces the amount of dust and allergens recirculated into the air.

The vacuum operates quietly, with sound levels as low as 61 dB(A), which is a pleasant surprise. This makes it possible to have a conversation or watch TV while cleaning, without being disturbed by excessive noise.

Battery Life and Power

Battery life is another critical factor for cordless vacuums, and the Ryobi Advanced Stick Vacuum offers decent performance in this regard. With a 4Ah battery, I managed to get around 10 minutes of continuous high-power usage, which is adequate for quick clean-ups but might be limiting for larger spaces. Using the vacuum on a lower power setting extends the battery life, but at the cost of reduced suction power.

One of the significant advantages of this vacuum is its compatibility with the Ryobi One+ battery system. If you already own other Ryobi tools, you can interchange batteries, which is a huge plus. However, using a heavier duty battery increases the weight of the vacuum, making it more cumbersome to handle, especially for extended periods.

Versatility and Attachments

The vacuum is versatile, easily converting from a stick vacuum to a handheld unit. This feature is particularly useful for cleaning cars, stairs, and other hard-to-reach areas. The included tools for detailed cleaning are effective, though the lack of an attachment holder on the vacuum itself is a minor inconvenience. It means that you have to find a separate place to store the attachments, which can be a hassle.

The headlight on the cleaning head is a useful feature, illuminating dirt and debris in dark corners and under furniture. However, the light only turns on when the rotating brush is active, which seems like a design oversight. There are times when you might want the light without the brush, such as on hard floors.

Maintenance and Ease of Use

Emptying the dust canister is straightforward, but it’s not without its challenges. The canister has a capacity of 1 liter, which is decent, but emptying it can be tricky. Debris tends to get stuck around the central component, requiring manual intervention to clear it out completely. This can be a bit messy and time-consuming.

Maintenance is relatively simple, with washable filters and a roller bar that can be easily removed for cleaning. However, I did notice that the vacuum tends to clog more frequently than other models I’ve used, which necessitates more frequent maintenance.

Final Thoughts

The Ryobi Advanced Stick Vacuum is a solid choice for those already invested in the Ryobi One+ ecosystem. It offers good suction power, quiet operation, and decent battery life, especially if you have additional batteries on hand. The HEPA filter is a significant advantage for maintaining air quality in your home.

However, the vacuum has its drawbacks. The build quality of some components feels fragile, and the vacuum’s performance on carpets, particularly with pet hair, is underwhelming. The design could benefit from a more robust wall mount and a more intuitive attachment storage solution.

In conclusion, I would recommend the Ryobi Advanced Stick Vacuum for those who need a versatile, cordless option for hard floors and quick clean-ups. It’s particularly suitable if you’re already using Ryobi tools and can share batteries between devices. However, if your primary need is deep cleaning carpets or if you require a tool with extensive attachments, you might want to consider other options.