Walk in · try them first
Types of vacuums
Which one fits your home?
Tap your home – see the right type
- Try before you buy
- 30-day returns, no receipt needed
- Price match
- We fix what we sell
Since 1932
Which vacuum is right for your home?
Tap your home. See your vacuum.
- Not sure yet? Start with our #1
- Lots of carpet Wall-to-wall rooms
- Thick or shag rugs Deep pile that hides dirt
- Dogs or cats Fur on floors and sofas
- Wood, tile and rugs Mostly hard floors
- Stairs, small spaces Lots of carrying
- Quick daily pickups Crumbs, no cord
- Dust or allergies Fine dust that lingers
- Spills on hard floors Sticky, wet messes
- Spots and stains Pet spots and spills
- An office or shop Hours of daily use
- Thinking about a robot? The honest answer
Our pick for your home – today
Not sure yet?
Start with our #1
- Why Our top seller of every brand in 2026.
- Fits Carpet and hard floors, one vacuum.
- Type A canister – light wand, long reach
Or tap your home for a closer match.
Lots of carpet
Upright vacuum
- Why One push grooms wall-to-wall carpet.
- Look for Height settings and a HEPA bag.
- Also good A canister with a power head
Models change with stock.
Thick or shag rugs
Upright with auto height
- Why Deep pile needs a brush that rides high.
- Look for Auto height or a brush on/off switch.
- Also good A lightweight upright
Models change with stock.
Dogs or cats
Upright with pet tools
- Why Fur weaves into carpet and sofas.
- Look for A sealed bag, HEPA and a pet tool.
- Also good A canister with a turbo brush
Models change with stock.
Wood, tile and rugs
Canister vacuum
- Why A light wand glides room to room.
- Look for A hard floor brush and a power head.
- Also good A cordless stick for quick sweeps
Models change with stock.
Stairs and small spaces
Light, easy-steering upright
- Why Lift the handheld off for the stairs.
- Look for A weight you can carry up a flight.
- Also good A canister – the body stays put
Models change with stock.
Quick daily pickups
Cordless stick
- Why Grab it for crumbs and quick messes.
- Look for Run time and a weight you can lift.
- Pair with An upright for weekly cleans
Models change with stock.
Dust or allergies
Sealed HEPA vacuum
- Why It traps fine dust instead of blowing it.
- Look for A HEPA filter and a bag that seals.
- Also good A bagged canister with HEPA
Models change with stock.
Spills on hard floors
Hard floor cleaner
- Why It vacuums and mops sealed floors.
- Look for A brush roll that cleans itself.
- Also good A canister with a hard floor brush
See it working at all 5 stores.
Spots and stains in carpet
Carpet cleaner
- Why It washes out what vacuuming leaves.
- Big job? Rent ours – $39.95 for 24 hours.
We repair carpet cleaners too.
An office or shop
Commercial upright
- Why It’s made for hours of use, every day.
- Look for A long cord and parts we can get.
- Need it light? Ultra-light commercial models too.
Models change with stock.
Thinking about a robot?
A helper, not a replacement
- Good for Touch-ups on open, bare floors.
- Still need A real vacuum for carpet and stairs.
An honest side-by-side.
We don’t sell robots.
We do basic service and cleaning on robot vacuums – all brands.
Push it on our floor before you pay.
“He has an amazing knowledge of the products pros and cons and is great in guiding you to the vacuum that best fits your needs.”
Delores S. · Google review
The main types of vacuum cleaners
Tap one to see every model we carry
What about robot vacuums?
Show the robot vacuum comparison
A handy helper – not a full replacement
| Compare | Robot | Upright or canister |
|---|---|---|
| Runs on its own | Yes, on a schedule | When you run it |
| Dirt in carpet | Surface dirt | Deep grit too |
| Thick carpet | Drains the battery | Made for it |
| Stairs | Can’t climb them | Hose and tools |
| Dirt it holds | About a quart | A full-size bag |
| Cords and socks | Can get stuck | No problem |
| Corners | Often missed | Crevice tool |
Own one already? You’re welcome here. We do basic service and cleaning on robot vacuums – all brands.
Then push a real vacuum on our floor.
Why buy your vacuum at Stark’s?
Online you guess. Here you push it.
5
Stores to try them
Uprights, canisters and sticks side by side. No appointment.
30
Days to return, no receipt needed
Picked the wrong type for your home? Bring it back.
Match
Price match
Found a lower advertised price from an authorized retailer? Bring it in – we’ll match it on the identical new item. Exclusions apply.
5,000+
Repairs a year
We repair all brands, at every store – yours too.
Torn between two? Try both.
Vacuums from the 1800s to the 1960s: our free museum →
Real reviews from real customers
★★★★★
“Helpful, knowledgeable staff! We had a wonderful experience here. We were able to try 5 vaccuums and I am so happy to know that the vacuum I purchased can be fixed directly by them as well!”
Erin M. · Yelp review
★★★★★
“He has an amazing knowledge of the products pros and cons and is great in guiding you to the vacuum that best fits your needs.”
Delores S. · Google review
★★★★★
“The staff are very helpful, never pushy or hurried, and always work hard to give great customer service–they’ll either spend the time you need to look over options and discuss, or get you in and out as fast as possible (me).”
Elise M. · Google review
★★★★★
“His information guided my decision, what was going to work best for my family.”
Andrew L. · Google review
★★★★★
“Online reviews simply aren’t good enough when you’re buying a vacuum. I’ve bought more “five star” vacuums from reading reviews than I care to think about.”
Michelle P. · Yelp review
★★★★★
“They said they don’t repair robot vacuums like Roombas but they would open it up and clean it out. Well that was all it needed and it fixed my vacuum!”
Emily K. · Yelp review
★★★★★
“I’m a loyal customer of this business. I’ve never bought a vacuum cleaner anywhere else.”
Debby S. · Google review
★★★★★
“My Simplicity has worked fabulously ever since I bought it and there were no issues when I took it in for service.”
Michelle M. · Google review
★★★★★
“Starks recommended several vacuums and let me try as many as I wanted.”
Rose E. · Yelp review
Questions about vacuum types
Upright, canister and cordless stick – plus hard floor cleaners, carpet cleaners and commercial models.
For most carpet, an upright. Deep pile? Start with our shag carpet guide.
A canister with a hard floor brush. To wash them too, see our mops and floor cleaners.
As a daily helper on open, bare floors, maybe. They don’t replace a real vacuum.
At all 5: Portland (NE Grand), Montavilla, Beaverton, Vancouver and Bend.
Yes. Vacuums can be returned within 30 days, no receipt needed.
Yes. We repair all brands at every store, and the estimate is free.
Try before you buy
Use our dirt and pet hair, not your floors. See it clean first.
Vacuum types: quick facts
Show the quick facts
| Types we carry | Upright, canister, cordless stick, hard floor cleaner, carpet cleaner, commercial. |
|---|---|
| Top three brands | SEBO, Miele, Riccar. |
| Try before you buy | All 5 stores, no appointment. |
| Price match | We match a lower advertised price on the identical new item from an authorized retailer. Exclusions apply. |
| Returns | Vacuums: 30-day returns, no receipt needed. |
| Robot vacuums | Basic service and cleaning, all brands. We don’t sell them. |
| Shop vacs | Not sold. We carry house vacuums. |
| Repairs | All brands, free estimate, at every store. |
| Where | Portland (NE Grand Ave), Montavilla, Beaverton, Vancouver WA, Bend. |
| Hours | Mon–Sat 9–5, Sun 10–5 (Bend Sun 12–5). |
| Since | 1932. Family-owned. Free Vacuum Museum at our Portland store. |
| Updated | October 2026 |
Areas We Serve
Show the areas we serve
Vacuum Repair and Sales, Portland to Bend.
Portland (NE Grand) Portland · Lake Oswego · Milwaukie · Oak Grove · St. Helens
Montavilla Gresham · Oregon City · West Linn · Happy Valley · Clackamas
Beaverton Beaverton · Hillsboro · Tigard · Aloha · McMinnville
Vancouver, WA Vancouver · Camas · Battle Ground · Washougal · Ridgefield
Bend Bend · Redmond · Prineville · Sisters · La Pine