Broomsticks: Past & Present
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Please see below for the broomsticks currently available in our site timeline, separated by manufacturer. Older models are likely to only be available second-hand.
Please note that all dates have been adjusted to account for the Time Warp. You should not use dates from the HP Wiki or any other HP canon source as a reference, as these are now incorrect for our site.
Please see
here for the castle version of this list, which offers further detail on which of these brooms might be available as school brooms.
Many thanks to
Tobias Mandrake for their assistance in collating some of the models and providing the correct post-Time Warp dates!
Cleansweep Broom Company
1888 - present
Cleansweep One
Introduced: 1888
Description: The first racing broom designed for sporting use, this broom cornered the market upon its release. It is no longer manufactured and is unsuitable for Quidditch, given the significant difference in speed between this broom and newer models.
Cleansweep Two
Introduced: 1896
Description: A faster model than its predecessor, but easily surpassed by its successor. No longer manufactured, this broom is too old to be of any value in Quidditch nowadays, so most are relegated to antique shops or the dump.
Cleansweep Three
Introduced: 1899
Description: A 'compromise' broom, originally produced to be equally effective for both travelling or Quidditch. This broom is significantly slower than newer models and is no longer manufactured, but still might be found in some families as a hand-me-down.
Cleansweep Four
Introduced: 1918
Description: A racing broom, extremely fast at the time and reasonably suited to Quidditch; however, it lacked the manoeuvrability of other brooms specifically designed for the sport. No longer manufactured, this broom is still available second-hand.
Cleansweep Five
Introduced: 1926
Description: A Quidditch broom, and the best available at the time. Other brooms have since surpassed it, and it is no longer manufactured. However, it is widely available second-hand.
Cleansweep Six
Introduced: 1928
Description: The successor to the Cleansweep Five, but very similar in design, speed, and efficiency, given how quickly it was released after the Five. The arrival of the Nimbus 1000 a year later made this broom entirely redundant. It is no longer manufactured and tended only to be bought by broomstick fanatics, so isn't particularly common.
Cleansweep Seven
Introduced: 1934
Description: This model was a significant improvement from the Cleansweep Six and saw huge success both in Quidditch and other games. It was known for its speed and manoeuvrability at the time, matching the Nimbus 1000 for speed. It is no longer manufactured, but is frequently found as a hand-me-down.
Cleansweep Eight
Introduced: 1940
Description: Mass produced for the army in 1940. While they were considered a staple of the war effort, the charms placed on them have not held as well as for other models. Though no longer manufactured, they are still widely available in second-hand shops.
Cleansweep Nine
Introduced: 1946
Description: The first broom available past the end of the war, and released under Hexenreich rule. A decent model, but not widely purchased due to the political uncertainty at the time. It is no longer manufactured, and given its limited popularity at the time, it is not a particularly common broom now.
Cleansweep Ten
Introduced: 1952
Description: A popular broom, and an attempt to outdo the Nimbus 1700 at the time. Light and fast, it's a good broom for Seekers, but its light weight makes it difficult to retain control of when there is strong wind. This flaw meant that production ceased in 1955, and the broom is no longer manufactured.
Cleansweep Eleven
Introduced: 1957
Description: Not quite as fast as either the Nimbus 2001 or the Firebolt, but considerably cheaper, making it a popular family choice. Quidditch players tend to favour this broom over its closest rival, the Comet 290. This broom is still being manufactured. Hogwarts owns a couple of these brooms for school use.
Cleansweep Twelve
Introduced: August 1961
Description: The Cleansweep Twelve matches the Firebolt for speed. A pretty impressive achievement for the Cleansweep Company, but one that was swiftly undermined by the arrival of the Nimbus 2500 in 1962. The Cleansweep Twelve is slightly more affordable now that it's no longer brand new and appeals to families whose school costs are already racking up. This broom is still being manufactured. Hogwarts owns none of these brooms for school use.
Comet Trading Company
1891 - present
Comet 140
Introduced: 1891
Description: This the first broom to incorporate the Horton-Keitch Braking Charm, a useful mechanism which meant that Quidditch players were less likely to stray offside or overshoot the goals. It quickly became the broom of choice for many British and Irish Quidditch teams, establishing a rivalry between the Comet Trading Company and the Cleansweep Broom Company. It is no longer manufactured and its age makes it unsuitable for Quidditch now.
Comet 180
Introduced: 1900
Description: A popular Quidditch broom in its day, this was widely available from used-broom salesmen at cheap prices for years after its release. No longer manufactured and now considered too old to be worth buying as a broom, they tend to be bought by collectors.
Comet 220
Introduced: 1921
Description: Lauded at the time for its high speed and tight turning circle, this broom has since been overtaken by other models. It's a fairly common find in second-hand shops, but is no longer manufactured.
Comet 260
Introduced: 1947
Description: Released a year after the Cleansweep Nine in an attempt to outdo the other broomstick, it looked flashy, but suffered the same setbacks as its rival and was limited in popularity. It ceased production after two years and is a rather rare find now, with many snapped up by broomstick collectors.
Comet 290
Introduced: 1956
Description: Not quite as popular as the Nimbus 2001 or the Firebolt, but a decent broom at a cheaper price. Its initial popularity saw a decrease a year later with the arrival of the Cleansweep Eleven, which many players seemed to favour. This broomstick is still being manufactured. Hogwarts owns a handful of these brooms for school use.
Comet 300
Introduced: May 1960
Description: The Comet Trading Company appears to have fallen out of favour with most Quidditch fanatics and its brooms are no longer a popular choice amongst professional teams. However, the Comet 300 is relatively fast and sturdy for a decent price. Combine this with the fact that it comes with a safety mechanism which allows it to follow its owner, should they be dislodged from their broom, and you can see why it's a popular choice for parents purchasing their child's first real broomstick. This broomstick is still being manufactured. Hogwarts owns none of these brooms for school use.
Comet 330
Introduced: August 1965
Description: The Comet Trading Company timed the release of their release of the Comet 330 well -- just in time for back-to-school shopping! With both the Nimbus Racing Broom Company and the Cleansweep Broom Company choosing to forgo a broom release that might be overshadowed by the Firebolt Supreme, the Comet 330 has become the new best broom for those students whose families can't afford the eye-watering expense of the Nimbus 2500 or the Firebolt Supreme. Looks like the Comet Trading Company are back in the game! Hogwarts owns none of these brooms for school use.
Ellerby & Spudmore
1902 - 1919
Tinderblast
Introduced: 1902
Description: This broom was nowhere near as fast as either the Cleansweeps or the Comets, but it was known for being a highly resilient broom. Though it will never be a match in speed for newer brooms, even the oldest of these brooms still retain their resilience. As such, they were popular among less competitive players for a significant amount of time. This broom is no longer manufactured, but can be easily found at second-hand shops for cheap prices, making it a popular training broom.
Swiftstick
Introduced: 1914
Description: Faster than the Tinderblast, but players soon found that it quickly lost power during its ascent, making it unsuitable for Quidditch. Production of this broom ceased in 1919 after multiple attempts to rectify the issue and the company, unable to keep up with the Cleansweep Broom Company or Comet Trading Company, was dissolved shortly after. These brooms are now fairly uncommon to find and not particularly desirable.
Flyte & Barker
1952 - 1953
Twigger 90
Introduced: 1952
Description: Manufactured by a new company in an attempt to replace the Nimbus 1700 as the market leader, this broomstick has several gimmicks, such as an inbuilt Warning Whistle and a Self-Straightening Brush. The broom is known to warp at high speeds, and was therefore pulled from the shelves only a year after release. The company has since gone bust. This broom is not readily available, and tends to be bought at high prices by broom collectors.
Nimbus Racing Broom Company
1929 - present
Nimbus 1000
Introduced: 1929
Description: Revolutionary in its day for reaching speeds of up to 100 miles per hour and being capable of turning 360 degrees at a fixed point in mid-air. It combined solid reliability with the agility of the best Cleansweeps, putting the Nimbus Racing Broom Company immediately at the top of the broom manufacturing field. This broom is no longer manufactured, but is widely available through second-hand broom shops and still sells for a high price.
Nimbus 1001
Introduced: 1935
Description: A direct response to the Cleansweep Seven, this broom was faster than both the Seven and its predecessor, the Nimbus 1001, and ensured that the Nimbus Racing Broom Company remained as leaders in broomstick manufacturing. This broomstick is no longer manufactured, but, much like its predecessor, is still widely available second-hand.
Nimbus 1500
Introduced: 1949
Description: Having seen the failures of the Cleansweep Nine and the Comet 260, The Nimbus Racing Broom Company waited until the fall of the Hexenreich before releasing their newest model. This tactic paid off, and they remained in the top spot for their field. This broom was only marginally faster than the Nimbus 1001, but its much-anticipated release meant that it was still extremely popular at the time. It is no longer manufactured, but is a common find when purchasing from higher-end used-broom shops.
Nimbus 1700
Introduced: 1951
Description: The Nimbus Racing Broom Company received sponsorship from the Social Reconstruction Committee for the research and manufacturing of a new racing broom. The Nimbus 1700 was as successful as its predecessors, if not more so. Though expensive, many less well-off Hogwarts students received free Nimbus 1700 broomsticks, paid for by the Social Reconstruction Committee. This broom is no longer manufactured and the price remains high.
Nimbus 2000
Introduced: 1953
Description: Again, this broom was sponsored by the Social Reconstruction Committee and offered free of charge to students who would otherwise be unable to purchase the broom. At the time of its release, it was the fastest broomstick in production, easily outperforming its competitors. This broom is still manufactured, though the price dropped with the arrival of the Firebolt in 1955.
Nimbus 2001
Introduced: 1954
Description: It officially became the fastest broom in existence upon release, surpassing its predecessor, the Nimbus 2000. However, the release of the Firebolt in 1955 lost the Nimbus 2001 this title; still, it is widely used by many Quidditch teams across the globe and retains a loyal fanbase. This broom is still manufactured and is pretty expensive, though it saw a drop in price with the release of the Nimbus 2500. Hogwarts owns none of these brooms for school use.
Fambus Station Wagon
Introduced: 1958
Description: An extra-long broomstick capable of seating an entire family of six, available in five colours: white oak, cherry, teak, mahogany, and walnut. Hogwarts owns none of these brooms for school use. Please note that these brooms are not permitted in Quidditch matches.
Nimbus 2500
Introduced: August 1962
Description: Upon its release, the Nimbus 2500 claimed the title of fastest broomstick, knocking the Firebolt out of the top spot. The first stage of its release in August was relatively limited, but the Nimbus Racing Broom Company staggered further releases throughout the next twelve months, ensuring that the hype around this world-class broom stayed high. The Nimbus 2500 has dropped only slightly in price following the release of the Firebolt Supreme; it is still very expensive and a first-class broom. Hogwarts owns none of these brooms for school use.
Spudmore & Sons
1955 - present
Firebolt
Introduced: 1955
Description: An absolute game-changer in its day, this broom is still pretty expensive. It continues to be manufactured, but is only produced in small quantities, partly due to the fact that the Goblin workers involved in the patented ironwork are prone to strikes and walkouts at the smallest provocation.
Firebolt Supreme
Introduced: July 1965
Description: This is the broom of all brooms. Spudmore & Sons poured everything they had into the Firebolt Supreme and it does not disappoint. Reviews declare it faultless, and Quidditch teams around the world are clamouring to get their hands on a set for their players. Again, due to the manufacturing process involving volatile Goblins, the number of Firebolt Supreme broomsticks in circulation is incredibly limited. If you're lucky enough to get your hands on one of these, then you've got money and some important contacts in the Quidditch industry.
Universal Brooms Ltd.
1917 - 1940
Shooting Star
Introduced: 1917
Description: The first broom to be produced by Universal Brooms Ltd., a new company claiming to represent the very best in innovative sporting enchantments. As the cheapest racing broom on the market at the time, it saw success in the first few years of release. However, they lost height and speed as they aged, and quickly lost their popularity. They are no longer manufactured but are still sometimes used as practice brooms for younger players.
Meteorite
Introduced: 1926
Description: Following the failure of the Shooting Star, the Meteorite was a broom which favoured sturdiness over extremely high speeds, making it a solid choice for Beaters. One of the more resilient brooms on the market, it met its aims well, but faced heavy competition from the Cleansweep Five, which was released in the same year. Already marred by the failure of the Shooting Star, the Meteorite was frequently overlooked in favour of the Cleansweep Five and made little profit. These brooms are not uncommon and can be found in many second-hand broom shops. They are priced very cheaply, as most traders have more of these brooms in stock than they are able to sell.
Please note that this broom is considered to be site canon only and is not referenced in HP canon.
Supernova
Introduced: 1937
Description: The final attempted by Universal Brooms Ltd. to succeed in a competitive market. The Supernova was a broom of good quality, impressive manoeuvrability, and decent speed. However, by this point, the Nimbus Racing Broom Company had established themselves as market leaders and the Supernova could not compare to the Nimbus 1001, which was released two years prior. Poor sales of this broom led to the company incurring further heavy losses, which they were unable to financially recover from. They went bust in 1940. Having been manufactured in smaller quantities for only three years, the Supernova is not particularly common. However, even now, despite its rarity, it remains an unpopular broom.
Please note that this broom is considered to be site canon only and is not referenced in HP canon.
