Looking for the best vacuum cleaner for stairs in 2024? You’ve come to the right place.
Cleaning stairs is a cumbersome process and requires a suitable vacuum cleaner that not only makes the cleaning process easy but quicker. If you have carpeted stairs and small kids or pets in your home, then you need the best vacuum for stairs to vacuum your stairs regularly and efficiently.
What is the best vacuum for stairs? And how to choose one?
In this guide, I am going to share some of the top vacuum cleaners to help you choose the right one according to your budget and requirements.
We examined a large number of vacuums and read hundreds of customer comments, ratings, and features to craft this ultimate guide to buying the great vacuum for stairs. You may read more about home gadgets reviews to get related details.
That said, let’s get started…
Best Vacuum For Stairs 2024
Table of Contents
The quick comparison chart given below highlights the important features of all the vacuums we have selected for you to make the decision more simple.
Vacuum and Features | Image | Rating | Price |
---|---|---|---|
1. Shark Rocket Hand Vac ( Editor's Choice ) Highly versatile and extremely lightweight handheld vacuum featuring several attachments | |||
2.Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe (Best Whole-House vacuum) 2-in-1 vacuum with upright and lift-away options, lightweight canister, and several attachments. | |||
3.Bissell Cleanview Deluxe Lightweight handheld vacuum but corded and brings a set of attachments for cleaning stairs. | |||
4.Dirt Devil HandVac 2.0 (Best for Money) Ultra-light handheld unit with unique design and affordable price for the features. | |||
5.Eureka EasyClean Handheld machine weighing 6 pounds, with a 23-foot power cord and the'rise visor' function. | |||
6.Bissell Pet Hair Eraser (Budget Pick) Handheld vacuum with hard and rubber nozzles picks up pet hairs efficiently. | |||
7.Dirt Devil HandVac Ultra Lightweight handheld bagged vacuum with a 16-foot power cord and a fully motorized brush roll. | |||
8.Black + Decker 20V Max Lightweight vacuum with a wide-mouth and cordless design comes with top attachments | |||
9.HoLife Cordless Vacuum Cleaner (Best For Carpeted Stairs) Handheld vacuum with a handful of attachments to deal with carpeted stairs, 78 dB of the noise level. | |||
10.BESTEK 3-in-1 Stick & Handheld Vacuum Ultra-light 3-in-1 vacuum, 16.5-foot power cord, incredible suction, and washable filter. |
Let’s discuss all these vacuums in more detail with their pros and cons to help you identify the top vacuum for stairs. All of these vacuums were able to pass our strict criteria that make this list valuable for you.
1. Shark Rocket Hand Vac – Handheld Best Vacuum For Stairs
The Shark Rocket is a moderately-priced corded handheld vacuum that comes with premium features that makes it an ideal vacuum cleaner for stairs.
Being a handheld model this is an all-in-one tool that almost provides everything a handheld vacuum should possess. For example, a hose, a crevice tool, a wide mouth rush, and a fully motorized roller brush.
Specifications
- Handheld model
- Bagless canister
- 3.7 pounds in weight
- 15-foot power cord
- Brings TruePet motorized brush, crevice tool, and dusting brush
- The dust cup is very easy to remove
These tools enable you to clean different types of stairs like soft and hard floors, tight spaces, upholstery, and more. The tools are attached to a bagless yet lightweight body of 4 pounds, which makes it easy to tackle stairs.
Furthermore, the dust cup is great and easy to empty. You can slide out the cup simply by pushing a button. The filter is also fully washable.
Overall, the Shark Rocket is an excellent vacuum cleaner for stairs, and it works incredibly either on hard or carpeted stairs. It offers a handful of features and tools and comes with an affordable price tag.
- Lightweight
- Hugely versatile
- Easier cleaning with a motorized brush
- The dust cup can be removed easily
- No loss of suction over time
- More expensive compared to other handheld models
2. Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe – Multi-Surface Best Vacuum for Stairs
The Shark Navigator Lift-Away Deluxe is a standard upright vacuum cleaner and the best alternative choice to the Shark Rocket just discussed above. This versatile model is not a normal vacuum, the canister is detachable making the rest useable as a handheld vacuum.
Specifications
- 2-in-1: upright and lift-away
- Lightweight lift-away bagless canister
- The power cord of 25 foot
- Comes with a motorized brush roll, a pet power brush, dust brush, crevice tool, and a hose
- The filtration system is completely sealed
- Bottom-empty dust cup
- Swivel steering
So, as an upright, you can clean floors, and then very quickly make it a handheld to carry up and downstairs to clean them. The hose is lengthy and can be attached to a wide brush head for carpets, or a crevice tool. The overall weight of this vacuum is heavier but it gets the job done nicely.
The suction power is excellent, and the dust cup can be emptied easily. The Shark features HEPA filtration that is completely sealed and keeps the allergens and pollens trapped inside while you are vacuuming and not even a single particulate can escape.
Overall, this is an awesome all-in-one solution vacuum cleaner that is suitable for stairs and the top choice by our editors. It is neither expensive nor inexpensive, but a mid-priced vacuum.
- Upright and handheld
- Highly versatile
- Filtration system is superb
- Power cord is of 25 ft
- More expensive than other handheld models
3. Bissell Cleanview Deluxe – Best lightweight vacuum for stairs
The Bissell Cleanview is an effective vacuum cleaner that is specially designed to handle stairs and the efficient performance makes it a great little handheld.
Specifications
- Handheld vacuum
- Bagless canister
- weighs 4.65 pounds
- Curved handle
- Easy-empty dust cup
- 18-foot power cord
- Tools include wide-mouth tool, crevice tool, rubber contour nozzle, and hose
- Multi-level filtration
It’s a similar model to Pet Hair Eraser but gives more suction power, thanks to the 4 amp motor that generates stronger suction compared to the competitors. The Bissell Cleanview faces no problem sucking various types of debris and dirt, and the set of attachments is helpful to clean edges and corners.
What makes cleaning the staircase quicker is the crevice tool and wide suction head, and the rubber nozzle as well. The hose is also included which is helpful to clean awkward spaces.
Overall, Bissell Cleanview is the best all-around vacuum that comes with a handful of features and lightweight enough to use for extended periods. It hits a sweet spot between price and features.
- Excellent suction
- Useful attachments
- Lightweight
- No brush roll so cannot clean carpet pile
4. Dirt Devil HandVac. 2.0 – Best corded vacuum for stairs
The Dirt Devil HandVac is a nicely designed handheld vacuum cleaner. But most people don’t care about the design of the vacuum cleaner, but we do have to give a special mention to the design, with its black and red color scheme and funky events.
Specifications
- Handheld vacuum
- Bagless canister
- Weighs 2.8 pounds
- The power cord is 20 ft long
- One-touch dust disposal
- High-speed brush roll
- Quick-rinse filter
On the other hand, this vacuum has a very low price tag but is a well-known and reputable brand. The small price tag cuts some features like it’s a one-function vacuum and lacks some special functions like nozzles but overall gives excellent cleaning ability.
Whether you have carpeted staircase or hard floor stairs, this vacuum can suck up all the dirt and debris from the stairs. In fact, it deep cleans the stairs quickly and effectively which makes it a suitable option for upholstery and cars too.
Overall, this is a good vacuum for stairs that comes at a cheaper price tag but the quality is not cheap. Though it’s not a versatile model, it still gets the job done if you are not planning to spend too much on a stair vacuum.
- Extremely lightweight
- Suction power is good
- Build quality is good
- Lower price tag
- Power cord is 20 ft
- Limited versatility
5. Eureka EasyClean – Best Cheap Vacuum for stairs
The Eureka Handheld is a multi-surface vacuum cleaner that not only deals with stairs but other floors as well and comes in an attractive price tag with excellent features.
Specifications
- Handheld vacuum
- Bagless canister
- Lightweight as 6 pounds
- The power cord is 23 ft long
- ‘Riser visor’ vertical cleaning
- On/off brush roll
- Excellent suction
- Crevice tool
- Dual motors for strongest suction
The front contains a brush function and an extendable hose that is wrapped around the outside that can be used with the crevice tool that is supplied with the vacuum cleaner.
This ‘riser visor’ function of this vacuum is very helpful for cleaning stairs efficiently. This function allows the vacuum to rotate the suction to go horizontal allowing you to clean vertical surfaces of each step which many other vacuums are not capable of doing.
Whether you have carpeted stairs or hard floor stairs in your home, the suction is reasonably powerful to deal with all floor types. The unit is a little heavy, but the overall design is smaller and better for cleaning stairs.
Overall, Eureka is the most versatile vacuum cleaner but not efficient on carpets. That said, it’s a solid option for money and extremely good for functionality.
- Versatile cleaner
- The ‘riser visor’ function is amazing
- The filter is not washable
- The vacuum is not lighter for longer use
6. Bissell Pet Hair Eraser – Budget Best Vacuum for Stairs
The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser is another great handheld vacuum cleaner for stairs that is well-priced for the functions and features it comes with. The Bissell Pet Hair is designed for picking up dirt and dust from difficult places and lifts pet hairs from hard floors or carpeted stairs.
Features
- Handheld vacuum cleaner
- Bagless canister
- Weighs 5 pounds
- The power cord is 16-foot long
- Specialized rubber nozzle
- Cyclonic cleaning system
- Multi-layer filtration
The Bissell Pet Hair achieves this using the clever rubber nozzle, that allows this vacuum to brush and pull the hairs out of carpet fibers before it gets stuck in by the cyclonic cleaning system. If you are worried about cleaning pet hairs, then the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser is an effective option for you.
Furthermore, the vacuum features a hard nozzle and a soft rubber nozzle to deal with hard surfaces like the kitchen more effectively, which makes this little vacuum a versatile cleaning tool.
The vacuum is not a one-trick pony. It comes with a 16 feet long cord and only weighs 4 pounds which allows you to easily carry the vacuum up and down the stairs without getting tired of worrying about changing outlets.
Overall, the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser is a small handheld vacuum that is the cheapest of all vacuums in price but delivers incredible performance with different floor types and pet hairs.
- Great at picking up pet hair
- Versatile selection of nozzles
- The filter isn’t the easiest to clean
- Side vents blow away lighter dust
7. Dirt Devil HandVac Ultra – Best Bagged Vacuum
The next vacuum in our list of high-quality vacuums for stairs is from Dirt Devil Bagged vacuum, and it’s a more versatile vacuum cleaner than the above. It’s the handheld Ultra model that makes it an excellent vacuum cleaner for stairs.
Features
- Handheld vacuum
- Bagged
- Weighs about 4.45 pounds
- The brush roll is completely motorized
- Brings crevice tool and stretch hose
- The suction motor is 4-amp
- MicroFresh Bagged filtration system
Compared with many other handheld vacuums, the Dirt Devil comes with a bag that plays an important role in making the vacuum a light unit, despite the hose and tools being stored onboard. The downside is that you have to purchase replacements bags more often as it lacks filter which is an advantage over losing suction with other vacuums with filter.
The motorized brush roll is effective for carpeted stairs and excellent at picking up pet hairs. The hose is not reliable, but still gets the job done by getting into the crevices on staircases that are not cleaned by brushes.
Consumers did report the suction decline a few months after the purchase, but the company has solved that problem. The strong suction comes with a strong motor but the motor can be noisy for some people.
Overall, the Dirt Devil is a great handheld vacuum cleaner that is not only affordable but suitable for stairs and allows you to clean every nook and cranny of stairs efficiently.
- Excellent cleaning power
- No suction loss
- Lightweight
- Inexpensive
- Loud operation
8. Black+Decker 20V Max – Best Cordless Vacuum For Stairs
Black+Decker is a well-known name for making great power tools, and this vacuum is one of their product, the 20V MAX. This cordless, rechargeable handheld, yet powerful vacuum is an excellent pick compared to the corded competitors.
Features
- Handheld vacuum
- Cordless
- Weighs 8 pounds
- Pivoting nozzle
- Wide-mouth design to clean stairs effectively
- Brings pre-filter, crevice tool, charging base, and washable filter
- 3-stage filtration system
- High-performance motor
- Cyclonic action
The Black+Decker is bigger in size and not like other handhelds, it has a flat suction pivoting nozzle that allows you to clean hard-to-reach areas and horizontal flat steps of the staircase. The included brush is also helpful for picking up dirt and debris out of carpets.
The cup can be emptied easily, and is washable so you can wash it in the sink. The charging stand is also good that comes with the vacuum. It’s neat and tidy and doesn’t require much space.
The only downside of this vacuum is the wider nozzle, which can be tricky to clean difficult areas to clean. Despite this, the vacuum is amazing and it’s convenient, powerful, and affordable that you can use it for the car as well.
- Excellent suction power
- Lightweight
- Wide-mouth design
- Stuggles to clean crevices
9. HoLife Cordless Vacuum Cleaner – Best For Carpeted Stairs
The HoLife cordless vacuum is another great vacuum that comes with a unique design and a handful of features that make it an excellent stair cleaner.
The HoLife has a range of smart little touches which not only makes it effective but efficient to deal with various types of stairs debris.
Features
- Handheld vacuum
- 90W power motor
- The battery lasts for 30 minutes
- Dust bin capacity is 600ML
- Fast-charging battery
- Rubber jar tool
- Big suction mouth
The HoLife is a bagless vacuum cleaner but equally versatile. It brings three extra tools which are a rubber jar tool for cleaning carpeted and hard surfaces, a long hose, and a crevice tool to clean edges and corners of the staircase.
The filter is washable so no additional maintenance costs, you can simply wash the filter and when dirty, take it out and rinse it.
The unit is durable enough that it can be used for an extended time, but you only have to take care of the vacuum properly.
Overall, the vacuum is great and offers amazing features that make it suitable for the stairs and the lower price tag won’t disturb you much.
- Versatile vacuum
- Effective suction
- No cons for this vacuum
10. BESTECK 3-in-1 Stick & Handheld Vacuum – The Lightest
Here we have BESTEK 3-in-1 handheld plus stick vacuum, as the name suggests, a fusion of handheld and stick style vacuum. This vacuum allows you to enjoy the perks of a handheld vacuum along with the versatility of a stick vacuum.
Features
- Handheld and stick vacuum
- Ultra-lightweight
- The power cord is 5 feet long
- Crevice tool for handheld canister
- Excellent suction
- HEPA filtration system
- Washable filter and dust holder
The vacuum comes with a standard wide roller which is not motorized which makes the carpet cleaning easier. Alternatively, the crevice tool can be replaced with it. So, you can use both whiles cleaning stairs and floors at the same time.
Being a handheld and a stick in one model, this vacuum weighs about 4 pounds, and emptying the dust bin is simple without getting dust everywhere.
The downside of this vacuum is that the whole construction of this vacuum is of hard plastic. So the unit could mark hard and polished floors if used as a roller vacuum.
But, the vacuum is overall flexible and essential for your home due to the versatility that not only limits you to clean stairs but floors and cars as well. Due to the smallest price tag, the vacuum does have a few shortcomings which you can ignore.
- Lightweight model
- Upright and handheld
- Hard plastic wheels
- No motorized brush
Stairs are awkward to get to with conventional vacuums and there’s not a lot of space to move and they are in constant use which results in a lot of dirt and debris. So a special vacuum is required to deal with steps and staircases.
Vacuum For Stairs Buying Guide
Sometimes only the reviews are not helpful for you to make a better decision. You should know what type of vacuum is good for you and what budget you should spend on a vacuum. Similarly what features a vacuum should have or the specifications it should have to give you the best performance.
All of these things are discussed in this guide which allows you to make a better decision.
Let’s discuss what type of vacuum you need, either corded or cordless. Should you pick the handheld vacuum, stick vacuum, or a canister. What features are important in a vacuum for stairs and many other things are discussed in this buyer guide to help you make the decision wisely. It’s important to make sure you get the right vacuum as some vacuums like a robot vacuum won’t be able to meet your needs.
Without further ado let’s get started with the vacuum for the stairs buying guide.
Size and Type
Most of the discussion was about handheld vacuums, but there are different types of vacuums as well. Basically, the handheld units are small lightweight machines easy to carry along with a handle, then there are canisters, and 2-in-1 style vacuums based on stick vacuum shape.
All the vacuums discussed above are perfect for stairs, but if you are planning to use the vacuum for different surfaces, then you have to look in detail for the vacuum whether it can deal with it or not.
One-piece handheld vacuums are limited in their use and are suitable for cleaning small areas like cars, stairs, and so on.
Some vacuums with hoses and other attachments allow them to be used for other purposes like cars, sofas, and curtains. Fully detachable uprights like the Shark Navigator are good for the whole house but naturally carry a higher price tag.
Ease of use
The reason for picking a vacuum for stairs is to make the cleaning process easier. So a vacuum that is easy to use is going to win. For example, it’s lightweight, simply turns on/off, is easy to empty the dust bin, and clean. If you face trouble with anything related to vacuum, you are going to be frustrated.
The easiest vacuum should have simple buttons to remove the dust bin for cleaning. Because some vacuums have an awkward design that makes the emptying process difficult.
A vacuum with a filter is very important. Some vacuums have fewer filters, others have more filters. A filter that is replaceable and washable can be annoying for some people.
Similarly, a bagged or a bagless vacuum matters a lot. Most vacuum is bagless nowadays eliminating the need for replacements. But some high-end models are still bagged and are believed to be more effective when it comes to cleaning and dusting and vacuuming. This is something to notice if your household has particular allergies.
Reach
If you are going with a corded vacuum, it’s important to consider the length of the cord to avoid frequent outlet changing sessions. But if you have a vacuum with a shorter cord and the power outlet is close to the staircase then it’s not a problem. Or if you have a cordless vacuum that operates on a battery then you are good to go.
To some extent, the cordless vacuum cleaner is much more effective because it not only removes the problem of cords getting in your way, but you can take the vacuum anywhere like cleaning your car or going on the second floor of your home. The only thing you need to do is ensure that the vacuum cleaner is charged properly because the stronger a battery is charged the more power it will deliver. Some vacuums are also equipped with poor batteries which don’t allow the vacuum to generate superb suction.
Attachments
Attachments play an important role when it comes to picking the best vacuum for stairs. Attachments simply make a vacuum versatile enough to almost tackle any cleaning task in your home.
Generally, you should get a vacuum that offers various types of attachments because they allow you to clean difficult-to-reach spaces and get into the fibers, and remove dust and debris from deep down.
Some important attachments include a motorized brush, this makes the brush powerful enough to pick everything that comes in its way.
Next is a crevice tool. This tool helps you clean stairs better compared with a standard brush roll by allowing you to get into the corners efficiently, thanks to the small and pointed ends.
Similarly, there are several other sets of attachments like ingenious rubber nozzles to destroy pet hairs, and wide mouth nozzles for sucking up debris, dirt, and fine particles from hard surfaces.
Suction Power
This is the most important element of a vacuum cleaner. The stronger the vacuum is the best performance you will get. Almost every manufacturer gives a power rating to let you know how powerful suction is in volts or amps.
But, the power rating doesn’t always translate to the same amount of suction. Some other things also matter like the build quality of the machine and some other things.
A common issue in most vacuums is that they lose suction while vacuuming. Sometimes the units that are getting older tend to lose suction. So before you buy a vacuum make sure to check out the reviews to make a better decision.
Conclusion
Overall, we have done our job of providing you the authentic information about choosing the best vacuum for stairs. You can read the reviews and the buying guide to choose the best fitting vacuum for your home. The most suitable vacuum for stairs we recommend is Shark Navigator Lift-Away and the powerful Black+Decker 20V Max.
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