The 6 Best Vacuums for Stairs of 2023, According to Cleaning Pros
Updated: Mar. 12, 2024
Whether your stairs are straight, L-shaped or spiraled, these best vacuums for stairs tackle the job.
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Cleaning your stairs might seem like an afterthought, but debris builds up there pretty quickly. Chances are, it’s one of those places you’re not vacuuming, but should be. Not every best vacuum cleaner can handle the job, and with so many options available, it might feel confusing to find the best vacuum for stairs. We’ve broken our categories down to the stuff you care about most, like price, weight and what works best for carpet and furry friends.
Not giving the stairs a thorough pass is a cleaning mistake you don’t want to make. When shopping for the best vacuum for stairs, think about your lifestyle and what gets tracked in throughout the week. From pet hair to work boot dirt to sports equipment, stairs see a lot of action. So whether you have hardwood floors, carpet or runner rugs on your stairs, our picks cover every type of home aesthetic, need and price point.
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Best overall vacuum for stairs
Shark Navigator Lift-Away ADV Upright Vacuum
With this Shark upright vacuum, you’ll love the lift-away option for full transportability. The detachable pod is easy to use with a simple pod-release pedal. Once detached, use it to vacuum stairs or other hard-to-reach areas, like ceiling fans or banisters. This Amazon vacuum deep cleans every crevice, and the strong suction works on picking up layers of pet hair from the floors.
The three attachments include a crevice tool, dusting brush and pet power brush. We love that this Shark vacuum only weighs around 12 pounds (even less when the pod is detached). The precise swivel steering makes it easy to maneuver without straining your back. The Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology ensures a clean air experience that captures 99.99% of dust and allergens. For more, you can also consider these Shark vacuum accessories.
Pros
- Detachable tools grab dirt in every crevice
- Lift-away option lets you reach areas off the ground
- Cleans pet hair on various surfaces
- Weighs about 12 pounds
- Captures 99.99% of dust and allergens
- Available on Amazon, Shark and Walmart
Cons
- Not cordless
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Best value vacuum for stairs
Bissell PowerForce Helix Vacuum
This purple Bissell PowerForce vacuum has a cord, but at 23 feet long, you shouldn’t have any problems going up and down the stairs. A washable filter eliminates the need to buy replacements, and the on-board tool storage means you won’t lose the dusting brush, extension wand or crevice tool. Adjust it to five heights and use it on all floor types, whether you have hardwood floors, rug overlays or semi-carpeted stairs. This Walmart-exclusive is one of the best Bissell vacuums out there.
Verified reviewer, John, shares, “For the price, I couldn’t believe the power. I picked up two full canisters of sand and dog hair that were missed completely by my previous vacuum. It was easy to assemble and easy to use.”
Pros
- Budget-friendly price
- Washable and reusable filter
- On-board tool storage
- Adjustable height
Cons
- Not cordless
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Best vacuum for stairs with carpet
Prolux TerraVac Deluxe Series Canister Vacuum
This Prolux canister vacuum might be the best vacuum for carpeted stairs, but it can handle a variety of surfaces, including all types of hard floors. It’s a bit on the heavier side at just under 15 pounds, but a powerful 12-amp motor adjusts depending on the cleaning job. A professional cleaning tip: For a smaller project (or when your baby is sleeping), keep it at 400 watts. For full power, crank it up to 1,200 watts.
You’ll love the various cleaning modes for dusting, upholstery, sweeping hard floors and deep cleaning your carpet. The compact canister design provides easy storage, and the on-board tools work well for dusting, cleaning drapes and vacuuming stairs.
Pros
- Special mode for deep cleaning carpets
- Comes with an attachment designed for stairs
- Five speeds offer various cleaning modes
- Lower settings are quiet
- Available at Walmart and Amazon
Cons
- Not cordless
- Requires a vacuum bag
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Most lightweight vacuum for stairs
Mellif Cordless Vacuum
At around 3 pounds, this Mellif cordless vacuum tackles stairs with carpet and hard floors. Whether your stairs have trapped dirt, hair or other debris, the handheld vacuum will tackle them all. It’s a fast house-cleaning product with three heads, including wide mouth, brush and crevice nozzles. There’s even an extension tube for hard-to-reach spots. The two detachable HEPA filters are washable and reusable.
“It’s my go-to for touch-up cleaning around the house now. Way easier to use than dragging out a little shop vac,” writes five-star reviewer, Ross R. “And I really appreciate the extra attachments it came with. If they would put an LED to light up the dirt… I’d immediately buy a second.”
Pros
- Only weighs 3 pounds
- Comes with four heads
- Includes two washable, reusable HEPA filters
- Cordless model
- Available on Amazon and Walmart
Cons
- Battery not included (but works with any Dewalt 20-volt MAX battery)
- Not designed for larger areas
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Best vacuum for stairs with pet hair
Dyson V15 Detect Absolute
This best vacuum for pet hair is a splurge, but if you’ve got pets, you’ll see why this cordless vacuum for stairs is one of our favorites. Clumps of hair that gather on the stairs might go unnoticed, but with Dyson’s V15 Detect Absolute Vacuum, animal hair gets picked up even when you can’t see it. An angled light makes invisible dust visible on hard floors, and this vacuum’s piezo sensor increases suction power when it’s needed.
Notable perks are the extensive HEPA filtration system and the LCD screen that gives scientific proof of what’s been picked up. Hair is automatically removed from the brush bar with the De-tangling Digital Motorbar. A combination tool also makes it easy to switch between the wide nozzle and brush options to get rid of dust for good. You might also like to pair it with the best Dyson vacuum accessories, too.
Pros
- Has a hair screw tool for pet hair and long hair
- LCD screen gives scientific feedback
- Features an angled light
- Cordless model
- De-tangling Digital Motorbar removes hair from brush bar
- Available on Dyson, Walmart and Amazon
Cons
- On the expensive side
P.S. Check out the latest addition to Dyson’s lineup—the Gen5outsize.
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Most eco-friendly vacuum for stairs
Kenmore Elite Vacuum with Swivel Head
This affordable Kenmore Elite cordless stick vacuum is ideal for stairs, carpet and bare floors. The HEPA filter is useful if you have pets and lots of foot traffic, since it captures 99.97% of dust particles, pet dander, pollen and bacteria. The two speed settings include low for eco mode, which is the default for the detachable hand vacuum option, and high for max mode. It’s a eco-friendly cleaning product that we (and thousands of shoppers) love.
As far as cordless vacuums go, this one weighs less than 6 pounds and has a run time of up to 40 minutes. The colorful LED battery lets you know your charge level along with your motor speed. Chores are a breeze with its crevice tool, dusting brush and pet tool.
Pros
- Offers an eco mode
- Cordless model
- Has an extra-large dust cup capacity
- Strong HEPA filtration
- Converts into a handheld vacuum
- Available on Amazon, Walmart and Wayfair
Cons
- It takes four hours for a full charge
What to consider when buying a vacuum for stairs
First off, decide how much you want to spend. In general, vacuums start around $50 and go upwards of $1,000—don’t worry, you can find plenty of cheap vacuums and vacuum deals. Another characteristic to think about is how often you’ll be vacuuming the stairs. If stairs lead to a less trafficked part of the home, you won’t need a unit that’s as heavy-duty.
You should also factor debris types, such as pet hair, dirt and food crumbs from younger kids. Make sure the vacuum best meets the needs of your floor type, as well. Choose from an upright, canister, stick or handheld model and, most importantly, learn how to use it.
How we found the best vacuum for stairs
As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject-matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.
FAQ
How often should you vacuum your stairs?
In general, you should vacuum your stairs once or twice per week. However, the amount of traffic and your family’s lifestyle, including sports, pets and whether or not your family leaves their shoes at the front door or not, also come into play. If you’ve got lots of dirt or wet messes, try a vacuum-mop combo.
Is there a robot vacuum for stairs?
There’s currently not a robot vacuum for stairs. The mapping integration is improving and many have cliff-sensing technology to prevent it from falling. However, you’ll still need to pick it up and set it down on each level, making a robot vacuum a better investment for floors, not stairs.
Originally Published: June 15, 2023
