Cleanliness is one of the biggest headaches we all have to handle constantly.
What if I talk about cleaning the stairs?
Cleaning the stairs takes a lot of effort and is sweaty. It is mainly a big problem if you have a multilevel residence, pets, or both.
Do you encounter problems while cleaning the stairs?
Not only you but everyone faces problems. So, it is important to invest in a suitable vacuum for stairs.
Large amounts of dirt accumulate in the crevices of the stairs, in the corners, and in the high traffic areas. So naturally, you need to choose a light vacuum to carry, which efficiently clears narrow spaces.
Vacuum picking is problematic as not all vacuums are suitable for stairs.
To make cleaning easier, below is a list of some of the best vacuums for stairs in 2025.
If you believe us, we can promise the list and review of vacuum for stairs will not disappoint you.
Best Vacuum Cleaner for Stairs 2025 Comparison Chart
|
STAIR VACUUM |
TYPE |
WEIGHT |
FEATURES |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Stick, Hand |
6.68 pounds |
-Remaining run time -Filter maintenance reminders -The Dynamic Load Sensor (DLS) system |
|
|
Upright |
13.7 pounds |
-Portable and versatile -Brush roll shutoff -XL dust cup capacity |
|
|
Upright |
12.5 pounds |
-Lightweight and maneuverable -Easy to set up & use |
|
|
Stick, Hand |
6.3 Pounds |
-Powerful Suction & Lightweight -Easy-Empty Dust Cup -Converts to Handvac |
|
|
Portable |
13.2 Pounds |
-Superior Suction Powers -Compact Design |
|
|
Upright |
17.4 Pounds |
-Tangle-free Turbine Tool -Combination Tool -Soft Dusting Brush |
|
|
Canister |
10.0 Pounds |
-Lightweight -Auto carpet height adjustment |
Best Vacuum for Stairs Reviews 2025
Weight: 6.68 Pounds; Cordless: Yes; HEPA Filter: No; Bagless: Yes
Dyson V11 Torque Drive is a powerful and intelligent cordless vacuum cleaner that comes with double suction power.
The wireless design makes it one of the most comfortable stair cleaning devices.
Features of the Dyson V11 Torque Drive
It helps to do deep cleaning of stairs and homes with excellent suction ability. The tools are customized specifically for proper cleaning.
Noted as among the best cordless vacuum for stairs, it can easily capture tiny particles like bacteria and allergens.
Dyson V11 Torque Drive Cordless Vacuum is designed intelligently for easy use on all floor types. The large torque cleaner head automatically adjusts to power and suction for deep cleaning on various floors.
It comes with 60 minutes of run time and is perfect for large multi-floor homes where stairs are also a part of the cleaning routine.
The Dyson Torque Drive Cordless vacuum cleaner comes with advanced filtration traps that can trap 99.99 percent dust and allergens of even 0.3 microns. You can wash the filter. Dyson V11 torque drive filter cleaning is relatively easy.
Though this is a signature Dyson stair vacuum cleaner, it can also clean the car, removing pet hair from tight spaces or upholstery.
Also, you will find a crevice tool, stubborn dirt brush, want storage clip, and charger with a vacuum cleaner.
Pros and Cons of the Dyson V11 Torque Drive
Weight: 13.7 pounds; Cordless: No(30 feet); HEPA Filter: Yes; Bagless: Yes
Upright vacuums are an essential tool for spring cleaning.
If you are looking for a good vacuum for stairs, then the Shark NV356E S2 Navigator Lift Away Professional Upright Vacuum is undoubtedly worth considering among the best choices. The Shark NV356E S2 Navigator is an Upright vacuum cleaner noted among the best vacuum for allergy sufferers and pets in spring.
Features of Shark NV356E S2 Navigator
The Shark NV356E S2 is equipped with a Brush roll shut-off mechanism and Swivel Steering navigation to clean every surface and corner more efficiently.
Shark NV356E S2 Navigator Lift is a multipurpose vacuum cleaner. Suited for use on a wide range of flat surfaces, it comes with a HEPA filter and a large dust cup to remove allergens, fine hairs, danders, and specks of dirt with ease.
Shark Navigator has a lift-away function, allowing users to isolate the canister from the head if required.
It helps clean the areas that are hard to reach and has a remote entry and exit point.
Listed among the best vacuums for stairs in 2025, the Shark NV356E S2 Navigator can trap almost 99.9 percent of allergens and dust particles.
It is perfect to use on dense carpet surfaces and hardwood floorings alike without worrying about scratches or the loosening of carpet fibers. In addition, it can be used to clean carpets.
The weight of the Shark NV356E S2 Navigator Lift Away is only 13.7 pounds. So, it is light to move around yet powerful enough to clean every possible nook and cranny.
The lightweight and portable structure makes it one of the best vacuums for carpeted stairs.
Pros and Cons of Shark NV356E S2 Navigator Lift Away
Weight: 12.5 pounds; Cordless: No(20 feet); HEPA Filter: No; Bagless: Yes
The Hoover PowerDash Pet Carpet Cleaner is a lightweight carpet cleaner that performs amazingly due to its double heat force power technology.
With Hoover PowerDash Pet, in just 10-15 minutes, you can clean up your room, lounge, stairs, or even the whole house effortlessly.
Features of Hoover PowerDash Pet Carpet Cleaner
As one of the best hand-held vacuums for stairs, Hoover Power Dash Pet has two removable tanks to hold the dirty and clean water separately while working.
The Hoover PowerDash Pet features an advanced heated cleaning mechanism for a better cleaning experience.
Because of its heated cleaning, it helps eliminate dirt, particularly stubborn stains that other cleaners can’t remove easily.
The Hoover PowerDash Pet uses hot air to dry out the floor on the go.
The instant heated air is released immediately after the hot water is used to clean, thus helping in drying out the surface faster than average.
Being the best hand vacuum for stairs, its degree of ease of use is amazing.
It requires no devices or connections, not even a hose; instead, it only has a simple handle to push the two tanks.
The compact and lightweight design of the Hoover PowerDash comes with very low ground clearance.
It reaches out the tiniest dirt and stain remnants and cleans them effectively.
Pros and Cons of Hoover PowerDash Pet
Weight: 6.3 pounds; Cordless: No(30 feet); HEPA Filter: No; Bagless: Yes
If the latest design and extreme portability are your main priorities, there is no better alternative to the Eureka Flash Lightweight Stick Vacuum Cleaner as the best vacuum for stairs.
Features of Eureka Flash Lightweight Stick Vacuum
Eureka Flash Stick Vacuum Cleaner can be used with ease on the carpet as well as on hard flooring.
The conversion from floor to carpet cleaning and vice-versa is an easy one-touch button choice.
The compact design, along with an easy-grip handle, makes operating the Eureka Stick easy, even for a child.
A simple rollover on the surface to be cleaned is sufficient to suck even the tiniest dirt particles.
At 6.3 pounds, the Eureka Flash Stick Vacuum is very light and user-friendly. It can even be used for cleaning tight crevices and spots on cars very comfortably.
The built-in LED is placed strategically to allow clear visibility while cleaning. It prevents even the smallest of danders and specks of dirt from escaping from the line of sight while cleaning.
A great choice as a stair vacuum cleaner, the Eureka Flash comes with a 30 ft cord to make it easy to move and work as far as viable.
A self-propelled motorized nozzle head that works on a swivel steering mechanism helps easily reach even the tiniest crevices and spots.
Pros and Cons of Eureka Flash Lightweight Stick Vacuum
Weight: 13.2 pounds; Cordless: No(20 feet); HEPA Filter: No; Bagless: Yes
Bissell 3624 Spot Clean Professional Portable Carpet Cleaner is a strong stain and spot vacuum cleaner that most professional cleaning services prefer.
However, there are numerous reasons why it was marketed as the best vacuum for stairs this year (2024).
Features of Bissell 3624 Spot Clean Professional Portable Carpet Cleaner
It is perfect to use for stairs, carpets, auto interiors, and upholstery also. Being among the best vacuum for stairs, it is very lightweight and portable to carry.
It helps to remove stubborn stains and embedded dirt using its multi-cleaning features of scrubbing and suction.
It offers deep cleaning with the removal of tough grits. It also prevents future staining with stain protection attributes.
It is safe to use on hard and soft surfaces and results in deep cleaning. There is no tension of scratches on hard floorings or damage on soft carpeted surfaces.
Being one of the best stair vacuum cleaners means buyers will get an additional 6-inch stair tool for deep cleaning.
It also consists of another 3 inches stair tool to assist your work further, along with a trial bottle of Pro Max Clean.
Pros & Cons of Bissell 3624 Spot Clean Professional
Weight: 17.4 pounds; Cordless: No(35 feet); HEPA Filter: Yes; Bagless: No
To most people, cleaning implies eliminating waste and mess, wiping off dust, and getting rid of unpleasant smells. That is where the Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean Upright Vacuum Cleaner proves to be helpful. It is much more than just one of the best vacuums for stairs.
Features of Dyson Ball Animal 2 Upright Vacuum
Dyson Ball Animal 2 Upright Vacuum is designed specifically for pet owners and works magnificently in getting rid of maximum hairs, danders, and furs. It works well from various surfaces, including stairs, hardwood floors, carpets, and mats.
The knot-free attachment is explicitly designed to collect pet hair without causing clogging during suctioning easily.
This Dyson Stair Vacuum comes with two extra-special highlights of the Dyson Ball Animal 2, incorporating a launderable lifetime filter and the HEPA filtration system.
These additional Dyson Ball Animal 2 attachments for air quality can be useful when you or any relatives experience the ill effects of any allergies.
Noted as the best vacuum for carpeted stairs, the Dyson Ball Animal 2 Upright Vacuum is great all by itself due to the large number of attachments that make the cleaning task simpler to perform.
It is made using ABS plastic and break-proof polycarbonate. That makes it work for more than 10 years without being damaged.
Pros & Cons of Dyson Ball Animal 2 Total Clean
Weight: 10.0 pounds; Cordless: No(20 feet); HEPA Filter: No; Bagless: No
Looking for a good vacuum for the stairs if you have a multi-floor residence?
Get a high level of satisfaction by using the Sanitaire S3681D Sanitaire Electrolux Canister Vacuum with remarkable cleaning features.
Features of Sanitaire Mighty Mite Canister Vacuum
The Sanitaire Mighty Mite Canister Vacuum easily removes all the dust or dirt because of its powerful motor.
It can pull out even the most adamant dust and debris deposits.
Clean every single area of your house effortlessly because of its designed structure. Its body outlook is designed in a beautiful way that makes it easily maneuverable through the smallest of spaces.
Additionally, it is very easy to use, and the user does not feel bulky to handle.
The vacuum cleaner is very affordable when compared with some of the best vacuums for stairs and carpets.
Pros & Cons of Sanitaire Mighty Mite Canister Vacuum
Considerations When Choosing A Best Vacuum For Stairs
Choosing the best vacuum for stairs based on the list of recommended choices is not always an easy task.
Since all of the products mentioned in the list are often among the top-rated and most preferred choices, customers can get confused about the perfect one for their home.
The choice can be simplified by taking into consideration a few essential pointers. These credible points include.
Corded vs Cordless
Choosing a vacuum with or without a cord can be a confusing choice to make.
Vacuums with Cords can be messy to handle and bothersome, while cordless vacuum has a problem running out of battery before cleaning is complete.
Generally, strong suction power and an easy-to-carry lightweight vacuum are suitable for the stairs. And almost all cordless vacuums are light which is easy to carry on the stairs. Moreover, the wireless feature makes it easy to reach the top of the stairs, which speeds up the cleaning process.
However, the following points must consider when choosing the best cordless vacuum cleaner for the stairs.
And if you want to buy the corded vacuum cleaner for the stairs, you must consider the following things.
Presence Of Pets at Home
Pets are prone to excessive shedding during seasonal change. As a result, pet hair easily accumulates in the grooves and corners of the stairs. Unfortunately, not all vacuum cleaners can easily remove pet hairs from stairs—That’s why specially equipped vacuum cleaners are needed in the presence of pets at home.
Experts share that the features of self-cleaning brush rolls/dedicated pet hair brush, special filters, and superior suction power distinguish pet hair vacuum from the ordinary vacuum.
Bagged vs. Bagless
Bagged vacuums usually have a canister that collects dirt and debris. Once the canister is full, it can be easily removed from the vacuum’s body. In addition, bagged vacuums create less clutter when emptied because they use disposable bags to collect dirt.
These disposable bags reduce allergen exposure, so many allergy sufferers prefer them. However, replacing bags can become quite expensive over time, especially if you have pets or high traffic space.
Bagless vacuums contain a collection container that must be emptied in order for the machine to continue working. Because bagless vacuums do not require replacement bags, they are often more economical and environmentally friendly than bagged machines. However, emptying the debris from a bagless vacuum chamber can cause some messiness and may even trigger an allergic reaction in some people.
The Filtration System
It is best to choose a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filtration system. This technology is a far more advanced filtration system that detects and removes particles as small as 0.3 microns.
HEPA Filter effectively cleans 99.9% of the surface dust, danders, and other allergens and pollutants.
So a vacuum equipped with HEPA filters can be a great sweeper for stairs.
The Suction Power Capacity
A continuous suction power vacuum is always best for stairs and hardwood floors that help provide better and deeper cleaning of surfaces.
However, it is imperative to note the suction feature a vacuum has. Continuous suction is a far better choice than the fluctuating type.
The Noise Produced
The vacuum cleaners, in general, are noisy. While most are seemingly less noisy, it is important to note what kind of area will use the vacuum.
For example, the sound tends to resonate in tiled rooms and large enclosed spaces. Also, if you live in a small duplex apartment, it creates an uncomfortable high noise volume.
That’s why it is best to choose a vacuum cleaner with minimal sound emission if you want to avoid echo and multiplication of sound volume.
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
Are All Vacuum Cleaners Operable On Stairs?
No, since most vacuum cleaners are large in size with limited movability, it is best to use specially designed vacuums for stairs.
Which Are The Best Vacuums For Stairs?
Many brands design vacuums for stairs. It is best to look for portable, hand-held, or cordless lightweight vacuum cleaners for homes with stairs.
Can Robot Vacuum Be Used On Carpeted Stairs?
The answer is usually, no. Robot Vacuum cleaners are not designed for staircases.
Though there is a robot vacuum called sTetro for staircase cleaning, it’s not available for consumers yet.
Are All The Vacuum Cleaners For Stairs Cordless?
Not necessarily. Many of the vacuums for stairs are custom designed with longer cords and hoses for ease of operation.
However, the best hand-held vacuums for stairs are mostly cordless with a heavy-duty battery backup.
Can A Single Vacuum Be Used On Hardwood Floor And Carpet Stairs Alike?
While most vacuum cleaners offer a multi-surface cleaning function, it is always best to check beforehand.
Some specialized vacuum does not work on the hardwood floor and vice-versa.
Are Pet Hairs And Danders Easy To Remove For Most Vacuum Cleaners?
Pet hairs and danders are very fine and almost invisible to naked eyes. Additionally, they are prone to hide away and accumulate in tiny or narrow spaces and crevices.
Vacuum cleaners with powerful suction are necessary for sucking out these well hidden fine danders.
Most of the best vacuum for stairs and pets are equipped with advanced and powerful motorized suction pumps for this reason.
How Often Should Stairs Be Vacuumed?
Depending on the pollution around and the presence of additional pets, on average stairs should be vacuumed 1 to 2 times every week.
However in case you have pets who shed a lot, or the residence is in a crowded area, it is best to vacuum the carpets and the stairs every alternate day.
Dusting Or Vacuuming, Which Is To Be Done First?
It is always best to dust the place well first before proceeding to vacuum.
This not only dislodges the hidden dust articles and danders but also prevents dust deposition on floors and carpets from the duster cloth later.
Conclusion
The best vacuum for stairs is generally the ones that are equipped to work well on any given surface in addition to being easy to move around and lightweight to carry.
Our list of recommendations is based on the test and analysis conducted on a wide range of the best-rated vacuum cleaners for stairs.
The stair vacuum cleaners are a far better choice due to their multi-purpose usability. After all, there is no advantage neither is it economical to purchase two separate types of vacuum cleaner when only one can serve all the purpose.