Best Vacuum for Stairs – Top Rated For Carpeted and Hardwood

Vacuum cleaning stairs is an important task, and you have to choose a device that allows easy cleaning, convenience in maneuvering and the ability to access difficult corners, the areas beneath stairs and more. Find out about the best vacuum for stairs and how to choose the best ones among them.

What Makes a Specific Vacuum a Good Choice for Cleaning Stairs?

Various factors go into deciding which  stair vacuum is a good choice. You have to get one that can be maneuvered precisely and easily. You should also check the following:

• Light weight – vacuum for stairs should be lightweight so that it can be easy to reach difficult places and also be  transported conveniently. Go for lighter units, preferably with detachable canisters. It is best to opt for those that are less than 10 pounds in overall weight.
• Longer cord – Look for those that come with longer cords – so that you do not have to break your operations after every few feet. While cleaning stairs, a long corded vacuum with rechargeable Lithium Ion batteries can allow power-free operations. Some people like to go for 2-in-1 vacuum cleaners.
• Long hose – Make sure that its hose is long enough, and there are enough nozzles to clean the stairs without the need to move the device.
• Features – Go for one with features like an assortment of brushes, crevice tools, varying pivoting degrees, portable canisters, various attachments and the ability to rotate 180 degrees. The hose and the crevice tool should be 3 ft long at least. Special HEPA filters and multiple brushes can help reduce allergens too.

Comparison Table of 5 Best vacuums for Stairs

Picture	Name	Brand	Ratings [1/5]
	Miele Complete C2 Limited Edition - Corded	Miele	4.7
	Shark Rocket Corded Hand Vac (HV292)	Shark	4.5
	Hoover FH50150 Carpet Basics Power Scrub Deluxe Carpet Cleaner	Hoover	4.4
	Eureka EasyClean Corded Hand-Held Vacuum, 71B	Eureka	4.1
	BISSELL Zing Rewind Bagless Canister Vacuum, Caribbean Blue - Corded	Bissell	4.0

Reviews for Top 10 Best Vacuums for Stairs

Here are reviews for vacuums  that I have found to work best for cleaning stairs.

1. Miele Complete C2 Limited Edition – Corded

The Miele Complete C2 Limited Edition is a well built canister vacuum that is noiseless and is perfect to use on low pile carpet, bare floors, stairs  and a few area rugs.

Suggestions

It lacks HEPA level filtration, but you can upgrade the vacuum to a HEPA filter. This is not a standard offering, and it is better to upgrade.

Tips

It has 6 varied power settings, and you have to change it depending on your cleaning purpose.

Buyer’s Guide

This full sized vacuum comes with a flexible hose, and is designed to last and offer a powerful performance. The hose is constructed out of flexible and superior plastic.

Its floor and rug combination vacuum head can be used for cleaning carpeted stairs and other surfaces. A German vortex motor system powers the cleaner. It has an air-driven roller brush. Click here to read more reviews on Amazon. 

Pros

• It is very quiet in operations, and you do not have to strain your ears to listen to your favorite music or TV shows while vacuuming.
• The canister is lightweight and can easily be moved from one place to another.
• Its robust suction power allows it to easily vacuum various spaces, whether rugs or floors.
• It has Bag full indicator, Auto rewind power cord and Variable suction, and various other features that can be very useful.
• The vacuum can also be maneuvered quite easily.

Cons

• It has a short power cord, which compels users to plug and unplug vacuums often while moving them from one space to other.
• Its plastic body can scratch and scuff easily.

2. Shark Rocket Corded Hand Vac (HV292)– best handheld vacuum for stairs

This is undoubtedly one of the best handheld vacuum for stairs, and can be used to remove dust, small spills, cat hair etc in moderate amounts from any spot.

Suggestions

It has a 15-feet power cord which can be a little short at times. You can use an extension cord with the model.

Tips

After you wash the filter, let it air-dry to prevent the growth of mildew and mold on it.

Buyer’s Guide

The unit lacks a retractable cord. However, you may wrap the cord around the cleaner.

As the vacuum has its handle at the end, use it only for occasional spot cleaning. Any more usage can worsen problems such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Pros

• Until its dirt cup is nearly full, it does not lose suction power.
• Its hose attachment is flexible and nice. It has a dusting brush and a crevice tool fitting on the hose.
• The motorized brush on the vacuum can easily remove pet hair from couches or stairs. You can easily set this brush up.
• Shark Rocket Corded Hand Vac (HV292) can be easily and quickly assembled.
• At 5 pounds, it is lighter than most other vacuums available on the market. Click here to read more reviews on Amazon.

Cons

• Its filters lose effectiveness with each wash, and finding replacement filters can be tough.
• The hose does not fit the model upright, and sharing accessories between them is impossible.

3. Hoover FH50150 Carpet Basics Power Scrub Deluxe Carpet Cleaner

With a convenient design, multiple handles and removable components, this is the best hoover for stairs.

Suggestions

You will need a screwdriver, preferably a flathead one, for assembling this device.

Tips

The machine sprays water in a slightly uneven way, and you have to spray with care.

Buyer’s Guide

Keep an eye on the water indicator in this vacuum, which would tell you when you need to empty or refill it.

Pros

• Its upholstery tool makes vacuuming stairs and other spots very easy.
• Its crevice tool lets you suck dirt up easily from tight spots like living room sofa, and clean well.
• Hoover FH50150 has a DualV nozzle which lets you enough suction for cleaning up rigid stains.
• Its rinse technology lets you clean carpeted stairs with soap, and there is also a rinse setting to remove rest of the soap residue.
• It has tanks for dirty water as well as clean water, and these are simple and convenient to use. Click here to read more reviews on Amazon.

Cons

As its tank is not too large, you have to refill it frequently.

4. Shark Rocket DeluxePro Wired Ultra-Light Upright (HV323)

This is a cleaner for tidying up multiple surfaces, and can clean up pet hair, dust, debris and more.

Suggestions

Storing the cords is slightly odd, and you have to pull it down to retract it on the pegs that come with it.

Tips

Always keep the device supported, as its top section is heavy and can cause it to topple when not leaning against anything.

Buyer’s Guide

Its dust cap has 2 times the capacity of the actual Rocket, and can let you clean for extended time without any interruption.

Pros

• At just 8.6 pounds, it is light enough to be used and transported easily across the home.
• With Pet Multi-Tool, TruePet motor-driven Brush and Dust-Away hard floor accessory, the vacuum ensures convenient cleaning operations.
• Cleaning the device itself is easier, and you can wash and dry its filters with ease.
• Despite being light, it has a robust suction that lets it clean up various types of floor surfaces such as wood floors, pick up pet hair and dirt easily and do more. Click here to read more reviews on Amazon. 

Cons

The wheels have a slightly plastic-like noise while moving on the floor.

5. Black+Decker BDH2000PL MAX Lithium Pivot Vacuum, 20-volt

This is a noisy, but otherwise wonderful vacuum that allows easy each to difficult areas and makes the entire process enjoyable.

Suggestions

It is best to use it as a spot cleaner, as it does not remove dirt embedded in shaggy rugs or fails to deep clean carpets.  See best vacuum for shag carpets.

Tips

Do not use it for cleaning your entire dining room or kitchen room floors. It should best be used as a spot cleaner for wood stairs, carpets etc.

Buyer’s Guide

It does not come with any attachments, which allows the convenience of not misplacing anything.

Pros

• It has robust suction power and its nozzle rotates while also keeping suction maintained.
• The vacuum head can twist in various directions, and you can easily reach the area under tables, difficult spots on the ceiling and more.
• It has a 3-stage filter that keeps the air clean and prevents clogging.
• When not used, its lithium ion battery does not lose charge. Also, through the entire charge cycle, there is minimal fading of power.
•  Black+Decker BDH2000PL needs small space to be stored up. Click here to read more reviews on Amazon. 

Cons

At 94.4 dB, it can be too loud for comfort unless you live in a generally noisy environment.

6. Dyson V8 Absolute Cord-Free Vacuum

This cord-free vacuum cleaner offers the convenience of tangle-free cleaning, and the ability to clean up all areas.

Suggestions

The base of its housing has a button that you must press in order to detach the aluminum extension wand or tube.

Tips

While cleaning, you need to hold back the trigger switch to immediately activate the motorized brush attachments and motor.

Buyer’s Guide

Its trigger grip is made out of hard plastic and the side of its motor tends to rub against the thumb top, causing some discomfort. You can wrap your thumb with a small to avoid this.

Pros

• This is a lightweight device, and you can easily maneuver it.
• It has a nice battery life, and can be used for extended operations.
• It boasts of a powerful suction, especially when used in the Max mode.
• The air filtration is amazing, and can ensure better indoor air quality for your home.
• It has 0.54 liter bin capacity, and you can easily empty the bin after cleaning operations. Click here to read more reviews on Amazon. 

Cons

Although it comes with many attachments, it lacks space for storing them.

7. Bissell Cleanview Deluxe Corded Handheld Vacuum, 47R51

This lightweight  stair vacuum is designed just like the Pet model from BISSELL, but is quite different too. It is packed with many features that offer a more expert general cleaning.

Suggestions

Do not use it for extended periods, as the vibrating motor makes it tough for you to hold it for longer time.

Tips

It is best not to use it for picking up larger pieces, as the wide-mouthed tool is unable to do so.

Buyer’s Guide

As it lacks a rechargeable battery, carrying the unit with its extra cord can be stressful for your arms. It is best to use it, put it down a little and use it again.

Pros

• The vacuum consists of a 4 Amp motor, which offers a thorough cleaning experience.
• It has a 2-foot hose and an 18-foot power cord that offers a full reach of 20 feet, allowing an extended reach during cleaning.
• This is a bagless cleaner, and there is no need to touch the accumulated dirt or go on replacing it.
• Its dust cap can easily be emptied, and its transparent design lets you see how much it is filled.
• It can reach tight spaces easily, and can effectively remove pet hair and other objects from carpets. Click here to read more reviews on Amazon. 

Cons

As it depends on power for operations, you can be in a fix when there is a power outage.

8. Dirt Devil Hand Vacuum Cleaner Ultra Corded Bagged Handheld Vacuum M08230RED

Light in weight at lower than 3 Pounds, this device can handle cleaning operations easily.

Suggestions

It is not recommended that you use it for vacuuming long human hair strands, as these can be caught up in its revolving brush.

Tips

There are two suction speeds. The higher speed is loud while the lower speed is very soft.

Buyer’s Guide

The unit is offered with a cord strap, and you have to use it to keep the cord stored properly.

Pros

• Over 99% of allergens and dust can be trapped by its MicroFresh filters.
• It consists of a motorized brush that allows deep cleaning, and can roll through messes of any size.
• Dirt Devil Hand Vacuum Cleaner M08230RED has a power cord of 16 feet length, which can offer you more reach while cleaning and tidy up everything at one go.
• It has a stretch hose and crevice tool that allows reach to spaces that are usually hard to access. Click here to read more reviews on Amazon.

Cons

You have to use it only at lower speed in the early morning hours to avoid waking up family members.

9. BISSELL Zing Rewind Bagless Canister Vacuum, Caribbean Blue – Corded

This is a low-cost canister vacuum cleaner that is perfect for low pile carpets and hardwood floors.

Suggestions

It is easy to empty its dirt cup. You should empty it when the dirt level is ‘FULL’. Never wait until the bin is 100% full.

Tips

Remember to reduce its suction while cleaning fabrics, draperies, cushions, curtains etc.

Buyer’s Guide

If there is a dip in performance level, wash its filters and thoroughly dry them before reinserting them into the cleaner.

Pros

• It has a lightweight and compact design, which allows ease of operations.
• The unit has a low profile, which lets it easily get beneath furniture and clean up dirt, debris, pet hair etc.
• Its extension hose is long and allows nice reach to areas that are generally tough to access.
• It is affordable and yet offers very powerful suction and performance. Click here to read more reviews on Amazon. 

Cons

It does not clean up medium pile rugs and carpets too well.

10. Eureka EasyClean Corded Hand-Held Vacuum, 71B – best vacuum for stairs

This is a fantastic cleaning tool for upholstery and stairs, and is capable of removing pet hairs easily.

Suggestions

It is a handheld vacuum, and you should avoid using it for cleaning floors as you would have to bend down for reaching the floors. It works best as a spot cleaner.

Tips

It can struggle with bigger dirt pieces as these may be unable to fit in between brush roll bristles. Use the crevice tool and hose to work around this issue.

Buyer’s Guide

Its cord is about 20 feet long and lacks rewind feature. But you can use the cord wrap section at the rear part of the vacuum.

Pros

• It is perfect for cleaning up vertical areas on upholstery and stairs.
• It is rather quiet despite its robust suction power.
• Light in weight, it can easily be carried about and used for cleaning.
• It is bag-less and comes with washable filters, which reduces its operational expenses.
• It is a versatile unit, courtesy its crevice tool and flexible hose. Click here to read more reviews on Amazon. 

Cons

Its dirt bin tends to fill up fast and you need to empty it more frequently.

Corded Handheld Vacuums

It is best to choose vacuum cleaners with long cords for tidying up stairs. The last few years have witnessed a shift in the market for vacuums, and cordless varieties have come into popular usage. Although some people like to use cordless handheld vacuums, these are not very good for stairs – usually for the following reasons:

• Short battery life – Unless you go for the really expensive ones, you have to do with a short battery life on a single charge – which is usually around 15 minutes. That might not be enough if you have hardwood stairs or two or three floors to cover.
• Costly – These are often expensive, and come at a premium price. You can find it tough to get a good one that costs less than 200 USD.
• Low power – As these are battery operated, you cannot often get the kind of suction and power that can be expected from corded units that run on AC outlets. The really powerful ones are typically expensive. Most of these are better for spot cleaning, and lack the features or capability to offer a deep cleaning experience.

Handheld corded vacuum

Are the best choice for vacuuming the stairs, and cost-effective as well. These  vacuums never run out of power, and are perfect for longer cleaning operations or larger spaces. Unlike the latter that run for only about 15 – 30 minutes, you can operate them for longer time. Those that run on batteries often need around 12 hours to charge up to 100% again.

Although you have to deal with more noisy operations, tangled cords and charging outlets, these offer far more power than cordless units. You can usually get much higher suction power and pick up more amount of dirt, debris and other types of rubbish at one go. Usually, battery power determines the amount of suction power that can be expected from a vacuum cleaner.

The handheld varieties are portable as well, and you do not suffer from strain on the hands during prolonged operations.    These are very light and compact in design, and generally weigh less than 10 or even 5 pounds. When you choose a model that is of the right size and height for you, the operations can be far easier. The cleaning results can be better as well.

However, some top brands such as Dyson are bringing out cordless handheld vacuums that can offer more suction power and can run for longer time. These are very light in weight as well, which means they are not painful to use or carry for extended time.

Conclusion

That was all about vacuums for stairs, and a lowdown on some of the best vacuum models for cleaning up stairs. The best vacuum for stairs for your home will depend on your individual preferences, budget, expected features, type of design, length of stairs and the type of stairs that you have – wooden, carpeted, non-carpeted etc. Your choice should be guided by such factors, which are important for making the best choices for satisfying your own cleaning requirements.