The Best Vacuums for Stairs, Tested and Reviewed
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Banishing dirt, dust, and debris from stairs can be a daunting task. Choose the right vacuum to get the job done with fewer backaches and less sweat.
Vacuuming stairs regularly will help them look good while extending the lifespan of carpeting and runners. Between risers, treads, and stair noses, plenty of dust and debris gets caught in this high-traffic thoroughfare. Fortunately, some vacuums are better than others when it comes to getting the job done safely and easily. To help you select the right machine for your space, we spent a month putting some popular models through their paces and are here to report back on our Top Picks’ features, usability, and performance.
Read on for shopping guidance when assessing models and to see how all of the following products fared in our hands-on tests.
- BEST OVERALL: Dyson V8 Animal Cordless Stick Vacuum
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK : Bissell FeatherWeight Lightweight Stick Vacuum
- UPGRADE PICK: Dyson V12 Detect Slim Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
- BEST HANDHELD: Black+Decker 20V MAX Cordless Handheld Vacuum
- BEST LIGHTWEIGHT: Black+Decker 20V MAX Cordless Flex Handheld Vacuum
- BEST CORDLESS: Eureka RapidClean Pro Vacuum
- BEST FOR PET HAIR: Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Lithium Ion Cordless Vacuum
- BEST FOR CARPET: Shark Rotator Lift-Away Upright Vacuum
How We Tested the Best Vacuums for Stairs
The best vacuum cleaners for stairs can reduce the amount of dust, allergens, and pet hair on hard surfaces and carpeted staircases. When choosing products to test, we picked a combination of stick, handheld, or combination vacuum cleaner types to meet the needs of various customers and spaces. During the reviews, we noted the type, adjustability, wattage, attachments included, filtration type, and other special features as we entered the specs and our observations into a testing rubric.
Upon arrival, we assembled each device according to the manufacturer’s instructions, noting the ease of assembly for both the body and attachments and different configurations. We charged the machines based on user manual recommendations. We carried each up and down the stairs, noting the weight and any cord considerations. We even dropped the devices on different surfaces, taking note of the durability.
To test the efficiency of the vacuums, we used each one to clean a set of stairs with a jute runner and one with just hardwood flooring. We also tested the cleaners on area rugs and upholstery.
We scattered smaller particles (sand) and larger items (beads and paper scraps) to test the power of the suction, noting efficiency and runtime in different modes. We tried out all the attachments and other included accessories. Once we finished vacuuming, we emptied the dust bins, noting the ease of use, cleanliness, and the contents.
Our Top Picks
The best vacuums for stairs are lightweight, easy to maneuver, and allow users to clean hard-to-access spaces safely and effectively. Get the details about our top picks and see how well they performed during hands-on testing.
Best Overall
Dyson V8 Animal Cordless Stick Vacuum
Lightweight and easy to maneuver, Dyson’s V8 Cordless Stick Vacuum proved to be our top choice for cleaning stairs. It can be used upright for treads and then easily transformed into a handheld with a crevice tool for hard-to-reach corners.
The V8 cordless stick vacuum has all the features we need for cleaning stairs while coming in at a lower price point than most of its competition (although still an investment). The 40-minute runtime was plenty to cover all the stairs in our house, plus light cleaning elsewhere, while the included crevice tool allowed us to reach dusty corners easily.
We found the motor powerful enough to pick up debris from kids’ craft projects, like beads and googly eyes, especially on carpeted stairs. Its “max-power” mode was most effective but significantly cut the charge time. The 0.54-liter bin has plenty of room for a full cleaning and is simple to empty with a dirt-ejector trigger.
A newer feature on this model versus the old V8 is the Motobar cleaner head, which boasts a detangling comb that clears hair from the motorized brush bar, sucking it straight into the bin. We also appreciated the addition of the hair screw tool: a mini motorized brush that is ideal for smaller spaces. Opt for the Absolut model with the additional Fluffy head cleaner if the home has primarily hardwood stairs.
The V8 cordless vacuum is simple to assemble out of the box, with parts that easily snap into place. We hung the charging dock inside a closet and loved that we didn’t have to think about charging it between uses.
Product Specs
- Type: Stick
- Air watts: 115
- Attachments included: Motorbar cleaner head, crevice tool, hair screw tool, combination tool
Pros
- Features acoustic control for 50 percent quieter operation than earlier models
- The 6-cell lithium-ion battery enables a runtime of up to 40 minutes
- Users won’t come into contact with dirt or dust when ejecting the dustbin
- Lightweight, cordless design allows for excellent maneuverability up and down stairs
Cons
- Battery life drains quickly when the device is used on max-power mode
- Though not as expensive as its successors, the V8 is still a hefty investment
Get the Dyson V8 vacuum for stairs at Amazon or Best Buy.
Best Bang for the Buck
Bissell FeatherWeight Lightweight Stick Vacuum
Those in the market for a bagless vacuum dedicated to cleaning stairs and smaller areas only—and don’t want to pay a lot for it—should consider this Bissell model. The stick-handheld vacuum combo is exceptionally lightweight, weighing only 2.6 pounds, and works equally well on hardwood and carpeted surfaces.
In testing, it functioned great as a handheld, but we preferred the stick attachment when cleaning the stairs. We assembled the upright option in under 2 minutes and finished the corners by popping in the included crevice tool. We do wish there was a button ejector for the attachments, but swapping them out was still relatively simple. This compact unit easily fits in the closet or under the bed after use, which is another plus.
Though this model is corded, at 15 feet long, it proved adequate to reach the top of our average-size stairway. The ample suction was powerful enough to lift away smaller pieces of paper and larger beads in one pass. The dirt cup is on the small side, though.
Product Specs
- Type: Stick
- Air watts: 240
- Attachments included: Floor nozzle and crevice tool
Pros
- Budget-friendly bagless unit boasts an easy-to-empty dustbin
- A breeze to use, thanks to its 2.6-pound body
- Conveniently switches from stick to handheld vacuum, but in testing, the stick vacuum configuration worked best for stairs
Cons
- Fairly low suction power makes it suitable for light-duty cleaning only
- Model is corded and not suitable for long staircases over 15 feet
Get the Bissell FeatherWeight vacuum for stairs at Amazon, Kohl’s, orBissell.
Upgrade Pick
Dyson V12 Detect Slim Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
Lightweight and easy to maneuver, this device made cleaning stairs a breeze. We were concerned the lack of weight might reflect on its quality, but testing put this worry to rest.
We love that it comes with two different cleaning heads that cater to hardwood and carpeted surfaces. The Fluffy cleaner head is effective on hardwoods, with a laser that detects particles that can’t normally be seen. We were surprised at how much leftover dog hair it revealed! For carpeting, the detangling Motorbar picks up dust and hair while automatically clearing it from the brush bar. It removed all of the visible hair from our runner.
We loved using the smaller hair screw tool attachment on the stairs. It’s a mini motor-driven head with a detangling conical brush bar that spirals hair off and into the bin. A holder located on the stick vacuum cleaner made the crevice tool easy to grab for cleaning corners without going back to the dock.
It beat the heftier V8 on cleaning time, with a runtime of 60 minutes, and the one-touch power button eliminates the need to hold the trigger to keep it running—a unique feature to most cordless Dysons.
One very cool addition is the integrated technology on the base. The display notes what’s been sucked up and how much time is left for each mode. The eco mode extended the running time and was effective enough for our daily run-through. Auto mode was ample for cleaning the stairs and didn’t reduce runtime drastically, while the boost setting was effective for picking up larger debris but did significantly reduce runtime. One drawback is that the bin capacity is smaller than most later-model Dysons, so it needs to be emptied more frequently.
Product Specs
- Type: Stick/handled
- Air watts: 150 AW (in boost mode)
- Attachments included: Laser Slim Fluffy cleaner head, Motorbar cleaner head, hair screw tool, crevice tool, combination tool
Pros
- The lightest, smallest Dyson on the market
- Multiple attachments for cleaning both carpeting and hardwood floors
- A 60-minute runtime allows for continuous cleaning without redocking
- Digital display shows the power mode, runtime countdown, and maintenance alerts
- Single on/off switch enables users to run the device without holding the trigger
Cons
- The priciest vacuum cleaner in our lineup
- Dustbin is smaller than that on most other Dysons, requiring more frequent emptying
Get the Dyson V12 vacuum for stairs at Dyson, Amazon, Best Buy, or Target.
Best Handheld
Black+Decker 20V MAX Cordless Handheld Vacuum
A foldable and compact design, ample suction, and a large dustbin make this handheld, cordless vacuum a real stair-buster. For those who can comfortably bend down to clean stairs, this model is useful for quick jobs, especially dusty corners with the extendable crevice tool. The 200-degree pivoting nozzle is helpful for vacuuming at different angles. Our runner is jute, so it worked more efficiently on hardwood stairs versus the textured rug. However, it ran smoothly over the couch and low-pile doormat.
A battery indicator lets the user know how much charge remains in the handheld vacuum. After leaving it to charge overnight, we vacuumed for 10 minutes straight, and it was still going. We had a little trouble getting the extendable crevice tool to retract back into the wider suction head, but once we got the hang of it, pushing it down with the thumb and sliding in, the problem was solved.
The dust cup was easy to empty, and we love that it can be detached from the motor to be cleaned at the sink. The dock is convenient for storing the unit, and its compact size makes it easy to carry and simple to tuck away.
Product Specs
- Type: Handheld
- Air watts: 35
- Attachments included: Onboard extendable brush and crevice tool in 1
Pros
- Features a spacious built-in 75-milliliter easy-to-empty dustbin
- Mouth of this handheld includes an integrated extendable crevice tool
- Foldable, compact design makes this model simple to store away
Cons
- Some users have reported reduced battery life over the lifespan of the device
- Not ideal for textured rugs such as jute or shag
Get the Black+Decker Pivot vacuum for stairs at Amazon or The Home Depot.
Best Lightweight
Black+Decker 20V MAX Flex Handheld Vacuum
We couldn’t believe that there was a vacuum inside the tiny box that arrived. This device is extremely compact and lightweight, a design ideal for small jobs and tight spaces.
Out of the box, this vacuum didn’t require any assembly and easily fit into the base for 4 hours of charging time before use. It came with a pet brush, crevice tool, and flip-up brush. We found the pet brush attachment helpful for cleaning dog hair off the stair treads, while a 4-foot flexible hose and crevice tool allowed us to reach into tight corners. The suction was powerful enough to clean the stairs adequately, but not as strong as some of the other models we tested.
A lithium-ion battery in the charging base offers a strong charge for an extended cleaning time of about 20 minutes. To lift away allergens, a three-stage filtration system prevents dust and debris from escaping the spacious 17-ounce dust bowl. The bowl and filter were simple to remove and empty.
We wouldn’t recommend this model for people who want to avoid bending down. However, the company does offer a version with a stick attachment.
Product Specs
- Type: Handheld
- Air watts: 24
- Attachments included: Crevice tool, pet-hair brush, integrated flip-up brush
Pros
- Features a 4-foot flexible hose for extended cleaning reach
- A 3-stage filtration system filters dirt, dust, and allergens
- At just over 3 pounds, lightweight and easy to move up stairs
Cons
- Fairly low suction power makes this unit most suitable for small spaces and quick cleanups
Get the Black+Decker FLEX vacuum for stairs at Amazon, The Home Depot, or CPO.
Best Cordless
Eureka RapidClean Pro Vacuum
The Eureka RapidClean Pro Vacuum is an excellent option for shoppers