The 10 Best Vacuums for Stairs of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
Stairs get so much daily use that it’s easy for dust, grime, debris, and hair to build up, leaving them looking a lot less fresh than you’d like—which is why owning a vacuum that can tackle stairs is such a necessity.
“Stairs are definitely a very high-traffic area of the home, and they tend to collect a lot of dust and debris in the creases,” says Whitney White, Airbnb cleaning specialist. She adds that while she doesn’t believe stairs need to be vacuumed as often as other areas of the home, she does recommend vacuuming them about once a week to ensure ultimate cleanliness.
To find the best vacuums for stairs, we tested over 300 models in our Des Moines lab, evaluating their efficiency, portability, design, ease of use, and more. We also interviewed Jennifer Rodriguez, the chief hygiene officer at Pro Housekeepers, for her expert insights about what to look for when shopping.
Shark WS642AE Wandvac Self-Empty Cordless Stick Vacuum at Amazon
$330
$264
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It automatically adjusts the suction power levels as needed.
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The vacuum’s square head can catch on table or chair legs.
For an excellent vacuum that leaves your stairs looking brand new, we recommend this sleek cordless model from Levoit. During our testing, we were so impressed by the power and speed of the vacuum, especially considering its lightweight feel. It was especially great at getting into corners, underneath stair ridges, and other tricky areas, leaving no spot untouched and tackling every mess.
This vacuum has a helpful Auto Mode that adjusts the suction power level depending on the mess and bright LED headlights to illuminate your cleaning path. You can choose from five power levels, and two included accessories, including a telescopic crevice tool and a 2-in-1 dusting brush. Plus, the vacuum is easy to empty and has a very reasonable price tag. One flaw is that the device has a square head with a hard 90-degree corner in the rear, which can cause it to catch on chairs or table legs. But all in all, this top-tier vacuum will leave stairs and floors looking spotless.
Type: Cordless stick | Weight: 7.1 pounds | Dustbin Capacity: .15 gallons | Battery Life: 40 minutes | Attachments: Telescopic crevice tool; 2-in-1 dusting brush
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PHOTO: Wade Review / Rachel Marek
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![Levoit VortexIQ 40 Cordless Stick Vacuum cleaning carpet]()
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PHOTO: Wade Review / Rachel Marek
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![Levoit VortexIQ 40 Cordless Stick Vacuum cleaning hair and fluff from carpet]()
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PHOTO: Wade Review / Rachel Marek
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![Hand adding brush attachment to the Levoit VortexIQ 40 Cordles
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