Cleaning your house is tiresome anyway but cleaning the stairs is particularly awkward.
In today’s best vacuum cleaner for stairs reviews, we’ll explore 10 of the leading vacs that will make your life easier without you needing to spend a fortune.
What Is The Best Way To Vacuum Your Stairs?
There’s no substitute for sitting down or crouching and vacuuming the stairs one by one for a thorough clean. For this approach, you really need a handheld vacuum.
If you prefer an upright, stick or canister vacuum – more on these below – make sure you start at the bottom. This minimizes the chance of the vacuum toppling over and falling down the flight of stairs.
Loosen up the debris with a crevice tool and focus on the edges which is where the majority of the dust tends to accumulate.
So…
Cleaning the stairs might be tedious but it’s really not hard. It’s also essential if you want your house looking tip-top.
What To Consider When Looking For The Best Vacuum Cleaner For Stairs
It goes without saying that a bulky corded upright is not the most suitable appliance for cleaning stairs.
There are 4 main vacuum styles you should consider if you want to make this awkward element of house cleaning a little easier on yourself.
- Handheld Vacuums
- Cordless Vacuums
- Canister Vacuums
- Upright or Stick Vacuums
Handheld Vacuums
A dinky, portable handheld is perhaps the strongest choice for making light work of cleaning the stairs.
These handhelds can be either corded or cordless. For the sake of convenience, a cordless model wins hands down. You won’t be tethered to the power outlet and you’ll be able to clean even long, windy staircases with ease.
On the downside, you won’t get a wide cleaning path like with a larger vacuum. That said, you’ll still be able to zap up most debris, including pet hair, without too much problem. This means you’ll probably need to get this as well as your existing vacuum rather than as a standalone appliance.
In these vacuum cleaner for stairs reviews, we have tried to give you a wide selection so there’s something for everyone. The majority of the vacs we tested were handhelds, though.
Cordless Vacuums
Whether it’s a handheld or a stick, a cordless vacuum running on a battery is the smart bet when it comes to sprucing up your stairs.
You will get much more flexibility of movement and the battery life of any of the models we tested here is more than enough to cope with a session on the stairs.
Some cordless sticks also convert into handhelds. While this can be fiddly, the 2-in-1 functionality gives you a lot more versatility.
Canister Vacuums
As long as the hose is sufficiently lengthy to travel to the top of the stairs, canister vacuums can also work well for cleaning your stairs.
Think carefully about the length of cord and the width of the cleaning path so you don’t end up with something unfit for purpose.
Upright Or Stick Vacuums
While a bulky and cumbersome upright is perhaps not the wisest move for cleaning stairs, some of the more lightweight options on the market get the job done.
A stick is preferable in terms of mobility while a full-bore upright will generally have more suction. If your stairs are a particularly high-traffic area and tend to accumulate lots of dirt, that extra punch might come in handy.
View the Best Vacuum Cleaner For Stairs, Below
Without further ado, we’ll walk you through 10 of the very best vacuum cleaner for stairs reviews. This should take all the sting out of your research and let you confidently get the best vac for the purpose without a headache.
1. Eureka EasyClean Hand-Held Vacuum
First up in our hunt for the best vacuum cleaner for stairs is an extremely affordable handheld from Eureka. Finished in striking blue or yellow, it looks good and performs just as well.
The main selling point of the EasyClean is the patented Riser Visor. When you are cleaning surfaces horizontally, the transparent cover stays down and in place. When you switch to vertical cleaning like on your stairs, it flips up neatly so the revolving brush has full access to the stair risers. This touch alone makes it a strong contender for the best vacuum cleaner for stairs.
The crevice tool is ideal for agitating the dust and debris on your stairs. The handheld style of the vacuum means you can follow up the staircase and get it sparkling clean in no time.
Although it’s corded, at 20 feet long with a 3 feet hose offers adequate reach for most stairs.
The portable nature of this vacuum means you can also easily use it to buff up your car or deal with any impromptu messes around the house.
The powerful 5.5amp motor gives you all the suction you need without the need for a bulky unit.
For an inexpensive and capable vacuum for your stairs, the Eureka EasyClean deserves a place on any shortlist.
Purchase this Product at Amazon.com
2. Dirt Devil Hand Vacuum Cleaner The Hand Vac 2.0
Another bagless handheld vacuum is up next, the uprated Hand Vac 2.0 from the industry heavyweight Dirt Devil.
Weighing less than 3 pounds, you’ll be able deal with even bigger staircases without straining yourself.
The Dirt Devil has a 20-foot power cord so, although you won’t have the complete freedom of a cordless vac, you should have ample room for maneuver.
The motorized brush roll is driven at high velocity so you can enjoy the suction power of a far bigger upright without the drawback of lugging it up and down your stairs.
The Hand Vac undoubtedly works best on carpeted surfaces. If your stairs are hardwood or tiled, this is not the best solution.
Some users report issues with the side fans blowing too hard so if you plan to use this vacuum to clean up spillages from your pets, again you might want to reconsider.
The dirt cup is super-simple to empty at the press of a button so you get none of the mess that can come with some bagless vacuums. The filter is washable and reusable so you won’t have any ongoing running costs.
While it’s not fit for vacuuming an entire house, for cleaning your stairs or taking care of sudden, unexpected messes, the Dirt Devil Hand Vac 2.0 is well worth checking out.
Purchase this Product at Amazon.com
3. Bissell Cleanview Deluxe Corded Handheld
Bissell makes extremely effective vacuums at an incredibly reasonable price point. The Cleanview is no exception.
This unit is a compact handheld measuring 10 x 5 x 8 inches and weighing a mere 5 pounds. You won’t dip out on cleaning power, though. The poky 4-amp motor and proprietary cyclonic cleaning system ensures that all dirt and debris is sucked up in short order.
As the name suggests, the dirt cup is transparent so it’s easy to see when it needs emptying out. Simply hit the release switch and the container detaches fuss-free.
The crevice tool and wide mouth tool thrown in allow you to disturb any stubborn debris before cleaning up your stairs like a dream.
The power cord is slightly too short for comfort at 18 feet. It always disappoints us when a manufacturer cuts corners on such an important element of the vacuum. Think carefully about the logistics of your home and stairs. Make sure this gives you enough leeway.
The Cleanview works equally well on hardwood floors, carpets or upholstery so it’s a real multi-purpose cleaner.
The limited 1-year warranty lets you buy in complete confidence. Check out the Bissell Cleanview for a first-rate stair cleaning solution.
Purchase this Product at Amazon.com
4. Dyson V6 Trigger Cordless Handheld Vacuum
No list of the best vacuum for stairs would be complete without an offering from the legendary Dyson. Their products are not cheap but the best things in life rarely are.
Although the V6 Trigger packs quite a price tag, in return you’ll get triple the suction power of other leading handhelds. If your stairs take heavy punishment, this will come in very handy indeed.
With a total of 15 cyclones arranged in 2 rows, the V6 can capture even the finest debris along with bigger particles so you’ll get a truly first-rate cleaning experience.
Design comes uppermost with Dyson. The handle is designed in such a way that the center of gravity is close to the grip so you can clean without worrying about your vacuum falling out of your hand.
Since the Trigger is cordless, you won’t be restricted by proximity to a power outlet. Unlike many similar models, the suction remains constant throughout the charging cycle rather than listlessly fading out. You’ll get up to 20 minutes of powerful cleaning on a single charge. This is cut slightly if you take advantage of Max Power Mode, ideal for any stubborn spills.
You won’t get much by the way of accessories with the V6 but the crevice tool is perfect for preparing your stairs.
The Dyson V6 Trigger is a strong contender for the best vacuum cleaner for stairs. If your budget permits, invest in this first-class cordless handheld. It will not disappoint.
Purchase this Product at Amazon.com
5. Oreck Ultimate Handheld Bagged Canister
As we reach the midway point in our look at the best vacuum cleaner for stairs reviews, another upscale handheld, this time the Oreck Ultimate.
This sleek black machine weighs 5 pounds so humping it up and down the stairs is not going to put your back out.
Unlike the vast bulk of handhelds, the Oreck features full HEPA-filtration. This traps all the fine dust and debris inside rather than belching it back into the atmosphere.
Where the Dyson offers simply a crevice tool, Oreck are far more generous with the add-ons. The hose and extension wand give you precious extra reach. The upholstery tool and dusting brush mean you can give your furniture a nice once-over. The crevice tool is ideal for the stairs or any awkward spots and there’s even a floor tool for hard surfaces.
For a combination of value for money, brand heritage and a top-tier stair cleaning vacuum, the Oreck Ultimate is the connoisseur’s choice.
Purchase this Product at Amazon.com
6. Dirt Devil Scorpion Quick Flip Corded Bagless
Another Dirt Devil makes the cut next, this time the bagless Scorpion. Finished in the manufacturer’s trademark bright red, this corded handheld is ideal for scouring your stairs.
The Quick Flip name comes from the inbuilt crevice tool which allows you to agitate the debris on your stairs before sucking it up without needing to reach for a separate accessory. You will get a dusting brush, upholstery tool and sliding brush chucked in as well so you’ll have all bases covered.
Since it’s bagless, you won’t have the inconvenience or expense of replacement bags to contend with. Emptying the dirt container couldn’t be easier and doesn’t end up creating more mess than you’ve cleaned up.
Weighing in at less than 4 pounds, you can carry the Scorpion around without the sting of a heavier model.
The one serious drawback with this model is the 16-foot cord which could very well prove rather restrictive if you are trying to clean your staircase.
Overall, the Dirt Devil represents great value for money and offers the perfect combination of portability and performance when it comes to cleaning your stairs.
Purchase this Product at Amazon.com
7. BLACK+DECKER HHVI320JR02 Dustbuster Cordless Lithium
Another handheld is next on our list of the best vacuum cleaners for stairs, this time from the mighty BLACK + DECKER.
Offering you the ease-of-use of a cordless, you won’t be let down by the functionality or run time either. Lithium technology gives you incredibly powerful suction along with more than enough juice in a single charging cycle to get all your cleaning taken care of.
The dirt container is see-through so there’s no guesswork involved for the purposes of emptying it. This bowl is washable just like the filter so there’s no mess or ongoing expense involved with this bagless cordless.
The flip-up brush works equally well on stairs and upholstery.
The crevice tool neatly pulls out so you won’t need to worry about misplacing it and it works a treat for preparing your stairs for a thorough clean.
The ability to mount the device on the wall means it’s ideal for anyone with limited storage place.
If you want a no-nonsense cordless vacuum cleaner for your stairs from a brand you can trust, why not road test the BLACK + DECKER Dustbuster? It delivers in fine style.
Purchase this Product at Amazon.com
8. Shark DuoClean Rocket Corded Ultralight
If you fancy a technology-driven vacuum without the eye-watering price tag of a Dyson, Shark cleaners make a smart choice.
This super-light upright is more expensive than most other vacuums on this list but we try to provide something for all tastes. Handhelds are all well and good but they really function as supplementary appliances since they are not suitable for cleaning the whole house. The Rocket lets you clean your stairs along with the other rooms as well meaning you only need one piece of kit.
The added beauty of the Rocket is that it does convert into a handheld so you really get the best of both worlds: maneuverable upright for all-purpose cleaning and a handheld for the stairs.
You’ll get the usual Shark bonuses thrown in with a crevice tool, pet tool and upholstery tool. You can also mount this on the hook provided making for a great space-saving storage solution.
The soft bristle brush roll cleans your carpets deeply and also allows you to work on hard floors without damaging them.
For a multi-tasking approach to cleaning your stairs and the rest of your house, think seriously about the Shark Rocket.
Purchase this Product at Amazon.com
9. Dyson V8 Animal Cord Free Vacuum
As we near the end of our vacuum cleaner for stairs reviews, we’ve got time for another Dyson, this time the V8 Animal.
Straight off the bat, we’ll warn you that the Animal is expensive. Very expensive. If you want a super-powerful cordless with an incredible 40 minutes of fade-free cleaning from the market leader, though, that’s the price you’ll have to pay.
With whole machine HEPA filters that keep all contaminants and fine dust safely wicked away, this is tailor-made for anyone with asthma or other allergies.
Like all Dyson cordless vacs, the V8 converts to a handheld making it the perfect match for the rigors of cleaning your stairs.
Whether you need to clean up ingrained pet hair or general household debris, the superb suction power gets the job done double-quick.
The combination crevice and surface tool helps to make your life easier when you’re cleaning awkward areas like stairs.
Backed with the standard Dyson warranty, if you have the cash to spare and you’re looking for a vacuum that’s not just limited to cleaning stairs and smaller messes, invest in the V8 Animal. It really is a notch above the competition.
Purchase this Product at Amazon.com
10. Bissell 3106-Q Featherweight Lightweight Vacuum
Our last entrant for the best vacuum cleaner for stairs is the 3106-Q Featherweight from Bissell.
As the name implies, this upright has a tiny footprint and tips the scales at just 5 pounds.
It’s great if you have mixed flooring working equally well on carpets, hard flooring and furniture or upholstery.
View more: Cordless Vacuum For Hardwood Floors | Best Vacuum for Carpets
As with the above sticks and uprights, the Bissell breaks down into a nifty handheld so you can power up and down the stairs without carrying a heavy weight.
Watch out for the 16-foot power cord and be certain that this gives you adequate latitude for cleaning your stairs without running out of cable.
For a flexible approach to cleaning your stairs and the other areas in your home, the Bissell Featherweight is worthy of your further investigation.
Purchase this Product at Amazon.com
Summary (best vacuum cleaner for stairs)
We trust you’ve found these best vacuum cleaner for stairs reviews have given you a sound overview of the most suitable vacs for the job.
If you take your time to consider exactly what you need from your vacuum, getting the right one should be seamless and need not be expensive.
Feel free to reach out with any queries or feedback. We’re always delighted to hear from our readers and we’ll help out in any way we can.
Now hit those stairs hard!