Cleaning your home requires multiple tools, including the best vacuum for stairs. Everyone has been there, trying to clean the most troublesome spots of the house, and realizing they really don’t have the best handheld vacuum for pet hair, and generally small spaces. It’s in this situation when the old adage, “have the right tool for the right job” really comes to mind. Well if you’re trying to figure out what the best vacuum for stairs is, and we’ll assume you are – there’s a couple of key considerations you want to be aware of before you start your search. First, we will summarize some of the features you want to look out for, then we’ll get into a review of some of the best cordless vacuums for carpeted stairs or otherwise, followed by some general safety suggestions. Let’s get started.
Best Vacuums for Stairs
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | PROS | CONS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Editor’s Choice |
Bissell Eraser |
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Top Rated |
Eyugle Cordless Stand-Up |
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Budget Pick |
Dyson V7 Trigger Cord-Free Handheld |
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What Makes the Best Vacuum for Stairs?
While many people subscribe to the idea that an upright product is the best choice for stairs, there are some other considerations you should make before having a final decision on the matter.
Size and Weight
While size doesn’t matter in all things when it comes to vacuums it certainly does. When considering the size you need, first think about what the space you’re using it for is – in other words, your intent. Will you just be using this product for small spaces, like between the sofa, in the garage, and on the stairs? Are you looking for the best vacuum for pet hair as well as stairs? You should get an option that actually fits the job you want – and if you’re looking for one that can handle both the garage and the stairs, you might have trouble – the size difference is just too great. You want to be sure that the product can fit on the staircase if it’s a stand-up.
The second consideration is whether you can wield the tool or not. Stairs are a precarious place to be vacuuming. Who in their life hasn’t fallen down a set of stairs? But we’d definitely all prefer not to repeat the experience – certainly not backward with one of these products careening towards us. You have to be sure to get an option that isn’t too heavy for you to manage. For this reason, most of these that we have reviewed here are smaller in size and design, and some of them are the best cordless options for carpeted stairs available, as well.
Suction
Suction is critical here, as staircases tend to have a lot of crevices, particularly if they are made of wood or carpet. We all know the experience of vacuuming an area and within the hour seeing dust there again because the product didn’t actually do its job. It’s important to make sure that your choice has enough suction, and that you’re using the right technique for the head you decide to use. A great option for stairs, be they carpeted or otherwise, is to focus on the corners and cervices first with a point attachment, followed by a wider head for the rest of the stair so that you can do the job more quickly. It’s a good idea to carry a wastebasket or bag with you when doing this job, particularly if you’re looking for the best handheld vacuum for stairs and pet hair. Why? Well, the best will pick up a lot of dirt and pet hair quickly, but they also are small and portable – meaning their canisters may fill quickly.
Power
We firmly believe that the best vacuum for stairs is going to be a cordless option. There are two key reasons for this decision. First, the best cordless vacuums have a great power capacity and will last a surprisingly long time without having to recharge. And secondly, and most important – the wire of a corded product is a liability when it comes to cleaning stairs. This is the modern age and you simply don’t need to give up on suction when you decided to get a cordless or handheld one. It’s not necessary! That being said, we have included some corded options in our reviews because, for some people with large spaces, a battery-powered product simply won’t do the job. If power and suction is your number one priority, a cord is still the best choice – just be careful when you’re up on the stairs.
Price and Brand
In general, you get what you pay for when it comes to power, reliability, and durability, with anything. Brand names like Dyson really do offer great options that are a cut above the rest. Cordless ones are going to be more expensive than the equivalent cordless, however, handheld options are generally a bit less expensive than stand-up versions.
If you’re looking for power and reliability, a stand-up corded option is probably your best choice. If you’re looking for a product that’s highly mobile that you can keep and charge in the car, or stair-top closet, a cordless handheld is a great choice, and will probably be significantly more affordable. It all depends on your needs!
The Best Vacuums for Stairs Reviewed
During our research, we found the most highly reviewed options out there and are sure that this line up covers everyone’s needs, whether you’re looking for a powerful industrial style or a lightweight quick-fix tool.
Bissel Eraser
The Bissell Eraser was our choice for the overall best vacuum for stairs and pet hair for several reasons. First and foremost, as a handheld product, it has great suction and a respectable run time of 17 minutes. Although some other choices have a longer run time, the Bissell probably goes through power quickly due to its motorized pet hair scrubbing brush – another one of our favorite features. This means that for carpeted stairs, you’ll have no problem blasting through even the most stubborn pet hair and dirt – a motorized head really makes all the difference for this.
The Bissell also has an easily removable dirt canister which means that you’ll have absolutely no trouble quickly getting back to work when you notice it’s full; it has a large canister though so that shouldn’t be too often unless your pooch has really been shedding a lot lately.
In general, reviewers found that this product simply works wonders on pet hair and in other hard to reach areas of the house – so rest assured that this is one of the best vacuums for stairs and pet hair out there. Thanks, Bissell!
Eyugle Cordless Stand-Up
The Eyugle cordless stand-up option is absolutely excellent for small spaces and areas of the house where you can’t afford to be carrying around a hefty cleaner. It has a few features which make it a cut above the rest when it comes to cordless options for stairs – the first of which is its small frame and weight. The Eyugle weighs in at a mere 1.5 kilograms or 3.3 pounds – so you can be sure it will be easy to carry up and down the stairs and around the house while getting your work done.
It has great suction and battery life for a product of its size – either 20 minutes on high power mode (which you will probably won’t if you are dealing with carpeted stairs or a large amount of pet hair,) or 40 minutes on the lower power setting (which according to reviewers is still quite effective.) This one has a motorized head that you can switch out for a crevice tool when needed. One of the great features of this one is it’s two HEPA filters, which are washable, so you can easily switch them out when needed to make sure your home or office is as clean as possible.
What makes this one the best though? It’s the swivel head. Many of the users of this product were amazed at the flexibility of this, which allows it to get into even the trickiest corners easily – and we all know there are a lot of those in a set of stairs.
Dyson Trigger Cord Free Handheld Cleaner
It’s hard to argue with the 30-minute, no fade charge of this product. Dyson has a reputation as a leader in vacuums for a reason, and this handheld one certainly does not disappoint. Although it’s one of the more expensive choices for the handheld ones out there, it is certainly worth the price point. It has a miniature motorized head tool, as well as several others that make cleaning any area, let alone the stairs – a breeze.
The small considerations are what makes one of these a luxury choice – for example, the dirt canister has a hygienic latch that allows you to empty it without touching the rim or any of the components of the dirt case. Simply click the button, and the bottom drops out and empties the canister – perfect!
At 3.77 pounds, this option is slightly heavier than other choices but certainly is no anchor, and the long battery time and insane suction power that Dyson is well known for certainly make this one of the most powerful and effective cordless vacuums for stairs.
Shark Rocket Ultra-Light HV302
This is hands down the best corded stand-up vacuum we found during our research for several reasons, the first being, it’s not simply a stand-up! It can easily be converted between a stand-up and a handheld vac while retaining all the features of the most powerful corded ones out there. At 13.9 pounds it’s a bit heavier than other choices, but the swivel head makes up for its weight and the weight certainly doesn’t affect the mobility of this product.
Many handheld options are cordless, which is great if your main priority is mobility. But for this one, you’re able to have that mobility without giving up on the power you want from this option, especially if you’re looking for the best vacuum for stairs and pet hair. You will not be disappointed by this shark! Reviews were adamant that this one had an amazing amount of power and suction, and easily took care of pet hair and dust.
Furthermore, it has an extra-long cord which makes it perfect for stairs and other hard to reach places. Overall, this is undeniably the best stand-up corded option for stairs we found during our research.
Eureka Whirlwind Canister
This is an excellent value choice and maybe the best for stairs for that reason alone – the number of features you get for the price is unbeatable. First of all, the 16-inch cord, which allows you to plug in wherever it is convenient and not have to worry about tugging this one out of the wall is only beaten by its flexible and long neck. This lets you reach many stairs while either carrying it with you or setting it on the stairs to your side (never in front or behind, it’s dangerous!)
The fact that this option is corded means you’ll never have to worry about the dreaded battery drain and can keep working from the stairs through the living room and kitchen if necessary. The removable parts are fully washable, so you can easily bring the product back to “like new” quality if it’s looking a bit ragged after a few month’s use.
At 8.29 pounds, this one is a bit heavier than other choices, but is well worth the price and shouldn’t pose too much of a problem as it has wheels.
So, What’s the Best Vacuum for Stairs?
When you’re on the search for the best vacuum for stairs, best vacuum for pet hair, or even the best handheld cordless vacuum for carpeted stairs, we’ve got you covered in the above reviews. During our research, we painstakingly parsed through Amazon reviews, and product features to make sure that the options we listed are only the best.
Look, we understand that it’s not the ideal way to spend the day: shopping and using a new product in a precarious place like a carpeted stair or a pet hair filled carpet – which is why we’ve tried to lighten your load a little bit and do some of the hard work for you. At the end of the day, what is the best option for pet hair or stairs? It depends on your needs – whether you’re looking for a powerful cordless option for pet hair, or the best for stairs and hardwood floors – different needs means a different product. Pick what’s right for you!
