10 Best Vacuum For Carpeted Stairs 2025 in the United States

The Shark Navigator Lift-Away Upright Vacuum is a solid choice for carpeted stairs thanks to its lift-away feature, which lets you detach the main pod and easily clean stairs, furniture, and other above-floor areas without lugging the whole vacuum. Weighing 13.7 pounds, it strikes a balance between being sturdy and manageable, though it may be a bit heavy for some users to carry up and down stairs frequently. Its corded design ensures consistent suction power, which is strong enough to tackle pet hair and deep dirt on carpets. The swivel steering makes it easier to maneuver around tight corners and narrow staircases, adding to its user-friendliness.

The vacuum comes with useful attachments like a crevice tool and dusting brush, which help reach corners and delicate surfaces on stairs. Its HEPA filtration system paired with an anti-allergen seal captures 99.9% of dust and allergens, making it a great pick for allergy sufferers. However, since it’s corded, the cord length might limit movement on larger staircases without frequent unplugging. Also, while the dust cup is generously sized at 0.87 liters for longer cleaning sessions, emptying it might require some care to avoid scattering dust.

This vacuum is well-equipped for cleaning carpeted stairs, especially if you need strong suction, good maneuverability, and effective allergen control, though its weight and cord might be considerations for some users.

The Shark NV352 Navigator Lift Away Upright Vacuum is designed to tackle a variety of cleaning tasks, making it a solid choice for those needing a vacuum for carpeted stairs and more. One of its standout features is the Lift-Away functionality, allowing you to detach the pod and easily clean high or hard-to-reach areas like stairs and furniture. This makes it particularly useful for stairs, where maneuverability can be challenging with traditional vacuums.

In terms of suction power, the NV352 offers strong performance, effectively deep-cleaning carpets while being lightweight enough (weighing just 12.5 pounds) for easy handling. The anti-allergen technology combined with the HEPA filter helps trap dust and allergens, making it a good option for allergy sufferers or homes with pets, as it's also equipped with specialized pet hair pickup attachments, enhancing its versatility.

The vacuum features swivel steering, which adds to its maneuverability, allowing you to navigate around furniture and tight corners with ease. However, it is corded, which may be a drawback for those who prefer the convenience of cordless vacuums, especially in larger homes where reaching distant outlets can be cumbersome. The included crevice and upholstery tools are useful for detailed cleaning, though the cleaning path width of 11 inches can make larger jobs a bit time-consuming. The NV352 comes with a decent warranty (5-year limited), providing peace of mind. It does have a noise level of 80 dB, which might be bothersome for some users during operation. This vacuum is a strong contender for anyone seeking an efficient solution for carpeted stairs and general home cleaning, especially pet owners.

The Shark Cordless Vacuum Cleaner IZ363HT is a good choice for cleaning carpeted stairs, especially if you want something lightweight and easy to handle. Weighing just over 7 pounds, it’s portable enough to carry up and down stairs without much effort. The vacuum offers strong suction with its Hypervelocity Accelerated Suction and PowerFins Brushroll, which helps pick up dirt and pet hair deeply embedded in carpet fibers. Its self-cleaning brushroll is a plus, as hair doesn’t get tangled, meaning less maintenance. Being cordless with a removable battery that lasts up to 50 minutes, it provides freedom of movement without worrying about plugging and unplugging. However, it only has one power level, so very heavy-duty dirt might require multiple passes.

The included crevice tool and dusting brush are handy for corners and edges on stairs, although additional specialized attachments would be nice for more thorough stair cleaning. Its HEPA filtration system with an anti-allergen seal is excellent if you’re concerned about allergens, keeping dust and pet dander trapped effectively. The vacuum’s low-profile design helps clean under furniture, but when it comes to maneuverability on stairs, the stick form and four small wheels might not offer as much ease as a smaller handheld device alone. This vacuum does convert to a removable handheld unit, which can be useful for spot cleaning tight stair areas.

The dust cup capacity is moderate, meaning it may need to be emptied regularly during stair cleaning sessions. The Shark IZ363HT blends portability, solid suction, and allergen control well, making it a strong option for someone looking to manage carpeted stairs with a cordless, pet-hair-friendly vacuum.