10 Best Vacuums For Stairs 2025 in the United States

The Shark Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum is designed to handle pet hair and everyday messes efficiently, making it a solid choice for cleaning stairs. Weighing about 6.9 pounds, it is relatively lightweight, which helps when carrying it up and down stairs. Its cordless design adds to portability, so you won’t be limited by cord length, which is a common challenge for stair cleaning. The vacuum offers up to 40 minutes of runtime, enough to cover most staircases in a single charge, though fully recharging takes a bit longer at around four hours.

Suction power is strong for a cordless stick vacuum, thanks to Shark’s Hypervelocity technology; it handles both carpets and hard floors well. The removable handheld vacuum is especially handy for above-floor or tight stair corners, while the included crevice tool helps reach narrow spots. LED headlights are a nice touch, illuminating hidden dirt in low-light stair areas. The extra-large dust cup means fewer interruptions to empty it, which is convenient for stair cleaning tasks.

The vacuum’s noise level is somewhat loud at 80 dB, which could be a concern if you have sleeping family members nearby. Also, while the low-profile design helps get under furniture, the length and shape might require some effort on steep or very narrow stairs. This vacuum effectively balances power, portability, and ease of use, making it a practical pick if you frequently need to clean stairs with pet hair or mixed floor types.

The Tineco Floor ONE Switch S6 is a versatile cordless stick vacuum designed for both wet and dry messes, making it a smart choice for stairs where spills and dust often coexist. Weighing about 9.5 pounds, it is reasonably light and portable, though slightly heavier than some ultra-light stick vacuums. Its cordless design and up to 65 minutes of battery life offer plenty of freedom to clean stairs without worrying about plugging and unplugging, which is a big convenience on multi-level homes.

The suction power is strong with a 150-watt motor, supported by unique self-cleaning and high-temperature drying features that help keep the brush roller fresh and odor-free, reducing maintenance hassle. Several attachments—including a mini power brush, crevice tool, and dusting brush—make it easy to tackle corners, edges, and soft surfaces commonly found on stairs. The vacuum’s 0.5-liter dustbin is a decent size for stair cleaning but may need emptying during larger jobs. One thing to note is the charging time of about 4.5 hours, so planning ahead is important.

The lack of a cord means you won’t be limited by length during use, but the unit’s height and handle setup might take a moment to get used to. It is user-friendly with touch controls and intuitive guidance for filter and dirty water tank cleaning, which helps keep performance steady. This vacuum best suits those looking for a multi-purpose cleaner that handles wet spills and dry dirt efficiently on stairs without the bulk and hassle of corded models.

The Shark NV352 Navigator Lift Away Upright Vacuum is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a reliable vacuum for cleaning stairs and various surfaces. One of its standout features is the lift-away functionality, which allows you to detach the pod, making it easy to clean staircases and hard-to-reach areas. Its lightweight design (12.5 pounds) enhances portability, so you can carry it around your home without much strain.

Suction power is another strong point, effectively deep cleaning carpets and picking up pet hair thanks to the included specialized tools. The vacuum also features anti-allergen technology with a HEPA filter, ensuring that dust and allergens are trapped, which is especially beneficial for allergy sufferers. The brushroll shutoff feature allows you to transition from carpet to bare floor cleaning seamlessly, while swivel steering helps you maneuver around furniture and tight spaces with ease.

While the Shark NV352 has many advantages, it does have a few drawbacks. Being corded means that you'll have to manage the power cord, which may limit your movement compared to cordless options. The cord length may also be a consideration if you have a large space to clean, as it could require frequent unplugging and replugging. Additionally, while it comes with useful attachments, some users may find that the noise level (80 dB) can be a bit on the louder side during operation.