10 Best Vacuums For Stairs 2025 in the United States

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.

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 Bissell PowerClean FurGuard is a cordless stick vacuum designed with pet owners in mind, especially those needing to tackle stairs and upholstery. Weighing 7.3 pounds, it’s light enough to carry up and down stairs without much effort, offering good portability. Its 280W motor provides strong suction, which combined with the FurGuard self-cleaning brush roll and FurFinder headlights, helps remove embedded pet hair and fine debris effectively—even in tricky spots like stairs and car interiors.

The cordless design and removable battery deliver up to 50 minutes of runtime, giving plenty of cleaning time without the hassle of cords, which is great for stair cleaning where outlets might be scarce. Attachments like the upholstery tool and a crevice tool add versatility for corners and tight spaces common on stairs. It also stands on its own for convenient charging and break times, which adds to ease of use. A HEPA sealed system helps trap dust and allergens, making it a good choice for allergy sufferers.

The dustbin is somewhat small at 0.3 liters, so frequent emptying might be needed during larger cleaning jobs. While 7.3 pounds is fairly light, it’s not the lightest available if you prioritize ultra-lightweight for frequent stair use. The lack of a cord means you don’t have to worry about length, but you’ll want to keep the battery charged to avoid interruptions. This vacuum balances powerful pet hair cleaning with practical cordless convenience, making it well suited for stairs, especially for pet owners who want effective hair removal and easy handling.