10 Best Vacuums For Stairs 2026 in the United States

The Shark Navigator Lift-Away is a corded upright vacuum featuring a Lift-Away pod for easily cleaning stairs, furniture, and other hard-to-reach areas. Weighing about 13.7 pounds, it is moderately heavy but manageable due to its portable design. With 1200 watts of power, it delivers strong suction and performs well on carpets, bare floors, upholstery, and effectively handles pet hair and dander.

Equipped with a HEPA filter and a sealed system, this vacuum captures 99.9% of dust and allergens, making it suitable for allergy sufferers. It includes useful attachments such as a crevice tool and dusting brush for cleaning tight spots and delicate surfaces. The 25-foot cord provides good reach without frequent unplugging, while swivel steering enhances maneuverability around stair edges and furniture.

The dust cup is large enough for extended cleaning sessions and easy to empty. The vacuum produces noise at about 80 decibels, which is average but noticeable. This Shark model offers strong suction, versatile tools, and allergen control, making it a reliable choice for stairs and general home cleaning if you prefer a corded vacuum.

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 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.