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 Bissell Cleanview XR Pet 300W Cordless Vacuum is designed with pet owners in mind, making it a solid choice for cleaning stairs, especially in homes with pets. Weighing only 5.9 pounds, it is lightweight and easy to carry up and down stairs, which enhances its portability. The vacuum boasts a powerful motor that is 60% stronger than the Shark IX141, ensuring excellent suction power for deep cleaning.

It includes a range of attachments like the Deep Cleaning Fur Brush, Dusting Brush, and Crevice Tool, all of which are useful for tackling pet hair on stairs and other tight spaces. Additionally, its cordless design and removable 24V lithium-ion battery offer up to 40 minutes of runtime, providing flexibility and convenience without the hassle of cords. The three cleaning modes allow for adaptable cleaning across different surfaces.

While the vacuum's capacity is on the smaller side at 0.3 liters, which means it may require frequent emptying, it is easy to use and comes with a wall mount for convenient storage. Battery life is average, and users should be mindful of needing to recharge after longer cleaning sessions. The Bissell Cleanview XR Pet's compact form factor and lightweight nature make it particularly well-suited for those who need a vacuum that is easy to maneuver and effective at removing pet hair from stairs and other challenging areas.

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.