Vacuuming stairs can be one of the more challenging cleaning tasks. The vertical and often narrow surface area makes it difficult to thoroughly clean each step. Having the right vacuum cleaner optimized for stairs can make a big difference in how efficient and effective the task is.
When shopping for the best vacuum cleaner for stairs, there are a few key factors to consider. Stairs put a premium on having a lightweight and maneuverable design. The vacuum needs to be easy to carry up and down steps and allow you to reach all surfaces and crevices. Cord length is also important to provide enough reach without having to change outlets frequently.
Powerful suction is required to thoroughly clean carpets on stairs and vertical surfaces. The vacuum should also come with attachments suited for cleaning corners, edges and hard to reach areas. Models with swivel heads or flexible hoses offer more versatility on stairs. Finally, look for advanced features like HEPA filtration to capture allergens and anti-tangle brushes that won’t get clogged by hair.
With the right stair vacuum, you can keep your steps looking their best and make the chore quicker and easier. This guide covers the key factors to evaluate when choosing the best vacuum cleaner for cleaning stairs effectively.
Upright vs Canister
When choosing the best vacuum for stair, two of the main options are upright vacuums and canister vacuums. Both have their pros and cons for cleaning stairs.
Pros of Upright Vacuums for Stairs:
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More powerful suction – Uprights tend to have stronger motors and suction power to deep clean carpets. This extra suction can help lift dirt from textured staircases.
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Larger capacity – The dirt bin on uprights is usually larger, meaning fewer trips to empty it out while cleaning stairs.
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Familiar design – Uprights have a typical vacuum design that many are accustomed to using. The controls are right on the handle.
Cons of Upright Vacuums for Stairs:
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Bulkier and heavier – Uprights weigh more than canisters. Carrying a heavy upright up and down stairs can be tiring.
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Fixed wand – The cleaning head and wand are fixed on uprights, making it harder to reach under railings and corners of stairs.
Pros of Canister Vacuums for Stairs:
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Lightweight – Canister vacuums weigh much less because the motor and bag/bin are in a separate unit. This makes carrying it up and down stairs easier.
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Flexible hose and wand – The hose and telescoping wand allow you to reach all areas of the stairs easily. You can get under balusters and handrails.
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Compact size – The canister base is small and can be placed on one step while cleaning without blocking the stairs.
Cons of Canister Vacuums for Stairs:
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Less suction power – Canisters typically have lower suction compared to uprights. This can mean more passes to get stairs fully clean.
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Smaller capacity – The dirt bin on canisters is smaller than uprights. You may have to empty it more frequently.
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Hose management – Dealing with the hose while cleaning stairs takes practice. Retracting it while going up and down stairs can be tricky.
Weight and Portability
When choosing a vacuum for stairs, weight and portability are key factors to consider. The ideal weight range is between 5-15 pounds. Any heavier and the vacuum will become difficult to lug up and down the stairs. Any lighter and it may feel flimsy and lack suction power.
Look for vacuums with features that make them easy to transport:
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Handles – Allows you to carry the vacuum with one hand up and down stairs. Handles should be ergonomically designed and comfortable to grip.
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Wheels – Wheels provide rolling transportation from one floor to the next. Wheels need to be large enough to smoothly roll over thresholds and edges.
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Shoulder strap – A shoulder strap lets you sling the vacuum over your shoulder for easy carrying. This leaves your hands free to hold onto stair railings.
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Compact size – Compact, low-profile vacuums are ideal for squeezing around bannisters and newel posts on staircases. Make sure the vacuum is not too wide or long.
Prioritize portable, lightweight vacuums between 5-15 lbs. Handles, wheels, shoulder straps, and a compact shape will make cleaning stairs much easier on your body.
Cord Length
When choosing a vacuum for stairs, cord length is an important consideration. Standard vacuum cords are usually 20-30 feet long. This may be sufficient for cleaning small spaces, but likely won’t be enough reach to clean long staircases. An extra long cord around 40-50 feet or more is ideal for cleaning stairs from top to bottom without having to change outlets frequently.
Cordless vacuums have increased in popularity in recent years. They offer the ultimate flexibility and ease of use without dealing with cords at all. However, cordless models have limited runtime ranging from 15-60 minutes per charge. They may not have the battery life to clean large homes in one session. Cordless vacuums are also generally not as powerful as their corded counterparts.
If your staircase is tall with high ceilings, look for a corded vacuum with at least a 40 foot cord. This will allow you to reach the entire flight of stairs from a single outlet. For smaller spaces, a cordless model may be the most convenient option to maneuver around the stairs without cord hassle. Just be mindful of the battery runtime.
Attachments
When choosing a vacuum cleaner for stairs, it’s important to select one with attachments that can reach into crevices and corners. The best attachments for cleaning stairs include:
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Crevice tool – This long, narrow nozzle can fit into tight spaces between stair risers and balusters. It allows you to vacuum debris that accumulates in cracks and corners.
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Dusting brush – This soft brush is useful for gently cleaning railings, balusters, and other surfaces. The bristles pick up dust without scratching.
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Upholstery tool – If your stairs are carpeted, the upholstery tool can remove embedded dirt, dust, and pet hair from the carpeted treads.
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Motorized brush – A stair vacuum with a motorized brush is highly recommended. The spinning bristles help loosen and extract embedded debris from carpeted stairs. This provides a deeper clean. Look for a motorized brush that can be turned off to use on bare floors.
The right attachments make it much easier to thoroughly clean a staircase. Opt for a vacuum that comes with or allows you to purchase specialized stair cleaning tools like crevice, dusting and upholstery nozzles. The motorized brush is also a must-have for carpeted stairs. With the proper attachments, you’ll be able to reach dirt in hard-to-access areas.
Suction Power
When buying a vacuum for stairs, you want one with strong suction power. Stairs often accumulate dust, dirt, pet hair, and debris in corners and crevices. A vacuum needs robust suction to thoroughly clean carpets on stairs and lift debris out of spaces between steps.
Look at the technical specifications to determine suction power. Volts indicate the strength of the vacuum motor, with higher volt vacuums having more suction. Airflow measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM) shows how much air the vacuum pulls through the suction channel. Higher CFM ratings equal stronger suction.
For stairs, look for a vacuum with at least 10 amps of power and 90+ CFM airflow. Canister vacuums often have the most powerful motors and highest CFM ratings. Stick vacuums may have around 100-150 air watts of suction, which can sufficiently clean stairs. Upright vacuums range widely in suction power. Compare models to find one robust enough for stairs.
Strong suction also helps a vacuum thoroughly clean up pet hair. Canister vacuums with suction control allow adjusting power for different tasks. Use maximum suction for removing pet hair from carpets and upholstery. Look for a vacuum with an air-driven turbo tool designed specifically to remove pet hair from stairs, furniture, and cars.
Filtration
Vacuum filtration is key for trapping dust and allergens. Most quality vacuums will come equipped with a filter, but not all filters are created equal.
HEPA filters are the gold standard when it comes to filtration. HEPA stands for “high efficiency particulate air” and these filters are designed to capture 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns or larger. This includes dust, pollen, pet dander, and other common allergens. Vacuums with true HEPA filtration are ideal for allergy sufferers.
Some vacuums also utilize secondary filters or multi-level filtration systems. This provides an extra level of filtration to trap smaller particles. However, the key is to have a true HEPA filter as the final stage.
When it comes to filter maintenance, you generally have two options:
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Washable filters – These are reusable filters that can be rinsed off when they become clogged with dust and debris. This allows you to use them over and over. However, washable filters may allow more particles to pass through over time as they wear out.
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Disposable filters – These are single-use filters that must be replaced periodically. The advantage is that they maintain peak filtration capacity until they are disposed of. However, this does add to the ongoing cost of the vacuum.
For stairs, a vacuum with excellent filtration is important to prevent kicked up dust and allergens from recirculating in the home. HEPA filtration paired with either washable or disposable filters is recommended.
Noise Level
When vacuuming stairs, noise level is an important consideration since stairs are often close to bedrooms or living spaces. The average decibel level for stair vacuums ranges from 70dB to 80dB, similar to an average upright vacuum.
Some tips for quieter stair vacuuming operation include:
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Look for vacuums with noise dampening materials and designs that muffle the motor and airflow noise. Models with enclosed motors tend to be quieter.
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Adjust the suction power down if possible. More suction power equals more noise. Start on a lower setting and increase only if needed.
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Use smooth, controlled movements when vacuuming instead of aggressive or jerky motions. This can reduce noise from attachments or accessories banging on the stairs.
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Vacuum when surrounding areas are empty or during times when others are not home. Early morning or when people are at work are ideal times.
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Consider wearing ear protection like noise cancelling headphones if the vacuum noise bothers you. This allows you to vacuum whenever needed.
Choosing a quieter vacuum and using some noise conscious operation techniques can help keep stair vacuuming peaceful and respectful for the whole household. A little consideration goes a long way for harmonious home cleaning.
Cordless vs Corded
Cordless vacuum cleaners provide the ultimate in portable convenience thanks to their lack of a power cord, but they do have some limitations compared to their corded counterparts.
Pros of Cordless:
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Complete freedom of movement without dragging a cord behind you. This makes them ideal for stairs, tight spaces, and cleaning cars.
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No need to unplug and find new outlets as you move to different rooms.
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Often lighter weight since there is no cord or bulky motor. Easier to carry up and down stairs.
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Many newer cordless models have the same cleaning power as corded thanks to improved battery technology. Some can even rival full-size uprights.
Cons of Cordless:
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Limited runtime before needing to recharge. Typical battery life is 20-40 minutes. Not ideal for large homes.
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Long recharge times of 4+ hours before you can resume cleaning.
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Diminished suction power once battery starts running low.
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Higher upfront costs for the batteries and charging systems. Replacement batteries can be expensive.
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Not as powerful overall as corded, still ideal only for quick jobs. Full-size uprights are better for deep carpet cleaning.
So in summary, cordless vacuums provide excellent flexibility and convenience for small jobs, stairs, and hard floors. But corded models are still the winner for whole home deep cleaning thanks to unlimited runtime and greater suction power. Consider your cleaning needs and home size before deciding between cordless and corded.
Recommendations
When choosing the best vacuum cleaner for stairs, I recommend considering the following options:
Dyson V8 Absolute Cordless Stick Vacuum
The Dyson V8 Absolute is a lightweight and maneuverable cordless stick vacuum that excels on stairs.
Pros:
- Cordless design makes it very portable and easy to carry up and down stairs.
- Strong suction power with a motorized cleaner head that digs deep into carpeted stairs.
- Up to 40 minutes of fade-free power on a full charge.
- Includes a soft roller cleaner head that is great for hard floors and stairs.
- The wand detaches to allow you to reach corners and crevices on stairs.
Cons:
- Relatively expensive compared to other models.
- Battery life may be inadequate for cleaning large homes in one session.
Shark Rocket Ultra-Light Corded Bagless Vacuum
This ultra-lightweight upright vacuum from Shark performs well on stairs while still offering the thorough cleaning of an upright.
Pros:
- Weighs under 8 pounds for easy carrying and maneuvering.
- Swivel steering and a slim profile make cleaning stairs easy.
- Powerful suction and a motorized brush roll for deep cleaning carpeted stairs.
- Can quickly convert to a handheld vacuum for cleaning stairs.
- Long 30 foot power cord.
Cons:
- Being corded can be limiting on stairs compared to cordless models.
- Some owners report issues with durability over time.
Bissell Featherweight Stick Vacuum
The Bissell Featherweight is an inexpensive, ultra-light option perfect for quick stair cleaning.
Pros:
- Extremely lightweight at just under 4 pounds.
- Very affordable price point.
- Easy to carry and clean stairs, furniture, and hard-to-reach areas.
- Nozzle specifically designed for cleaning stairs.
Cons:
- Lower suction power than other models.
- Small dirt cup requires frequent emptying.
- No attachments or accessories.
- Corded design can be limiting on stairs.