The Best Vacuum For Stairs in 2018

15. Vacuum for Stairs

The worst place to vacuum in a home is easily the stairs. A staircase can come in all different shapes and sizes, making it virtually impossible for many vacuum cleaners to remove dirt and debris. The best case scenario is to use a hose and attachment while holding the vacuum in place with many models. Thankfully there are vacuums that are perfect for the stairs thanks to some innovative minds in this industry. Are you ready to discover the best vacuum for stairs?

The Best Chart for Stair Vacuums 

To get started, you’ll want to compare some features and advantages from each of these top options. The chart below helps to make this task as simple a process as possible.

PictureNameOur RatingPrice
PictureNameOur RatingPrice
Eureka RapidClean Step Handheld Corded Vacuum4.3$$
Eureka EasyClean Corded Hand-Held Vacuum4.4$$
Dirt Devil The Hand Vac 2.0 Bagless Handheld Vacuum4.3$$
Bissell Cleanview Deluxe Corded Handheld Vacuum4.4$$
Dyson DC59 Animal Cordless Vacuum Cleaner4.3$$$$$+
Black+Decker BDH2000PL MAX Lithium Pivot Vacuum4.6$$$$
Oreck Ultimate Handheld Bagged Canister Vacuum4.0$$$$$+
Bissell 3106 Featherweight4.0$
Dyson V6 Absolute Cord-free Vacuum4.6$$$$$
Bissell 3-in-1 Vacuum4.5$$

What Is the Easiest Way to Vacuum the Stairs?

Having a vacuum for stairs that has been specifically designed for the space is the best option. This usually means having a handheld vacuum cleaner with you as you sit on the steps and clean each individual stair. There are corded and cordless options in the handheld option for stair vacuuming, while virtually all models are bagless.

Some vacuum cleaners are designed with longer hoses that make it easier to clean the stairs using attachments. This may be an upright vacuum or a canister vacuum. With this option, it is important to make sure that vacuuming the stairs begins at the bottom of the staircase instead of the top of it. Otherwise there is the possibility of having the vacuum cleaner tip over and fall down the stairs.

Then it is easier to start from the edges and corners of each stair while working toward the edge. Most of the debris collects along the edge, wall, or joint of the stairs. You may need a crevice tool to loosen some of the dust or debris if it has been awhile since the last vacuuming of the stairs. Then work back and forth to free up the ground in dirt.

Which Style of Vacuum Cleaner Is Right For You? 

Each style of vacuum for the stairs has its own advantages and disadvantages that must be considered before purchase. Here is a brief look at what each type of vacuum brings into the home.

  • Handheld stair vacuums. These are smaller, more portable vacuums that may or may not be cordless. They offer smaller cleaning surfaces than other vacuuming options, but can remove all types of debris, including pet hair, very effectively.
  • Canister vacuums. These vacuums work on the stairs if the hose is long enough to reach to the top. Not all vacuums offer this option, so be sure to measure the length of the staircase before finalizing a purchase. Use a vacuum head that is the width of the stairs at most to get the most effective cleaning solution.
  • Upright vacuums. This option is similar. The difference is that many upright vacuums can climb the stairs with you as you’re vacuuming so that if the hose isn’t long enough, the job can still get done. Look for lightweight models to provide the most control.
  • Cordless vacuums. Some vacuums are specifically designed to be run on a battery. These may be handheld or stick vacuums. Stick vacuums are a little bigger than handheld vacs and operate in a similar fashion to uprights. Some offer a 2-in-1 option that allows them to become a handheld vacuum specifically for the stairs. They are a little harder to control, but typically provide the simplest and most affordable solution. 

The type of stairs that you have will usually dictate what the best option out of these will be for the best stairs vacuum. Smaller stairs typically benefit from handheld or stick models. Short staircases can usually be covered by an upright or canister vacuum. Consider your stairs, then consider your vacuum cleaner, and you’ll find the best vacuum for stairs today.

How Do I Find the Best Vacuum For Me?

To find the best possible vacuum, you’re going to need information. After narrowing down your selection to a specific type of vacuum cleaner, you’ll want to determine which ones are the best of the best on the market today. Our comprehensive reviews are a great way to discover that information.

Here’s why. Instead of reporting opinions and putting in a hard sell like so many internet reviewers try to do, we give you the straight facts. Far too many websites are trying to make a quick buck off of people and don’t care what happens beyond the moment they get paid. We like to take a different approach.

You came in search for information. We provide the information as we observed it. The outcome is a unique structure of reviews that highlights the advantages of each product, its disadvantages, and an overview of how the vacuum cleaner was created.

What Is the Price of Stair Vacuums Today?

When looking on a website like Amazon, there is a wide range of price points that are available to consumers today. Some handheld models are priced below $40 right now. Others are priced in the $300+ range. It all depends on the capabilities of the vacuum cleaner, how much extra work you may want the equipment to perform, and how long you want the vacuum cleaner to last.

For homes that are looking for a tool to clean the stairs alone, a pretty solid vacuum cleaner can be found today for $100 or less. If the need is part of a whole home solution, there are several good options that can be found for $200 or less.

What Do Our Reviews Have To Say?

Dirt Devil Hand Vac

This affordable little vacuum cleaner has a lot more power than its first impressions might communicate. It offers a 20 foot power cord and will fit into the tight spaces that most other vacuums aren’t able to reach. The motor driven brushroll spins at high speeds for remarkably fast cleaning so any size mess gets taken care of quickly. The filters can be rinsed off and reused while the canister is easy to remove and clean as well. It’s a great vacuum at a great price.

Click here to look at the price on Amazon and find a great deal.

Bissell Cleanview Deluxe

The ergonomics of this little handheld vacuum are what make it stand out. A curved carrying handle gives users more direct control over the stairs being cleaned. The rubber contour nozzle also helps to pull out extra levels of pet hair that other smaller vacuums just can’t do. It has a 2 foot hose and comes with attachments to reach those toughest of tough spots. The debris canister is a little small compared to some other vacuums, but overall, this is a pretty great option for the stairs.

Click here to look at the price on Amazon and find a great deal.

Oreck Ultimate

This canister vacuum is small enough and light enough that it can be taken with you up the stairs. It weighs just 5 pounds, but delivers the classic Oreck experience that has made this brand so attractive to homeowners and businesses alike for decades. A 5 foot hose makes standing up to clean the stairs possible and the included want has a telescoping reach. Use it for your upholstery, for dusting, and even for your hard floors when necessary for a great cleaning experience.

Click here to look at the price on Amazon and find a great deal.

Black and Decker Lithium

There are three stages of allergy containing awesomeness with this vacuum cleaner. If you sneeze in the Spring and the eyes water in the Fall, then this is the portable vacuum cleaner for you. The 3 stages of filtration not only help to lock up allergens, dirt, debris, and pet hair, but they keep the suction levels for the vacuum cleaner remarkably consistent. It provides a consistent performance, has a compact profile, and arguably provides the best value per dollar in the industry today. If you’re considering a portable vacuum cleaner, this one has to be at or near the top of the models you take under consideration today.

Click here to look at the price on Amazon and find a great deal.

Don’t let the stairs get the best of you today. The best vacuum for stairs will make it a lot easier to obtain and then maintain a clean home. Use this guide to find the best solution to meet your needs today so that tomorrow, dust and debris won’t stand a chance to survive on your stairs any more.