Vacuuming your stairs does not have to be the most annoying household chore on your list. With the right vacuum for stairs, it can be a breeze. Unfortunately, there are a lot of different options out there. It can be difficult to find the best vacuum cleaner for stairs that meets your unique needs. This guide will walk you through the top five best options currently out for sale to help make your decision process as pain-free and quick as possible.
Product Name | Image | Overall Rating | Details |
---|---|---|---|
Bissell Pet Hair Eraser |
10
|
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Moosoo Handheld Stick |
9.9
|
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Bissel Featherweight Stick |
9.5
|
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Shark Rocket Bagless Vacuum |
9.5
|
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Shark Pet-Perfect II |
9.3
|
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Bissell Pet Hair Eraser | Best Vacuum for Stairs Overall
Inside the unit, there is a three-step filtration process for a thorough clean. Because of this extensive filtration process, it is excellent at eliminating common allergy irritants from a person’s surroundings. Buyers should prepare for a sneeze-free cleaning expedition after buying one of these. The machine has to be emptied once its 0.7-liter dust bowl is full. It is simple to tell when this needs to be done, as the bowl is clear. Something nice about this company is that they donate $5 to their pet foundation every time someone purchases this product. It might be a good option for animal lovers who also like to maintain a clean home.
- Long-lasting battery life
- Three tools for multi-use
- Dustbowl with large capacity
- Donates to a good cause
- Chic design
- None
Customers’ Reviews from Amazon:
Moosoo Handheld Stick | Versatile Cordless Vacuum Cleaner
Moosoo stick vacuum operates with 120 watts and has a battery that can last 20-35 minutes depending on its age. Once the battery goes dead, it can be fully recharged in about 5 hours. Its high suction power can be used for cleaning debris from carpeting right to hardwood floors in no time. Included in a purchase of the machine are extra goodies such as a mechanical brush with a light, a tool perfect for eating dust, a tube head, and a handy user manual.
It weighs roughly 3 lbs and thanks to its stick shaft, it can be used by a person standing upright. Because of these features, it might be a good option for those seeking to eliminate back pain while vacuuming. Another thing worth mentioning is this manufacturer’s customer service. They reply to buyers pretty much instantly and give customers a two-year window to file complaints that they can fix.
MOOSOO Cordless Vacuum 10Kpa Powerful Suction 4 in 1 Stick Handheld Vacuum...
- Long enough lifetime to complete chores
- LED light for working in dark places
- Includes different nozzle heads
- Super lightweight
- The battery takes a while to recharge
Customers’ Reviews from Amazon:
Bissel Featherweight Stick | Best Color Options
Usually, vacuums only come in one variety of dull grey or black. Bissel Featherweight Stick, however, comes in four different colors for buyers to choose from. There is a black option for traditional folk. For those seeking a bright vacuum to make cleaning more fun though, it is also available in a teal-blue, a lime green, and a royal purple. It can be used attached to its long stick for those who prefer to clean while remaining upright. Or, it can be detached from its stick and used as a handheld unit to clean tabletops and furniture. It is less than 3 pounds, so however you prefer to operate it, it will not exhaust you.
Though it made this list for being one of the best vacuums for stairs and carpet, it can tackle pretty much any surface anywhere thanks to the flat and skinny tool. Its dust cup carries up to 6.7 liters of grime at a time. Featherweight Stick usually does not have to be emptied every time it gets used. It can also be purchased with a steam-mop addition for an extra cost.
Bissell Featherweight Stick Lightweight Bagless Vacuum, 2033, One Size Fits All, Blue
- Comes in four different colors
- Decent-sized dust cup
- Weighs less than 3 lbs.
- The cord is only 15 feet long
Customers’ Reviews from Amazon:
Shark Rocket Bagless Vacuum | Best Luxury Option
The Shark Rocket has a cord and comes in grey with orange accents. Though it claims to be ultra-light, potential buyers should note that it still weighs 8-13 pounds depending on how it is being used. While this is lighter than traditional vacuums, it is much heavier than the other options on this list. The purchase of this product comes with a car detail set and it does convert into a handheld unit. Its cleaning path is 8.5 inches wide, so each stair really has to be driven over once.
Shark Rocket can also be changed from carpet mode to hardwood floor mode with the click of a button making it one of the best vacuums for carpeted stairs and hard floors like wood and tile. This product can also be folded to decrease the space it requires for storage.
Shark Rocket Ultra-Light Corded Bagless Vacuum for Carpet and Hard Floor Cleaning...
- High-quality option
- Wide cleaning path
- Button to switch its modes
- Weighs 8 pounds
- Not so easy to remove hair from it
Shark Pet-Perfect II | Best Cordless Vacuum for Stairs
The Shark Pet-Perfect II is an upgraded version of its original. This one can hold up to 0.56 quarts of dirt before needing to be emptied. It is the most powerful cordless option currently available on the market. It operates at up to 18 Volts. Despite being so powerful though, it still weighs less than 5 pounds. It is made by a reputable manufacturer and can be trusted to last over time.
Shark Pet comes with a super-wide detachable brush suitable for deep cleaning on even the plushest of carpeting. Its filter can also be taken out and washed. Its washable filter makes this a good option for people who do not like to worry about purchasing replacement filters. It may also be great for those who are environmentally conscious. Buyers should just note that although this product is covered under warranty for a year, the warranty is limited and does not cover all problems.
Shark Pet-Perfect II Cordless Bagless Hand Vacuum for Carpet and Hard Floor...
- Most powerful option available
- Comes with a deep-cleaning brush
- Warranty does not cover all problems
- Quite loud
Buyer’s Guide
One of the most important factors to consider when purchasing a vacuum cleaner for stairs is its weight. Carrying heavy objects can cause a lot of pressure on someone’s back. This is especially a problem if the user already experiences back pain. Generally speaking, the lighter the stairs vacuum the better when it comes to avoiding back strain and injury that can be difficult and time-consuming to heal. Those with pre-existing back problems should probably stick to buying one of the above options that come in stick form. Those without these concerns should have no problem with a handheld option.
When on the market for a vacuum for carpeted stairs and other surfaces, there are also a few other things a buyer should consider. One is the wattage of their product. Though more powerful units may work better, they will also use more electricity. If they are cordless, they usually also run out of battery faster and take longer to recharge.
Another thing to consider is the different types of nozzles that the cleaner comes with. Usually, these products come with at least one addition. However, many come with three different attachments, and some options – with even up to five! These different nozzles will determine how versatile the unit is. For example, there are certain attachments that allow the products to suck up spilled liquid. Conversely, there are certain types of brushes that specialize in removing deep dirt from the thickest of carpets.
Something else to look out for is the capacity of the dust cups in the product. Even if a product claims to be the best hand vacuum for stairs, if it holds less than half a liter of dirt at a time, you probably do not want it. The bigger the cup, the less frequently it has to be emptied. Lastly, buyers should look into the filter inside the vacuum before purchasing it. Some products have washable filters which are the most ideal option. Others have paper-like filters that get clogged easily and have to be frequently replaced, which can be expensive and wasteful.
Ultimately, there is no “right” option when it comes to buying one of these things. It all depends on its buyer’s individual needs. For example, some people may seek out a foot power cord, while others may not care what their product does as long as it picks up pet hair. Remember that the best option for you may not be number one on this list. Depending on what you are expecting from your machine, you may be better off with choosing one of the other options. As long as the vacuum meets your needs, it is best for you, even if it is not best for everyone else.
Product Name | Image | Overall Rating | Details |
---|---|---|---|
Bissell Pet Hair Eraser |
10
|
Check price | |
Moosoo Handheld Stick |
9.9
|
Check price | |
Bissel Featherweight Stick |
9.5
|
Check price | |
Shark Rocket Bagless Vacuum |
9.5
|
Check price | |
Shark Pet-Perfect II |
9.3
|
Check price |
How We Tested
For this test, we set out to answer “what is the best vacuum for stairs?” Upon receiving these products, we first evaluated them for any manufacturing defects or damage from the shipping process. Fortunately, it was established that all five of the products arrived in pristine condition. Then, we created a fair test that would uncover the true abilities of the items listed above. In our office, there are two staircases – one made of wood and one that is carpeted. We dirtied up both staircases equally using a myriad of crushed snacks, dirt, and pet hair. Then, we used each vacuum on a set of three dirty steps to see how well it picked up the different substances.
While all of the vacuums performed pretty much as well as they claimed, there were some that definitely stood out amongst the crowd. We decided to rank the units with a heavy emphasis on the performance we observed from them. Some other factors that were considered during ranking were how easy they were to maneuver and whether or not they were found to clog easily. We also considered the weight of the units since buyers would have to carry them up several stairs and around their homes.
Conclusion
Uncovering the optimal stairs vacuum cleaner may not be as hard as it seems with the help of this extensive guide. Those searching for a good vacuum for stairs need only to evaluate their individual requirements and find an option on this list that meets them. In no time, they will find vacuuming stairs to be a joy instead of a chore.