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 Bissell 2254 CleanView Swivel Rewind Pet Upright Bagless Vacuum offers several features that make it a strong contender for vacuuming stairs, especially if you have pets. It weighs 13.65 pounds, making it relatively easy to carry up and down stairs. Its swivel steering helps maneuver around furniture and obstacles, which is handy in tight stair spaces. The Triple Action Brush Roll effectively picks up pet hair, even if it's deeply embedded, and the edge-to-edge cleaning ensures you can reach corners and edges easily.

It isn't cordless, which means you'll need to manage the 27-foot power cord, though the automatic cord rewind feature makes storage easier. The vacuum includes specialized pet tools that can be beneficial for thorough cleaning. With a large capacity dirt tank, you won't need to empty it frequently, adding to convenience.

One potential drawback is its size and form factor as an upright vacuum, which might make it less convenient for tight staircases compared to more compact, handheld models. Additionally, since it is not cordless, its portability is somewhat constrained by the need for a power outlet nearby. Despite these minor limitations, the Bissell 2254 stands out for its powerful suction, ease of use, and pet-friendly features, making it a suitable choice for pet owners who need an effective vacuum for stairs.