The 7 Best Vacuum for Stairs in 2024

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By

Evan Shephard Avatar

Reviewed By

Evan Shephard
Updated Jun 17, 2024 1:29 PM
best vacuums for stairs guide that shows the top best vacuum cleaner model

A whopping 75% of electronic and appliance reviews are untrustworthy. That’s why every reviewer gets a Trust Rating so our True Score System filters out the fake reviews. See how we do it.

Stairs are the toughest surfaces in the home to clean, and bulky vacuum cleaners will not get the job done. This is why you need a vacuum specifically designed for the task. You need a lightweight and compact vacuum that combines power, maneuverability, and convenience. We evaluated over 99 vacuum cleaners and selected 7 for our buying guide, certifying them as tested.

Our analysis included 152,014 reviews, filtering out untrustworthy experts. Our scientifically proven True Score system ensures that only the best products make the cut. These excellent vacuums stand out for their efficiency, ease of use, and robust performance, providing reliable tools for maintaining clean stairs.

How Did We Rank the Best Vacuum for Stairs?

To determine the best vacuum for stairs, we meticulously examined over 200 sites, evaluated testing methods, analyzed customer reviews, and dissected expert opinions. Our robust True Score system filtered through essential criteria, identifying 2 required test results and 1 must-have specification. Our analysis pinpointed key performance metrics, ensuring we recommend only the top-performing models that excel in stair-cleaning capabilities.

Our commitment to unbiased reviews is powered by our ‘True Score’ system, targeting low quality and fake reviews. When you shop through our links, you’re backing our mission. Dive deeper to see how.

?️ Minimum Specifications

  • Must be under 15 lbs.

? Test Criteria

  • Bare Floor Performance: The vacuum sucks up 95% of debris when cleaning bare surfaces such as tile, vinyl planks, and hardwood floors.
  • Carpet Performance: The vacuum sucks up 70% of debris when cleaning carpets, including low pile and high pile.

Latest Updates

  • 06/17/2024: Republished the list to include the best vacuum cleaners for stairs based on our True Score system.

Top Vacuum for Stairs For 2024

Prices accurate at the time of publishing

See how we test the testers

  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Dyson V15 Detect

    • Best Cordless For Pet Hair

    The Dyson V15 Detect is a lightweight, cordless vacuum with strong suction for effectively cleaning floors, carpets, and pet hair.

    Dyson V15 Detect Review →

    True Score

    89
    91
    19

    Experts

    93
    2k

    Customers

    SAVE $200
    $799.99
    $599.99
  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Samsung Bespoke Jet

    • Best Cordless Stick

    Samsung Bespoke Jet is ideal for noise-sensitive homes. Its lightweight, cordless design effectively removes pet hair and debris.

    Samsung Bespoke Jet Review →

    True Score

    86
    87
    7

    Experts

    91
    560

    Customers

    $499.99
  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Shark Stratos Cordless

    • Best Carpets

    The Shark Stratos Cordless excels at mixed flooring and pet hair removal. It is ideal for quieter, smaller homes but may need frequent bin emptying.

    Shark Stratos Cordless Review →

    True Score

    83
    86
    6

    Experts

    85
    766

    Customers

    SAVE $71
    $399.99
    $329.00
  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Shark Cordless Vertex Pro Powered Lift-Away

    • Best Hardwood Floors

    Ideal for large homes, the Shark Cordless Vertex Pro excels in pet hair removal and handles various floor types with cordless ease.

    Shark Cordless Vertex Pro Powered Lift-Away Review →

    True Score

    82
    84
    2

    Experts

    87
    340

    Customers

    SAVE $1
    $399.99
    $399.00
  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Shark Stratos Ultralight

    • Best Lightweight

    The Shark Stratos Ultralight is a corded vacuum that excels at removing pet hair from bare floors. It is ideal for homes with stairs and hard surfaces.

    Shark Stratos Ultralight Review →

    True Score

    81
    82
    1

    Experts

    86
    997

    Customers

    SAVE $181
    $399.99
    $219.00
  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Shark Vertex Pro

    • Best Pet Hair

    The Shark Vertex Pro excels on stairs, offering a large bin and lightweight design for easy lifting. Ideal for homes with pets and various floor types.

    Shark Vertex Pro Review →

    True Score

    79
    81
    3

    Experts

    83
    351

    Customers

    SAVE $150
    $449.99
    $299.99
  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Shark Ultracyclone Pet Pro+

    • Best Handheld For Pet Hair

    Shark Ultracyclone Pet Pro+ is ideal for budget-conscious and quick stair cleanups. Lightweight and cordless, it’s effective on pet hair and bare floors.

    Shark Ultracyclone Pet Pro+ Review →

    True Score

    79
    80
    6

    Experts

    83
    1k

    Customers

    SAVE $10
    $89.99
    $79.99

Which Criteria Matters for Testing Best Vacuum for Stairs?

By focusing on these criteria (2 required), anyone can quickly and easily compare these vacuum cleaners and how they’ll perform. This helps you make an informed decision and purchase a vacuum cleaner that will meet your needs.

CRITERIARANGEREQUIREDDEFINITION
Bare Floor Performance> 95%YesHow much debris the vacuum sucks up when cleaning bare surfaces like tile, vinyl planks, and hardwood floors.
Carpet Performance> 70%YesHow much debris the vacuum sucks up when cleaning carpets, including low pile and high pile.

Our Trusted Data Sources

We looked at 120+ vacuum cleaner reviewers and found that 27 are trustworthy (60%+ Trust Rating). The three we have listed below are our most trusted for vacuum cleaner.

  1. Dagobiet Morales Alfaro – RTings, LinkedIn
  2. Derek Hales – Modern Castle, LinkedIn
  3. Sabine Heinlein – Wirecutter, LinkedIn

Interested in a comprehensive analysis of our data sources? We’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find a detailed list of every vacuum cleaner review website we’ve identified, organized by their respective Trust Ratings from highest to lowest. But we didn’t stop there. We’ve meticulously reviewed each publication and verified the data by checking whether the authors have bio links to MuckRack or LinkedIn. We’re committed to not only checking the facts but ensuring their veracity.

Vacuum Cleaner Test Data & Results

1. Bare Floor Performance Test Results

As the name suggests, bare floor performance references how well a vacuum does when it’s cleaning up tiles, vinyl planks, or hardwood flooring. Debris comes in a variety of sizes of course, and much of the testing revolves around picking up debris that ranges in size from cereal to bits of dirt to sand to a mix of everything above and more.

We recommend that a vacuum be able to pick up at least 95% of debris from a bare floor to ensure you end up with clean floors. Hitting a perfect score is obviously ideal, but the worse a vacuum performs here, the more work you need to do sweeping up or re-vacuuming. Missing debris is frustrating, and can invite pests if you miss bits of food, or annoyance if you step on something barefoot and hurt yourself.

Bare Floor Performance in % (higher is better; 0 = No Data)

2. Carpet Performance Test Results

Carpet cleaning ability is another important part of how your vacuum performs. Whether you have low-pile, high-pile, or rugs, how effectively a vacuum cleans up the dirt and debris left behind on the carpet is enormously important to keeping your carpet comfortable.

Generally speaking, we recommend a carpet cleaning performance of at least 70%. You might notice this is much lower than bare floors, and that’s because carpet is harder to clean. Short of devoting the time to actually shampoo and dry out a carpet, thoroughly cleaning out a carpet is very difficult, and good vacuums will reach deep between fibers and pull out long-forgotten crumbs.

Carpet Performance in % (higher is better; 0 = No Data)

Best Vacuum for Stairs: Mistakes To Avoid

  1. Overlooking Portability and Weight: Choosing a heavy or bulky vacuum can make stair cleaning difficult and exhausting. Opt for a lightweight and portable vacuum that’s easy to carry and maneuver up and down the stairs.

  2. Ignoring Suction Power: Assuming all vacuums have adequate suction for stairs can lead to poor cleaning performance. Ensure the vacuum has strong suction power to effectively clean stair carpets and crevices. It’s also important to consider noise levels, as some vacuums are so loud that they can be disruptive. Choosing a vacuum with strong suction that operates quietly can provide efficient cleaning without excessive noise.

  3. Not Considering Attachments: Selecting a vacuum without proper attachments can limit its effectiveness. Look for models with specialized tools like crevice tools and brush attachments that can handle the tight spaces and varied surfaces of stairs. Similarly, vacuums for pet hair often come with specialized attachments that enhance their ability to clean stair carpets and crevices effectively.

  4. Disregarding Cord Length or Battery Life: Choosing a corded vacuum with a short cord or a cordless vacuum with poor battery life can be frustrating. For corded vacuums, ensure the cord is long enough to reach the entire staircase. For cordless options, check that the battery life is sufficient for your cleaning sessions.

The Best Vacuum for Stairs Tests Compared

Product
True Score
Bare Floor Performance
Carpet Performance
Pet Hair Performance
Noise Level

Dyson V15 Detect

  • Best for Cordless For Pet Hair

89
  • 98.59%

  • 91.77%

  • 100%

  • 72.54 dB

$599.99
$800
$200

Samsung Bespoke Jet

  • Best for Cordless Stick

86
  • 97.71%

  • 91.7%

  • 99.5%

  • 70.53 dB

$499.99

Shark Stratos Cordless

  • Best for Carpets

83
  • 98.83%

  • 89.28%

  • 100%

  • 76.65 dB

$329.00
$400
$71
82
  • 98.57%

  • 89.36%

  • 100%

  • 77 dB

$399.00
$400
$1

Shark Stratos Ultralight

  • Best for Lightweight

81
  • 97.5%

  • 82.25%

  • 99.33%

  • 76.8 dB

$219.00
$400
$181

Shark Vertex Pro

  • Best for Pet Hair

79
  • 98.5%

  • 82.61%

  • 99.66%

  • 82.35 dB

$299.99
$450
$150

Shark Ultracyclone Pet Pro+

  • Best for Handheld For Pet Hair

79
  • 95.25%

  • 84.5%

  • 99.17%

  • 77.2 dB

$79.99
$90
$10

Vacuum for Stairs Questions (FAQ)

What features should I look for in the best vacuum for stairs?

When selecting a vacuum for stairs, look for features such as strong suction power, lightweight design, and specialized attachments like crevice tools and motorized brush heads. A vacuum with a long hose or cordless operation can also make it easier to maneuver on stairs.

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