Everything You Need to Know About the Best Vacuum for Stairs

Heather Burton
Nov 4 · 8 min read

By: Heather Burton

Vacuums 101: The Art of Clean Stairs


It seems like no matter what you’re doing, there are never enough hours in a day to finish the to-do list and do the cleaning.

Vacuuming up after family members, pets, or to earn a living seems to be the most back-breaking work, so finding a vacuum that’s portable and easy on the back is important.

To save you some time, we’ve compiled a list of the best vacuum cleaners for stairs as well as all their pros and cons that’ll help you get the job done quickly and effectively.

Instead of opening a dozen page tabs and trying to decode the cryptic vacuum jargon to understand what it actually does, we’ve logged the hours and did the homework for you.

Gone are the days of lugging around a 200lb tower filled with dust. These vacuums are made with stairs (and messes) in mind.

We know your time is just as valuable (if not more) than your money, so let’s get down to it.

Stair-Friendly Vacuum Top Contenders

One search on the interweb and you are faced with what seems like an endless sea of results. We don’t blame you if you find it somewhat intimidating to research a product before you purchase.

With so many options, where should you start? Simple. Start right here. We haven taken the time to research and compile some of the top vacuums for stairs.

Each vacuum that made it on the list is lightweight, portable, easy to assemble, and made to use on multiple surfaces.

Some of the big name brands like the Bissell made the list with their handheld Pet Hair Eraser, as well as modern companies like Moosoo are mentioned too.

Regardless of the vacuum you choose, we consider these choices to be the best vacuum for stairs. We compared countless models for efficiency, easy to clean, attachments, charging capabilities, and ease of use. In no particular order, here are our top picks.

Homasy Portable Handheld

The Homasy handheld vacuum is a compact, easy to use, and cleans effortlessly. Because of the ergonomic handle and balance of mechanical parts, this vacuum is easy on the wrists.

We chose Homasy because this company creates products with your health and quality of life are their top priority.

They combine high-tech designs with easy to use functionality giving you a vacuum that will get every crevice and corner of those pesky stairs.

This vacuum might be small in size, but it is mighty in suction. It’s got some of the best suction compared to other handheld vacuums. The Homasy filter is easy to clean. Make sure to use water only, as soaps will wreck it.

Fun fact: the battery on this vacuum last for an extended period of time.

Pros

The suction on this handheld is very impressive.
Its ergonomic and lightweight design will reduce soreness to your wrist and arms.
The components from its motor to its filter are high-quality and technically impressive.

Cons

A special pet hair tool would be handy
Emptying the canister needs to be done manually
You have to either unplug or remove the vacuum of its charger to prevent damaging the charger.

Black+Decker Flex Cordless

This vacuum is great for cleaning your stairs for multiple reasons. It’s super company, it has dust container that can hold a lot of dust and debris, it is cordless, and it’s portable.

The cyclonic action keeps dirt away from the filter, which results in an increase in performance.

The Black and Decker Flex cordless vacuum’s dust bowl is also easy to empty and simple to wash making cleaning up after you clean (how redundant, right?)

It has a very impressive lithium-ion battery that lasts for several clean ups. Another impressive feature of Black and Decker’s take on the handheld vacuum is that it comes complete with a whole bunch of handy tools.

The arsenal of components included will help you tackle any kind of stairs and any type of mess. A traditional stick vac for your floor, a pet hair brush, a crevice tool that’s exceptionally long, and a nozzle brush that’s also a two in one might even make you smile.

Black and Decker handheld helps you get into those high places and tight spots with its flexible hose that extends up to four feet.

Aside from stairs, this vacuum truly does it all. You can choose between several attachments to make your job easier. B&D has also been around for over a century, so you know that their products are reliable.

Pros

When it comes to hair, the pet brush attachment is a game-changer.
You can use this vacuum on any surface: rugs, tile, wood, carpet
The lithium ion battery makes it so you will never lose suction during a job again

Cons

If your surface is more than a little dusty, you may need to go over that area twice.
Unlike other vacuums that are similar, the filter tends to clog a lot.
The wheels on the floor attachment could be a little more stable.

Bissell Pet Hair Eraser

The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser’s name speaks for itself. It’s the handheld vacuum cleaner that gives you the power you need to tackle tough pet messes quickly.

We like this vacuum for stairs as well as pets because when it comes to vacuums, Bissell knows their stuff. They designed this model with your stairs in mind. Like other Bissell vacuums, the pet hair eraser is easy to empty.

Pet hair, human hair, dust, and whatever else may end up on your stairs seems to never go away. It’s not uncommon for most of us to vacuum daily. This handheld vacuum is light and easy to carry. Meaning, you won’t be lugging, tugging, or pulling anything while you clean.

This vacuum is easy on your body. Your wrists and back will thank you. It also comes with this nifty rubber nozzle that literally attracts the dirt from your stairs to the vacuum.

The nozzle also contours so you can reach dirt and hair in those tight corners. This model is a whopping four pounds, but it is powerful.

We don’t like to discriminate, but when it comes to cleaning stairs an AI vacuum like the Rumba has an IQ of a carrot. You need a vacuum that won’t break your back, and will get the mess cleaned quickly.

Bissell is a well known reputable company for a reason, so if you’re skeptical about purchasing something without being able to feel it or try it before hand, you may want to go with a brand you know and trust.

That being said, not everyone with a big name makes the best vacuum for stairs, everyone has their own preferences when it comes to getting the job done.

Pros

For its size, this vacuum is very powderful and can hold a lot of hair and dust before needing to be dumped.
The filter and dust bowl are easy to clean.
No need to wait for charging because it is a corded model.

Cons

If you have a lot of stairs, you might want something with a larger nozzle
Not ideal as a main vacuum for the entire house. It works best in small areas.

Although listed as a pro, being a corded handheld vacuum may be a con for some people.

Tineco A11 Hero

We really like Tineco for several reasons, but the most important reason is that we align with their mission: Live easy, enjoy life. Sounds nice, doesn’t it?

They design and create innovative deep cleaning dust-busting products so you can get the mess cleaned up fast and get back to what’s important: enjoying life!

For the most part, these guys are an underdog on the list, but don’t let that fool you.

If the sound of turning on your vacuum has sent a silent shiver up your spine, or you simply hate loud noises, opt for the Tinco A11 Hero.

It’s super quiet, super strong, and has a modern rinse-free cleaning attachment. Another nifty innovation on TIneco’s part is their cleaning tool actually cleans your filter.

That means you don’t lose suction and you never have to wash or dry your filter again. It’s a total game changer.

Almost every handheld vacuum on the market has the age-old filter that you have to clean. Why should we have to clean the device that we use to clean? Tineco thinks we shouldn't.

This tiny machine is your stair’s worst nightmare. It’s dual charging powerstation combined with its two cleaning modes means you won’t forget to charge your vacuum, and you have two power modes to keep your stairs clean.

Pros

The maneuverability is impeccable for a stick vacuum.
You can remove the battery to charge it, and it has a handy docking station.
The dustbin on the vacuum is larger compared to other similar models.

Cons

The vacuum comes with two batteries, and don’t last longer than one hour each.
You have to remove the motor to access the battery compartment to change it.
The attachments could be improved by adding a pet hair brush.

Moosoo Cordless

The Moosoo cordless vacuum is another brand that may not be as well known as Bissell, but they have a vacuum that will make your stairs wish they had never met you. Just kidding, stairs don’t have feelings.

If you’re a petite person, this vacuum might be your new b.f.f. It weighs less than 3lbs, making it one of the lightest vacuums on the market.

Moosoo has made getting into tight corners and tricky spots easier with their swivel steering design.

We think the best feature of this vacuum is the fact that it comes with a removable HEPA filter.

Also, without getting too technical their 200W brushless motor is state of the art. Basically they perform better and stay cooler than brushed motor vacuums.

The Moosoo cordless vacuum is one of the best vacuums for stairs because it’s easy to assemble, easy to use, and easy to clean making your life, well, easier.

If you’re looking for a vacuum that can do it all: stairs, the house, the car, and everything in between, the Moosoo is a great option. Although it is bigger than a handheld, it is comparable in weight.

Pros

The floor brush has LED lights which make spotting dust and dirt quite handy.
The removable stick converts it into an easy to use handheld vacuum.
Compared to other vacuums this one is very quiet.

Cons

The suction tends to become lackluster after the first few uses.
The accessories and brushes are easily clogged with tough messes like pet hair.
Every component needs to be taken apart and cleaned regularly.

In A Nutshell

In a perfect world, the floors would clean themselves. Buying the best vacuum for stairs that is functional and efficient is as close to perfect as we can get.

We don’t know the layout of your home, but we can assume you want a vacuum that doesn’t break your back every time you clean your house.

Before you make your purchase, decide on what’s important to you? Do you need a long lasting battery because this will be your go-to vacuum for your entire house? Or do you need something specifically for getting pet hair off your stairs?

While most people flock to cordless vacuums, a corded vacuum may be a better fit if you have a smaller space and you need powerful suction.

Whether you opt for a well known brand like Bissell or a new player in the game like Moosoo, you need a machine that will enhance your life. Or your maid’s life, if that’s how you roll.

For most of us however, we have to do our own housework. The best vacuum for stairs is the one that gets the job done faster so you can get back to the things you enjoy.

Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade