When it comes to cleaning your house, you know that it’s important for you to have all of the right equipment to get the job done quickly and efficiently. As a result, having a high-quality vacuum can make your life so much easier, as it enables you to clean your carpets and keep your home looking its best. We will be looking today at the best vacuum for carpeted stairs.
So when we are talking about vacuums, most of them are designed for wide, flat surfaces like floors or area rugs. But what about hard to reach areas? We’re talking places like furniture, corners, and, above all, stairs. If you tried to vacuum your Stairs carpet with a traditional upright model, it would take all day, and you wouldn’t even be able to get them 100% clean.
To make your life easier, we are going to show you some of the best vacuum cleaners that are designed for stairs as well as any other hard to reach place in your home. Not only that, but we’ll discuss the important features and components that you should pay attention to when making your final decision. So, with that in mind, let’s get cleaning.
Picture | Name | Price | Rating |
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Price Guide $ = $100, $$ =$101- $250, $$$ = $251 and up
Top 10 Best Vacuum for Carpeted Stairs Reviews
1. Tineco A10 Hero Cordless Stick Vacuum
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The first thing you notice about the Tineco A10 Hero is its design is similar to a Dyson cordless. Yet this Tineco vacuum is nearly half the cost! Why? It's owned by Ecovac, who make the top-selling N79 robot vacuum cleaner. The Tineco stick vacuum design has a single power 10.4"broad brush head for both carpets and hard floors, guided with LED lights to see where you are cleaning.
It also boasts a powerful 110w motor which has two suction settings to suit either of these floor types. The runtime on the battery depends on which power setting you use. With the lower setting, it will run for 25 mins, and in high mode it will be only 7 mins. Also, spare batteries can be purchased additionally if you think you need more time to clean your home.
The vacuums low profile allows cleaning under furniture, and once you convert it to a handheld, you can clean curtain, blinds, and tricky areas like staircases. The 0.4ltr waste bin is easy to empty without getting your hands dirty, one button releases the dust into the trash. The filter is a sealed four staged system protecting any blowback when in use.
It's a lightweight vacuum, weighing under 3lbs in handheld mode. The power switch can be locked into the "on" position to stop your finger aching whilst in use. The tool accessories will be handy on upholstery and stair carpets which include crevice, dusting brush, and a hair cleaning tools.
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This next vacuum is a corded Shark handheld model. So whatever the mess you need to clean up, this lightweight handheld vacuum at only 3.7lb is comfortable and easy to use. With a cord length of 15ft, it is long enough to complete the entire staircase, without replugging.
If you have pets, it has a great pet brush with the mini beater bar especially to pick up pet hair, and deep down dirt in carpeted areas. It is ideally suited for deep cleaning on stairs, sofas and upholstery. This vac is low maintenance with a filter that you can wash and then reuse, which is a money saver through not having to buy new ones every month.
The vacuum never loses suction or power, thus ensuring a consistent cleaning flow when cleaning above floors, on stairs, and even the car interiors — the Shark Rocket Corded Ultra-Light Handheld Vacuum provides an excellent variety of uses, without the worry of the battery running out.
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When you are on the lookout for a new vacuum, there are many things you need to consider such as features, reviews, and cost. So with this in mind we have the Navigator Lift-Away Pro vacuum. Let's dig deeper and find out more. This Shark Navigator is intended for hard floor and carpeted areas of the home. It's a Multi-functional upright vacuum cleaner weighing just 16lbs and with excellent swivel steering makes manoeuvring it a breeze.
This bagless model it easy to keep clean, and has a HEPA filter to relieve the air of any harmful allergens. However, the main attraction with this vacuum is the lift away canister option, that allows greater versatility of the cleaner which is particularly helpful in difficult places to reach and also vacuums stairs. Plus with the added hose attachment and tools, it becomes useful on as many surfaces as possible. It also has a generous 30-foot manual-wind power cord.
Finally, it comes with various tool accessories including crevice and dust brush, along with the special power pet brush tool. We think it is very useful in larger homes with different levels and types of floors and carpeting areas.
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Next up is the cordless HyperClean cleaner by Eureka. A brand owned by Electrolux and based in the US, Eureka has been around since the early 70s, so it's fair to say they know a thing or two about vacuum cleaners. This model has 220w of suction power, with 30 mins of constant runtime without the battery running out.
Classed as a 2-1, it has a ton of features including rubber wheels on the clean head, ideal when changing from hard floor to carpets. On the front of the cleaning head, it has LED lights allowing you to see in darker areas like underneath furniture and beds. The options for use are endless with this HyperClean vacuum. It can be used as a handheld by a simple release button.
The host of tools that you get with this vacuum are great. This allows for top to bottom cleaning, ideal for kickboards, grimy blinds, right up to the ceiling corners. With a deep clean boost, the button will give max power that can be a perfect handheld vacuum for stairs.
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Firstly it looks more like an upright than a stick vacuum, and because of that it's free standing which is also convenient. Now here's the clever bit; the handle folds in two directions, one for practical, space-saving storage, whilst the other allows it to fold the opposite way, enabling it to get into difficult cleaning areas like under furniture.
The swivel steering feature makes handling this agile vacuum the easiest of chores. With a push of a button, the main canister can be removed and used as a handheld unit, that then allows free movement around the home for spot cleaning, and ideal to vacuums stairs.
Also, it has tool attachments provided like the crevice tool and a unique pet brush tool. This is a great addition to have if you have pets, and do daily battle to keep the pet hair and messes under control. It's small and compact being only 26" tall when folded down which is ideal if you don't have a lot of space in the home for storage.
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When it comes to cleaning your stairs, you can either choose between something that is built for them specifically or a model that can be adapted to suit your needs. This unit from Eureka is one of the former, as it is a hand-held vacuum cleaner that is built to handle small messes or tight corners such as stairs.
What makes this device so conducive to the job is that it is super portable and lightweight. At only six pounds, you can move it up and down your stairs with ease and without worrying about getting fatigued along the way. Best of all, even though it is a small machine it still packs a punch with high-powered suction that can pick up almost anything.
To make your job even easier, this vacuum comes with a hose and a dusting brush attachment so that you can clean multiple stairs without having to move the unit. Also, because the accessory has brushes you can clean better and get into the carpeting much easier. The other primary feature of this vacuum is a riser visor, which is designed to let you clean both the vertical and horizontal surfaces of your stairs with ease.
Other features of this vacuum include a see-through window to see when your bag needs changing, an extra-long twenty-foot power cord, and a dual motor system to ensure that you get the best results possible. The only downside of this machine is that you can’t use it to clean all of your floors due to the size constraints.
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While most vacuums are designed to pick up dry materials and hair, what can you do if you need to wash your carpet? Well, when that happens, you can rely on this Hoover FH50150 Carpet Basics Power Scrub Cleaner. Unlike traditional vacuums, this model uses detergent and water to give your carpets a deep clean
Usually, when looking at cleaners like this, they are bulky and too heavy to be portable enough to go up stairs, let alone clean them along the way. Fortunately, this particular model is light enough to carry (only 19 pounds) and comes with an attachment that makes cleaning your stairs a breeze.
To help ensure that you get the best results, this cleaner comes with two tanks. One for clean water and one for dirty. That way you won’t have to worry about spraying your carpet with dank water and making things worse.
Also, the system mixes your detergent automatically, so you never have to guess as to the right amount. This will save time and ensure that you don’t have soapy carpets.
When cleaning with the standard head, it uses spinning brushes to get deep within your carpet fibers. The detachable stair tool also has supreme suction and a wide nozzle to help you get the job done even faster. Finally, the unit heats the carpet as it cleans so as to help remove tough stains. Overall, this is one of the best carpet cleaners out there. Check this video below on cleaning your stairs with this Hoover Power Scrub.
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8. Dirt Devil Vacuum Cleaner Vibe 3-in-1 Corded Bagless Stairs Vacuum
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As we mentioned above, when picking out a vacuum it can be important to choose something both powerful and versatile. This model from Dirt Devil fits the bill perfectly by allowing you to clean carpets, hard floors, and your stairs with ease.
The secret to its capabilities is the fact that you can turn the brush roll on or off depending on your needs. When cleaning tile or hardwood, turn it off. When you move to carpet, turn it on. It’s that simple. As far as your stairs are concerned, you can pull off the main handle and it becomes a hand-held unit instantly.
Not only will it work on stairs but it comes with a crevice tool to enable you to clean all of your surfaces, including your couch or under the bed. Best of all, you can use the hand-held portion with or without the power cord, so you never have to worry about running out of juice.
Other features of this vacuum system include its lightweight design (less than five pounds), a 15ft power cord, and a rinsable filter that will last much longer than the competition. Finally, it’s a bagless design, and comes with a one-year warranty.
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While most vacuums are perfect for floors and some furniture, the fact is that they are not conducive to cleaning other surfaces such as countertops and the ceiling. If you ever want to clean your ceiling fan or get rid of cobwebs, a standard vacuum won’t work.
Fortunately, this model from Dibea is both portable and highly agile, making it the best choice for multi-surface cleaning. Best of all, with the extension attachment, you can even use it for floors without having to get on your hands and knees.
What makes this vacuum conducive for stairs is that it is both small and powerful. Two motors control the suction and the brushes so that you get a deeper clean in less time. It also has an extra-wide nozzle so that you can finish the job much more efficiently than normal. Finally, it has a long-lasting battery which allows you to work up to thirty minutes without any loss of suction.
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10. Kenmore Elite Intuition Canister Vacuum
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Our next vacuum is unlike any of the others we’ve seen as it is a canister model and not an upright. What makes canister vacuums so desirable is that you get the portability of a hand-held unit with the power of an upright, making it versatile and agile so that you can clean your house from top to bottom with ease.
To make the whole process simple, all of the controls are on the handle instead of the canister. That way you can adjust the speed and turn the unit on or off without having to stop what you’re doing. Also, because you can customize the power of the brush head, that means that you can clean carpet, hardwood, tile, and even your ceiling.
With this one vacuum, you can clean almost any surface without any issues. Best of all, it comes with a special attachment to make cleaning pet hair and dander even easier.
The other reason that we love this vacuum is that it comes with a HEPA filter so you can clean your air along with your carpet. This unit is certified to remove allergens and dander so that you can breathe without problems.
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Our thoughts
When looking through these various vacuum cleaners, our top picks for the best vacuum for carpeted stairs, would have to be either the Hoover FH50150 or the Dirt Devil 3-in-1. The reason that we are highlighting both is that they are designed for different levels of clean. With the Hoover Vacuum, you can scrub and wash your stairs carpet to remove stains and messes so that you get more comprehensive results. With the Dirt Devil, you can vacuum on all kinds of floors as well as detach the hand-held unit for your stairs, making it one of the most versatile options out there. Overall, we highly recommend both if you want to get the best clean for your home.
How to Choose a Vacuum For Stairs
Size
Since we’re talking about stairs, you want to get a vacuum that is highly portable so that you can not only clean the stairs themselves but lug the whole thing up and down flights without any problems. Some vacuums can be bulky and heavy, which means that they are not the best to carry up a staircase. As such, you want something lightweight that won’t sacrifice power and suction.
Versatility
Although most people have carpeted stairs, the fact is that if you want to clean your whole house, you will want something that can work on tiles and hardwood as well. Most homes have a variety of floor types, so why settle for a vacuum that can clean only one? With that in mind, you may want to buy a unit that can switch between carpet and hard floors with a push of a button. That way you can clean each room in one sitting without having to pull out a bunch of different bits of cleaning equipment.
Accessories
As you will see, some vacuums that we will look at aren’t necessarily built for stairs, but they come with attachments that are. So, if you want something with a bigger motor or more powerful results, you can still make sure that it will work on stairs as long as it has the right accessory to do so. Typically, you want something that has a wide nozzle so that you can deep clean stairs carpets thoroughly and efficiently. For example, a crevice tool may not be ideal because it has such a narrow range of suction. So, you need to find a vacuum with stair attachments types included where possible.
Corded or Cordless
When it comes to what power drive staircase vacuum cleaners to choose, the consideration on whether to use a handheld cordless model or a wired version spring to mind. So with that said, let's look at the benefits of each type.
Corded
The first major advantage of using a vacuum with a wired power supply is that unless you have a power failure, you won't have a problem with batteries running out half way through your cleaning session. Having a cord with auto rewind is an advantage save time wrapping it away each time you finish cleaning.
The length of power cord is important to know, as the average staircase in homes in the US goes up to 12 feet. So depending on the where your power sockets are situated it would give you an idea of how long you would need the cord to be. Knowing this and choosing the correct cord length will save time having to replug when vacuuming the stairs carpet.
Cordless
These models are very popular due to being super quick and easy to use. Being wall mounted and Lithium ion battery operated, all you need to do is switch them on and you're good to go. The runtimes have improved greatly in the past few years, and now some of the best handheld vacuum for stairs can run up to 60 minutes on a single charge. Also, many brands like Eureka, Shark, and Tineco are now offering the option of 2-1 giving you an upright vacuum which can be transformed into a handheld cordless unit that can be used anywhere around the home.
There are a few vacuum models that are corded with a canister liftaway option that you can use handheld but still has the power cord. This is a good option, as you still have a flexible vacuum without having to worry about battery life.
What’s the best way to vacuum stairs?
If your staircase is carpeted, it will get a lot of traffic and if we're honest, we tend to skip over cleaning the stairs as opposed to other key areas of the home.
But as stairs are a high traffic part of the house, they shouldn't be neglected. So with that in mind, let's look at how to vacuum your stair carpets which will keep them looking there best.
1. Make sure you clean up any large items.
Don't just get the vacuum on the stairs without checking first for any debris or large items like clothes, paper etc. Picking up anything visible first will stop the vacuum for clogging up over time.
2. Top to Bottom
The best way is to start at the top of the stairs and work down. If you are using a canister vacuum, then it's simple to maneuver downstairs rather than having to carry it up, plus any dust and particle build up will naturally fall downwards as you clean. If you are using a handheld, it's still advisable to start at the top and work your way down.
3. Cleaning Technique
With the small size of stairs and amount of corner and edges, there are plenty of places for the dirt to hide. If the stairs are carpeted, it can make it more difficult to see, but using the correct method will help.
4. Use Accessories Tools
The way to specially clean these carpeted spots is with a tool attachment nozzle, preferably using the crevice tool, which is pointed and will get right into the corners. The vacuum cleaners tool accessories are important on stairs carpets so you can treat each stair step (trend) individually, and once all edges and corners have been cleaned, you can either change the tool head to a broader upholstery brush tool or your regular vacuum cleaning head, being able to use tools and hoses with your vacuum is beneficial.
5. Clean In Both Directions
Running the cleaning head in both directions (backward and forwards) on each step as you work your way down is optimal. Extra cleaning efforts need to be made in the central area of the stairs as this is where most foot traffic is concentrated and therefore will be holding the most soil and dirty shoe marks.
It's about keeping on top of the cleaning routine and we are all different on how we clean our homes, so don't feel you need to do this thorough staircase cleaning routine every time you clean. It can be done as often as you think necessary. We hope this guide has been helpful in finding the best way to vacuum your stairs.
Why a vacuum with removable canister for carpeted stairs is useful?
The modern vacuum cleaner is more than just a traditional standard upright or canister model. There's a lot of variety in design, and with today's advanced technology, we now have lots more choices of what our vacuums can achieve.
The upright vacuum is still handy for many homes, however being versatile and flexible in there use is now an essential aspect of modern-day vacuums.
The ability to remove the canister part of the upright vacuum, and transform it into a more portable unit is now a feature on many new vacuum models.
This option is particularly useful in homes with multiple-levels, with a mixture of hard floor surfaces and carpeted stairs. Being able to detach the canister from the body of the upright quickly makes cleaning areas like staircases and hard to reach areas more accessible.
The weight of these types of vacuum has become even lighter after they have been detached, making cleaning on the move a real advantage. They can be used and moved all around the home, which is perfect for taking up and down stairs, and into basements. Sometimes this vacuum may be called 2-1 or mention handheld in the product title, both are great for small areas and can be the best way to vacuum stairs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. How often do I have vacuum my stairs?
A. Once or maybe a couple times a week if possible and more if you have pets or lots of family members running up and down stairs with shoes on leaving dirty foot marks.
Q. How good are handheld vacuums for carpeted stairs?
A. The option to use a cordless or handheld makes the task of cleaning the stairs carpet easier, with limited space and tight edges and corners, The main benefit is the areas are small ideally suited to this type of unit.
Q. Which is best for stairs? Upright, Canister or portable vacuum
A. A lot depends on what you feel comfortable using. The more modern vacuum cleaners have multi options and can be used as 2-1 vacuum and can be detached for portable uses.
Conclusion
This guide has hopefully given you an overview of the different types of vacuum cleaners for your carpeted stairs. Depending on your situation we have shown a range from uprights to handheld models. All have their benefits and will do a great job on stairways in your home. How you choose, is an important factor so check each review on its own merit. Then weight up the pros and cons of individual models, to find the right vacuum for your stair carpet that fully suits your needs.