Best Vacuum for Stairs 2018 – Buyer’s Guide
Best Vacuum for Cleaning Staircases
I know you’ll agree with me when I say: It’s very hard finding the best vacuum that works for stairs.
Unlike your home’s flat geometry, stairs are unique. Cleaning them, therefore, is not only time consuming but also arduous. What you need, therefore, are vacuums that are not only lightweight but are easy to maneuver and have sufficient suction power
Can’t find such vacuums in your local store? No worries, we are here to help.
After testing more than a dozen vacuum cleaners, we have prepared a list of the best five of them. What’s more, each of them has a unique feature-set, which means no matter what your cleaning requirements are, we have got a solution for you.
Which Vacuum for Stairs to Choose
As suggested by its ergonomic design, a modern trigger-style handle and rechargeable battery – not to mention its light weight and the ease with which it lets you attach/detach components, the Dyson V6 Trigger has everything you need in a vacuum cleaner.
Features
Even for a vacuum cleaner that is handheld, the Dyson V6 is an ultra-lightweight vacuum. Its in-hand component – including the dustbin, cyclones, and even the motor, weighs a meager 4.6lbs.
But what about the weight after adding attachments, I hear you ask?
It will increase, for sure, but having added attachments myself, the weight of the handheld unit was still on the lower side. For example, I added both the floor cleaning nozzle and the extension wand, and still found the unit to be incredibly light and ultra-portable.
What’s more, for such a small unit, the Dyson V6 does really well to preserve its battery life and minimize wasted energy. It uses a trigger for this purpose which works as an on/off switch. Rather than making the vacuum run continuously, the trigger will only turn on once you approach the debris. That is, during the time you move furniture or take rest, the cleaner will remain off, hence increasing the battery life of the cleaner.
Turning our attention to its usability, and I found the whole product fiercely maneuverable. Yes, its light weight plays a part in this, but the pivoting ball head is also a significant contributor. The design of V6 is such that sure maximum weight rests in your hand, making the vacuum very easy to move forward.
Another worth-noting feature of this model is how easily you can attach/detach the attachments. You won’t have to wrestle with the attachments to fit them into place. Rather, a mere press of a button, and you can lock and unlock all the attachments.
Finally, all of us know that the greater the suction power, the more successful a vacuum will be. Still, as is the case with this cleaner, the design of the cleaning head and brush also complements the suction.
For example, talking about the carbon fiber brush, its fibers boost two qualities which supplement the suction power. First, the fibers are closely placed, meaning even the finest of dust particles won’t go unattended. Second, they are extremely fine, meaning that dust picked up by the fibers would be taken to the dustbin without a moment’s delay.
Pros
- Ultra-lightweight
- Trigger Switch preserves battery and minimize waste of energy
- Will pick fine dust particles
- Has a rechargeable battery
Cons
- Won’t pick up pet hair
Final Verdict
Despite its exorbitant features, the V6 Trigger has a meager price tag. Hence, if you don’t want to compromise on features – but still want something affordable, this is the model you need to have.
Apart from being not able to pick up pet hair, the Dyson V6 Trigger required you to bend while cleaning stairs. Now, if you don’t want these shortcomings in your cleaner, you need the Sharp Rocket TruePet Cleaner.
Features
Although the addition of a cord makes this vacuum bit of a nuisance to handle – especially if you have used cordless vacuums in the past, the lean weight of this product does more than just compensate. For, while the whole unit weights 8.6lbs, the handheld portion weights half that – i.e. 4.2lbs. Hence, even with the attachments, the Rocket was light and a cinch to handle.
Whileperforming our test, we used the extension tube which comes in the package. Being 3’’ tall and 10.5’’ wide, the low-profiled nozzle has a brilliant reclining ability, meaning it won’t be a problem for you to reach under furniture.
As for the cleaning modes, the HV322 has two of them. You have Mode 1 to take care of delicate rugs and Mode 2 for carpets. If you want deep cleaning, activate Mode II as it agitates the carpet using its brush roll for better cleaning.
Despite the fact it costs twice more than the previous, V6 Trigger from Dyson, the HV322 offers a large number of attachments to justify its price tag.
To name some, there is an extension tube, which you can attach to different accesores that come in the package i.e. dusting brush, pet upholstery or floor nozzle. T here is also a dust-away tool which provides a washable, removable microfiber pad. Finally, there is a storage bag to let you keep everything in once place.
Also, to minimize the nuisance caused by the cord, Sharp Rocket has adopted various techniques. For example, measuring 30feet, the cord has a large-enough length to let the vacuum clean a big room without the need of plugging it in a different location.
Also, provided you are using the extension tube, its attachment will pivot, making moving and turning around furniture a cinch. Finally, thanks to the ergonomics of the vacuum and the placement of the cord, the latter will always stay behind you no matter what.
Finally, finishing our review of this vacuum with a look at its performance, and I’ve to say that this cleaner – with all the attachments, makes the whole process of cleaning a cinch. Finding the best vacuum for stairs can be challenging but the Shark Rocket is definitely one of the better choices. Whether you are picking up pet hair or fine dust – or both – the design of the Shark’s brushroll will make a short shift of it.
Pros
- Lightweight for an upright vacuum
- Best for picking up pet hair
- Comes with a wide number of attachments
- Has two cleaning modes and is ultra-portable
Cons
- Has a Cord!
Final Verdict
If you think it won’t be a problem for you to navigate around your furniture with a cord in tow, there is no reason why you should forego this model.
If you loved the above mentioned Sharp Rocket Vacuum for its features – but can’t afford to pay the price it demands, here is an upright cleaner with equally brilliant features and a relatively small price tag.
Let’s see whether it can meet your demands or not.
Features
First thing first, while it has other useful features as well, the most important of them is the fact that it is the absolute master of versatility. You get so many accessories and attachments in the package that no matter what the task at hand is, you’ll get the right brush for it.
Despite the fact it will come as an upright vacuum, you can also use it as a handheld option for cleaning hard-to-reach areas. All you have to do to “Lift-away” the canister is to press one button, and you would get the freedom of portable cleaning.
Since we are talking about hard-to-reach areas, you need special tools to clean them. Luckily, the NV356E provides four of those tools. First, there is a long crevice tool which allows efficient cleaning in hard-to-reach places.
Afterward, there is the regular crevice tool which is designed to work between soft cushions. Then there is the upholstery brush which could be used for cleaning delicate surfaces i.e. glass tops. Finally, you get a pet brush which will pick up pet hair without a moment’s notice.
Lastly, to make sure the dust is deposited into its bag – and not stirred around your home, the Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology used by this vacuum comes into play. Thanks to this technology, more than 99% of the dirt and allergens will be entrapped in the dirt bag. You’ll especially love this feature if your house has asthma or allergy sufferers.
Pros
- Provides Upright as well as Lift-away cleaning
- Traps more than 99% of allergens and dust from your house
- A swivel steering makes it easy to maneuver
- Equally efficient for picking up big crumbs and pet hair
Cons
- Heavy
- Noisy
Final Verdict
Like most of the products available in the market, the Shark NV356 makes a lot of promises. Unlike most of them, however, it succeeds in fulfilling most of them. And since it doesn’t charge an astronomical amount for its services, this vacuum certainly deserves a place in your home. If you are looking for the best vacuum for hair the Shark NV356 is highly recommended.
Boosting the same cord-free charging mechanism, the V6 Motor Head is an upright substitute of its V6 Trigger Counterpart. It means if loved the V6 for its features – but still want its upright substitute, this is the model you need to have.
Features
To make sure this model showcases an efficient cleaning action, Dyson has provided it with a brushroll which, upon spinning, creates carpet agitation. As a result, and despite the low power engine which this model has, fine particle pickup is guaranteed if you use the V6 Motor Head.
Another feature where this model has tried to distance itself from the V6 Trigger is the widened head. While it enables the Vacuum to pick up more dirt at once, the widened head is more prone to jamming if you want to pick up larger particles. Hence, if you ask me, I’d recommend keeping this model limited to picking up smaller pieces.
Borrowing a feature from the Dyson V6 trigger, this model has used a trigger as an on/off switch. Similar to what it did there, the trigger, instead of running the vacuum continuously, only allows power once the brushroll is close to the dirt. This, in turn, saves energy and increases the battery life.
Another useful feature of this product is the way it concentrates most of its weight in the handle. It does so to make sure most weight rests in your hand. View it alongside the 4.9lb weight of this unit, and the V6 Motor head is an epitome of maneuverability.
Finally, despite borrowing most of its features from its V6 trigger counterpart, this model will cost you $100 more. However, if you were wondering, this increase in price doesn’t mean this model will give a lot extra, for all you will get more are two attachments.
Pros
- Portable
- Light weight makes it easy to maneuver
- Easy to use
- Cord-free
Cons
- Widened head means it has the tendency to get clogged while handling bigger particles
- Battery life is a bit on the lower side
Final Verdict
Although it was meant to compete as a high-end vacuum cleaner, its tendency to clog when facing large particles and a poor battery life means there are better options than the V6 Motor Head in the market.
If you have back problems, you need a vacuum which is not only upright but is also ultra-lightweight. Don’t know where you can find such a cleaner? No worries. We have found one for you: the Shark Rocket HV301.
Features
Starting from the features which make this vacuum unique, the 2-speed brushroll settings come into play. If your carpets are old and worn out, you may want to turn on Mode II.
It activates the brushroll located in the floor nozzle to give your carpet an agitation for deep cleaning. However, if you want to clean delicate rugs or bare floors, Mode I will suffice. What’s more, in order to help you clean bare floors, this vacuum provides a Hard floor attachment, hence making sure not even the finest dirt particles go unattended. It can be hard finding the best vacuum for floors but the Shark Rocket is a great choice.
Despite its relatively low price, the ease of usability is a hallmark of this vacuum. It has fingertip controls which make switching from one mode to the other a cinch. As for maneuvering, the swivel steering allows you to zigzag past furniture with aplomb.
If you have less space available in your home, you may want to know more about the dual storage option provided by the Shark HV301. In addition to giving the traditional, option of fixing the dust cap to the wand’s bottom, the dual storage option allows you to mount it on a wall.
Despite having so many notable features, this vacuum has one major shortcoming. Its dust cap is capable of containing only 0.42dry quarters in one go. It means you’d have to clean the dust cap intermittently if you are cleaning more than a few rooms in one go.
Pros
- Weighs only 7.6lbs
- Ease of maneuverability thanks to swivel steering
- Cleans both hard floors and carpets
- Has Fingertip controls assuring ease of usability
Cons
- Capacity of the dust cap is limited
Final Verdict
Despite it being one of the most inexpensive Sharp Rocket Models, you won’t see any significant cost cutting measures employed in the construction of HV 301. Buy it, and not only it will make your house dirt-free but, due to its lean weight, would also prevent your back problems from exacerbating.
Conclusion
Now that you have reviewed all the best vacuums for stairs, you may be wondering: which stair vacuum is right for me? Well, if you are on a tight budget, the Shark Rocket Ultralight is the one you should consider. However, if you can afford to spend a bit over the odds, go for the Shark Navigator Lift-Away Professional.