Stairs can be a real problem area when vacuuming your home, which is down to how hard it can be to get into all corners and edges of a staircase. However, the weight of a vacuum also needs to be taken into account, considering lugging a heavy vacuum up the stairs isn’t exactly ideal.
Listed below are 2 of the very best vacuums for stairs on the market for all budgets. However, while these models excel at cleaning stairs they also do a good job at cleaning all surfaces, which is important if you want a multipurpose machine. First, however, we should take a look at what you need to look for when purchasing a vacuum for this purpose, which is something all the vacuums listed include.
What to Look For When Choosing a Vacuum for Stairs?
Lightweight/Maneuverability
A vacuum that excels at cleaning stairs needs to be highly maneuverable. As mentioned, this is because stairs have corners and edges that can be hard to reach. Of course, the lighter a vac is the easier it is to maneuver too, particularly if you have more than one staircase in your home. For this reason, a handheld model proves to be popular with many people.
Suction Power
The suction power of a vacuum is important for any cleaning purpose, but it is of particular importance when it comes to cleaning stairs as you need deep penetration to capture as much dirt and dust as possible.
Battery-Powered Vs. Mains Powered
This is strictly down to preference. Some people don’t want a cord to get in the way when vacuuming and so will opt for a battery-powered model. While others, on the other hand, are not concerned by this and do not want a vacuum that may have to be recharged before the job is done.
If you do opt for a battery-powered machine you need to make sure that it provides fade free power so the vacuum’s suction power remains constant right up until the battery is fully drained.
Attachments
Attachments such as a crevice tool and various brushes are a must, as they are able to get dirt out of tight spaces.
Cord Length
Depending on the size of your home and staircase it is paramount that a model has long reach. This is because you don’t want to be interrupted halfway through vacuuming only to have to unplug and then plug in the vacuum somewhere else.
The Best Vacuums for Stairs
Dyson V6 Trigger/DC58
Considering the Dyson V6 Trigger (also known as the DC58) has 3x the suction power of other handheld models it comes as no surprise as to just how powerful it really is and good of a job it does on stubborn dirt that is deeply penetrated in carpets.
In fact, even though this vac is a handheld model it rivals full-sized models in terms of suction power. There is also a Boost mode that increases the suction power fourfold to ensure that every last dirt and dust particle is captured.
The battery lasts for 20 minutes and takes 3.5 hours to charge, which is the best you can hope for in a handheld vac. One thing you should be aware of, however, is how some people feel that the trigger design of this model, whereby the trigger has to be held down to function, is annoying. However, many find it beneficial as it means that the battery life lasts longer because it only drains when the vacuum is actually being used for cleaning purposes.
It’s always to see a vac using a HEPA filter due to their proven ability to capture 99.9% of dust, dirt and other allergens. It’s even better to see that the filter is washable because it means there is no need to purchase replacements.
The dirt bin holds 13.5 ounces of dirt which is impressive for a handheld model. When the time comes to empty the bin the process is simple – just press a button. It’s also easy to see when the bin needs emptying, considering it features a translucent design.
Black & Decker BDH2020FLFH MAX Lithium Flex
The BDH2020FLFH may look small at first look (which is good news if you want to easily clean stairs), but it can also be used as a full-sized vacuum suitable for the home thanks to its stick floor head attachment.
It features fade free battery power from its 20V battery, ensuring that the suction power is kept constant until the battery completely drains. The battery is also easy to charge, as there is no need to remove it to do so – just place it in its charging base.
It’s good to see that the vac features a 3 stage filtration system, as it does a better job at capturing dirt. The filtration’s system design also means that the vac never clogs, thereby ensuring that the suction power remains the same throughout its lifetime.
The bin has a capacity of 17 ounces which is large enough to enable you to vacuum many times without having to empty it. You should also know that a generous number of attachments are included, making this model a good choice for anyone who wants more than just a vacuum for stairs. A crevice tool, stick vac floor head, pet hair brush, 2-in-1 nozzle/brush tool and flip-up dusting brush are all included.