6 Best Carpeted Stair Vacuums of 2025

Unleash potent, corded cleaning with the Shark Rocket, an ultra-lightweight champion engineered for both carpets and hard floors. At a mere 9 lbs, this versatile device effortlessly transforms into a handheld unit, tackling everything from floor messes to ceiling cobwebs. Its ultra-powerful suction ensures deep cleaning on carpets, while the convenient fingertip controls allow for instant transitions between surface types, making whole-home cleaning exceptionally fluid. Swivel Steering is a game-changer for navigating tight corners and furniture, ensuring no spot is missed.

This Shark easily handles various cleaning scenarios thanks to its design tailored for corded power and consistent suction. Whether it’s deeply embedded dirt on carpets or fine dust on bare floors, the Rocket delivers reliable performance. The included Upholstery Tool, Anti-Allergen Dust Brush, and Crevice Tool add layers of cleaning capability, extending its utility beyond just floors. While its cordless counterparts like the Gtech Multi MK2 offer greater portability for quick stair cleanups, the Rocket’s corded nature guarantees unwavering power throughout your cleaning session.

Compared to the Shark NV352 Navigator, the Rocket HV301 excels in its sheer lightweight design and easy conversion to a handheld, making it potentially better suited for those prioritizing effortless handling and above-floor cleaning using the main unit. The integrated storage hook for the hand vacuum is a thoughtful touch for convenience. While the Navigator offers Lift-Away functionality, the Rocket’s full conversion provides a different approach to versatility. Both offer strong suction and swivel steering, but the Rocket might appeal more to users wanting a single, slender machine that easily transitions from floor stick to handheld.

Experience powerful suction and enhanced portability with the Shark NV352 Navigator Lift Away Upright Vacuum. This model stands out with its innovative Lift-Away functionality, allowing you to detach the main pod for effortless above-floor cleaning on stairs, furniture, and more – a key advantage when tackling vertical surfaces. Coupled with Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology and a HEPA filter, it effectively traps dust and allergens, making it a superb choice for households prioritizing air quality. The combination of powerful suction and a lightweight design ensures both deep cleaning and easy maneuverability.

The NV352 excels in real-world cleaning scenarios, from deep-cleaning carpets to effectively handling bare floors thanks to the Brushroll Shutoff feature. Its Swivel Steering is particularly useful for navigating around obstacles and reaching difficult spots on various surfaces. The inclusion of tools like the wide upholstery tool makes it adept at handling pet hair, a common challenge. While not as ultra-lightweight as the Shark Rocket HV301 when used in its upright form, the Lift-Away feature provides a unique solution for targeted cleaning without the bulk of the full machine.

Compared to the Bissell 2252 CleanView, the Shark NV352 offers the distinct advantage of Lift-Away technology, providing greater flexibility for cleaning stairs and above-floor areas. Both vacuums feature powerful suction and swivel steering, but the NV352’s HEPA filtration and sealed system offer superior allergen control. The Shark Navigator is ideally suited for homes needing a versatile upright that can also tackle stairs and upholstery with ease, offering a blend of upright power and portable convenience unmatched by standard uprights like the Bissell.

Discover maximum maneuverability and powerful cleaning with the Bissell 2252 CleanView Swivel Upright Bagless Vacuum. Engineered with Swivel Steering, this vacuum makes navigating around furniture and obstacles remarkably easy, providing excellent control on various floor types. The Triple Action Brush Roll is specifically designed to loosen, lift, and remove embedded pet hair, addressing a common pain point for pet owners and ensuring thorough carpet cleaning. Its Multi-Surface Cleaning with Scatter-Free Technology means you can confidently tackle dry pet messes on hard surfaces without scattering debris.

This Bissell vacuum performs reliably across different cleaning scenarios, from deep carpet cleaning thanks to its powerful suction and specialized brush roll to effectively handling hard floors. The edge-to-edge cleaning capability ensures that dirt and debris along baseboards and in corners are effectively captured. While it lacks the Lift-Away versatility of the Shark NV352 for stairs, its upright design with swivel steering makes it a strong contender for floor-focused cleaning. The focus on pet hair removal is a key strength, making it a practical choice for pet-friendly homes.

When placed alongside the Kenmore DU4080 Featherlite, the Bissell 2252 offers a more budget-friendly option without sacrificing core upright features like swivel steering and powerful suction. Both vacuums provide strong floor cleaning, but the Kenmore’s Lift-Up technology offers a degree of stair cleaning versatility that the Bissell lacks. However, the Bissell’s specific focus on pet hair and edge-to-edge cleaning might make it more appealing to users whose primary need is effective floor cleaning, especially dealing with pet messes. Its straightforward upright design is easy to use for general home cleaning.

Experience quick and convenient cleaning with the Dirt Devil Scorpion Plus Handheld Vacuum Cleaner, a lightweight dynamo built for swift mess tackling. This corded handheld delivers powerful suction whenever you need it, from floors to stairs, couches, and more. Its portability is a major advantage, allowing you to address spills and dirt without the hassle of a full-sized vacuum. The inclusion of multi-surface tools, like the QuickFlip crevice tool and pivoting stair and upholstery tool, enhances its versatility, making it easy to clean stubborn messes or hard-to-reach places.

The Scorpion Plus is particularly effective for spot cleaning and tackling stairs where maneuverability is key. The extended reach hose is a thoughtful addition, allowing you to clean high spots and tight spaces with ease. While it doesn’t offer the deep cleaning power of an upright like the Shark NV352 or the versatility of a stick/handheld combo like the Shark Rocket, its focused design and powerful suction make it an excellent tool for localized cleaning tasks. The corded nature ensures consistent power, unlike battery-dependent cordless options like the Gtech Multi MK2.

Compared to the Gtech Multi MK2, another powerful handheld option, the Dirt Devil Scorpion Plus is corded, offering unlimited runtime and consistent power, which is ideal for longer cleaning sessions or tackling multiple areas without worrying about battery life. The Gtech, however, provides cordless freedom. The Scorpion Plus’s larger dust cup capacity compared to some smaller handhelds is a practical feature. This Dirt Devil is best suited for users needing a reliable, portable, corded handheld for quick cleanups, stairs, and car interiors, offering powerful suction at an accessible point.

Unleash cordless power and unparalleled portability with the Gtech Multi MK2 Handheld Vacuum Cleaner, a lightweight champion designed for targeted cleaning jobs. Weighing in at a mere 3.5 lbs, this high-powered cordless vacuum is ideal for quickly cleaning not just floors, but also stairs, car interiors, and above-floor areas. Its powered brush bar is a standout feature, making it exceptionally effective at cleaning stairs by effortlessly capturing dust and coarse pet hair embedded in carpets. The freedom of cordless operation is a game-changer for reaching difficult spots without being tethered to an outlet.

The Gtech Multi MK2 shines in specific cleaning scenarios where a full-sized vacuum is impractical. Stair cleaning becomes significantly easier and more efficient with the dedicated powered brush head. The included crevice tool and extension tube further enhance its versatility, allowing you to clean along baseboards or reach high ceiling corners. With up to 20 minutes of runtime from its 22V lithium-ion battery, it offers ample time for tackling typical staircases or car interiors on a single charge. While its capacity is less than uprights like the Bissell 2252, its portability compensates for this in targeted applications.

When compared to the Dirt Devil Scorpion Plus, the Gtech Multi MK2 offers the significant advantage of cordless operation, providing greater freedom of movement, particularly on stairs and in vehicles. While the Dirt Devil is corded and offers continuous power, the Gtech’s battery provides sufficient runtime for most quick cleaning tasks. The Gtech’s powered brush bar is a key differentiator, specifically enhancing its performance on carpeted stairs. This handheld is best for users who prioritize cordless convenience and a dedicated powered tool for tackling stairs and quick, targeted messes.

Experience a blend of lightweight design and powerful cleaning with the Kenmore DU4080 Featherlite Upright Vacuum. At under 12lbs, this full-sized upright is surprisingly easy to maneuver throughout your home. Its standout feature is the Lift-Up Technology, which quickly transforms the vacuum into a lightweight pod for tackling stairs and above-floor cleaning with significantly less bulk. The Completely Sealed Air Path and HEPA Filtration System ensure that 99.97% of dust and allergens are trapped inside, contributing to healthier air quality in your home.

The DU4080 is designed for powerful deep cleaning across various surfaces, including bare floors and carpets, thanks to its 2-motor system. The 9’ of hose reach provides ample flexibility for accessing hard-to-reach areas. The Swivel+ LED Headlight enhances visibility and maneuverability around furniture and corners. While the Lift-Up pod is effective for stairs, it’s a different approach than the detachable main pod of the Shark NV352 Navigator; the Kenmore separates a smaller unit rather than the core motor/dirt bin.

Compared directly to the Shark NV352 Navigator, the Kenmore DU4080 also offers a Lift-Up/Lift-Away feature for stair cleaning, though the design differs. Both provide powerful suction and include tools for versatile cleaning. The Kenmore’s HEPA filtration and sealed system are comparable to the Shark’s anti-allergen technology. The Kenmore might appeal to users seeking a lightweight upright that still offers a practical solution for stair cleaning via its Lift-Up pod, providing a good balance between traditional upright cleaning power and targeted portability, potentially at a competitive point compared to the Shark Navigator while offering similar features.