should always use the attachment to clean rather than trying to move it on the step above you. it is easy to lose your balance this way and leave you with an injury. the hose is a lot safer.
a cylinder vacuum cleaner is more compact, it is the type you pull around with you as you use a hose and the cylinder shape on wheels follows. these are much lighter machines and they come with good suction and are a lot easier to use on the stairs. being small means as well as being easier to handle in terms of weight, they are also easier to store and to get 