Is a robot vacuum worth it if I have stairs?

Yes, a robot vacuum is still highly worth it if you have stairs, but you must adjust your expectations and strategy. Because no mainstream robot vacuum can climb stairs, you will still need a traditional vacuum (like a cordless stick vacuum) to clean the stairs themselves.

For the rest of your multi-level home, a robot vacuum is highly effective if you use one of three main strategies:

1. The Carry Method (Single Smart Robot): Buy a mid-to-high-end robot with multi-map support (typically costing $300–$600). You physically carry the robot to the second floor, let it clean, and carry it back down. It remembers the layout of both floors.
2. The Fleet Method (Multiple Budget Robots): Buy two or more budget-friendly robots (typically $150–$250 each) and permanently station one on each floor. This eliminates the need to carry them.
3. The High-Traffic Method (Main Floor Only): Buy one premium self-emptying robot (typically $700–$1,200) and dedicate it exclusively to the ground floor, where 80% of daily dirt, pet hair, and kitchen crumbs accumulate. Manually vacuum the carpeted upstairs once a week.