The suction works great, not real loud just normal loud. If you plan on using it for higher places you need to buy or use what you have already at home from your vacume. Or buy a wand and dust brush. This vacuum uses standard tools! Isn't that great!
I have not empty the vacuum yet, so I don't know how easy it is to empty. The vacuum has good power, there are no real extension for the hose so you have to pick up the vacuum and hold it almost all the time. It may be good for stairs but for other uses you would have to hold it for other tasks. The only thing to say is the hose is not long enough.