We tested the Bissell PowerFresh to see if it’s as versatile as they say

Steam mops are better for the environment than regular mops because they don’t use potentially harmful chemicals, and they’re also safer for your home. The Bissell PowerFresh 1940A Steam Mop uses the natural power of steam to clean and sanitize floors, which is proven to eliminate up to 99.9% of germs and bacteria.

This model also has a few extra features, including multiple steam levels to tackle different areas of your home and a scrubbing brush for tough messes. To determine if the Bissell PowerFresh Steam mop is as versatile as the brand claims, the BestReviews Testing Lab put it through its paces.

What is the Bissell PowerFresh Steam Mop?

The Bissell PowerFresh Steam Mop features three levels of steam to tackle any job.

Product specifications
Battery Life: Corded | Dimensions: 29” H x 10” W x 7” D | Water Reservoir Capacity: 16 oz | Weight: 6.2 lb | Cord Length: 23’

Bissell claims its PowerFresh Steam Mop kills 99.9% of germs, bacteria and viruses with just the power of steam. Eliminating harsh chemicals allows you to keep your home safe and save money on cleaning products. The mop is safe to use on sealed hardwood, ceramic, granite, marble and linoleum. 

You can choose from three levels of steam depending on whether you’re cleaning tough, sticky messes, going over a hardwood floor or refreshing a carpet. Two types of textured pads are included, as well as a Flip-Down Easy Scrubber to clean up sticky messes or dirty grout. It also features a removable water tank and a swiveling head to easily reach under furniture and into corners.

See how it compares to other products in its space. Check out our reviews for the best steam mops.

Pros

• The 23-foot power cord is longer than that on most other steam mops.
• A removable water tank makes filling and emptying easy.
• The mop stands on its own.
• It cleans for over 15 minutes on the highest steam level.
• A low-profile swivel steering head navigates around furniture, under cabinets and into corners.
• It comes with a carpet refresher accessory.
• The two included scent discs add a fresh smell to floors.
• The mop takes only 30 seconds to heat up.

Cons

• There is no touchless mop head removal.
• The Flip-Down Easy Scrubber performance was just OK.
• There are no additional accessories.
• There is no removable handheld option.

Testing the Bissell PowerFresh Steam Mop

The testing team studied the Bissell PowerFresh in real-world conditions to see how well it performed.

We tested the Bissell PowerFresh in real-world conditions with typical household messes, such as muddy dog prints and spilled food. We also pushed the steam mop to its limits to see where it excels and where we wished it did better. We put together a few extra tests and recorded the results.

Navigating around obstacles

A quality steam mop needs to do more than just wipe up messes on an empty floor. We used the Bissell PowerFresh in a kitchen and dining room without moving any furniture out of the way. We wanted to see how well this model would navigate around everyday obstacles and reach into corners. Thanks to the swivel head, the Bissell PowerFresh easily maneuvered between dining chairs and around table legs. Plus, its low profile enabled it to reach far beneath the table and clean the hard to reach area beneath cabinet overhangs. 

Run time and tank capacity

We filled the water tank to its capacity of 16 ounces and ran the steam mop on high until the water tank was completely empty, about 15 minutes and 40 seconds. Only one other steam mop we tested ran longer than this mop, giving the Bissell PowerFresh an advantage over many other models. 

Maintaining the mop and pads

To test durability and maintenance, we washed the mop pads and maintained the steam mop according to the manual. Both microfiber pads are machine washable, but Bissell recommends air-drying them. We washed the pads in a washing machine with a center agitator and let them air-dry for a day. Both of the pads were extremely dirty, and our washing machine wasn’t able to return them to like-new condition. Even though they still had stains after washing, both pads felt as they did prior to washing, and we believe they will last through many washes. Maintaining the mop itself only requires wiping it down and emptying the water tank.

Bissell PowerFresh 1940A Steam Mop price and where to buy

The Bissell PowerFresh 1940A Steam Mop can be found on Amazon for $92.69.

Bissell PowerFresh setup

Most steam mop manuals recommend filling the water tank with distilled water to prevent mineral buildup.

There was nothing difficult about setting up the Bissell PowerFresh Steam Mop. Opening the box revealed everything safely nestled in place without much shifting during shipping. The box contained the handle, main body, mop head, two mop pads, carpet glider, two fragrance discs and a screw. First, we attached the body to the mop head by snapping it into place. The handle slides into the main body and is kept tight with a screw. One plus in the packaging was the screw was taped around the handle, so there was no need to search the box for a loose bag.

Design and ease of use

The Bissell PowerFresh Steam Mop was the only model we tested with a removable water tank, which made it much easier to use.

The Bissell PowerFresh is fairly lightweight and compact. We didn’t think it would be difficult to move from place to place or carry up stairs if needed. While looks don’t necessarily matter, it has a sleek blue-and-white design. One of the biggest pros of this steam mop is the removable water tank. After testing half a dozen steam mops, this is the only one with this design element, and we were pleased with its convenience. For example, we didn’t have to find the cup, fill it, pour the water into the tank without spilling and then find a place to store the cup. Also, if we finished mopping before the tank was empty, we didn’t have to turn the entire mop upside down to empty the tank. It simply slides in and out.

Using this model is intuitive. It has three steam levels with lights, so you don’t need to guess which level you’re using. While the mop pads are fairly simple to attach, they don’t have hands-free removal. However, they aren’t difficult to remove, so it’s not a make-or-break feature. The steam mop glides smoothly using either pad, but it requires slightly more force when using the textured scrubby pad. Using the flip-down brush is easy and hygienic: simply position and lock it in place with your foot. The brush releases with a button that you can also press with your foot. Overall, the design is simple, and it’s one of the easiest steam mops to operate.

Cleaning performance

Be sure to wash the steam mop pads after each use so you’re not dragging old dirt and grime over floors you’re trying to clean.

When it comes to cleaning power and performance, the Bissell PowerFresh Steam Mop cleans better than most comparable steam mops we’ve tested. Between the two microfiber pads and the scrubbing brush, there’s not much this steam mop can’t tackle. In order to get the full benefits of its steaming power, the manual suggests going over each area at least three times.

Laminate floor

Most of our testing was done on a laminate floor. Not only did the mop glide smoothly across the surface, but it also picked up dust, wiped up mud and removed sticky food residue. We didn’t need to make many more passes beyond the three recommended by the manual. The steam level was ideal for the messes and the flooring. The mop leaves no streaks, and it mops up the dirty water instead of just pushing it around. We didn’t feel like it left the floor too damp or too dry. There was no damage to the floor.

Spills test

To test the mop’s full capability, we spilled coffee and ketchup on the floor and let them dry for a few hours. This steam mop easily picked up both in three passes, and we didn’t need to flip down the scrubbing brush as we expected.

Steam output and heat-up time

Steam heat can build up quickly and possibly damage flooring, so avoid leaving the steam mop in one spot for too long.

The PowerFresh Steam Mop begins heating up as soon as it’s plugged in. A blue light starts blinking immediately and stops blinking when the water is heated. The manual says it takes 30 seconds before you can use it, and we timed it at exactly 30 seconds. We started using the mop on high immediately after the light stopped blinking and thought it wasn’t completely ready with full steam. It probably took another 30 seconds for it to push out the correct level of steam, which is still very quick. The steam came out in a pattern, releasing full steam for a few minutes and then shutting off for a couple seconds. This pattern was consistent the whole time we used the mop, which helped keep each area of flooring from getting too wet.

Bissell PowerFresh mop pads

The mop comes with a scrubby microfiber pad that the testing team found cleaned better than its soft pad.

The Bissell PowerFresh 1940A Steam Mop comes with two microfiber mop pads, each with a unique texture. The plain white soft pad is recommended for everyday use on delicate flooring, such as sealed hardwood or laminate. The soft microfiber pad was effortless to push and picked up a lot of dirt. The mop also comes with a gray-and-white scrubby microfiber pad that has a thicker texture designed to deal with bigger messes. We noticed that the scrubby pad was more difficult to push but still fairly smooth. It was able to pick up more messes than the soft pad. 

One con with the cleaning head is that it doesn’t have a hands-free release. While some steam mops release the pad with the push of a button, this one doesn’t. Instead, it has a quick-release tab in the corner that you tug on or off. We tried to remove the pad immediately after use and it was very hot. It would be best to let the mop cool off for a few minutes before removing the pad.  

How does it compare to other steam mops we’ve tested?

The Bissell PowerFresh Deluxe is the only steam mop we’ve tested with a longer cord and a larger water tank. This model has an impressive 23-foot cord and a large 16-ounce water tank. It’s also one of the best steam mops we’ve used that actually picks up messes instead of moving dirty water around. We’ve tested a few Shark steam mops and believe the cleaning and features of this Bissell Steam Mop are superior.

Features and accessories

While this Bissell PowerFresh Steam Mop doesn’t have a detachable steamer with additional nozzles, it does have a few additional features and accessories that elevate it above other comparable models.

Fragrance discs

A pouch for a fragrance disc is located inside each mop pad, and the mop comes with two discs to get you started. The manual suggests using one or even half of one depending on how strong you want the scent. We used a whole disc the first time and thought the smell was too strong. However, we used a half the next time and it was subtler. You don’t have to use a disc if you don’t want any fragrance.

SmartSet Digital Steam Control

You can choose one of three steam levels, each with a lighted button so you know what level you’re using. We didn’t think there was a big difference between steam levels, but the high level definitely cleaned more efficiently than the low. The low steam level was perfect for using the carpet glider to refresh rugs without leaving them too damp.

Flip-Down Easy Scrubber

To use the flip-down scrubber, you push it down with your foot while slightly pulling the mop up. When you’re done using it, just tap the release button with your foot. While the scrubber picked up some sticky food and other dirt off the floor, we were underwhelmed. It didn’t seem to make enough contact with the floor to offer deep scrubbing power. However, the mop pads cleaned so well on their own that we didn’t need to use the scrubber very often.

Should you get the Bissell PowerFresh?

The testing team recommends the versatile Bissell PowerFresh 1940A Steam Mop for homes of any size.

Overall, the Bissell PowerFresh 1940A Steam Mop is one of the best steam mops we’ve tested. With a long cord and large-capacity water tank, it’s suitable for both large homes and small apartments. It also has a few useful accessories, including fragrance discs, carpet glider and flip-down scrubber. It’s lightweight and effortless to operate. We recommend the Bissell PowerFresh 1940A Steam Mop to anyone searching for a quality steam mop for under $100.