Buying guide for Best Bissell vacuums

If you want to keep the carpeting and hard flooring in your home as clean as possible, a good vacuum is an essential tool. And when it comes to high-quality vacuums, Bissell is one of the most respected brands in the game, which is why a Bissell vacuum can be such a wise investment. Bissell offers a wide variety of vacuum options, so finding the right one can be a challenge. Vacuum type, power, bagged or bagless, attachments – it’s definitely a lot to sort through.

At BestReviews, our goal is to help make shopping a little easier for you. We never accept free products from manufacturers, which allows us to provide unbiased recommendations. We also consult with experts to identify the most important features for the products we’re considering, and we field test some top items ourselves to see just how well they really perform.

Ready to purchase a Bissell vacuum? Take a look at the product list above for our top recommendations. For general tips on choosing a Bissell vacuum, continue reading our shopping guide.

A Bissell vacuum equipped with a HEPA filter can trap and seal up to 99.9% of the dust, pollen, mold, and pet dander particles in your home.

Bissell vacuum types

Upright

Upright vacuums are most common. The motor, filter, brushes, and other components are all contained in a single unit that you push and pull to clean your floors.

Pros

• Budget friendly

• Wide cleaning path

• Effective at deep cleaning carpets

• Easy to store

Cons

• Can weigh 20 pounds or more

• Can be difficult to maneuver

• Can be noisy

Canister

A canister vacuum features a long hose attached to a tank that houses the motor. You maneuver the hose and attachment to pick up dirt, trailing the tank behind you.

Pros

• Works well on bare floors

• Works well on upholstery and curtains

• Easily gets under furniture and into tight corners

• Usually quiet

• Variety of attachments

Cons

• Bulky; can be difficult to store

• Difficult to use on stairs

Stick

Stick vacuums are compact and lightweight. They cleans floors with a rotating brush and a small amount of suction.

Pros

• Very lightweight

• Easy to maneuver

• Ideal for spot cleaning

• Often cordless

• Effective on bare floors

Cons

• Less suction than upright and canister models

• Less effective on carpeting

• Small dustbin

• Can be noisy

Robotic

A robotic vacuum is usually a disc-shaped cordless machine that travels around your home on its own to clean the floors. Robotic vacuums can be programmed to work on a specific cleaning route or operated via remote control.

Pros

• Automatic; requires no hands-on effort

• Effective for cleaning between manual vacuuming sessions

• Can usually maneuver around furniture and objects

• May be controlled by a smartphone app

Cons

• Less suction than upright and canister models

• Not effective on area rugs or shag carpet

Bissell vacuum features to consider

Bag vs. bagless

Bissell offers both bagged and bagless vacuums. A bagged vacuum collects dirt and dust in a replaceable bag, while a bagless vacuum gathers debris in a bin or container that must be emptied periodically. Both types can clean effectively, so choosing between the two is usually a matter of personal preference.

Bagged vacuums

• Can usually collect more dirt than bagless models

• Self-sealing bag helps keep dust and particles out of the air when changing bag

• Requires replacement bags, so costlier to maintain

Bagless vacuums

• Usually easier to empty and clean

• Cheaper to operate

• More filters require cleaning and sometimes replacement

Power rating

A Bissell vacuum power rating reflects the strength of its suction. Vacuum cleaner power is measured in amps; the most powerful vacuums usually top out at 12 amps.

• Bissell vacuums range in power from two to 12 amps. The more amps, the greater the suction power.

• Bissell’s stick vacuums typically have fewer amps, while Bissell canister vacuums are the most powerful. Bissell’s upright models fall right in the middle.

For bare flooring, a two- to seven-amp vacuum is usually sufficient. For carpeting, a seven- to 12-amp model is a better choice.

Weight

If ease of use is one of your primary concerns, choose a lightweight Bissell vacuum. The offerings range in weight from as little as three pounds to as much as 24 pounds.

• Stick vacuums typically weigh between three and six pounds.

• Upright vacuums typically weigh between 12 and 18 pounds.

• Canister vacuums typically weigh between 10 and 24 pounds.

Noise

Vacuum cleaners can be fairly noisy. If you live in an apartment or just aren’t a fan of loud noises, you’ll want to choose a quieter vacuum. Vacuum cleaner noise levels are measured in decibels (dB). For the quietest operation, look for a Bissell vacuum with between 60 and 65 dB.

Filters

Many Bissell vacuums are equipped with filters that help capture the fine particles that are sometimes returned to the air through the appliance’s exhaust. Micron filters are effective at trapping airborne particles. If you don’t have health concerns, a micron filter is usually sufficient.

High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters offer the most powerful filtration. If you have allergies, asthma, or pets, look for a Bissell vacuum with a HEPA filter. Keep in mind that both types of filters must be cleaned regularly, and in some cases, replaced.

Floor settings

Many Bissell vacuums have adjustable settings that allow you to clean different types of flooring. On bare floors, for example, the setting might allow you to turn off the brush roll. With carpeting, it may allow you to adjust the height depending on the depth of the carpet pile. You can also adjust the suction level to effectively clean each type of floor.

Pet features

If you have furry friends at home, Bissell has several models with special features to help you handle the mess they leave behind. Pet-targeted models are usually fairly powerful, and they also provide the following:

• Tangle-free brush rolls to keep pet hair from getting stuck

• Special attachments that can remove hair from stairs, upholstery, and other surfaces

• Wider openings to keep hair from clogging the machine.

Cord length and control

While some Bissell stick vacuums are cordless, most models have a cord that must be plugged into a wall outlet. It’s important to consider the length of the cord when choosing a model.

We recommend a Bissell vacuum with a cord that is at least a 20 feet long; a 30-foot cord would provide even more maneuverability. It’s also a good idea to choose a model with cord control, which allows you to recoil the cord with the push of button.

Accessories

Many Bissell vacuums come with accessories and attachments to make cleaning your home even easier. Canister models are most likely to come with attachments, but some upright models do, too. Some accessories that Bissell provides include a light crevice tool, pet dusting brush, upholstery tool, and extension wand.

Bissell vacuum prices

Bissell vacuums vary in price based on the type and its features, but you can typically expect to spend between $30 and $300.

Upright vacuums

• Budget friendly: For a basic Bissell upright vacuum, expect to pay between $60 and $100.

• Mid-range: For an upright with some extra features and tools, expect to  pay between $120 and $170.

• Expensive: For an upright vacuum with plenty of extra features and tools, expect to pay between $200 and $300.

Canister vacuums

• Budget friendly: For a basic Bissell canister vacuum, expect to pay between $50 and $100.

• Mid-range: For a canister vacuum with some extra features and tools, expect to pay between $120 and $180.

• Expensive: For a canister vacuum with plenty of extra features and tools, expect to pay between $200 and $300.

Stick vacuums

• Budget friendly: For a basic Bissell stick vacuum, expect to pay between $30 and $70.

• Mid-range: For a stick vacuum with some extra features and tools, expect to pay between $90 and $135.

• Expensive: For a stick vacuum with plenty of extra features and tools, expect to pay between $150 and $230.

Robotic vacuums

• For a Bissell robotic vacuum, expect to pay between $220 and $300.

Tips

• Clean the filters. To make sure that your Bissell vacuum cleans as effectively as possible, you should clean its filters regularly. Consult the owner’s manual for your model to determine the proper maintenance routine.

• Vacuum regularly. For areas of your home that see heavy traffic, Bissell recommends using your vacuum twice weekly. For less-busy areas, once a week is usually sufficient.

• Vacuum thoroughly. Go over each area five to seven times in rooms used frequently and three to four times in less-busy rooms. Move the vacuum slowly from side to side to be sure that you pick up all dirt and debris.

The extension tool that comes with some Bissell vacuums makes it easy to clean overhead features like ceiling fans, curtains, and ceiling corners.

FAQ

Q. Which type of Bissell vacuum works best as a main vacuum?

A. For the deep cleaning that you do once or twice a week, it’s best to choose either a Bissell upright or canister vacuum. These typically pick up more dirt, dust, dander, and debris than stick or robotic models, which work best as supplemental vacuums.

When it comes to choosing between canister and upright models, it’s really a matter of personal preference. Canister models tend to offer a deeper clean than upright vacuums, but upright styles are usually easier to maneuver through your home, particularly up and down stairs.

Q. What type of Bissell vacuum is best for spot cleaning?

A. For quick cleaning jobs like a few spilled crumbs, a Bissell stick vacuum is your best bet. They’re lightweight and often cordless, so it’s easy to take it right to the mess and clean up quickly and effectively.

Q. What type of warranty does Bissell offer for its vacuums?

A. The warranties for Bissell vacuums vary based on type and model. However, all models offer at least a one-year limited warranty, and many models offer up to five years of limited warranty protection.