Buying guide for Best Bissell vacuums
If the time has come to buy a new vacuum cleaner, you want something that’ll get the job done right. If you're looking for something rugged yet affordable, Bissell vacuums are worth a look. They might not be the fanciest or most feature-rich vacuum cleaners available, but they do a solid job of keeping floors clean.
You might wonder how Bissell vacuum cleaners stack up next to high-end brands such as Dyson and Shark. Or, perhaps you want to know which Bissell is the best for carpets or homes with pets.
Bissell makes a range of vacuum cleaners. Most are upright and stick models, but you can also find some canister and robotic vacuums. You have plenty of options regardless of your floor type and cleaning style. You'll also find plenty of pet vacuums made by Bissell, which is excellent news if pet hair builds up in your carpets or on your hard floors.
The Bissell CleanView Swivel Upright Bagless Vacuum is our top choice. It's a hugely popular vacuum that's affordable and effective thanks to features such as a triple-action brushroll and scatter-free technology. It also comes with pet tools, so cleaning up after your furry friends is even easier.
Best Bissell vacuums
Anyone who's looking for the best value in a vacuum cleaner should take a closer look at this corded model. While it's particularly great for homes with dogs or cats, you don't need to have pets to be impressed by its cleaning power. Edge-to-edge cleaning eradicates dirt and hair up to the baseboards and corners. The triple-action brushroll digs deep into carpets while also working well on hard flooring.
Thanks to the large-capacity dust container, you won't have to empty it too often. When the container finally fills up, emptying it is extremely easy. The scatter-free technology is great for cleaning dry messes on hard floors, while the pet tools are great for picking up hair. This vacuum has an 8-amp motor, which is on the higher end in terms of power. However, weighing in at 15 pounds, this is one of the heavier options on the list. The 27-foot cord is long enough that you don’t have to switch outlets for every room.
With its compact design, this corded canister vacuum is appealing if you don't want to push around a potentially heavy upright model. Its multi-surface cleaning head has a switch that goes from carpets and rugs to hard floors. It has powerful cyclonic suction and lets you switch between suction power levels. The vacuum offers plenty of power at 9 amps, and it weighs only 10.23 pounds, so it’s on the lighter end for a canister model.
As well as the standard cleaning head, it comes with a crevice tool and a dusting and upholstery tool. It's bagless with an easy-empty dust container that you can release over your trash bin at the press of a button. The 15-foot power cord retracts automatically to save you time.
Not everyone needs a hugely powerful vacuum cleaner. For instance, if you live in a small studio or dorm room, a large, powerful vacuum may not be necessary.
This compact upright is suitable for light use. The corded vacuum weighs less than 8 pounds and runs on 8 amps, offering surprisingly good suction power for the price. When it’s time to clean the stairs or dust the upholstery, the removable extension wand makes easy work of your task. It has a convenient bagless design with an easy-to-empty dirt tank.
While you can use it as a dry vacuum, where the CrossWave really excels is as a floor and area rug cleaner. With this corded wet/dry vacuum in your arsenal, you can say goodbye to your mop. It works on most hard floors, including tile, sealed wood, laminate and linoleum. It's also suitable for cleaning area rugs.
A dual-action brush simultaneously mops floors and picks up dry debris. Two tanks separate clean and dirty water so the machine doesn't spread dirty water over your floors. Notably, with this multifunctionality comes a compromise in power. The CrossWave runs on only 4.4 amps and is not intended for big messes.
At just over 11 pounds, this choice is not particularly heavy. Swivel steering allows for easier navigation, and the 25-foot cord length is highly convenient.
Not only does this corded vacuum perform like a standard upright, but it also has a lift-off pod that makes cleaning certain areas easier. Its slim 11 3/4-inch foot can squeeze into tight corners. The tangle-free brushroll is great for pet owners and anyone with long hair. With a weight of over 14 pounds, this model is on the heavier end. It offers mid-range power at 7 amps and a generous 25-foot cord for cleaning multiple rooms without switching outlets.
Allergy sufferers will be happy about the high-efficiency HEPA air filtration that collects and traps more particles than other filters. This includes dust, dander, pollen and other common allergens. The Bissell pet vacuum also comes in a slightly larger standard version.
Sometimes, the most frustrating part about vacuuming is unfurling the power cord and switching between outlets as you go. With this convenient cordless model, you won't have to worry about that. It has a runtime of up to 30 minutes, which is long enough to vacuum most homes. The vacuum is relatively lightweight at 9.25 pounds.
It's engineered for homes with pets and has useful features such as a tangle-free brushroll and motorized pet hair upholstery tool. You can also use it as a hand vacuum for cleaning up small messes. Swivel steering makes it easy to maneuver around furniture.
With a 40-minute fade-free runtime, this cordless vacuum is suitable for larger homes. It weighs less than 8 pounds, so most people find it easy to handle. It has swivel steering and a lay-flat handle that lets you reach further under furniture for thorough cleaning. The handle retracts to make storage easier and save closet space.
The LED headlights illuminate fine particles you might otherwise miss, while the brushroll effectively cleans hard floors and carpets. The bagless dirt container is easy to empty without making a mess.
Bissell vacuum types
Upright
An upright vacuum has a motor and filter as well as brushes and other components in a single unit that you push and pull to clean your floors.
Uprights are often quite budget-friendly, so if you don't have much to spend on a vacuum, you might find you get the most for your money with an upright. The wide cleaning path makes it quicker to vacuum large areas of flooring, and they have brushrolls that effectively deep-clean carpets.
However, uprights can be heavy, with the bulkiest models weighing 20 pounds or more. Some are difficult to maneuver and can be noisy.
Canister
A canister vacuum has a long hose attached to a tank that houses the motor. You maneuver the hose and cleaning head attachment to pick up dirt, trailing the tank behind you.
These vacuums excel at cleaning bare floors and also work well on upholstery and curtains. They easily get under furniture and into tight corners and come with various attachments and cleaning heads for different vacuuming tasks.
On the downside, they're difficult to use on stairs, and they don't clean carpets as effectively as they clean hard floors.
Stick
Compact and lightweight, a stick vacuum does its job with a rotating brush inside a cleaning head. The cleaning head attaches to the motor and dust container via a long, sticklike tube. These vacuums tend to have small dust containers that require frequent emptying.
If you need something extremely lightweight and easy to maneuver, a stick vac might be right for you. While some are corded, they're often cordless, so you don't need to trail a power cord around your home or switch between outlets.
In the past, cordless stick vacuums had less-powerful suction than upright and canister models. However, this is improving as battery technology progresses.
Robotic
A robotic vacuum is a cordless machine that travels around your home on its own, cleaning the floors. These technological wonders can be programmed to work a specific cleaning route or via remote control. While Bissell doesn't make many robot vacuums, it offers a handful of models.
What's great about them is that they vacuum for you, erasing a chore from your to-do list. They maneuver around furniture and objects, and in many cases, you can control the settings and cleaning routines from a smartphone app. Bissell also has wet/dry models that mop and vacuum hard floors.
The drawback to robot vacs is that they're not quite as effective as other vacuums. So, if you have a high-traffic home or kids or pets who make big messes, a robotic vacuum might not cut it.
Bissell vacuum features to consider
Bagged vs. bagless
Bissell offers both bagged and bagless vacuums. Bagged vacuums collect dirt and dust in a replaceable bag. Bagless vacuums gather debris in a bin or container you must empty periodically. Both types clean effectively, so your choice is a matter of preference.
Bagged vacuums typically collect more dirt than bagless models, so you don't need to empty the vacuum as often. They often have self-sealing bags that help prevent the release of dust and particles into the air as you change them. However, they require replacement bags, making them costlier to maintain and creating more waste.
Bagless vacuums are usually easier to empty and clean than bagged versions. They're also cheaper to operate because you don't need to buy replacement bags. However, they're more likely to have filters that require cleaning, and these filters must sometimes be replaced.
Power rating
A vacuum cleaner’s power rating, measured in amps, reflects the strength of its suction. The most powerful vacuums usually top out at 12 amps. Bissell vacuums range in power from 2 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 vacuum offering 2 to 7 amps is usually sufficient. For carpeting, a model with 7 to 12 amps of power is a better choice.
Runtime
Cordless vacuums have become increasingly popular due to their convenience and improved battery technology. The runtime of a cordless vacuum tells you how long it will run on a full charge before the battery dies. Most cordless Bissell vacuums run for 20 to 40 minutes. This is long enough to clean an average home.
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 3 pounds to as much as 24 pounds.
- Stick vacuums typically weigh between 3 and 10 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 fond of loud noises, you’ll want to choose a quieter vacuum. Vacuum cleaner noise levels are measured in decibels. For the quietest operation, look for a Bissell vacuum with between 60 and 65 decibels.
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 such as asthma or allergies, a micron filter may be sufficient.
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 brushroll. With carpeting, it may allow you to adjust the height to the depth of your 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 messes they leave behind. Pet-targeted models are usually fairly powerful. They often have tangle-free brushrolls to keep pet hair from getting stuck and tools or attachments that can remove hair from stairs, upholstery and other surfaces. They also may have wider openings to keep hair from clogging the machine.
Cord length and control
While some Bissell stick vacuums are cordless, most 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 at least 20 feet long. A 30-foot cord would provide even more maneuverability. It’s also convenient to have a model with cord control, which allows you to recoil the cord with the push of a 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 Bissell provides include a light crevice tool, pet dusting brush, upholstery tool and extension wand.
Tips
- Clean the filters. To make sure your Bissell vacuum works as effectively as possible, 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 vacuuming 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 ensure you pick up all dirt and debris.
FAQ
Q. How much should I expect to spend on a Bissell vacuum?
A. Bissell vacuums vary in price based on type and features, but you can typically expect to spend between $30 and $300.
Q. Which type of Bissell vacuum works best as a main vacuum?
A. For the deep cleaning you do once or twice a week, it’s best to choose a Bissell upright or canister vacuum. These typically pick up more dirt, dust, dander and debris than stick and robotic models, which work best as supplemental vacuums.
When it comes to choosing between canister and upright models, it’s a matter of preference. Canister models tend to offer a deeper clean than upright vacuums, but upright styles are usually easier to maneuver through the home, particularly up and down stairs.
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 offer up to five years of protection.
