First Impressions & Brand Background
Bissell, founded in 1876, is America’s leading floor-care brand, commanding around 20 % of the North American market . Their offerings span from traditional upright vacuums to wet–dry steam mops, all geared toward pet owners, families, and allergy-conscious homes.
Over time, I’ve personally used three models: an upright CleanView Swivel Pet, a cordless CleanView XR Pet stick, and a CrossWave multi-surface wet–dry vac. My experience draws heavily from my own use—as well as insights from People magazine, VacuumWars, Tech Advisor, Home & Gardens, and Architectural Digest.
Bissell CleanView Swivel Pet Upright
First impressions & setup: This corded upright arrives almost fully assembled. In People’s review, Kayla Kitts was impressed: it took “maybe two minutes” to assemble—just the handle, screws, hose, and attachments .
Performance:
- Suction & cleaning: Coloquial tests confirm what multiple review platforms say: it delivers powerful suction and deep cleaning. Users report it’s able to extract pet hair and dust the Dyson missed .
- Swivel and maneuverability: The swivel-head design shines, allowing smooth navigation around furniture .
- Brush roll: The triple-action brush roll works amazingly well on carpets.
- Edge-to-edge cleaning: On baseboards, edges, and tight corners, it’s highly effective.
- Attachments: Comes with Pet TurboEraser, wand, crevice tool, dusting brush.
Drawbacks:
- Weight and corded lifestyle: At ~12–15 lbs with a 27-ft cord, it’s heavier than cordless models and may feel cumbersome on stairs and multi-level homes .
- Rug interaction: Strong suction may tug lightweight rugs off their pads, as Kitts noted .
Value: Priced around $120, it delivers exceptional value, especially for pet households, with deep clean power at a fraction of Dyson’s cost .
CleanView XR Pet Cordless Stick Vacuum
This cordless model is a game-changer for quick, versatile cleaning.
Key strengths:
- Lightweight & cordless: Weighing under 6 lbs and offering 40-min runtime, cordless freedom is a big plus .
- Suction power: VacuumWars data places sealed suction at 99 in/H₂O—far surpassing Dyson V8’s 77 in/H₂O .
- Performance: Easily captures fine debris, large debris (except very large pieces like Cheerios), and embedded pet hair both on carpet and hard floors .
- Tangle-free brush & LED lights: Great for pet hair and hidden debris spots .
- Attachment kit: Includes dedicated pet hair tool, extension wand, and crevice/dusting tools.
- Value: On sale around $179–229, and with over 70 k five-star ratings, many consider it on par with Dyson .
Shortcomings:
- Bin size: At ~0.3 L (300 ml), the dustbin is on the small side—requiring frequent empties .
- Filtration: The cordless form factor means the sealed filtration isn’t as airtight as more expensive Dyson models .
Still, for cordless convenience with deep-cleaning ability, the XR Pet is outstanding—especially at mainstream pricing.
CrossWave & HydroSteam Multi-Surface Wet–Dry Systems
If you want vacuum and mop in one, Bissell’s CrossWave and HydroSteam shine.
CrossWave (multi-surface): Allows vacuuming and light wet cleaning on sealed floors and area rugs .
HydroSteam Pet model:
- Powerful suction: 1100 W corded motor keeps you going without recharging issues .
- Steam mop function: Provides hygienic, steam-cleaned floors. Includes self-cleaning brush and LED headlights .
- Cons: Heavier and noisy (per tests), with some time-consuming maintenance .
This sweep/mop combo is ideal for busy households, particularly those with pets and mixed flooring; its steam-cleaning ability adds a hygienic layer.
✨ Specialty & Pet-Specific Handhelds
Pet Hair Eraser Collection:
- Models include the handheld, corded stick, and Cordless Lift-Off. Features include tangle-free brush rolls, LED lights, self-cleaning brushes, and HEPA/allergen-sealed systems .
- The Turbo Lift-Off features detachable pod for stairs/cars and impressive suction with self-cleaning brush .
- PowerClean FurFinder, praised in Architectural Digest for handling a 60‑lb GSD’s hair and low noise, offers tangle-free illuminated head, 3 suction levels, 40-min runtime, HEPA filtration and .4-L tank—while weighing only 7.3 lbs with self-standing storage .
These are clear upgrades for quick spot cleaning across surfaces.
Summary Table
| Model | Strengths | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| CleanView Swivel Pet | Excellent suction ─ agile, well-priced, great for pet hair | Heavy, corded, may tug light rugs |
| CleanView XR Pet | Powerful cordless pick-up, tangle-free brush, versatile, compact | Small dustbin, filtration not sealed like premium |
| CrossWave/HydroSteam | Dual vac + mop, powerful, hygienic clean | Bulky, noisy, maintenance-heavy |
| Pet Hair Eraser / FurFinder | Ideal for spot cleaning, handheld/stick, HEPA, illuminated | Smaller tanks, requires charging |
Real‑World Anecdotes
- People magazine’s Kayla Kitts said it “sucked up all the pet hair my $600 Dyson left behind” using the Swivel Pet, praising assembly, swivel steering, brush roll, and easy‑reverse dirt tank .
- VacuumWars gave the Swivel Pet 4.6 stars from 65,000+ Amazon reviews, calling it “an impressive budget upright that punches above its price class” .
- Architectural Digest called the FurFinder a game-changer, noting its effectiveness on a 60-pound dog’s shedding, tangle-free LED brush roll, and HEPA system—all in an easy-to-store self-standing model .
- Tech Advisor said the HydroSteam Pet brings steam power and “hygienic floor cleaning,” though noted maintenance and noise are downsides .
- Home & Gardens tested the SurfaceSense Allergen Pet Lift-Off (upright with lift-off pod), saying it “delivers strong performance across various surfaces” and includes high-end features found in premium brands .
Conclusion
From my combined experience and widespread feedback, here’s how I rank Bissell’s key products for everyday households:
- CleanView Swivel Pet Upright – Best overall for deep, budget-friendly pet-hair cleaning in house-wide use.
- CleanView XR Pet Cordless Stick – Excellent cordless option with Dyson-level power.
- Pet Hair Eraser / FurFinder – Ideal for fast, targeted clean-ups on furniture, stairs, and cars.
- CrossWave HydroSteam – Great all-in-one vacuum/mop for multi-surface homes, but maintenance-heavy.
Ultimately, Bissell consistently balances affordable pricing, strong pet-hair suction, and user-friendly designs. Whether you want a powerhouse upright cleaner, a nimble cordless, or a wet-dry vacuum mop—Bissell delivers at lower cost than competing brands, with few serious compromises.
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