As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases when you buy through links on our site. Learn More

Bissell Vacuums Overview

Bissell is one of the most diverse manufacturers of floor cleaning products.  They have a wide range of household cleaning products that go beyond vacuum cleaners, unlike their competitors Shark and Dyson.  Not only that, but they have a very affordable lineup of upright vacuums, the CleanView Series.

In this overview, you will find a quick glance at all the types of vacuums that Bissell has to offer and links to our detailed reviews of the Bissell vacuum’s we’ve purchased and tested, as well as reviews based on research and consumer experiences.  We did not buy every single model in each vacuum series since some of the changes between each model is so minor that it wouldn’t make sense.  Our vacuum selection process involves making sure that the models we do buy are representative of all the features available so that we can provide real and accurate information.


Bissell Cordless Vacuums

Bissell AirRam Cordless Stick

Bissell AirRam Cordless Stick

The AirRam is unique in that the dustbin, filter, battery, and motor are all housed in the cleaner head.  It’s almost like a robot vacuum without the brain and more power.

  • 40-minute runtime
  • Swivel steering and a lay-flat handle
  • Charge Time: 4 hours
  • Dustbin Capacity: 0.6 liters (0.16 gallons)
  • 2-Year Limited Warranty

 


Bissell Adapt XRT Pet 14.4V Lithium Ion Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner

Bissell 2-in-1 Cordless Stick

The Adapt Ion XRT is a more modern 2-in-1 stick vacuum from Bissell.  The design of the Adapt Series is nearly indistinguishable from the Bissell Bolt Series.  

  • 20-minute runtime
  • 2-in-1 handheld and stick vacuum
  • Charge Time: 9 Hours
  • Dustbin Capacity: 0.45 liters (0.12 gallons)
  • 1-Year Limited Warranty

 

 

After testing a variety of Shark, Dyson, and Bissell cordless stick vacuums we’ve found that in general Bissell’s 2-in-1 series and the AirRam are relatively underpowered compared to the latest Dyson V8, V10, V10, and Shark ION cordless stick vacuums.

With that said, we think Bissell’s cordless stick lineup does serve the purpose of offering affordable, versatile stick vacuums that can clean up small messes and touchup your carpeted floors between regular vacuuming with a full-size upright.  

Bare floors, like hardwood or tile, are a different story.  If your home primarily has bare flooring, then you don’t really need as much power to lift dirt off the floor and you will get longer battery life due to the lack of resistance on the brushroll.  We don’t think the Bissell cordless stick vacuums are the best option for bare floors, but they’re certainly an affordable and reasonable option if you don’t want to spend the money on a Dyson V10 or Shark ION F80.

 

Our Bissell Cordless Vacuum Reviews

As we review Bissell’s latest vacuums we’ll add links to our reviews in the table below.

 

Model#
Bissell Adapt Ion XRT 2-in-1 Cordless2387Read Review
Bissell AirRam Cordless Stick1984Read Review
Bissell Bolt ION XRT 2-in-1 Cordless1311Read Review

Bissell Upright Vacuums

Bissell offers an overwhelming number of upright vacuums with a wide range of features and designs.

  • Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Series
  • Bissell CleanView Series
  • PowerGlide Series
  • Powerlifter Series
  • AeroSwift and PowerSwift Series

Each of these different vacuum series’ offers unique features with some overlap.  When choosing which Bissell upright, or any upright, is for you it’s important to think about the type of flooring you have in your home.

There are some models that we do not recommend using on bare floors such as hardwood or tile, and there are some that are more ideal for stairs and vehicles.

Below you’ll find all the information you need to make the right decision.  If you’ve got a question feel free to leave a comment below or send us an email.

The CleanView Series has some of Bissell’s most affordable uprights with excellent performance on low to medium-pile carpet.  The Pet Hair Eraser aims to keep the brushroll hair-free so that you don’t have to pull out the scissors and clean it yourself.  The Lift-Off feature that lets you detach the vacuum’s canister and use it on stairs or above-the-floor surfaces can be found on the Pet Hair Eraser and PowerGlide Series’.

Model #Recommended For
Bissell CleanView9595Low-pile to medium-pile carpetRead Review
Bissell CleanView Rewind Deluxe1819Bare floors, low-pile to high-pile carpetRead Review
Bissell CleanView Swivel Rewind Pet2254Low-pile to medium-pile carpetRead Review
Bissell CleanView Plus1822Low-pile to medium-pile carpetRead Review
Bissell PowerGlide Lift-Off Pet Plus20431Bare floors, low-pile to medium-pile carpetRead Review
Bissell Pet Hair Eraser1650AComing Soon

As we progress through testing, we’ve found that despite Bissell stating that their uprights can handle bare flooring this has not been true, in general.  The performance of the entry-level CleanView vacuums has been very poor on our bare floor tests.  However, the performance on low to medium-pile carpet is excellent and we certainly can recommend them as a great budget option if your home primarily has typical carpet.

The problem arises from the lack of brushroll control.  There’s no way to slow down or stop the brushroll on many of Bissell’s uprights, so we want to make a point of recommending only uprights with brushroll control for bare floors.

 

Here are some upright vacuums with brushroll control.

Bissell PowerGlide Lift-Off Pet Plus (20431)
On/Off Brush Roll
Check Current Price
Bissell Pet Hair Eraser (1650A)
On/Off Brush Roll
Check Current Price
Bissell PowerGlide Pet (2215A)
On/Off Brush Roll
Check Current Price

Bissell Robot Vacuums

Bissell's EV675 robot vacuum

 

Robot vacuums have come a long way in terms of suction, battery life, and navigation.

Bissell’s EV675 robot vacuum runs for up 100 minutes and can clean multiple surfaces such as area rugs, low-pile carpet, and hard floors.  Edges and corners are no problem with the automatic sensors and dual edge brushes.

The EV675 can run on its or can be remote controlled, and it automatically returns to the docking station for recharging if the battery gets low.

 

When considering a robot vacuum, there are a few things to think about.  The type of flooring you have throughout your home is one of the most important.  Thick carpet is not something robot vacuums clean well, and the same can be said for plush rugs.  You’ll want to avoid leaving thick rugs sitting in the robot vacuum’s “territory.”  

Robot vacuums are not a complete vacuuming solution, though they can do a lot of the work for you.  Busy households with many pets and a large family can potentially lead to clogs if you don’t keep an eye on your robot vacuum.  The more frequently you vacuum the less likely you’ll run into a serious clog, and robot vacuums help you stay on top of keeping your floor clean.

It’s a good idea to keep a high-performance cordless vacuum or a full-size upright around to clean up messes that the robot can’t handle and to do regular deep cleaning of your floors.  The Shark ION F80 and Dyson V10 offer incredible performance on all floor types and are a great option if you want the convenience of a cordless without sacrificing too much performance.

Bissell Canister Vacuums

Bissell Canister Vacuums


Canister vacuums aren’t as popular as they used to be, but they are one of the best options for vacuuming bare flooring such as hardwood or tile.  

They can reach under just about any furniture and can easily be used to vacuum upholstery or vehicle interiors.  Using them above the floor feels more natural than with uprights as the hose and wand are longer than with a typical upright.

Lastly, many canister vacuum come standard with a cleaner head attachment that doesn’t have a brushroll.  This is great for cleaning bare floors or very thick carpet that most uprights just can’t handle.

The Bissell Hard Floor Expert is one of the best options for bare floors, while also being able to handle some carpet and area rugs.