Bissell
mid-rangeAmerican vacuum cleaner manufacturer specializing in floor care products for over 145 years
Verdict on Bissell
Bissell is a strong value pick for pet owners and budget-conscious buyers. Most models land in the 7 to 8 out of 10 range in RTINGS lab testing, recurring filter costs stay low, and no other brand matches its dedicated pet-cleaning lineup. It is less a vacuum brand than a pet-household brand that also makes vacuums, and the Little Green and CrossWave families are its real differentiators.
Pros
- Best dedicated pet lineup of any brand (CrossWave, Little Green, ProHeat)
- Low running costs, with filters and bags under $20 a year
- Near-perfect bare-floor pickup scores on many uprights in RTINGS tests
- The BISSELL Pet Foundation funds pet adoption from product sales
Cons
- Few fully sealed filtration systems, so fine dust can escape when emptying the bin
- Plastic-heavy build feels less substantial than Miele or Dyson
- Carpet performance is middling rather than exceptional
- CrossWave and ProHeat models need branded solution and brush-roll replacements over time
The BISSELL Pet Foundation directs a portion of every pet-product sale toward pet adoption, spay and neuter programs, and rescue initiatives. No competitor runs a comparable pet-specific foundation funded by vacuum sales.
Known For
Every Bissell Product Line Compared
| Model | Type | Price | Weight | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CrossWave HydroSteam Pro HydroSteam technology plus cleaning solution in one pass | Corded vacuum + wash + steam | $350–$450 | ~13.26 lb | Sealed hard floors; replacing separate vacuuming and mopping |
| CrossWave Pet Pro 3,000 RPM tangle-resistant brush roll; pet hair strainer | Corded multi-surface wet/dry vacuum | $260–$330 | ~11.5 lb | Dog and cat homes with mixed hard floors and low-pile rugs |
| Little Green Machine (1400B) Spray plus suction in a carry-handle form factor | Portable spot cleaner | $110–$150 | ~9.65 lb | Occasional stains on upholstery, stairs, and car interiors |
| Little Green Pet Pro Stronger suction, Stain Trapper tool, pet odor formula | Portable spot cleaner (pet-focused) | $150–$200 | ~13.3 lb | Multiple-pet homes with frequent accidents |
| Pet Hair Eraser Turbo Plus (24613) Tangle-free brush roll; 74.8 dBA on carpet (RTINGS) | Corded upright vacuum | $220–$280 | ~17.2 lb | Shedding-heavy homes that want a full-size upright |
| Pet Hair Eraser Handheld (2390A) Motorized brush tool; 14V lithium-ion battery | Cordless handheld vacuum | $70–$100 | ~3.1 lb | Supplemental cleanup on couches, stairs, and car seats |
| ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro Plus (3588F) Dual DirtLifter PowerBrushes, HeatWave Technology, CleanShot pretreater, 30-minute dry time | Full-size carpet deep cleaner | $200–$230 | ~18 lb | Wall-to-wall carpet refresh, rental turnovers, post-puppy cleanup |
| SpinWave Cordless (2315A) Dual spinning scrubbing pads with solution spray; 18V battery | Battery-powered hard-floor mop (no vacuum) | $150–$220 | ~11 lb | Tile or laminate homes that already own a dry vacuum |
- Type
- Corded vacuum + wash + steam
- Weight
- ~13.26 lb
- Best for
- Sealed hard floors; replacing separate vacuuming and mopping
HydroSteam technology plus cleaning solution in one pass
- Type
- Corded multi-surface wet/dry vacuum
- Weight
- ~11.5 lb
- Best for
- Dog and cat homes with mixed hard floors and low-pile rugs
3,000 RPM tangle-resistant brush roll; pet hair strainer
- Type
- Portable spot cleaner
- Weight
- ~9.65 lb
- Best for
- Occasional stains on upholstery, stairs, and car interiors
Spray plus suction in a carry-handle form factor
- Type
- Portable spot cleaner (pet-focused)
- Weight
- ~13.3 lb
- Best for
- Multiple-pet homes with frequent accidents
Stronger suction, Stain Trapper tool, pet odor formula
- Type
- Corded upright vacuum
- Weight
- ~17.2 lb
- Best for
- Shedding-heavy homes that want a full-size upright
Tangle-free brush roll; 74.8 dBA on carpet (RTINGS)
- Type
- Cordless handheld vacuum
- Weight
- ~3.1 lb
- Best for
- Supplemental cleanup on couches, stairs, and car seats
Motorized brush tool; 14V lithium-ion battery
- Type
- Full-size carpet deep cleaner
- Weight
- ~18 lb
- Best for
- Wall-to-wall carpet refresh, rental turnovers, post-puppy cleanup
Dual DirtLifter PowerBrushes, HeatWave Technology, CleanShot pretreater, 30-minute dry time
- Type
- Battery-powered hard-floor mop (no vacuum)
- Weight
- ~11 lb
- Best for
- Tile or laminate homes that already own a dry vacuum
Dual spinning scrubbing pads with solution spray; 18V battery
Which Bissell Fits Your Home?
Small apartment, mostly hard floors, one cat
Pick: CrossWave Pet Pro →Vacuums and washes in a single pass, so no separate mop afterward. The anti-wrap brush roll handles cat fur without jamming, and at 11.5 lb it stores easily in a closet.
Large carpeted home, two shedding dogs
Pick: Pet Hair Eraser Turbo Plus + ProHeat 2X →No single machine covers this well. The upright handles daily fur across carpet and hard floors; once a month the ProHeat does the deep work on embedded hair and ground-in dirt with its pretreater nozzle.
Renter needing a spot cleaner for move-out
Pick: Little Green Pet Pro →Handles carpet stains, upholstery, and car interiors, the three surfaces landlords inspect most closely. At $150 to $200 it costs far less than losing a deposit, and the containment tool manages set-in stains.
Tile or laminate home wanting powered mopping
Pick: SpinWave Cordless →Adds motorized scrubbing pads that beat a traditional mop on grout and sticky laminate. Important caveat: it has no vacuum function, so pair it with a dry vacuum for debris pickup first.
Budget under $100 for supplemental pet-hair cleanup
Pick: Pet Hair Eraser Handheld 2390A →Its motorized brush tool pulls fur off upholstery and stairs far better than a basic handheld. Not a replacement for a full-size vacuum, but a strong companion for the spots a larger machine cannot reach.
Bissell Vacuums by Type
upright(26 products)
Bissell CleanView Compact Upright Vacuum
Bissell CleanView Compact Turbo Upright Vacuum
Bissell Little Green Mini Portable Carpet and Upholstery
BISSELL Little Green Multi-Purpose Portable Carpet and Uphol
BISSELL CleanView Max Tangle-Free Vacuum
Bissell Commercial BG9100NM Rechargeable Cordless Vacuum
Bissell Cleanview XR Pet 300W Cordless Vacuum
BISSELL Stain Eraser Duo Vacuum
handheld(1 products)
canister(5 products)
Bissell Commercial BGC2000 Little Hercules Canister Vacuum
Bissell BigGreen Commercial BGC3000 Portable Canister Vacuum
BISSELL SurfaceSense Allergen Lift-Off Pet Upright Vacuum
BISSELL BigGreen Commercial BG101DC ProCup Comfort Grip Hand
BISSELL BigGreen Commercial BG102DC ProCup Comfort Grip Hand
stick(3 products)
robot(1 products)
Head-to-Head Comparisons
CrossWave vs CrossWave Pet Pro
The Pet Pro is worth the extra cost in any shedding household. Its hair-resistant brush roll and built-in fur strainer prevent the maintenance headaches that frustrate dog and cat owners on the standard model.
| CrossWave (standard) | CrossWave Pet Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Brush roll | Basic multi-surface brush | Tangle-resistant, 3,000 RPM |
| Dirty tank | Standard tank | Pet hair strainer keeps fur out of the mechanism |
| Cleaning formula | Multi-surface formula | Pet-specific BISSELL formula |
| Typical price | ~$220 (about $30 less) | $260–$330 |
| Floor compatibility | Sealed hard floors + low-pile rugs | Sealed hard floors + low-pile rugs |
| High-pile carpet | Not suitable | Not suitable |
| Best for | Pet-free or light-shedding homes | Dog and cat homes with regular fur and messes |
Little Green vs Little Green Pet Pro
Upgrade to the Pet Pro if pet messes happen more than once a month. It adds stronger suction, a Stain Trapper tool that keeps urine and vomit out of the internals, and a pet odor formula built for biological messes.
| Little Green Machine | Little Green Pet Pro | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical price | $110–$150 | $150–$200 |
| Suction power | Standard | Stronger (upgraded motor) |
| Tank capacity | 48 oz clean tank | 96 oz clean tank |
| Weight | ~9.65 lb | ~13.3 lb |
| Included tools | Basic stain tool | Deep Stain, Tough Stain, and Stain Trapper tools |
| Cleaning formula | General multi-surface | Pet stain and odor formula |
| Best for | Occasional wine, coffee, or food spills | Urine, vomit, and frequent pet accidents |
Bissell vs Shark for pets
Bissell wins on stain removal and deep carpet extraction; Shark wins on daily vacuum performance and filtration. For most pet owners the smartest move is using both.
| BISSELL | Shark | |
|---|---|---|
| Dedicated carpet extractors | Yes (ProHeat, Little Green, SpotClean) | No consumer equivalent |
| Everyday vacuum performance | Good, budget-friendly | Typically stronger in independent testing |
| HEPA filtration | Multi-level; few sealed systems | More sealed HEPA systems across the range |
| Price positioning | Generally lower, low running costs | Often higher, especially sealed-system models |
| Wet vacuum-mop combo | CrossWave Pet Pro, strong on wet pickup | HydroVac XL, cheaper with auto mode |
| Best pet use case | Stain removal and deep carpet extraction | Daily fur pickup across surfaces |
What to Check Before Buying a Bissell Vacuum
- 1Match the category to your actual need
Uprights and sticks handle daily dry pickup. CrossWave vacuums and washes in one pass (a mop replacement). Little Green and SpotClean are spot-treatment tools. The ProHeat is a full-room carpet extractor, not a vacuum. The wrong category is a more expensive mistake than the wrong model.
- 2Check floor compatibility first
CrossWave and the SpinWave mop are made for tile, vinyl, and sealed hardwood, and neither handles high-pile carpet. Uprights like the Pet Hair Eraser work across carpet and hard floors. The ProHeat is carpet-only.
- 3Factor in total ownership cost
Filters and bags run under $20 a year for most models. CrossWave and ProHeat owners also pay for branded cleaning solution every use and periodic brush-roll replacements, so build that into the budget.
- 4Verify the filtration type
Most pet models use multi-level, HEPA-grade filtration, but few are fully sealed. A sealed airpath stops fine particles leaking out when you empty the bin. Confirm the seal on the specific model if anyone has allergies or asthma.
- 5Understand the warranty
Most home vacuums carry a 2 to 3 year limited warranty. Contact BISSELL Consumer Care directly rather than the retailer, since manufacturer support handles repairs and replacements separately from store returns.
- 6Confirm the included attachments
Bissell bundles tools differently across models. The Pet Hair Eraser Turbo Plus ships with pet tools like the Pet TurboEraser; a base CleanView may not. Check the tool list on the exact model, not the product line.
Quick Facts: Bissell
Bissell is a mid-range vacuum cleaner brand founded in 1876 by Melville Bissell. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA,Bissell is known for Pet hair removal, Carpet cleaners, CrossWave.
On VacuumDeals.co, we track 36 Bissell vacuum cleaners with prices ranging from $59.99 to $399.99(average: $192).
Bissell Maintenance Tips to Extend Vacuum Life
- Clear the dirt bin or tank after every use. A full bin is the leading cause of suction loss, and even a half-full bin restricts airflow more than people expect.
- Clean or replace washable filters every one to three months. Rinse under cold water and let them dry fully for 24 hours before reinstalling, since a damp filter causes odors and weak suction.
- CrossWave and ProHeat owners: rinse brush rolls and tanks thoroughly after every use. Leftover solution residue turns into a sticky film that traps odors and clogs the mechanism.
- Check hoses and air paths first when suction drops suddenly. Hair clogs in the hose or brush housing are the most common fixable issue and are usually reachable without tools.
- Store uprights standing up in a dry area. Keep cordless models around 40 to 60 percent charge in storage, since lithium-ion batteries degrade faster when left fully drained.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bissell is a mid-range vacuum brand known for Pet hair removal, Carpet cleaners, CrossWave.
Bissell vacuums in our catalog range from $59.99 to $399.99, with an average price of $192.
Bissell was founded in 1876 by Melville Bissell and is headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA.
The lowest-priced Bissell vacuum we track is the Bissell CleanView Compact Upright Vacuum at $59.99.
The Pet Hair Eraser Turbo Plus (24613) is the strongest choice for carpeted homes, while the CrossWave Pet Pro handles mixed hard floor and low-pile rug households better. Both use anti-wrap brush technology to reduce hair wrapping. For furniture, stairs, and car interiors, the Pet Hair Eraser handheld 2390A works well as a companion tool.
Bissell does not publish official lifespan data, and no major independent lab has published durability statistics for the brand. Longevity varies by model and how well you maintain filters and brush rolls. Keeping the filter clean and checking for blockages regularly is the single biggest factor in extending the life of any Bissell unit.
Some Bissell models include HEPA-grade or multi-level filtration, particularly in the pet-focused lines, but not every model uses a true sealed HEPA system. The key distinction is whether the vacuum has a fully sealed airpath. Without that, fine dust can escape around the filter even if the filter itself is HEPA-rated. Check the specific model spec page if allergen capture is a priority.
For deep cleaning carpet and handling pet accidents, Bissell has a clear edge thanks to dedicated machines like the ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro and the Little Green Pet Pro, tools Shark does not offer. Shark tends to outperform Bissell on everyday upright and cordless vacuum performance, particularly filtration and suction on hard floors. Many pet owners use a Shark for daily vacuuming and a Bissell carpet cleaner for monthly deep cleans.
The most common causes are a full dirt bin, a clogged or dirty filter, or a blockage in the hose or air path. Empty the bin, rinse the washable filter and let it dry completely, then check the hose and brush roll for tangled hair. Suction that drops suddenly usually points to a blockage; suction that fades over weeks usually points to a filter that needs cleaning or replacement.
The CrossWave is worth it if you have mostly sealed hard floors and want to replace separate vacuuming and mopping with one pass. It saves time on tile, vinyl, and sealed wood. It is not a substitute for a dedicated carpet vacuum and works best on low-pile rugs rather than thick carpet. Factor in the ongoing cost of branded solution and replacement brush rolls.
Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, and Bissell.com all carry the same models, but street prices vary enough to check all four. Amazon has run discounts as deep as 38 percent on models like the CleanView XR Pet 300W cordless vacuum. Walmart regularly shows markdowns of $70 or more. Black Friday and Prime Day bring the steepest cuts, so anything above $200 is worth waiting for those windows.
Suction loss is the top complaint, and it almost always traces back to a full bin or clogged filter rather than a defective machine. CrossWave and ProHeat owners mention odor buildup when they skip the post-use rinse. A smaller group flags ongoing solution costs for those models, and build quality concerns show up in reviews of lower-end uprights.
Contact Bissell Consumer Care directly rather than returning to the retailer, since manufacturer warranty support runs separately from store return policies. Most home vacuums carry a 2 to 3 year limited warranty. Have your model number and proof of purchase ready when you reach out.