Some parts such as the brushroll are difficult to remove, and it has frequent recurring costs. However, it has good maneuverability around electrical cords, and you can even configure the vacuum to reach under tables or couches. The device also converts into a handheld vacuum and comes with attachments to target specific messes.
It also has a 27-foot cord that provides plenty of reach as you clean. There’s also a suction blockage indicator which we haven’t seen before but really like. It’s one of the more useful features that could be included on an upright vacuum. When you see the indicator change color from green to red, you can clean the filters or clear the blockage. Where suction is concerned, one small feature that is a big deal is the small squeegee that Bissell added on the bottom of the vacuum, just after the brushroll.
Originally, I expected the Dyson vacuums to outperform the pack by large swaths. I have since come to see Dyson vacuums as status symbols more than anything. They perform well, certainly, but they cost an arm and bissell crosswave cordless a leg and with the exception of pet hair on hard floors, the only Dyson to outperform the Bissell was the $649.99 DC41 Animal Complete. For far less, this Bissell vacuum consistently tested as one of the best.
Adjustments are automatic on some models, but we prefer the more precise manual control afforded by some models. Predicted brand reliability is based on estimated problem rates for newly purchased upright vacuums, not covered by an extended warranty or service contract, within the first five years of ownership. Unless your pet of choice happens to be a snake, naked mole-rat, or a hairless cat or dog, you are probably quite familiar with one of the most common challenges that plague pet parents – pet hair. You probably are very aware that pets like to shed their hair far more frequently than you like to clean it up.
However, you may be sacrificing some measure of cleaning performance, build quality, or quality-of-life features in exchange for that affordability. Though they’re similarly affordable, they tend to perform worse on all surface types than Shark vacuums and struggle more with clearing large debris than most Eureka vacuums. For decades, the Good Housekeeping Institute has been providing expert reviews and advice on a wide variety of cleaning products, from self-emptying robot vacuums to stain removers. When it comes to vacuums, we’ve tested everything in almost every category, including many Bissell vacuums.