I bought this to replace a similar model made by Bissell that I'd purchased in 2012 or 2013. That model is no longer made or I would have repurchased it immediately. It served me well and kept every home I've lived in clean. Since I got a very large and unexpected Christmas bonus, I purchased this model PLUS a Shark vacuum. You know what? I think I like this a lot better than that over priced Shark. While this feels like a very flimsy, cheap vacuum cleaner (and it IS), it was a breeze to assemble, it has the same tools as my old Bissell and the suction is just as good and powerful as my old, now deceased model. I have 3 short haired cats, my own long hair that is always shedding and I live in a very old, 3 story house in a big city on a main throughway, so I get outside dirt as well as the day to day dander, litter crumbs, dead skin cells and other normal human/animal and household detritus. My house has ancient hardwood floors, uncarpeted stairs and antique Oriental area rugs in every room. My Shark arrived this past Wednesday, I assembled it and vacuumed thoroughly on Thursday evening. Unless it's mid spring (cat shedding season), when I have no choice but to vacuum at least once a day, normally I vacuum the house once or twice a week and that is sufficient to keep things tidy and hair free. The Shark seemed to perform just fine on the wooden floors and the rugs but I was not wowed by the suction, even though, like the Bissell, one can adjust the device depending on the surface being cleaned. I got a full cannister with the Shark after my Thursday evening vacuuming session. That seemed about right. BUT- Today is Saturday. I just assembled the Bissell and vacuumed the entire first floor. I had to empty the cannister 3 times. Both the Shark and this Bissell have cannisters that hold about the same amount of stuff. Let me add that I live alone, I work from home at a sedentary job and am barefoot or in stockinged feet the majority of my waking hours. As I type, I am sitting here and wondering just what good the Shark is for nearly $400... This may not be your Be All, End All cleaning machine if you live in a 4,500 sq. ft. house with several humans, a few 4 legged mammals with fur coats, wall to wall carpet through out and close access to a sandy beach or a forest floor, but I believe that this inexpensive plastic carpet sucker can and will fully and faithfully serve the needs of a normal household just fine for at least a decade. Read more
I love this vacuum. Quick and easy to plug and go. This machine makes vacuuming so much easier than my $700 Dyson and I think it does a better job. All the tools have a place to hang on the vacuum so it's easy to unplug the hose, pop on another attachment and get edges, corners and tight spots or vacuum the sofa backs and other upholstery. My husband says he can breath better every time I use this vacuum and I think he's probably right! The beater bar works well - I've never seen it scatter debris - the suction is great. The bar doesn't seem to have a release for cleaning but access to untangle it is pretty good. Most vacuums come with a shorter power cord so I'm constantly unplugging and replugging in as I move from room to room, this 25 ft cord is great - I can do the entire staircase without running up and down to replug. There are 2 filters in this vacuum. One is on top of the canister (see my first photo - the dark disc like sponge is the filter) and the other, the HEPA filter, is under the canister (see my next three photos). The red tab over the "filter" sign presses down and then pulls out. The filter is hiding in there. You can buy replacements here on Amazon but both can be washed and left out to dry thoroughly before reinstalling. Two links here. There are others with Fabreez scented too that work just fine. The replacement for the top filter is here: https://www.amazon.com/Bissell-Powerforce-Bagless-Washable-Premotor/dp/B07J1WWBHN/ref=pd_bxgy_1/146-2841301-6127064?pd_rd_w=JBok2&pf_rd_p=c64372fa-c41c-422e-990d-9e034f73989b&pf_rd_r=5P3R38HHGPC5J9VAB5J7&pd_rd_r=fddc7f03-0d44-41e0-a401-6bf5edcb088e&pd_rd_wg=3Ysny&pd_rd_i=B07J1WWBHN&psc=1 The replacement for the HEPA filter is here: https://www.amazon.com/Bissell-Powerlifter-Washable-160-4130-1604130/dp/B01IRPMVLA/ref=sr_1_9?dchild=1&keywords=BISSELL+Cleanview+Bagless+Vacuum+Cleaner%2C+2486+filters&qid=1633567691&sr=8-9 I received a Bissel hand vac along with this machine and I’m surprised by how often we grab that for little spills but its also been great for sofa crumbs, cleaning the car or boat and the kids strollers and car seats. A great vacuum from a good company. Bissel gives back and supports United Way, Junior Achievement, and Ronald McDonald House, so you can feel good about this purchase! Read more
Likes: - Great job cleaning carpets (so gross to see all the dust it picked up!) - Good on hardwood floors (picked up dirt/dust that I couldn't sweep up) - That it has multiple levels for adjusting to the floor (5 different heights for suction allows it to be used on different floors) Dislikes: - (inevitably) it will catch hair on the bottom. If you have long hair, or any pets, you'll likely have to dis-assemble the bottom brush and manually remove the hair from dangling up the belt. (IMPORTANT to do, because it'll prevent any accidents, belt breaks, fire hazards, etc.) Bottom line: it's a good starter vacuum. I would recommend it for my friends! I have allergies since moving, and needed a vacuum to keep my place clean, and this one does a great job for the price you're paying. I've read other reviews that it's had issues as a fire hazard or belt breaking -- some of which seem like they were caused for obvious reasons. (Make sure you have it on the appropriate height level for the floor type you're vacuuming on. When in doubt, keep it up higher so you don't have those issues.) While I've only had this vacuum for a few weeks, I think it you take care of it and clean it regularly as you're supposed to, you shouldn't have any issues with it. :) Hope this helps someone else with their decision! Update! I’ve had it for a year now, and I’m still very satisfied with my purchase. I’ve kept up with removing the hair and cleaning the filter — no issues thus far! Just follow the instruction manual folks Read more
