Run TimeTo test battery life, we run the cordless vacs on high and then again on low until the battery is depleted, then we note the times. If the vacuum has a medium setting (not every vacuum does), we test that too. For Pet HairWe embed 1 gram of Maine coon cat hair in a medium-pile carpet and then see how many strokes it takes bissell vacuum cleaner to remove it, with a maximum of five. We note the number of strokes and see how much fur, if any, is left behind on the carpet or in the brush roll. As their capabilities have increased, so has the toughness of our tests. Portability
If you have stairs, you know what a pain (literally) it can be lugging a vacuum up and down.
Eureka and BISSELL vacuums occupy a similar budget-friendly niche, and offerings from each brand tend to have strengths. When comparing like-for-like models, BISSELLs usually have a wider array of convenience features, while Eurekas offer superior debris pickup performance. Dyson vacuums tend to occupy a much higher price point than BISSELL’s offerings, which is reflected in generally superior performance and better build quality. That said, BISSELL’s selection of corded models is far more extensive than what Dyson offers. Tangle-free brush
Pet hair is one thing, but long (human) hair is a whole new ballgame. Bissell’s patented Tangle-Free Brush Roll is amazing and prevents hair from wrapping around the brush.
This vacuum is definitely better for cleaning smaller spaces, especially since the battery needs to be fully charged before each use. It includes a small brush head for cleaning upholstery or stairs, and features LED lights on the front of the main and crevice tools for hard-to-spot hairballs. The ICONPet performs best on hard flooring and low-pile carpets, offering a price in line with its value. Apart from being a strong performer in our pet hair tests, the A11 Hero was near bissell cordless vacuum flawless on hardwood floors, vacuuming up 97% of sand and 98% of black rice. It finished just outside the top 5 on low-pile carpet, removing a respectable 83% of sand and a near-perfect 99% of black rice — and every vacuum that did better in that test costs hundreds more. With all of those extra fibers for dirt to cling to, mid-pile carpet was more of a struggle, as the A11 Hero’s sand score fell to 73%, but it still nailed the black rice test, sucking up 98% of the stuff.
However, some BISSELL models are a little easier to maintain—many new Shark models use non-removable brushrolls that can be a hassle to clean properly. There are only a few things I didn’t swoon over, and they’re not dealbreakers. It’s not too noticeable for quick clean-ups, but if you plan on tackling the whole house, your arm may need a break (or perhaps I should join a gym).
The Dyson and Tineco models all have bin volumes of about 0.6 liter, which is fairly common across the category. Our alternate budget pick, the Moosoo XL-618, has double that capacity (1.3 liters) so you’ll need to empty the bin less often. The circuit board inside the vacuum’s battery pack can overheat and smoke, posing a fire hazard. As with all our reviews the Bissell ICONpet has been tested first-hand in our home, using it just as you would so you know exactly what you are buying. With your purchase of BISSELL products, BISSELL Pet Foundation helps bring furry family members home.
Midwestern product tester and writer Courtney Irwin is a working mom of three who loves nothing more than a good deal. Equal parts entrepreneur and family-gal, she believes hard work deserves to be celebrated. Oftentimes in the form of a new gadget or sun-filled vacation!
While it didn’t live up to my expectations on the carpet, this cordless vacuum is perfect for hardwood and area rugs. The Bissell AirRam scores great in the convenience category with a weight of less than eight pounds. It also boasts 40 minutes of battery life, and has a collapsible handle for easy storage. This cordless vacuum even has LED headlights to illuminate any dirt or debris on the floor, and can be angled to pick up dirt in nearly any corner. Interestingly, that shortlist of perfect-rated cleaners includes two of our value picks, the Shark Rocket Pet Pro and the Moosoo XL-618. Neither one was a standout with sand (in fact, the Moosoo model was among the worst in those tests), but with larger crumbs at least, both are perfectly capable.
BISSELL® cordless vacuums are perfect for quick pickups of everyday dirt and debris on hard floors and area rugs. Our stick vacs are lightweight and easy to maneuver throughout your home. That said, there are plenty of other perfectly capable cordless vacuums that we can recommend, too. To find them, we’ve spent countless hours testing the top models from brands like Shark, Bissell, Dyson, Tineco, Eureka and Samsung at the CNET Home product testing lab in Louisville, Kentucky. Specifically, we run a rigorous slate of tests to determine each cleaner’s capabilities when it comes to picking up a variety of messes on a variety of different floor types.