Welcome to Fresh Home Guide’s ultimate review of the top pet hair Bissell vacuum cleaners on the market!
Our review is meant to help you choose the right Bissell vacuum for pet hair removal. Each vacuum has been rated on the following factors: Type (Stick, upright, canister, cordless), Performance (suction power, filtration, surface types), Features (accessories, weight, functions), and Maintenance (ease of storage, cleaning).
Rather than selecting vacuums based on budget, we felt it would be more helpful to select based on type and features. An upright has more suction power than a canister vacuum, for instance, but the weightier upright may not be suitable for a small condominium, or long flights of stairs.
At Fresh Home Guide, you can rest assured that we never accept free products from manufacturers, so we can provide unbiased recommendations.
Let’s get right to it!
Fresh Home Guide’s Top Bissell Vacuum Cleaners For Pet Hair Reviews
1. Bissell Pet Hair Eraser 1650A Upright Vacuum with Tangle Free Brushroll
Description
Our review begins with the most highly-rated of Bissell vacuums, the Pet Hair Eraser. Specially designed with pet lovers in mind, this powerful upright vacuum cleaner features a tangle-free brush roll that works amazingly well on carpets.
The tangle-free brush rotates as you vacuum to separate carpet fibres, grab and remove deeply embedded pet hairs that typically cling to carpet fabrics.
The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser not only removes pet hair and dirt, it also has special filters for trapping irritating allergens. The Febreze Pet Odor Eliminator feature functions while you’re vacuuming, saving you time and the extra hassle of deodorizing your home.
Attachable tools such as the TurboEraser, crevice tool and hand-held pet hair remover give you more options for removing pet hair throughout your entire home. Lastly, maintaining your Bissell Pet Hair Eraser is simple, thanks to the hands-free dirt bin, which is emptied with the simple press of a button. A cyclonic spooling system allows you to easily remove and discard hair from the tank.
Features include:
- Tangle-Free Brush Roll for deep cleaning carpets
- Convenient Hands-free Cyclonic Pet-Hair Spooling System™
- Powerful SuctionChannel Technology® with steady suction power
- Pet TurboEraser® Tool removes embedded hair from carpets and upholstery
- Quick-release detachable wand and specialized pet tools to remove pet hair wherever you are
- 2-in-1 Pet Brush
- SmartSeal™ Allergen System with Febreze® Pet Odor Eliminator™ Filter (traps allergens and neutralizes pet odors as you vacuum)
- LED-Lit crevice tool to see hidden dirt more clearly
- Height adjustment for different carpet types & surfaces
- Swivel steering for easy maneuvering around the home or office
- 30 ft cord
- 18 lbs.
- 5-year limited warranty
Video: How to Assemble the Pet Hair Eraser Upright Vacuum
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2. Bissell 9595A CleanView Bagless Vacuum with OnePass
Description
This lightweight upright vacuum features Bissell’s patented OnePass Technology and is Amazon’s #1 vacuum. Using a powerful suction and innovative brush design, the Bissell 9595A removes fine debris and pet hair after the first initial pass!
Similar to the Pet Hair Remover, it also features a multi-level filtration system that traps and seals in household allergens inside the vacuum. The “Bottom Easy Empty” dirt tank makes maintenance simple and fast. Premium attachments such as the crevice tool, TurboBrush, and dusting brush give you more options for cleaning any surface in your home.
Features include:
- Powerful patented Cyclonic suction system for longer, more powerful suction
- 12 amp motor and unique brush design for cleaning carpets in one pass
- Large-capacity Bottom Easy Empty dirt tank (2.2L)
- 25 ft power cord
- Washable, foam filters
- 5-Level height adjustment for different flooring surfaces
- Multi-level filtration to reduce household allergens
- LIghtweight design (15.1 lbs)
- Attachments include: Crevice Tool, Dusting Brush, TurboBrush (for upholstery, drapes, stairs, etc)
- 2 year limited warranty
Video: How to Assemble the CleanView Bagless Vacuum Cleaner
| Pros | Cons |
| Powerful suction action thanks to 12 amp motor for deep cleaning carpets and removing pet hair | NOT HEPA-certified vacuum |
| Extra large-capacity dirt tank requires fewer cleanings | Not as effective for cleaning floors |
| Multi-level filtration system can be removed and washed | Does not clean baseboards, under floor cabinets and furniture well |
| Lightweight |
3. Bissell Adapt XRT Pet 14.4V Lithium Ion Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner
Description
No more getting tangled in the vacuum cord! If you want a cordless stick vacuum that’s powerful enough to remove cat hair from upholstery and furniture, but easy to store, try the Bissell cordless Adapt XRT.
Powered by lithium-ion battery, this handheld beauty keeps a charge for an extended length of time so you can clean longer without compromising airflow or suction pressure. The variable suction control on this upright vacuum allows you to clean a range of surfaces.
The Bissell Adapt XRT reaches under furniture, a crevice tool, dusting brush, and upholstery tool. Use the detachable hand vacuum lets you reach shelving and other high places. There’s also a 2-way folding handle for easy storage.
Features include:
- 1 x 14.4V Lithium-Ion Battery for longer running time
- 2-way folding handle
- Removable hand vacuum
- Swivel steering
- Multi surface cleaning with variable suction control
- Crevice Tool
- Upholstery Tool
- Dusting Brush
- Weighs under 7 lbs
- 1 yr limited warranty
Video: Adapt™ Ion XRT 2-in-1 Cordless Vacuum
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4. Bissell PowerEdge Pet Hardwood Floor Bagless Cleaner 81L2A Stick Vacuum
Description
Whether you need to quickly clean a dirt-ridden hallway entrance or clean up debris around your pet’s feeding bowl, the PowerEdge 81L2A has the suction power to keep your floors dirt-free with only minimal effort.
The bagless Bissell PowerEdge features a V-shaped base that is really handy for cleaning around corners and awkward nooks where pet hair can gather. The wipers on the base capture and trap hair inside the vacuum. Its powerful suction and maneuverability allows you to clean floors, baseboards and edges thoroughly.
Storing the Bissell Poweredge is easy too, thanks to its modular design.
Features include:
- Bagless, V-shaped design for deep cleaning edges, along baseboards and crevices
- 20 ft power cord
- Wipers made of hair-attracting bristles to capture pet hair
- Swivel head for easy-maneuvering around your home
- Removable dirt canister
- Powerful Cyclonic suction technology
- Portable, modular design for easy assembly and storage
- Lightweight – 7.5 lbs
- 1-year limited warranty
Video: PowerEdge® Hard Floor Vacuum
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5. Bissell Zing Bagged Canister Vacuum, Maroon 4122 Corded
Description
If you own a heavy duty vacuum for your home, but struggle to stay on top of all the pet hair and debris from active young children, the Bissell Zing Bagged Canister is just what we recommend!
An extremely lightweight, compact design makes the Bissel Zing Bagged Canister Vacuum much easier to tote around the home than your typical upright model, and a great value for the money. You can easily take it out to clean up spills or give your drapes a quick once-over.
The carrying handle and 17 ft cord make it easy to get around either an apartment or a large living room. There’s a neat auto-rewind button for the cord as well, and an indicator on the bag canister lets you know when it needs changing!
Features include:
- Multi-surface suction power for cleaning floors, rugs and above-floor cleaning
- Carrying handle
- 10 amp motor
- 17 ft. cord
- Cyclone suction action
- Automatic cord rewind
- Telescopic Wand
- Variable Suction Control
- Full Bag Indicator
- 1yr warranty
- Lightweight – 8 lbs
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6. Bissell Air Ram Cordless Vacuum 1984 Green
Description
Long-lasting, lightweight, and an innovative suction-squeeze design have made the Bissell Air Ram extremely popular with users and for good reason, we’ve found. The Air Ram makes cleaning up clinging pet hairs and other household messes a painless experience.
This high-performance cordless vacuum stands upright easily and weighs much less than your standard vacuum. It performs amazingly well on all surfaces, from hard floors to carpets, and manages to pick up large objects as easily as it gets pet hair or other fine debris.
A powerful brush roll and gate on the front of the base that pulls in and seals dirt in as the motor sucks the debris into the dirt chamber. It’s so lightweight that you can carry it easily from one room to the next without effort, which is great news for people experiencing muscle pain, joint pain, or injuries.
Features include:
- Rechargeable 22V Lithium-ion battery for cordless power and cleaning convenience
- Up to 40 minutes of runtime
- Designed to seamlessly clean across multiple surfaces, from carpets to bare floors, and area rugs
- Removable dirt bin features empty slider to help push out hair, dust, and debris after vacuuming carpets and bare floors
- Advanced swivel steering for greater control around furniture and hard to reach spots
- Suction Squeegee design with rubber sweeper adjusts direction to open and close as you clean
- LED lighting
- Collapsible handle for convenient storage
- 44 watts, 7.75 lb.
- 2-year limited warranty
Video: BISSELL AirRam Cordless Vacuum
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7. Bonus Pick: Bissell Big Green Professional Carpet Cleaner Machine 86T3 (Commercial)
Description
For busy homes with lots of foot traffic, pets and children, you’re going to love the deep-cleaning power of the Bissell Big Green Professional Carpet Cleaner!
Bissell Big Green gives the average homeowner the carpet cleaning power of a professional service. Utilizing its patented cleaning solution and the Bissell Green’s incredible suction power, the Bissell Green removes pet hair and cleans stubborn stains left by pet urine, coffee, wine, and other household spills.
Make no mistake, this is a heavy-duty, commercial-grade vacuum. At 58 lbs, there’s nothing lightweight about the Bissell Big Green, but its ergonomic design makes it easy to push on a carpet or floor surface. Consumers also give it rave reviews for its amazing results on the most stubborn carpet stains.
Features include:
- Rotating DirtLifter Power Brushes to lift fine dirt and debris from inside carpets
- Forward and backward cleaning rotator brush for deep, thorough cleaning in fewer passes
- Deodorizing cleaning solution includes Scotchgard
- Leaves less water behind and dries faster than competitive rental carpet cleaners
- Stain tool with spray-and-scrub action for stubborn stains
- Carrying handle
- Separate tanks for clean and dirty water
- 5-yr limited warranty
Video: How to Use the BISSELL Big Green® Machine Professional Carpet Cleaner
| Pros | Cons |
| Deep cleaning suction power removes pet hair and fine debris from carpets | Size makes it difficult to store |
| Easily removes carpet stains and deodorizes | Heavier to operate than a typical upright vacuum cleaner |
| Cleans forward and backward | Requires cleaning solution refills |
If you find our reviews helpful, you might also benefit from our review of the best wet-dry vacuum cleaner for your home.
Choosing Your Bissell Vacuum
Bissell Vacuums: A Brief History
Founded in 1876 by Melville Reuben Bissell, Bissell began as the inventor and manufacturer of wooden carpet sweepers. The simple design functioned much like a conventional stick vacuum, except it wasn’t powered by electricity. A brush roll attached to a dust bin was simply pushed along a floor or carpet by its long handle. The dust bin could be emptied and the sweeper was easily stored.
It may not sound like a revolutionary invention, but the carpet sweeper was a much better alternative to sweeping large carpets by broom. The dust raised while sweeping only settled back down into the carpet. Sweeping by broom was also incredibly time-consuming and labor-intensive.
The carpet sweeper, however, made cleaning large areas much faster and drastically reduced the amount of dust by capturing dirt in the dustbin. It was so popular in fact, that Queen Victoria of England ordered the Bissell sweeper to be used exclusively in Buckingham Palace.
Bissell continued to grow after the untimely death of its founder, led by his wife, Anna Bissell, who became America’s first female CEO. Her dedication to staff and business acumen kept the company alive through the lean years of the depression. Her agreement with Buckingham Palace made Bissell sweepers a household name and a global enterprise.
The arrival of Hoover’s electric vacuum cleaner radically changed the cleaning industry. In response, Bissell diversified its offering by developing and expanding on cleaning products. Carpet cleaning solutions, steam cleaning and commercial carpet cleaners.
The success of their ‘Big Green’ Carpet cleaner line made Bissell more popular than their competitor, The Rug Doctor. Thanks to a partnership with chain retail giant, Lowe’s, which made Bissell products available in over 800 stores across the US.
Why Choose Bissell?
Any vacuum cleaner with powerful suction can call itself a pet hair remover, but Bissell is the only brand that truly deserves the title.
Since 2011, Bissell has been recognized as the pet lover’s brand. The Bissell Pet Foundation, founded by Cathy Bissell, continues to promote pet adoption in the US. Cathy’s work with the foundation, in fact, raised Bissell’s public profile and made the company a household name among pet lovers.
In an effort to address pet overpopulation and neglect, the Bissell Pet Foundation raises money to support such pet initiatives as:
- Pet foster care and adoption
- pet neutering/spaying
- pet microchipping
So, If you love pets you’ll be happy to know that Bissell doesn’t just sell to pet lovers as a marketing ploy. They are truly pet lovers and advocates who have demonstrated their commitment to pet wellbeing for for 9 years and counting. No other brand of pet hair remover can legitimately call themselves a pet advocate.
How Does Bissell Compare To Leading Pet Hair Removal Brands?
For the purpose of this review, we did some research to compare Bissell’s pet hair removers to other leading brands which make similar claims.
All the major brands – Dyson, Shark, Hoover, Oreck – offer consumers pet hair removal vacuums. Bissell’s suction power stacks up to any of them but Bissell is the best option for anyone on a budget.
Bissell users frequently comment on these 3 issues:
- No HEPA Certification: Bissell vacuums are not officially certified as HEPA products so they cannot guarantee to trap and remove allergens
- Construction/Make: Bissell products are typically not made of the same sturdy, heavy duty material you’ll find in other, more expensive brand. The combination of plastic and rubber makes their vacuums somewhat flimsy by comparison.
- Ergonomics: Many users point out that Bissell vacuums are not as ergonomic as some of their competitors.
Key Bissell Features
In this section of our review, we’ll go over the key features that are included in many Bissell vacuum cleaners.
Along with many other factors, each model is designed with a particular consumer in mind. Choosing the right Bissell pet hair remover is a lot easier when you understand the features that make each model unique.
Now let’s examine the purpose and value of each to help you make the right choice for your household.
SmartSeal Filtration
Allergy sufferers will appreciate the benefits of Bissell’s patented SmartSeal Filtration. This unique, proprietary filtration system is multi-layered to trap and seal in fine dust particles, pet hair and airborne allergens.
There are 2 filters, a pre-filter and post-motor filter. The vacuum is rubber-sealed entirely so that dirt can only enter or escape through the nozzle.
The SmartSeal filtration system is not officially HEPA-certified, but has the suction power to capture most dust particles and household allergens. Bissell recommends washing the pre-motor as needed, while the post-motor filter should be replace every 6 months.
A third filter can be used to replace the felt layer that lines the pre-motor. Produced through a partnership with Procter&Gamble, this third filter is odorized with Febreze Pet Odor Eliminator.
Cyclone Suction System
Bissell has developed a suction system similar to Dyson, which utilizes a multi-cyclonic system to keep airflow constant and even. A 12 inch wide intake and edge-to-edge suction ensures you cover the most area with every pass.
Brush Roll
If your home has large living spaces and carpeting, you’ll definitely want the cyclone suction as a brush roll.
The brush roll is a cylinder with bristles attached in an undulating pattern. As the motor-powered cylinder turns, it brushes carpet fibres, capturing dirt particles and pet hair with the bristles, which then get quickly sucked up through the nozzle.
On hardwood surfaces, the brush roll works equally well, brushing larger particles like cereal grains, rice, grains, sand and other debris into the suction path. Bissell upright and stick vacuums also include height adjustment, so you can adapt seamlessly to different surfaces
Lastly, a guard system protects the brush roll from blockages by objects that could damage your vacuum. Should the air intake is suddenly blocked by an over-sized object an indicator light switches from red to blue, so you can switch off the power.
V-Base
V-base vacuums are not unique to Bissell, but are a feature of some of their upright and stick models. The V-base has an edge-to-edge suction intake shaped like a V, which is really handy for vacuuming corners and around objects with corners.
If your living space features a lot of standing items (book cases, chairs, display stands, coffee tables), the v-base will make cleaning the corners easy and quick.
Bagged/Bagless
Bissell designs both bagged and bagless vacuums of varying sizes. Bagged vacuums tend to hold more dirt, but must be replaced routinely, incurring an additional cost. Bagless vacuums usually include filters and can be emptied easily, but the filters do require periodic washing.
It should also be noted that Bissell bags are sealed to ensure dust doesn’t escape. Bagged or bagless, there are advantages to both. Your choice ultimately comes down to personal preference.
Accessories
Upright and stick vacuums include an assortment of additional tools for removing pet hair and dirt more thoroughly from your home. A crevice tool, pet hair remover and 2-in-1 dust brush are just a few of the useful accessories for cleaning above-floor surfaces.
Bissell Vacuum Types
Bissell manufactures different types of vacuum cleaners for different needs. Commercial-grade and residential vacuum cleaners carry features unique to each, as well as their own cost-savings.
The vacuums selected are all moderately priced in the $40 – $400 range, with the exception of our bonus pick, a commercial-grade carpet cleaner.
If you’re a homeowner, a Bissell vacuum cleaner is an investment that will help you maintain a healthy living environment free of dust, allergens, and pet hair. You should consider carefully, however, what type of Bissell cleaner would best suit your household and support your health.
Upright models, for example, tend to be heavier than bagless canister vacuums, which are handheld. If you suffer from arthritis and live in a 2-storey home, a heavy upright model may not be the best choice of vacuum.
A) Upright Design
- Single-unit design
- Large capacity dust bin
- often includes accessories for cleaning multi-surfaces
- powerful Bissell multi-cyclonic suction
- multilevel SmartSeal filtration for removing allergens (Not HEPA certified)
Upright Bissell vacuums tend to be the heaviest, due to their large-capacity dust bins, wide suction and powerful motor.
Cleaning a flight of stairs, however, may prove more challenging, depending on the severity of your condition. The average upright Bissell weighs 20 lbs or more.
If, however, you suffer from joint or muscle pain, an upright model can reduce the strain on your muscles from bending. The accessories included with an upright model (ie crevice tool, pet hair removal tool) also allow you to reach above-floor surfaces like shelving and curtains with little effort.
Households Best Suited For Bissell Upright Vacuum
Homes with many rooms, delicate surfaces, upholstery and high-volume foot traffic will benefit from the flexibility of a Bissell upright. Individuals suffering from seasonal/dust allergies will also benefit from the Bissell SmartSeal filtration system, which traps and seals in allergens as you clean.
B) Stick Vacuum Design:
- Roto-brush action for carpet cleaning
- lightweight and maneuverable (avg 12 – 15 lbs)
- powerful suction
- multilevel SmartSeal filtration for removing allergens
- best used on floors and carpets, large spaces
Bissell stick vacuums are designed with powerful suction power, but are more compact than an upright Bissell. Built as single units, there’s usually no assembly required.
Stick vacuums are typically lighter than an upright model. The weight resides largely in the base, which is usually very wide. Its wide suction area means you can often clean surfaces on the initial pass, reducing the time you spend cleaning.
Households Best Suited For Stick Vacuum
For allergy-sufferers (seasonal, dust) and households with large living spaces and lots of foot traffic, a Bissell stick vacuum is a great investment. Consider one that includes their specially patented SmartSeal filtration system for trapping allergens.
C) Cordless Vacuum
- Battery-powered,
- rechargeable
- portable
- can include multi-level SmartSeal filtration
Bissell’s cordless models often include many of the same features as their upright counterparts, except they’re powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery.
Weighing on average between 15 – 20 lbs, cordless vacuums offer the convenience of moving anywhere in your home. Some models can be used to clean your car interior as well.
Households Best Suited For Cordless
Since they can hold a charge for between 30 – 40 mn, you can safely cover 800 – 1000 sq ft in that time. They’re also light enough to carry up a small flight of stairs without being awkward.
This makes Bissell’s cordless vacuums ideal for cleaning condominiums, apartments, lofts, and bungalow homes.
D) Robotic (Freehand)
A robot vacuum is a disc-shaped , automated rotating cleaner that can be programmed to operate remotely on floors and carpets.
- Smart sensor technology
- customizable navigation
- Wifi capability
- Auto-Programming functions
Bissell’s line of robot vacuums are a popular alternative to conventional models. Due to its extremely low height, a robot vacuum can easily access under furniture and beds. Transitioning from floors to carpet, however, is not always seamless.
Some Bissell robot vacuums require additional AA batteries, but they’re all powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, like the cordless models.
Households Best Suited For Robot Vacuum
We recommend a Bissell robot vacuum if your living space is relatively small (250 – 500 sq ft) and you don’t have thick carpeting. Bissell robot vacuums also require some effort to set up. Reading the instruction manual is crucial to operating and maintaining their performance.
E) Canister
- Lightweight
- Compact design
- Multi-surface suction power
- Bagged or bagless
A Bissell canister vacuum is a unit with a long hose nozzle that attaches to a tank unit. The tank, which stores the motor and dust bin, can either be handheld or placed on the floor and rolled.
Canister vacuums are available as either bagged or bagless. A long nozzle makes it easy to vacuum floors and carpets without bending over. Due to its length and flexibility, the nozzle can clean underneath furniture where upright models can’t reach. They also come with several attachments for vacuuming a variety of surfaces.
While compact in design, a canister vacuum can be awkward to store due to its ovular shape. It can easily manage cleaning a short flight of stairs, but longer stair wells could prove tiring. Canister vacuums don’t sit comfortably on a narrow stair ledge and can easily weigh over 20 lbs.
Households Best Suited For Canister Vacuums
In our opinion, any home with lots of bare flooring, curtains, and upholstery will be well served by a Bissell canister vacuum.
Final Tips For Maintaining Your Bissell Vacuum
- Read the manual thoroughly. Keep it handy.
- Clean/wash filters as directed.
- Empty canister regularly.
- Handle with care. Bissell vacuums are not made of sturdy construction, and can be damaged if mishandeld.
- Be sure to register the model number and serial number of your Bissell vacuum online. When you register your Bissell product, you activate your warranty and other benefits.
- Take advantage of the manufacturer’s limited warranty. In many cases you can replace broken parts of your unit for free ( plus shipping). You can visit Bissell Support online for information on guides, replacement parts, and video for your vacuum.
