Bissell CleanView Bagless Vacuum Gets the Job Done

We purchased the Bissell CleanView Bagless Vacuum so our reviewer could put it to the test. Keep reading for our full product review.

There are so many factors that go into finding the perfect vacuum for you. Even after hours of research and comparing prices at online and big-box retailers, you can still end up with one that doesn’t meet you or your home’s expectations. That’s why we took so much care in personally testing out the Bissell CleanView Bagless Vacuum—an inexpensive vacuum with thousands of stellar reviews. The model may be budget-friendly, but it comes with lots of features, like a TurboBrush tool, bagless canister, 25-foot power cord, and reusable filter. Keep reading for a comprehensive review of Bissell’s simple, lightweight vacuum. 

Setup Process: Screwdriver required

Setting up this vacuum was a piece of cake as the manual comes with easy-to-follow instructions. The handle of the vacuum ships detached; all you have to do is insert it into the top of the vacuum, push until the handle is flush with the base, and then screw it in place with the provided screws. After that, there are only three other things to add to your vacuum: the clip that holds the hose wands/extensions, the hook that functions as a cord wrap, and the hose, which connects to the canister with a simple twist.

We especially appreciate that Bissell designed the vacuum to hold all of its included accessories so we don’t have to store them separately. The dusting brush can be inserted into a hole below the upper hose wrap while the TurboBrush Tool goes just above the hose wrap.  

Performance: Deep clean for carpets

Considering its low price, the Bissell CleanView Bagless Vacuum performs admirably. Many of our past vacuums have failed when it came to sucking up debris in corners and along walls, but with the Bissell’s OnePass technology, we were able to pick up most things without using the hose.

As far as convenience, this vacuum has a couple of nifty features. First, it has a Quick Release mechanism for the power cord. All you have to do is twist down the hook that holds the cord, and then you can pull it all off at once—no uncoiling necessary. Then, it has an easy-to-empty canister, which is a lifesaver. But even better? The TurboBrush Tool which attaches to the hose so you can easily clean upholstered furniture and carpeted stairs.  

As for vacuuming under furniture, the Bissell CleanView will bend down low (you just have to push the release pedal) so you can get under couches, coffee tables, and beds without using the hose. This is a hard-to-come-by feature—even on expensive models—so we were pleased to see how well it performed on the carpet under our couch.

We were surprised by the sheer amount of debris this vacuum was able to pick up on its first pass. The Bissell has a dial on it so you can adjust the height of the vacuum from high pile carpet to bare floors. Running it on the high pile carpet setting, we found that the vacuum worked through threads for a deep clean, but we couldn’t help but notice how cheap the wheels felt as we maneuvered it around. This didn’t affect the vacuum’s immediate performance, but we could see it being an issue after a few years of use. 

Design: Made with convenience in mind

After using the Bissell for a couple of weeks, we found it was easy to operate and doesn’t have too many glaring design flaws. It’s lightweight, so carrying it isn’t a problem, but the only lift handle is located on top of the removable canister. While the handle held up just fine during our testing, we can’t help but wonder if it might break after extended use.

The 25-foot power cord connects to the vacuum fairly close to the floor, but you don’t have to worry about running it over as the vacuum’s handle has a hook you can sling the cord over. The hose is on the short side, though. We found that when fully extended, it came out to around 7.5 feet, so vacuuming something like a long flight of stairs can be a bit difficult—especially considering that the hose isn’t very flexible.

One other issue we found was the location of the power switch. Rather than being near the top of the handle, within easy reaching distance of your thumb, it’s closer to the bottom of the vacuum, so you have to bend down to turn it on and off. This is a minor nuisance at most, but it’s worth mentioning for those who have back problems.

Without a doubt, the best design feature of the vacuum is its bagless, easy-to-empty canister. The push of a button detaches the canister from the vacuum, and then another button push—this time over a trash can—empties it. Simple as can be.

Accessories: Extras for easy cleaning

The Bissell CleanView vacuum comes with four hose accessories: an extension wand, a crevice tool, a brush attachment for dusting, and the TurboBrush Tool. They all attach easily, giving you a versatile vacuum that can get into small corners or in between couch cushions. On top of that, you can say goodbye to your dusting cloths and switch the brush attachment when cleaning things like window blinds or lampshades. 

Maintenance and Care: Replacement filter required

There are only two things you need to think about once you’re done vacuuming: emptying the filter once it’s full, and making sure to remove any debris from the rotating floor brush.

As far as cleaning, Bissell recommends washing and drying the vacuum’s filter once a month. Luckily, it’s simpler than it looks. All you have to do is open up the top part of the canister by pressing the clearly-labeled buttons. After that, you just take out the yellow sponge and rinse it. You don’t have to wash the pleated post-motor filter, but Bissell recommends replacing it every three to six months.

If you run into any maintenance issues, the manual comes with a helpful troubleshooting guide along with tips for keeping your vacuum in tip-top shape.

Price: A total steal

The Bissell CleanView Bagless Vacuum retails for $89.99. Given its performance and extra features, we’d say it’s quite the steal—especially when compared to $200+ models that lack basic design components like a release pedal in order to get under low furniture like couches and bed frames.

Competition: Depends on how much you want to spend

Shark Navigator Freestyle Upright Stick Vacuum: This $110 Shark Model is similar to the Bissell CleanView but offers a little more vacuuming oomph. It’s cordless, has an extra large canister, weighs just 7.5 pounds, and charges in four hours. But here’s the downside: it can only run for 17 minutes on carpet or 24 minutes on bare floor. It doesn’t have a hose, and quite a few users have reported that it died after only a year’s use. Unless you’re really set on an inexpensive cordless vacuum, we recommend sticking to the Bissell.

Eureka Blaze 3-in-1 Swivel Stick Vacuum: This neat little vacuum comes at a ridiculously low price—roughly $30—and can function in three different ways. The first is as a normal stick vacuum, with top-notch maneuverability and an extra-large dust cup. The second is as a hand vacuum, perfect for cleaning furniture, pet beds, or your car. And the third is as a stair vacuum with a dedicated attachment. It’s small and lightweight, though it does lack a hose. This is a great vacuum for small apartments and college dorms, but you may want to invest in the Bissell if you have more square footage to cover.