I Never Used Cordless Vacuums, Until I Tried the Bissell PowerClean Cordless Stick Vacuum
I have one strict rule at home: Shoes are not allowed inside. In every apartment I’ve lived in, there’s been a dedicated space in the entryway for shoes — and they never go past that point. It’s partly about keeping outside dirt and grime out, but also about not tracking in outside energy.
When my husband and I moved into our current apartment, which has light beige carpet throughout the living room, bedroom, and loft, I became even more careful about tracking in dirt. We have a great corded vacuum that does a solid job of picking up dust and debris, but it’s a bit bulky and heavy. I’ll admit that I was skeptical of cordless vacuums; in my experience, they never had enough suction power. That changed when I got to try the Bissell PowerClean Cordless Stick Vacuum.
Design Features That Stand Out
The Bissell PowerClean Cordless Stick Vacuum is (as its name states) a cordless stick vacuum that’s part of Bissell’s PowerClean line. It features a 200-watt motor and three suction settings to tackle everything from hard floors to carpets, a tangle-free brush roll to prevent hair wrap of strands up to eight inches long, and LED headlights. It weighs 7.1 pounds with a battery that can run for a little over 40 minutes per charge, and a HEPA-sealed allergen filtration system — plus attachments for upholstery and crevices.
It’s also worth noting that it’s bagless, has a swivel head for maneuverability, and the dirt tank is easy to remove and empty.
How It Performed
I was immediately impressed by the Bissell PowerClean Cordless Stick Vacuum. Here’s what stood out to me and how it performed.
It has a sleek design and powerful suction.
It took me just a few minutes to set up, and when I started vacuuming my loft, I immediately noticed how powerful it was — especially on the highest setting. I needed something that could truly lift dirt from the carpet fibers (not just the surface), and this vacuum absolutely delivered. It’s lightweight and easy to maneuver, and I loved not having to stop to plug it in or unplug it every time I changed rooms. Vacuuming the stairs was effortless, and the slim head made it easy to reach under furniture and along baseboards. The built-in LED light also helped me spot dust in tight corners.
Its attachments make cleaning furniture easier.
One of my favorite features is the attachable upholstery tool. It made cleaning my couch so much easier. I could hold the vacuum with one hand and move cushions with the other, which would’ve been a challenge with my heavier corded model. The dust tank is also easy to pull out, empty, and wipe down clean in seconds.
The battery does die rather quickly.
The only downside is the battery life on high power. If you’re using the strongest suction setting for a full cleaning session, you’ll want to make sure it’s fully charged first. The third level of power drains the battery quickly (understandable, given how effective it is), but it’s worth planning around, as it takes three hours of charge time for a full battery.
What we love
- It’s super easy to assemble, and the lightweight, cordless design makes maneuvering between rooms, especially up and down stairs, trouble-free.
- The highest suction setting actually lifted more dirt from our light-beige carpet than I expected.
- The slim cleaning head and built-in LED light helped me reach tight corners, baseboards, and under furniture.
- The attachable upholstery tool made cleaning the couch effortless.
- The dust tank pops out and empties easily; minimal mess, quick wipe down.
Good to know
- If you’re vacuuming a large space continuously on high power, you’ll need to plan for recharge times (three-hour full charge is reasonable, but you’ll want it ready).
- While it handles carpet and hard floors well, if you have very deep pile carpet you might need to repeat passes.
- The dust-cup is easy to empty, but you’ll still want to wipe it down occasionally to keep it looking and performing its best.
Should You Buy the Bissell PowerClean Cordless Stick Vacuum?
All in all, my carpet not only looks clean, but it also feels clean — and I can achieve it all without the usual physical strain. The Bissell PowerClean Cordless Stick Vacuum changed my mind about cordless vacuums. It’s light, powerful, and convenient. And although I would prefer a longer battery life, it has everything I want in an everyday vacuum but didn’t think was possible without a cord. I’d recommend this to anyone in a smaller space or to those looking for a vacuum that makes cleaning up messes quick and easy.
Buy: Bissell PowerClean Cordless Stick Vacuum, $109.99