Hard Floor Vacuums Find Best Hard Floor Vacuums Reviews, Tips, Videos
BISSELL 84G9 Rewind PowerHelix, Teal
- Continuous suction – the helix system protects the motor while extending filter life for longer lasting performance
- Helix dirt separation system – captures dirt and debris while extending filter life for long lasting performance
- Dual edge cleaning – provides surround suction to clean hard to reach places like baseboards and around furniture
- Automatic cord rewind – easy and convenient storage of the 25-foot power cord
- Turbobrush tool – great for cleaning stairs, furniture, upholstery and more
The Bissell Rewind PowerHelix and its unique Helix Dirt Separation System captures dirt and other debris for even greater performance, whether you’re cleaning carpets or bare floors. It does this by using the internal ribs incorporated into the Easy Empty Dirt Container to force large dirt particles, dust and other debris down to the bottom of the tank, where they belong. This helps to protect the motor and extends life of filters so the vacuum works more effectively, longer. The Helix System, combined with the auto cord rewind for easy storage, makes for powerful and convenient cleaning.
List Price: $ 124.99
Price: $ 99.00
Great vacuum, but not the best bang-for-your-buck. Side-by-side comparison: Bissell, Dyson, Hoover, Eureka, Oreck, & Dirt Devil,
We tested *most* of the top-selling vacuums on Amazon, in side-by-side tests. First, two observations:
(1) Dyson is not the “best” vacuum ever made, but they do have the best marketing. If you’re looking for the “best” vacuum, let’s reframe the question a little bit – perhaps what’s the best vacuum under $500 or under $1000? If you’re looking for the “best”, be prepared to spend a minimum of $2,000-$3,000 for a commercial upright or whole-house system.
(2) About rating sytems – only side-by-side comparisons make sense to us. I have a neighbor who has a Ferrari, and complains all the time about expensive tune-ups. He would give his Ferrari 3 stars on a bad day, 4 stars on a good day. My dad really likes his Hyundai, and would give it 5 stars. Does that make Hyundai better than Ferrari? We believe only in comparing apples to apples.
Different Models Reviewed:
BISSELL POWER HELIX:
We had no complaints about this vacuum, a great buy especially if you’re a dedicated Bissell fan. Our only real complaint is the outdated color (teal). You basically can’t go wrong with this model – easy assembly, great suction, nice attachments, etc. In terms of performance, this is performs just slightly below the Dyson DC33 (at 1/3rd the price). However, the current Amazon price is $118, and you can get better suction at a lower price with Eureka Airspeed or Hoover WindTunnel. Read on…
DYSON:
The least expensive Dyson is the (Dyson DC33 Multi-Floor Upright) currently selling on Amazon for $299. If you absolutely need a Dyson to impress the neighbors, this is the best bang for your buck.
However, after testing over a dozen different models, we discovered you don’t have to spend $300 to get a top-of-the-line vacuum, that there are several brands offering models right around $100 that perform just as well. Does the Dyson live up to its marketing claims? Yes it does, fantastic quality and lossless suction.
Here’s an interesting experiment – look for Dyson on craigslist from just about any major city. You’ll find dozens of people with buyer’s remorse, who paid full price for a Dyson, realized that much less expensive models perform just as well, and are trying to sell their barely used Dysons in an attempt to recoup their investment. (We checked this morning, and found about 30 such listings in my town).
HOOVER WINDTUNNEL:
These are fantastic vacuums, nearly on par with the Dyson, and currently the #1 selling upright vacuum on Amazon. They have near-lossless suction, lots of attachments, & bagless. We would put them as almost exactly on par with the Bissell Helix, but currently the the (Hoover WindTunnel) is currently only $99 on Amazon.
The auto-rewind cord is a commonly reported malfunction (the one we tested started to lose its spring after about 20 minutes, like an old set of window shades) and both the brush & belts tend to fail early as well. But all vacuums have drawbacks and design quirks. A huge perk is that the WindTunnel has a rinsable filter. Based on bang-for-your-buck, this is our top recommendation along with the Eureka Airspeed. You can’t go wrong with it.
EUREKA AIRSPEED:
There are several different Airspeed models – Amazon currently sells the (Eureka AirSpeed Gold) for $110. There are three different models at Walmart ranging from $98 to $135, with slightly different features – bagged vs. bagless, see-through brushroll, etc.
In our tests, all of these models performed on par with the Dyson. The Airspeed had slightly better sustained suction than the Hoover WindTunnel, with only a few drawbacks (HEPA filter requires frequent changing). Nonetheless, this is our top recommendation, along with the Hoover WindTunnel. For right around $100, these two models can hold their own against just about any other vacuum in the under $1,000 price point.
SHARK:
Shark has done a major turnaround in recent years, with extremely respectable upright vacuums with impressive suction. The 2 popular models are the (Navigator Upright) currently selling for $150 on Amazon, and the (Shark…
Was this review helpful to you?
|Great vaccuum for the price,
The Bissell 84G9 rewind PowerHelix vaccuum is a great unit for the price. It was easy to assemble out of hte box, being up and running in a matter of minutes. I love the detachable vaccuum hose that allows you to get crevices and tight areas with the wand. The unit does a great job of picking up dirt. For someone like me who has two big dogs, lives along dirt road with unfinished wood floors, that is a definite plus! You do, however, have to empty it often.
The things that I did not like is that the filter was a little difficult to get reseated properly once you empty it and can spew dirt back into the air. Not good for someone who has allergies! With a little bit of me fiddling, it reseats properly. The retractable power cord is great, but I wish it were just a bit longer.
It is a great unit for the price. It is easier to store than my other vaccuums. I would definitely recommend it for someone who lives in town, rather than someone who lives in a remote area like I do.
Was this review helpful to you?
|Good Vacuum for the Price,
Like the Eureka Air Speed Bagless, this is a decent vacuum that competes with the superior, but quite a bit more expensive Dyson (note–the Dyson has worked without fail for 10+ years). Simple assembly, small but functional user’s guide, and off you go. I found the suction slightly less powerful than the Dyson and significantly less than the Eureka (although the Eureka did quit functioning properly after six months or so). I also had some issues when vacuuming over electric cords and toys–I know I shouldn’t vacuum over these things, but I didn’t want to sell the test short.
This vacuum is easy to carry, has decent suction and design (although the blue color is somewhat dated). The Bissell Power Helix has a retractable cord which is very nice, although it is located too low on the vacuum (same complaint with the Eureka) and is way too short (more fit for an apartment than a home as it is tough to vacuum two rooms without unplugging the cord). Power button is mid-way down the vacuum which is not as convenient as other options (e.g., near the top where your hands are or the bottom where your feet are). The attachments are pretty standard (brush, long suction hose) as is the headlight. Another nice feature is the washable filter (although it can be a bit tricky to get out). Overall–a few minor complaints, but a good vacuum for the price.
Was this review helpful to you?
|