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Like so many others, I’ve spent a lot more time at home during the last year. To keep my space (and mind) free of clutter, cleaning has become my zen. An organized home with sparkling surfaces allows me to focus on work throughout the day and enjoy creature comforts at night. The Bissell CrossWave has helped me achieve this balance, and it could do the same for you.
What is the Bissell CrossWave?
The CrossWave is a cordless indoor wet/dry vacuum that allows for multisurface cleaning, everything from sealed hard-surface floors to area rugs. With just a push of a button, users can
switch tasks to clean seamlessly across all surfaces. A trigger on the back of the vacuum’s handle releases the cleaning solution, and the machine’s 36V lithium-ion battery provides 30 minutes of cordless cleaning power. Two-Tank Technology keeps clean and dirty water separate, so only clean water and formula are dispensed onto surfaces. When you’re finished, use the CrossWave’s self-cleaning cycle to clean the brush roll and the inside of the machine for a quick, less-effort cleanup.
Initial Thoughts
I came across the Bissell CrossWave while researching cordless vacuums. Initially, I was just looking for a dry vacuum, but I was intrigued by the CrossWave’s multipurpose design. Having tried various vacuum cleaners, both expensive and inexpensive, corded and cordless, and upright and canister, as well as several types of hard-floor cleaning devices, I felt that the CrossWave offered the perfect all-in-one combination.
Cleaning mode buttons along the handle of the machine let the user switch easily from rug to hard-floor operation; the trigger that sends water and cleaning solution to the brush roll is also located along the handle. Both settings work similarly, but when set to rug cleaning, the vacuum releases four times the amount of cleaning solution. The accessibility of the controls ensures continual cleaning and supreme ease of use.
Related: 8 Surprising Things You Never Knew You Can Vacuum
Best Attributes
Unlike some of the best cordless vacuums on the market, the Bissell CrossWave has great first-time contact with big and small particles alike. The suction makes sure that no kibble, crumb, or grain of sand is left behind! I never have to go over loose debris more than once.
A notable issue I’ve had with other vacuums is the spitting out of kitty litter. The CrossWave easily slides over litter without throwing out even a single particle. I have yet to find another machine that does this so well.
In my 1,000-square-foot apartment, the battery always lasts. As the vacuum glides over hard surfaces, spills and loose grime pick up with ease. Stuck-on grime, such as a drop of tomato sauce from cooking the day before, requires a few passes.
My area rugs are noticeably cleaner after using the CrossWave. I typically do three passes over an area before moving on to another.
The CrossWave retails at $399.99, which seems like a fair price for a machine that combines so many cleaning functions into one appliance, along with a cordless design and long battery life.
Related: The Best Cordless Vacuums for Pet Hair
Room for Improvement
As the vacuum picks up hair and dirt, some of this debris can get stuck in the base and along the brush roll. When I’m doing a deep clean, it’s normal for me to find a few wet hairballs that have rolled out from the machine onto the floor. The best way to avoid this is to pull out any accumulation midway through cleaning, although I wish I didn’t have this issue to begin with.
Another weakness: Much like a robotic vacuum, the CrossWave battles the fringe of area rugs, causing the machine to jam until the fabric is pulled out. The vacuum will also pick up the corner of an area rug that hasn’t been properly secured to the floor. To avoid jams, I’ve learned to work from the middle of a rug out to the corners.
Finally, I’d love to see the next generation of this machine offer attachments to freshen up upholstery and reach tight corners on the floor.