Bissell Powerforce Bagless Helix

[trebor]

I know we bemoan the proliferation of cheap bagless vacs, but I have to wonder about this particular one. Wal-Mart has 700+ posted reviews, most of them 5 star, the majority of the remainder are 1 star, very few in-between. If the machine fails, it is right out of the box or during the first few uses. I wonder:
1) Are the majority of the failures due to quality control issues?
2) How is it that some people claim hard use over several years (some more than six) and still report the machine is cleaning well?
3) Could this actually be the "holy grail" a cheap, good cleaning bagless vacuum?

Some people buy them over after wearing one out, swearing they clean better than Kirbys, Hoover Windtunnels, and Dysons. There seem to be a lot of happy owners of this vacuum.

Use of carpet fresh is not mentioned, nor is there any way to tell how many negative reviews are caused by 'backhoe confusion' but all in all, more very positive reviews than negative. Your thoughts, experiences?

 

[sebo_fan]

Wal-Mart is very similar to our franchise stores like Argos, Comet and Currys in the UK. TBH, a lot of consumers these days just worry about whether the machine works to their satisfaction and usually will review the product in the best light possible if it does command a cheap price - a few reviewers don't, often highlighting or citing the cheap price mirrors the poor performance even if "poor" performance is better than the rest.

Interestingly though the version we have shows the cable tidy on the other side of the vacuum compared to the U.S preference on the right (if viewed from the front.)

One of my friends is a Bissell fan. She's had nothing but Powerforce uprights and a few of the canister models. The only problem she doesn't like with the Bissell uprights is that the grab hoister handle on the main tube seems to break very easily. Her initial early Powerforce models had clear coiled suction hoses which were also liable to tear.

 

[JDrums0789]

Ive ran into these a few times. My old housemate had one, and we have on at one of the bank branchs that I work at.

I will say that they are a decent cleaner. But theres alot I dont like about them.
Theres no brush shut off, so you cant let it sit in one spot too long. (or you'll end up with burnt carpet like my roommate)
The brush is extremely aggressive, with short, stiff bristles. Kinda rough on carpet fibers.
The cyclone system is junk. It relys mostly on the filter underneath the dirt cup. And while it appears to filter ok, dust starts appearing all over the machine shortly.
Final complaint, its LOUD!!!!

I think it might deep clean carpet better than my Dyson DC 14, but Id pick the Dyson over it anyday. But my Kirbys and bagged Windtunnels kick its but.

 

[gsheen]

that machine was fist sold here as a samsung , then when bissel made is big debute samsung had to pull there version and the bissell powerforce was introduced , the only difference between the samsung and bissel was that the samsung only used foam filters but the bissel uses a cartridge filter in the base of the bin assembly. It is a very very good vacuum, working very well for what its costs but for very little more you can get the Electrolux/eureka 3200 series which has better cyclone system more power and built better but that bissel really impressed me

 

[trebor]

several reviewers said ...

the powerforce outcleaned their Kirbys, Dysons, and W/T's.
Maybe it is due to the need of a belt change on their Kirby, and maybe due to the visual effect of cleaning until no dirt comes up.

Whatever is going on with the BPFB, alot of people are raving about it.

 

[gsheen]

yea that is so true , what Kirby in what condition? aunt Ethel legend II with no belt that been sitting in the garage and has been used to clean the cars for the past 20 years. Its easy to say that but in reality its a different story. people stick there hand over the end of the hose and go wow because the motor revs up and makes a big noise wear as on a Kirby it doesn't. You average consumer has no clue about what is important to clean a carpet. I blame the vacuum company's themselves for this due to there false advertising.

This is a great little vacuum and you get what you pay for , cheap powerful will last about 2 years due to poor maintenance but when they work boy do they work. we get three bissel upright models her the powerforce, pet eraser and the healthy home. I think this is the best of the bunch for what you spend to what you get

 

[sebo_fan]

Aside from my carpet washer which was sent away to Bissell today (still under warranty) for a handle malfunction, the only other Bissell I've had is the "Easy" compact upright and it is far from easy! Hate the slide out cartridge and putting the bin back on was a bit of a struggle. Heavy to push and often ploughing unless the squeegee rubber strip is removed on the underside by the roller brush.

 

[director12]

Um, I have the Turbo, and it gets dirt out of the airstream with it's cyclonic action.

 

[mark40511]

Dust showing up outside the vacuum

is what happened when I had my bagless fantom fury in the late 90s. I know some like fantom but I HATED that vacuum because of that. I'm sure bagless vacuums have improved a lot since then, but I still don't know if I would want a bagless, other than Rainbow. I'd still like to try one to see how I like it. You do have to ask yourself about all of the glowing reviews - there must be something good about it.

 

[sebo_fan]

Actually Mark, my Vax Mach Air has a tendency to do this - especially if I've been using carpet stain powder and the powder can be felt on the OUTSIDE of the dust bin.