There’s a chore I used to dread more than any other: cleaning the floors. It felt like a three-act tragedy performed weekly in my own home. First, the sweep or dry vacuum, chasing dust bunnies and pet hair into corners. Then, Act Two: hauling out the mop and bucket, sloshing water around, and pushing dirt into the grout lines. The finale? Waiting for the floors to dry, only to find streaks and the faint, lingering smell of wet dog. For years, I accepted this as the price of having a busy household with kids and pets. It was a time-consuming, back-breaking ritual that never seemed to deliver a truly deep clean. The frustration wasn’t just about the time lost; it was the feeling that despite my best efforts, my floors were never truly, satisfyingly clean. This is the exact problem that sent us on a quest for a better solution, a single tool that could replace the entire arsenal under the sink and finally win the war against grime.
- ALL-IN-ONE CLEAN. Vacuum, wash and steam at the same time
- HYDROSTEAM TECHNOLOGY. Uses the power of HydroSteam Technology to offer up to 20% better cleaning on tough, sticky messes
What to Consider Before Buying a Wet Dry Upright Vacuum Cleaner
An all-in-one upright vacuum cleaner is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for reclaiming time and achieving a higher standard of home hygiene. It addresses the fundamental inefficiency of cleaning hard surfaces by combining multiple steps—vacuuming debris, scrubbing with a cleaning solution, and sometimes even steaming—into a single, fluid motion. The main benefit is a dramatic reduction in cleaning time, but it also delivers a demonstrably deeper clean. By using a two-tank system, these machines ensure you’re always cleaning with fresh water, unlike a traditional mop that just spreads dirty water around. The result is floors that don’t just look clean but feel sanitized and residue-free.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing a constant barrage of floor messes. This includes busy parents navigating spilled juice and muddy footprints, pet owners dealing with shedding and “accidents,” or anyone with large areas of sealed hard flooring like tile, vinyl, or hardwood. It’s a game-changer for those who value efficiency and a truly hygienic clean. However, it might not be suitable for those who live in homes with wall-to-wall, high-pile carpeting, as these machines are designed primarily for hard surfaces and low-pile area rugs. Similarly, if you live in a tiny apartment with minimal storage or are on a very strict budget, the size and price point may lead you to consider more traditional, separate cleaning tools.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: While designed to be stored upright, these machines are bulkier than a simple stick vacuum. The Bissell CrossWave HydroSteam Plus Wet Dry Vac measures 27 cm wide and weighs 5.67 kg. You’ll need a dedicated closet or pantry space not just for the unit itself, but also for its docking tray, which is essential for storage and running the self-clean cycle.
- Capacity/Performance: The two-tank system is a non-negotiable feature. It keeps the clean water and formula separate from the collected grime, which is the key to a true clean. Consider the power source as well; a corded model like this one provides consistent, unlimited power for suction and steam generation, which is critical for deep cleaning larger areas without interruption.
- Materials & Durability: Look for robust plastic construction and thoughtfully designed components. A feature like a tangle-free brush roll is a huge plus for pet owners, preventing frustrating clogs. A manufacturer’s warranty—in this case, a 3-year limited warranty—is a strong indicator of the brand’s confidence in its product’s longevity and build quality.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: The all-in-one function is about convenience, but maintenance is part of the package. A self-cleaning cycle is a massive quality-of-life feature, automating the flushing of the brush roll and internal tubes. However, you will still need to manually empty and rinse the dirty water tank after every use and clean the filter periodically to maintain peak performance and prevent odors.
While the Bissell CrossWave HydroSteam Plus Wet Dry Vac is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- Easily clean around furniture and other obstacles with Swivel Steering
- Upgraded Cyclone System: The Eureka PowerSpeed is now upgraded with new cyclone technology to handle larger debris, smaller dirt, and even microscopic dust.Specific uses:hard floor,carpet,dual action
- Light as It Is Capable: At just 7.7 lb, this canister-style upright glides across hard floors and low-pile carpets without strain, ideal for multi-level homes or small-space living.
Unboxing and First Impressions: A Glimpse of the Future of Floor Care
Opening the box for the Bissell CrossWave HydroSteam Plus Wet Dry Vac, we were immediately struck by its purposeful design. Assembly was refreshingly simple, confirming user reports of it being a “breeze.” The handle clicks firmly into the main body, and that’s it—no tools required. Within minutes, it was standing ready on its docking tray. The build quality feels substantial and solid, not flimsy or cheap. The copper accents give it a premium look that belies its workhorse nature. In hand, its 5.67 kg weight is noticeable but well-balanced, making it feel sturdy rather than cumbersome.
The controls, located conveniently on the handle, are intuitive and clearly labeled: Hard Floor, Area Rug, and the all-important Steam Mode. The two-tank system is easy to access, with the clean water tank at the back and the dirty water tank at the front. It’s a thoughtful design that looks and feels like a significant evolution from the mops and vacuums of the past. It gives the impression of a serious piece of cleaning technology, ready to tackle more than just surface dust. You can see its full feature set and user reviews to get a better sense of its design and components.
Key Benefits
- Simultaneously vacuums, washes, and steams, saving immense time
- HydroSteam Technology effectively dissolves tough, sticky, and greasy messes
- Versatile performance on sealed hard floors and low-pile area rugs
- Self-cleaning cycle makes post-use maintenance simple and hygienic
- Two-tank system ensures you’re always cleaning with fresh solution
Potential Drawbacks
- Requires a consistent maintenance routine (emptying tanks, cleaning filter)
- Some users report issues with long-term steam function reliability
- The included cleaning formulas may have scents too strong for sensitive individuals
A Deep Dive into the Performance of the Bissell CrossWave HydroSteam Plus Wet Dry Vac
A machine that promises to do three jobs at once has to be put through its paces. We tested the Bissell CrossWave HydroSteam Plus Wet Dry Vac across a gauntlet of household messes—from the kitchen to the living room to the mudroom—to see if its performance lived up to its ambitious claims. This wasn’t just about cleaning; it was about transforming a process.
The Power of Three: Vacuum, Wash, and Steam in a Single Pass
The core promise of this machine is efficiency, and on this front, it delivers spectacularly. Our first test was a kitchen floor post-breakfast with a toddler: dried cereal bits, a sticky patch of spilled apple juice, and the usual dusting of crumbs. With a traditional method, this would be a multi-tool, 15-minute job. With the Bissell CrossWave HydroSteam Plus Wet Dry Vac, we filled the clean water tank, selected “Hard Floor” mode, and pushed forward. The experience is immediately transformative. As you move, you hear the vacuum pulling up the loose debris while the spinning brush roll visibly scrubs the floor. Holding the trigger releases the cleaning solution, and on the backward pass, the machine suctions up the dirty water.
The result? The entire mess was gone in less than five minutes. The floor wasn’t just clean; it was *sanitized* and almost completely dry to the touch. This echoes the sentiment of one user who was “completely blown away” after using it on floors they thought were already clean. The proof is undeniable when you empty the dirty water tank. Even on a floor that looked clean to the naked eye, the water we poured down the drain was a shocking, murky brown. It’s a satisfying and slightly horrifying validation that this machine is cleaning on a level a mop simply cannot reach. For anyone whose most valuable commodity is time, this feature alone makes it a worthy investment, and you can check the latest price and availability here.
HydroSteam Technology: The Secret Weapon Against Stubborn Messes
While the wash-and-vac function is impressive, the HydroSteam technology is what elevates this model into a class of its own. Bissell claims it offers up to 20% better cleaning on sticky messes, a claim we were eager to test. We let a glob of jam dry onto our tile floor until it was a tacky, stubborn mess. Engaging the Steam on Demand mode, we held the machine over the spot for a few seconds. You can see the steam enveloping the mess, and the effect is almost like watching it melt in real-time. The heat and moisture break down the sugar’s bond with the floor, allowing the brush roll to whisk it away effortlessly on the first pass. No scrubbing on hands and knees, no harsh chemicals needed.
This feature is a godsend for pet owners and parents. As one user with eight birds and a dog noted, it helps deal with the “dried on stuff” that usually requires scraping. The steam not only cleans but also sanitizes surfaces, providing peace of mind in high-traffic areas like kitchens and entryways. While we had a flawless experience, it’s fair to note some user feedback mentioned the steam function failing after several months. This appears to be a potential reliability issue for a minority of units, but under its 3-year warranty, such a problem should be covered. For us, the steam was a powerful and reliable tool that tackled the absolute worst messes we could throw at it.
Navigating Different Surfaces: From Slate Tile to Area Rugs
A true multi-surface cleaner needs to adapt, and the Bissell CrossWave HydroSteam Plus Wet Dry Vac transitions between floor types with the simple press of a button. On our sealed hardwood floors, we were initially cautious about using too much water. However, the trigger system gives you complete control. A quick press releases just enough solution to clean without oversaturating, and a “dry” pass with the trigger released sucks up any excess moisture, leaving the wood safe, clean, and streak-free. On slate and tile, we could be more liberal with the solution to get deep into the grout lines.
Switching to “Area Rug” mode was equally impressive. It’s important to set expectations: this is not a deep-cleaning carpet extractor. It’s designed to refresh and surface-clean low- to medium-pile rugs. We tested it on a runner in our hallway that sees constant foot traffic. The machine pulled up an amazing amount of embedded pet hair and dust that our regular dry vacuum had missed, leaving the rug’s colours visibly brighter and the pile lifted. As one reviewer confirmed, it works great on “thick (but not fluffy/plush) rugs” and leaves them only lightly damp, drying very quickly. The ability to seamlessly move from mopping the kitchen tile to refreshing the living room rug is a level of convenience that’s hard to overstate, truly making it a comprehensive tool for the modern home. You can explore its impressive multi-surface capabilities in more detail online.
The Aftermath: The Surprisingly Simple Self-Cleaning Cycle
The single biggest drawback of many wet-dry cleaners is the cleanup *after* the cleanup. A dirty, wet brush roll can quickly become a source of mildew and foul odours if not properly maintained. This is where Bissell’s self-cleaning cycle proves its worth. After finishing the floors, we simply emptied the dirty water tank, ensured the clean tank had water, placed the machine on its docking tray, and pressed the self-clean button. For about 40 seconds, the machine runs fresh water through its system, powerfully flushing the brush roll and the internal pathways.
When it finished, we removed the brush roll cover and the brush itself to let them air dry. They were impressively clean and free of debris. This automated process drastically simplifies maintenance and ensures the machine is hygienic and ready for its next use. We must agree with users who note it requires “more than a regular” vacuum; you can’t just put it away. You must empty the dirty tank and run the cycle. But this five-minute ritual is a small price to pay for the machine’s incredible performance and for avoiding the gross, manual cleaning required by its competitors.
What Other Users Are Saying
Across the board, the feedback from users often centers on a single moment of revelation: emptying the dirty water tank for the first time. One user, who was a loyal fan of their Norwex mop and believed their floors were clean, was “completely blown away” by the “crazy” amount of dirt the machine pulled from their slate kitchen floors. This sentiment is a common thread, confirming our own findings that the Bissell CrossWave HydroSteam Plus Wet Dry Vac cleans far deeper than appearances suggest. Many, especially those with children and pets, praise it as a “massive time saver” and love the steam function for sanitizing and melting stubborn stains.
However, the experience isn’t universally perfect. A notable piece of negative feedback concerns the included cleaning formulas, which one user with asthma found to have “awful scents.” This highlights the need for Bissell to offer fragrance-free alternatives. More serious concerns revolve around durability, with a few reports of the steam function failing after several months of use or the vacuum suction being inconsistent. While our test unit performed flawlessly, these reports suggest potential quality control issues that prospective buyers should be aware of, balanced against the reassurance of a three-year warranty.
How Does the Bissell CrossWave HydroSteam Plus Wet Dry Vac Compare to the Alternatives?
The Bissell CrossWave HydroSteam Plus Wet Dry Vac occupies a unique space, but it’s important to understand how it stacks up against other specialized cleaners. Depending on your primary needs—be it raw suction, cordless freedom, or a pet-focused budget option—a different machine might be a better fit.
1. Dyson Ball Animal 3 Upright Vacuum
- Includes de-tangling technology that automatically clears wrapped hair from the brush bar as you clean
- Easy to maneuver with cleaning modes for deep carpet, low pile and hard floors
The Dyson Ball Animal 3 is a pure-bred, dry-vacuuming powerhouse. If your home is predominantly carpeted and your biggest challenge is deeply embedded pet hair and debris, this is your champion. Its suction power is legendary, and its de-tangling technology is engineered specifically for homes with pets. However, it offers absolutely no wet cleaning capabilities. The choice between the Dyson and the Bissell comes down to your home’s flooring. For carpet-heavy homes that need the absolute best in dry suction, the Dyson is the specialist. For homes with mostly hard surfaces that require an all-in-one cleaning solution, the Bissell CrossWave HydroSteam Plus Wet Dry Vac offers far more versatility.
2. Bissell CrossWave OmniFind Pet Cordless Hard Floor Cleaner
- EVERY PURCHASE SAVES PETS. BISSELL PROUDLY SUPPORTS BISSELL PET FOUNDATION AND ITS MISSION TO HELP SAVE HOMELESS PETS.
- POWERFULLY FIND & CAPTURE PET HAIR AND MESSES.
This is Bissell’s cordless answer to quick, everyday messes. The CrossWave OmniFind offers the same vacuum-and-wash functionality as its larger sibling but untethers you from the wall. This freedom makes it incredibly convenient for spot cleaning, navigating tight spaces, or cleaning smaller homes. The trade-offs, however, are significant. It lacks the HydroSteam technology, has smaller water tanks requiring more frequent refills, and is limited by battery life. The OmniFind is the perfect secondary tool for quick cleanups, while the HydroSteam Plus is the primary, deep-cleaning machine for weekly, whole-house floor maintenance.
3. Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Turbo Rewind Vacuum Tangle-Free Brush Roll
- Powerful pet hair pickup in a lightweight and agile design; tangle-free brush roll eliminates annoying hair wrap.
- Hands-free empty with cyclonic pet hair spooling system means you no longer have to touch the yuck
For the budget-conscious pet owner who primarily needs a great dry vacuum, the Pet Hair Eraser Turbo is an exceptional value. It focuses on doing one job and doing it well: sucking up pet hair from carpets and hard floors. Features like the tangle-free brush roll and automatic cord rewind add a layer of convenience not always found at this price point. It competes with the CrossWave HydroSteam on pet hair removal but, like the Dyson, does not offer any mopping or washing functions. If your budget is tight and your main problem is fur, this is a fantastic choice. If you want to eliminate the mop and bucket, you’ll need the all-in-one capabilities of the HydroSteam.
Our Final Verdict: Is the Bissell CrossWave HydroSteam Plus Wet Dry Vac Worth It?
After extensive testing and analysis, our conclusion is clear: the Bissell CrossWave HydroSteam Plus Wet Dry Vac is a revolutionary tool for the right home. It’s not just a vacuum; it’s a complete floor care system that genuinely replaces three separate cleaning tools, saving you an incredible amount of time and effort. Its ability to vacuum, wash, and steam in a single pass delivers a level of clean that a traditional mop and bucket simply cannot match. The HydroSteam function is a true game-changer for sticky, sanitized messes, and the self-cleaning cycle brilliantly solves the biggest maintenance headache of similar machines.
It’s best suited for homes with predominantly sealed hard floors and low-pile area rugs, particularly those with the daily challenges of kids and pets. While the cord can feel restrictive and the ongoing maintenance is a commitment, these are small trade-offs for the performance it delivers. It is an investment, but it’s one that pays dividends every time you clean your floors in a fraction of the time and see the shockingly dirty water you’ve removed. It doesn’t just clean your floors; it changes your relationship with the chore itself.
Last update on 2025-11-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API