There’s a unique kind of frustration that comes with housework that never feels truly finished. For years, I was in a constant battle with our floors. We have a mix of thick area rugs and hardwood, a long-haired cat that leaves tumbleweeds of fur in her wake, and the general dust and debris of daily life. I would vacuum religiously with our old, heavy canister vacuum, lugging it up and down the stairs, wrestling with the hose, and feeling like I’d done a thorough job. Yet, a day later, the dust bunnies would reappear, and my allergy-prone partner would still be sneezing. It felt like I was just skimming the surface, pushing dirt around rather than actually removing it. The real problem wasn’t just the visible mess; it was the deep-seated, invisible grime—the dust mites, dander, and allergens ground deep into the carpet fibers—that my old machine simply couldn’t touch. This is the challenge that sends so many of us on a quest for a better solution: a vacuum that’s not just powerful, but smart, lightweight, and capable of a truly deep clean.
- SCATTER-FREE TECHNOLOGY. Captures messes on hard floors with less scatter.
- POWERFUL SUCTION. Convenient, powerful cleaning in one machine.
What to Consider Before Buying an Upright Vacuum Cleaner
An Upright Vacuum Cleaner is more than just a cleaning appliance; it’s a key solution for maintaining a healthy, comfortable, and allergen-free home environment. Its primary benefit lies in its design, which combines the motor, suction head, and dirt container into a single, easy-to-maneuver unit. This configuration is exceptionally effective at agitating and lifting deeply embedded dirt from carpet fibers, something canister or robotic vacuums often struggle with. For homes with significant carpeted areas, pets that shed, or family members with allergies, the deep-cleaning power of a quality upright is indispensable. They provide a satisfying, one-pass clean that visibly restores carpet pile and removes an astonishing amount of hidden debris, improving both the look of your floors and the quality of the air you breathe.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the daily challenge of pet hair, high-traffic carpeted areas, or a need for a powerful, all-in-one cleaning tool for a multi-surface home. Families with kids, pet owners, and those living in larger homes will find the robust performance of an upright invaluable. Conversely, it might not be the best fit for those living in very small apartments with minimal storage space and exclusively hard floors, where a compact stick vacuum might suffice. Similarly, individuals with severe mobility issues might find even a lightweight upright more challenging to handle than a featherlight cordless model, though modern designs like the Bissell CleanView Compact Upright Vacuum are closing that gap significantly.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Space: Consider the vacuum’s physical footprint. A compact, lightweight model is easier to navigate around furniture, carry between floors, and store in a crowded closet. Check the dimensions (L x W x H) to ensure it will fit comfortably in your designated storage space without becoming an obstacle. Weight is a major factor; a machine under 10 pounds is dramatically easier to handle than a 15-20 pound behemoth.
- Capacity/Performance: Suction power is paramount, but look beyond raw motor amperage. Features like cyclonic separation systems maintain suction as the bin fills. The dustbin capacity determines how often you have to stop to empty it, with larger bins being more convenient for bigger homes. Also, consider the cleaning path width—a wider head covers more ground faster, but a narrower one is better for tight spaces.
- Materials & Durability: Most modern vacuums are constructed from durable ABS plastics to keep them lightweight. However, pay attention to the quality of the build, especially at stress points like the handle, wheels, and pivot joints. While a plastic body is standard, components like a metal brush roll wand can be an indicator of longer-term durability. Check user feedback for any recurring issues with specific parts breaking.
- Ease of Use & Maintenance: A great vacuum shouldn’t be a chore to use or maintain. Look for features like swivel steering for maneuverability, a long power cord (23-30 feet is a good range) to minimize outlet-swapping, and a simple, hygienic system for emptying the dustbin. Washable filters are a huge plus, saving you money on replacements and ensuring the vacuum maintains peak performance over its lifespan.
While the Bissell CleanView Compact Upright Vacuum 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.
First Impressions: Deceptively Light, Impressively Built
Upon unboxing the Bissell CleanView Compact Upright Vacuum, the first thing that struck me was its weight, or rather, the lack of it. At under 8 pounds, it felt almost toy-like compared to the cumbersome vacuums I’ve tested in the past. Assembly was a breeze, taking less than ten minutes and requiring just a couple of clicks to snap the handle and wand into place—no tools needed. The vibrant red and black plastic construction feels solid and well-engineered for its price point. While it doesn’t have the premium heft of a Dyson, it certainly doesn’t feel flimsy. The controls are intuitive: a simple push button for power and a foot pedal to recline the handle. Everything is exactly where you expect it to be. The clear dirt container is a nice touch, offering a preview of the cleaning power that was about to be unleashed. For a machine so compact and affordable, the initial build quality and thoughtful design were genuinely impressive and hinted at performance that would punch well above its weight class. You can explore its full design and feature set to see for yourself.
What We Like
- Astonishingly powerful suction that removes deep-set dirt and pet hair
- Extremely lightweight and maneuverable, making cleaning less of a chore
- Excellent performance on carpets and area rugs
- Simple, tool-free assembly and easy-to-empty dustbin
What We Didn’t Like
- Cord length is adequate but could be longer for larger spaces
- Some user reports raise concerns about the long-term durability of the plastic pivot joint
Performance Deep Dive: A Closer Look at the CleanView Compact
A vacuum’s true worth is proven not on the spec sheet, but on the floor. It’s in the moments after the first pass when you look into the dustbin and question everything you thought you knew about your home’s cleanliness. The Bissell CleanView Compact Upright Vacuum delivered one of these moments after another during our extensive testing. We pushed it across different floor types, challenged it with pet hair, and analyzed every aspect of its design and functionality. This isn’t just a vacuum; for many, it’s a revelation in a lightweight, affordable package.
Unbelievable Suction Power: What Your Old Vacuum Leaves Behind
Let’s be blunt: the suction on this machine is shocking. It’s the single most commented-on feature by users, and our experience confirmed it entirely. To put it to the ultimate test, I did what many other new owners have done: I vacuumed my living room rug with my old, supposedly reliable vacuum until it picked up nothing more. Then, I went over the exact same “clean” area with the Bissell CleanView Compact. The result was genuinely horrifying and immensely satisfying. After just a few passes, the clear dirt canister was nearly a third full of fine dust, pet dander, and an obscene amount of cat hair that my previous machine had completely missed. It was a visual testament to the dirt that had been ground into the carpet fibers for months, or even years.
This “voodoo”-like performance, as one user aptly described it, comes from Bissell’s well-engineered cyclonic system combined with a powerful rotating brush. The brush roll actively agitates carpet pile, lifting and loosening embedded particles that other vacuums simply skim over. The powerful, consistent suction then pulls that debris directly into the bin. We found this especially effective on medium-pile carpets and area rugs, where it seems to grab onto and extract pet hair with incredible efficiency. As one user with two long-haired cats noted, it was the first vacuum that made their carpets look like new again. This deep-cleaning ability isn’t just about aesthetics; by removing a massive amount of allergens, it can tangibly improve a home’s air quality. It’s the kind of performance that makes you want to show off the contents of the dustbin, as disgusting as it is. If you’re tired of a surface-level clean, you need to see the incredible results this vacuum can deliver.
Featherlight Champion: Maneuverability and Compact Design
Vacuuming is often dreaded because it feels like a workout. Pushing and pulling a heavy, clumsy machine around is exhausting. This is where the Bissell CleanView Compact Upright Vacuum completely changes the game. Weighing less than 8 pounds (3.4 kg), it feels more like a robust stick vacuum than a traditional upright. Carrying it up a flight of stairs is a one-handed job, not a precarious balancing act. This lightweight design fundamentally changes the user experience, turning a laborious chore into a quick and easy task.
The maneuverability is further enhanced by its swivel steering. The head pivots smoothly and intuitively around furniture legs, under coffee tables, and along baseboards. We found it could navigate tight spaces in our condo with an ease that our old, rigid vacuum could never match. This agility means less time spent moving furniture and more efficient cleaning. As one user happily stated, “it makes vacuuming fun.” While that might be a stretch for some, there’s no denying that its ease of use removes the physical barrier that makes people put off cleaning. Its compact form factor also means it takes up very little space in a closet, a crucial benefit for those in apartments or homes with limited storage. The combination of its light weight and nimble steering makes it an accessible and highly effective tool for just about anyone.
Multi-Surface Mastery: From Deep Pile to Hardwood Floors
While the Bissell CleanView Compact Upright Vacuum truly shines on carpets, it’s designed to handle a variety of floor types. The key here is Bissell’s “Scatter-Free Technology,” which is engineered to capture debris on hard surfaces without flicking it across the room. During our tests on laminate and tile floors, we found it did a respectable job picking up larger crumbs, cat litter, and visible dust. The bristles on the brush roll are designed to be gentle enough for hard floors while still being effective. For general, everyday messes on hard surfaces, it performs adequately.
However, it’s important to set realistic expectations. While the scatter-free feature works, some fine dust can sometimes be pushed around by the brush’s exhaust. One user noted it was less effective on their wooden floors compared to its stellar performance on rugs. Our assessment aligns with this: it is a carpet-first machine that can competently handle hard floors, but it may not replace a dedicated hard floor cleaner for those who need pristine, dust-free surfaces. The adjustable height feature on the brush roll helps, allowing you to optimize it for different carpet piles, but its true power is most evident when it can dig into fibers. For homes that are predominantly carpeted with some hard floor areas, its versatility is a major asset, offering a single-machine solution for the whole house. For the price, its multi-surface capability is a fantastic value.
What Other Users Are Saying
The online consensus for the Bissell CleanView Compact Upright Vacuum is overwhelmingly positive, with users frequently expressing a sense of shock and satisfaction. The recurring theme is the “before-and-after” test, where owners vacuum with their old machine first, only to be floored by how much more the Bissell picks up immediately afterward. One user declared it “the best investment I have ever made,” sharing a photo of a dustbin packed with gunk and noting the air in their home felt brighter. Another, who had just moved into a condo with carpets from previous owners, was “truly amazing how much it picked up” and praised how it put their old Hoover to shame.
The praise isn’t limited to its power. Many find its lightweight design and easy maneuverability to be a “game-changer.” Pet owners, in particular, are among its biggest fans, with one reviewer who has two heavily shedding dogs stating, “I’ve tried EVERYTHING… I used this vacuum and the carpet looks like new!”
However, no product is perfect. The most significant piece of critical feedback comes from a user who experienced a structural failure after four months, where the plastic ball joint connecting the base to the canister broke. This raises a valid concern about the long-term durability of its plastic components under stress. Another minor complaint mentioned is the 23-foot cord, which, while decent, is shorter than some competitor models and lacks an auto-rewind feature. These critiques provide an important, balanced perspective on a product that otherwise receives near-universal acclaim for its performance.
How Does the Bissell CleanView Compact Upright Vacuum Compare to Alternatives?
The market for upright vacuums is crowded, but the Bissell CleanView Compact Upright Vacuum carves out a strong niche with its focus on lightweight power. To understand its place, it’s essential to compare it to other popular models that buyers might be considering. Each alternative offers a different set of features and is tailored to a slightly different user.
1. Shark Rotator NV501 Lift-Away
- Powerful upright vacuum with Lift-Away pod for convenient cleaning of stairs and above-floor areas.
- Anti-Allergen Complete Seal Technology + HEPA
The Shark Rotator NV501 is a direct competitor but operates on a different philosophy of versatility. Its signature feature is the “Lift-Away” technology, which allows you to detach the canister from the main body, turning it into a portable handheld vacuum. This is incredibly useful for cleaning stairs, upholstery, and car interiors. It also features a sealed system with HEPA filtration, making it a superior choice for those with severe allergies. However, it is significantly heavier and bulkier than the Bissell, and typically comes at a higher price point. If you need maximum versatility and advanced filtration and don’t mind the extra weight and cost, the Shark NV501 is a formidable alternative.
2. Shark Rotator LA502 Lift-Away Vacuum
- DUOCLEAN POWERFINS: A PowerFins brushroll and a soft roller combine on all floors. Continuous cleaning contact to dig deep into carpets, directly engage floors, and pick up more in every pass. (vs....
- SELF-CLEANING BRUSHROLL: for powerful pet hair pickup with no hair wrap.
Building on the NV501’s foundation, the Shark Rotator LA502 adds DuoClean PowerFins to the mix. This technology incorporates two brush rolls in one head—a soft roller for pulling in large debris and polishing hard floors, and a finned brush roll for deep-cleaning carpets. This makes it an even better performer on mixed flooring types than the Bissell or the older Shark model. Like the NV501, it also has the Lift-Away feature and HEPA filtration. The trade-off remains the same: it is a heavier, more complex, and more expensive machine. The LA502 is the choice for a user who wants premium, tech-forward features for all floor types and is willing to pay for them.
3. Bissell PowerGlide Pet Corded Vacuum 3070
- EVERY PURCHASE SAVES PETS. BISSELL proudly supports BISSELL Pet Foundation and its mission to help save homeless pets.
- LIGHTWEIGHT WITH POWERFUL SUCTION. Weighs less than 10 pounds, and picks up pet hair with strength and agility.
Staying within the Bissell family, the PowerGlide Pet Slim 3070 offers a different take on a lightweight vacuum. It’s designed as a stick vacuum, making it even slimmer and more adept at getting under low furniture. It features a tangle-free brush roll, which is a significant advantage for homes with long-haired pets or family members, as it minimizes the frustrating task of cutting hair off the brush. While it’s also lightweight and powerful, its dustbin is smaller, and its overall design is less traditional than the CleanView Compact. This model is a better choice for someone who prioritizes a slim stick form factor and the tangle-free brush roll above all else.
Final Verdict: Should You Buy the Bissell CleanView Compact Upright Vacuum?
After extensive testing and analysis, our verdict is clear: the Bissell CleanView Compact Upright Vacuum is an absolute powerhouse for its price category. It delivers a deep-cleaning performance on carpets that rivals, and in many documented cases, surpasses that of vacuums costing two or three times as much. Its primary strength lies in its shocking suction power, which extracts an incredible amount of embedded dirt, dust, and pet hair that other machines leave behind. This raw performance, combined with its extremely lightweight and maneuverable design, makes it a joy to use rather than a chore.
While we acknowledge potential long-term durability concerns with its plastic construction and wish the cord were a few feet longer, these are minor trade-offs for the incredible value it provides. We wholeheartedly recommend this vacuum to anyone living in a home with carpets or area rugs, especially pet owners or families who need a deep clean without breaking the bank or their back. It redefines what a budget-friendly vacuum can achieve. If you’re ready to be both horrified and thrilled by what’s hiding in your carpets, check the latest price and availability on this exceptional machine today.
Last update on 2025-11-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API