Bissell PowerClean FurFinder Review
Our Verdict
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Bissell PowerClean FurFinder | |||||
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| Awards |  Best Buy for Small Spaces | Best on a Budget | | ||
| Price | $260 List Check Price at Amazon | $350 List Check Amazon (on sale!) | $250 List Check Amazon (on sale!) | $210 List Check Amazon (on sale!) | $130 List Check Amazon (on sale!) |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | This simple vacuum is a solid cleaner, just don't expect much on shag carpet | It keeps your home clean as a premium vacuum does, but it struggles on hair and shag rugs | You won't get the best results on carpet, but your hardwood will look great | This vacuum delivers an impressive clean for a budget-friendly model, holding its own against competitors that cost two or even three times more | An affordable stick vacuum that's lightweight but middling on performance |
| Rating Categories | Bissell PowerClean F... | Levoit LVAC-300 | Tineco Pure ONE S20 | Smoture VAC01 | Eureka ReactiClean 410 |
| Carpet Performance (30%) | |||||
| Hardwood Performance (25%) | |||||
| Pet Hair (20%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (10%) | |||||
| Filtration (10%) | |||||
| Battery (5%) | |||||
| Specifications | Bissell PowerClean F... | Levoit LVAC-300 | Tineco Pure ONE S20 | Smoture VAC01 | Eureka ReactiClean 410 |
| Max Mode Runtime | 13 min | 16 min | 13 min | 14 min | 16 min |
| Low Mode Runtime | 46 min | 57 min | 50 min | 43 min | 24 min |
| Storage | Wall mount Standalone |
Wall mount Standalone |
Wall mount | Standalone | Wall mount |
| Handheld Weight | 3.5 lbs | 3.5 lbs | 3.5 lbs | 3.5 lbs | 3.7 lbs |
| Suction | 448 Pa | 448 Pa | 174 Pa | 249 Pa | 224 Pa |
| Low Pile Cleaned | 92% | 91% | 87% | 87% | 78% |
| High Pile Cleaned | 49% | 49% | 49% | 42% | 37% |
| Hardwood Cleaned | 95% | 97% | 97% | 85% | 96% |
| Pet Hair Cleaned | 58% | 66% | 62% | 54% | 39% |
| Charge Time | 3.4 hrs | 4.5 hrs | 3.5 hrs | 4.1 hrs | 4.8 hrs |
| Dustbin Capacity | 0.4 L | 0.8 L | 0.4 L | 1.5 L | 0.5 L |
| Noise Level | 73 dBA | 77 dBA | 75 dBA | 80 dBA | 73 dBA |
| Trigger | No | No | No | No | No |
| Variable Suction Control | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Model Number | 4052 | LVAC-300 | Pure ONE S20 | VAC01 | NEC410 |
Our Bissell PowerClean FurFinder Experience
After testing the former version of this vacuum, we weren't expecting much. Our jaws dropped when we ran it through its first test. This can best be summed up by our tester: “Wow, this vacuum did so much better than prior versions! It didn't crap out, get clogged, and it left the carpet relatively clean!” On hardwood, the results got even better.
This is one of the better performances we have seen from Bissell vacuums of all types. We loved the motorized brush tool that made stairs much easier. However, it did struggle with pet hair, specifically on shag carpets.
Emptying this vacuum was our least favorite part. It is “icky and tricky” in our tester's words. There is no quick-release feature. Instead, you must pull out the center filtration pod to empty its contents. We didn't love grabbing the dusty pod and much preferred the quick-release features most others have.
Our Analysis and Test Results
Carpet
During our testing rounds, the PowerClean FurFinder picked up 92% of our mess scattered on low-pile carpet. It left behind some sand and a few pieces of rice, but overall it left our carpets looking clean.
On shag, high-pile carpet, it cleaned roughly half of the debris spilled. Most vacuums struggle with shag, and sticks have an even harder time. So, these results weren't too shocking, especially for the price. With more passes we were able to clean up more of the mess. That said, if you have a lot of shag in your home, it is probably best to skip on this one.
Hardwood Performance
The FurFinder cleaned even more on hardwood, picking up 95% of the mess. It snowplowed some larger debris when pulling back, but eventually gobbled it all up with some extra time. We were thrilled that the vacuum didn't spray sand or rice, nor did it get clogged like the previous model.
Baseboards and edges were also left clean, regardless of whether we approached head-on or moved parallel. Larger debris, like cereal, was snowplowed along some edges, but not much.
Pet Hair
While the FurFinder might be good at finding fur, it isn't good at picking it up. On low-pile carpet, it picked up 75% of the hair. On high-pile, we only captured 42%. Most of the larger clumps were pulled into the vacuum, but lighter clumps were left behind. Given more time, we were able to capture more, but it wasn't significant.
Longer hair also got wrapped around the brushroll. The brushroll has a quick-release feature that makes it easy to clean. Still, we would rather not have to stop and set it free. Plus, the quick-release feature can get stiff with sand and dirt.
Ease of Use
The PowerClean is decently maneuverable. It hopped between surfaces with little fuss, only needing an extra push from hardwood to a rug. It is reasonably lightweight and easy to push, though it can be difficult to push around corners due to the strong suction.
We love the standing feature of this vacuum. You can leave it upright, and it will stay, meaning you don't have to find a wall to rest it on (where it will probably topple over). We love this feature for storing in coat closets too. It has a bright light to guide the way, though not as nice as the dust-illuminating lasers seen on more premium picks.
Updated from the previous version, it now includes a motorized tool. This did well at cleaning up coffee grounds from our upholstery, and it makes cleaning stairs much easier. Included is also a combo dusting brush/crevice tool.
Filtration
The FurFinder did well in our filtration tests. It successfully locked in fine particles (2.5-0.5 µm), which is ideal for allergy sufferers. It is equipped with a HEPA sealed allergen system.
| Bissell PowerClean FurFinder | |
|---|---|
| Small Particle Count | 46 |
| HEPA Filter | |
| Dylos Air Quality Designation | Excellent |
Battery
On the highest setting, the Bissell lasted just 13 minutes. On low, it cleaned for 46 minutes. A simple light bar indicator lets you know how much battery you have left.
We were able to get most of our household cleaning done in this window, but it is only about average compared to others in our lineup. If you have a smaller home, this shouldn't be a problem. Though if you often have large clean up tasks, you might find yourself waiting for a charge.
—Becca Glades and Rachael Lamore
