Bissell CrossWave Reviews
Using a multi-surface brush roller and a matching cleaning formula, the Bissell CrossWave promises to mop your floors and vacuum your area rugs in one device.
About Bissell CrossWave
You want clean, sparkling floors, but that trusty mop of yours is probably teeming with bacteria. And who wants to spread that nastiness all over their house?
On top of this, you need a completely separate vacuum if you want clean, fresh-smelling carpets as well. Or do you?
The Bissell CrossWave is an all-in-one multi-surface cleaner that promises to wash hard surfaces, clean and freshen rug areas, and vacuum in “one easy step.”
To accomplish this, we’re told the CrossWave uses a dual-action brush roll and a special multi-surface cleaning solution that removes debris, spills, and sticky messes as it goes—without having to sweep or clean beforehand.
And while you’re cleaning, the company tells us you simply need to touch a button on the handle to “seamlessly switch from cleaning hard floors to vacuuming and washing your area rugs.” All the while its two-tank technology keeps clean and dirty water separated.
After taking a look a Bissell’s website, it seems reasonable to believe that the CrossWave might clean better than a sponge mop and bucket, and in less time.
But will it really deliver an “unbelievable” clean? Is it really a groundbreaking cleaning device? These are just two of the important questions we’ll help you answer in this review.
How Does the Bissell CrossWave Work?
Intended for use only on sealed hardwood, other sealed surfaces, and area rugs, the Bissell CrossWave weighs about 11 pounds, uses 4.4 amps of power, and features a 25-foot cord (no automatic rewind).
We’re told that CrossWave’s two-tank technology ensures you’re only using fresh, clean water (about 28oz), while the dirty water (up to 14.5oz) remains separated in its own tank.
Inside the clean water tank, you’ll also be able to add Bissell’s spring breeze scented Multi-Surface Cleaning Formula, which the company claims—when combined with the Dual-Action Multi-Surface Brush Roll—can help deliver an “unbelievable” clean to your sealed hard floors, tile, laminate and area rugs.
The Bissell CrossWave. Image credit Bissell.com
How? The company tells us the Multi-Surface Brush Roll rotates at 3,000 RPM, with microfibers and nylon bristles that gently scrub and sweep up dust simultaneously.
Then, its powerful suction pulls away cleaning solution as it’s working, so you won’t have to worry about moisture soaking through the back of your area rugs.
From a control perspective, Bissell notes that the SmartClean Fingertip buttons on its handle allow you to quickly and easily switch between hard floor and area rug cleaning, while the swivel steering helps you maneuver across your floors.
When you’re finished, you simply need to place CrossWave in its Easy-Clean storage tray. This allows you to cleanse the roll and chamber by filling with water and turning the machine on.
If necessary, you can access the easy-to-remove brush window and removable brush roll for convenient cleaning as well.
For a quick overview of how the Bissell CrossWave works, take a look at Bissell’s short video below:
Finally, Bissell manufactures other rollers and cleaning solutions as well, depending on the surface you’re looking to clean with your CrossWave. These include:
- Soft Touch Wood Floor Roll for gently cleaning delicate wood floors
- Wood Floor Cleaning Formula that “reveals your floor’s natural shine”
- DirtLifter Area Rug Roll that removes embedded dirt
- Area Rug Cleaning Formula that cleans and freshens
How much will you pay for these cleaning capabilities?
How Much Does the Bissell CrossWave Cost?
If purchased directly through Bissell, the CrossWave is priced at five payments of $49.99, or one payment of $249.95, plus free shipping.
This will include the Dual-Action Multi-Surface Brush Roll, Multi-Surface Floor Cleaning Formula, Easy-Clean Storage Tray, and a 2-year limited warranty against defective or malfunctioning parts.
However, Bissell was running a special TV offer at the time of our research that added the Wood Floor Cleaning Kit and Rug Cleaning Kit and increased the warranty to four years.
Additional Bissell CrossWave accessories could be purchased for:
- CrossWave Filter: $9.99
- MultiSurface Floor Cleaning Formula (32oz): $9.99
- Wood Floor Formula: $9.99
- Area Rug Formula: $9.99
- Brush Rolls: $9.99
Outside of the company, we also found the CrossWave for sale at Amazon, Target, HSN.com, Walmart, Bed Bath & Beyond, and several other third-party retailers.
Based on what we’ve discussed so far, are customers pleased with their CrossWave’s performance?
What Are Customer Reviews Saying About the Bissell CrossWave?
On Bissell’s website, there were 23 customer reviews who gave the CrossWave an average rating of 5 stars. There, common compliments referenced quick, effective cleaning; ease of use, and overall quality.
There weren’t any complaints listed on Bissell’s website, but is this what customers are saying elsewhere?
38 customers provided feedback about the Bissell CrossWave on Amazon, where the floor cleaner had a 4.6-star average rating. Many of the compliments mirrored those found on Bissell’s website.
On the other hand, common complaints seemed to reference that:
- It takes more time than you think (and might not provide any time savings when compared to more traditional mops),
- Its softer rollers don’t clean as effectively as some other wet-dry vac models (more about this next), and
- It goes through a lot of cleaning formula very quickly.
Finally, on HSN, 5 CrossWave customers provided their feedback, giving the device a lower average rating of 3.6 stars. Both complaints claimed that their CrossWave didn’t perform as well as expected—or at least not as well as some of the competition.
Speaking of which, is there anything else out there like the Bissell CrossWave?
Bissell CrossWave vs. the Competition
When it comes to vacuums, you’ll find dozens of options that can clean everything from deep pile carpet to laminate flooring.
However, if you’re looking to combine ‘mop’ functionality with traditional vacuuming capabilities, then these options will be reduced by quite a bit.
This is because there are very few models that can address both rugs and sealed floors—and even then, you’ll find some big differences in functionality. As a couple quick examples:
- At $130, the Hoover FloorMate Deluxe can wash, scrub, and dry your sealed hardwood floors, but it can’t clean rugs.
- The Bissell Symphony, which costs $200, vacuums and steam mops, but doesn’t use a roller to pick up stuck-on dirt and debris.
In fact, outside of these competitors, you don’t have many other choices; at least not without bumping up to full-blown commercial models, which will cost you (at minimum) hundreds more and will likely be much heavier and bulkier.
Does this mean that the Bissell CrossWave is right for you?
Is The Bissell CrossWave Your Next All-In-One Vacuum?
As we outline in our Vacuum Cleaner Buyer’s Guide, purchasing a vacuum is a highly personal process, based on factors like the type of home you live in, your budget, acceptable noise levels, power needs, available attachments, and so forth.
As a result, only you can know whether or not the Bissell CrossWave will suit your lifestyle. However, based on everything we’ve learned here, there are a couple things we think are important to point out before leaving the decision up to you:
Will the CrossWave Work With Your Floors?
There seems to be a little confusion as to exactly which floors the CrossWave is suitable for.
On the Bissell website, the company mentions that it can also be used on laminate flooring, although this generally isn’t considered a “sealed” floor type. As such, we’d recommend contacting your laminate flooring manufacturer before making any purchases.
Also, are you planning to use the CrossWave on your standard carpets (i.e. not just area rugs)? If so, the company claims it’ll do the job, but they allude that other Bissell models might better meet this need:
“You can use it on wall-to-wall carpet, but for the best clean on carpet, we recommend considering BISSELL® Revolution™ Deep Cleaner.
While this product is made to clean area rugs, it is always recommended to check the manufacturer's tag before cleaning area rugs for any specialized cleaning instructions.”
What’s With Bissell’s Cleaning Formulas?
What’s not made clear on Bissell’s website is the meaningful differences between each of their specialized cleaning surfaces.
In other words, would you be able to use the wood cleaning formula on rugs, and vice versa? If not, would you have to change the tank every time you wanted to clean a different area in your home?
Further, since there’s already a dual-purpose cleaner, why would you purchase the wood or rug-specific cleaners in the first place?
Speaking of which, more than one online customer noted that the CrossWave goes through the water in its tank quickly, which means you might be purchasing more refills than expected.
Or, can you use a third-party cleaner? Perhaps ones that are available locally to save on S&H charges? We’re not told.
Our Bissell Customer Service Experience
To learn more, we contacted Bissell’s customer service department at 800-237-7691 and spoke with a very pleasant representative.
They told us that the company recommends using only Bissell’s cleaning formulas in the CrossWave.
In addition, they clarified that the Multisurface formula handles many different surfaces (e.g. wood, tile, stained concrete, etc.), while the wood and area rug formulas are surface-specific.
The representative also let us know that if you’re cleaning your area rugs using the Area Rug formula (for example) and wanted to switch to cleaning your wood floors, you’d need to drain the tank, clean the CrossWave, add the Wood formula, and then start cleaning from there.
Let’s carry this thought over the next section.
How Convenient Is the Bissell CrossWave?
We talked a little about convenience in the previous section, but to add to the conversation, keep in mind that you’ll have to clean the tank, hand wash the filter, and wipe down the area where the dirty water tank sits after each use.
As a result, depending on the size of the area and the number of flooring types you’re cleaning, it might take you equally as long to clean your machine as it does to clean all the floors in your home.
What did you think of the Bissell CrossWave? Did it deliver an unparalleled clean? Did it provide a solid value? Give us all the details by writing a review below!
Now Read: Super Simple, Natural, & Cheap Cleaning Solutions Already In Your Kitchen
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No good with cat litter
Do not purchase this machine if you use clumping cat litter. This machine does not vacuum up the litter, it turns it into mush and spreads it all over your floors. The litter cakes up into the crevices on the bottom of the machine. And I contacted Bissell customer service and they do not refund money. I would have to take it back to the store. I had to redo my entire house after using this with a handheld mop that did a much better job. I was hugely disappointed. I was on the fence about buying this and I should have never bought it.
Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend
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1 out 1 people found this review helpful
Impressed!
I just got the cleaner today. I have the newer purple version. I have two chihuahua's, the one with short hair sheds like crazy. Daily I have been Swiffering and mopping. I thought I was doing a good job, until I cleaned with this Bissell! It makes me wonder, what have I been living and walking on all these months?
The water was filthy, and the amount of hair it picked up was quite a surprise. It was disgusting and amazing at the same time! My house smells great, and I can SEE by the dirty water, it's cleaner. I did not purchase this to "save time" as other reviews complain. I purchased it for a better clean.
Yes, you have to clean the unit. I am sure that after a few times, it will only take me a few minutes. A small price to pay for not having to sweep, then mop and the bonus is I can clean the rugs. I have already ordered more of the multi-purpose with Febreze. I'll be searching for something more cost effective, but for the meantime, I'll invest in the genuine product by Bissell.
So far...so good!
Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
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1 out 2 people found this review helpful
Terrible product
IT leaves dirty water and streaks all over the floor. After using an entire tank of clean water on my house, the vacuum only sucked up maybe 15% in the dirty water tank. I called Bissell, assuming something was wrong with my unit, and they sent me a new one. The new one did the exact same thing. I’m certain all the great reviews you see online are paid and fake or people aren’t really looking at the amount of water the unit doesn’t suck up.
Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend
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4 out 4 people found this review helpful
Wish I would not of wasted my money
I was very excited when I saw the CrossWave on television. I thought it was the answer to a prayer. I couldn’t wait to purchase one. The first two weeks I had it I wasn’t sure if I liked it or not, I noticed streaking right away, so I read the manual again and went online at Bissell.com, but the streaks continued. Now I have to stop halfway through cleaning my floors because the suction is not strong enough to pull the dust and pet hair up into the cup and when I mop it puts dirt water back onto my floor. This is the worst purchase I have ever made. I will go back to my broom and mop.
Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend
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4 out 4 people found this review helpful
It's hard to review a product that came out of the box broken
Not only was the vacuum delivered late, it arrived broken. I called customer service and their solution was to have me bring it to a certified company to get fixed. Why should I have to fix a vacuum that was brand new out of the box?
I asked for a refund, and I would just go buy me another vacuum, and I was told it would take four weeks for a refund!
Their solution was they would send me a new vacuum after I provided pictures of me cutting the cord to the vacuum and a pic of the serial number. Once I receive the new vacuum, I was told to trash this one. I find that an odd way to prove the vacuum is broken and not very good for the environment.
Once the pics were received, I was told it could be up to six more business days to get a replacement. I did not back down until I got express shipping as the first vacuum was already delivered late and now I will be going longer without a vacuum.
I hope to receive my replacement soon; however, I don't have high hopes for the vacuum or Bissell. I am without a vacuum for another few days. I would have been better off going somewhere else.
I thought purchasing directly from the manufacturer would be a better experience; however, I am still vacuum-less, holding on to a $300 worthless piece of plastic, and the only compensation received was an apology read from a script and had to fight for express shipping.
Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend
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2 out 2 people found this review helpful
The jury's still out!
I'm in my second month of using the Bissell CrossWave. I hesitate to use it too often because of all the cleanup of the unit itself after using it! It vacuums okay, but I expected more thorough picking up from a Bissell. I've always liked Bissell products for that reason. My floors nor area rugs look much different after cleaning and shampooing them. I'm just going to continue using for it awhile, to see if maybe it's something I'm doing wrong in operating the CrossWave.
Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend
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3 out 3 people found this review helpful
Second replacement CrossWave in less than 12 months
Today I called in my SECOND warranty failure on my $300 CrossWave.
I purchased it in August 2017 and the first one failed in February 2018, less than 6 months after receiving it. The water fails to disperse through the two small nozzles
I called for service information and was told to take a paperclip open and poke into the two water tubes at the base of the unit, nope didn't work. So, the instructions are to "cut the power cord" from the device and they will email me a return label for the electric cord, and once received, they will send me a replacement.
Two weeks later the replacement arrived and it worked, I use it more for vacuuming, but the floors (hardwood and tile) are cleaned two a month or as needed.
This afternoon the replacement fails, same problem, and I call into the service department. Same thing, paperclip and try and dislodge anything preventing the water from coming out. Nothing.
As a NEW approach, I was instructed to "remove and reset the handle itself," I did so, and water came out only "once" than nothing, again.
Same instructions, waiting for a return email, so I can cut off the power cord for return. I also made a point that my record was to reflect this is the last one, and if I have a third failure within one year I'm expecting a full refund.
Since this is the second one, I asked for a similar Bissell apparatus to mimic cleaning the floors, and was advised "same for same."
This will be the second one headed for the trash bin when replaced; good advertising, or neighbors think I'm rich.
OH! One final comment - these are disposable units, you can NOT take them into an authorized Bissell repair facility, they won't touch it.
It did an initial good job when first received, I liked the simplicity of the two in one idea. However, I am expecting reliability for $300 and I "ain't" getting it.
Lesson learned for "a trusted name." I gave this two stars; the vacuum works, but that's NOT what I purchased it for.
I will give the people in the call center five stars; very good and informative, helpful, and explained everything clearly. Great job.
Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend
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1 out 1 people found this review helpful
By far the best mop/vacuum
Ok, here it goes. I can no longer bend because of my back problem. My husband, the greatest husband on this earth, went out and brought me a Bissell CrossWave. OMG, this does exactly what it claims it will do. My floors come out so clean you can eat off them. I have always told my kids "if you want a good vacuum, buy Bissell, its the best." I love this mop/vacuum. Thank you so much for making my life easy and pleasurable.
Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
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3 out 3 people found this review helpful
Great product
I have dogs and the one-step cleaning and vacuuming is fab. You don't have to carry around (and slop) heavy pails of water. I love the fact the cleaning is always with clean water not mopping with increasingly dirty water. Also, simple button change goes from floor to area rug so can do whole room efficiently. Best on laminate or tile with small grout line. It will maintain more uneven tile (Saltillo) well, but best to steam scrub floor every once in a while to get the grout really clean. Hardwood is similar. A wax polish once in a while and use CrossWave to maintain between. So light, so maneuverable.
I got a second brush so one can be drying while the other is in the machine. The brush is a combination of microfiber 'yarn' and random stiffer bristles. So it cleans, lightly scrubs, lightly polishes and dries in one step. I wish you could buy the solution in larger containers. I bought first one at full price and so loved it that got additional ones for other houses at Ollie's for $99.
Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
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3 out 4 people found this review helpful
Returned product
I was excited when my Bissell CrossWave arrived. It works just like the infomercial said. I loved it, just what I wanted.
When I had finished a small area in my kitchen because I just had to test it immediately, I cleaned everything. The next day I put the cleaner back together. It did not have suction, and one of the sprayers would not work.
I called Bissell, and they wanted to walk me through on how to make it work. I didn't use this 5 minutes and needed to troubleshoot, so I decided this would be an issue. I called to return, and they advised me that I was still in my "timeline" to return. I would have been stuck with this had I not tested the cleaner out. I was lead to believe I would have been stuck with this product if my time had run out even though the machine wasn't working. I'm still waiting to receive my refund.
Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend
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1 out 3 people found this review helpful
Everything I hoped it would be
I bought a refurbished one at Ollie's for 99 bucks. I was not willing to pay $250, so this was my chance! I'm so glad I did! It cleaned my kitchen and bath tile floors so quickly and easily. No more "Swiffering," vacuuming, and mopping. The CrossWave does it all in one step! I'm very happy with my purchase.
Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
