It is often confusing to shop for a multi-purpose floor cleaner. With so many similar appliances in the market, consumers have to choose among models that suit every kind of budget. However, there is generally a trade-off between budget and features – good floor cleaners with the latest and most convenient features will often cost more.
This article compares two of the most popular models in the market today, the Bissell CrossWave and the Hoover FloorMate. The Hoover is the slightly more expensive version, but provides greater convenience in the form of a bigger battery that lasts up to 25 minutes in a single charge. There are simple touches that make a difference in everyday use, for example, a measuring cup that makes it convenient to pour the exactly desired amount of cleaning solution into the tank.
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The Bissell CrossWave
The BissellCrossWave Floor and Carpet Cleaner is a versatile, multi-function cleaner that is effective across many different types of flooring: indoor carpets, outdoor carpets, area rugs, tiled floors, hardwood floors, and so on.
It is an easy-to-use and convenient solution to clean up messes on any of these floors. Two separate reservoir tanks mean that dirty and clean water are never mixed, ensuring the cleanest possible outcomes. The model’s design has an agile swivel which allows the user to reach any part of the floor quickly and easily.
In hardwood floor cleaning mode, the model deploys a nylon brush that safely but effectively removes debris and dirt particles, and even polishes the floor with a microfiber brush. Hardwood can be cleaned easily without fear of scratching or otherwise damaging the floor. Switching on this mode is a simple touch of a button.
Pros
– Power cord is 25 feet long, which enables the user to reach a greater area
– Long battery life (25 minutes) on a single charge, saving the inconvenience of repeated charging in a cleaning session
– Automatically cleans up debris and dirt particles, using a microfiber brush roll and nylon brush
– Smart and easily accessible controls means the ability to quickly select cleaning settings in a single session, without clunky processes to change attachments, to suit different types of floors
– Has two separate tanks built in, to hold clean water and dirty water. This ensures that dirty water never touches the floor
– Tanks have large capacity: holds up to 28 ounces (clean tank) and 14.5 ounces (dirty tank)
– Much more effective in cleaning than an ordinary household mop
– Swivel steering mechanism allows easy maneuvering around obstacles while cleaning
Cons
– Sometimes leave wet streaks on the floor; does not always dry out every patch of floor
– Excessive use may result in moisture building up in internal parts, causing damage
– Length of power cord means it could sometimes become tangled up
Bottom Line
The Bissell is an affordable and effective floor cleaner, which works much better than ordinary mops. For most households, especially those on a budget, it is a definite upgrade. However, it isn’t the top choice among the models available in the market, as it could leave streaks on the floor and end up with water damage.
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Hoover FloorMate
The Hoover FloorMate Hardwood Vacuum Cleaner is a premium model. It offers powerful cleaning functions that effectively remove all kinds of debris and dirt particles, from a wide variety offloor types: hardwood, tile, laminate, indoor and outdoor carpets, marble, and so on.
A unique feature of the Hoover is a ‘rinse and store tray.’ This is a tray which functions almost like a docking station. When not in use, the machine can be placed on top of the tray for storage, while the tray rinses the brush roll without causing water to splash on the floor. This is a nifty engineering solution to the problem of cleaning the brush roll, while containing dirty water in the tray.
The battery of the Hoover lasts up to 25 minutes on a single charge. Testing proved that charging is also quick. Overall, this is a convenient and powerful solution.
Pros
– Simultaneously vacuums the floor, cleaning it of loose debris, while also washing the floor
– Flexible design allows the unit to fold and slip under furniture, cabinetry and other obstacles
– Long-lasting battery, up to 25 minutes on a single charge
– Effective on all floor types, including hardwood, laminate and tile
– Cleaning solution can be easily and quickly dispensed onto the floor, with unique trigger system
– Nozzle and cleaning mechanisms can be easily and intuitively removed for deep cleaning of the machine
– Unique ‘rinse and store tray’ is a nifty solution that keeps the unit clean while avoiding the typical messiness of splashing dirty water when doing so
– Design is cordless, which means no more being tangled up in a power cord while cleaning
– Microfiber brush roll effectivelytackles solid dirt particles by loosening them before being vacuumed or wiped away
Cons
– More costly than the Bissell
– Scrubbing function is not always effective. Deeply embedded dirt particles, especially on carpets, do not always get removed
– Works better on solid hard floor types than on carpets
Bottom Line
Though the Hoover is more expensive than the Bissell, the additional functions and features means that it is worth the expense. In particular, the trigger system for dispensing cleaning liquid, and the ‘rinse and store tray’ are everyday conveniences that users will grow to appreciate. Too many manufacturers focus only on the actual cleaning experience, and forget about how to store and clean the machine itself. Not Hoover!
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Comparing the two models
The following is a detailed comparison of the two models.
1. Design
The two models are designed in similar ways. Both have a brush roll on the bottom to clean floors and a tall handle for ease of use, which helps to avoid the user having to bend over. Both have a folding mechanism to allow the units to access hard-to-reach areas, such as under furniture.
Physically, the Bissell is bulkier than the Hoover, even though it is slightly lighter.
Bissell: less than 17 pounds, 10.5 x 12 x 46 inches
Hoover: more than 17 pounds, 28.8 x 12.4 x 11.3 inches
2. Navigation
Both models have swivel mechanisms, although they work slightly differently. The CrossWave has a swivel steering design, while the FloorMate has a swivel base. This is a matter of preference. Both designs allow the models to easily get around obstacles, such as a kitchen island or a living room couch.
3. Power Supply and Performance
Bissell’s model is powered by a 4.4-amp motor that effectively cleans most floor surfaces. However, it doesn’t work nearly as well on soft surfaces, such as carpets and rugs. It is more effective on hard surfaces such as wood, marble and tile. Power is supplied by a 25-foot long power cord.
Hoover’s model is cordless. It has a 4.0-Ah rechargeable battery, which lasts up to 25 minutes in a single charge. Bringing the unit to full charge takes about an hour, which is very quick.
Crosswave vs. Floormate: Which To Buy?
With so many similarities, the choice would depend on the specific needs of the household. In general, users who prefer a cordless experience should go for the Hoover FloorMate. In tests, an added bonus was Hoover’s proprietary cleaning solution, which left the floor sparkling clean and smelling fresh. Most users even buy additional bottles for themselves.
In contrast, the Bissell model would be more suited to users who prefer longer cleaning sessions (more than 25 minutes) and who don’t want to plan ahead to charge the battery before use. Just plug in the power cord and the cleaning can start.
The lighter weight is also a convenience feature. For homes with stairs or multiple stories, the unit can be carried up or down, as required.
Conclusion
Overall, the Bissell is a solid choice, but the Hoover offers more functionality albeit at a price. If money were no object and one model must be chosen, make it the Hoover.