Bissell MultiClean Vacuum

Bissell MultiClean Vacuum Review

Brand: Bissell
Released: August 12, 2020
Updated: 2 weeks ago
3.8
Consolidated expert score
146
Review insights
50
Scored features
7
Expert reviews

Bottom Line

Choose it for pet-focused carpet cleaning, sealed filtration, Lift-Off versatility, and strong value in the positive tests. Skip it if crevice pickup, hardwood edges, automatic transitions, or low-effort roller maintenance matter most.

Best for

Best for pet owners who want a corded upright with sealed filtration, useful attachments, and Lift-Off flexibility for stairs and above-floor cleaning. It fits buyers who prioritize carpet and general debris pickup over perfect crevice or edge performance.

Not for

Not ideal for buyers focused on hardwood-only cleaning, wall-edge pickup, deep shag debris, or low-maintenance brushroll cleaning. It is also less compelling for users who want automatic floor detection or cordless convenience.

Verdict

The Bissell MultiClean earns its best marks when reviewers focus on pet-focused carpet pickup, sealed filtration, Lift-Off versatility, and price-to-performance. Vacuum Wars found the Slim version unusually strong for debris pickup and highly recommendable across hard floors, carpets, and pet homes. The tradeoff is that not every test outlet agreed: TechGearLab found weak suction, poor crevice pickup, inconsistent hardwood cleaning, and frustrating roller maintenance. User reviews were warmer on maneuverability, noise, emptying, and suction, while first-look testing raised some caveats about pushability and attachment stiffness. Overall, the evidence points to a capable upright with standout filtration and pet features, but not the most refined hard-floor or maintenance experience.

Compared in Reviews

Products reviewers directly compared with this model, grouped into quick takeaways.

Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra

  • Better: long hair wrap reduction The Dyson Ball Animal 3 Extra was cited as a stronger option for reducing or eliminating long hair wrap.

Kenmore Intuition 3-in-1

  • Better: carpet cleaning The Kenmore Intuition 3-in-1 was described as a stronger carpet performer.

Feature Scorecards

Summary

50 reviewed features
  • Very positive 4.5-5.0 10% 5 features
  • Positive 3.5-4.4 68% 34 features
  • Neutral 2.5-3.4 14% 7 features
  • Negative 1.5-2.4 8% 4 features
  • Very negative below 1.5 0% 0 features

Pros

  • 4.6
    based on 1 review
    Carpet — Medium-Pile Pickup: 4.6, based on 1 review
    Medium-pile/rug pickup was strong in the comparison review, where the Lift-Off picked up large debris in a solid pass.
  • 4.6
    based on 5 reviews
    Filtration / Dust Containment: 4.6, based on 5 reviews
    Filtration was one of the clearest strengths, with fog and air-quality testing showing no meaningful leakage or particle spikes.
  • 4.5
    based on 1 review
    Assembly and Setup: 4.5, based on 1 review
    Assembly and setup were easy in the first-look review, with no tools required and the unboxing described as straightforward.
  • 4.5
    based on 1 review
    Packaging quality: 4.5, based on 1 review
    Packaging was rated positively in the first-look review, with the box arriving undamaged and the product wrapped well.
  • 4.5
    based on 3 reviews
    Pet-Ready Features: 4.5, based on 3 reviews
    Pet usefulness was a recurring strength, driven by pet-hair pickup, HEPA filtration, tangle resistance, and pet-focused attachments, though tougher pet messes had stronger competitors.
  • 4.4
    based on 2 reviews
    Innovation compared to competitors: 4.4, based on 2 reviews
    Reviewers treated some features as uncommon for the category, especially the tangle-free brushroll and sealed filtration system.
  • 4.4
    based on 2 reviews
    Emptying and Mess Control: 4.4, based on 2 reviews
    Emptying was easy in user reviews, with debris dropping from the bagless canister and minimal complication.
  • 4.3
    based on 2 reviews
    Debris illumination: 4.3, based on 2 reviews
    Debris illumination was praised because the LED bank helped visibility more than expected.
  • 4.3
    based on 2 reviews
    Headlight and LED lights: 4.3, based on 2 reviews
    LED headlights were praised as useful and a nice touch rather than just a spec-sheet feature.
  • 4.3
    based on 2 reviews
    Suitability for small spaces: 4.3, based on 2 reviews
    The Slim version received positive small-space feedback because its narrower head was easier to maneuver in tight areas.
  • 4.3
    based on 1 review
    Onboard tool storage: 4.3, based on 1 review
    Onboard tool storage was explicitly liked in the cord-rewind review.
  • 4.3
    based on 2 reviews
    Hair Pickup — Carpets: 4.3, based on 2 reviews
    Carpet hair pickup was a relative strength, with reviewers reporting clean low-pile results and easy pet-hair pickup.
  • 4.2
    based on 1 review
    Build quality and durability: 4.2, based on 1 review
    Build feedback was sparse but positive where mentioned, especially around the sealed HEPA filter's rubber-sealed design.
  • 4.2
    based on 4 reviews
    Noise level: 4.2, based on 4 reviews
    Noise impressions were generally favorable, with reviewers describing it as not very loud, not screaming, and more pleasant than some alternatives.
  • 4.2
    based on 4 reviews
    Versatility: 4.2, based on 4 reviews
    Versatility was a major pro across positive reviews because of Lift-Off use, attachments, pet features, and hard-floor/carpet adaptability.
  • 4.2
    based on 4 reviews
    Hair‑Wrap / Tangle Resistance: 4.2, based on 4 reviews
    Hair-wrap resistance was mostly positive, especially in Vacuum Wars testing, though TechGearLab still found some long hair wrapped around the brushroll.
  • 4.1
    based on 3 reviews
    Convertible handheld design: 4.1, based on 3 reviews
    The Lift-Off canister design improved above-floor flexibility, though it could not attach to the wide floor head in one review's testing.
  • 4.1
    based on 3 reviews
    Stair Cleaning: 4.1, based on 3 reviews
    Stair cleaning benefited from the Lift-Off canister and attachments, although the inability to use the wider powered head in canister mode limited coverage.
  • 4.1
    based on 6 reviews
    Overall opinion: 4.1, based on 6 reviews
    Overall opinion was mixed-to-positive: multiple reviewers strongly recommended it, while one lab review rated it only average and limited by suction and hard-floor results.
  • 4.1
    based on 5 reviews
    Carpet — Low-Pile Pickup: 4.1, based on 5 reviews
    Low-pile carpet pickup ranged from decent to very good, with some reviewers praising carpet results and one noting inefficient reverse passes.
  • 4.1
    based on 2 reviews
    Hose length: 4.1, based on 2 reviews
    The hose earned positive comments for stretch and reach, including a clear stretch hose and a useful long-reach handle setup.
  • 4.0
    based on 3 reviews
    Weight: 4.0, based on 3 reviews
    Weight impressions were mostly manageable, described as lightweight by one user and medium-weight by another first-look reviewer.
  • 4.0
    based on 1 review
    Suitability for heavy-duty use: 4.0, based on 1 review
    In a user test with a large carpet mess, the vacuum was judged to do a very good job, though heavier-duty limits appeared in lab suction and hard-floor findings.
  • 3.9
    based on 6 reviews
    Hard Floor — Large Debris Intake: 3.9, based on 6 reviews
    Large hard-floor debris pickup was generally strong in Vacuum Wars and user tests, but TechGearLab found overall hardwood pickup below average.
  • 3.9
    based on 5 reviews
    Controls and UI: 3.9, based on 5 reviews
    Controls were useful, including brushroll on/off and floor-transition settings, but they were not as seamless as automatic systems.
  • 3.9
    based on 3 reviews
    Hard Floor — Fine Dust Pickup: 3.9, based on 3 reviews
    Fine hard-floor pickup was sharply split: Vacuum Wars praised broad debris pickup, while TechGearLab found sand left behind on hardwood.
  • 3.9
    based on 5 reviews
    Bin and Bag: 3.9, based on 5 reviews
    The bagless bin was easy to clean and empty, though bin size was called a little below average in Slim-model testing.
  • 3.9
    based on 6 reviews
    Accessories and Tools: 3.9, based on 6 reviews
    Attachment feedback was mixed-to-positive: reviewers liked the included turbo/crevice/dusting tools, but one lab review found the motorized brush underpowered.
  • 3.9
    based on 4 reviews
    Area Rug Handling: 3.9, based on 4 reviews
    Area-rug handling was mixed, helped by suction adjustment and strong pickup in some tests but hurt by mat-climbing difficulty in another.
  • 3.8
    based on 5 reviews
    Comparative performance: 3.8, based on 5 reviews
    Comparative performance depended on the outlet: Vacuum Wars found it competitive with pricier vacuums, while TechGearLab found several similarly priced alternatives stronger.
  • 3.8
    based on 5 reviews
    Price and Value: 3.8, based on 5 reviews
    Value was polarized: Vacuum Wars saw strong performance for the price, while TechGearLab considered it expensive for its performance tier.
  • 3.8
    based on 4 reviews
    Tool-change simplicity: 3.8, based on 4 reviews
    Tool changes were mostly straightforward, especially where no tools were needed, but the fixed handle-and-wand setup limited convenience in some versions.
  • 3.7
    based on 3 reviews
    Carpet — High-Pile Pickup: 3.7, based on 3 reviews
    High-pile and shag results were mixed: Vacuum Wars supported thick-rug use, while TechGearLab found deep debris remained in shag fibers.
  • 3.7
    based on 2 reviews
    Upholstery / Above-Floor Pickup: 3.7, based on 2 reviews
    Above-floor and upholstery cleaning were usable, with Lift-Off flexibility and tools, but lab upholstery pickup was only about average.
  • 3.7
    based on 5 reviews
    Floorhead design: 3.7, based on 5 reviews
    The floorhead's large front gates helped debris intake, but the design could also trap material or make pushing harder depending on surface.
  • 3.7
    based on 4 reviews
    Maneuverability and Handling: 3.7, based on 4 reviews
    Maneuverability varied by reviewer: some found it light and easy to turn, while lab testing found turning and mat transitions harder.
  • 3.7
    based on 4 reviews
    Ease of use: 3.7, based on 4 reviews
    Ease of use varied, with users praising light rolling and simple handling while lab testing found harder pushing and floor transitions.
  • 3.6
    based on 1 review
    Cord management: 3.6, based on 1 review
    Cord management was convenient with automatic rewind, but the same reviewer questioned long-term reliability.
  • 3.5
    based on 3 reviews
    Maintenance requirements: 3.5, based on 3 reviews
    Maintenance feedback was split: tangle-free design reduced hair work in positive reviews, but one lab review found roller hair removal frustrating.

Cons

  • 3.3
    based on 2 reviews
    Cord length: 3.3, based on 2 reviews
    Cord length was a mild drawback on the Slim model, repeatedly described as a little below average.
  • 3.2
    based on 5 reviews
    Suction and Airflow: 3.2, based on 5 reviews
    Reviews split on suction: some users praised strong real-world pickup, while lab reviews found below-average sealed suction, hose airflow, and crevice results.
  • 3.2
    based on 2 reviews
    Floorhead Seal on Hard Floors: 3.2, based on 2 reviews
    The hard-floor seal was a tradeoff: the larger front gates helped large debris but let in more air and reduced seal strength.
  • 3.2
    based on 2 reviews
    Under-Furniture Pickup: 3.2, based on 2 reviews
    Under-furniture cleaning was mixed: the body could get fairly flat, but Lift-Off mode could not use the powered floorhead for easier reach.
  • 2.8
    based on 1 review
    Overall durability/longevity: 2.8, based on 1 review
    Long-term confidence was limited by concern over how well the automatic cord rewind would hold up.
  • 2.5
    based on 1 review
    Low-profile design: 2.5, based on 1 review
    Low-profile usefulness was limited in one review because the canister mode could not connect to the powered floorhead for under-furniture cleaning.
  • 2.5
    based on 1 review
    Surface safety with attachments: 2.5, based on 1 review
    Attachment surface safety was a caveat because the dusting brush bristles were described as stiff and unsuitable for delicate surfaces.
  • 2.4
    based on 1 review
    Stuck resistance: 2.4, based on 1 review
    Stuck resistance was a weak point in one lab review, where the vacuum struggled to climb onto a bamboo test mat.
  • 2.3
    based on 2 reviews
    Edge and Baseboard Cleaning (Hard Floors): 2.3, based on 2 reviews
    Edge cleaning was a weakness in lab and user testing, especially along walls or wood edges where it failed to collect or glide smoothly.
  • 2.1
    based on 3 reviews
    Crevice / Groove Pickup (Hard Floors): 2.1, based on 3 reviews
    Crevice and groove pickup was a consistent weakness in formal tests, tied to lower suction and large front gates.
  • 2.0
    based on 1 review
    Hair-removal channel issues: 2.0, based on 1 review
    Hair-removal maintenance was frustrating in one lab review because the roller could not be removed from the head.

Compared With Category Average

Compared with other Upright Vacuums, this product is above average in Noise level, Hair‑Wrap / Tangle Resistance, Hose length, below average in Crevice / Groove Pickup (Hard Floors), Edge and Baseboard Cleaning (Hard Floors), Suction and Airflow.

Summary

8 compared features
  • Above average 0.4+ pts higher 38% 3 features
  • Same as average within 0.3 pts 0% 0 features
  • Below average 0.4+ pts lower 63% 5 features
Attribute This product Category average Difference
Crevice / Groove Pickup (Hard Floors) 2.1 3.6 -1.5
Edge and Baseboard Cleaning (Hard Floors) 2.3 3.7 -1.4
Suction and Airflow 3.2 4.3 -1.1
Noise level 4.2 3.1 +1.1
Hair‑Wrap / Tangle Resistance 4.2 3.3 +0.8
Hose length 4.1 3.3 +0.8
Surface safety with attachments 2.5 3.3 -0.8
Low-profile design 2.5 3.3 -0.8

FAQ

Is the Bissell MultiClean good for pet hair?

Yes, most pet-related evidence is positive. Reviews praised carpet pet-hair pickup, the pet attachments, and tangle-resistant brushroll, though one lab review still found some long hair wrap.

How well does it clean hard floors?

Evidence is mixed. Vacuum Wars praised broad hard-floor debris pickup, but TechGearLab found it far less capable on hardwood and noted sand and edge-cleaning problems.

Is the filtration actually good?

Yes. Multiple reviews treated sealed HEPA filtration as a strength, with fog and air-quality testing showing no visible leaks or significant particle deviations.

Does the Lift-Off feature help?

Yes, it adds flexibility for stairs, pet beds, and above-floor tasks. The main limitation is that one review noted the canister could not attach to the wider powered floorhead.

Is it easy to maintain?

It depends on the task. Positive reviews liked the tangle-free design and easy emptying, but TechGearLab criticized the non-removable roller because wrapped hair had to be cut and picked out awkwardly.

Is it a good value?

Value is one of the most split areas. Vacuum Wars found pickup comparable to vacuums two or three times its price, while TechGearLab considered it high-priced for its test performance.

Sample Expert Reviews We Analyzed

These are a few of the reviews included in our analysis.

Video Reviews

Article Reviews

Consider This Instead

If you want better Edge and Baseboard Cleaning (Hard Floors)

Choose Kenmore Featherlite Lift-Up Vacuum. It scores 5.0 vs 2.3 for Edge and Baseboard Cleaning (Hard Floors), with a 4.3 overall score.

Compare

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