Bissell CrossWave Pet Pro tested: vacuuming and mopping the floor at the same time
Vacuuming and mopping the floor at the same time: That sounds much more convenient than my previous routine of having to vacuum in order to be able to mop. That's why I grabbed the Bissel CrossWave Pet Pro as soon as it arrived at our office.
Why the pet version? It's not just a matter of wiping the tiles in front of the kitchen unit and removing crumbs from the carpet, but also making Willi the office dog's hair disappear.
Quick assembly
You can't get started with the CrossWave straight away. You need just under five minutes to prepare. The handle needs to be plugged in - this takes a few seconds - and the water tank needs to be filled. A pack of cleaning agent is already included in the scope of delivery. If you don't immediately understand how to assemble or set up the base plate, a quick look at the extensively illustrated operating instructions will help.
The handle of the Bissell CrossWave Pet Pro is comfortable to hold and is no excuse not to clean. Three buttons are within easy reach. On the top, you can select whether you want to clean a carpet or a hard, smooth surface. Use the button in the handle to pour water onto the roller brush, which rotates at 3000 revolutions per minute. You need to press the button for just under ten seconds to get the brush really wet and then wipe tiles, laminate and similar surfaces while vacuuming. If your carpet is robust and suitable for damp cleaning, you can switch seamlessly. If you have a very delicate carpet, you should always vacuum it first. Once you have wet the roller brush, it will take time to dry it completely. Without waiting, you run the risk of unintentionally wetting your carpet.
I am impressed by the suction power of the CrossWave. It doesn't leave a clean trail through our test area, but dust and other dirt disappear from the carpet after the second pass at the latest and Willi's hair is also gone. His mum is delighted, her hoover at home can't do that. The mopping result is also impressive. The tiles shine in new splendour. But beware, the CrossWave is only designed to pick up its own mopping water. If liquids are spilt, you still have to use mop cloths - and can then clean up afterwards with the wet-dry vacuum cleaner.
A sieve filters coarse dirt out of the water
In addition to dust and other dirt, the CrossWave also sucks some of the water back in. The mixture ends up in a collection container that is easy to remove and the moisture means you don't end up with a cloud of dust. However, a wet lump of dirt is not the prettiest sight. A sieve separates the coarsest dirt from the water. It can be removed so that you can simply pour the dirt into the bin. You should do this regularly, as the more you do, the greater the risk of dirt falling down the side. Then pour the dirty water away. Rinse the container briefly each time so that nothing dries up. As good as the combination of vacuuming and mopping is, cleaning the collection container is a downer. You also have to clean the brush, but not as often. You can choose whether to let it rotate in the small recess in the base plate in the water or remove it and hold it under the tap.
There are more things I don't like about the CrossWave Pet Pro that prevent it from being considered perfect. It is quite loud. This is annoying even if the volume is wrongly interpreted as an indication of the suction power. And in terms of power, at 560 watts, the CrossWave is at the lower end of the average power of the hoovers in our range. The cable is 7.62 metres long, which is usually sufficient for one room. In many homes, you won't be able to manage with just one socket and will have to plug the cable in. There is no cable reel, you can only wind the cable around a holder on the holding bar. When vacuuming, however, you will usually remove it completely and then it will be in the way. I found the cable so annoying after just a few minutes that I only considered the cordless version. However, this is not available as a pet version.
All the technology that you drag behind you with other hoovers hangs on the pole of the CrossWave Pet Pro. In total, it weighs almost 4.9 kilograms and there is also up to 820 millimetres of water in the tank. A weight that you will feel in your arms after a short time when vacuuming and that ensures that the hoover is not particularly manoeuvrable and that you move it sluggishly around the area. For comparison: Most cordless hoovers weigh less than 3.5 kilograms with battery and without mopping function.
Conclusion: Good principle not yet perfected
I like the principle of vacuuming and mopping in one appliance and it works very well with the Bissel CrossWave Pet Pro. Its cleaning performance is impressive and even copes with pet hair. However, the heavy weight and the annoying cable bother me. Cleaning the collection container is not a source of enthusiasm, but is still a necessary evil for cleaning devices of this type.
If you don't have a hairy pet, you can save some money with the conventional CrossWave. To get rid of the annoying cable, however, you'll have to dig deeper into your pocket for the CrossWave Cordless.
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When I was but a young student, I'd sit in my friend's living room with all my classmates and play on his SuperNES. Since then I've had the opportunity to test out all the newest technology for you. I've done reviews at Curved, Computer Bild and Netzwelt, and have now arrived at Galaxus.de.
