The BISSELL CrossWave Pet Pro is an upright hybrid mop vacuum capable of sucking up both solid debris as well as stains and liquid spills. It features a detergent dispersal function and an internal water tank that allows it to saturate and scrub away dried-on dirt with its fluffy brushroll. However, unlike most conventional stick or upright vacuums, it can't be reconfigured into a handheld model to clean hard-to-reach areas.
Our Verdict
The BISSELL CrossWave Pet Pro is decent for bare floors. It easily cleans pet hair and small debris on this surface type, not to mention most bulky material, with no significant loss in suction performance as its dustbin fills up. Its mopping feature is also quite effective in helping it clear stains. However, its bulky body can make it tricky to clean under tables and chairs. Also, its real-world suction performance isn't especially strong, meaning it can have a hard time cleaning debris in tight crevices.
- Easily clears small debris and most large debris.
- Effective in cleaning pet hair on bare floors.
- Bulky dirt compartment/water tank.
The BISSELL CrossWave Pet is okay for low-pile carpet. It's fairly effective in dealing with fine material on this surface type and does a fantastic job cleaning pet hair, but it has a very hard time sucking up larger material. It feels decently well-built and is easy to pick up and carry, but its bulky dirt compartment/water tank can get in the way when cleaning under tables and chairs. It has a few parts that need regular cleaning, but thankfully they're easy to access. Recurring costs aren't too high, though this heavily depends on how frequently you use the mopping feature.
- Clears most fine debris.
- Does a fantastic job of cleaning pet hair on low-pile carpet.
- Can't adjust suction power or floorhead height.
The BISSELL CrossWave Pet Pro is decent for high-pile carpet. It cleans pet hair and fine debris on this surface type without too much trouble, but it has a harder time dealing with larger materials. It's fairly easy to maneuver for the most part and feels decently well-built. Unfortunately, it lacks a head height adjustment feature, so its floorhead can get caught on rug tassels and shag-pile carpeting. Its real-world suction force isn't especially high, so it can have trouble clearing heavily embedded debris.
- Clears most fine debris.
- Remarkably effective in cleaning pet hair on high-pile carpet.
- Can't adjust suction power or floorhead height.
The BISSELL CrossWave Pet Pro is sub-par for dealing with pet hair, though this depends heavily on how you use this vacuum. While it has no trouble clearing pet hair from bare or carpeted floors, you can't reconfigure it into a handheld vacuum, so it isn't suitable for cleaning pet hair on furniture or other hard-to-reach areas. It also lacks an allergen-trapping HEPA filter. That said, it's effective in clearing stains and has a removable brushroll, which makes it a little easier to remove any stuck-on debris or hair.
- Good stain-clearing performance.
- Superb pet hair cleaning capability on floors.
- No HEPA filter.
- No turbo brush.
- Can't use it as a handheld vacuum.
The BISSELL CrossWave Pet Pro is a passable option for dealing with messes on stairs. It's a little heavy, but it does have a built-in carrying handle that makes it easier to pick up and carry. It also delivers great performance on bare surfaces and clears an adequate amount of debris on low and high-pile carpets. Its power cord will also be long enough to clean most staircases without swapping outlets. However, you can't reconfigure it as a handheld vacuum, making it harder to deal with debris in tight spots.
- Easily clears small debris and most large debris.
- Fairly long power cord.
- Can't use it as a handheld vacuum.
The BISSELL CrossWave Pet has no alternative handheld or semi-handheld configurations and therefore isn't designed for vacuuming cramped environments like the inside of your car.
The BISSELL CrossWave Pet Pro is okay for workshop cleaning. Its real-world suction performance is somewhat low, so it isn't the best option for clearing debris in tight crevices. However, it's pretty easy to carry around, and it's impressively effective in cleaning debris on bare surfaces like workshop floors. It also does a great job of cleaning liquid spills.
- Good stain-clearing performance.
- Great water-clearing performance.
- Mediocre suction power.
Changelog
- Updated Aug 01, 2024: We've added a link to the BISSELL CrossWave HydroSteam in the 'Stains' section of the review to provide an alternative with better stain-removal performance.
- Updated Jul 02, 2024: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.3. We've overhauled our floor performance tests and added new 'Hard Floor Pick-Up,' 'High-Pile Carpet Pick-Up,' 'Low-Pile Carpet Pick-Up,' and 'Pet-Hair Pick-Up' tests. You can see the full changelog here.
- Updated Jun 25, 2024: We've changed the result in the 'On-Board Tool Storage' field in the 'Storing' section of the review from 'No' to 'Not Needed' to reflect the fact that this vacuum doesn't come with any additional tools that you would need to store.
- Updated Dec 14, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.2. This update builds on our previous 'Suction' test with a new 'Airflow' test that more accurately measures a vacuum's ability to generate air movement. If you'd like to see an in-depth look at the reasoning and methodology behind this change, you can see our full changelog here..
Check Price
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The BISSELL CrossWave Pet Pro is only available in one color scheme: 'Titanium With Grapevine Purple and Sparkle Silver'. You can buy this vacuum as part of the Performance Exclusive Bundle, which comes with an additional filter, a 32oz bottle of Multi-Surface detergent, and two additional multi-surface brushrolls. You can see the label for our model here.
Let us know in the forums if you come across another variant.
Popular Vacuum Comparisons
The BISSELL CrossWave Pet Pro is a hybrid mop vacuum. It's similar in size and weight to conventional corded stick vacuums like the Shark APEX UpLight but can clean liquid messes and features a detergent-spraying feature that allows for better stain-clearing performance. Unlike conventional stick vacuums, you can't use this one in a handheld configuration, and it lacks any dedicated suction power modes or floorhead height adjustment.
If you're looking for alternatives, look at our list of recommendations for the best vacuums for tile floors, the best vacuums for hardwood floors, and the best laminate floor vacuums.
The BISSELL CrossWave HydroSteam is a slight improvement on the BISSELL CrossWave Pet Pro, but the latter does have its own advantages. The HydroSteam offers better stain-clearing performance, and its more powerful motor allows it to clear away debris in cracks and crevices a little more easily. However, the CrossWave Pet Pro is noticeably lighter and easier to maneuver, and it has an easier time of dealing with pet hair on carpets.
The BISSELL CrossWave Cordless Max and the BISSELL CrossWave Pet Pro each have distinct advantages, meaning one might suit you better than the other, depending on your needs. Both vacuums use similar detergent-dispersal functions and do a good job of dealing with dried-on stains as well as liquid spills. They're also pretty similar in terms of dimensions and overall weight. That said, the corded Pet Pro can run indefinitely but at the cost of a limited range. Its brushroll motor is stronger than its cordless alternative, so you can use this vacuum to clean carpeted floors. However, the Cordless Max can be used to easily clean faraway rooms with minimal difficulty. It also features a self-cleaning function that slightly reduces hands-on maintenance requirements.
The BISSELL Pet Hair Eraser Turbo Plus and BISSELL CrossWave Pet Pro are for different uses. The Pet Hair Eraser is a traditional upright with a larger dirt compartment, better maneuverability, and superior performance on carpeted surfaces. You can also use it in a semi-handheld configuration to clean hard-to-reach areas. Meanwhile, the CrossWave is a hybrid vacuum mop that can easily clean stains and deal with liquid spills.
The BISSELL CrossWave Pet Pro and Dyson V15 Detect each have distinct uses. The BISSELL is a corded upright vacuum/mop hybrid that does a better job dealing with stains thanks to its detergent-spraying feature and can be used to clear liquid spills. The Dyson is a cordless stick/handheld vacuum that does a better job cleaning debris on various surface types and in cracks, has a much stronger suction force, produces less noise, and is easier to maneuver. It also has a HEPA filter, resulting in superior air filtration performance.
Test Results
The BISSELL CrossWave Pet Pro feels decently well-built. It's mainly made of hard plastic, although it does have an aluminum wand. It feels more robust than most other BISSELL vacuums, like the BISSELL Adapt Ion, though it can sometimes creak when passing over uneven surfaces like carpeting. Thankfully, it's also quite easy to take apart and reassemble.
This vacuum's handle has a hexagonal textured surface to give you a more secure grip. Most of its controls are within easy reach, with its surface mode switch on top of the handle and a detergent trigger underneath it.
The BISSELL CrossWave Pet Pro is reasonably easy to maintain. While there are a few parts that need periodic cleaning, they're easy to access.
- Dirt compartment: You can unlatch the dirt compartment by pressing down on the release button and then simply lifting it free. You should empty it after each use by lifting the cover with the 'Floater' component, which is a safety mechanism when using the vacuum as a mop, as it stops the suction motor and produces an audible 'screech' to let you know that it's full. Also, make sure you remove any large debris stuck in the dirt compartment's strainer. You can wash the dirt compartment under water along with the 'Floater' component if there's a significant amount of dirt built up. The vacuum filter is above the dirt compartment, and you should make sure that it's put back in place before refitting the dirt compartment.
- Brushroll: The brushroll is easy to access, only requiring that you lift the clear plastic brush roll window to access it and pull it free. You should clean it regularly under water to remove any stuck-on dirt or debris. Unfortunately, while it's advertised as being an 'Anti-Tangle' brushroll, long hair can get wrapped around it, forcing you to use a pair of scissors to cut it away.
- Filter: The filter sits on top of the dirt compartment and can simply be pulled free from its housing. The filter has an attached screen to trap any fine debris or small strands of pet hair. You should wash the filter under water after every cleaning session, and you can use mild detergent if necessary.
- Water tank: The water tank is located on the back of the vacuum body and is easy to lift free of its housing. It features two separate markings for both water and detergent levels, one for small areas and the other for large areas. First, fill it up to the desired water level, and then add the required amount of detergent for the size of the room you're planning to mop. Make sure to empty the water tank after every use.
Any parts that you wash under water should be left to dry completely before refitting them.
The BISSELL CrossWave Pet Pro incurs fairly low recurring costs.
- Brushroll: No replacement interval is given by the manufacturer for the brushroll, but you can buy a replacement from BISSELL's website.
- Filter: You should replace the filter every six months. You can buy a replacement from BISSELL's website.
Note: The mopping component of the vacuum incurs a separate set of recurring costs.
- Cleaning Solution: The frequency of buying new cleaning solution depends entirely on how frequently you mop and the size of the mopping area. You can buy 80 oz bottles on the manufacturer's website, though other bottle sizes are available.
This vacuum isn't too hard to store. It comes with a 'Rinse and Storage Tray' that you can position it on to let it dry after mopping, and there's even a separate slot to place the brushroll.
The dirt compartment is decently well-sized. It has roughly the same capacity as most standard cordless stick vacuums, like the Dyson V15 Detect. There's a max fill line that lets you know when it's full when vacuuming. A separate 'Floater' component automatically shuts off the suction motor and produces a screeching noise once the dustbin is filled with water while mopping.
- BISSELL CrossWave Pet Pro
- Vacuum body
- Vacuum handle with wand
- Dirt compartment
- Water tank
- Filter with filter screen
- 2x Multi-Surface brushrolls
- Strainer
- Brushroll cover
- Various accessories
- 2x 8oz Multi-Surface Pet with Febreze detergent bottles
- Water rinse jar
- Vacuum tray
- Brushroll holder for vacuum tray
- Manuals
Its range is adequate. Its power cord is long enough to allow you to clean most rooms without swapping outlets. Unfortunately, its wand doesn't extend or retract, so you might find it hard to find a height that suits your preferences. If you're looking for a similarly designed hybrid vacuum/mop but don't want to deal with the hassle of a power cord, consider the BISSELL CrossWave Cordless Max.
This appliance is decently portable. While its overall weight is considerably heavier than cordless vacuums like the BISSELL Adapt Ion, it's much lighter than most conventional uprights like the Shark APEX Upright. It feels very light and has a built-in carrying handle to make it easier to pick up and carry wherever you may need it.
This vacuum doesn't have that many quality-of-life features. There are two surface settings that you can select with a handle-mounted switch: 'Area Rug' or 'Hard Floor'. However, this setting only adjusts the amount of detergent sprayed onto the brushroll when you pull the trigger, and it doesn't adjust brushroll height or suction power.
Note: While the floorhead does have a built-in light, it only turns on to illuminate the brushroll after pulling the detergent release trigger. Since this light doesn't stay on or help you see in darker corners, this isn't considered an actual headlight. As such, we set the 'Headlight' result to 'No'.
There are no additional attachments included with this appliance, though there is an additional replacement brushroll for its floorhead.
Real-world suction performance is okay, though this appliance can lose a significant degree of suction if you don't clean its filter regularly. Since there's no difference in brushroll height or suction power when swapping between the 'Hard Floor' and 'Area Rug' modes, you likely won't experience any changes in debris pickup performance depending on the mode you select.
This vacuum is somewhat loud. At roughly 80 dBA, you'll find it very difficult to hear anyone talking nearby or any other background noise while it's running. Since there are no power adjustment settings or attachments that would impact airflow, you won't notice any significant differences in how loud this vacuum gets. It's worth noting that the 'Floater' component inside the dirt compartment makes a noticeable screeching noise when it fills up with water.
This appliance can be a bit of a hassle to maneuver. Its floorhead pivots, allowing you to maneuver around obstacles pretty easily. However, its bulky body gets in the way when cleaning under tables and chairs. Shag-pile carpeting is also a significant obstacle for this vacuum, as it can get stuck inside the floorhead. Thankfully, you likely won't experience this problem while vacuuming low or moderately high-pile rugs and carpets.
There's no handheld configuration for this vacuum, so it isn't suitable for vacuuming pet hair on furniture.
The BISSELL CrossWave Pet Pro seals in most fine particles, but some can still escape from its post-motor exhaust.
This appliance does a mediocre job of dealing with debris in cracks. It lacks the sufficient real-world suction force to lift debris embedded in deeper crevices, but it won't have too much trouble dealing with it in shallower cracks.
The BISSELL CrossWave Pet Pro does a good job dealing with stains. Unlike shop vacuums like the RYOBI 18V One+ 3 Gal. Project Wet/Dry, it has a detergent-dispersal function for its floorhead that helps deal with dried-on dirt and debris. The manufacturer recommends using the 'Hard Floor' setting to clear stains on bare surfaces but using the 'Area Rug' mode for stubborn messes since it releases more detergent onto the brushroll. It's worth noting that this vacuum can leave behind a small amount of residue after completing a pass, though thankfully it's pretty easy to clear away. You'll probably need to make several passes to fully clean most stains, and a hand mop will likely be more efficient in cleaning stubborn stains since you can manually provide a greater degree of surface agitation. Alternatively, if you still want an all-in-one cleaner with better stain-clearing performance, you could also check out the BISSELL CrossWave HydroSteam, which has a steam-release function that helps clear away dried-on messes.
