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The Bissell PowerForce Bagless Vacuum (MSRP $46.00) offers excellent sucking power for a great value. I have had this vacuum for nine months, and it has served me well through heavy-duty jobs and everyday use.
When we were repairing a leaky roof in our home, we ended up with a floor covered in thick debris and dust. Our old vacuum, a hand-me-down Dirt Devil, just wasn't up for the task, and the shop vac could only do part of the work. Still, I didn't want to pay a hefty price for something that might get damaged from the tough job ahead. I chose this model because it had a sturdy appearance with a price just a bit above some of its stick-like cousins. The visual appeal came from its thick handle and midsection and futuristic bagless appearance. Since the machine adjusts for carpet thickness, includes multiple attachments, and feeds into an easy-to-clean canister rather than a bag, it seemed well-suited for the job I had in mind.
The Bissell PowerForce Bagless exceeded my expectations. Because it has multiple effective filters, it masterfully rid my carpet of thick chunks of drywall and fine, chalky dust. The attachments allowed me to clean window sills and baseboards. The machine worked well for the first few times, but slowly became less effective. I pulled out the user manual and followed the instructions for cleaning the filters. The manual was clear about how to remove and clean each piece. Once they were dry, I replaced them, and the machine returned to its former, fully-functioning state.
While there are several parts to separate and clean (4 or 5 total), the process requires only warm, soapy water and doesn't take long. The drying process, however, was a bit more tedious. While most parts were dry in several hours (less than a day), the inner circular filter can take up to one week to dry. I have only cleaned it a time or two since the initial use, so it doesn't require a lot of cleaning, but potential buyers should be aware that the machine may be out of commission for a week following cleaning. A hairdryer might speed the drying process, but I was content to let the filter air dry.
Replacement filters and attachments are sold at the manufacturer's site, so if you end up losing or breaking a part or a piece wears out, replacement shouldn't be a problem. The prices for these items are surprisingly reasonable.
The Bissell PowerForce Bagless Vacuum is excellent for everyday use and for heavy-duty jobs. It is easy to clean, and since portions of it are see-through, problems affecting performance (such as clogged filters) are easily identified. You would be hard-pressed to find a better value.
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