I've gone and done it... again.  I killed another vacuum.  This time after 14 months of dedicated service it was my beloved Eureka Pet Pal Bagless Vacuum. RIP.   Such is the life of a vacuum-killing mom. I refuse to pay hundreds of dollars for vacuums anymore because regardless of whether they are low end or high end models, the end result is the same. I am death on vacuums.  Off I went to Wal-Mart to pick up a new vacuum. We came home with this Bissell Powergroom Bagless Upright Vacuum (92L31) at the excellent price of $79.   While not marketed as a vacuum specifically for homes with pets, the next model up with few extra "pet" bells & whistles was $20 more and otherwise identical. 

My home includes 2 children, 2 cats (1 with fairly long white fur), a long-haired dog, and a husband. We have mixed flooring including carpets, tile, and laminates. Both the children and myself have some allergies and asthma issues that are exacerbated by animal dander.  Because of that, I vacuum frequently - at a minimum every other day, and the main living areas of our home (living room and bedrooms - daily).  I require a vacuum that works, and works well.

The Bissell Powergroom Bagless Vacuum gets the job done and passes my picky criteria for a vacuum, satisfactorily.  There are things about it that I love and and it does well. But things that could be better too.

The good:
This is a bagless vacuum which means no buying refill bags or emptying out and re-using dirty bags.  Instead it has a clear plastic canister cup that has a large capacity. The "fill" line is clearly marked so you can see when it needs to be emptied.  I like that the canister is clear because you can actually see the dirt, dust, sand, and animal hair as it is vacuumed up.  To empty the canister you simply slide a plastic release lever and then lift it out and dump it into the garbage.  You can rinse it and re-load it if any residue is left behind in the canister. 

Like the popular high end (and pricey) brands of vacuums (Dyson), this is a cyclonic vacuum.  It has great suction and the suction doesn't reduce that is claimed to not reduce over time.  I've had great luck with cyclonic vacuums since first switching to them a few years back with the Hoover Fusion Bagless Cyclonic.  Now that I've seen how well a cyclonic vacuum picks up and gets carpet clean, I won't ever go to a vacuum that doesn't use cyclonic technology.

The Bissell Powergroom uses a HEPA filtration system. For a family with allergies and asthma - and pets. A HEPA filtration system is a must for me because it helps the air quality in my home.  I've had vacuums that stirred up so much dust and dander during the vacuuming process that I would need to go stop to use an inhaler or immediately do a nebulizer treatment on the kids if I vacuumed in their proximity.  The HEPA filtering system on this model is a good one. It consists of 2 filters - an intake and an outake filter. The intake filter is a re-usable filter that can be removed, washed, and replaced (suggested at least once a month). This filter keeps dirt and particles from entering the motor of the vacuum. Should you need to replace this filter, it is $3.99.  The outtake filter is the one that prevents contaminants from re-entering the air.  This filter is one that you will need to replace from time to time if it gets dirty. The replacement cost on this is $14.99.  While I'm at it and talking about replacement parts - the belts for this model are $3.99 for a 2 pack. Changing the belt is relatively straight forward (but does require a screwdriver).

This vacuum has a very wide path - 15 inches which means it can cover a large surface area relatively quickly. It also has a light on it, which is useful for when vacuuming behind furniture or in the wee hours of the night.  My kids can sleep through anything, and my son sleeps in a loft bed. Yes, I'm that mom who will vacuum his room while he is asleep with just the hallway light on and the light of the vacuum.  The noise level on the Bissell Powergroom is pretty average - not too loud that the neighbors know you are vacuuming but you can't hear the TV over it! I do get a lot of "Hurry Up Mom" you are making me miss my favorite movie that I've already watched 100 times!!!  Oh well!

I'm very pleased with the attachments on the Bissell Powergroom which include an extender pole, a crevice tool, a dusting/upholstery tool, and the 6" turbo-brush. The turbobrush is also on the "pet" model of this vacuum and is excellent for picking up animal hair on the sofa or futon.  All of these attachments are on board and snap securely into place on the vacuum when not in use.

Most of all, I am impressed with the sheer amount of "stuff" that this inexpensive vacuum picks up from all different surfaces.  From spilled kitty litter or dry animal food to sand, dust, dirt, animal hair, lint, what have you - it picks it up. There are multiple floor height settings that are clearly marked on the front of it, so you just select a height and go with it.

Lastly, my kids approve of the royal blue and lime green color scheme.

The bad:

My biggest problem with the Bissell Powergroom is how heavy this upright is.  At 23 pounds it is one of my heavier vacuums that I've owned.  While 23 pounds doesn't seem like a lot, pushing it across carpetted floors can make for quite a workout.  It honestly feels like it far more than 23 pounds and my arms feel it after doing each room.  Between the weight of the vacuum and the design of the wheels, this vacuum is not for wimpy cleaners.  My kids are getting to the age where they do chores and want to help. Both kids have asked to try vacuuming but this one is just far to hard for them to push - for now they have to stick with using the Shark VX63 Stick Vac and the Dirt Devil Kone Handheld which are more their size & weight appropriate.. leaving the muscle to mom.

Also, because of the size and weight of this model it is very difficult for me to take up and down stairs.  I live in a split-level home and so stairs are something that I cannot avoid and have to deal with.  Looking on the bright side, lugging this heavy vac around does add more to my cleaning workout!  In the end I'll have clean floors and some more muscle.

The other bummer on this model is that it doesn't have a retractable cord.  I love that it has a 35 foot cord that means not having to plug and unplug it frequently, but winding it up when done takes time.  While it only adds a few minutes to the end of clean-up, it would be nice to just push a button and have the cord wind up and retract on its own.

Overall
My complaints with the Bissell Powergroom are minor when I look at the big picture. For a very low price it does an excellent job at getting the floors clean. I'm satisfied with the Bissell Powergroom Bagless and would recommend it to those who have kids, families, pets, carpets, and need to get the job done.  Because of the weight and handling issues, I would suggest this to those who live in single-level residences or have mostly low-pile carpet. 


More Vacuum & Floor Cleaner Reviews:
Eureka Pet Pal Bagless Vacuum
Shark VX63 Stick Vac
Bissell Little Green Machine
Shark Steam Mop
Hoover Fusion Bagless Cyclonic
General Electric 106766 Bagged Canister Vac
Hoover WindTunnel Bagless Upright
Dirt Devil Kone Handheld
Swiffer Sweeper

Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 80