Bissell CrossWave Comparison Chart

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Bissell CrossWave Wet-Dry Vac
Cleans tile, sealed wood floors, laminate, area rugs and more
Innovative microfiber and nylon brush rotates at 3000 RPM
Better than a sponge mop and bucket, and in less time
Bissell CrossWave Pet Pro Wet-Dry Vac
Multi-surface cleaning with two tank technology
Pet hair strainer separates hair and large debris
Tangle-Free brush rolls, PET-specific formula w/ Febreze
Bissell CrossWave Cordless Max Wet-Dry Vac
Self-Cleaning Docking and Charging Station
Wifi capable with App for support, maintenance & reordering
Multi-Surface Formula, Hard Floor Sanitize formula
Bissell CrossWave Cordless X7 Wet-Dry Vac
Turbo Mode boosts cleaning performance
LED headlights illuminate pet hair, dirt and debris
Self-Cleaning Docking and Charging Station

Bissell CrossWave Comparison Chart

Bissell has many similar CrossWave products. This article breaks down differences between the CrossWave product line and answers key questions about functionality, giving you the model comparison you need.

Here is a comparison chart that details some of the finer points of the CrossWave wet dry vacuums:

Bissell CrossWave, Pet Pro, Max, X7 Comparisons
Green: stand-out pros, Red: stand-out cons. Data from Bissell website.

So who are these for?

The CrossWaves are very similar. If you are looking for a power cord, you are limited to the more basic CrossWave and Pet Pro with simple base trays. They are close to the same price range, so choose the Pet Pro over the baseline CrossWave for the upgraded brush roll and debris strainer.

If you are looking for cordless, both Max and X7 have an upgraded dock with self-cleaning ability but are higher in cost. In this class, you have to ask yourself if LED lighting is worth the extra cost of the X7.

Included Formula - don’t be fooled by differences in included formula. They are fully interchangeable and the amount provided is very small in sample containers.

Bissell CrossWave Feature FAQ

Pros and Cons of the CrossWave line

Pros:

  • Versatile: Can be used to vacuum and mop hard floors at the same time.
  • Powerful suction: Can pick up dirt, dust, and pet hair.
  • Easy to use: Just fill the water tank, add cleaning solution, and start cleaning.
  • Self-cleaning brushroll: Helps to keep the brushroll clean and free of hair and debris.
  • Lightweight and easy to maneuver: Makes it easy to clean hard-to-reach areas.
  • Affordable: Compared to other wet/dry vacuums, the Bissell CrossWave is relatively affordable.


Cons:

  • Can be noisy: The Bissell CrossWave is not the quietest vacuum on the market.
  • Not ideal for all flooring types: The Bissell CrossWave is not designed to be used on carpets.
  • Can be difficult to clean: The Bissell CrossWave can be difficult to clean, especially if it is not used regularly.
  • May not be effective on heavily soiled floors: The Bissell CrossWave may not be as effective on heavily soiled floors as a traditional vacuum cleaner.

What does “multi-surface cleaning” mean?

Being “multi-surface” in terms of Bissell’s CrossWave product line means that the cleaning devices are designed to effectively and safely clean a wide range of surfaces. Here are the surfaces Bissell lists as safe to use the CrossWave on:

  • Tile
  • Sealed wood floors
  • Laminate
  • Linoleum
  • Rubber floor mats
  • Pressed wood floors
  • Area rugs

Note that carpet is not listed here. However, this is still a big list of surface types. This versatility allows users to switch between different surfaces without the need for multiple cleaning tools or needing to swap out the brush roller.

How does self-cleaning work (Max and X7 Pro only)?

The self-cleaning cycle on the CrossWave Max and CrossWave X7 Pro is a great way to keep the device clean and minimize regular maintenance. Here are the steps on how to use it:

  1. Empty the dirty water tank
  2. Fill the clean water tank with clean water
  3. Add the appropriate amount of cleaning solution to the clean water tank
  4. Turn on the CrossWave Max or CrossWave X7 Pro
  5. Press the self-cleaning button

The CrossWave Max or CrossWave X7 Pro will automatically clean itself, flushing out dirt, hair, and debris from the brush roll and inside of the machine with clean water. The self-cleaning cycle takes about 40 seconds to complete.

After self-cleaning cycle is complete, the CrossWave Max or CrossWave X7 Pro will automatically shut off. You can then empty the clean water tank and refill it with clean water.

It would be nice to see Bissell implement a self-drying capability like we’ve seen on our Roborock Dyad Pro review.

Why does the Max connect to Wifi?

Wifi is only available on the CrossWave Max. Connecting your vacuum to Wifi and an app can be annoying if not executed with a great user experience. The Bissell Connect App provides these core features: maintenance info, support, cleaning tips, usage dashboard, formula and accessory reordering.

What do customers think of the app?

Praise of the Bissell Connect app is mixed. Some users express frustration and disappointment with the app, mentioning issues with functionality, difficulty in getting help, and inability to access certain features or register products. On the plus side, others appreciate the app’s usefulness in monitoring the unit, tracking filter and brush life, and ordering replacement supplies. Some users find the app easy to use and appreciate the convenience it offers in managing the cleaning process.

What are the benefits of a PET Multi-surface brush roll?

If you primarily have non-pet-related needs and don’t require specialized cleaning capabilities, the standard “Multi-surface” brush roll should suffice and provide effective cleaning results across a range of surfaces. The fact that Bissell only includes the PET Multi-surface brush roller for the Pet Pro and X7 Pro tends to indicate that PET vs non-PET is more of a marketing spin rather than a major performance difference.

Multi-surface: According to Bissell, this brush roll is designed to effectively clean a variety of surfaces, including tile, sealed wood floors, laminate, linoleum, rubber floor mats, pressed wood floors, and area rugs. It offers a versatile cleaning experience that can handle different types of debris and messes commonly found in households.

PET Multi-surface: On the other hand, the PET-branded brush roll is specifically designed to tackle pet-related messes and challenges. It is equipped with bristles that are optimized for effectively removing pet hair, dander, and other stubborn pet messes from a range of surfaces.

What are the differences in cleaning formulas?

Across the CrossWave devices, there are 4 different formulas: Multi-surface, PET Multi-surface + Febreze, Sanitize & Multi-surface, and PET Clean + Natural.

Multi-surface: The Multi-surface formula is a versatile cleaning solution suitable for various types of flooring, including tile, sealed wood floors, laminate, linoleum, and rubber floor mats. It is designed to effectively clean and refresh different surfaces without leaving residue behind.

PET Multi-surface + Febreze: The PET Multi-surface + Febreze formula is specifically designed for households with pets. In addition to the cleaning capabilities for multiple surfaces, it incorporates Febreze freshness to help eliminate pet odors and leave a pleasant scent behind. It is formulated to tackle pet-related messes, such as pet hair and odors, effectively.

Sanitize & Multi-surface: The Sanitize & Multi-surface formula is designed to provide a deeper level of cleaning and sanitization. It is formulated to kill 99.9% of bacteria on hard surfaces when used as directed. This formula is particularly beneficial for areas that require extra attention to hygiene and cleanliness.

PET Clean + Natural: The PET Clean + Natural formula is specifically formulated for households with pets, offering a natural and eco-friendly cleaning solution. It combines powerful cleaning agents with natural ingredients, providing effective cleaning while being safe for pets and the environment. This formula is designed to tackle pet messes while using ingredients derived from plants.

Overall Recommendation - the Max

We recommend the Cordless Max as having the best value for the feature set provided. Being cordless and self-cleaning minimizes hassle and maintenance burden - and we can live without the LEDs on the next level up.

Bissell CrossWave Cordless Max Wet-Dry Vac
Self-Cleaning Docking and Charging Station
Wifi capable with App for support, maintenance & reordering
Multi-Surface Formula, Hard Floor Sanitize formula