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Bissell Featherweight Review

An inexpensive vacuum for those with tight budgets and low expectations
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bissell featherweight stick vacuum review
Credit: Bissell
Price:  $50 List
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Manufacturer:   Bissell
By Isaac Laredo and Jessica Riconscente  ⋅  Oct 20, 2022
39
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#12 of 12
  • Convenience - 35% 3.0
  • Hard Surface Cleaning - 30% 4.8
  • Ease of Use - 20% 4.0
  • Carpet Cleaning - 15% 4.0

Our Verdict

The Bissel Featherweight is a low-cost stick vacuum that finished near the bottom of our test lineup. It is far from the easiest-to-use or most convenient model available. Throughout our testing, its cleaning performance left much to be desired. This vacuum is for those on tight budgets with expectations to match the price.
REASONS TO BUY
Inexpensive
One-button system
Light
REASONS TO AVOID
No attachments
Poor cleaning ability
Marginal handling
Do you need a vacuum that can handle any mess on all surfaces? Check out our best vacuum cleaners review.

Compare to Similar Products

(change comparison)
 
bissell featherweight stick vacuum review
This Product
Bissell Featherweight
Awards  Top Pick Award Best Buy Award   
Price $50 List
$33.99 at Amazon		$500 List
$450.00 at Amazon		$170 List
$139.49 at Amazon		$150 List$32 List
$37.99 at Amazon
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Bottom Line A budget vacuum with distinct limitations across all metricsThe cleaning performance and convenience of this stick vacuum impressed our testers, and made them want one for their own homesThis inexpensive vacuum is convenient and well-priced but only average overallThe advantages of this vacuum are numerous, but the drawbacks of subpar cleaning performance on typical surfaces outweigh those benefitsThis vacuum definitely wasn't our favorite, with its main merit being its exceptionally low price and not much else
Rating Categories Bissell Featherweight Shark Stratos Cordless Eureka RapidClean Pro Black+Decker Powers... Dirt Devil Simpli-Stik
Convenience (35%)
3.0
8.8
7.5
6.4
3.1
Hard Surface Cleaning (30%)
4.8
9.8
6.5
4.5
4.0
Ease of Use (20%)
4.0
6.8
6.4
8.0
5.8
Carpet Cleaning (15%)
4.0
9.1
4.9
6.5
2.7
Specs Bissell Featherweight Shark Stratos Cordless Eureka RapidClean Pro Black+Decker Powers... Dirt Devil Simpli-Stik
Weight 2.9 lbs 8.9 lbs 5.1 lbs 5.8 lbs 3.4 lbs
Cordless Battery Life n/a Boost: 10 min 28 sec
Eco: 49 min 6 sec		 23 min 12 sec Boost: 16 min 36 sec
Auto: 24 min 50 sec		 n/a
Measured Charge Time n/a 2 hours 55 min 4 hours 30 min 4 hours 45 min n/a
Noise Level 78 dBa 78 dBa 65 dBa 80 dBa 74 dBa
Model Number 2033 IZ862H NEC180 BHFEA520J SD20000RED
Measured Head Width 8" 10.25 9.75" 9.88" 9"
Variable Suction Control Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Brush On/Off Switch? Yes Reduced Speed No No n/a
Storage Stands up Freestanding in MultiFLEX storage mode Wall mount only Stands up; wall mount Stands up; falls over easily
Swivel Head? No Yes Yes Yes No
Soft Bumper? No Yes Yes No No
Cordless? No Yes Yes Yes No
Maximum Corded Reach 15 ft n/a n/a n/a 17.5 ft

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Bissel Featherweight stands out for its price more than its performance. We recommend other options in our stick vacuum review.

Performance Comparison


bissell featherweight stick vacuum review - the featherweight is a low-cost vacuum that provides marginal...
The Featherweight is a low-cost vacuum that provides marginal cleaning performance.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Convenience


The Bissell Featherweight is a simple one-button and lightweight corded vacuum that offers low levels of convenience for a stick vacuum.

True to its name, the Featherweight is lightweight, making it easy to carry and push around. The one button on/off keeps it easy to use. However, the 15ft cord and lack of attachments diminish the overall convenience of this model, as we prefer a cordless option. Stick vacuums are suited incredibly well for quick household clean-ups. The cord is a barrier to negate that benefit. It lacks attachments to specialize its uses and is essentially a handheld vacuum with a floor head adaptor and an extended stick. To store the vacuum, find a place where it can be free-standing and out of the way.

bissell featherweight stick vacuum review - the featherweight is essentially a handheld model with a floor...
The Featherweight is essentially a handheld model with a floor attachment and handle extension.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Hard Surface


The Featherweight is generally a poor performer on hard surfaces except for its ability to pick up rice. Its vacuum head strictly relies on suction rather than using a roller component. The suction power is concentrated toward the center of the vacuum head and tapers toward the side. The results left debris near the sides of the vacuum head.

This model performed shockingly well with rice and pet hair on hardwood floors. It handled the pet hair impressively well and got most of it with some patience. However, it struggled with the remainder of our tests. It pushed the flour around and into cracks, leaving a slight haze on the surface. The cereal frequently got stuck in the suction channel. When the vacuum was turned off, most of the cereal fell out. As for oatmeal, the vacuum pushed around almost half of the debris pile while moving forward. Fortunately, this model could pick up material while moving backward and resisted flinging any debris.

bissell featherweight stick vacuum review - this model often created a pile in front of the vacuum head.
This model often created a pile in front of the vacuum head.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Use


The Bissel Featherweight is relatively difficult to use for a stick vacuum. It has one switch and one power option, which limits the versatility and effectiveness of this model. It proved ineffective for edging and cleaning under the furniture due to its limited range of motion, which only reached 8 inches under the test couch.

The vacuum makes an average level of decibels but presents in a high-pitched tone that may frustrate certain individuals.

bissell featherweight stick vacuum review - you will likely need a tool to help you empty the debris.
You will likely need a tool to help you empty the debris.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Carpet Cleaning


This model had a subpar performance when cleaning carpets. It performed decently well on rice and oatmeal yet had a very marginal performance on pet hair, cereal, and flour. On the shallow carpet, it left about a dozen grains but cleaned up most on the second pass. It struggled immensely on fluffy carpet, taking almost ten passes. As for pet hair, flour, and cereal, the performance was disappointing and not an effective tool to clean these messes on shallow or fluffy carpets.

bissell featherweight stick vacuum review - this product struggled to fully clean up the pet hair during our...
This product struggled to fully clean up the pet hair during our carpet tests.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Should You Buy the Bissel Featherweight?


This product finished amongst the lowest in our test pool. While the price may appeal to some, there are higher-value products to do the job. We cannot recommend this product.

What Other Stick Vacuums Should You Consider?


If you're looking for a stick vacuum on a budget, consider the Eureka RapidClean for functional cleaning potential at a reasonable price. This alternative performed slightly above average across most tests.

— Isaac Laredo and Jessica Riconscente
 
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