Hands-on Review: Bissell Powerclean Furfinder 200W cordless stick vacuum
One of my pet peeves with vacuum cleaners is how difficult they are to manoeuvre into those tight spots where dust loves to accumulate. Carpets are dust magnets, which isn't great for my asthma or my house dust allergy. With all this in mind, I was excited to try out Bissell's Powerclean Furfinder 200W cordless stick vacuum, and to discover just how much it sucked.
Out of the Box
Along with the vacuum cleaner, you also get a charger, wall mount, combination dusting and crevice tool, 1 battery and a motorised Furfinder Upholstery tool. Because of the tiny footprint of the Powerclean Furfinder, I haven't used the wall mount, but I'll likely install it in my cleaning cupboard once I locate my screwdriver set.
User Experience
In recent years, I've experienced some mobility issues. Even as I write, I have my trusty laptop mounted on my walker seat. The Powerclean Furfinder is ideal for someone like me. I can easily use it with one hand while wheeling myself around the house with the other. The lightweight construction and clever design make it ideal for anyone who wants to keep a tidy house. I've found that I've been able to do the entire house and a few spot cleaning jobs on a single charge. For me, that meant cleaning three bedrooms, the living room, the kitchen and the bathrooms, with still enough charge for some dusting and spot cleaning. The vacuum head is a medium width, making it easy for me to manoeuvre with one hand. The 400ml dirt tank was soon full of dust, fur and other stuff that carpets like to accumulate. The dusting and crevice tool has become one of my favourite features. I've been able to get right into the skirting boards and remove a couple of tank-loads of accumulated dust.
I'm also very enamoured of the tangle-free Brush Roll, complete with headlights. It's great for getting under beds and highlighting those often overlooked places. The Bissell specifications indicate about 40 minutes of use before recharging, but for me, that meant a whole house clean plus several short vacuuming jobs. I've also become a fan of the self-standing function, which does, of course, mean I need to remember where I left it! Emptying the tank is a simple push-button affair, and switching accessories is just as easy.
Suction modes
How does it suck? There are three suction modes available: Eco, Medium and Turbo. I have hardly had to use the Turbo function, because the Powerclean Furfinder has great suction in the other two modes. I found it useful when going along the skirting boards, with my back no longer able to cope with me using a dusting cloth at floor level. I was surprised at just how quickly the tank was full. The HEPA filtration has meant I can vacuum without reaching for my inhaler. In the few short weeks I've been using the Powerclean Furfinder, I have cut down on the use of my blue inhaler.
I vacuum my house regularly and was sure that I kept it pretty clean. Bissell surprised me with just how much dirt, dust, fur and hair it managed to extract. I don't own a pet, but I have a short-haired terrier visitor, which explains all the blonde hairs in the tank. The Bissell New Zealand website has the Powerclean Furfinder listed at $399. The price may not suck, but when it comes to suction, Bissell has certainly delivered.
Specifications
Featuring a powerful 25.2V battery, this vacuum offers up to 40 minutes of run time and recharges in just 3 hours. Weighing a mere 3.2kg, it's designed to clean a wide range of surfaces, from bare floors and carpets to stairs and car interiors. The vacuum includes Eco, Medium, and Turbo suction modes and a 400ml dirt tank capacity. A swivel head and tangle-free brush roll (for hair up to 8 inches) make it easy to manoeuvre, while the HEPA Sealed Allergen System and washable filters ensure cleaner air.