Bissell CrossWave MAX – is it worth the splurge?! An honest review.

I’ve recently splurged on the Bissell CrossWave cordless Max. It’s a high tech vacuum that can vacuum and mop at the same time. Here, I’ll be giving a Bissell CrossWave Max review.

The cordless Bissell CrossWave can clean multiple-surfaces

I decided to go for it due to it’s multi-surface cleaning features. It can clean both hardwoods and rugs by vacuuming and mopping at the same time.

It’s perfect for large areas with many types of flooring, including tile floors, wooden floors, and can even clean area rugs and carpets.

My home is just under 4000 square feet. I have hardwood floors throughout with quite a few area rugs. You can image how long it must take me to clean my floors each week. This vacuum sounds like a dream come true… but does it live up to its hype?

Here I’ll be giving a bissell crosswave cordless max review. Let’s dive in!

Let’s answer some common question first…

Is Bissell CrossWave cordless any good?

the consensus is… yes. Most people find their bissell crosswave vacuum to be a great addition to their small home appliances.

It’s listed as a high-performance vacuum with its fast cleaning ability. People love that it works as a carpet cleaner, a steam mop, a dry vacuum, and wet vacuum.

It also works well to pick up pet hair and bulky dry debris without losing any suction. I also appreciate that due to it’s compact size, it cleans small areas just as well as large areas.

How long does the Bissell CrossWave cordless battery last?

The Bissell Cordless Max multi-surface cleaner has a 36 V lithium-ion battery. You get approximly 30 minutes of cordless cleaning power.

This way you can clean your home without being tied to an outlet.

How effective is the Bissell CrossWave?

The Crosswave tests show that it is very effective at removing almost 100% of all wet and dry debris.

It works well at freshening up carpets, including rubber floor mats, while also cleaning multiple types of hard flooring.

Can you just vacuum with the Bissell CrossWave cordless Max?

You can absolutely use the bissell crosswave as just a vacuum. It works well to clean messes on hard or soft surfaces by vacuuming and mopping, but it can be used as just a vacuum.

Can I use just water in Bissell CrossWave?

Yes, you can use fresh water in the clean water tank, but it will mop floors better with a cleaning solution.

But be careful! If you use anything other than bissell’s cleaner it voids the warranty.

Is the Bissell CrossWave self cleaning?

Yes, the crosswave has a self-cleaning function. You simple attach it to the 3-in-1 docking station, add clean water to the clean water tank, then hit the self-clean button.

It will then enter into a self-cleaning mode where It flushes out dirt, hair, and debris. When the self cleaning cycle is finished, simply empty the dirty tank of water and its ready for the next use.

Does the bissell crossWave have two water tanks?

The bissell crosswave has two tanks; a clean tank and a dirty dank. It keeps the cleaning formula in a separate tank from the dirty water tank.

Before you start cleaning your floors, simply add water and solution to the clean tank and as the process continues, the dirty water tank will begin to fill up.

I love this feature. With its two-tank technology, It means that the dirty water isn’t being filtered back through to the clean tank and its also not being left on the floor.

What other vacuum is like the Bissell CrossWave?

There is another vacuum that closely resembles the Bissell crosswave. Its called the Hoover Floormate. Both vacuums have very similar features.

One distinct feature that the Bissell CrossWave has that the Hoover Floormate doesn’t have is that the crosswave can be used as just a vacuum where as the floor mate can not.

Does the CossWave leave dirty streaks?

The Bissell CrossWave is not supposed to leave dirty streaks. But if its happening, it could be for a few different reasons.

Maybe you aren’t using enough cleaning solution. But be careful not to use too much cleaning solution as it could leave a sticky residue behind.

It could also mean you are using too much water. Try releasing the trigger after making a pass and going over the wet spot a few times without spraying.

Is the Bissell crosswave pro max better than the Bissell crosswave pet pro?

Is one vacuum better than the other? Well, it entirely depends on what your looking for. Both will do well to clean up floors, including pet hair.

The Bissell crosswave pro max has many more high end features with its cordless design. The pet pro is not cordless but it does have a larger roller at 12in covering a bit more of a large area at a time.

So really, it just comes down to budget. The crosswave is much more expensive with many more features but essentially does the same thing as the pet pro model.

If the upgrades are worth it and its in your budget, go for the pro max. If not, then go for the pet pro.

It’s perfect for pet owners looking for more frequent use as it only comes in a plug-in model. This way you do not have to wait on the battery to charge. Just plug it in and go.

Does the Bissell CrossWave have wi-fi connectivity?

Yes, the Crosswave pro max does have wifi connectivity that works well with bissell app called the bissell connect app.

It helps with maintenance tracking, usage tips, and offers customer service, all within the app.

You can even set up helpful alerts to make sure your vacuum stays in perfect working condition. You just have to set up bissell app alerts all within the app.

Bissell Crosswave pro review: pros and cons

Pro 1: Time-saving

The Bissell Crosswave is in fact time-saving! The functions speak for themselves: duo vacuuming and mopping at the same time. 

It’s cordless for easy maneuvering and my favorite feature: two tanks, one for cleaning solution and the other for the dirty water.

My home is over 4,000 square feet and any small appliance that is going to save me time cleaning my floors is totally worth the splurge.

Pro 2: Works well on all hard surfaces

I’ve found that the Crosswave Max works well on not only my hardwoods but also tile and linoleum. The roller brush is plush and has built-in grips to clean your floors well! My kitchen floor is large and wide plank floor boards. It seems to mop just as good as my steam mop.

I will say that if the roller gets too oversaturated with water it can leave streaks, but the key is to let go of the trigger and roll over that area to pick up the excess water. 

As a bonus, my Bissel Crosswave vacuum came with a second brush for backup! This way, I can alternate the two between cleaning my floors.

My cleaning isn’t delayed by having to clean the brushes and then letting them dry before using again, because they do need to be rinsed with hot water between uses.

Pro 3: Cleans carpets!

Probably my favorite feature of the Bissell Crosswave Max is that it works on carpets! Not only does it vacuum everything up on my carpet, but it refreshed my carpets making them smell fantastic.

It leaves your carpets slightly damp, but they dry quickly. I will say, this does not replace a carpet shampooer. This isn’t deep cleaning your carpets, but it gives them a nice refresh. It will definitely help with the lighter stains, but for tough stains, you’ll either have to spot treat of shampoo.

But that doesn’t mean it isn’t cleaning it – just not DEEP cleaning. Shampooing your carpet can take a lot of work and planning, but the Crosswave Max can give you a refresh when you need it!

 The water tank was pretty dirty after cleaning my area rugs so I know it did its job. My real highlight with the Crosswave vacuum is the mop for hard surfaces. 

Which makes sense, it is its main feature refreshing carpets is just a fabulous bonus.

I do find that it works best on low-pile carpets. I have a few shag rugs and the high-pile seems to get caught in the roller.

The Bissel CrossWave does an outstanding job picking up messes on floors. For instance, it will even pick up items as large as cereal and small legos.

Its best not to make a habit of it, but let’s face it, those blocks can be sneaky! Vacuuming a lego or two at my house is inevitable, so it’s good to know it can handle it!

con: Battery Life

I would have to that the battery life is decently a con. The battery level only lasts 30 minutes or so before needing to be back on the charging dock. Due to having a large home, how much square footage I can cover really depends on how fast I can work.

I can get about 2,000 sq ft done in about 30 minutes, so about half my house. I just split my upstairs and downstairs into two parts.

Pro: The self-cleaning cycle!!

Yup! The Bissel Crosswave has a self-cleaning feature! To make sure this vacuum functions the right way every time, cleaning it out is essential every time you use it.

The Cordless Max has a self-cleaning cycle to make that process so easy with just the push of a button.

To use this feature all you have to do is make sure there is enough solution in the tank. If not, fill up the tank with warm water to the self-cleaning line.

Then, place the vacuum on the docking station and press the self-cleaning icon.

This will run for about 40 seconds and shut off when it’s done. The dirty water tank icon will flash to remind you to empty the tank. 

At this point, I pop out the roller and windshield attachment to make sure everything is wiped out and cleaned before retiring my vacuum for the day.

Bonus – It’s Wifi compatible!

As mentioned above, you can easily hook your Bissell CrossWave up to wifi and connect on an app for maintenance, support, cleaning tips, and a usage dashboard.

I don’t know how often I’ll use this, but I suppose I will at some point if I start running into error codes.

Update* Last year I purchased the Bissell CrossWave max pro and since it’s been a whole year, I’ve written a review for 2021 – So if you’re curious how the Bissel Crosswave Max holds up after a year, you’ll have to check it out!

Do you have to use the solution they recommend?

No, you definitely don’t have to only use the Bissel CorssWave’s solution for your vacuum. I used the solution it came with until it ran out and then I used my castile soap solution.

To add the solution to the tank, all you have to do is first add warm water to the waterline, and then add your solution to the solution line.

You can really use any solution in the Bissel Crosswave and it will work fine! As mentioned before, the warranty will not hold up if you don’t use Bissell’s solution.

So, it’s probably best to stick to their formula. After the warranty is up, feel free to use whatever you like.

Any downsides to the Bissell CrossWave pro max??

I’ll be honest, there aren’t many. This baby has saved me so much time it’s incredible! My floors have never been cleaner!

Although, I will say that it’s tough to do any edge cleaning. So cleaning under your baseboards is tough.

The website does say that they have improved this feature, but it’s still not ideal for those areas because there are no attachments. 

So If I wanted to wash down my furniture I actually have to lift up my vacuum and place it on my furniture and work it back and forth. Which is ok – but not ideal and a little awkward.

To me – The cordless freedom outweighs any inconveniences. I should say it does an okay job with corners, but not as well as it would do with a hose.

The Bissell pro max is Pricey – but oh so worth it!

Boy does Bissell have a good product on their hands… and they know it too! This Crosswave vacuum does not run cheap at just under $400! 

I would say this is an investment piece that is totally worth saving up your pennies for. Hands down, I would 100% recommend this small appliance if you’re in the market for a new vacuum cleaner.

I love having a clean floor without the hours of time it generally would take me.

If I’ve talked you into buying a Bissel Crosswave Max, I can help you out with some resources. It can be tricky to understand all of its features, like self-cleaning!

Check out this youtube video by Messes with Michelle I found that shows how to use it best – it’s been a lifesaver! 

This vacuum is available at a lot of shops, I would definitely say shop around… But I got mine at Amazon because I love fast and free shipping. You can click the image below to check it out.

Be sure to pin for later!

Want to read more about updating your home on a budget? Check out my post below!

12 Classic Stair Runner Ideas and Where to Buy Them

Adding a classic stair runner is the perfect way to add a beautiful focal point to your interior design. Here, I’ll give you classic stair runner ideas and my favorite places to buy them!

Stair runners are a hidden gem in home decor. And while there are a number of reasons to add stair runners to your home, I love that they offer the perfect welcoming touch to any staircase making your space feel instantly homey.

Although, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming…

Thanks for reading!

Chat soon,

Kori