Bissell PowerEdge Pet 81L2A

With its slender and slim design, Bissell PowerEdge will allow you to maneuver around furniture with ease. On top of that, this model features an innovative and unique shape of the cleaning head.

So, to learn more about this particular vacuum, let’s dive deeper into our Bissell PowerEdge Pet review.

You might be surprised by the things we present here, so stick with us.

Bissell PowerEdge Pet review: a bit of background

Before we proceed with the review, we should make a quick detour and get to know the brand itself.

In case you didn’t hear about them, Bissell is a Michigan-based corporation that holds 20% of the US market share in its segment. In other words, this company is the leader in the United States when it comes to vacuum cleaners and similar appliances.

On top of that, Bissell has more than 144 years of tradition. Believe it or not, their first carpet sweeper came to life back in 1876!

When it comes to their modern models, such as Bissell PowerEdge 81L2A, we should also say that every purchase helps homeless pets. Yes, a portion of every payment goes to the Bissell Pet Foundation.

Design and aesthetics

Now that we know a bit more about Bissell as a brand, we can focus on the 81L2A model. In essence, Bissell PowerEdge Pet is a stick vacuum. Thus, there are no separate components of the cleaner. Everything moves together as you glide across the floor.

With that said, the slender body of this vacuum provides it with a sleek appearance. On top of that, the gray color scheme is noticeable yet unobtrusive.

After all, Bissell is a brand with years of experience in the business. As a result, they know a thing or two about making a decent-looking vacuum cleaner.

The ergonomic handle will allow you to control the device effortlessly. We should also mention that this model does not come with complicated controls or buttons. In short, you only have an On/Off switch at your disposal.

All in all, Bissell 81L2A is a decent-looking device. Of course, aesthetics are not the priority when it comes to vacuum cleaners, so let’s move on to other aspects of this appliance.

V-shaped cleaning head

For instance, the unique shape of the cleaning nozzle of this model will surprise many homeowners.

The thing is, the Bissell PowerEdge Pet vacuum comes with a revolutionary cleaning head. A V-shaped cleaning base is not something you see every day, that’s for sure.

So what’s the catch? Well, the V-shaped head offers improved performances when it comes to collecting debris on hard floors.

We had to see this mechanism for ourselves, so we tested it on several surfaces. For example, we tested it on hardwood flooring, as well as tiles, linoleum, and wall-to-wall carpeting.

It turns out that this nozzle works by corralling the dirt and directing it in the path of the suction tube. Like a relentless hunter, the V-shaped head tracks down the pray and annihilates the debris without mercy.

Related: Best corded stick vacuum cleaners

On top of that, the cleaning head comes equipped with a pair of rubber squeegees. These elements are there to sweep the flooring and make sure that all the debris gets into the cleaner.

In a way, the V-shaped nozzle behaves like an inverted arrow. Thus, you can drag it along the walls and collect dirt from those areas as well.

Although Bissell claims that this shape can also offer better cleaning of the corners, this may not be the case every time. In other words, it can be awkward to try and use the V-shaped head for the edges of the room.

Speaking of the performances, let’s see how Bissell 81L2A behaves in action.

Performances

To prepare for our Bissell PowerEdge Pet review, we had to put this model through its paces. As we already said, we tested it on several different types of flooring.

So, are you interested in learning how it behaved?

Well, this model is a budget-friendly vacuum cleaner, so you should adjust your expectations right from the start. In other words, the performances on carpets leave a lot to be desired. After all, the lack of a motorized brush is visible when you move the cleaning head onto a thick carpet.

This particular stick vacuum uses a motor that delivers up to 6 amps of power. Depending on your needs, the device might feel a bit underpowered at times.

Read also: Miele Swing H1 hard floor stick vacuum review

At the same time, Bissell PowerEdge Pet hard floor vacuum works like a charm when you need to collect debris off of hardwood, tiles, or linoleum.

The width of the cleaning path of the V-shaped nozzle is 11.35 inches, which means that you will be able to cover plenty of ground in one move.

Despite its name, this model is not the best in the market when it comes to collecting pet hair. However, it will suck in the hair eventually, but you will have to sweep over the area a couple of times.

Accessories and tools

Unfortunately, Bissell 81L2A does not come with any attachments or extra tools. So, you will not receive a crevice tool or an upholstery brush.

As a result, Bissell PowerEdge Pet can only clean floors and horizontal areas in your household. Even though this vacuum cleaner is lightweight and slender, you will not be able to vacuum the upholstery with it.

Ceilings and drapes are out of reach as well. Then again, this vacuum cleaner offers excellent performances on hard floors. So, if you need a vacuum cleaner for this type of flooring, Bissell 812LA could be right up your alley.

Mobility and ease of use

By now, you must’ve noticed that this particular model comes with a few shortcomings. Well, the mobility of the Bissell PowerEdge 81L2A is there to compensate for all the downsides.

First of all, this vacuum cleaner is one of the lightest in its class. To be precise, this model weighs only 7.5 pounds!

As a result, you will be able to grab it and perform a quick pick-up around the house with ease. Plus, Bissell installed swivel steering on this vacuum cleaner. Therefore, the maneuverability of Bissell PowerEdge is at a high level.

Related: Best stick vacuum for hardwood floors

Swivel steering will allow you to get around chairs and tables in a flash. Of course, the V-shaped cleaning base also improves the points for convenience.

Plus, this particular stick vacuum is self-standing. So, you don’t have to lean it against the wall or a table. Also, the self-standing system is perfect for storing the device in the back of your closet.

Speaking of usability, we should also mention the translucent dust container. The transparent cup allows users to see how much dust is inside. Thus, you can empty the cup as soon as the level of debris gets near the top.

Filtration

While we are on the topic of dust containers, we should also take a closer look at the filters on this model.

As it turns out, Bissell did not go overboard when it comes to the filtration on the Bissell PowerEdge Pet hard floor vacuum.

What this means is that there are no HEPA filters on this vacuum cleaner. Instead, the device relies on cyclonic filtration and a standard filter.

The filter is visible from the outside, and you can remove it when you detach the dust cup. The removal of the dust container is super easy, and the same applies to the filter.

Of course, the lack of HEPA filtration could present a problem for allergy-prone homeowners. Nonetheless, the cyclonic filtration also does an excellent job of keeping the allergens trapped inside of the vacuum.

Final thoughts

As you can see, our Bissell PowerEdge Pet review left no stone unturned. We have examined the features of this model in full detail and provided you with a comprehensive overview.

When it comes to the verdict, it is clear that this vacuum cleaner offers a decent value-per-price ratio. After all, this is a budget-friendly vacuum cleaner, and the performances are in line with this category.