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Bissell Crosswave Review

Derek Hales

Written By: Derek Hales

Updated on:

Wish you could sweep and mop at the same time? The Bissell Crosswave is a multi-surface floor cleaner designed to do just that (and clean area rugs too).

This week, we will be putting the multi-surface Crosswave through the Modern Castle performance tests to determine how well this unit can perform as both a vacuum and mop.

Mopping & Vacuum Floor Cleaner

Bissell Crosswave

Bissell Crosswave

The Bissell Crosswave is a versatile, wet-dry vacuum that gives users the ability to vacuum, sweep, and mop at the same time. The Crosswave dominated our cleaning tests, removing nearly 100% of all dry and wet debris types. The only major con is it cannot be used on carpets, so it’s not really a whole home cleaner. That said, for all hard surfaces and area rugs it provides exceptional cleaning performance. Highly recommended.

Pros

  • Incredible cleaning performance on both hard surfaces and area rugs
  • Surprisingly easy to use and maintain (annual costs not too high)

Cons

  • The Crosswave cannot be used on carpets, only areas rugs
  • This Bissell struggles a bit with liquid when it is up against baseboards or walls
Wet mess? Dry mess? No problem
  • Design - 97%
    97%
  • Performance - 98%
    98%
  • Quality - 95%
    95%
  • Usability - 96%
    96%
  • Value - 94%
    94%
96%

Summary

The Bissell Crosswave is a multi-surface floor cleaner with a great level of versatility paired with strong performance. This specific Bissell is able to suck up dry debris while also mopping and cleaning up wet substances on your hard floors. Additionally, the push of a button allows you to wash you area rugs easily. All things considered, the Bissell Crosswave is a great option for users who want to sweep and mop in one pass.

Prefer to watch rather than read? See our Bissell Crosswave video review below:

YouTube video

Bissell Crosswave Design

The Bissell Crosswave Multi Surface is designed with somewhat of a stick vacuum styling, with a few extra additions. Crosswave is part vacuum, part wet mop.

Bissell Crosswave

As a wet dry vacuum, the cleaning head of this unit contains a multi-surface brushroll that is able to help agitate dirt and debris, in addition to mopping hard floors or wash area rugs.

Brushroll

Several strands of cloth make up the brushroll. By using cloth, the brushroll is able to absorb the cleaning solution and water in order to properly clean the floors. Additionally, the cloth is soft enough to avoid scratching your more delicate floors.

Cleaning Tank

There are two separate tanks on this Bissell. One is used for the clean water and cleaning solution and the other is used to store the dirty water and debris that is sucked up by the unit.

Bissell Crosswave cleaning solution water tank
Bissell Crosswave cleaning solution water tank

On the clean water tank is two fill lines; one for small area messes and one for large messes. These lines are clearly marked to show how much water should be added, followed by how much cleaning solution should be added to the water.

By following the measurements provided on the tank, users are able to create the right amount of solution to clean the floors with, without wasting any water or cleaner.

Dirty Tank

The dirty water / debris tank is 0.4 L and can easily be removed from the unit. A small lip on the front of the tank acts as a handle, allowing the user to quickly release the tank from the Crosswave itself.

Operating

Along the handle of this Bissell are the cleaning mode knobs. The two buttons indicate the floor type the user is cleaning on; rug and hard floor. Once the Bissell Crosswave vacuum is turned on, the mode can be quickly changed by pressing one of these two buttons.

The trigger that supplies the water and cleaning solution to the brushroll is also located along the handle and can be squeezed once the unit is powered on.

Bissell Crosswave cleaning head (side view)
Side profile view of the Bissell Crosswave cleaning head

25′ cord powers the unit and can be wrapped along the back side of the Crosswave.

Cleaning Tests

The following tests are designed to show how the Bissell Crosswave Multi-Surface floor cleaner performs as both a mop and a vacuum.

We tested the Crosswave as a mop on tile flooring, spreading three different debris types across the floor and attempting to mop them up over the course of three passes.

Next, we tested the Bissell Crosswave as a vacuum on an engineered hardwood floor. For this test, we spread four different debris types across our testing lane and attempt to suck each of them up.

Below are the cleaning scores for each debris / cleaning type.

Mud

100%

Honey

100%

Soda

99%

Vacuum

100%

For starters, the mop test contains three debris types:

  • Dirt / mud
  • Honey
  • Soda

Each of these debris types offer a different level of stickiness and consistency, allowing us to test the Bissell Crosswave vacuum against a light, heavy, and liquid substance. All three debris types are spread across our testing lane in three separate sections.

Bissell Crosswave mopping tests
What our mopping test look liked before we starting cleaning

Throughout our mopping tests, we try to give real life examples and be as consistent and fair as possible. The mopping test procedure goes as follows:

  1. Measure out 3 oz of soda and spread the soda across the back of the testing lane.
  2. Squirt honey in the middle of the testing lane, covering a majority of the width of the lane.
  3. Create a muddy substance from dirt and water then spread the mud with a shoe.
  4. Make a pass across the testing lane and compare the amount of each debris type mopped up on pass one to the untouched debris.
  5. Complete pass number two across the lane and analyze the amount of each debris type mopped up.
  6. Make a third pass, if necessary.

Mopping Tests

The Bissell Crosswave did an excellent job mopping up each of the three debris we spread across our testing lane.

After making one pass across all of the debris, the mud was removed 100% of the way, the honey was removed 90-95% of the way, and the soda was mopped up at a level of at least 95%.

As less of a sticky substance, the dirt posed no issues for the Bissell Crosswave. On the other hand, the honey and soda were not entirely mopped up after one pass.

Bissell Crosswave mopping tests
Bissell Crosswave mopping vs. soda, honey, and mud (we cleaned the left side, leaving the right dirty so you could see the difference)

Cleaning Honey

The honey is quite a thick, sticky substance that requires a little bit of extra pressure from the user, in addition to 2-3 passes to completely remove it.

Bissell Crosswave honey test
Cleaning honey with the Crosswave

After our second pass, the honey was virtually non-existent. One final pass left the area where honey was spread, spotless.

Cleaning Soda

Soda was a bit different than both the mud and honey. The Bissell Crosswave Multi-Surface did not have any problems mopping up the soda, except when it came to mopping it away from the baseboards of our testing lane. When easily accessible, the Crosswave mopped up the soda with ease.

However, as we tried to mop the soda that was up against the baseboards, it seemed as if the inch or so of plastic casing around the multi-surface brushroll prevented this Bissell from getting close enough to the baseboard.

Bissell Crosswave cleaning soda
Liquids that push to the baseboard or wall may be harder for the Crosswave to clean.

That said, there was a minimal portion remaining on our testing lane after everything was said and done. We were able to use a small rag and clean up the rest of the mess.

RELATED | Wonder how the Crosswave compares to the Hoover Floormate? Find out in our Bissell Crosswave vs. Hoover Floormate comparison. Also see our Bissell Crosswave vs. Symphony comparision. 

Area Rug Cleaning Test

As one of the more versatile mops we have tested, the Bissell Crosswave also has the ability to wash area rugs. During this test, we took a high pile shag rug that has not been washed in 6 months. The rug sits in a high traffic area of a home and is in a house with one dog and two cats.

From there, we used the Bissell Crosswave to clean half of the rug and compare to the other half. After doing so, we found that the Crosswave vacuum was able provide a deep cleaning for the rug. 

Does it remove dog & cat hair?

It removed a sizable portion of dog and cat hair (in addition to other dirt / debris) from deep within the fibers of the rug.

The Crosswave was able to remove dirt, debris, and dog hair that our vacuum missed
The Crosswave was able to remove dirt, debris, and dog hair that our vacuum missed

While the Bissell Crosswave was able to remove lots of hair, dirt, and debris, it wasn’t able to restore the carpet’s white stripes back to their original vividness. 

Does it remove stains?

To erase the stains from a rug like this one, you will more than likely need a more powerful carpet cleaner or perhaps a stain remover like this.

Our cleaning process consisted of three total passes over the dirty area of the rug. During these passes, we saw the carpet get cleaner each pass.

By the final (third) pass, the carpet still had some slight discoloration, but there was a definite improvement in smell, aesthetic, freshness, and overall cleanliness.

Area rug cleaning test - Bissell Crosswave
Area rug cleaning test – Bissell Crosswave

Probably the most interesting trait about using the Bissell Crosswave on the area rug was its ability to suck down deeply into the rug.

After priming the unit for 10 seconds, I began pushing the Crosswave. Once I got moving, I found that this Bissell was sucking so deeply into the rug that it was difficult to actually push and pull the unit.

If you’re able to move quickly, the Crosswave is not as hard to handle, but if you are taking slower passes across the rug, some users may find it a bit harder to push on a thicker rug.

On the positive side, this strong degree of suction allowed the unit to remove dog hair and debris that was deeply grounded into the rug.

Vacuum Cleaning Tests

The Bissell Crosswave Multi Surface performed flawlessly as a vacuum during our tests. After spreading the rice, kitty litter, cereal, and sugar across our testing lane, the Crosswave vacuum was able to vacuum up 100% of each debris.

There were no issues with this Bissell when it came to vacuuming on hardwood floors.

Bissell Crosswave vacuuming tests
Bissell Crosswave vacuuming test vs. cereal, sugar, kitty litter, and rice

Keep in mind, the Bissell Crosswave is not designed to vacuum on carpeted surfaces, therefore we did not test this unit, as a vacuum, on any carpets.

If you need a vacuum that performs better on carpets see our full list of vacuum reviews, our best vacuum for hardwoods primer, or the Dyson V10 review (one of our personal favorites).

Overall, the Bissell Crosswave had an impressive level of performance with regard to vacuuming on hardwood floors. Combining this high level of vacuuming performance with the strong mopping performance makes for a an extremely well-rounded wet dry vacuum.

How Bissell Crosswave Cleans

The Bissell Crosswave cleans in a few different ways. Since this unit operates as both a mop and a vacuum, the way in which it cleans can vary.

Vacuuming

First off, when used as a vacuum, the Crosswave vacuum works to sweep and suck through the suction path and brushroll. The brushroll will spin, sweeping dirt and debris into the suction path of the unit.

Bissell Crosswave multi-surface cleaning head
Bissell Crosswave multi-surface cleaning head

From there, the suction power of the Crosswave works to lift the dirt and debris into the dust bin.

Mopping

Next up, the Bissell Crosswave can be used to mop hard floor surface types, such as tile or hardwoods, in addition to washing area rugs. As the Crosswave is placed into hard floor mode, the brushroll will begin to spin.

Once this occurs, users can press the trigger on the inside of the handle, which will dispense the cleaning solution onto the brushroll.

Bissell Crosswave multi-surface cleaning head
Bissell Crosswave multi-surface cleaning head

Now that the solution has been dispensed onto the brushroll, it can be used as a mop. Yet, it is still going to suck like a vacuum as well. This combination allows users to clean messes that contain both dry and wet debris all in one.

For example, cereal and milk – the Bissell Crosswave Multi Surface will suck up the dry debris like a vacuum, while also mopping up the liquid.

Area Rugs

If you are cleaning an area rug, the unit needs to be placed into “area rug” mode. This is completed by pressing the appropriate button on the handle of the unit.

The area rug mode works in a similar fashion to the hard floor mode, except four times the amount of cleaning solution is dispensed. This process allows the brushroll to clean deeper.

Bissell does recommend that if a mess is extremely sticky on a hard floor surface, users should place the unit in area rug mode. The added amount of cleaning solution will help lift the sticky substance off of the floor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Bissell Crosswave work on carpet?

No. According to the Bissell Crosswave’s product description it works on seal hard floors and area rugs only. Do not use the Crosswave on carpets.

Does the Bissell Crosswave use steam?

No. The Bissell Crosswave does not use steam. Instead, it uses a rotating wet-dry brushroll made from cloth fibers and a two tank water cleaning system.

Does the Bissell Crosswave clean grout?

Yes, to a point. Regular cleaning of your floors with the Crosswave will help to keep dirt to a minimum on your grout lines. However, it is not the same as deep cleaning your grout with more direct cleaning methods.

Does the Bissell Crosswave work on laminate floors?

Yes, provided the laminate floors are sealed and water proof. You should check with your flooring manufacturer and/or installer to determine if your laminate floors are water proof.

Does the Bissell Crosswave clean itself?

Yes. The Bisell Crosswave includes a self-cleaning tray. Simply place the Crosswave on the tray and use the Area Rug cleaning mode for a few seconds. This will clean the brushroll.

Does the Bissell Crosswave have attachments?

Yes, however, the included attachments vary based on the version. All Crosswave versions include a multi-surface brushroll and cleaning tray. Some versions included specialized brushrolls for pets, area rugs, and/or hardwoods.

Does the Bissell Crosswave clean area rugs?

Yes, and quite well based on our testing data. The Crosswave isn’t a replacement for a traditional carpet shampooer, but it does help to keep area rugs notably cleaner.

Does the Bissell Crosswave really work?

Yes. The Bissell Crosswave is a powerful wet mop. In addition, it’s able to remove larger dry debris that you would normally need a vacuum or broom for. It performed well during all of our cleaning tests.

Does the Bissell Crossave sanitize?

No. It does not use steam or harsh chemicals that would sanitize floors of bacteria and viruses. It is a floor cleaner only, not a floor sanitizer.

How big is the Bissell Crosswave?

The Bissell Crosswave is 46″ tall, 12″ wide, and 10.6″ deep.

Bissell crosswave wet dry vacuum review - size and dimensions

Additionally, this Bissell weighs 11 pounds.

  • Length – 46″
  • Width – 12″
  • Cleaning head Depth– 10.6″
  • Weight – 11 pounds

What accessories come with the Bissell Crosswave?

The Bissell Crosswave is a multi-surface wet dry vacuum that includes a few different parts and accessories.

Bissell Crosswave accessories and parts

The Bissell Crosswave includes the following:

Bissell Crosswave multi-surface brush

Multi-Surface Brushroll

The Bissell Crosswave includes a multi-surface brushroll. This brushroll includes medium firmness bristles, in addition to the softer fibers of the core brush. This makes it great for a variety of hard surfaces, in addition to area rugs.

Bissell Crosswave hardwood floor brush

Hardwood Floor Brushroll

Some versions of the Bissell Crosswave include the hardwood floor brush. This is similar to the multi-surface brush, except it does not include the medium firmness bristles. This brush is all soft fiber, which is better for polishing hardwood floors.

Bissell Crosswave area rug brush

Area Rug Brushroll

Some versions of the Bissell Crosswave include the area rug brush. This brush is entirely made up of medium firmness bristles and does not have the core of soft fibers. The firmer bristles create better agitation, which will yield better cleaning performance for area rugs.

Bissell Crosswave pet brush

Pet Brushroll

Some versions of the Bissell Crosswave include the pet brush. This brush is similar to the multi-surface brush, however, the firmer bristles sit below a softer bristles. This allows for agitation, but keeps the firmer bristles from grabbing onto longer hairs and becoming tangled. It works on both hard surfaces and area rugs.

Bissell Crosswave cleaning solution

Cleaning Solution

The cleaning solution included with the Bissell Crosswave is designed for multiple floor surface types. This solution should be mixed with the water inside of the clean water tank. There are also specific cleaning solutions available for hardwood floors, area rugs, and pets.

Bissell Crosswave cleaning tray

Cleaning Tray

A cleaning tray is also included with the Bissell Crosswave. The unit can be placed on top of the tray with cleaning solution added to the front portion of the tray. Users are the able to turn the Crosswave on and clean the brushroll with this stationary cleaning tray.

Bissell Crosswave filter

Filter

The filter included with the Bissell Crosswave is washable, but does need to be replaced eventually. Users will be able to notice the deterioration of the filter over time, which should help to know when the part should be replaced.

Although the Bissell Crosswave does not include a large number of extra parts or accessories, there are options to purchase more. See the full list here.

Cleaning Solutions

Bissell offers a good variety of cleaning solutions, including the following:

  • Multi-surface: The multi-surface solution can be used to clean wood, area rugs, and tile.
  • Wood: As the name suggests, the wood formula should only be used on your hardwood floors.
  • Area rug: The area rug cleaner should be used strictly on area rugs, not carpeted surfaces or hard floor types.
  • Multi-surface Pet: The Bissell Crosswave can also be used to clean up pet messes, which is where this cleaning solution comes in handy.
  • Variety Pack: Alternatively you can grab a variety pack, which includes the multi-surface, wood floor, and area rug cleaning solutions.
  • Make Your Own: You can also choose to make your own or simply use clean water. However, you should note that using your own home made cleaning solution may void your warranty.

Each of these cleaning solutions offers a different scent. Therefore, users have even more variety when choosing which smell they would like to enjoy while cleaning the floors.

Is the Bissell Crosswave Easy to Use?

The Bissell Crosswave Multi Surface is not a complicated unit to use, but it can be confusing to operate your first time. That said, Bissell does offer a user guide with clear instructions on how to operate / maintain the Crosswave.

Cleaning Modes

First things first, there are two cleaning modes that determine how this Bissell should be used; hard floor and rug. These two modes are controlled by labeled buttons located on the handle of the unit.

Bissellc Crosswave removing the brush
To remove the brush, simply snap off the protective cover, and then pull the brush along the side “pull” hook.

Each of these modes can be used to vacuum or mop / wash your floors. If you decide to use the Bissell Crosswave as a vacuum, the only requirements are plugging in the unit and choosing a floor type.

Bissell Crosswave dirty water tank
Removing the Crosswave’s dirty water tank

The rest of the work, aside from actually pushing the Crosswave, is controlled by the vacuum.

Preparing to Clean

As you move on to mopping, the process becomes a little more intuitive.

For example, if you decide to mop your tile floors, the process is as follows:

  1. Remove clean water tank from back side of Crosswave (be sure unit is not plugged in before doing so)
  2. Choose floor size and fill water / solution to their respective lines
  3. Replace the tank into the Crosswave
  4. Plug in unit
  5. Choose floor type
  6. Once powered on, press and hold the trigger on the handle for 10 seconds to allow for priming of the water / solution
  7. Begin cleaning

The more you use this unit, the easier it gets. Filling the water tank is not difficult and is quick to complete. Once you actually power the Bissell Crosswave on, mopping is simple, as long as you are consistent with squeezing the trigger that releases the cleaning solution.

Bissell Crosswave water tank removal
To remove the cleaning solution water tank along the back, simply pull up and out from the unit.

Some users may find that the unit does not clean its best if the brushroll is not primed before cleaning, or if they are not holding down the trigger while making passes back and forth across the mess.

Replacing Parts

Each of the water tanks and the brushroll can be removed easily as well. Simply pull on their respective handles and each section will pop off.

Be sure you hear a click when replacing each piece, as this ensures everything is snapped into place correctly.

Overall, the Bissell Crosswave is not hard to use, but you may want to give the directions a quick read before using it for the first time.

RELATED – Interested in how other Bissell’s clean? See our Bissell vacuum reviews, as well as the popular Bissell Pet Hair EraserHard Floor Expert, and Bolt stick vacuum.

Maneuverability

The Bissell Crosswave vacuum contains a swivel head, but this is not a highly maneuverable swivel head. The head is only able to turn ~25°.

Bissell Crosswave maneuverability

The inability to turn could be an issue for some users, depending on the layout of your home. If you are only trying to mop or vacuum open spaces, the Crosswave’s maneuverability won’t be an issue.

Weight

11 lbs.

Cord

25′

Height

46″

Modes

3

Although this Bissell is not able to turn sharply, it does contain a 25′ cord. Therefore, the cleaning radius of this mop is quite large.

Maintenance Tasks

Maintaining the Bissell Crosswave is of the utmost importance. If you do not pay attention to the maintenance and care of this unit, you may experience less than ideal cleaning performance.

  • Wash / change the filter – The Bissell Crosswave only has one filter, but it should be washed after every major cleaning session. As a washable filter, the replacement frequency is a bit less than most other filters. After cleaning the filter you’ll want to let it dry 24 hours before using it again.
  • Empty / clean the dirty water tank – Emptying the dirty water tank is crucial. If the water tank is full, the Crosswave will stop cleaning entirely. It is extremely important to empty / rinse out the dirty water tank after every use.
  • Clear / clean brushroll – The brushroll is another major player in the performance of the Bissell Crosswave. There will be times where the brushroll is dirty or contains tangles from hair, strings, etc. To clean the brushroll, place the unit on the cleaning tray and run the brushroll on top of some water / solution. Freeing the brushroll of any tangles can be completed with scissors or by hand.

Annual maintenance costs for the Bissell Crosswave lands around $40 / year. This includes replacing the filter and brushroll once a year and 64 oz. of multi-surface cleaning solution.

DIY Cleaning Solution

Around 50% of the on-going maintenance costs for the Crosswave will be the cost of your cleaning solution. You’ll save yourself at least $20 / year if you make your own homemade cleaning solution.

Before you dive in to making your own cleaner please be aware:

If you use your own cleaning solution in the Crosswave it will void your warranty. We do not recommend using your own cleaning solution.

While it can save you a few bucks, if there’s a chance it could damge the machine it just doesn’t feel worth it.

One commenter below said vinegar cleaning solutions damaged the seals of her Crosswave. So proceed with caution.

Bissell Crosswave vs Pet Pro

The Crosswave is offered as the standard Crosswave as well as a Crosswave Pet Pro. There are not many differences between the two, but certainly enough to sway your decision if you’re a pet owner.

Bissell Crosswave
Crosswave
  • Brushroll: Multi-Surface
  • Cleaner: Multi-Surface
  • Warranty: 2 Years
  • Cord: 25′
  • Weight: 11.5 lbs.
Bissell Crosswave Pet Pro
Crosswave Pet Pro
  • Brushroll: Tangle Free Pet
  • Cleaner: Multi-Surface Pet
  • Warranty: 3 Years
  • Cord: 25′
  • Weight: 11.5 lbs.

To begin with, the design of these two Bissell’s is structurally identical on the Bissell Crosswave vs Pet Pro. The only design difference between these two units is the color scheme. The standard Crosswave (which we are focusing on in this review) is green, whereas the Bissell Crosswave Pet is purple.

Bissell Crosswave vs. Bissell Crosswave Pet Pro

When we take a look at the brushrolls included with these two units, the Bissell Crosswave Pet is going to include a multi-surface brush designed specifically for pet hair.

Bissell claims that this brush is tangle free for hair up to 8″ long.

Included with the standard Bissell Crosswave is a similar brushroll, minus the extra pet featured tangle free design.

Pet Cleaning Solution

Additionally, the purchase of a Bissell Crosswave Pet will contain the multi-surface pet cleaning solution instead of the standard multi-surface cleaner included with the original Crosswave.

The last major difference between the Bissell Crosswave vs Pet Pro is the warranty. The Pet Pro includes a 3-year warranty, as compared to the 2-year warranty offered on the standard.

If you’re looking for additional help dealing with pet hair, see our Dyson Ball Animal 2 Review.

Is the Bissell Crosswave worth the money?

In our tests, the Bissell Crosswave removed nearly 100% of all dry and wet debris types. The only downside is that it doesn’t work on carpets. However, it does an excellent job at removing rice, sugar, cereals, dirt, debris, and pet hair from area rugs and tile/hardwood floors. Its accessories, especially the self-cleaning tray, can make cleaning a lot easier.

The Crosswave can also be used on waterproof laminate floors. Just make sure you check with your flooring manufacturer first. All in all, the Bissell Crosswave offers great value for the money, as you can use it to vacuum, mop, and sweep most types of surfaces.

The Bissell Crosswave is definitely worth it and offers an amazing value. This Bissell acts as both a mop and vacuum, and does an excellent job cleaning in both forms.

The price you pay for this unit is well worth the high level of performance you receive.

Bissell Crosswave

Cleaning

During our cleaning tests, there were hardly any issues. As a vacuum, the Crosswave was flawless. As a mop, it was nearly perfect.

The only area where we saw a problem was having the unit try to mop up liquid that was up against a baseboard. While the Crosswave was not able to clean up 100% of the liquid, its performance with other messes was perfect.

Maneuverability

Maneuverability is perhaps my biggest complaint. The Crosswave has a limited turning radius of ~25°. As a result, it’s best suited to go straight forward and straight back.

That said, it does have a 25′ cord, which is a nice feature.

Maintenance

Maintenance isn’t too bad considering the cleaning performance. The cleaning solutions could get pricey. Beyond that, it’s simply replacing the filter and brushroll as needed.

Warranty and returns are about average with the Crosswave. Bissell offers a 2-year warranty and a 30-day return policy (via Amazon.com).

RELATED – See the full list of vacuums we’ve reviewed here.

Bissell Crosswave Reviews: What Do Other Consumers Say?

To better understand general consumer opinions on the Crosswave we looked at Bissel Crosswave reviews on Bissell.com. Overall, the Crosswave reviews are excellent.

Out of 3,916 reviews the Crosswave received 4.6 stars. 2,961 Crosswave reviews were five-stars and 153 reviews were one-star

Complaints among the one-star reviews ranged from performance issues, damaging floors, build quality, and specific floor type issues.

Here’s an example of a one-star review:

I have tried EVERYTHING to get this machine to work properly and it won’t. Despite clean, new roller, filter and having been cleaned from top to bottom, it will spray water/cleaning fluid…but don’t expect it to suck it back up. My floors actually look worse after using it than they did before. Totally regret this purchase.

The five-star reviews tend to be shorter and all about the same. Most focused on the performance, lightweight feel, and usability.

Here’s an example of a Bissell Crosswave review that received five-stars:

This is the third Bissell that I have purchased in a matter of 30 or more years. I used the last two until they wore out. I am happy with my last purchase. It is cleaning nicely and I have been highly satisfied.

One thing to note, I really like that Bissell shows both positive and negative reviews on their website. The Bissell Crosswave reviews are easily filterable, so you can see certain review scores, as well as other filter / sort criteria.

Bissell Crosswave Specifications

Below is a complete list of important specifications and features included on the Bissell Crosswave:

Specifications
TypeWet Dry
ManufacturerBissell
ModelCrosswave
Length46"
Width12"
Weight11 lbs.
Floor TypeAll (indoor)
Dust Bin Capacity0.8 L & 0.4 L
CordlessNo - 25' cord
BaglessYes
ReturnsVaries by retailer
Warranty2-Year limited
Check PriceCheck Price

Who Should Buy the Bissell Crosswave?

The Bissell Crosswave is a well-rounded unit that has the ability to sweep, vacuum, and mop all at the same time. If you’re looking to knock out all of these, plus wash your area rugs, then the Bissell Crosswave Multi Surface could be a good addition to your household.

I would recommend the Bissell Crosswave if you’re looking for the following features in a wet dry vacuum:

  • Want a wet dry vacuum – As a wet dry vacuum, the Bissell Crosswave offers the ability to vacuum, sweep, mop, and wash. On hard floor surfaces, the Crosswave will vacuum up dry debris while also mopping the floors. As you move to area rugs, the Crosswave will work to deep clean your rug through its multi-surface brushroll.
  • Want serious deep cleaning – The Bissell Crosswave dominated our cleaning tests, both wet and dry. However, even more impressive, it was able to even clean grout lines fairly well. Even with just a couple of quick passes I could already see my tile grout lines becoming visibly cleaner.
  • Like the idea of washing your rugs  – If you like the idea of being able to mop your floors and wash your area rugs with the same Bissell unit, the Crosswave could be a great option. Performance on both of these floor types is solid.

One last note, please remember that the Crosswave shouldn’t be used on carpets. Area rugs are fine, but not regular carpets.

For more information on the Bissell Crosswave visit here.

ChangeLog

  • June 8, 2021 – Added a section for 3rd party reviews, clarified a few word choices throughout the review.
  • January 26, 2021 – Updated formatting in several areas. Corrected errors and typos. Added an extensive FAQ section. Add an expanded table of contents. Removed / clarified info about making your own cleaning solution.
  • September 9, 2020 – added additional information about DIY cleaning solutions and warranty issues.
  • February 21, 2020 – added our Crosswave video review.
  • October 25, 2019 – added a notice about vinegar based cleaning solutions on the Crosswave.
  • June 7, 2019 – Updated formatting, layout, content, and more.

About Derek Hales

Derek HalesDerek Hales is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of ModernCastle.com. He has been featured in Fast Company, Reader's Digest, Business Insider, Realtor.com, She Knows, and other major publications. Derek has a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Kansas State University. Hales has been testing and reviewing products for the home since 2014.