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Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Handheld Vacuum Review

Derek Hales

Written By: Derek Hales

Updated on:

The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser handheld vacuum cleaner is a tiny-but-mighty, powerful handheld vacuum.

While it lacks some bells and whistles of higher end vacuum cleaners, it is hard to beat the value of having one of these handy, especially priced so low. But will the big messes prove to be too much for this tiny vacuum?

Continue reading below to find out more about the Bissell Pet Eraser handheld vacuum. 

Small, Yet Powerful Handheld

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Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Handheld

This vacuum does a really great job of removing pet hair from softer surfaces, such as carpets and upholstery. It is certainly on the smaller side when it comes to overall coverage, but for quick messes, it’s hard to beat the compact size (and great price point) of this handheld vacuum. Check Price

Pros

  • Great for pet hair
  • Lightweight and easy to store

Cons

  • Cord is not very long
  • Fans blow debris around

Table of Contents

Design

The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser handheld vacuum offers a lightweight and compact build. Designed with both a hard and soft nozzle, the vacuum is able to clean on both hard and soft surfaces.

The vacuum’s cord wrap system and 5 pound weight allows for easier storage in addition to maneuverability.

The following parts make up the overall design of this handheld vacuum.

  1. Duct cup release
  2. Power switch
  3. HEPA filter
  4. Dust cup
  5. Rubber brush
Bissell Pet Hair Eraser handheld vacuum features

How it Cleans

Powered by a 4 amp motor, the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser utilizes a cyclonic cleaning system and multi-layer filtration.

This vacuum comes equipped with both a soft and hard nozzle, allowing users to clean multiple surface types.

The soft, flexible rubber nozzle works to lift dirt and pet hair from carpets and upholstery before sucking it up.

On the other hand, the hard, plastic nozzle is designed to clean up dry messes on tile, hardwoods, or the inside of a car.

By using the cyclonic system, this handheld vacuum is able to spin dust, dirt, and debris into the head of the vacuum and through the multi-layer filtration system.

This process helps reduce allergens from being exerted back into your air after vacuuming. Additionally, this allows Bissell to use a smaller filter within the vacuum.

This handheld vacuum uses traditional cylindrical suction power to pick up debris, take it through the filter, into the dust cup and recycle the air back through the vent in the rear.

Bissell Pet Hair Eraser handheld vacuum separated

Size & Dimensions

The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser handheld vacuum comes in as a lighter unit, weighing only 5 pounds. This seems to be about average for most handheld vacuums.

This vacuum also contains a slender build, measuring 10″ long by 8″ tall by 5″ wide.

The width of the suction system is closer to 3″ wide, so it is a bit smaller than some of the other handhelds we have tested thus far; most notably the Eureka Easy Clean handheld vacuum, which has a width of 7.5″.

bissell pet hair eraser handheld size and dimensions

Compared to most handheld units, this vacuum’s handle is an open-ended arc, making it very easy to pick up this vacuum from any angle.

It is lightweight body adds to it’s convenience and makes this a nice handheld vacuum to travel with or use for small tests.

Accessories & Parts

The Bissell pet hair eraser handheld vacuum includes the following accessories and parts:

  • Rubber contour nozzle
  • Plastic nozzle

Variable Nozzles

The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser comes with two nozzles which allows you to clean more types of surfaces.

The soft nozzle worked well for upholstery, fabrics and bedding.

The hard nozzle worked better for solid surfaces and flooring.

Bissell Pet hair Eraser vacuum cleaner accessories

While there are two nozzles included with this handheld vacuum, only one of them is able to be on the unit at a time.

The filter used in this vacuum can be washed, but should be replaced every 12 months to be sure the multi-level filtration system is working to its full potential.

Cleaning Tests

Overall

93%

Hardwood

86%

Low Carpet

98%

High Carpet

97%

The following vacuum cleaning tests are designed to show how the Bissel Pet Hair Eraser vacuum performs on a variety of surfaces picking up a variety of debris. For these tests we look at hard floors, low pile carpets, and high pile carpets.

For each floor surface type we test the vacuum cleaner against rice (3 oz), dry cereal (1 oz, as it is larger), kitty litter (3 oz), and sugar (3 oz).

debris media
Testing Debris – From left to right: Rice (3 oz.), Kitty Litter (3 oz), Cereal (1 oz), Sugar (3 oz)

Hardwood Floor

On the hardwood test, although this handheld vacuum cleaner performed very well, one small issue came from the vents.

Located on the side of the unit, the vents on this Bissell vacuum had a tendency to blow debris away from the path of cleaning.

That being said, the debris that stayed within our testing field was quickly and easily sucked up by this tiny-but-mighty vacuum.

Cereal

86%

Kitty Litter

98%

Rice

93%

Sugar

97%

Bissell Pet hair Eraser vacuum hardwood floor cleaning tests

Low Carpet

During the low pile carpet test, this Bissell handheld did very well also. Contrary to the hardwoods, the vent on this vacuum was less of a problem on the carpeted floors. More friction between the carpet fibers helped hold the debris in its place until the vacuum was able to suck it up, which it did easily with just one pass.

Cereal

100%

Kitty Litter

97%

Rice

99%

Sugar

91%

Bissell Pet hair Eraser vacuum low pile carpet cleaning tests

High Carpet

Similar to the low pile carpet test, the Bissell did a nice job of cleaning up debris throughout the high pile carpet tests. The powerful suction offered by this handheld vacuum allowed it to reach a majority of debris that sank into the carpeting. Sugar was the only media that seemed to give the vacuum any trouble, on high pile carpet, but it was still able to suck up 86% (1.72 oz out of 2.01 oz) in total.

Cereal

100%

Kitty Litter

91%

Rice

91%

Sugar

86%

Bissell Pet hair Eraser vacuum high pile carpet cleaning tests

Pet Hair

As a handheld vacuum designed to tackle pet hair, we wanted to challenge the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser. My cousin, Chris, has a black lab, Stella,  who is known for her shedding. After a week of letting her loose hair build up on her dog bed, we decided to put the Pet Hair Eraser vacuum to the test.

Initially, Stella’s hair wanted to stick to her dog bed. As we continued to pass through the hair with this Bissell handheld vacuum, the hair started to thin out.

The rubber nozzle was able to lift the hair, allowing the vacuum to then suck it up into the dust bin. Although not all of the dog hair was removed from Stella’s bed, it certainly could have been with a few more passes.

Overall, I was impressed with the ability of the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser handheld vacuum to lift and remove the pet hair. Chris made the following statement about the vacuum:

The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser handheld vacuum has allowed me to eliminate dog hair with ease. My couches and car have always been problem areas when it comes to removing Stella’s hair, but that is no longer the case because of the Pet Hair Eraser.

Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Handheld Vacuum Dog Hair Test Before
Bissell Pet Hair Eraser power button close up

Usability

When considering the usability of handheld vacuums, it doesn’t get much easier than the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser. There are only 3 small buttons and all are readily accessible on the face of the unit.

  1. The red button at the tip of the handle is the power button and turns the vacuum on or off.
  2. The gray elongated button in the middle of the vacuum releases the dust cup to empty it out or change the filter.
  3. The smaller gray button by the vacuum head is used to swap out nozzles, between soft and hard. These two accessories make it easier to use this vacuum in more places and on multiple surface types.

Simple Button Configurations

The power button is conveniently located at the tip of the handle, making it easier to turn on and off while in use.

Bissell Pet Hair Eraser power button close up

Maneuverability

As a lightweight handheld, the maneuverability of the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser handheld is very high. It’s narrow body makes it easy to get into tight spaces and the accessible handle makes even awkward angles feel more manageable.

  • Weight: 5 pounds
  • Power: 16′ long cord
  • Height: 0.75″ cleaning nozzle
  • Width: 2.5″ cleaning nozzle

One slight disadvantage to consider when looking at maneuverability is the cord length.

At only 16′, this cord is about half as long of a cord as what you will find on a typical upright or other larger vacuum, like the Shark Rocket vacuum or Roomba 650 robot vacuum.

Maintenance

The maintenance of this small handheld vacuum is reasonable and easy to do. The two most important items to remember are to:

  1. Empty the dust bin after every 1-3 uses, depending on the size of the mess.
  2. Check and replace the filter as often as necessary.

The table below shows the recommended maintenance for the parts and accessories of this handheld vacuum cleaner.

Accessory / PartReplacement FrequencyReplacement Cost
HEPA filterAs needed, but no longer than 12 monthsCheck Price

Depending on how much you use this handheld vacuum will really be the deciding factor as to whether or not you need to replace parts sooner or later.

If you suffer from allergens or pet dander, it is very important that empty the dust cup regularly and replace the HEPA filter on time.

Multi-Level Filtration

The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser integrates a multi-level filtration system which helps to capture even the smallest of dust, dirt or dander particles.

Bissell pet hair eraser vacuum filter

Noise

All vacuum cleaner reviews on Modern Castle are put through our standard noise test. For this test, we use a sound meter to measure noise in terms of decibel level 3 feet away from the vacuum.

bissell pet hair eraser handheld decibel test

At 3 feet away, the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser (handheld) emits 77 dB of sound.

Value

For pet owners or users with small messes that need frequent attention, the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser is a great value. The maintenance elements of this vacuum are inexpensive and infrequent.

The Pet Hair Eraser does come with a 1 year warranty, which is a surprising and nice addition for such an inexpensive vacuum.

The sales receipt is the proof of purchase for warranty coverage. Without the dated sales receipt, the Service Center will determine warranty repair once the machine has been inspected.

Bissell offers a 30 day return policy window if you find that the Pet Hair Eraser handheld is just not right for you.

In the instance of a return, Bissell will actually mail you a box and shipping label to use and in exchange $4.95 is deducted from your return.

Specifications

Below is a complete list of important specifications and features included on the Bissell pet hair eraser handheld vacuum:

Specifications
TypeHandheld vacuum
ManufacturerBissell
ModelPet Hair Eraser 33A1B
Length (inches)10
Width (inches)5
Weight (pounds)5
Floor TypeAll
CordlessNo - 16 foot cord
BaglessYes
Bin / Bag Size0.78 liters
ReturnsVaries by retailer
Warranty1-Year limited
PriceCheck Price

Who Should Buy the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser handheld vacuum?

Overall, I would recommend the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser handheld to users who have ‘problem areas’ in their home that get dirty frequently.

This may be a couch covered with pet hair, an automobile, or even under the chair of a messy eater. This vacuum is quick, portable and efficient to get the job done.

I would recommend the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser if you’re looking for the following features in a handheld vacuum:

  • Lightweight: It’s hard to image a vacuum cleaner being less than 5 pounds, but this handheld fits the bill, making it extremely portable and a suitable tool for people of all ages.
  • Cleans up pet hair well: We tested this vacuum on all of our standard debris types, but it’s hard to deny this vacuum’s ability to pic up pet hair and dander.
  • Low cost:  Priced low, it’s hard to bash this vacuum for lacking bells and whistles since from a cleaning perspective, it did the job very well.

For more information on the Bissell pet hair eraser handheld vacuum, see here.

Small Profile, Impressive Suction
  • Design - 95%
    95%
  • Performance - 94%
    94%
  • Quality - 92%
    92%
  • Usability - 92%
    92%
  • Value - 96%
    96%
94%

Summary

The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Handheld Vacuum is a dream come true for pet lovers as well as those looking for a quick fix. The low price point combined with the powerful suction makes for a well valued product. Whether you’re cleaning hard to reach spaces, a small mess, or simply want to remove pet hair from your upholstery, the Bissell Pet Hair Eraser is certainly a vacuum worth considering.

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.