Pros
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A mop and vacuum in one
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Works well on pet stains
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Doesn’t leave behind sticky residue
Cons
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Pieces need 24 hours to dry out
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Only sanitizes hard surfaces
What is the Bissell Crosswave Hydrosteam?
With a variety of brush heads to choose from, users can target specific surfaces around their home.
The Bissell Crosswave Hydrosteam is a wet/dry vacuum that can clean hard and soft surfaces. It comes fitted with a brush roll well-suited for handling pet hair. It has two tanks, one for storing clean water and another for all the dirty water collected during cleaning.
The Crosswave Hydrosteam features LED lights on the front of the brush head to help guide the way through dark corners and under furniture.
You can purchase different brush roll heads depending on what your cleaning needs are. Another option is to use clean water to create steam for cleaning.
Bissell also offers a selection of cleaning formulas to help tackle the scent of pet urine or getting rid of sticky residue on floors.
What we like
This Bissell Crosswave machine combines essential floor cleaning tools
Instead of using a carpet cleaner machine, you can pair the Bissell Crosswave Hydrosteam and a cleaning solution to remove stains.
The Bissell Crosswave Hydrosteam is a handy tool because it combines a vacuum, bucket, and mop—three household cleaning essentials—into one device.
This space-saving device is the same size as a standard upright vacuum, and comes with clips to store the two water tanks on the side of the vacuum.
The assembly is easy, as all the pieces click into place—no tools required.
It works well on stinky pet stains
The Bissell Crosswave Hydrosteam can tackle messes left behind by your furry friends. The brush roll aims to minimize the amount of hair that may get wrapped around and prevents pet hair tangles. It can also mop away stains your pet may leave behind, like muddy paw prints and spilled food. We used the Hydrosteam to clean up fox urine on a carpet sample, and it excelled at removing the stains and most of the odor.
You can use the Bissell pet-cleaning solution, which is formulated with Febreeze, to help tackle any nasty odors. While the cleaning solution worked well, it still left behind some minor stench from the urine we tested it with.
Senior Lab Manager Jon Chan recommends pretreating stains with baking soda before cleaning with the Bissell Crosswave. Doing so helps eliminate any possible lingering odors. Because of the Hydrosteam's vacuuming capabilities, you can clean up the pretreatment with the Crosswave while administering the cleaning solution.
It is ideal for removing sticky messes from floors
Even when cleaning up wet messes, the Bissell CrossWave HydroSteam won't leave behind sticky residue.
When we tested the performance of the Crosswave against chocolate syrup, it worked quickly and efficiently, removing all of the sticky residue from hard floors.
The Bissell Crosswave is ideal for cleaning large rugs
The Crosswave Hydrosteam works by spraying a cleaning solution onto rugs of all sizes and sucking up the dirt. Since the Crosswave operates just like a standard vacuum, you can wheel it across surfaces. However, Bissell says the Crosswave Hydrosteam is only intended for use on rugs—not carpeted areas.
Additionally, the 25-foot cord on the Crosswave Hydrosteam makes it easy to clean your largest area rug without frequently moving outlets.
What we don’t like
It only sanitizes hard surfaces
Beyond mopping and vacuuming, the Bissell Crosswave Hydrosteam advertises it can sanitize surfaces, removing up to 99.9% of germs. However, it can only sanitize hard surfaces.
So, while you can refresh rugs, you won't be able to sanitize them with the included cleaning solution.
A decent compromise is that you can steam clean any surface—hard or soft.
The parts require lengthy drying times
Drying times can take up to 24 hours after a self-cleaning cycle, unlike frequent dust and dirt disposal with a normal vacuum.
Yes, you've got to clean your cleaning tools. Luckily, the Crosswave Hydrosteam makes it easy by offering a clean-out cycle to keep it fresh between uses. However, one thing to know is that it takes 24 hours for the included pieces to air dry.
This extra drying time can be a drag if you plan to use the machine multiple times in a 24-hour period. So, plan ahead when running the self cleaning cycles.
Should you buy Bissell Crosswave Hydrosteam?
Yes, this 3-in-1 cleaner combines your cleaning essentials into one machine
The Bissell Crosswave Hydrosteam is a do-it-all cleaning workhorse that can mop, vacuum, and clean your rugs. It performed well during our lab tests, impressing us with the ability to pick up debris, sanitize hard floors, and remove sticky residues. Not to mention, the Crosswave Hydrosteam saves you time and space as opposed to performing these tasks individually.
While we wish it could sanitize more than just hard surfaces and that the air dry requirement of the self-cleaning cycle was shorter, we still appreciate the convenience of this hardworking multi-surface cleaner.
The Bissell Crosswave Hydrosteam offers a powerful cleaning technique for wet and dry messes on both hard and soft surfaces.
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Meet the testers
Samantha Mangino is a self-proclaimed homebody. Conveniently she is a home staff writer at Reviewed, covering cleaning, appliances, furniture, and home furnishings and décor. She knows her way around a house and has tested everything from furniture, sponges, steam irons, to Legos. She’s always on the hunt for the latest internet trends and wants to help make your home cleaner and cozier.
Jonathan Chan currently serves as the Lab Manager at Reviewed. If you clean with it, it's likely that Jon oversees its testing. Since joining the Reviewed in 2012, Jon has helped launch the company's efforts in reviewing laptops, vacuums, and outdoor gear. He thinks he's a pretty big deal. In the pursuit of data, he's plunged his hands into freezing cold water, consented to be literally dragged through the mud, and watched paint dry. Jon demands you have a nice day.
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