Bissell Crosswave Pet Pro All in One Mop Review

Variations of the mop have been around for hundreds of years. Incredibly versatile, these tools can be used to mop up dust, soak up liquid, wipe up spills, and other cleaning purposes. Today, they are mostly made out of microfiber cloth, sponge, yarn, or other absorbent materials. While it depends on the specific model, most are suitable for all hard floor types including linoleum, stone, tile, wood, and vinyl. In fact, many come with steaming or spraying capabilities, which helps significantly when it comes to removing dirt and stains. Perhaps even more impressive, however, are the ones that are integrated with vacuum cleaners as a 2-in-1.

As you can probably guess, that’s the kind of mop that we’ll be looking at on this page. More specifically, we will be reviewing the Bissel Crosswave Pet Pro All in One, which as implied by its name, is designed for pet cleanups. How effective is it at removing dog hair? Does the 2-in-1 system work well? What are some of its pros and cons? These are some of the things that we will be discussing below. Hopefully, by the end of our review, you’ll be able to get a better idea of what the mop is like.

The Bissell Crosswave Pet Pro All in One

Bissell is a privately owned corporation that is known for their vacuum cleaners and other cleaning solutions. Headquartered in Walker, Michigan, the company is considered to be one of the top manufacturers of floor care products in North America. Founded in 1876, the brand operated for many years before gaining recognition for the Bissell Carpet Sweeper in 1883. From there, it wasn’t long before they started to gain an international presence. Following the death of Melville Bissell, the business was led by his wife, Anna Bissell. Today, Bissell is best known for their vacuums, carpet cleaners, and cleaning formulas.

The Bissell CrossWave Pet Pro All in One is unique in that it vacuums and cleans your floors at the same time. Designed for pet owners, the unit features a multi-surface pet brush roll, which effectively removes debris from the ground while minimizing pet hair wrap. Not only that, but it comes with a pet hair strainer, which traps pet hair for easy removal. Highly convenient, it can be used on multiple surfaces including sealed hardwood, laminate, linoleum, carpet, rugs, and more. To control the amount of formula being dispensed, simply use the Smart-Touch controls on the handle.

What’s Included

The Bissell Crosswave Pet Pro comes with a variety of things out of the box. These include:

• 2 Multi-Surface Pet Brush Rolls
• 1 Pet Hair Strainer
• 2 Bottles of Multi-Surface Pet Formula
• 2 Water Tanks

As indicated above, the 2-in-1 system comes with two multi-surface pet brush rolls that are designed to remove fur and debris from the floor. If you want to clean the brush, simply take it out of the head (you’ll have to take off the plastic cover) and rinse it with water; while it dries, you can use the second brush to clean (you can also use the first one wet).

In addition to that, it comes with a pet hair strainer, which fits inside the “dirty” tank. Ultimately, its main role is to catch all of the “nasty stuff” for easy removal—that way, you can just empty it into the trash when you’re done! To wash it, just rinse it under water and soap. 

Last but not least, the set comes with two bottles of Multi-Surface Pet Formula. Specially formulated for pet messes, it can be used on sealed laminate, tile, hardwood, as well as area rugs. Concentrated yet pet-friendly, the solution effectively removes mud, dirt, paw prints, and other pet accidents from the ground. With Febreze Freshness, it also eliminates odors from the floors. In terms of how long it will last you, it really depends on how often you will be cleaning. For instance, the two bottles might last you a few months if you were to only clean once a week.

The Bissell CrossWave also comes with two water tanks, one to contain the dirty water, and another to keep the cleaning solution. To fill the latter, which is located on the back of the machine, lift the tank upwards. Depending on the size of the space that you’ll be cleaning, fill the tank with water either to the first or second water fill line. Next, you’ll want to add formula to the respective formula fill line. Once that’s done, you can slide the tank back into the unit (you should hear a click).

Build Quality

The construction of the machine is something that you always want to consider. After all, there’s no point putting money into something that’s going to break with just a few uses. Ideally, you’d want the mop to be made out of a durable material such as aluminium. Not only is the alloy lightweight, but it tends to be fairly robust.

According to the official website, the Bissell CrossWave is made out of titanium. Similar to aluminium, this metal is both lightweight and durable. The lower body, however, is made out of plastic, as with most mops. In addition to the two water tanks, it also features an integrated carry handle, and of course, the cleaning head. At the top of the unit, you’ll find an upper handle, which includes the SmartClean Fingertip Controls. Personally, I find the overall construction to be quite solid.

The Multi-Surface Pet Brush Roll consists of soft microfiber material, which effectively traps dirt and debris from the ground. Throughout the brush, there are also nylon bristles that help in getting rid of pet hair. As it rotates, your floor will be left spotless. As mentioned earlier, its design also prevents hair from getting caught in the ends of the brush. Once you’re done, you can clean the brush by hand or do so using the Easy Clean Storage Tray. Given that it’s used properly, the brush should last you several months. If needed, however, replacements can be purchased.

The Bissell utilizes two water tanks, both of which are made out of plastic. While they’re both located on the lower unit, the clean one is at the back while the dirty one is at the front; this design ensures that you’re always cleaning with a fresh mix of cleaning solution. Within the dirty tank, there is also a metal strainer that helps to trap pet hair and other debris. When it comes time to empty the dirty tank, you’ll also want to empty out the strainer. As far as we can tell, there are no inherent flaws with the two reservoirs. 

Some Possible Issues with the Bissell CrossWave Pet Pro All in One

Most people are satisfied with their Bissell CrossWave. However, there are a few things about it that are worth mentioning.

The first thing is that the Bissell is not meant for vacuuming the carpet. As a vacuum, it only has two settings—area rug and hard floor. While it can be used for carpet, you’re probably better off just using a standard vacuum cleaner. If your main purpose is to vacuum and clean carpeted areas, you might want to reconsider buying the machine.

The power of the vacuum is also mediocre at best. Sure, it manages to suck up debris, but not as well as a standalone unit. Because of this, it tends not to remove all of the water from the ground while mopping. Considering this, it might not be ideal for those who have unsealed floors.

Some people have also experienced issues with the cleaning solution. More specifically, that it leaves a layer of sticky residue at the top. Ultimately, it depends on the type of flooring that you have. While it’s safe to use on many surfaces, some may not be as compatible as others. Another thing is that it can leave streaks if the brush is dirty; you also have to make sure that the the roll is well saturated (aka wet) by holding the trigger down. It might take some getting used to, but you’ll get the hang of it eventually.

Depending on how you use it, there’s also a possibility that the machine will get clogged. When this happens, the vacuum will no longer be able to suck the dirty water back up; unfortunately, this means that your floor would be left wet. In some cases, pet hair may also get stuck inside, despite its design. If you have a single dog or cat, the Bissell might work well for you. If you have more than one though, it might be a little too much for the device.

Lastly, the machine can be quite heavy; this isn’t too surprising though, considering the fact that it’s a 2-in-1 system with two water tanks. Because of this, however, it can be difficult to manuever for some people, especially if you’re used to pushing around something that’s more lightweight. Still, it does come with a swivel head so you will be able to get under the baseboards and whatnot. 

Having said all that, the Bissell Crosswave does come with a 5-year limited warranty. Should you run into any problems with your device, you can always contact their customer service team.

Does it Clean Well?

In general, the Bissell Crosswave cleans well. However, it does depend on the type of flooring that you have. For instance, the brush rolls seem to works best on surfaces such as vinyl, stone, tile, and linoleum. Together with the cleaning solution, the brush, which rotates at 3,000 RPM, does a good job of getting rid of debris from the floor. The way its designed, pet hair wrap is also minimalized; that way, you won’t have to worry about it getting stuck on the bristles (which can get annoying quick). As mentioned earlier though, the machine tends not to clean as well if you have more than one pet.

As a vacuum though, the machine is a little lack luster. Compared to a standard vacuum cleaner, the Bissell is noticeably weaker, especially on carpeted areas. Given that, you probably want to go with a different type of machine if your house is mostly carpet. While it works a bit better on hard floors, you’ll likely want to vacuum first with a regular vacuum cleaner; this will help to get rid of some of the debris that the device would otherwise just push around.

In terms of how effective the Multi-Surface formula is, it really depends on your floor type. For the most parts, however, it is effective at getting rid of muddy paw prints and odors. If you find that the cleaning solution leaves your floors a bit sticky, you might want to try dispensing more liquid.

Overall, the machine is best suited for those who have hard floors with a few area rugs. More specifically, for those who have a single dog or cat. Despite being a little bulky, it could be a good option for those who live in houses or condos.

Cost and Pricing Information

There’s no doubt that the Bissell CrossWave Pet Pro is on the higher end when it comes to cost. Currently, it sells for $299.99 on Amazon (unfortunately, it is no longer available on the brand’s official website). Understandably, this can be a hefty investment for many people. In its defence, though, the machine does function as both a vacuum and a mop; it’s also specially designed for pet owners. Still, it’s quite an expensive product. As it is, however, there aren’t too many 2-in-1 systems out there on the market. Among them, the Bissell CrossWave is probably one of the better models. 

As far as refills go, you will have to buy new brush rolls from time to time. The good news, however, is that they do provide you with two, which should last you some time. Assuming that you only use the machine once or twice a week, a brush should last you several months. When they become unusable, you can buy replacements for around $17 each on Amazon; it might be a little pricey, but their durability makes up for it.

In addition to that, you’ll have to buy their cleaning solution, which comes in 32 oz. bottles. On their official website, these are priced at $14 each; you can also find them on Amazon for similar prices. Now you might be wondering—can I use my own cleaner? While there’s nothing stopping you from doing so, it’s generally recommended that you use the Bissell cleaner as it is specially formulated for their devices. If you’re really against it though, you could use your own soultion, which would save you money in the long run.

Bissell Crosswave Pet Pro All in One Mop Overall – Is It Worth It?