BISSELL SpinWave Hard Floor Expert Wet and Dry Robot Vacuum Review

Robot cleaners have many advantages. Not only will they clean the floor for you but their small size means that they can clean in tight areas. For example, they can easily fit under furniture such as sofas and cabinets.

They’re also lightweight, much more so than the traditional vacuum. In other words, you can carry it around quickly. This makes it a good option for those who don’t want to lug around something heavy (but then again, you shouldn’t have to carry your robot cleaner around that often).

If anything, the main drawback is the price. That is, these devices can be quite expensive, especially if you compare them to traditional cleaning tools. That’s why it’s so important to do your research beforehand. You want to make sure that whatever you end up paying for will suit your needs. The last thing that you want is to get something that’s incompatible with your floors!

The good news is that there are many options when it comes to these machines—the Bissell Spinwave Wet and Dry Robot Vacuum being one of them. Yup, that’s what we’ll be reviewing in this post! How do you set it up? What are some of its main features? Are there any disadvantages to this particular model? Find out by reading the rest of the post!

The Bissell Spinwave Hard Floor Expert Wet and Dry Robot Vacuum

Bissell is a family-owned company that sells various cleaning tools such as vacuums, steam cleaners, sweepers, and carpet cleaners. If anything, they’re one of the most top brands in North America. Given that, it’s not surprising to know that you can find their products at various big-box retailers such as Best Buy and Walmart. Of course, you can also get them on Amazon, for those who prefer shopping online.

Product Description

The Bissell Spinwave Wet and Dry Robot Vacuum is exactly what it sounds like—that is, you can use it to vacuum and mop your floors. Equipped with rotating mop pads, it will automatically scrub and clean when powered on. You won’t have to worry about it bumping into things either as it comes with multiple sensors, one of which will prevent it from going on carpets and area rugs while mopping. Also, it comes with a mobile app that you can use to schedule and stop cleaning cycles. In other words, you can control it from anywhere as long as you have your phone with you!

What’s In the Box?

Here’s what you’ll get with the Bissell Spinwave Wet and Dry Robot Vacuum:

• 1 Main Unit
• 1 Docking Station
• 1 Docking Tray
• 1 Power Adapter
• 2 Edge Cleaning Brushes
• 2 Extra Mop Pads
• 1 Sample Bottle of Cleaning Solution

The main unit consists of two main parts—a dirt bin for the vacuum and a mop tank to which you’ll be attaching the mop pads. In addition to that, it comes with surface sensors that prevent it from mopping area rugs and carpets.

Then there’s the docking station, which you’ll be using to charge the robot cleaner. To do that, use the power adapter to connect it to a wall outlet. Once you’ve done that, place the docking tray in front—it’s what the robot will be going onto when it’s charging.

In terms of brushes, there are two small ones on the side that help feed debris into the vacuum. To attach them, you will have to use a Phillips-head screwdriver. More specifically, you’ll have to replace the screws after pushing the brushes into the holder.

Also, the robot comes with two extra mop pads. Machine washable, you can put them in the laundry after each use.

Last but not least, it will include a sample bottle of their floor cleaning solution. Keep in mind, however, that it likely won’t last very long so you’ll want to get an extra bottle.

Smart Features

Soft Surface Sensors

As mentioned earlier, this particular model comes with soft surface avoidance sensors on the unit. That allows it to avoid area rugs and carpet while it’s cleaning in mopping mode. In other words, they won’t get wet.

Bissell Connect App

The robot cleaner is compatible with the Bissell Connect app (can be found on Google Play and in the App store). Once downloaded, you can connect your device by putting it in pairing mode; you should see it pop up in the app. From there, you can use it to start, stop, or schedule cleaning sessions.

Automatic Charging

The Bissell Spinwave robot will automatically return to the docking station when the battery is low so you won’t have to worry about it dying somewhere in the house. It’ll also return to the charging station when it’s finished its job.

A Few Drawbacks

The Bissell Spinwave does have a few drawbacks, which we’ll be discussing in this section.

No Smart Navigation System

The robot does not have a smart navigation system. In other words, it won’t be able to map your house, which can lead to random cleaning patterns. Due to a lack of sensors, there’s also a chance that it can bump into things while it’s on its route.

The Soft Surface Sensors Aren’t Foolproof

The robot may be equipped with soft surface sensors but there’s still a chance that it’ll go on area rugs and carpets. If that happens, it can get stuck moving back and forth until the battery dies (i.e. it won’t be able to return to the docking station).

There’s No Way to Directly Control Its Movements

There’s no way to directly control the robot’s movements/direct it to a specific part of the floor. The only way to get it there would be to pick it up and place it on the spot, which defeats the purpose of having a robot in the first place.

It Can Have Trouble Finding the Docking Station

The robot is capable of returning to the docking station, however, that doesn’t mean that it always will. Depending on the layout of your house, it can get stuck (i.e. it won’t be able to find its way out). If that happens, you’ll have to return it to the docking station manually.

The App Could Be Better

The app could use some improvements. While the current version works, it has a tendency of crashing every now and then. From time to time, it will also lose connection with the device. The only way to fix that would be to resync it all over again.

No Notifications If the Robot Gets Stuck 

There’s no way to know if the robot has gotten stuck somewhere without going out there and looking for it. The app will not give you any notifications—it’s up to you to figure it out.

No Remote Control

The robot does not come with a remote control. The only way to control it is to use the app or the buttons on the device and the app can take a while to connect sometimes.

It Won’t Tell You When the Water Tank Is Empty 

The robot won’t tell you when the water tank is empty. If that happens and you continue to use it, it can leave dirty swirl marks on the floor. So be sure to keep an eye on the reservoir.

It Doesn’t Siphon the Water Back Up

The robot will mop your floors but it won’t siphon the water back up. In other words, your floors will be quite wet after cleaning.

How to Use the Bissell Spinwave Hard Floor Wet and Dry Robot Vacuum

Start by charging the robot. Place the back of the docking tray firmly against a wall and insert the power adapter plug into the side of the charging station. Turn the robot on and put it on the docking station—it will take 4-5 hours to charge.

While it’s charging, you can connect it to the app. For the best results, make sure that you’re near your WiFi router. You’ll have to turn the robot over to access the setup QR code. Once the battery is charged, you can use it by going to the schedule tab in the app. Follow the on-screen prompts and the robot will eventually begin to clean.

Assuming that you’ll be using the mopping feature, you’ll have to fill the water tank. To do that, press the button on the top of the tank; you should be able to pull it out. Next, twist to unlock the tank cap. From there, fill it up with water to the “water” fill line. Once you’ve done that, fill it up with a cleaning formula to the “formula” line. Replace the tank cap and reinstall the tank.

Regular Maintenance

Dirt Bin: The dirt bin has to be removed and emptied after each use. Don’t forget to clean the filter cover and filters as well—you can do that with the provided cleaning tool. With the filters removed, you can rinse the dirt bin with water. It’s important that you don’t wash the filters.

Brush Roll: Hair and debris can get stuck on the brush roll. Given that, it’s highly recommended that you clean it at least once a week.

Castor Wheels: The caster wheels can be removed for cleaning if there’s debris. To reinstall it, push it down firmly until you hear a click.

Edge Cleaning Brushes: The edge cleaning brushes will need to cleaned occasionally for maximum efficacy. Once removed, they can be soaked or rinse with water. Make sure that they are completely dry before putting them back on the robot.

Cost and Pricing Information

The Bissell Spinwave robot retails for $399.99. However, it does go on sale from time to time. In fact, it’s currently listed for $249.99 at the time of this writing. If you get it from Amazon, it will also come with free shipping so the price that’s listed will be what you’re paying (plus applicable taxes).

As far as accessories go, there are spare parts that you can get from their store. Aside from that, you’ll also need to get a bottle of their cleaning solution, which typically goes for around ~$10. Or if you want, you can just use your own cleaner. Just fill it up to the “formula” line in the water tank.