Bissell Pro Lite Review and Giveaway

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Heather says:

Let’s get the legal jargon out of the way. I am noting that I received two Bissell 17G5 PROlite Multi-Cyclonic Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner in accordance with FTC guidelines. One vacuum was given for review purposes, and the second is a product to be given away in the contest on this page. The review vacuum will be thoroughly cleaned and donated to My Sister’s House or to a family through my church’s food pantry. I want to thank Bissell for the opportunity to review their product and pass it along to someone in need.

ftc_gadgets_250
Gadgets = 2 vacuums used in the review/giveaway

Please wake up. It’s time for the review.

The first thing that impressed me about the PRO Lite vacuum is the fact that it has a limited five-year warranty. If I’m going to pay for something, I need to know that it’s not going to crap out right away. I want all of you to know that I ruined all of my geek cred* and took the time to read the manual, just for you. I learned about the warranty, and it covers home use. This means if you’re running a cleaning business, the warranty does not apply. The warranty naturally doesn’t cover those parts that should be replaced from time to time on any vacuum – fans, filters, beater bar/brush, hoses, or belts. Also, for peak performance, you have to clean and replace those parts as needed. There are thorough directions in the manual, which is available as a pdf. Neat.

*I hope you’re happy because now I have to turn in my card later today.

Bissell ProLite Vacuum unboxingassembly of vacuum

Assembly was a piece of cake. I did need a Phillips head screwdriver to attach the handle to the base, it took all of thirty seconds, but I decided to lie down for a nap because reviewing is hard work. Whew.

Hose snaps into placeThe hose snapped into place, and I was ready to roll. Whee.

There are several things I really like about this vacuum. First, as I have hardwood, I really like that the wheels are rubber. They won’t scratch the floor even after they have suffered wear and tear. Nice.

I also really like the clear portion over the beater bar/brush. Sure, looking at hair and string isn’t exciting, but it’s good to be able just to glance see whether or not the brush needs to be cleaned without unplugging the unit and turning it over.

Vacuum FiltersThe filters are labeled and easily accessible.  As a person with severe allergies, I love that it has a HEPA filter, making this unit quite handy for dusting.

The dust cup is easy to remove, empty, and replace. Like bagged vacuums, the dust receptacle is on the back of the unit rather than the front.

Lastly, I like that the hose, while a part of the main unit, isn’t in a place where it will have to be frequently reattached during normal operation. (That’s a complaint many Dyson owners have for the model I own. I personally don’t have that issue, but I can see where someone could.)

How is it in use? I liked it. First, I tried it out on my hardwood, which meant turning off the rotating brush. This is done with a button located just under the power, quite convenient.  As expected, it picked up pet hair, crumbs, and the random Lego. As with other vacuums I have used, I could not squeeze into the annoying area underneath my cabinetry -you know that no man’s land that serves as the place where all crumbs go to die. I’m sure you feel my pain.

Floor attachmentTo access that and under other low-lying furniture, I had to break out the floor attachment. It has a lint brush to catch dirt, hair, and crumbs; it works well.

Heather is tall I’m quite tall, so I did find the floor attachment, even with the extension, slightly short for my taste. However, if you’re not six feet tall, this is likely a non-issue for you.

All of the attachments are stored in a provided bag rather than on the appliance. This has both a positive and a negative if you have a safe place to store said bag, great! If you don’t and have children who insist that the accessories are toys better than any found at the store, you may have to spend time hunting down said accessories.  On my vacuum, the accessories are stored on-board, and I constantly have to guess where the children have absconded with the various tools.

After trying out the soft brush for dusting, I proved the hose has plenty of reach for even our taller shelves, and I took the unit upstairs for the true test, carpet. I should note that this is called the PRO Lite as it is intended to be easy to transport from room to room while cleaning. You’ll be glad to know I made it up the stairs with no trouble. The unit is easy to carry.

I was pleased; it pulled dog hair and dust out of both shag style and plush carpeting. The crevice tool is shorter than some but adequate for the job. What more can you ask? I have a Dyson, and while I did not save one week’s worth of dust and dirt to compare with the next, but estimate-wise I’d say it pulled a comparable amount of dirt from the floor covering. That’s what everyone wants to hear, right?

I had no problems while reviewing the vacuum, and at $199.99 (the MSRP), I believe it to be reasonably priced. Remember, reviews on Home-Ec 101 are subjective, based on my personal experience and taste.

Now it’s time for the giveaway.

You know you want your very own Bissell PRO-Lite Vacuum, and you can have one if you’re lucky.

Here’s how I run a giveaway. Each US or Canadian reader (I’m paying for shipping, and it won’t be international, sorry) has up to three ways to enter:

  1. Comment. Please use a valid email address so I can contact you if you win.
  2. Mention this contest on your own blog, Facebook, or message board/forum and post the link to that mention in a new comment. (Don’t spam a forum, only do this if a) it’s allowed, and b) you’re a regular participant. I do expect manners, ’cause I’m mean.) To grab the link to your Facebook post, right-click the timestamp below the post after it has been posted on your wall. Choose copy this link and paste that URL into your new comment.
  3. Tweet about the contest and link the URL of the tweet in a new comment.
    To grab the URL (that’s the link) of your tweet, right-click the time-stamp (that’s the part that says 30 seconds ago or about 8 hours ago) and select copy link. Paste that into your comment.

Comments must be received by Saturday, December 12, 2009, at 9 pm Eastern. Participants who comment more than 3 times forfeit their chances. The winner will be selected by random drawing and announced on Sunday, December 13, 2009. Got it?

Good luck!

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176 thoughts on “Bissell Pro Lite Review and Giveaway”

  3. My rugs need vacuuming. Rather than drive to Target to get a filter for my crappy little stick vac, I'm gonna enter your contest! (Somehow, I think I'm still going to be driving to Target….we have guests coming this weekend. Sigh.)

    Thanks for the contest!

    Reply

  9. I have been thinking of replacing our 10 year old vacuum. It works…its just not as nice as some of the others on the market now. Fingers crossed for a new one! rebecca342 at gmail dot com

    Reply

  10. I have a vacuum with a HEPA filter and I love it, BUT It didn't come with any attachments. I didn't realize how much this sucked until I moved into an apartment with stairs. I would love this vacuum to replace it.

    Reply

  19. Oh, I need this! Just moved to a house with laminate floors and have an old Kirby that you can't turn the beater brush off. This sounds perfect!
    Thanks for the opportunity!

    Reply

  23. I so need a new vacumn, I have two dogs that are primarily house dogs. We have lots of dog hair to pick up since I'm also allergic to dogs and cats and pretty much anything with fur.

    Reply

  27. This looks like a very nice vacuum. I would love to have it for my new apartment. Thank you for the contest! danielle.m.smith.1987 AT gmail DOT com

    Reply

    • ITS NOT WORTH IT GANG..EVEN IF ITS GIVEN AWAY. WORST VACCUME I EVER OWNED . I CAN'TEVEN BEGIN TO LIST THE PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH THIS VACCUME. IT WAS IN THE SHOP THREE TIMES IN THE FIRST THREE MONTHS. THEY FINALLY GAVE US A NEW ONE. …THE VACCUME DESIGN DOES NOT WORK THE WAY THEY SAY. THE HOSE COMES APART EVERY TIME YOU PULL TO DO THE DRAPES OR WHATEVER. NONE OF THE ATTACHMENTS S TAY ATTACHED. I DO THE HOUSE NOW IN INSTALLMENTS BECAUSE I STAY SO FRUSTRATED. YOU'D BE A FOOL TO BUY IT…….ALMOST A FOOL TO TAKE IT FREE. IT EVEN FLIPPED OUR BRAKER IN THREE DIFFERENT ROOMS.

      Reply

  30. I love this giveaway. (I think it's awesome to be donating the review vac.) My comment is that I'm unhappy with our Eureka, and I'd love a chance to give this vacuum a try!

    Reply

  40. I really need a good vacuum for hardwood floors. The one I have is a cannister and even though it got great reviews, I am not into it (my husband keeps defending it). We have no money now for a vacuum, so this would be such a great help. I'm not very good about cleaning the floors partly because it takes so long with the big vacuum.

    So can we actually comment three times and no more to increase our chances?

    Reply

  54. I have three dogs, three kids, and a three-level townhouse – this vacuum sounds like it would be perfect for us. Thanks for the great giveaway!

    Reply

  56. The vacuum I've had for the past several years is on its last leg…this one would be really awesome to have if I won it. Fingers are crossed!

    Reply

  58. It's been 8 years since I bought a vacuum cleaner! And I have that dreaded shag carpet! This would be great to have! Thank you!

    Reply

  59. The best vacuum I ever had was an Electrolux canister style. It worked for almost 25 years. Golly, I miss that thing! Second best was the Kennmore canister vac. It lasted about 8 years. Now we have this Dyson upright, the kind you have to empty nasty pots of dirt and hair out of…I do NOT like it. The suction sucks, it grosses me out to dump the dirty cat-hair infested dirt pot. It does not get into corners. The attachments are ridiculous to manage…and yet we paid a small fortune for it. It don;t get it. I suppose "they just don't make em' like they used to." (Thank you for letting me vent).

    Great report on the ProLite. Pretty nifty you got chosen for the testing. Even cooler that you are going to donate the vacs to charity. Sweep on!

    Reply

  64. Just in time for Christmas! I'd very MUCH appreciate a new vacuum cleaner and so would anyone who comes over to visit mean. *ahem*

    Reply

  67. I am very impressed with your review. No, really, I mean it whether I win the Bissell or not. You should see the piece of garbage vac we have at home now. This would be an awesome upgrade for sure. 🙂

    Reply

  69. Oh, vacuum cleaners are my love. Sometimes I go to department stores and make the vacuum people dump stuff on their little piece of carpet and show me how all their vacuums can suck it up. Um. I am that person. Anyway, despite all this vacuum window shopping, we don't actually have one because they are so expensive!! Please, please, please!!

    Reply

  73. Wow, sounds like a nice vacuum. I bet it doesn't suck, except where it's supposed to. A bit beyond my meager income though. Now, if only they would make a vacuum for giants.

    I'm feeling like a winner today.

    Reply

  75. Heather, I know you pick randomly, but let me tell you about my vacuum. First, I hate it. It's one of those ones that creates a cloud of dust when you turn it on and then you smell the after-effects of it for 3 hours. It loses suction (so you know what kind I DON'T have). It's heavy, it's awkward, and it hates my stairs. I have begged my husband since we got married (almost 4 years ago) for a new one, but he loves this vacuum. He says good vacuums are like old cars. If you get a good make and model it will serve you for years to come. That's probably true if said vacuum was taken care of. I don't think he changed the bag until I moved in.
    Since he won't pay for one, I think I'll need to win one. So if you have it deep in your heart to have pity on me and my neglected floors (I should vacuum more often but who wants to when it's painful!), please feel free to drop the random idea and just send it my way. It would bring such delight to my tuesdays. Thanks for letting me vent if nothing else!

    Reply

  80. I have been longing for a new vacuum. I'm almost at the point of asking for one for my christmas present, but I think that might make me a little resentful which I always try to prevent.
    Thanks for reviewing this and offer us one!

    Reply

  86. I have been longing for a new vacuum. I'm almost at the point of asking for one for my christmas present, but I think that might make me a little resentful which I always try to prevent.
    Thanks for reviewing this and offer us one!

    Reply

  88. Both wheels recently fell off my vacuum! It's 11 years old though so I can't really complain. Thanks for the great review and contest.

    Reply

  94. As of two minutes ago, it's on my Facebook:
    Christina Lor A giveaway, if you're in the market for a vacuum cleaner:

    Bissell Pro Lite Review and Giveaway | Home Ec 101
    https://www.home-ec101.com
    Heather says: Let's get the legal jargon out of the way, in accordance with FTC guidelines I am noting that I received two Bissell PRO Lite Multi Cyclonic
    2 minutes ago · Comment · Like · Share

    So like 10:08 🙂 I'll be sure to add a tweet for the homies.

    Cheers, Christina

    Reply

  97. something like this might actually make me want to vacuum the upstairs room over my garage (not that it gets much use to need vacuuming at the moment)

    Reply

  115. I would LOVE to have a new vacuum! My vacuum has been useless lately, going on the fritz ALL the time!!! I recently became a SAHM and now with only 1 income and the holidays, It is just not in the budget right now or the near future. This would be a wonderful blessing!!!

    Reply

  116. Saw the give away on my friend C. Lor's FB page. First time visiting your blog and I LOVE it! I have acquired many useful laundry tips from my visit and plan on spreading the word to friends to check your blog out. I also need a new vac and couldn't pass up the opportunity to possibly win!

    Reply

  127. Okay you had me at reading the manual FOR me.. THEN you wrapped me around your TALL leg (I'd say little finger but that is just so passe, no?) with the shot of the killer kicks there.. any girl who vacuums in old school style gym/converse shoes is my kind of chick.. I was a TOTAL GONER when I read "Participants who comment more than 3 times forfeit their chances."… WHY THE HECK HAVEN'T I THOUGHT OF THAT, don't you love Mr. Auto-generated-comment guy?! Then again I JUST stopped hand writing out all the names of my contest entrants in favor of using Randomizer.. tech geek I am not.. stoopid dork with hand cramps.. est Moi! I'd love to win this sucker and enjoy both the clean floors and the hours of endless moaning and whining my from teen when I put HIM TO WORK using it!

    Reply

  136. My whole downstairs is tile and I am so tired of sweeping it! With a crawling baby now, I don’t want to know what is on it anymore! It’s all protein right?? Please ??

    Reply

  142. Ok, I'm shocked that you have shag carpeting! SHOCKED!! NEED this vacuum for little allergy boy!!! ps. think you should donate to My Sister's House, my bestie used to work for them and I'm partial.

    Reply

  147. One of my childrens (bless their heart) did something to my vacuum whilst my mom was visiting……a new one would rock with the Christmas cleanup coming in a few weeks!! Thank you for the awesome chance to win…..

    Reply

  155. Oh, to be able to turn off the beater brush! I've been using hub's shop vac on our wood floors and it makes me nuts lugging it around.

    Reply

  156. I would LOVE to win this awesome vacuum – the one we have now is as old as the anniversary of our marriage – 7+ years and was only about $75 to begin with – needless to say, we are in desperate need of a new one!

    Reply

  158. ohhh i have had my eye on the bissel line recently as we are living with WAY too much dog hair – yuk. fingers crossed i get lucky with this one. thanks for the giveaway!

    Reply

  166. Am looking forward to trying the mac & cheese but more looking toward a possible small kosher section – can always use more ideas and places to shop. Also, am too old to carry vac up and down stairs 🙂

    Reply

  173. This is wonderful. I have been in the market for a new one and this will be perfect, since I hate to spend that kind of money. 🙂

    Reply

  174. Oh how my family needs a new vacuum. Our has broken, the house is dirty, and after being laid off from the auto industry our only income is unemployment. So, along with this comment I am going to twitter this contest and facebook it.

    Reply

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