CNET's key takeaways
- The Bissell Revolution HydroSteam carpet cleaner normally retails for $400. It's currently on sale at Amazon and Target for $299 ($101 off).
- The Bissell Revolution HydroSteam was the only carpet cleaner I tested that could lift pet urine and the "dog smell" from my carpet.
- It's loud and heavy. It weighs a bulky 22.5 pounds, and it registered a noise level of 82.8 decibels (like busy traffic).
As a toddler mom and a dog mom, my white carpet constantly needs cleaning. Sometimes to wash away the "snack-cidents" my kids leave behind. Other times, to clean and deodorize pet odors. My 2-year-old is currently going through potty training, meaning pee accidents happen.
I've tested six different carpet cleaners to see which was best for my house. I used ketchup, chocolate syrup, red wine, a Sharpie marker and urine to see how each fared on tough stain lifting and odor removal. The Bissell Revolution HydroSteam is the only one that could handle my family's messes -- and it's on sale right now for $299 at Amazon and Target.
The Bissell Revolution HydroSteam is loud, bulky and on the heavy side, but its presteam feature, powerful maximum wash mode and self-cleaning mode helped it stand out among its competitors.
I used wolf urine for the urine pet sniff test during my carpet cleaning challenge. You can buy wolf urine on Amazon. Its main purpose is to keep predators away during hunting or to keep coyotes away from your chicken coop.
I poured an accident-sized amount of wolf urine on carpet samples and let them sit in hot, humid air for 3 hours. Then I tried out each carpet cleaner. I sniffed-tested each sample four hours later (using lemon in between sniffs to clear my nose's palate).
My experience with the Bissell Revolution HydroSteam carpet cleaner
I was surprised by how well this Bissell Revolution performed. I was expecting the Tineco Carpet One Cruiser to come out on top. The Tineco's hefty price tag ($700) and AI smart features scream "superior tech." Yes, the Tineco outshined all others on the tough stain test. But the Bissell Revolution HydroSteam took care of those tough pet odors best while coming in a close second on the tough stain test.
The Bissell Revolution HydroSteam was the only one that truly held up to the challenge, especially in removing pet urine and the lingering "dog smell" that can permeate carpets. Its presteam feature is a game-changer, effectively lifting tough odors and loosening stains before the main wash, which is a feature I haven't seen on other models.
While the Bissell Revolution HydroSteam excels in performance, it's a robust machine, weighing in at 22.5 pounds, making it the heaviest of the cleaners I tested. This can make it a bit challenging to maneuver, especially if you need to carry it up or down stairs. I also found the reclining pedal sometimes requires a firm push.
It's quite loud, registering at 82.8 decibels, which is comparable to busy traffic. I wouldn't recommend it if you have sensitive hearing or sleeping children during the time of cleaning. However, the large water tanks are a significant plus, allowing me to clean my entire 500 square feet of carpet without needing to stop and refill or empty the tanks, which is a common issue I experienced with other carpet cleaners.
The specs
- Cord length: 25 feet
- Weight: 22.5 pounds
- Comes with a storage to prevent leakage
- Has a self-cleaning mode to lengthen product shelf life
- Comes with hose attachments for upholstery and stair cleaning
- Dirty water capacity: 1 gallon
- Clean water capacity: 1 gallon
- Heated cleaning: Yes
- Noise level (Decibels): 82.8 dB
Powerful stain-lifting ability.
CNET's buying advice
Despite its weight and noise, the Bissell Revolution HydroSteam's ability to clean and deodorize sets it apart. During my real-world testing, particularly with the pet urine smell test, I was genuinely shocked by its effectiveness. After cleaning and subsequent "sniff tests" (with lemon to reset my palate), I could not detect any urine smell whatsoever. This was a critical factor for me, given the occasional accident during potty training with my toddler and the general presence of pets.
For anyone dealing with persistent pet odors or tough stains, the Bissell Revolution HydroSteam, with its powerful pre-steam and maximum power mode, proves to be my favorite cleaning tool. It provides me with peace of mind and a fresh smelling and clean home.
If you have different needs or a smaller budget, there are a few alternatives. If your primary concern is general foot traffic cleaning and you're not worried about pet messes, a less expensive model like the Hoover SmartWash Plus FlexForce (our choice for ease of use) or the Bissell Revolution Pet ProHeat 2X (our favorite budget pick) might be better choices. However, if pet odor removal and deep stain cleaning are your priorities, the Bissell Revolution HydroSteam stands out as the superior choice.
