Quit working after 5 minutes I bought this vacuum based on the favorable reviews here and from Consumer Reports. When it arrived, I immediately put it together (there is some assembly involved requiring a Philips screwdriver) and then started vacuuming.
I was just about beginning to fall in love with the selfpropelling feature and the thorough vacuuming results, when the machine began smoking badly on the left hand side where the wheel sits. Lots of grayish-white smoke and an intense odor of burnt rubber. Needless to say, I immediately reached for the off switch but to my dismay it was just sliding uselessly up or down but didn't turn the unit off. So I had to race to the outlet and physically unplug the cord in order to get the vacuum to stop running.
We have already packed it back up, and it is going back tomorrow.
I am not saying that this is a bad vacuum. I haven't even had the time to really try it out. But apparently something was very wrong with this unit and since this is the second Hoover dying on us within a relatively short amount of time (the first one lasted for approximately two years and then just stopped picking up anything - not clear as to why), I think my next vacuum will be a Miele. The reliability of the Hoover brand at least for me is simply not there anymore.
Lastly: I can confirm what other reviewers have stated here, too: The vacuum arrived only in its retail box, there was no second box around it. The UPS driver carried it to my door as if he had just gotten it off the shelf at WalMart. If that poor packaging had anything to do with it beginning to spew smoke I cannot know. But I do know that the box was already significantly dented when it got here, so please if you consider this vacuum know that this is how they ship it.
Very disappointing Bought this as a gift, because previous Big Green Machine finally died. We loved that machine so of course thought the new version would be just as good and better since the new one can heat the water...WRONG. Out of the box didn't work. Called Bissell thinking they would have me return it for a new one. Wrong again, "take it to service center to be repaired". Brand new and one day later in repair shop. 3 weeks later pick it up with NEW pump, tried it for 15 minutes and the pump quit pumping again. This time returned to Amazon for refund going to find an OLD Big Green Machine and stay away from new and improved Bissell products as well as their "customer service". Terrible terrible for an item that cost almost $300.00. Shame on Bissell!!!
Happy pet owner The Mattress Tool is the most used tool from my Dyson DC14 Animal Upright Vacuum collection. I inherited a cat who assumes my queen size bed is hers. I use this tool on the mattress, mattress pad, feather bed, sheets (while still on the bed), pillow cases (left on the pillows),pillows and my beloved quilts and shams (easiest to clean while left on bed). It really saves time and my washer and dryer. I used to double and triple wash to get rid of the cat hair and have to clean hair out of the washer each time. I even use it on clothing (I put them on a hanger and hold the bottom down while gliding the tool downward). I also have a 12 yr. old German Shepherd who sheds a lot. I use the Mini Turbine Head to clean her super-sized bed and twin-sized sheets (easiest while still on bed). I also have the Low Reach Floor Tool. Fantastic for getting pet hair from under my heavy furniture. I've owned a lot of vacuums and Dyson is by far the best out there for pet owners. I use all of the tools and they are great. I hardly ever used the tools on my other uprights because they didn't seem to get enough suction to do the job right. After 12 years of struggling to keep up with all of the pet hair now I can get the job done in no time and the results are a truly clean house. I've actually reversed the damage to my carpets from embedded pet hair. Dyson is powerful enough to pull out the pet hair. Another good point, Dyson is the cleanest vacuum to use. No spilled dirt while emptying the dirt bin (like my other two bagless vacuums) and no nasty filters to wash every time you vacuum. How good can it possibly get?!!
Excellent There was such an immediate difference between this cleaner vs the regular standard formula. This is something to do at least on a monthly basis to reduce allergens in the house. I still would prefer the basic stain removal formula for tough stains and spills. Overall, we love this product and it helps significantly with our family allergies.
We love this vacuum! We were skeptical at first, but this vacuum has proven itself over the weeks. I had not realized what a poor job our old vacuum was doing; we only replaced it when it began to smoke. We have 3 small children, and this vacuum takes care of ALL the messes with no problem. And I love the onboard attachments...the hose seems to have really good suction. The variable speed is nice too if you are going from carpet to hard floors; it makes a difference. I also appreciate the variation in carpet height. This vacuum has lots of features I didn't know I was missing. Thus far, we have no complaints, only praise, for this machine!