Bissell SpotClean Cordless review: "It completely removed a spillage of paint!"

Price on writing: £269 | Buy now from Argos

How we tested

Our tester Jess used the Bissell SpotClean Cordless Spot Cleaner for three months. A household of five, with three young children aged five to eleven, there was plenty of opportunity to try the spot cleaner out on different stains during the testing period:

• Used on upholstery, carpets and in the car

• Used regularly to clean stains, including paint and everyday spills
  

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Our verdict

• Ease of use: 5/5

• Cleaning power: 4/5

• Ease of emptying: 5/5

• Value for money: 3.5/5

I found the Bissell SpotClean Cordless Spot Cleaner really easy to use overall. Following the user guide, I was easily able to assemble the appliance within a couple of minutes and get cleaning straight away. The appliance has a single button to operate, which I found really helpful being someone who finds a large array of settings and choices overwhelming. Pressing the on/off button multiple times also changes the suction power of the appliance.

Once switched on, using the appliance itself was fairly self-intuitive. The handle has a trigger which sprays the cleaning fluid, and the attachments that clip on have built-in brushes which can be used to scrub stains whilst simultaneously vacuuming up any dirty cleaning fluid.  

The spot cleaner was very effective at cleaning most surfaces — this was apparent from the colour of the dirty water in the tank! I did find that some surfaces, such as sofa coverings, needed multiple attempts to get a good result, but it should be noted that my sofas are over five years old and have never been cleaned before. I did find that a cordless appliance was not the best solution for heavy duty cleaning like this as the battery didn't last long enough to be able to give these tasks multiple goings-over (the run-time is up to 35 minutes).

That being said, its cordless, lightweight nature made it ideal for carting round the house — particularly if the car needed a freshen up.

What’s in the box?

Unpacking the Bissell SpotClean Cordless box, you'll find:

• Power charger

• Bissell SpotClean appliance

• Hose

• 2x attachments

• Small bottle of solution
  

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How easy is the Bissell SpotClean Cordless to use day-to-day?

As the machine is cordless, it is very easy to move around the house and use in hard to reach places like vehicles. However, this is also a limiting factor as you need to be mindful of the battery level. 

There were a couple of spills on our carpet where I would have liked to use the spot cleaner straight away, but I had not remembered to pack it away fully charged after the last use. I found this to be a drawback in comparison to a spot cleaner that could be plugged in.

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How well does the Bissell SpotClean Cordless perform on carpets and upholstery?

I found the appliance very effective at cleaning and would highly recommend it for having on hand to clean ad-hoc domestic spills and accidents. 

On the other hand, purely based on the limited battery life, I wouldn't recommend it for heavier stains that need a bit more elbow grease over longer periods.

Related: The best carpet cleaners

How well does the Bissell SpotClean Cordless Spot Cleaner perform in cars?

Very well! I spilled a tub of paint in the boot of our car and was able to completely remove any marks by getting the spot cleaner on the job quickly. It was super easy to use as a car vacuum in this situation thanks to being lightweight and cordless.

How easy is it to empty the Bissell SpotClean Cordless?

It's very easy to fill and empty the water tank, the compartments simply slot in and out. It only requires emptying every 10 minutes or so.

Does the Bissell SpotClean Cordless Spot Cleaner offer good value for money?

The Bissell SpotClean Cordless currently retails at £269. After testing it out for three months, I would recommend this appliance and think it is fair value for money, despite it being a pricey option. However, I do think the cleaning solution is expensive, especially as it's not widely available to purchase from all retailers (it's currently £11 for 1L from Argos). I purchased additional solution directly from Bissell as it is recommended to only use their solution in the spot cleaner.

About the editor

Natasha Gregson is a Senior Content Editor at Mumsnet, overseeing all home and kitchen articles on the website. With several years of editorial experience under her belt, she has also had work published in national publications, including The i Paper and Stylist Magazine.

Natasha manages all floor care content on site, so whether you're in the market for the best robot vacuum, the best budget vacuums, or even the best vacuum for pet hair, she's the one in the know.

About Mumsnet reviews

All Mumsnet product reviews are written by real people after extensive research and testing. We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust. Sometimes, we earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. However, we never allow this to influence our coverage.

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