Bissell 3750 Bagless Upright Vacuum
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- Weight: 21.8 lb.
- Cord Type: Corded
- Dust Filters: HEPA
- Design: Upright
- Technology: Container (Bagless)
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Sucked In by the Concept, Spit Out by the Performance
Pros
decent performance as an upright; sharper-looking than most vacuums (if you care about that)
Cons
poor suction as a handheld; too many filters requiring constant attention; flimsy accessories
Recommended it?
No
The Bottom Line:
If you want handheld and upright convenience, get two separate but highly rated units instead of the Lift Off.
After going through several Hoover and Kenmore vacuums in the just a couple of years, I decided to give Bissell a try with the 3750 Lift Off.
Because my home has a lot of stairs, a vacuum that is part upright and part canister has considerable appeal. Furthermore, I figured the vacuum's baglessness would add to the convenience.
Unfortunately, I've discovered that the vacuum is not quite so convenient, and is a solid performer only when used in certain situations. When used as an upright, the Lift Off's cleaning is solid. No matter how clean and fresh my carpet looks, this vacuum always seems to pick up a lot of dirt from bare floors, as well as long- and short-pile carpet.
Checking the see-through dirt cup is always a bittersweet experience: On one hand, I'm thrilled to see how well the vacuum performs -- I get a terrific sense of accomplishment -- but on the other hand, I recoil with the thought, "My floors are that dirty?!"
Used as a portable canister unit, the Lift Off is disappointing. Although its motor is the same one that powers the Lift Off as an upright, the vacuum seems to lose a fair amount of suction in handheld use. The only way to get my stairs clean is to use the crevice attachment on each step, which is neither easy nor quick. The wide vacuuming head attachment is practically useless.
The collapsible, telescoping wand that allows users to vacuum the floor without leaning over is somewhat flimsy; even when locked, it sometimes collapses on its own.
The Lift Off is bagless, but certainly not filterless. In fact, the unit requires three filters: one above the dirt cup, one below the dirt cup, and one on the back of the vacuum. The only filter that does not seem to need cleaning after a single use is the filter on the back; the other two are usually caked. In fact, in casual observation, one would think the filters had been sitting inside the dirt cup.
Bissell says these filters, which are made of a thin foam material similar to that of air conditioner filters, should be washed periodically, but they seem to need washing after each use. While they are drying, you will need to keep spares on hand. Unfortunately, the spares are somewhat pricey (up to $7 each) and usually have to be ordered online.
The filter above the dirt cup covers a cylindrical unit with dozens of narrow vents around it. Like the filters, the vents seem to clog after limited use, but they are nearly impossible to clean.
I've owned my Lift Off for only six months, and already, the door to the compartment that houses the air filter is loosening. So, when I use the vacuum, there is a loud, high-pitched squeal that emits from around the compartment door.
If the canister component of the Lift Off worked as well as the upright component, I would say this vacuum is worth the $150-to-$190 price. However, with the inconvenient maintenance requirements and the poor suction when used as a canister, the Lift Off is more brilliant as an idea than as a performer.
Because my home has a lot of stairs, a vacuum that is part upright and part canister has considerable appeal. Furthermore, I figured the vacuum's baglessness would add to the convenience.
Unfortunately, I've discovered that the vacuum is not quite so convenient, and is a solid performer only when used in certain situations. When used as an upright, the Lift Off's cleaning is solid. No matter how clean and fresh my carpet looks, this vacuum always seems to pick up a lot of dirt from bare floors, as well as long- and short-pile carpet.
Checking the see-through dirt cup is always a bittersweet experience: On one hand, I'm thrilled to see how well the vacuum performs -- I get a terrific sense of accomplishment -- but on the other hand, I recoil with the thought, "My floors are that dirty?!"
Used as a portable canister unit, the Lift Off is disappointing. Although its motor is the same one that powers the Lift Off as an upright, the vacuum seems to lose a fair amount of suction in handheld use. The only way to get my stairs clean is to use the crevice attachment on each step, which is neither easy nor quick. The wide vacuuming head attachment is practically useless.
The collapsible, telescoping wand that allows users to vacuum the floor without leaning over is somewhat flimsy; even when locked, it sometimes collapses on its own.
The Lift Off is bagless, but certainly not filterless. In fact, the unit requires three filters: one above the dirt cup, one below the dirt cup, and one on the back of the vacuum. The only filter that does not seem to need cleaning after a single use is the filter on the back; the other two are usually caked. In fact, in casual observation, one would think the filters had been sitting inside the dirt cup.
Bissell says these filters, which are made of a thin foam material similar to that of air conditioner filters, should be washed periodically, but they seem to need washing after each use. While they are drying, you will need to keep spares on hand. Unfortunately, the spares are somewhat pricey (up to $7 each) and usually have to be ordered online.
The filter above the dirt cup covers a cylindrical unit with dozens of narrow vents around it. Like the filters, the vents seem to clog after limited use, but they are nearly impossible to clean.
I've owned my Lift Off for only six months, and already, the door to the compartment that houses the air filter is loosening. So, when I use the vacuum, there is a loud, high-pitched squeal that emits from around the compartment door.
If the canister component of the Lift Off worked as well as the upright component, I would say this vacuum is worth the $150-to-$190 price. However, with the inconvenient maintenance requirements and the poor suction when used as a canister, the Lift Off is more brilliant as an idea than as a performer.
