Bissell 3591 Bagless Upright Vacuum
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- Weight: 15 lb.
- Cord Type: Corded
- Dust Filters: HEPA
- Design: Upright
- Technology: Container (Bagless)
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The Bissell 359X Series : Vacuums That Work
Pros
Good cleaning, easy filter change, cheap filter replacement, long power cord
Cons
Not enough tools, short accesory hose
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
A good vac for not a lot of money.
A Little Background
My first vacuum was a hand-me-down from my brother when I got my first apartment. It was a 10 yr (at the time) Hoover bag vac that was virtually useless. My second vacuum was one I thought was a canny purchase. It was cheap little stick vac that I figured would be a good match for the new apartment, but in fact it was terrible. For some reason I kept and maintained it for years. It came to the point however where it was just pushing around stuff when I used it, time for a new one. I then got a Eureka bagless. I loved it totally, other than it being $300 at the time (1996). When I bought it I was unaware of the sheer cost of filter replacement. It was somewhere along the lines of $70, no kidding. Only one was a washable unit that was intended for quick replacement anyway…huh? The HEPA filter was huge and was the priciest part at about $55, quite frankly it looked like an automotive filter. I love the performance, but the filter issues made it an ongoing cost I was not prepared for.
Having been in a house for as long I have, it was clear the old Eureka wasn't cutting it so I went to the Home Depot to see what was what. I figured at this point I should be able to get a good unit for about $100, and I did. Although I have wanted a "steam" cleaner for some time (I entertain a lot) for the tough stuff, I just wanted to buy a bagless vac. I see no reason to get a bag vac at this point with as cheap as the bagless units are now, in addition to the fact that even the cheap ones are HEPA filtered. The unit I got was right next to 3591s and is actually the 3593i. Epinions doesn't actually feature a page for this yet, but I was told by one of the sales people that the 3593i was the newer 3591 which was more expensive because it was an older unit. It seems reasonable to me, they are virtually identical and have the same little windows, wide track, filter placements and the rest save a few minor cosmetic differences.
Fit and Finish
Well, it's not a Lexus, but a strong build an attractive look does help, even if it is just a vacuum cleaner. With that in mind, it does seem to have a sure feel to it. In the box it comes in three pieces; the hose and connector, the handle and the main unit. The whole assembly process took about three minutes. There was just one screw to attach the handle and two more to attach the hose to the back of the vac. The hose itself seems strong enough and is made of vinyl with a metal bead rather than a hard plastic.
I can't say I know what the material used for the plastics is, however I can say that it seems tough, especially the rubber lining around the front of the unit, specifically that it is soft and covers the full width of the extended brushes. I am a little disappointed about the seals around the brushes on the front end (and back for that matter), but I will talk a little more about that later. The overall feel is good and the unit as a whole isn't too heavy, but it's far from the "light" versions on the market. I can't really comment on the efficiency of the light stuff, like the Oreck (8#) bag vac, but this one isn't cumbersome is my point.
Use and Filter Efficiency
It wants to pull itself forward. No, we're not talking about a mower, but at peak efficiency this unit seems like it pulls itself in the fore strokes, i.e., pushing it away. I wouldn't go so far as to say it is loud, but it is not silent by a long stretch. Certainly, nothing short of in-house vacs are going to be "quiet". It isn't bad is my point, I can do it without annoying anyone.
The clear view window allows you to see if it's the BELT that is broken, as opposed to something else when diagnosing. It also allows you to see if the brushes are clogged or cavitating heavily. The brand seems to push the idea that it helps one to see when you are no longer cleaning dirty carpet. This is a little silly because you will rarely see the particles come up anyway, no matter how dirty the carpet. As stated though, it [i]does[/i] serve a purpose.
Two of the three filters used are washable foam. The only one you will really need to replace for this unit to be truly effective is the HEPA filter which is a paper unit. The paper HEPA filter is cheap at only $9.99, less than half the most expensive part one could replace which is a brush roll at $17.95 for this unit. This is right out of the manual that comes with it, so I doubt it's too much cheaper in the store, but I haven't looked yet. The two foam filters are best washed by hand with a very mild soap solution (Dawn or Palmolive ought to suffice) and simply squeezed through repeatedly.
Removing all the filters one might need to replace is a snap. There is a "screw" on the back to release the pre filter which just slides off the "vortex tube". No, this isn't a Bissell term, I just don't know what to call the thing. There is another filter below the catch bin that simply slides right out, foam as well, that washes the same way. It is very important to note, NEVER replace a filter when still wet from a wash, it will cause potentially damaging results.
If you use carpet powder (and there are goods and bads with this kind of stuff) you need to know that washing the filters afterward is a very good idea. I didn't have a workable vacuum in the house for almost 2 months, so when I got this one, I went to town. The one thing that noticed is that as I went from room to room, completing each individually as I went, the suction seemed to suffer. What's key to note is that I was using powder in each room as I went.
As I progressed the powder, being as fine as it is, built up around the filters quickly, killing any efficiency they might have originally possessed. After a good wash though they performed like champs and efficiency was back to 100% again. The only thing that concerns me is how fast this happens. Just [i]one[/i] room can do a number on the filters if using powder, so I guess the key is stay clean and fresh or suffer the consequences. As a return smoker (no it didn't last) with 3 cats total, the powder is a boon to say the least.
There aren't a whole lot of attachments to this unit and the hose is disappointingly short. It does serve the purpose of cleaning the stairs or ceiling edges, but one has to keep the vac very close often carrying it around furniture. All that comes with it is a needle nose and oval brush attachment. You do have an extension for the hose extension, which even has a handle one it, but its 14" at best. Yep, skimpy. As many problems as it had, my old Eureka had 4 or 5 attachments if not more. To be honest I lost a few because there were so many.
Conclusion
This is a very good little vacuum for the price paid. Compared to the last bagless I had, this one rules by leaps and bounds. The filter change is straight forward and easy to execute and the bin emptying procedure is clean and quick. It feels just this side of self propelled even though it is not. The attachments, though basic, are easy to use and apply and replace. The unit is mid way between light and heavy, heavy being a steam vac and light being one of those 8lbs Orecks.
This could be a better vacuum, though not only intake alone, more along the lines of a longer hose and more goodies. As it is now, I am pretty satisfied with the cleaning ability of this unit, though I have seen better. The thing to keep in mind here is that I spent $108 on this bad boy. You spend more, you get more, for the most part. I feel based on price and function this unit scores well. The bottom line here though is that there are better vacs out there but for the price, this one is highly desirable.
My first vacuum was a hand-me-down from my brother when I got my first apartment. It was a 10 yr (at the time) Hoover bag vac that was virtually useless. My second vacuum was one I thought was a canny purchase. It was cheap little stick vac that I figured would be a good match for the new apartment, but in fact it was terrible. For some reason I kept and maintained it for years. It came to the point however where it was just pushing around stuff when I used it, time for a new one. I then got a Eureka bagless. I loved it totally, other than it being $300 at the time (1996). When I bought it I was unaware of the sheer cost of filter replacement. It was somewhere along the lines of $70, no kidding. Only one was a washable unit that was intended for quick replacement anyway…huh? The HEPA filter was huge and was the priciest part at about $55, quite frankly it looked like an automotive filter. I love the performance, but the filter issues made it an ongoing cost I was not prepared for.
Having been in a house for as long I have, it was clear the old Eureka wasn't cutting it so I went to the Home Depot to see what was what. I figured at this point I should be able to get a good unit for about $100, and I did. Although I have wanted a "steam" cleaner for some time (I entertain a lot) for the tough stuff, I just wanted to buy a bagless vac. I see no reason to get a bag vac at this point with as cheap as the bagless units are now, in addition to the fact that even the cheap ones are HEPA filtered. The unit I got was right next to 3591s and is actually the 3593i. Epinions doesn't actually feature a page for this yet, but I was told by one of the sales people that the 3593i was the newer 3591 which was more expensive because it was an older unit. It seems reasonable to me, they are virtually identical and have the same little windows, wide track, filter placements and the rest save a few minor cosmetic differences.
Fit and Finish
Well, it's not a Lexus, but a strong build an attractive look does help, even if it is just a vacuum cleaner. With that in mind, it does seem to have a sure feel to it. In the box it comes in three pieces; the hose and connector, the handle and the main unit. The whole assembly process took about three minutes. There was just one screw to attach the handle and two more to attach the hose to the back of the vac. The hose itself seems strong enough and is made of vinyl with a metal bead rather than a hard plastic.
I can't say I know what the material used for the plastics is, however I can say that it seems tough, especially the rubber lining around the front of the unit, specifically that it is soft and covers the full width of the extended brushes. I am a little disappointed about the seals around the brushes on the front end (and back for that matter), but I will talk a little more about that later. The overall feel is good and the unit as a whole isn't too heavy, but it's far from the "light" versions on the market. I can't really comment on the efficiency of the light stuff, like the Oreck (8#) bag vac, but this one isn't cumbersome is my point.
Use and Filter Efficiency
It wants to pull itself forward. No, we're not talking about a mower, but at peak efficiency this unit seems like it pulls itself in the fore strokes, i.e., pushing it away. I wouldn't go so far as to say it is loud, but it is not silent by a long stretch. Certainly, nothing short of in-house vacs are going to be "quiet". It isn't bad is my point, I can do it without annoying anyone.
The clear view window allows you to see if it's the BELT that is broken, as opposed to something else when diagnosing. It also allows you to see if the brushes are clogged or cavitating heavily. The brand seems to push the idea that it helps one to see when you are no longer cleaning dirty carpet. This is a little silly because you will rarely see the particles come up anyway, no matter how dirty the carpet. As stated though, it [i]does[/i] serve a purpose.
Two of the three filters used are washable foam. The only one you will really need to replace for this unit to be truly effective is the HEPA filter which is a paper unit. The paper HEPA filter is cheap at only $9.99, less than half the most expensive part one could replace which is a brush roll at $17.95 for this unit. This is right out of the manual that comes with it, so I doubt it's too much cheaper in the store, but I haven't looked yet. The two foam filters are best washed by hand with a very mild soap solution (Dawn or Palmolive ought to suffice) and simply squeezed through repeatedly.
Removing all the filters one might need to replace is a snap. There is a "screw" on the back to release the pre filter which just slides off the "vortex tube". No, this isn't a Bissell term, I just don't know what to call the thing. There is another filter below the catch bin that simply slides right out, foam as well, that washes the same way. It is very important to note, NEVER replace a filter when still wet from a wash, it will cause potentially damaging results.
If you use carpet powder (and there are goods and bads with this kind of stuff) you need to know that washing the filters afterward is a very good idea. I didn't have a workable vacuum in the house for almost 2 months, so when I got this one, I went to town. The one thing that noticed is that as I went from room to room, completing each individually as I went, the suction seemed to suffer. What's key to note is that I was using powder in each room as I went.
As I progressed the powder, being as fine as it is, built up around the filters quickly, killing any efficiency they might have originally possessed. After a good wash though they performed like champs and efficiency was back to 100% again. The only thing that concerns me is how fast this happens. Just [i]one[/i] room can do a number on the filters if using powder, so I guess the key is stay clean and fresh or suffer the consequences. As a return smoker (no it didn't last) with 3 cats total, the powder is a boon to say the least.
There aren't a whole lot of attachments to this unit and the hose is disappointingly short. It does serve the purpose of cleaning the stairs or ceiling edges, but one has to keep the vac very close often carrying it around furniture. All that comes with it is a needle nose and oval brush attachment. You do have an extension for the hose extension, which even has a handle one it, but its 14" at best. Yep, skimpy. As many problems as it had, my old Eureka had 4 or 5 attachments if not more. To be honest I lost a few because there were so many.
Conclusion
This is a very good little vacuum for the price paid. Compared to the last bagless I had, this one rules by leaps and bounds. The filter change is straight forward and easy to execute and the bin emptying procedure is clean and quick. It feels just this side of self propelled even though it is not. The attachments, though basic, are easy to use and apply and replace. The unit is mid way between light and heavy, heavy being a steam vac and light being one of those 8lbs Orecks.
This could be a better vacuum, though not only intake alone, more along the lines of a longer hose and more goodies. As it is now, I am pretty satisfied with the cleaning ability of this unit, though I have seen better. The thing to keep in mind here is that I spent $108 on this bad boy. You spend more, you get more, for the most part. I feel based on price and function this unit scores well. The bottom line here though is that there are better vacs out there but for the price, this one is highly desirable.
