Bissell 5200 Upright Wet/Dry Vacuum

I was looking for a lightweight alternative to my giant Hoover Steam cleaner that I was using on my kitchen floors. It did a great job but the thing was so heavy to lug around and it was cumbersome to switch the cleaning solutions and it didn't get under the cabinet overhangs at all.

I had considered the Floormate because of the commercials but I read many bad reviews of the older ones and the new one (800) was over $220. So I read up on the Bissell and decided to give it a shot at $80 after sales and discounts at Kohls.

Assembly was a breeze. One screw and it is assembled. You have to pop on the mop assembly but that takes one second. Filled the tank with solution and water and started cleaning. My laundry room floors were filthy. They had dirt and leaves tracked in and lint stuck to dried laundry detergent. The vacuum part did really well picking up the dry stuff. I am quite pleased with the suction. Not nearly as good as my central vacuum but it's fine for everyday picking up. No pets so I don't know how it does on pet hair. But it got up the dried mud and leaves and the dust.

The wet cleaning part was OK. I found it easy to push in wet mode unlike some other reviewers. Maybe the angle you hold it at makes the difference. If you release cleaner on the forward stroke and not on the back stroke it leaves the floors almost dry. Of course you have to go over some spots again and again if like me, you have dried on spots like mac & cheese or mud. (3 small kids). I also found it helpful to drag around a scrubby pad with my foot to use on the worst spots. When I bumped into the table legs a couple of times the tank would come unseated and it left dirty puddles, but all I had to do was reach down and pop it back it. I think the brush could be better but it does OK. I have no grout so that's not an issue. The tank is small but I only refilled it once halfway through my kitchen and laundry room and it's not a big deal to do. Also cleaned out the filter after picking up the leaves. I dumped it outside so as not to stop up my sink. After cleaning it's very easy to dump the dirty water and clean the filter. Nothing like my giant Hoover steam cleaner.

Overall I think it is worth the money. I will still have to get down with a brush and towel to do the corners and right up against my bar but I will be using the Flip-it for everyday cleaning and putting the broom and mop away.