Features
The Bissell Air Ram Cordless Stick Vacuum boasts a lightweight and cordless design, making it incredibly easy to maneuver and use around furniture and in tight spaces. You can easily clean without the hassle of cords.
The vacuum also packs a powerful suction, effectively picking up dirt, dust, and pet hair from a variety of surfaces. The multi-surface brushroll adapts to different floor types, including carpets, hard floors, and area rugs.
The removable handheld vacuum allows for cleaning hard-to-reach areas like furniture, stairs, and car interiors. With a long battery life, you can enjoy extended cleaning time on a single charge.
The vacuum offers multiple power modes, allowing you to adjust suction power for different cleaning tasks. Emptying the dirtbin is easy and convenient, without creating a mess. A wall mount charging station provides convenient storage and charging, saving space.
The Bissell Air Ram Cordless Stick Vacuum comes with various accessories for specialized cleaning needs.
Performance
The Bissell Air Ram Cordless Stick Vacuum excels at cleaning hardwood floors. Its powerful suction easily picks up dust, dirt, and pet hair. The vacuum's lightweight and maneuverable design makes it easy to navigate around furniture.
On carpet, the Bissell Air Ram performs well on low-pile carpets. However, it may struggle with thicker or heavily soiled carpets.
The vacuum is exceptional at picking up pet hair from both hardwood floors and carpets. The motorized brush head effectively loosens and removes embedded hair.
The Bissell Air Ram efficiently picks up dust, crumbs, and other small debris from both hard surfaces and carpets thanks to its powerful suction.
While the vacuum's slim design and crevice tool help reach into tight spaces, it may not always be as effective as a dedicated corner brush.
The upholstery tool effectively removes dust and debris from furniture, but may not be as powerful for deep cleaning.
The Bissell Air Ram provides up to 40 minutes of run time on a single charge, sufficient for most cleaning tasks in a standard-sized home.
The vacuum is lightweight and easy to maneuver, making it simple to use. The cordless design offers excellent flexibility and maneuverability.
While not as quiet as some other cordless vacuums, the Bissell Air Ram is not excessively loud.
The dustbin is easy to remove and empty.
The vacuum is easy to clean and maintain. The filters can be rinsed and reused.
What We Like
The Bissell Air Ram Cordless Stick Vacuum is praised for its lightweight and easy-to-use design. Customers appreciate its portability and comfort, making it perfect for quick cleanups and navigating around furniture.
Furthermore, the vacuum boasts strong suction power, effectively picking up pet hair, dust bunnies, and even embedded dirt on carpets and hard floors. This powerful suction has impressed many users.
Another highlight is the long battery life, allowing for complete house cleaning on a single charge without the hassle of cords. Users can enjoy uninterrupted cleaning sessions.
The Bissell Air Ram comes with multiple attachments, including a crevice tool and dusting brush, providing versatility for cleaning various surfaces and tight spaces.
Emptying the vacuum is made simple with the easy-to-remove and empty dustbin, minimizing mess and hassle.
The vacuum is designed for easy cleaning, ensuring both the filter and dustbin can be easily maintained for optimal performance.
Finally, customers appreciate the affordable price point, making the Bissell Air Ram a competitive option compared to other cordless vacuums.
What We Don't Like
Several users have expressed dissatisfaction with the battery life of the Bissell Air Ram Cordless Stick Vacuum. They find that the battery doesn't last long enough to clean an entire house, especially larger homes. Some report only being able to use it for 15-20 minutes on the highest setting.
Another common complaint is about the suction power. While some users find it adequate, others feel it's not strong enough to effectively pick up debris, especially pet hair or embedded dirt.
The dustbin capacity is also a point of contention. Many users find the dustbin to be relatively small and require frequent emptying, particularly for larger cleaning jobs.
Noise level is another factor that has drawn criticism. The vacuum can be quite loud, especially on the higher power settings, which may be an issue for some users.
The lightweight construction of the vacuum has also been a point of concern for some users. They feel that the vacuum feels flimsy and may not be as durable as other stick vacuums.
The included attachments have also been criticized by some users, who find them limited or lacking in quality.
Finally, some users have expressed dissatisfaction with the charging time, which they find to be long, taking several hours to fully charge the battery.
Cleaning Tasks
The Bissell Air Ram Cordless Stick Vacuum is a versatile tool ideal for quick cleanups. Its lightweight and cordless design allow you to grab it easily and clean up spills, crumbs, and pet hair on a moment's notice. The vacuum's maneuverability also makes it perfect for cleaning hardwood floors, navigating around furniture with ease.
While suitable for general carpet cleaning, the Air Ram may struggle with deeply embedded dirt or heavy pet hair on thicker carpets. The brush roll and suction power are capable of handling pet hair, but may not be as effective as vacuums with dedicated pet hair tools.
The Air Ram excels at upholstery cleaning due to its lightweight design and included crevice tool, enabling you to reach tight spots effortlessly. Its portability also makes it perfect for stair cleaning, allowing you to move up and down effortlessly.
The cordless nature of the Air Ram makes it ideal for cleaning car interiors, reaching seats, carpets, and tight spaces with ease. However, its battery life might be limited for cleaning very large areas. While suitable for general cleaning, the Air Ram might not be powerful enough for deeply embedded dirt or heavy debris.
The lightweight and cordless design of the Air Ram make it easy to reach high places like shelves and ceiling fans, extending its cleaning capabilities beyond just floors.
Comparison to Other Brands
| Feature | Bissell Air Ram | Shark Vertex | Dyson V15 Detect | Dyson V12 Detect Slim | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price (approx.) | $200 - $300 | $500 - $600 | $700 - $800 | $600 - $700 | Bissell Air Ram (Best Value) |
| Battery Life | Up to 40 mins | Up to 60 mins | Up to 60 mins | Up to 60 mins | Shark Vertex & Dyson V15 Detect (Tie) |
| Runtime | Up to 40 mins (eco mode) | Up to 60 mins (eco mode) | Up to 60 mins (eco mode) | Up to 60 mins (eco mode) | Shark Vertex & Dyson V15 Detect (Tie) |
| Weight (without attachments) | 5 lbs | 6 lbs | 5.2 lbs | 4.6 lbs | Dyson V12 Detect Slim (Lightest) |
| Suction Power | Powerful | Powerful | Very Powerful | Very Powerful | Dyson V15 Detect & Dyson V12 Detect Slim (Tie) |
| Dustbin Capacity | 0.5L | 0.8L | 0.76L | 0.5L | Shark Vertex (Largest Capacity) |
| Attachments Included | Crevice tool, dusting brush | Crevice tool, dusting brush, upholstery tool, pet hair tool | Crevice tool, dusting brush, upholstery tool, mini motorized head | Crevice tool, dusting brush, upholstery tool, mini motorized head | Dyson V15 Detect & Dyson V12 Detect Slim (More Attachments) |
| Features | LED headlights, multi-surface brush roll | LED headlights, self-cleaning brush roll, DuoClean technology | Laser dust detection, self-cleaning brush roll, LCD display, anti-tangle brush bar | Laser dust detection, self-cleaning brush roll, LCD display, anti-tangle brush bar | Dyson V15 Detect & Dyson V12 Detect Slim (More Advanced Features) |
| Overall | Good value, lightweight, decent suction | Powerful, good features, long runtime | Excellent suction, advanced features, long runtime | Excellent suction, compact, long runtime | Dyson V15 Detect (Best Overall - but expensive) |
The Bissell Air Ram is a budget-friendly option, offering a lightweight design, decent suction power, and a runtime of up to 40 minutes.
The Shark Vertex boasts a powerful motor, long runtime, and a large dustbin capacity. It also comes with several useful attachments.
The Dyson V15 Detect, a top-of-the-line model, delivers extremely powerful suction, innovative features like laser dust detection and an LCD display, and a long runtime.
The Dyson V12 Detect Slim offers impressive suction, a compact design, and a long runtime. It also includes a variety of attachments.
Maintenance
To keep your Bissell Air Ram Cordless Stick Vacuum running smoothly, follow these simple maintenance tips:
Emptying and Cleaning the Dustbin: After each use, detach the dustbin and empty its contents into a trash bag. Tap the dustbin to dislodge any remaining debris. Rinse the dustbin with warm water and mild detergent, then allow it to dry completely before reattaching to the vacuum.
Cleaning the Filters: The HEPA filter can be rinsed with lukewarm water, gently squeezing out excess water. Let it dry completely before replacing it. The pre-motor filter can be rinsed with warm water and mild detergent, then squeezed to remove excess water and allowed to dry completely before replacing. The post-motor filter should only be replaced, not washed.
Cleaning the Brush Roll: Remove the brush roll and use a pair of scissors or a small brush to remove any tangled hair or debris. Ensure the brush roll spins freely before reinstalling.
Charging the Battery: Charge the battery according to the manufacturer's instructions. Avoid overcharging or deep discharging the battery for optimal lifespan.
Cleaning the Nozzles and Attachments: Use a damp cloth to wipe down the nozzles and attachments, removing any dirt or debris. Allow them to dry completely before using.
Storage: Store the vacuum in a cool, dry place, preferably upright. Avoid storing it with the brush roll facing down to prevent damage.
Routine Inspections: Regularly check the vacuum for signs of wear and tear, such as frayed cords, loose attachments, or damaged filters. Replace any damaged parts immediately.
Troubleshooting
If your Bissell Air Ram Cordless Stick Vacuum won't turn on, you can troubleshoot by checking the power button to ensure it's pressed and held down, checking the battery charge or replacing the battery, ensuring the charging port is clean and free of debris, and verifying the power switch on the vacuum is turned on.
For weak suction, ensure the brushroll is free of hair and debris, clean the pre-motor and HEPA filters, empty the dustbin, and check the brushroll for any damage or wear, which may necessitate replacement.
If your vacuum won't charge, check the power outlet, charging cable connection to both the vacuum and outlet, charging port cleanliness, and try a different outlet.
To address a battery that doesn't last as long, clean the battery terminals with a dry cloth, ensure the battery is fully charged before use, avoid using high power settings, and consider replacing the battery if it's old or worn out.
Strange noises from the vacuum might be resolved by checking the brushroll, cleaning the filters, emptying the dustbin, ensuring no obstructions are present, and contacting Bissell customer service if the issue persists.
If the vacuum won't turn off, check the power button, the power switch on the vacuum, and contact Bissell customer service if the issue continues.
Conclusion
The Bissell Air Ram Cordless Stick Vacuum presents a compelling option for budget-conscious consumers seeking a lightweight and maneuverable cordless vacuum for quick cleanups and general cleaning tasks. Its powerful suction effectively tackles dust, debris, and pet hair on hard floors and low-pile carpets, while its cordless design offers the flexibility to navigate tight spaces and reach high places.
However, its limitations should be considered. The battery life might not be sufficient for larger homes, and the suction power may not be adequate for deeply embedded dirt or heavy pet hair on thicker carpets. The dustbin capacity is relatively small, requiring frequent emptying, and the vacuum's noise level can be intrusive.
Ultimately, the Bissell Air Ram is a solid choice for those seeking a user-friendly and affordable cordless stick vacuum for everyday cleaning tasks. But if you prioritize powerful suction, extended battery life, or a larger dustbin capacity, higher-end models from brands like Shark and Dyson might be better suited to your needs.
