The quest for a cleaner home often leads to the question: which cleaning tool is the best? Two popular contenders are the Shark Vertex vacuum and the Bissell CrossWave. The Shark Vertex stands out as a powerful upright vacuum known for its DuoClean technology and impressive suction, tackling both carpets and hard floors with ease. The Bissell CrossWave, on the other hand, is a unique all-in-one wet-dry vacuum that simultaneously vacuums and washes floors, promising to save time and effort. Both aim to simplify cleaning, but cater to different needs and preferences.
Choosing between the Shark Vertex and the Bissell CrossWave depends largely on your home’s flooring and your cleaning priorities. Do you need a versatile vacuum that excels on all floor types, or a specialized machine that simplifies hard floor cleaning? This review dives deep into the design, performance, and features of each, providing a detailed comparison to help you make the right choice.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Shark Vertex: Excellent suction, DuoClean technology works well on various surfaces, self-cleaning brushroll minimizes hair wrap, but can be bulky and less convenient for wet messes.
- Bissell CrossWave: Vacuums and washes simultaneously, great for hard floors and quick cleanups of spills, but weaker suction compared to dedicated vacuums, requires specific cleaning solution.
- Versatility: Shark Vertex is more versatile for whole-home cleaning, while Bissell CrossWave excels in hard floor cleaning and spill management.
- Convenience: Bissell CrossWave offers superior convenience for wet messes, but Shark Vertex has features like self-cleaning brushroll that enhance usability.
- Verdict: For primarily carpeted homes or those needing powerful suction, the Shark Vertex is the better choice. For homes with mostly hard floors and a focus on quick, convenient cleaning, the Bissell CrossWave is the winner.
Specifications
| Feature | Shark Vertex | Bissell CrossWave |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Upright Vacuum | Wet-Dry Vacuum |
| Weight | ~16 lbs | ~11.5 lbs |
| Cord Length | 30 feet | 25 feet |
| Dust Cup Capacity | 0.8 quarts | Dirty Water Tank: 0.6 Liters, Clean Water Tank: 0.82 Liters |
| Filtration | HEPA Filter | Multi-Surface Brush Roll |
| Brushroll Tech | DuoClean (Soft roller + Bristle brush) | Two-Tank Technology |
| Attachments | Crevice Tool, Upholstery Tool, Powered Lift-Away | Multi-Surface Brush Roll |
| Notable Features | Self-Cleaning Brushroll, Lift-Away Mode, LED Headlights | Vacuums and Washes Simultaneously, Two-Tank Technology |
| Cleaning Path Width | 11 inches | 10.5 inches |
| Warranty | 5-year limited warranty | 2-year limited warranty |
Price and Availability
- Shark Vertex: Available at major retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and the Shark official website. Often included in seasonal sales and promotions.
- Bissell CrossWave: Widely available at retailers such as Amazon, Walmart, and the Bissell official website. Bundles with cleaning solutions are common.
Design and Build Quality
The Shark Vertex boasts a robust and sturdy design typical of Shark vacuums. It feels well-built, with durable plastics and solid construction. The upright design includes a powered lift-away feature, allowing users to detach the canister for easier cleaning of stairs and hard-to-reach areas. The DuoClean brush head is a standout, featuring both a soft roller and a bristle brush to effectively clean different floor types. LED headlights illuminate the cleaning path, ensuring no dirt is missed. However, its weight (around 16 lbs) can make it less maneuverable for some users compared to lighter models.
The Bissell CrossWave takes a different approach with its streamlined and lightweight design (approximately 11.5 lbs). The body is primarily plastic, but feels adequately durable for its intended use. The two-tank system—one for clean water and solution, and one for dirty water—is well-integrated. Its swivel head enhances maneuverability, making it easy to navigate around furniture. However, the smaller cleaning head and tank capacities mean more frequent refills and passes compared to a full-sized vacuum. The CrossWave is designed specifically for hard floors and area rugs, making it less versatile than the Shark Vertex for homes with extensive carpeting.
Performance and Features
Suction Power
The Shark Vertex excels in suction power, making it highly effective at removing embedded dirt and debris from carpets. In testing, the Vertex consistently picked up a higher percentage of dirt in a single pass compared to many other vacuums, including the Bissell CrossWave. Its strong suction ensures thorough cleaning on both high-pile and low-pile carpets.
The Bissell CrossWave, while competent on hard floors, lacks the raw suction power of the Shark Vertex. It effectively picks up surface dirt and liquid spills but struggles with deeply embedded dirt or heavier debris on carpets and rugs. Its primary strength lies in its ability to simultaneously vacuum and wash, rather than deep cleaning.
Cleaning Performance on Various Surfaces
The Shark Vertex’s DuoClean technology allows it to transition seamlessly between hard floors and carpets. The soft roller effectively picks up fine dust and debris from hard floors without scattering, while the bristle brush agitates and lifts dirt from carpets. Users appreciate the convenience of not having to switch attachments or adjust settings when moving between different floor types.
The Bissell CrossWave is optimized for hard floors. Its brush roll gently scrubs and washes the floor, leaving it clean and streak-free. While it can be used on area rugs, its performance is limited by its weaker suction and the potential for over-wetting. It is best suited for quick cleanups on sealed hard floors.
Self-Cleaning Brushroll
The Shark Vertex features a self-cleaning brushroll, which is designed to minimize hair wrap. This is a significant advantage for pet owners, as it reduces the need for manual hair removal, saving time and effort. Tests show that the Vertex brushroll remains relatively free of hair even after extended use, making maintenance easier.
The Bissell CrossWave does not have a self-cleaning brushroll. While the brushroll is designed to be easily removable for cleaning, it requires more frequent maintenance to remove tangled hair and debris.
Wet Cleaning
The Bissell CrossWave’s standout feature is its ability to vacuum and wash floors simultaneously. This makes it ideal for cleaning up spills, removing sticky messes, and maintaining hard floors. The two-tank system ensures that clean water and solution are always used, preventing dirty water from being reapplied to the floor.
The Shark Vertex is not designed for wet cleaning. While it can pick up some surface spills, it is not intended to wash or scrub floors. Attempting to use the Vertex on wet messes can damage the vacuum and void the warranty.
Battery Life (if applicable)
Neither the Shark Vertex nor the Bissell CrossWave are cordless vacuums, so battery life is not applicable.
Software and User Experience (if applicable)
Neither the Shark Vertex nor the Bissell CrossWave rely heavily on software or complex user interfaces.
The Shark Vertex offers a straightforward user experience. Its controls are simple and intuitive, with easily accessible power and brushroll settings. The lift-away feature is easy to use, allowing for quick conversion to a handheld vacuum. The dust cup is easy to empty, and the filters are accessible for cleaning and replacement.
The Bissell CrossWave also provides a user-friendly experience. The two-tank system is easy to fill and empty, and the controls are clearly labeled. The swivel head enhances maneuverability, making it easy to navigate around furniture. However, some users may find the need to frequently empty the dirty water tank and refill the clean water tank somewhat inconvenient.
Comparison to Competitors
Shark Vertex vs. Dyson V11
The Dyson V11 is a high-end cordless vacuum known for its powerful suction and advanced features. While the Dyson V11 offers greater maneuverability and convenience due to its cordless design, the Shark Vertex provides comparable suction power at a lower price point. The Vertex also features a self-cleaning brushroll, which the Dyson V11 lacks.
Bissell CrossWave vs. Tineco iFloor 3
The Tineco iFloor 3 is another wet-dry vacuum that competes with the Bissell CrossWave. The Tineco iFloor 3 offers a cordless design and self-cleaning function, making it more convenient to use and maintain. However, the Bissell CrossWave is generally more affordable and has a larger tank capacity.
Pros and Cons
Shark Vertex
Pros:
- Powerful suction
- DuoClean technology
- Self-cleaning brushroll
- Lift-Away feature
- HEPA filtration
Cons:
- Bulky and heavy
- Not designed for wet cleaning
- Can be expensive
Bissell CrossWave
Pros:
- Vacuums and washes simultaneously
- Lightweight and maneuverable
- Two-tank system
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Weaker suction compared to dedicated vacuums
- Requires specific cleaning solution
- Brushroll requires frequent cleaning
- Not ideal for carpets
Value for Money
The Shark Vertex offers excellent value for money for those seeking a powerful and versatile vacuum cleaner. Its strong suction, DuoClean technology, and self-cleaning brushroll make it a worthwhile investment for homes with a mix of carpets and hard floors. While it may be more expensive than some other vacuums, its performance and features justify the price.
The Bissell CrossWave provides good value for money for those primarily concerned with cleaning hard floors and managing spills. Its ability to vacuum and wash simultaneously saves time and effort, making it a convenient tool for maintaining clean hard floors. However, its limited performance on carpets and the ongoing cost of cleaning solutions should be considered.
Verdict
Choosing between the Shark Vertex and the Bissell CrossWave depends on your specific cleaning needs and preferences.
The Shark Vertex is the better choice for:
- Homes with primarily carpeted floors
- Those who need powerful suction for deep cleaning
- Pet owners looking for a vacuum with a self-cleaning brushroll
The Bissell CrossWave is the better choice for:
- Homes with mostly hard floors
- Those who want a convenient way to vacuum and wash floors simultaneously
- Quick cleanups of spills and messes
Ultimately, the Shark Vertex is a more versatile and powerful vacuum, while the Bissell CrossWave is a specialized tool for hard floor cleaning.
