by Greg Schwartz

Created on: April 06, 2011

When it comes to buying a new vacuum, the choices are almost limitless.  If you've decided to go with an standard upright vacuum, the Bissell Cleanview Helix is a good choice.

The Cleanview Helix is a powerful 12-amp vacuum with plenty of features and capabilities.  Rather than using a bag, it uses a removable dirt cup that fills with dirt and debris (so you don't have to purchase new bags).  The vacuum has two main filters - one that sits below the dirt cup and can be cleaned as needed, and a HEPA filter on the side that can't be cleaned and must be replaced.

The Cleanview is not a lightweight vacuum (it weighs 16 pounds) and carrying it up a flight of stairs can be a chore.  But it packs a lot of power and does a great job of picking up whatever is in its path.  It has variable settings for low carpet, high carpet, or a bare floor (like tile).  Mounted on the front of the vacuum is a small headlight - very helpful for vacuuming under beds or tables, or in dimly-lit rooms.

Emptying the dirt cup is easy.  It's transparent, so you can look in from the outside and see when the cup is getting full.  When it does fill up, all you have to do is unlatch it, remove it, dump it, and lock it back in.  But sometimes dirt and dust can also get stuck above the dirt cup, and when that happens you'll have to lay the vacuum on its back when removing the dirt cup, then scoop out all of the debris from above it.  The outside of the vacuum can become dusty as well, but a damp cloth will clean it off.

A hose attachment comes with the vacuum and is conveniently stored right in the back - easy to pull out and use and then put back in.  There is also a turbo brush attachment which makes vacuuming the stairs easy, an upholstery attachment, and an extension tube for the hose.  The power cord for the vacuum reaches 27 feet, so you can do several rooms without having to unplug the vacuum and plug it in somewhere closer.

The Bissell Cleanview Helix can be purchased online directly from the Bissell website for $79.99.  It can also be found on Amazon (also for $79.99).  Both sites currently offer free shipping for the Cleanview.  Replacement parts and filters are also available on the Bissell website (on the Cleanview page, under Parts & Accessories).

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