Bissell 22C1 Cleanview Helix Vacuum Cleaner

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Avg. consumer rating = 75/100 

The Bissell 22C1 Cleanview Helix is one of three Bissell Cleanview Helix vacuums on the market today.  It is Bissell’'s mid-range Helix machine with the 82H1 being the entry model and the 21K3 being the top end.  All of these are bagless uprights with HEPA filtration and a number of other features.  The 22C1 gets reasonable reviews and is available for under 100USD.

Consumer ratings for the Bissell 22C1 are few but some were found and are provided below:

A review of consumer comments yields the following common 22C1 likes and dislikes:

PROS
- Assembly is easy
- Edge cleaning is effective
- Attachments fit nicely (store) on the vacuum
- Dirt canister is easy to empty
- Strong suction

CONS
- Hose is short and stiff
- Brushroll has no on/off
- Dirt canister is a little small

The 22C1 comes with HEPA filtration which aids in the removal of ragweed, pollen, dust mites and other allergens.  HEPA filtration – which stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air filtration – removes 99.97% of all particles 0.3 microns or larger in diameter.  This level of filtration is popular with those suffering from allergies or asthma.

The Bissell 22C1 is also bagless.  Bagless vacuums continue to gain in popularity and do remove the need to buy and dispose of bags.  However many people find emptying the dirt canister to be a messy affair.  In the case of the 22C1 however, several consumers have indicated that the dirt canister is easy to remove, empty and re-attach.  Although there are some complaints that this has to be done frequently as the canister volume is small.

A number of attachments are included with the Bissell 22C1 Cleanview Helix vacuum.  These include a crevice tool for getting into hard to reach places, an 11-inch extension wand, a combination dusting & upholstery tool and a turbo tool.  These are all stored conveniently on the vacuum itself.  A long wire-reinforced stretch hose (8 feet) also comes with the vacuum.

All of the Bissell Cleanview Helix machines are powered by a 12 amp motor and use the Helix Separation System to remove dirt from the airpath (which keeps dirt away from the filters and motor).  The 22C1 has a 27 foot power cord and while we at Vacuum Cleaner Advisor usually like a cord in excess of 30 feet this one is not too far off.  There is no auto-cord rewind however and while this may seem like a small feature, when it is available on a vacuum (and when it works well) customers frequently comment on how much they like it.  In addition a wide beam headlight is standard on all Cleanview Helix vacuums.  Several consumers indicate that they like the headlight on the 22C1 and find it useful.

There is a rotating brushbar (2 rows) but it does not come with and on/off switch.  It is sometimes helpful to be able to turn the brushbar off when vacuuming certain delicate surfaces.  The vacuum does have several different height setting which allow the user to adjust the height of the nozzle over the floor surface – useful when transitioning from one surface type to another.  The 22C1 also has edge-cleaning capability and soft bumpers.

Differences between the 22C1 and its cousins the 82H1 and the 21K3 are few but there are some.  One of the key differences is the warranty.  According to the Bissell site the 22C1 carries a 2-year warranty, the 82H1 carries 1-year warranty, and the 21K3 carries a 3-year warranty.  Also the 22C1 and the 21K3 are both slightly heavier than the 82H1 and they have a wider cleaning path (22C1/21K3 = 15 inches, 82H1 = 13.5 inches).