Bissell Momentum Upright Vacuum 82G71

Click to see on Amazon

Avg. consumer rating = 84/100 

This upright gets great reviews and not-so-great reviews.  It is a relatively inexpensive vacuum with powerful suction and it works well on carpet.  It also comes with a long power cord and a long hose.  However the brushbar cannot be turned off and the unit is only average on bare floors.  In addition, a number of owners report issues with reliability and indicate that the vacuum may not have a long life.  It carries a 1-year warranty.

In the table below one can see that owner ratings are something of a mixed bag.  A more detailed review also reveals that there are many 1 star ratings and many 5 star ratings - indicating that some folks love the vacuum while others dislike it. 

Common Bissell Momentum likes and dislikes are provided below:

PROS
- Many owners report that it picks up dust and debris from carpet very well
- Powerful suction
- Long power cord
- Handheld turbo tool works well and is useful
- Respectably long hose
- Not too expensive

CONS
- Cannot turn brushbar off when using tools
- Some owners say it has limited capability on bare floors (others disagree)
- Some issues with reliability – overheating motor, broken belts, a tear in the hose, etc
- Loud

HEPA filter

Like most bagless vacuums, the Bissell Momentum uses cyclonic cleaning technology, a system that generates suction via rapidly spinning air.  The cyclone “throws” the dust and dirt out of the airpath and into the dust canister while keeping it away from the filters.  This approach is designed to keep the filters clean and to help maintain suction while the dust canister fills. 

This unit has a washable pre-motor filter and a replaceable (non-washable) HEPA filter.  An airflow monitor on the 82G71 will turn red when a filter may be clogged and cleaning is necessary.  However it should be noted that the airflow monitor may also turn red if there is any other airflow obstruction such as a clogged hose.

HEPA filtration is standard on this machine and it is a nice feature for those with allergies or asthma.  HEPA filtration works best when a vacuum is properly sealed and no air can pass around the HEPA filter or out through the vacuum body prior to the filter, however most vacuums, including the Bissell Momentum, aren’t built this way (although some are).  HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air and it delivers a high level of filtration, removing very fine particles like pet dander, dust mite feces, pollens, etc.

The power cord on this machine is very long at 34 feet and this allows one to move from room to room with limited plugging/unplugging.  It also has a 12 foot wire-reinforced stretch hose (note: a number of owners have indicated that the hose can be a bit ungainly to work with and it can also pull the vacuum over easily).  The power cord and hose combined provide an extensive cleaning reach.  A number of tools and attachments come with the vacuum and these can be used in combination with the hose.  Included are:

- A crevice tool
- A combination dusting brush and upholstery tool
- An extension wand
- Turbo brush

The 82G71 weighs about 18 lbs.  This is about average for an upright and is neither too heavy nor too light.  Consumer comments allude to the machine being both “heavy” and “lightweight” so it appears to be mostly a matter of owner sentiment. 

Additional vacuum features include a 15 inch cleaning path (quite wide), a rubber bumper around the nozzle to prevent bumps and scrapes on furniture or walls, a headlight for vacuuming in dimly lit areas, and an easy change belt system to make maintenance simpler.  The Momentum also has an easy to empty dust canister with a capacity of 1.78 quarts.

7 height adjustments can be set manually via a knob on the front of the nozzle.  These settings allow the machine to move and clean better depending on the surface – deep pile carpet, medium pile carpet, low pile carpet, bare floors, etc.  The Bissell Momentum carries a 1-year warranty.