Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Vacuum 66T6

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Avg. consumer rating = 69/100 

The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser 66T6 gets very average ratings from consumers.  It is something of a “love it” or “hate it” machine with a number of owners giving it 5 stars out of 5 and a similar number rating it 1 or 2 stars out of 5.  Detractors feel that the suction is poor, the power cord is too short and that the vacuum just doesn’t perform on carpet.  Those that like the 66T6 highlight its light weight, pet hair removal capabilities and retractable power cord.

This vacuum is widely sold and as such consumer ratings are available at a number of sources.  This lends credibility to the overall average score of the vacuum which is 69 out of a possible 100.  This score is somewhat lower than most canisters we analyze.  You can view our complete table of canister vacuum ratings to compare. 

The table below provides the 66T6 vacuum ratings.

Common likes and dislike have been drawn from the numerous owner comments and these are provided in the list of pros and cons below:

PROS
- Lightweight
- Not too expensive
- Dust canister is easy to empty
- Retractable power cord
- Fairly quiet

CONS
- Edge cleaning isn’t very good
- Not too effective on carpet (best on bare floors)
- Dust canister is a bit small
- Power cord is short
- Wand does not lock to hose (it is friction fit)

We have noticed that consumer comments related to this machine are often somewhat conflicting. Some folks say it is good on pet hair and others say it is not.  Also, some report that the machine has strong suction while other say it is weak. 

Like most bagless machines the 66T6 uses cyclones to generate suction and to separate the dirt from the airflow.  This is the same approach used by Dyson vacuum cleaners.  This technology is said to provide continuous suction while you vacuum (no drop in suction power as the dirt canister fills) and to help filters stay cleaner longer.  The vacuum is powered by a 10 amp motor.

This unit has dual HEPA filtration.  HEPA – which stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air – is a high level of filtration that removes 99.97% of particles with a diameter of 0.3 microns or greater.  It is particularly useful in households where members have allergies or asthma.  HEPA filtration is capable of ridding the air of mold spores, pet hair dander, dust mite feces, pollens, etc. 

Most vacuums that sport HEPA filtration have one HEPA filter.  The 66T6 has a post motor HEPA filter and a dirt cup HEPA filter.  Both are not washable and therefore must be replaced when dirty.  Is two HEPA filters better than 1?  Well, possibly but it also adds to the machine’s consumables given that neither is washable.  The Bissell 66T6 also has a washable pre-motor filter that protects the motor from dirt and dust.

A clean filter indicator is provided and it will turn orange when it is time to clean or replace a filter.  It should be noted that the indicator is simply an airflow monitor and while it generally indicates an airflow restriction due to a dirty filter, it could also indicate that the hose or tools are clogged or obstructed.  In addition, we have learned that sometimes just using the tools could restrict airflow enough for this indicator to turn orange.  As a result, if this indicator is highlighted it is wise to check carefully for the cause before cleaning or purchasing a new filter.
 
This vacuum comes with a number of tools specialized for pet hair removal and other tasks.  The tools are as follows:

- Pet Contour Tool: Capable of removing pet hair from curved surfaces like the edges of stairs or the armrests on a sofa.
- Wide Pet Turbobrush: This tool is 6 inches wide and it has an air-driven brushbar and rubber fingers to help remove pet hair from carpet and upholstery.  It is designed for flat surfaces.
- Crevice Tool
- Upholstery brush
- Dusting brush

The vacuum also comes with a metal telescopic wand as well as a 67 inch long flexible vacuum hose.  It should be noted that to attach either the Pet Contour Tool or the Wide Pet Turbobrush to the vacuum hose you need to use the Pet Tool Adaptor (included).

Main Nozzle and Pet Hair Tools

The main nozzle of the vacuum, the Pet Hair Erase Floor Nozzle, has a switch on top that moves the brushes up or down allowing the vacuum to work on both carpeted and bare floor surfaces.  The nozzle has a cleaning path width of 10.6 inches which is somewhat narrow for a full size vacuum.  There is also a flip-down pet hair lifter attached to the front of the nozzle.  The pet hair lifter is similar to a lint brush: when the vacuum is pulled back it pulls pet hair from the floor surface and when the vacuum is pushed forward it releases the hair into the vacuum suction path. The Pet Hair Eraser Floor Nozzle, The Pet Contour Tool and the Wide Pet Turbobrush can be seen in the image to the right. 

Suction Control Dial

This is one of the least expensive canisters we have seen with variable suction control.  There is a control dial located on the back of the canister that allows the suction to be dialed up or down (see image to left).  This kind of feature is useful when one wants to clean delicate items like lampshades or drapes – the suction can be lowered such that these items don’t get damaged.  In addition to the suction power control there is also an airflow regulator on the vacuum handle.  This is essentially an opening in the handle that can be adjusted (opened or closed) manually.  When opened it will reduce suction at the cleaning head.

Additional vacuum features include automatic power cord rewind (initiated at the press of a button), an easy to empty dust canister (although some owners feel that it is a little small and must be emptied frequently), and an accessory storage bag.  The 66T6 weighs a fairly lightweight 16 lbs and it has a 17 foot power cord.  A number of consumers have commented that the power cord is too short.  Indeed 17 feet is rather short, even for a canister vacuum.  The machine carries a 1-year limited parts and labor warranty.

The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser canister is ETL listed.  ETL is a group that performs electrical and reliability tests on products to ensure they meet US product safety standards. They also audit the manufacturing site and require that the applicant agrees to future factory inspections to ensure continued adherence to the standards. ETL operates nationally recognized testing laboratories. We note however that the vacuum is neither UL nor CSA listed.