Bissell 1940 vs 1806, which is the Best Choice?
Which is the best Bissell PowerFresh Steam Mop to buy in 2021? In this Bissell 1940 vs 1806 comparison review, we want to find out if the new 1940 steam mop is better than the predecessor, the Bissell 1806.
But do you really need a steam mop? Well, dedicated vacuums and mops do a great job in cleaning the visible dirt. But do you know, most of the germs and bacteria remain behind? That’s what steam mops are after.
Why buy a Bissell steam mop?
There are dozens of steam mop brands out there, but you will agree with me that Bissell is the household name. Whether you want a vacuum with a steam mop, or a dedicated steam mop, there’s something for everyone. The company is known for its innovation, and high-quality products.
Key Similarities and Differences
In this article, we’ll be comparing every aspect of these steam mops but as an overview of what they offer, here are the key similarities and differences.
What’s Similar?
- Design – Though the dimensions and weight vary, negligibly, the two steam mops have the same design.
- Cleaning Performance – Both steam mops have been designed for sealed floors, i.e. hardwood, tile, linoleum, vinyl, e.t.c.
- Fast Heating – Both steam mops can heat water in just 30 seconds.
What’s Different?
- Steam Levels – The Bissell 1806 has two steam levels while the 1940 has three.
- Water tank – The 1806 comes with a permanent tank while the new 1940 features a detachable water tank.
- Optional Brush – The earlier Bissell 1806 comes with a SpotBoost brush while the 1940 has been designed with an Easy Scrubber.
- Fragrance Slot – The 1806 has a fragrance slot, but the 1940 doesn’t have this feature.
Comparison Table
Bissell 1940
If you are looking for the best Bissell PowerFresh steam mop, you have one in the 1940. This is a refined model that boasts the best cleaning performance, and usability.
Please note, there are several variants of the 1940 including the 19404, 1940w and 1940a.
The Bissell PowerFresh features a powerful motor that delivers steam in just 30 seconds. In addition, it comes with three steam settings for a more customized sanitization depending on your needs.
When it comes to mopping, we have two microfiber cloths. There’s one for the soft and fragile floors, and another for the tough stains and sort.
Talking of tough stains, this steam mop also has a brush that can be used if need be to agitate stuck-on dirt.
Why we like it – Bissell 1940 boasts three steam levels for more customized cleaning.
Bissell 1806
If you like the Bissell PowerFresh, but you are on a budget, the Bissell 1806 is a sweet spot to land on.
This steam mop is just as good as the 1940, but there are some few things it lacks, as well as some extras it boasts. It is suitable for use on all sealed floors, talk of vinyl, linoleum, tile and the rest.
The Bissell 1806 PowerFresh comes with the same motor and fast heating just like the 1940.
However, this one has two steam levels only. It also features a mop with two microfibers, one for fragile floors and another for scrubbing stains and grime.
Here again, we have an optional brush on the rear of the cleaning head though it’s different from that of the 1940. One thing we like about this steam mop is the fact that the water tank has a larger capacity, though the tank is not removable.
Why we like it – It delivers excellent performance and comes with a larger water tank. Above all, it is cheaper compared to the 1940.
Bissell 1904 vs 1806 Face to Face Comparison
As usual, we tailor our comparison articles in a way that is easy to understand, and ultimately, choose the best cleaner for you.
In this section, we have compared Bissell 1806 vs 1940 headon to find out some interesting facts about their features, performance, maintenance, usability, and more.
Cleaning Performance
Both steam mops are designed for the same cleaning purpose. The 1940 and 1806 will mop and steam sealed floors including linoleum, vinyl, and tile, just to mention a few. You can also use them to steam carpets, ensuring that all germs are killed.
Mopping
Next up is about how these two steam mops compare when it comes to washing.
Under the cleaning head, we have mopping cloths attached using an elastic band.
There are two speciality pads; a soft pad for fragile floors, and a tougher pad for the stains and grime.
Both models put up the same performance as far as mopping is concerned.
Steamer function
When it comes to the power under the hood, both Bissells are 12-amp and put out quite some impressive performance.
Both models offer fast 30-second heating time, meaning you will be tackling the germs ASAP before they spread. But then, there is a difference in the steaming levels.
While both steam mops have a digital control panel, the 1806 has two steam levels (Low/High).
On the other hand, the Bissell 1940 boasts three steam levels (Low/Mid/High). That means the latter is more flexible and allows you to adjust the steamer depending on different cleaning needs.
Water Tank
Well, both come with a water tank for mopping, which is also shared by the steamer. Here, there’s also a slight difference between these two models.
The Bissell 1806 comes with a permanent tank, with an impressive capacity of 0.56L, and a measuring water cup for easy refilling. This is quite enough to steam and mop an average two-bedroom apartment.
On the other hand, the Bissell 1940 comes with a detachable water tank with a 0.47L capacity. It is easy to refill it on any type of faucet.
Optional Scrubber
You will agree with me that some stains don’t just go away easily and that’s where a scrubber comes in handy.
Bissell PowerFresh steam mops come with optional scrubbers, but then, their designs in these two steam mops are different.
The Bissell 1806 comes with what has been dubbed SPOTBoost brush which is at the back of the nozzle. It can be flipped up when not in use, and down, when the floors have some stains and grime that need to be kicked out.
On the other hand, Bissell 1940 comes with Easy Scrubber Brush, which is also for removing the tough stains, grime and stuck-on dirt.
Cleaning Test Results
As usual, we put these two steam mop under stringent tests to find out how they tackle the daily dirt and messes. Of interest here was how the steam mop cleaned messes like raw eggs, soda, pet urine stains, paw marks, cooking oil, honey, and other sticky and oily messes.
We also wanted to find out whether the PowerFresh concept is really working, so we stank the house with odour-causing pet hair, and smelly shoes. Below is a ranking of how the two steam mops performed.
Design and Aesthetics
Bissell 1940 and 1806 are quite similar in that they both have the same 3-piece design.
- At the top, they both have a triangular looped handle, which is attached to the main body.
- At the bottom, we have a 12-inch cleaning head.
- When it comes to the finish, there is a difference with the 1940 finished in bright blue accents and a grey power cord.
Remember, there are other colors for this model, check out our Bissell 1940 vs 1940w to know the differences. On the other hand, the Bissell PowerFresh 1806 is dark blue instead of bright blue, with the same gray power cord.
We also assessed the dimensions and weight, and here, there is a negligible difference.
- The Bissell 1940 measures 11.6×7.1×28.6-inches.
- On the other hand, the 1806 is 9.5×13×28-inches.
Usability
Before settling in any of the two steam mops, it’s important to consider the usability. Here, aspects that are to be considered include the maneuverability, controls, getting started, and so on.
Now, to get started, both steam mops require a simple set up where you need to join the handle and cleaning head to the main unit. Then, attach the mopping pads, fill the water tank, and you are good to go.
When it comes to maneuverability, the two models are not very different.
The Bissell 1806 boasts a lightweight 5.7lbs design and a swivel cleaning head which enables users to clean those hard to reach spots, for example, under baseboards, sofas, kickstands among others. This is the same case for the Bissell 1940 though it is slightly heavier at 6lbs.
Perhaps the difference here is the cord length with the Bissell 1806 tagging along with a 25 ft cord while the 1940 has a 23ft cord. Despite the difference in cord length, both models come with a protruding shaft to allow for easy winding of the cord ready for storage.
As for handling, they both feature an ergonomic handle which offers a comfortable and solid grip, so you’re always in control.
The next aspect is regarding the controls, and here, there is also a difference, although both models feature a digital control panel.
The Bissell 1940 comes with three buttons for adjusting the steam levels while the 1806 has only two.
For both models, there is an LED light to notify you once the steamer function is ready.
There is also a button for selecting the steam function, so if you just want to use the mop, both steam mops have got you covered.
Accessories
An important consideration when buying Bissell cleaners is the accessories that each model tags along with. Bearing in mind that these two steam mops are designed for the same job, they feature similar accessories, especially the mopping, and steam pads.
One difference between the Bissell 1806 vs 1940 is the fragrance slot. On the 1806, there is a small slot for fitting the fragrance disc, feature the 1950 lacks.
Last is the carpet glider which comes in handy when steaming carpets. Both steam mops come with this accessory.
Warranty, aftersales and maintenance
When it comes to the warranty, Bissell steam mops tag along with a generous two-year warranty. As for aftersales, the customer support is very reliable.
Regarding the maintenance, both steam mops require periodic replacement of the microfibers depending on the usage.
verdictBissell 1940 vs 1806
We are coming to the end of this Bissell 1806 vs 1940 comparison review.
The 1940 is the better choice here courtesy of the three steam levels, and a detachable tank which makes maintenance a buzz.
But then, if you are looking for a larger water tank, settle for the 1806.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bissell 1940 vs Bissell 1806: which mop steamer is better?
How long can I use my steam mop before the water is over?
Can I use cleaning solutions with my Bissell steam mop?
Can I use Bissell 1940 and 1806 mop steamers on carpets?
Recent Updates
March 10, 2021: Bissell 19404 modification is currently available on Amazon. The products differ by the cleaning features. While the 1940 offers the Easy Scrubber to deal with tough pollutions, the 19404 cleaner comes with extra Odor-Eliminating Fragrance Discs to eliminate odors mostly.
March 25, 2021: Verified the models are still available on the main retailing platforms and take the leading positions in the tops.
