Bissell Crosswave vs. Shark HydroVac Comparison Review
Bissell Crosswave
Shark HydroVac
Bissell Crosswave
- Dimensions 44 x 10.7 x 10-inches
- Weight 12.5 lbs
- Power Source Corded
- Cleaning Orientation Vacuum, Mop, Steam
- Brushroll Tangle Free Multi-Surface Brushroll
- Clean Water Tank Capacity 28 oz.
- Dirty Water Tank Capacity 17 oz.
- Controls Buttons, Trigger, LED Display
- LED Headlights Yes
Shark HydroVac
- Dimensions 43.74 X 11.06 X 9.81-inches
- Weight 10.47 lbs
- Power Source Cordless
- Cleaning Orientation Vacuum, Mop
- Brushroll Self Cleaning Antimicrobial Brushroll
- Clean Water Tank Capacity 16.9 oz.
- Dirty Water Tank Capacity 12.16oz.
- Controls Buttons, Trigger, Smart LED Display
- LED Headlights Yes
Bissell Crosswave vs. Shark HydroVac, which is the best upright wet and dry vacuum? Well, the CrossWave is the best choice as it has better cleaning features. But still, the HydroVac is a worthy choice.
Bissell and Shark are two of the best vacuum brands. The two models in this comparison share quite a lot in that they are both upright vacuums for hard floors and come with dual tank designs, headlights, and self-cleaning functions for easy maintenance. However, the differences are profound.
The main difference between Bissell Crosswave and Shark HydroVac is the power source and cleaning orientation. The Bissell CrossWave is a corded upright vacuum that can vacuum, mop, and steam. On the other hand, the Shark HydroVac is a cordless upright vacuum that can vacuum and mop only.
These are the core differences, but there are several other nitty-gritty differences. Keep it right here to find out more about these two vacuums.
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Bissell Crosswave vs. Shark HydroVac Face-to-Face Comparison Review
The Bissell CrossWave is an upright vacuum cleaner with a compact design. The dimensions are 44 x 10.7 x 10 inches, while the weight is just 12.5 lbs despite looking rather bulky.
When it comes to aesthetics, the vacuum boasts a sleek and stylish design and has been finished in black/titanium with copper harbor accents.
The Shark HydroVac is an upright vacuum with a compact design. However, the dimensions vary slightly. It measures 43.74 X 11.06 X 9.81 inches and is lighter at 10.47 lbs.
In terms of aesthetics, it may not be as sleek as the CrossWave, but it is still a masterpiece. It has been finished in gunmetal gray/white with blue and black accents.
Here, it's hard to call a winner as both vacuums come in a compact design and are appealing in terms of aesthetics. However, you might want to go for the CrossWave if you are into aesthetics, as it looks more flashy, or the HydroVac if you want a lightweight vacuum cleaner.
Bissell CrossWave is a corded wet and dry vacuum cleaner that relies on. It is equipped with a long 25-foot power cord. The advantage of the CrossWave is that you are not limited when it comes to runtime.
You can clean for as long as you want without interruptions. The only shortcoming is that you are limited to cleaning areas within 25 ft from the mains.
On the other hand, the Shark HydroVac is a cordless upright wet and dry vacuum cleaner. It comes with an inbuilt rechargeable lithium-ion battery that powers the unit.
The average runtime is 23 minutes, while the recharge time is 3.5 hours. The advantage of the Shark HydroVac is that you can clean anywhere without worrying about the locations of the mains. However, you must put up with interruptions when the battery dies.
Here, it is a matter of preference., If you want continuous, uninterrupted cleaning, go for Bissell, as it is a corded model. However, if you want the convenience of cordless cleaning, Shark fits the bill.
The Bissell CrossWave is shipped in parts, so you have to assemble it first. The assembly is straightforward as long as you know which part goes where.
Most of the controls, including the power, mode, solution release, trigger, and vac & dry buttons, are positioned cleverly on the handle for easy reach.
We also like the LED display with the power, mode, solution, brushroll, and low battery indicator lights. Also worth mentioning is the LED headlight panel for cleaning those dark spots.
The Shark HydroVac™ Cordless Pro XL WD201 is also shipped in parts, so you need to assemble the unit first. Like Bissell, assembling the HydroVac is simple and should take less than 5 minutes.
As for the controls, the power, surface selector, boost, solution release, and trigger buttons are on the handle. There is also a battery indicator light on the handle.
The Shark WD201 also has an LED display and LED headlights for illuminating dark spots.
As far as usability is concerned, the two vacuums are excellent. They are easy to assemble, and their operation is pretty straightforward. They also have LED headlights, so you can still clean in the dark. For us, this round ends in a draw.
As mentioned earlier, the Bissell CrossWave is an upright vacuum cleaner. However, it has a compact design that makes maneuverability a buzz. The handle is quite ergonomic, so you won’t strain when pushing the unit or accessing the control buttons.
We also like that the CrossWave has swivel steering, making turning effortless. Two large wheels at the back of the cleaning head roll smoothly on all hard floors.
For easy portability, the Bissell CrossWave includes a clever carry handle.
Shark WD201 is also an upright vacuum cleaner with a compact design, so pushing and pulling it is much easier. The handle is also ergonomic, so you won’t struggle to switch between the different cleaning modes.
Shark also engineered the WD201 HydroVac with swivel steering, so turning and cleaning under furniture is not a problem.
For easy movement and transition from hard floors to area rugs, the HydroVac has 2 large wheels.
In terms of maneuverability, there is no clear winner, as both models are easy to push and pull. Turning, too, is effortless courtesy of swivel steering. However, the Shark HydroVac has a slight edge as it is lighter.
Bissell CrossWave HydroSteam is a versatile multi-surface cleaner designed for all sealed floors, from hardwood and tile to linoleum and marble.
Besides hard floors, the CrossWave HydroSteam can handle area rugs. But it’s worth pointing out that it is reliable in just freshening area rugs, but it is not a carpet cleaner.
When it comes to cleaning, Bissell excels as it can vacuum, mop, and steam floors, removing all bacteria and germs when using the Sanitize Formula.
Also worth mentioning is the FreshStart Formula, which eradicates foul odors, and the PET Multi-Surface Formula to get rid of stubborn pet messes.
Shark HydroVac is also a versatile cleaner but not as versatile as Bissell. It is suitable for all kinds of sealed floors, including hardwood, tile, linoleum, vinyl, concrete, and so on.
Like Bissell, you can also rely on it to freshen area rugs. In terms of cleaning, the HydroVac can vacuum and mop but has no steam function.
But with the multi-surface concentrate and antimicrobial brush system, you can be guaranteed a clean floor, free from bacteria and germs.
Both vacuums excel when it comes to cleaning orientation. They can vacuum and mop, but ultimately, Bisselll is the winner as it also comes with a steam function and a range of cleaning formulas.
The Bissell CrossWave has a wide 11-inch cleaning head. The wide stretch of the brushroll allows it to cover large floor areas quickly.
Talking of the brushroll, Bissell equipped the CrossWave with a dual-action brush that effectively scrubs those tough stains and grime with the help of HydroSteam Technology.
While it’s tough on stains, the brush system is gentle on your fragile floors. To ensure that all dirt and excess water is sucked up, Bissell packs super suction that leaves nothing behind.
Also worth mentioning is the tangle-free technology that greatly reduces the chances of tangling when dealing with long hair.
Shark HydroVac also comes with a wide cleaning head, though not as wide as Bissell’s, as it is 9.3 inches.
Under the hood, it packs a self-cleaning, antimicrobial brushroll designed to remove stains and grime while preventing the buildup of bacterial growth, which ends up making your house stuffy.
One interesting feature Shark adds is the odor-neutralizing HydroVac concentrate that freshens floors and area rugs.
The Shark HydroVac is also ideal for homes with pets as it picks up all kinds of pet hair with minimal chances of tangling the brushroll.
Bissell and Shark may have different cleaning heads, but they both perform exceptionally. The cleaning heads are wide and pack powerful suction and specialized brushrolls that facilitate effective vacuuming and mopping. But we feel Bissell has the upper hand as its cleaning head isn't just for vacuuming and mopping but steaming too. But you might also opt for Shark if you want the antimicrobial brushroll.
As one of Bissell’s latest and best-in-class vacuum cleaners, the CrossWave HydroSteam comes with a dual tank system. There’s one tank for clean water and formula and another for dirty water.
Separating the tanks means you only clean with clean water. The clean water tank has a 28 oz. capacity, while the dirty water tank can hold 17oz.
Shark, too, has a two-tank design, just like Bissell. There is a clean water and cleaning solution tank and a dirty water tank that holds the dirty water and debris.
The clean water tank has a 16.9oz. capacity, while the dirty water tank can hold 12.16oz.
While the two vacuum cleaners have a clean and dirty water tank, Bissell is the winner as its tanks are larger than Shark’s. With larger tanks, you can clean a larger area with minimal interruptions.
Bissell Crosswave is equipped with a filter that captures allergens, dust, and other unwanted elements from the atmosphere. These filters are washable; thus, the maintenance costs are lower.
Shark, too, comes with a HEPA antiallergen filter that captures all kinds of allergens and other elements that cause bad odor. This filter, too, is washable, so maintenance costs are lower.
This round has no winner, as both models come with washable filters. However, since Shark's filter is HEPA-grade, it takes the crown as HEPA filters are more efficient.
Like any other vacuum cleaner, the Bissell CrossWave requires some maintenance.
First, the cleaner should be filled with clean water and the dirty water tank emptied. The appropriate cleaning formula should also be added for optimal cleaning performance.
Another component that requires maintenance is the brushroll. With time, it gets dirty. But fortunately, the Bissell CrossWave has a convenient feature called the Self-Cleaning Cycle which runs the machine, cleaning the brushroll and internal components.
Replace the brushroll after 6-8 months. The filter, too, should be cleaned at least once a month and replaced after 6-8 months.
Like Bissell, the Shark WD201 also requires some maintenance to perform optimally. The clean water tank will also have to be filled, and the dirty water tank emptied when full.
You should also add a cleaning formula for the best cleaning. The brushroll, which does all the dirty work, will also require cleaning often and a replacement after 6-8 months.
Shark has a brushroll self-cleaning mechanism, so you don’t have to clean the brush manually. You should also clean the filter at least once a month and replace it after 3-4 months.
While both vacuums require some maintenance, Bissell sounds like the best choice, as its Self-Cleaning is more effective in cleaning the brush and other components.
Bissell vacuums, including the CrossWave, have been built to last, and furthermore, the company offers a generous 3-year limited warranty. In case the cleaner develops a problem within the first 3 years of purchase, you can get repairs or a replacement.
When it comes to support resources, you can access help from the team at Bissell easily or consult your user manual. As for replacement parts and suppliers such as filters and brushes, the company has them in plenty.
There are also generic supplies that are way cheaper than their original counterparts.
Shark vacuums are also known for their durability, and the company has a generous warranty. A 3-year limited warranty backs up the HydroVac.
You are also entitled to repair or replacement when the cleaner develops a problem within the first 3 years of use. In case you are stuck or have an inquiry, you can contact the Shark team, which is very resourceful.
Replacement parts are readily available at affordable prices, both genuine parts and generic.
This round has no winner, as both vacuums have a 3-year warranty. Support and replacement parts and supplies are also available.
The Bissell CrossWave comes with the following:
- BISSELL 35151 CrossWave HydroSteam
- PET multi-surface brushroll
- 2 CrossWave filters
- 8oz. Sanitize Formula
- 8oz. PET Multi-Surface Formula
- 8oz. FreshStart™ Clean Out Formula
- User manual
- Warranty documentation
On the other hand, Shark WD201 HydroVac Cordless Pro includes the following:
- Shark WD201 HydroVac Cordless Pro
- Antimicrobial brushroll
- Replacement filter
- 12 oz. multi-surface concentrate
- Charging dock
- User manual
- Warranty documentation
In this round, it's hard to call a winner, as both vacuums come with some pretty decent accessories and supplies. But on a closer look, the Bissell CrossWave sounds like a great idea as it comes with more suppliers. It includes 3 different cleaning formulas, while Shark has only 1.
Cleaning Test Results
Vacuuming Performance on Hardwood
As usual, we test all the cleaners we review. This way, you can get a glimpse of how the cleaners perform in a real household setting. For the two, we tested their vacuuming performance and mopping. Below are the results.
Vacuuming Performance on Hardwood
- Sugar
- 96%
- 95%
- Flour
- 95%
- 95%
- Rice
- 98%
- 97%
- Cheerios
- 98%
- 97%
- Raw popcorns
- 98%
- 98%
- Kitty litter
- 97%
- 96%
- Pet hair
- 98%
- 97%
- Coffee
- 96%
- 95%
Mopping Performance on Hardwood
Mopping Performance on Hardwood
- Raw Eggs
- 95%
- 94%
- Water
- 99%
- 99%
- Soda
- 99%
- 99%
- Porridge
- 94%
- 93%
- Margarine Smears
- 95%
- 95%
- Cooking Oil
- 96%
- 95%
- Urine Stains
- 99%
- 99%
- Paw Marks
- 99%
- 99%
- Honey Smears
- 94%
- 93%
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What cleaner can be used in Shark HydroVac?
2. Is the Bissell Crosswave a vacuum and a mop?
3. How does the Shark HydroVac self-cleaning work?
4. Can I use Shark HydroVac without water?
5. Shark HydroVac or Bissell CrossWave, which is better?
Wrapping Up
That’s the end of this Bissell CrossWave vs. Shark HydroVac comparison review. So, what’s the best option? Which model offers the best bang for the buck? Well, Bissell is the best option overall, as it offers continuous cleaning now that it is a corded model. Besides, it’s superior in terms of cleaning performance as it can vacuum, mop, and steam. Bissell also comes with larger tanks. But still, you can consider Shark if you want the convenience of a cordless cleaner. Check out all the latest discounts on Bissell CrossWave and Shark HydroVac!
