Bissell Spot Bot Vacuum Review

Let me start with a basic description of the product. The Bissell SpotBot is a portable, robotic, carpet-stain cleaner. It has a circular, rotating brush in its base, that you place over the stain you want to remove, turn on the machine, and walk away. In a few minutes, the machine beeps, and voila!, your stain is gone. In reality, it may take 2 or 3 passes for a really nasty, set-in stain, and I would recommend sucking up any excess moisture with the hand-held attachment to expedite drying. But overall, this little dude does what Bissell advertises, and that makes me happy.

I purchased my Bissell SpotBot about 6 months ago, and I use it on average, about 2-3 times per week. The 3 most common stains I clean with it, in order, are: cat vomit, spilled coffee, and cat urine. I use it on carpet, throw rugs, ceramic tile, and even the walls. 

In my household's defense, we house 23 animals as part of our work with a local animal rescue and wildlife rehabilitator. We definitely push our Bissell SpotBot to perform, and perform it does!

Although there are similar products, as well as a fancier version of the Bissell SpotBot out there, I feel that this basic model is all a person really needs. The clean water tank holds just enough for a thorough cleaning of a one square foot stain. I fill mine with hot water from the tap, and thus bypass the need for an on-board heating element.

If you are thinking of buying a more expensive model with the "powered" hand-tool, save your money. I have owned one before, and they are more trouble than they are effective. I used a Bissell Little Green Clean Machine, prior to my spot bot, and the power hand tool was not strong enough to rotate if I applied any pressure, yet without that pressure, the stain did not lift. Additionally, the rotating brush on the power hand tool was constantly getting tangled up with fibers and hair. What I like about the basic, non-powered hand tool, is that I can push as hard as I like, and if the brush gets full of hair and fibers, you just grab them and pull them out. 

The Bissell SpotBot does not eliminate the need to use a full size carpet shampooer, because it is not designed to clean large areas. However, using the it to erase spills and stains greatly extends the time between wall-to-wall shampooing.

Another consideration: This little guy is LOUD. I typically use it when I am able to do something out of the room it is being used in. Yes, it really is that loud.

To prolong the life, and cut down on undesirable odors, I ALWAYS rinse out the dirty water reservoir and back-flush the hand held attachment and hose. Doing this small step after each and every use will keep your Bissell SpotBot looking and smelling almost like new.