When it comes to hybrid vacuum cleaners, Bissell is one of my favorite producers. And with the new Bissell Symphony All-in-One, they’ve done it again. But before we jump right into this review, let me tell you what you will find out in the next couple of minutes, if you stick around. First, you will learn all the things you need to know about Bissell Symphony. Second, you’ll see if this appliance is right for you. It may happen you don’t need both features: vacuuming and steaming. And third, you will get the a really great deal. I always keep an eye on online or offline best deals, I check for discounts on a daily basis and I update my site frequently.
A product like this should take advantage of great marketing and advertising initiatives. At least, this is what Bissell representatives though when they went ahead and filmed the video I’ve embedded bellow. Just to clear things up, the commercial is actually not a real as it may seem. Although there are a few aspects that may produce the impression that things are for real (the sounds produces by the nearby people, the presence of Craig Emmerson, a manager of BISSELL Canada, the color of the floor, the overall scene), things are actually different. According to this article from Huffington Post, kbs+ Toronto shot this commercial inside the Bay lower station, which was closed to public back in ’66. This station is rented and used from time to time for shooting movies, commercials and other related initiatives. Now, I don’t deny that the man actually ate the the hole box of pasta from the floor, I’m just saying it’s not 100% real. Even so, I’m still a little bit concerned about his health every time I watch this. Just don’t you get all spooked-up when you see it:
As a side joke, if I were a manager at Hoover, Oreck or Shark, I’d be concerned about my near future ;). Now, down to specifications:
The sheet of features
| Suction & steam power | Bissell Symphony is a cyclonic vacuum, with a good suction power. However, I must warn you, this vacuum cleaner is not meant to be used on carpets and rugs, and it is especially designed for tile and laminate floors. Anyway, you can use its airflow to gather most of the bigger debris around the house. The steam sanitizes almost everything, meaning that 99.99% of bacteria and germs are killed by the hot airwaves. Only water can be used, so no additional chemicals. You have to hold the steam for 15-20 seconds and that's it. As not all stains are the same, you can use the High & Low Steam Options to select the right power for the job you are going to handle. Thanks to its Quick & Smart Steam Technology, the steam function is ready in just 30 seconds (it takes only 1 minute to prepare the filter when you first plug the machine), as you can see in this pic:  |
| Input power | Works on 120v, 60hz, consuming 1500w. |
| Tank capacity | The tank holds 400ml of water and is non-removable. The product also comes with a cup that helps you measure the water. You need 2 cups to fill the tank. The manufacturer recommends you to use distilled water, although tap water works just fine if you ask me. My guess you can use this capacity on approximately 1000 square meters which is more than an average US home has. |
| Filtration system and steam pads | The pad tray can be easily removed with the Quick-Release button. The pads are made of specially designed microfibers which are infused with Microban antimicrobial protection, eliminating not only stains, but also odors. The product comes with 4 pads split into 2 types: 2 soft, for hardwood floors, and 2 though, for scrubbing tasks. The vacuum uses rinsable filters, model number 1250. |
| Weight and Dimensions | It measures 9 x 11 x 46.5 inches and weights only 10.1 pounds with full tank. |
| Warranty | Comes with a 3-year limited warranty if you buy it directly from the producer's site., or a 2-year limited warranty if you buy it on Amazon (but it's much cheaper). |
| Accessories | Not many, since we are talking about a hybrid: - 4 pads - 1 water cup - 1 BISSELL Steam Shot Hard Surface Cleaner |
| Special features | A nice feature worth mentioning is the Dry Tank Technology, which maintains your dirt tank dry while you steam, thus preventing humidity from infiltrating into the vacuum part. |
| Usability | One of the main reasons why this hybrid is awesome is that it can steam and sweep at the same time. Unlike Shark's Rotator i.e. which has to be reassembled, the Symphony works by plug-and-play. You can clean the floors with one-pass and thus save precious time. And the steam capabilities are comparable and even better than those of Shark Steam Pocket Mop or Dyson Hard. The ergonomic design provides a pleasant experience: the trigger is easy to use and fits perfectly into the handle. The controls are digital. By the way, the handle can be adjusted in 5 ways. The power cord is 25 feet long, enough for most cleaning jobs. |
| Price | The price for this wonderful hybrid vacuum cleaner & steam mop is $219.99 at the moment with free shipping included. If you buy it directly from Bissell, you can choose to pay for it in 4 rates of $50 each. |
Here’s a video that quickly reviews all the key points I’ve touched above:
PRO reviews and opinions
- Works great on any bare floor, from tiles to marble and laminated wood. I absolutely love it and would definitely buy it again.
- I own 2 sheddy dogs. So far, this product does wonders. I walk now with my bare feet around the kitchen. It sanitizes everything to perfection!
- The easiest assembly ever. I’ve done it in less than 5 minutes, while drinking my coffee. The Quick Guide helped too. Thanks Bissell!
- A gallon of distilled water is just $1 at the grocery, which works great with my budget.
- The microfiber pads are easy to wash and plushy, so they don’t scratch my hardwood floor.
- Vacuuming is a breeze, I absolutely recommend the new Symphony from Bissell.
CON reviews and opinions
- 13 oz of water allows you around 15 minutes of continuous steaming. Too little for me!
- The product doesn’t work so well on carpets and unsealed grout.
- There is no on/off button, you just plug it and it starts to work. Most of us are used with an on/off switch.
Final words and VGMhy (VacuumsGuide.com Mark for hybrids)
In the case of hybrid vacuum cleaners such as Bissell Symphony, the normal VGM (VacuumsGuide.com Mark) is not suitable. I have altered my rating scale especially for this type of appliances, so along with common attributes such as the suction power, filtration system, or usability, I will also rate special features such as the steam power, the tank capacity or the steam pads quality. This is not the first all-in-one vacuum and steam mop I put my hands on. However, it certainly feels and works great, being a great competitor to Shark’s Sonic Duo, which I’ll also reviewed. Here are my rates:
Just a few other words now. First, don’t use vinegar with any hybrid vacuum cleaners. I can’t stress enough about this, a lot of people asked me this, and it is wrong. Second, after you finish cleaning, before putting the pads in your washing machine, make sure you removed all the debris and most of the dirt they have inside by pre-washing them gently. The only difference between Bissell Symphony 1132 and Bissell Symphony 1132a is the color. The 1132 is red, while the 1132a is navy blue.
Do you want to buy a hybrid vacuum cleaner and you are still undecided? Bought a Bissell Symphony and want to say something to the world? Have a better discount than this one? Post in the form bellow and increase your serenity level :).
UPDATE: Bissell just released an upgrade called Symphony Pet 1543. It has improved suction power, a new dirt-emptying system called Drop-IT and it can now use disposable Swiffer pads. Check it out.
UPDATE: I’ve just compared this hybrid to Shark Vac or Steam hybrid. Check it out.
Jason Roberts
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Linc Pyle says
Wow, that guy is insane!!! I wouldn’t eat off the floor even if I was the owner of the company. I guess they’ve proven their point. I’m thinking to get a Shark Sonic Duo in a week or so. Any idea if the Symphony is better?
Jason Roberts says
Linc, I’ll do a Shark Sonic Duo review in a few days.
EDIT: Check it out: https://www.vacuumsguide.com/shark-sonic-duo/
Alessandra says
how does this Bissell symphony compare to shark rotator vac or steam mv3010
Jason Roberts says
Dear Alessandra. I’ll do a Shark Rotator MV3010 review in a couple of days, and I’ll make a special section regarding this issue. Stay tuned!
Edit: Check it out!
John C says
Hello Jason…just have to tell you how much your blog has helped me make product decisions. I first found your blog/website when researching the Shark Rocket. My wife and I are thrilled with that purchase. My wife swears by her Rocket as our yellow lab sheds everywhere and it works far better than our more expensive Oreck that often breaks down. Thanks to your review it was the best vacuum we’ve ever purchased. I am now looking into purchasing the Bissell Symphony for the kitchen floor and bedroom hardwood. I also just read your review which clinched my decision on that purchase. Thank you once again for your hard work and dedication. Kudos to you and your research efforts! John & Karen…Merrimack, NH
Jason Roberts says
Hi John&Karen, thank you for your kind words! I wish you happy holidays and a great 2015.
Mary says
I see there is a Bissell Symphony 1132 and a Symphony 1132P. I cannot see any difference between the 2 models on the Bissell website, other than price. Which did you review & which is the best value?
Jason Roberts says
Mary, they are one and the same. The 1132P is more expensive because this version comes with some additional features: 2 white pads, 2 scrubby pads, 8 spring breeze scent discs, 1 water filter, 1 vacuum filter kit. The 1132 comes with only 1 white pad, 1 scrubby pad and 1 vacuum filter kit.
dawn martin says
Why can’t you use vinegar with the symphony steamer??
Jason Roberts says
Bissell doesn’t forbid it specifically, but the manual advises you to use water only (they actually recommend distilled water). I guess vinegar may contain additional small limestone particles that accumulate over time inside the appliance. If the vacuum would be entirely built out of stainless steel, I wouldn’t have a problem with it, but there are in fact many plastic parts in direct contact with the liquid circuits.
Benjamin says
Vinegar is an acid. Weak, but still an acid. Over time I’m thinking it would eventually eat away at the interior of the vaccum. I don’t know why people still think vinegar is a good cleaner. Use it enough and it will etch surfaces over time, like window glass, turning them foggy.
Lee says
Does this work well on rough unsealed concrete floors? The surface is no where close to smooth (lots of dips & divots)…
Jason Roberts says
I wouldn’t recommend it for such floors. If I’d be in your shoes, I’d buy a regular upright, or if your budget allows you, a light cordless vacuum cleaner.
jasmin says
Hi Jason,
I found your site after researching for the Bissell Symphony. Thank you for the review, it helped me make my decision! Well I bought it and I love it. But I do want to know if its ok to use with regular tap water? Or can I use distilled water from my Brita filter?
Jason Roberts says
Better use distilled water. It will prolong the life of the Symphony.
STEVEN PHIPPS says
Hello Jason,
Thank you for the review. It helped me decide the Symphony isn’t what I’m looking for. I would like your recommendation on an appropriate vacuum cleaner for my needs if you would please.
I need a cleaner that does hard surfaces, mainly linoleum. I need a model that vacuums stray cat food, hair & litter to clean the area of dry debris and then sprays out hot water with brush action to loosen up sticky hard caked substances and then vacuums up the dirty water.
I need one of these for home and will also need one or two for our local humane society which I am the president of. Hope you have a great vacuum in mind to recommend… Thanks
Jason Roberts says
You could use the Hoover Floormate FH40010B. The second version doesn’t vacuum, but the first version does. None of them heat the water though. IF you want to steam and vacuum, you could also consider Shark Vac or Steam. This however doesn’t steam and vacuum at the same time, like Bissell Symphony does. One more option for you, you could buy a steam mop and an upright separately. Hope this helps.
Ginna says
I was on the fence with this til I read your article. Thank you for all your work. I have just now purchased the cleaner and look forward to trying it out.
jenny says
I’ve been noticing a film after I use the symphony Bissell do you know why that is or how I can prevent it from happening?
Jason Roberts says
If it’s dust (maybe electrostatic dust), the air from your home is very dry, you should try using a humidifier. If it’s slightly white, the water from your home has high limestone levels, you should buy and use distilled water.
joyfully says
When it states that it doesn’t do well on unsealed grout, what does that mean? Does it make the grout flake up or does it just not do much to clean the grout? Please be more specific. Thanks!
Jason Roberts says
Grout is one of the toughest things one has to clean. The Symphony may get some of the surface dirt, but it’s not designed to remove the built up that people usually get with time between their tiles. With sealed grout, it’s a different story because the dirt doesn’t stick and gets removed easily. But for unsealed grout you will need either a toothbrush and some serious arm power, or a pressurized steam tool and/or some scrubbing brushes. Check out the Hoover FloorMate Deluxe, it works pretty nifty on unsealed grout.
Bryan says
My house is mainly sealed hardwood flooring. Would you recommend this product for regualr use? If not, is there a vacuum out there that you would recommend? We have been using the Dyson Animal, because of our dog, but it scratched an area of my hardwood. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you!
Jason Roberts says
Bryan, check out my top 5 choices for hardwood flooring.
Jae says
Thank you for your reviews and answering questions too. I mostly have tile flooring with one thick area rug and one cow hide rug. Can I use just the vacuum component on these? Will it move over and vacuum carpet at all to vacuum entire area rug, or at least spot clean crumbs here and there? One person stayed she didn’t think this would be good for her at pet shelter. Do you disagree and does it pick up pet hair? Does pet hair get wet and clump up in the machine? Thanks again!
Jason Roberts says
Jae, for sure, you can vacuum your rugs, this is what designers had in mind when they’ve built the Symphony. It does pick hair, but is not designed to work i.e. with long dog hair (or human, for that matter). Longer hair could get tangled and clog the machine, but cat ie. can be removed successfully with no real danger. If you have a household which has this problem, you could still put the Bissell to good use, but you have to make an extra step by first cleaning up the bigger hairs with a cleaning hairbrush, and then you can smoothly use this cleaning system.
Byrns says
Hi Jae,
Bissell actually came out with a pet version of the symphony All in One. I have a multi dog, multi cat household and the pet version works miracles on my hardwood floors.. they are a dark mahogany color… one of my dogs is a blonde husky mix needless to say she has long hair and because it’s blonde it sticks out like a sore thumb on my dark floors… with the all in one symphony pet model it picks up all the hair (great suction) and leaves them spotlessly clean.. you would never even know I had a multi pet household after I use it (until they shed some more of course) and the bissell scent pads you can buy for the all in one products are amazing they leave your house smelling so good. Because of the way that the machine is set up I have never had any issues with it clumping and getting wet in fact when I clean out the dirt canister there is all the hair (separated from dirt) and it’s dry! I love this product so much… it saves so much time as before I got the product I would sweep, than swifter dry and then swifter wet and the result took 10x longer and didn’t look nearly as good as my floors do with the symphony pet all in one
Jason Roberts says
Byrns, thank you for your thoughtfully review.
Janet says
I have travertine floors mostly in our house
.not polished…how will the Symphony work on that?
Janet
Jason Roberts says
It will do just fine, but I’ll also consider a scrubber like the Floormate, or the Sonic Duo, if I were you.
Guy . says
Thanks for the info, however no mention to the filter rating for the vac part. Is it hepa quality fitering?
Thankyou
Jason Roberts says
Unfortunately, no.
Marcia Ricksgers says
I have all Pergo laminate in my home. How does this machine work on laminates, and is it recommended? Thanks!
Jason Roberts says
It works perfectly. It is more than recommended, it’s almost a “must have” if all your floors are laminated.
Allison says
Are you sure?? Maybe just the vacuum function… Pergo’s website says using steam is a big no-no on their laminate flooring. I’d love to try, but I’m afraid of damaging it.
Jason Roberts says
I think I was wrong. Upon further inspection, I’ve found that it really depends on the temperature and volume of the steam. Because the Bissell Symphony comes with a good microfiber cloth, many people use it on laminate flooring with good results. Although the Bissell Symphony manual says the steam function can be used on sealed hardwood floors without any problem (and to the best of my knowledge, Pergo laminate flooring is sealed), steaming Pergo will in fact damage it, according the producer. So my final my advice is to use an Oreck Orbital Polisher or a Shark Sonic Duo to clean your Pergo.
Steven Daniel says
Symphony is an excellent pick for every day cleaning. I like the extra level of cleaning the low temp steam brings on kitchen and bath floors also around pet feeding areas. Been using it for a year and like it. Only problem I have found is streaking on tile floors. I do use a small amount of alcohol and it seems so help the drying time and some of the streaking. (tile floors are like walking on ice when wet, use caution)
Julianne says
Thank you so much for this thorough review! Just wondering if the pads for the Symphony are washable or disposeable? Hope this hybrid does the trick on the kitchen floor under my toddler’s high chair!
Jason Roberts says
They are washable, and you can always purchase a new set when they wear out.
Irma a. Rosales says
I was thrilled to use it on my laminated floor, thinking I was finally getting something good, really good to do my floors. I’m returning the product because after using a couples times I started noticing some lines on my floor, short story long story those lines (marks) didn’t come off, no matter in what direction I’ll mop, now I have marks due to the little back wheels on the product, so disappointed that my floors don’t look clean at all and on top of that horrible marks on my floor.
Jason Roberts says
That is really strange, I’ve never heard about this problem before. I guess those tiny wheels in front are the cause of this, but it’s weird. Have you tried to get rid of them with an eraser? Thank you for sharing with us!
claudia says
Hi Jason, To this day I haven’t purchased any of the steamer appliances with a pad because I cant seem to think they really do a job of picking up dirt, debri, pet hair , and not just moving it around. Same as the old fashion mop, in and out of the bucket. Help me here to understand differently? Thank you Claudia
Jason Roberts says
Claudia, in the case of the Symphony, the steam softens the dirt which is picked up by textile pads. Although it may not seem like it, these pads can accommodate a high amount of dirt, before you need to wash them. And because Symphony is also a vacuum, the large chunks of debris get sucked by the air flow. You may also use certain type of navigation strategy to cover all space and leave behind cleaned floors (i.e. start next to the wall and move towards the center of the room in spirals).
JEANNE says
I HAVE A SHARK STEAM CLEANER WHICH I HATE. IN ORDER TO GET THE STEAM AND CLEANING TO WORK YOU HAVE TO PUMP THE HANDLE AS YOU CLEAN. SOMETHING I DID NOT REALIZE WHEN I PURCHASED IT. DOES THIS BISSELL HAVE THAT SAME FEATURE?
Jason Roberts says
I guess you are referring to the Steam Pocket Mop. Well, Bissell works automatically, you don’t have pump it.
Tanya says
Hi Jason,
I have a large dog with short hair that sheds a lot and drools a lot, as well a long hair cat. My floors are all laminate and I find it very hard to get rid of the hair and drool which seems to stick to my floors like glue. Currently I vacuum first then steam mop afterwords but it always leaves my floors streaky. Would you recommend the symphony for issues like mine or a different unit ? Thanks !!!
Jason Roberts says
Bissell Symphony would work nicely for you, as steam evaporates and leaves the floors dry. If you need more of a scrubber than a steamer, take a look at the Hoover Floormate, either the Deluxe or the SpinScrub models. They also completely dry floors, so you can kiss the streaks goodbye!
krista says
I have the Bissell symphony and I love it, I was just wondering how I can get the mop pads white again, I know that it says do not bleach, and when I wash the mop pad it is clean but it is still stained I just want it white again how can I get it white again.
Jason Roberts says
The stains won’t go away, even after you soak the pads in water for several hours. They just wear out in time, you most likely have to buy a new set of pads if you wish to have them like in day 1.
Leo Zio says
Thank you for your reviews and answering questions too. What a wonderful website. I have been deliberating between the Symphony or a product that actually removes the dirty water instead of just smearing it around.
After the steaming function will I be able to go over again with the vacuum function and remove the water?
The FlipIt seems more logical but I just can’t decide. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Jason Roberts says
Thanks Leo. Symphony is much better than FlipIt. If you use it with the Low Steam setting, it will barely leave any moisture behind (which actually evaporates in seconds). If I were to choose among these 2 models from Bissell, I would definitely pick the Symphony.
Leo Zio says
I realize a significant difference in quality with the steam vac but I am wondering about vacuuming away the dirty water vs. just swirling it around. Where does the buildup go?
Jason Roberts says
The big chunks go directly into the dust bin. The dust and spills accumulate inside the pads, which need to be washed after the cleaning session. If you have a big surface to clean, I recommend purchasing an additional set of pads. Don’t worry, these pads are meant to absorb the dirt, not to release it back on the floor after a few passes. 2 sets of pads are perfect for average sized households.
R says
Like your reviews. Would the Bissel Symphony work good on ceramic tile that has some “pits” in it. I think the grout was sealed at one time. ?
I hate mopping and was wondering about getting one.
Thanks
Jason Roberts says
Thanks! I know the type you are referring, I had some in one of my rentals! It works wonders on ceramic tile, and I believe it would do just fine in your case.
R. SPICER says
Hi I PURCHASED MY BISSELL SYMPHONY 4 MONTHS AGO. I ONLY USE DISTILLED WATER. PLEASE TELL ME WHY MY CLEANER STOPPED STEAMING? ONLY THE VACUME WORKS. WHEN I PRESS THE LEVER ON THE HANDLE I HEAR A LOUD TICKING NOISE. I’M NOT HAPPY. PLEASE HELP……..
Jason Roberts says
My recommendation is to send it back for warranty. Some units malfunction, it’s inevitable.
Kristi says
Thank you so much for all your reviews! I can’t tell you what it means to see someone’s honest opinions, as well as all the time you spend answering questions. I’m really looking forward to seeing what you recommend for my home. So here is my challenge: We have a dog, 3 cats, 2 chinchillas, a bunny and a very messy bird. So we have hair everywhere, random little poops and litter kicked out from the smaller animals, fuzzy bird dander (similar to dandelion seeds) and crumbs and mess from everything the bird eats or chews up (he loves to destroy cardboard and newspaper) scattered around his cage, as well as poop that he manages to somehow get around the catcher on his cage. I’m sweeping constantly but hair, fuzz and dander just gets swirled around and I’m constantly chasing it. I’ve tried several ‘sweeper’ type vacuums, but they clog so fast and I find I spend more time unclogging than actually cleaning. We have a Dyson Animal, but it doesn’t work very well on our hardwood floors, and it’s really heavy and bulky to use when I use the floor attachment on the hose. Works great on our area rug, but 90% of our home is hardwood or laminate. So I find myself first sweeping, then using a push type broom with a huge microfiber type pad on it to catch hairs, then using a steamer or hardwood floor type cleaning system…which takes forever!
I love the idea of the Symphony doing everything at once, and I wouldn’t even mind it if I have to empty it frequently or refill the water tank a couple of times because it still would save time and effort. But I was extremely disappointed by the Bissell ‘Lift Off’ sweeper vac and some of the reviews are a bit worrisome. Do you think it would be the best solution for my kind of needs or should I stick to a separate sweeper vac? I should add that I definitely prefer corded to cordless because I’ve never had a cordless vac battery last long enough to finish all my cleaning! I was looking into a Dyson DC44 but I’m concerned about the price tag, battery life and weight (I did try the Shark Rocket but it proved to be heavy and awkward to use and I ended up returning it). I look forward to seeing your recommendations! Thank you so so so very much!
Jason Roberts says
The way I see it, you can either opt in for a steam mop or try the Symphony. My feelings are the Symphony would make a great addition to your cleaning arsenal. I believe you will find it worthy, especially if you will use it in combination with your Dyson.
Kristine Van Kirk says
We live in a refurbished country house with 100 year old pine wood floors that we vacuum and mop (due to the hair from our dog and cat) would this work for us if not is there any product that vacuums and mops so we can get our floors done in one step instead of two?
Jason Roberts says
As you’ve seen in the article, there’s also Shark’s Steam and Vac unit, but if you want to do everything in one go, this is what you are looking for. I have a friend who has floors like yours (but doesn’t own a Symphony), so I think I know what you’re talking about.
Cindy Ferguson says
How does this compare to the Bissell Steam & Sweep Pet Hard Floor Cleaner? It seems the Steam & Sweep has a swivel head and removable water tank, but is the vacuum as strong? I am in AZ so we have lots of dry gritty dust & dust bunnies, plus I have 2 cats. I have textured tile (some bumps & pits) floors which are difficult to keep clean enough to mop! I like the idea of being able to vacuum & steam at the same time. I usually have to go over the floors with a dust mop at least twice and then vacuum up the piles of grit & crumbs before I can wet-mop so anything that would save a step would be wonderful!
Jason Roberts says
The Bissell Steam & Sweep, as its name says, doesn’t vacuum, it just sweeps. Overall, the Symphony is a completely different model: much more steam power, more efficient cleaning, better material quality. And especially for living in AZ, I’d get the Symphony if I were you.
jess says
Hi there!
I am shopping for my solution to floor cleaning, and you seem to be the man.
We just bought a house in Hawaii. I have a hubby, 4 boys…8-17, a big fat hairy shedding ol lab, and a Chihuahua. I usually have a few spare boys around too. The house is huge, 3000 sf, upstairs hardwood, downstairs big grout tiles.
Help!! What would be durable, clean big areas, many boys, big hairy dogs. Need to sweep and mop. no carpet, at all…
Jason Roberts says
Get the Bissell Symphony and the Shark Rotator Truepet. You can steam using Bissell, and thanks to Shark’s attachments, clean anything on and above the floor. I find this combo to be flexible and in your case, essential.
Ebony says
Hi! I saw the Bissell Symphony commercial and definitely decided to see how it was rated via actual users and came across your site.
I am extremely hesitant about purchasing yet another cleaning tool due to me having 3 different vacuums and a carpet cleaner. All of them have let me down.
I have two short haired dogs but they shed constantly. I have mostly tile flooring now through the main lliving area, hardwood in the master, and 2 small rooms with carpet. I also have a microfiber couch that gets pretty hairy and has drool on it along with a couch that has material in which the small dog hairs get stuck and hard to vacuum out. Plus jeep that needs to be vacuumed often (dash, different cervices, mostly leather but the remaining areas). Not sure if there is something that has attachments for these to help with the pet hair. I do realize that I may have to invest in two different machines but I definitely need to be pointed in the right direction. I am tired of all the dog hair!!
Please help!
Jason Roberts says
For starters, the Symphony doesn’t have any attachments, so you can use it only on your tiles and hardwood. For the carpeted area, couch and car you have to use something else. My guess is that you need versatility, and you also need a tool to handle the pet hair problem. Thus, you definitely need to have 2 cleaning products. First I’d pick the Symphony, as you most likely need to sanitize your floors. As for the second, check out Shark’s latest Rotator Truepet.
Tammy says
We have real hardwood engineered flooring over in-floor heat. We’re told by installer no water can be used on this floor. However, is the steam in the symphony safe for this floor?
Jason Roberts says
If no water can be used, you also can’t use any steam on it. This sensitive floor could be cleaned only with a vacuum for hardwood floors or a dust mop.
tina torres says
I’m considering purchase of the Bissell Symphony in a couple months. Before I do I must know which you recommend between a bagless or the other, please, and why. Thank You Very Much.
Jason Roberts says
Check out what experts have to say on this.
Rose says
We are having bamboo floors installed. Has anyone used the Symphony on this material.
Jason Roberts says
It shouldn’t be a problem. Some of my clients used it on this type of flooring with no problems.
Marsha Papanek says
thanks for your reviews. I’ve read all the questions and the symphony seems like the best invention since the broom!
I just bought a house with mostly hardwood heart pine floors. I had them refinished. how do I know if they are “sealed” or not. I love the idea of vacuuming and cleaning in one step, but am scared of using steam on hardwood floors. it’s it really safe to use, do you use low stream? I need reassurance!
and if I get it, it’s it worth the extra 20 bucks to buy it online with the offered extras?
thank you so much! 🙂
Jason Roberts says
There’s an easy way to figure if your floors are sealed or not. Pour some water on them. If the water beads and is not absorbed by the floor, then they are sealed. I would advise everybody to buy online: the return policy is much more enjoyable (i.e. with Amazon’s Prime), prices are usually lower and sellers almost always offer extras.
Andrew Leo says
Just about to buy Bissell symphony when I noticed two models. The 1032 and the 1032A. What is the difference
and which would you recommend. Thank you, Leo
Jason Roberts says
As I was saying in the article, the only difference is that the 1132 is red and the 1132a is navy blue.
Carol Adams says
Hi Jason,
So you know if there is a difference between the symphony and the symphony pet. The description say s the pet version has improved suction and before I shell out an extra $60 for the pet edition i want to make sure it is worth it.
TIA
Carol
Jason Roberts says
Dear Carol,
The Bissell Symphony Pet 1543 is the newest member of the Symphony family, which appeared on the market just a few days ago. What’s changed from the original version? First, you can equip this unit with a new type of disposable mop pads produced by Swiffer in collaboration with Bissell, called SteamBoost mop pads (but you can use these with the original 1132). This will give you an edge over pet accidents. Secondly, the Symphony Pet 1543 has a new bin emptying system called Drop-IT, which is just a fancy way of saying you can get rid of debris, dust and pet hair with the help of a small plastic lever which actions the top/bottom of the bin. Most likely, Bissell equipped this unit with a stronger motor, as the suction is a bit improved when compared with the original. In conclusion, if you have pet, you should try the new Symphony 1543.
Carol Adams says
Thanks so much!!
Cathy says
I love my symphony have had it for about 5months and today it It’s making that clicking noise you get When you initially primed it. It will not stop and it will not release any steam. What should I do?
Jason Roberts says
It may be clogged, or it may be an electrical problem. Try I think you need to have it serviced.
Jacq says
Hi there,
thanks for the informative review, I heard a rumour that this product is being discontinued, do you know if this is true or just a rumour.
Thanks
Jason Roberts says
Don’t think so, they’ve just released the Pet version so my guess is they’ll keep unit this on sale at least a couple of years.
Donna Yamashita says
I bought the Bissell Symphony not quite one month ago. I have used only distilled water, mostly the one they sell. I am a heavy user of it as I foster cats & kittens so you can only imagine. I only have hardwood floors so carpeting is not an issue. However, after less than one month the steam stopped steaming. After reading many reviews, this seems to be a very common problem.
I contacted the company and they want me to cut the power cord off and send it back to them, which they supply the postage. Great but that leaves me with no vacuum and no steaming until 6-7 days after they receive my power cord. I asked if they could send first so i could use the vacuum and other pads on the bottom without the steam, but you know….policies are policies.
Given that this is a very common complaint with the product I would think Bissell would address it and at least make the inconvenience as little as possible. But no.
Once I get my replacement, if the same thing happens, it’s return for good time. Of course when I called in with the problem I was nicely reminded that the warranty still stands from day one of the first machine I bought (are they having esp?).
I love(d) the machine!!! It was my new toy! I was telling all of my friends about it! I was going to buy some as Christmas gifts for those friends that couldn’t afford it. Looks like I’ll have to keep Christmas shopping 🙁
Janet says
I had a Shark steam mop, the one from the infomercial years ago. I loved it and used it literally to death. I need another and saw the ad for the Symphony. I have no rugs or pets but I have 4 children. Should I go with the Symphony or the new one made for households with pets?
Jason Roberts says
They are mostly one and the same, and the price difference is also very low. If I were you I’d pick the newest.
Jaime says
What’s the difference between the Bissell Symphony 1132 and the 1652?
Jason Roberts says
Hadn’t got the chance to put my hands on this product, which is sold in Walmart only. As I see it, it is the same with the newer 1543, meaning it comes with a better dirt-emptying system and the option to use disposable pads.
KT says
Hi, I was also interested in this 1652 model. Although, on the Bissell site it says it’s comparable to the 1543 I did speak to a customer rep and they said it’s similiar to the 1132 and that while upgraded the 1543 comes with the dirt-emptying systems and powerful suction that the 1652 model did not.
Caroline Baker says
Hello Jason, I have been reading a lot of reviews on the Bissell symphony and was moving towards purchasing one until I read that the plastic parts inside melts. The steamer does not work after about eight uses. The tray has a tendency to snap off while in use. The steam is mostly in the center of the pad and does not steam all the way to the edges of the pad. Can you address any of the problems concerning this product. In today’s economy I can’t afford to throw my money away.
Jason Roberts says
This is highly unlikely to happen on an ordinary basis. What you are talking about is 1-2 cases of in tens of thousands. It is possible to get a defective unit, but chances are very very low and as you can see, most folks are satisfied by the unit. If you’re planning to use this appliance on hard floors, you’re on the right track.
Lisa Armstrong says
Can I use this to steam/sanitize a wool rug?
Jason Roberts says
Unfortunately, no. Wool is very sensitive.
Sue says
I’m having an issue with my Symphony where it does’t produce steam until I hold the trigger for about 5 minutes, then when I change the pad, the same thing happens again. I’ve only ever used distilled water in it. The fist couple times it worked great, but then it took a long time to get it working, so it is frustrating when I try to use it. Do you think I’ve got a defective unit? I’ve contacted Bissell, as I’ve had it for just over 1 year.
Jason Roberts says
Sound like you have a clog. Clogs can form from dust, hair and carpet fibers, not only from limestone. What did Bissell reps say?
Sue says
They replied right away and had me go through some troubleshooting tenure the filter was inserted tightly. She also asked when it was bought
Sue says
I had replied that the troubleshooting didn’t so they’ve had me cut off the cord, take a picture of the steamer with the cord severed, a picture of the serial number/model number and send them the pictures and they will send a replacement. They indicate it will take 9-13 business days, which I thought was a weird date range, but I guess I’ll see in 2-3 weeks.
AC says
My house is completely tile and engineered hardwood. We have a dog and I always find several dust bunnies under our furniture after vacuuming and I end up having to get out the tiny crevice attachment even though the furniture is at least 4 inches above the ground. It picks up the big dust bunnies but there’s still a layer of dust or dander on the floor. This is especially true under the beds. Any ideas?
Jason Roberts says
You can use the Symphony, but you can also check out other types of mops.
Terah Yates says
Can you use the Bissel Symphony on engineered wood flooring?
Jason Roberts says
It would be safer to use a Oreck Orbiter or a Shark Sonic Duo instead.