Home / Home & cleaning / Carpet cleaners / Bissell Revolution HydroSteam
Bissell Revolution HydroSteam
A powerful stain-lifting carpet cleaner that's heavy, loud, and sometimes slow to dry
Loupe's take: Experts love it. Owners are less sure. Who's Loupe?
Photo: Bissell
See how we scored it
Updated October 27, 2026
Four of the five expert sources we analyzed tested the HydroSteam hands-on, and two of them, Good Housekeeping and CNET, named it the best overall carpet cleaner, giving it a strong expert score of 86. Owners are cooler at 57: among 103 owner comments, 23% praise its cleaning, but 13% say it leaves carpets wet, 13% report weak suction and 8% say it broke or died. Drying time is the clearest split, with two testers seeing touch-dry carpets in about 30 minutes while another cited up to 8 hours for deep cleaning. The evidence is moderate rather than deep: only 58 owner accounts were first-hand, no outlet published a numeric score, and one expert source was promotional with no testing.
What each expert concluded
The writer found the HydroSteam an exceptionally strong cleaner for the price, with steam that removed stubborn stains and refreshed all carpets and rugs, despite long drying times and frequent tank refills.
Hands-on review · open the review ↗The writer found the HydroSteam a powerful, surprisingly easy-to-maneuver deep cleaner that revived old rugs and lifted dried-in Play-Doh, with the main drawbacks being its noise, size, and weight.
Hands-on review · open the review ↗A promotional, sponsored-style piece that praises the HydroSteam's steam pretreatment, powerful brush and easy cleanup, but offers no hands-on testing or critical assessment.
Roundup · open the review ↗Named the best overall carpet cleaner, it handles old and new stains well, is easy to use, produces real steam, and dries carpets quickly, earning a Good Housekeeping Cleaning & Organizing Award.
Hands-on review · open the review ↗The writer names it the best overall carpet cleaner tested and an Editors' Choice pick, thanks to standout pet odor removal, strong stain performance, and a much lower price than the top rival, though it is heavy and loud.
Hands-on review · open the review ↗Verdicts paraphrased; open a card to read the original. How we score
The verdict in 10 seconds

You'll love it if
- You have pets or little kids and deal with accidents and spills
- Your home has lots of carpet, stairs, or upholstery to deep clean
- You have old, set-in stains you've given up on
Skip it if
- You need something light to carry between floors
- You're short on storage space
- You want carpets dry and walkable right away every time
What owners rave and rant about
What they rave about
What they rant about
Share of 103 owner reviews and comments that mention each topic.
The no-fluff verdict
This is a big, serious deep cleaner that pulls out old, set-in stains and pet odors that lesser machines leave behind. It's heavy, noisy, and needs its own cleaning solution, and some people find carpets stay damp longer than they'd like. It suits families and pet homes with plenty of carpet and somewhere to store it.
This verdict draws on 7 independent sources: 5 expert tests,
103 ratings and reports from retailers, owner communities and video reviews, and official safety records,
analyzed and cross-checked into one verdict, so you don't have to.
Ratings across the web
Shop ratings lean positive (happy buyers, brand-moderated stores); forums lean critical (people post problems). Our owners score weighs both equally.
Questions people actually ask
Does the Bissell Revolution HydroSteam remove pet stains and odors?
Yes. Its steam pretreat loosens stains and lifts odors, and pet accidents are where it shines most.
Based on: CNET ranked it best at removing pet urine and dog odors.How long does carpet take to dry after using the Bissell Revolution HydroSteam?
It depends. Quick-dry mode can leave carpets touch-dry fast, but a full deep clean can take most of a day.
Based on: Two testers saw ~30-minute drying; 13% of owners say carpets stay wet.Can the Bissell Revolution HydroSteam vacuum up dry debris and pet hair?
No. You'll need to vacuum first, because it's built for wet cleaning, not loose dirt or piles of hair.
Based on: Apartment Therapy's hands-on test found pre-vacuuming is required.Is the Bissell Revolution HydroSteam heavy and hard to carry?
Yes. It rolls smoothly on the floor, but lugging it up stairs is a chore.
Based on: Hands-on tests measured 20 to 22.5 lbs; CNET found it heaviest tested.Do you need special cleaning solution for the Bissell Revolution HydroSteam?
Yes. It uses Bissell's own formula, a capful each time you fill the tank.
Based on: Our research found proprietary solution is required; small trial bottles included.How much does the Bissell Revolution HydroSteam cost?
Usually $330–$400 in the US. Prices move with sales, so check the current price.
Based on: Prices quoted in expert reviews and at Amazon.com.What does the Bissell Revolution HydroSteam cost to run?
Mostly replacement parts and supplies
- Bissell's own cleaning solution is required, a capful per tank fill (price not stated)
- Two trial-sized formulas are included; replacement price not stated
Has the Bissell Revolution HydroSteam been recalled?
No. We found no U.S. safety recalls for this model.
Based on: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall records.As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It never changes a score.
Alternatives
All alternatives →- 01

EXPOWNREL81Shark StainStriker
A handy, capable stain fighter for spots, not whole rooms
- 02

EXPOWNREL71Bissell Little Green 1400B
A handy, affordable stain fighter for couches, carpets, and car seats
- 03

EXPOWNREL67Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro
Strong pet-stain cleaner for carpets, but durability is a real question