Bissell Powerforce Helix Bagless Upright Vacuum Reviews: Is It Worth It?

I get it. You need a vacuum that works, but you don’t want to spend $500. You’ve seen the Bissell PowerForce Helix on the shelf, you’ve noted the low price, and you’re wondering, “Is this thing any good, or am I just buying future landfill?” As someone who has pushed this exact vacuum across endless floors covered in pet hair and crumbs, I’m here to give you the real answer. If you are on a tight budget and need a lightweight machine that gets the surface-level stuff done right now, this is the vacuum you should seriously consider.

My Experience With Bissell Powerforce Helix Bagless Upright Vacuum

My old, heavy vacuum finally gave up the ghost. It was a sad day, but my wallet was even sadder.

I needed a replacement fast and, more importantly, cheap. I have two cats and a dog, so “no vacuum” is not a viable option in my home.

I walked into the store, saw the Bissell PowerForce Helix (my model is the 2191) for under $100, and my expectations were rock bottom.

I just needed something to get me through the next few months.

Assembly was, and I don’t say this lightly, a genuine pleasure. It took me, no joke, five minutes. I just snapped the handle into the body, attached the hose, and plugged it in. No screws, no reading a 40-page manual, no leftover parts to make me question my sanity. It was ready to go.

I hit the power switch. The very first thing I noticed was the noise. This vacuum is LOUD. It’s not a polite, deep hum; it’s a high-pitched roar that lets the entire neighborhood know you are cleaning. My cats vanished. My dog ran for cover.

But the second thing I noticed, and the reason I’m writing this, was the suction. I ran it over a low-pile area rug that I thought was relatively clean. I was so, so wrong. The clear dirt tank immediately filled with a swirling cyclone of dust and pet hair. This is the “Helix” system they advertise—it’s a set of plastic spirals inside the tank that are supposed to spin the dirt down and away from the filter. Honestly, seeing that vortex of filth was both horrifying and deeply satisfying.

It’s an absolute beast on low-to-medium pile carpets. It just rips the pet hair out. On my hardwood floors, it was a different story. It has a setting to turn the brush roll off (which is just a hard floor mode), but it still tended to push some larger debris around, like stray cat litter. I had to go over those spots with the hose.

And speaking of the hose… it’s my least favorite part. The attachments are basic: a crevice tool and a small dusting brush. They feel like flimsy plastic, but they work. The hose, however, is short and incredibly stiff. When you try to stretch it to clean a ceiling cobweb or a curtain valance, you’re constantly fighting it. It feels like it’s trying to yank the vacuum over, and half the time, it succeeds. I’ve had this lightweight vacuum tip over and crash into my shins more times than I can count.

The dirt tank is small. In my pet-filled house, I have to empty it after every single room. But seeing that canister packed full every time confirms it’s doing its job. It’s a lightweight, loud, plastic machine that, against all odds, really does clean.

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Pros Of Bissell Powerforce Helix Bagless Upright Vacuum

• The Unbeatable Price Point: This is the main attraction, the star of the show, and the number one reason we are all here. You can almost always find this vacuum for under $75, and frequently on sale for even less. It is, without a doubt, one of the most affordable upright vacuums from a major, recognizable brand name. If your vacuum just died, rent is due, and you’re scraping by, this vacuum is a financial lifesaver. It’s not trying to compete with a $600 Dyson; it’s competing with a dustpan and brush. And in that fight, it wins by a knockout. It delivers a functional, working vacuum for the price of a fancy dinner out. The value proposition, just on cost alone, is almost impossible to beat for what you get.
• Shockingly Lightweight And Maneuverable: This vacuum is light. We’re talking around 10 to 12 pounds, depending on the exact model. My old vacuum felt like I was pushing a small car. I can carry the PowerForce Helix up and down the stairs with one hand, and my arm doesn’t feel like it’s going to fall off. This makes it a fantastic choice for people in multi-story homes, the elderly, or frankly, anyone who is just tired of lugging a heavy machine out of the closet. You don’t dread vacuuming as much when it’s not a full-body workout. This lightness also makes it easy to zip around furniture. It doesn’t have fancy swivel steering, but it’s so light that you can just pick it up and point it where you need to go.
• Impressive Suction On Carpets (The “Helix” System): I was genuinely, truly shocked by what this machine pulled out of my low-pile carpets. The “Helix” separation system isn’t just a gimmick. It’s a plastic spiral in the tank that creates a vortex. This spinning action forces debris down to the bottom of the tank, which is supposed to help keep the filter clean and, therefore, maintain strong suction.¹ And it works… to a point. On that first pass on a “clean” rug, it pulls up embedded pet hair and fine dust that you didn’t even know was there. The clear dirt cup lets you see it all happening, which is the kind of gross-but-satisfying feedback I appreciate. For surface-level cleaning and low-to-medium pile carpets, its suction-to-price ratio is outstanding.
• Incredibly Easy Assembly And Use: When I say it took five minutes to assemble, I’m not exaggerating. The components literally click together. You snap the handle into the body, attach the hose and attachments, and you are done. You don’t need a single tool. This is perfect for someone who is not mechanically inclined, a student in a dorm, or anyone who just wants to open the box and start cleaning now. The controls are just as simple. There’s a power switch (on the body, not the handle), a recline pedal, and a dial with five height-adjustment settings.² That’s it. It’s refreshingly simple.
• Washable Filters And Zero Ongoing Costs: The ongoing cost of ownership is almost zero.³ It’s a bagless vacuum, so you’re never spending $20 on a pack of proprietary bags. The dirt tank is easy to empty (though a bit messy, as I’ll get to). The main filter (a pleated circular one in the top of the tank) and the pre-motor foam filter (underneath the tank) are both completely washable.⁴ You just rinse them under cold water, let them air dry for a full 24 hours, and pop them back in. This saves a ton of money over the life of the vacuum and is much better for the environment. You just have to remember to do it.

Cons Of Bissell Powerforce Helix Bagless Upright Vacuum

• Extremely Loud Operation: This vacuum is not discreet. It is, by far, the loudest vacuum I have ever personally owned. It operates at a high-pitched, whining roar that is genuinely unpleasant. You cannot hold a conversation, you cannot hear the TV, and you will absolutely terrify every pet and small child in a 50-foot radius. I find myself trying to vacuum as quickly as possible just to turn it off. If you live in a thin-walled apartment or are sensitive to noise, this is a major, major drawback. It’s not an exaggeration to say it’s jarringly loud.
• Feels Flimsy And “Cheap” In Every Way: It’s a sub-$100 vacuum, and it feels like a sub-$100 vacuum. The entire body is made of a thin, lightweight plastic. The handle flexes and creaks in your hand when you push it. The wheels are hard plastic, not rubberized, so they clack loudly on hard floors and don’t glide smoothly. When you recline it, the mechanism feels hollow and like it could snap. I am constantly worried that if I’m too rough or bang it into a wall, a piece of it will crack. It just does not inspire any confidence in its long-term durability. You are trading durability for that low price and light weight.
• Short, Stiff Hose And Lackluster Attachments: This is my biggest functional complaint. The hose is terrible. It’s short, rigid, and has almost no stretch. When you try to use the attachments, you are constantly fighting the hose as it tries to pull the vacuum back toward you. This often results in the entire lightweight unit tipping over and crashing into your shins. The attachments themselves (a crevice tool and a dusting brush) are equally basic. They are made of the same hard, brittle-feeling plastic. The dusting brush’s bristles are so stiff and short, I would never dare use them on a delicate lampshade or electronics. They’re only good for a tough windowsill.
• Messy Dirt Tank Emptying Process: While being bagless is a “pro,” the emptying process is a definite “con.” The dirt tank has a “bottom empty” lid, which sounds great. But in practice, fine dust and pet hair get packed around the central Helix cyclone. When you open the trap door, the main clump falls out, but you’re left with a cylinder of packed dust and hair stuck to the filter housing. You have to reach your hand up there to pull the rest out, which releases a cloud of allergens directly into your face. It’s a dirty job, and you must do it over an outdoor trash can.
• Mediocre Filtration (Not For Allergy Sufferers): This is a critical point for anyone with allergies or asthma. The filter is washable, but it is not a HEPA filter. And the system is not sealed. This means that while it’s sucking up fine dust, dander, and pollen, a portion of that same fine-particle-dust is being exhausted right back out into the air you’re breathing. If you have severe allergies, this vacuum might actually make your symptoms worse by agitating allergens and spreading them through the room.

Maintenance Tips For Bissell Powerforce Helix Bagless Upright Vacuum

• Empty The Dirt Tank After Every Single Use: I cannot, cannot, cannot stress this enough. This is the most important maintenance tip. This is not a vacuum where you can let the bin get full. The dirt tank on this model is small, and the “Helix” system only works if it has air and room to spin the debris. If you let it get more than half-full, the suction plummets. The dirt stops spinning, it instantly clogs the pre-filter, and the vacuum basically stops working. It takes 30 seconds. Make it a non-negotiable habit: you finish vacuuming, you walk straight to the trash can (preferably outside!) and empty the tank. This simple act will solve 80% of all “low suction” problems before they even start.
• Wash Your Filters Religiously (At Least Monthly): This is the second-most important tip. This vacuum has two filters you need to clean. The first is a circular, pleated filter that sits inside the top of the dirt tank. The second is a black, circular foam pre-motor filter that sits in the vacuum body, underneath where the dirt tank clicks in. Once a month (or more if you have pets and a lot of dust), you must take both of them out. Tap the pleated filter against the inside of your trash can to get all the caked-on dust off. Then, rinse both of them under lukewarm water. Don’t use soap or detergent. Just rinse until the water runs completely clear. Squeeze the excess water out of the foam filter.
• The 24-Hour Air-Dry Rule Is Not A Suggestion: This is the critical part of washing your filters. You MUST let them air dry for a full 24 hours. Do not put them in the dryer, do not hit them with a hairdryer, and do not put them back in the vacuum “a little damp.” If you put them back in wet, you will create a perfect, disgusting environment for mold and mildew. It will stink, and you will be blowing mold spores around your house. Even worse, the moisture can damage the vacuum’s motor. Be patient. Let them dry completely.
• Check The Brush Roll For Hair And Strings Weekly: If you or anyone in your house has long hair, or if you have pets, this is your new weekly ritual. Unplug the vacuum, turn it over, and look at the brush roll (the “beater bar”). It is going to be caked in wrapped hair, thread, and strings. That hair will stop the brush from spinning effectively, which kills your carpet cleaning power and puts strain on the motor. Grab a pair of scissors or, my personal favorite tool, a seam ripper. Carefully cut the tangled hair and strings from one end to the other, being careful not to cut the bristles themselves. Once cut, you can easily pull the mess out with your fingers. A clean brush roll is absolutely essential for carpet agitation.
• Monitor The Drive Belt For Stretching Or Breakage: The brush roll is spun by a small rubber drive belt, similar to a vacuum from 30 years ago.⁵ Over time, that belt will stretch out, and eventually, it will break. This is a normal wear-and-tear item, and it’s designed to be replaced. You’ll know it’s time when the brush roll spins weakly or stops spinning altogether (and you’ve already cleared the hair). You can buy replacement belts online for just a few dollars.⁶ To replace it, you usually just have to unscrew the bottom plate (about 6 screws), pop the old, broken belt off the motor shaft and brush roll, and loop the new one on. It’s a 10-minute fix that will bring your vacuum right back to life when you thought it was dead.
• Know How To Clear Clogs (Because They Will Happen): Because the suction is strong but the tubing is basic, clogs can and will happen, especially if you suck up something you shouldn’t (like a sock or a large clump of wet pet hair). If your suction suddenly drops to zero and the motor sounds different, you have a clog. Unplug the vacuum. First, check the hose port where it connects to the vacuum body. Then, detach the main hose and drop a coin or a marble through it to see if it’s clear. The third and most common clog spot is the “foot” of the vacuum—the U-shaped bend where dirt goes from the brush roll up into the body. You may need to unscrew the bottom plate to get access to this and physically pull the clog out with a bent coat hanger or pliers.

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Comparison With Other Brands

• Bissell PowerForce Helix Vs. The Shark Navigator Lift-Away: This is a common comparison, but it’s a bit of a mismatch as the Shark Navigator is almost always double the price of the PowerForce. What do you get for that extra money? A much better and more versatile vacuum. The Shark has a sealed HEPA filtration system, making it infinitely better for allergy sufferers.⁷ It features “Lift-Away” technology, where you can detach the canister from the body to clean stairs and ceilings, which completely solves the Bissell’s short-hose problem. The Shark also has swivel steering and rubberized wheels, so it feels less like a plastic toy and more like a real appliance. The Bissell PowerForce wins on one thing and one thing only: initial cost. If you can stretch your budget at all, the Shark Navigator is the better machine.
• Bissell PowerForce Helix Vs. The Dirt Devil Endura Series: Now this is a fair fight. The Dirt Devil Endura vacuums are the direct, in-store competitors to the PowerForce Helix. They are often the exact same price, have similar all-plastic builds, and are both loud, bagless uprights. I’ve used both, and the choice is genuinely tough. The Dirt Devil’s “Endura” filter is designed to last longer without needing a rinse, which is a slight maintenance edge. However, I’ve personally found the raw suction and carpet agitation on the Bissell Helix to be slightly more powerful. The Bissell seems to pull just a little more gunk out of the carpet. The Dirt Devil’s hose and attachments are marginally better, but not by much. Honestly, it’s a toss-up, and I’d recommend whichever of the two is on sale that day.
• Bissell PowerForce Helix Vs. A Bissell CleanView Model: This is the most important internal competition. The Bissell CleanView (like the 2252 or the CleanView Swivel Pet) is the “step-up” model from the PowerForce. For about $30-$40 more, you get significant upgrades. The CleanView typically has a “OnePass” brush roll that’s much better designed and picks up more debris in a single pass.⁸ It has a larger, easier-to-empty dirt tank (the “Cyclonic Pet Hair Spooling System” on some pet models is genuinely cleaner to empty). It often has a longer, better-quality hose and slightly better attachments. My advice? If you can spare the extra $40, skip the PowerForce and buy the CleanView. The quality-of-life improvements are absolutely worth the small jump in price. The PowerForce is the absolute bare-bones budget model, while the CleanView is the best value budget model.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Conclusion

So, should you buy the Bissell PowerForce Helix? Here’s my final, honest verdict. If you have severe allergies, a high-end home with plush carpets, or a low tolerance for noise, please save your money and buy something else. This is not the vacuum for you. But, if you are a student in a dorm, a new homeowner, or just flat-broke and need a machine that will suck up pet hair and crumbs today, it is absolutely worth it. For its tiny price tag, it’s a lightweight, powerful little workhorse. It’s not a forever vacuum, but it’s a fantastic “right now” vacuum.