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Bissell Crosswave Max 2554A vs. Crosswave Pet Pro Which Is Better For Stains

Updated: Apr 24, 2024

The Bissell CrossWave Cordless Max should not be confused with the Bissell Crosswave Cordless, which looks similar to the corded Crosswave without a cord while the Max has been redesigned. Read more about the most popular Bissell models in our comparison.

Video made by Vacuum Wars

Bissell CrossWave Max vs. Pet Pro specs

Specs/Models Bissell Crosswave Cordless Max 2554A Bissell Crosswave Pet Pro 2306A
Water tank, ml 830 830
Dirt tank, ml 550 430
Self-cleaning cycle yes no
Multi-surface cleaning yes yes
Two-tank technology yes yes
Corded/Cordless cordless corded
Run time, min 30 -
LED no yes
WiFi-enabled yes no
Filtration HEPA HEPA
Path Width, inch 10.5 9.5
Weight, lb/kg 11.5/5.2 11/5
Accessories included
  • docking station
  • strainer
  • 2 brush rolls
  • 4 bottles of 8-oz cleaning formula
  • 2 tangle-free brush rolls
  • 2 8 oz. PET Multi-Surface with febreze formulas rinse
  • storage tray
Price $289.95 $228.59

Bissell CrossWave Max vs. Pet Pro: what has changed?

The Max version has a new water tank design that is shorter and easier to fit under the sink. The older tank design was tall and wasn't easy to fit under some sinks.

The Max has a thicker brush, which is better for resisting hair tangles, and a new electronic system with a light-up display that shows battery life and floor type. The cleaner is Wi-Fi-enabled, which means the vacuum can be connected to a smartphone app.

The battery is lighter and lasts longer than the previous generations do.


Cleaning tests

Dry vacuum test. The Max pickup ability is good, it is able to catch the debris on hard floors and carpet. The vacuum would not get deep into your carpets but is good for hard floor or low-pile carpets. The regular corded CrossWave is good with large debris but not as good as the Max version.

Wet cleaning: wet spills. For wet mopping, you should fill the water tank to the desired level with a water & solution mix. The trigger should be pressed periodically to keep the brush saturated with water. The Max vacuum does a great job of removing basic wet spills. The spills were large and messy, and both cleaners removed them but the Max was a bit better.

The Bissell Cross Wave Cordless Max is better at larger debris pickup

Wet cleaning: dry spills. To make dry spills 1 tablespoon of coke, grape juice, and v8 juice were left overnight. After testing both, it was clear that dry stains were removed in about 3.5 passes which is more or less average for this sort of cleaner. The stains were hard to remove though.

The old Crosswave is a bit better with tough dry stains because of the cord and more suction.


Pros of the CrossWave Max:

Because of having less power, the Max version is quieter (6 dB difference). It might not sound much but it is noticeable.

The weight is about the same. At 11.5 lbs, they are easy to maneuver. Because of no cord, the Max version is more convenient to use.

31 minutes of battery life is another Pro. It will depend on how often you use the water spraying mechanism but still impressive. It should be more than enough for big homes with hard floors.

The cleanup mode is a major pro. When the vacuum is on the charger, you can press the self-cleaning button, the brush starts spinning around and cleans itself and this is pretty effective.


Cons:

If you clean anything bigger than regular stains, it will take some time to clean the vacuum itself. You will have to clean up all the components separately which can be a bit annoying.

Most cleaners that are supposed to do light vacuuming and mopping are not too efficient if you mean to clean big messy spills. In this case, you have to clean up every component which means it takes time and energy so in a way it is better to remove spills with traditional means. Running a cycle or two helps a bit and this is why the Crosswave is better in a way. Might not be a con but something to consider. At the end, how often do you happen to clean big nasty spills?

It works on rugs and the water spray can be used on rugs too but it is not a carpet or spot cleaner.

Another con is the price. CrossWaves have always been a bit expensive but the new Max is something to consider before spending a dollar.


To conclude: the Bissell CrossWave Max is good with dry, wet, and even dried-on stains. It has a decent battery life and is lightweight, and easy to use. The cleaner is a good light-duty mop replacement. If you are okay with a thorough cleaning after messy jobs and overall maintenance after each use, the Max is for you.


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