Which machine? What the spec sheet tells you, and what it does not

Every machine on this site has its manufacturer’s specification on the page, and the comparison page puts any two side by side. This guide is about how to read those rows. It is general advice; it is not a claim about any one model beyond what its own maker states.

1. Decide which job it is: vacuum, wash or deep-clean
A vacuum picks up dry debris. A wet-and-dry washer (BISSELL CrossWave, Dyson WashG1 and Submarine) vacuums and mops sealed hard floors in one pass and, on most models, rinses its own roller on the dock. A carpet cleaner (BISSELL Little Green, Revolution, Big Green) sprays formula into carpet or upholstery and extracts it; it is not a vacuum and does not replace one. A robot does a lighter version of vacuuming, and on the models here mopping, on its own schedule. Pick the job first and the shortlist gets short.

2. Suction figures do not cross brands
Dyson publishes suction in Air Watts (AW). BISSELL publishes motor power in watts, amps or volts. Robots publish pascals (Pa). None of these converts into the others, so the comparison shows each figure as stated and does not rank across brands on power. Within one brand, a higher figure on the same unit is a higher figure; that is all it says.

3. Run time is the maximum, in the lowest mode
Every cordless run time on this site is the manufacturer’s stated maximum — usually Eco mode with a non-motorised tool, and the row says so where the manufacturer does. Boost or Max modes drain the battery several times faster. A machine that ships with two batteries states its run time with both; the row says that too.

4. Wet machines: tanks, surfaces and the self-clean cycle
For a washer or carpet cleaner the rows that matter are Water tanks (clean and dirty capacity), Surfaces (which floors the manufacturer names — sealed hard floors, area rugs, carpet, upholstery) and Dock / self-clean. Sealed hard floors means exactly that: no unsealed wood, and no carpet unless the row names it. If the row is blank, the manufacturer did not state it.

5. Cleaner head, filtration and bin
Cleaner head / brush tells you what touches the floor: a de-tangling or conical brush bar for pet hair, a soft roller for hard floors, an illuminated head that shows fine dust. Filtration is whether the manufacturer states whole-machine HEPA or sealed filtration. Bin is capacity as stated; a bigger bin on an Outsize model is the reason it is heavier, which is the next row.

6. Weight and cord
Weight is as the manufacturer states it and the rows are not all measured the same way (with or without a tool, with or without water), so compare like with like. A corded machine has no run time row but a Cord / hose row; that is the trade you are making.

7. Tools and formula: match the model name
Every tool, brush bar and formula lists the machines its manufacturer states it fits, under Fits. The model name is on the label on the machine; match that to the listing. Formula made for a carpet cleaner is not made for a CrossWave, and the bottle says so.

8. What no spec sheet tells you
How it feels in the hand after ten minutes on the stairs, how loud it is, how much of the roller-cleaning you end up doing yourself, whether the app suits you. That is what the 30-day return window is for: machines may be unboxed and tested and still returned. See the refund policy.

LivessaHome is an independent retailer. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Dyson or BISSELL. Brand and model names on this site identify the products and what a part fits. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.