BISSELL Bolt XRT ION 2-in-1 25.2 V Review: Versatile and Lightweight

If you look at most 2-in-1 vacuums with detachable handhelds, the biggest Achilles heel would be the lack of suction and poor run time.

Most of them would be good enough to use for around 15 to 20 minutes on a single charge which is a disappointment for a number of consumers.

To improve run time and power, Bissel has equipped this two-in-one with a large 25.2 volt battery that extends that run time to around 40 minutes which is almost unheard of with these types of vacuums.

So rejoice, consumers, it’s time to celebrate.

They also added two edge brushes to improve reach all the way to the edges of the floor tool.

A quick look at the features

• 2 volt lithium ion battery that runs for 40 minutes on a single charge
• Swivel head makes this more maneuverable
• Foldable handle makes it easier to clean areas under tables or chairs with minimal bending, it also lessens storage space – a nice bonus for smaller homes
• Comes with a removable handheld to clean more areas
• 2 year warranty

Pros

• Long 40 minute run time – so far the longest of any 2-in-1 vacuum
• The swivel and 2-way folding handle make this very easy to maneuver around and under furniture
• Edge bristles help this clean all the way to the edges
• The handheld feature allows you to clean tougher to reach areas above the floor
• Foldable handle means you don’t need a lot of space to store this
• There is a power button on the stick handle – nice touch!

Cons

• Expensive
• Small dirt bin that needs frequent emptying
• Will struggle with thick and plush carpet

What to expect from the BISSELL Bolt XRT ION?

The two features that standout from the 25.2-volt Bolt XRT is the lithium ion battery and foldable handle.

The large battery allows this you to use this for up to 40 minutes which is at least 20 minutes longer than other brands.

The addition of a foldable handle allows you to clean areas under furniture without needing to bend over too much, thumbs up to Bissell being innovative in these two areas.

Attachments and accessories

The handheld vacuum does with 3 attachments – (1) crevice tool, (2) 6-inch wide tool and (3) multi-surface brush roll.

Charging time

Officially Bissell says that it will take 4 hours to fully charge though one consumer says that it only took him 2.5 hours to charge.

Filter clean up

Yes the filter is washable and easy to remove. Just detach the handheld part from the stick frame then separate the dirt cup from the motor by pressing a lever up top.

You’ll need to wash the filter once a week or more depending on often you use this.

Dirt cup is on the small side so you’ll need to empty this more frequently. And since it is bagless there will still be allergen exposure. If you want something with bag, I suggest checking out our recommendations for bagged vacuums.

Run time

Run time is generous – around 40 minutes. Some consumers have reported as much as 50 minutes of run time. But take this information with a grain of salt though as there are a lot of variables involved.

Warranty

Bissell backs this up with a 2-year warranty.

See it in Action

Bare floor performance

This will work best on hardwood floors or any bare floor surface because it has strong enough suction to pick up smallish to medium sized debris. But it will struggle will larger bits of dirt and the low clearance room may cause a “snow plowing” when cleaning larger items like cheerios.

There is one workaround for that, use the handheld vac to pick up larger bits of dirt then use it in stick mode for cleaning finer pieces of dirt.

Edge brushes are a nice addition since it’ll clean the edges as well.

If you have expensive hardwood flooring, you can turn off the motorized brush and avoid scratching it.

Carpet performance

This won’t match the power of an upright and will not be able to deep clean carpet but it’ll still be useful in cleaning high traffic areas and preventing dirt from piling up.

The small dirt cup though will have to be emptied more than once if you choose to use up the 40 minutes or so of run time.

Upholstery performance

The detachable handheld is a nice bonus and it comes with several attachments like the crevice and multi-surface brush roll that allows it to clean various types of dirt like pet hair on sofas and chairs.

Pet hair Removal

It will do a decent enough job in cleaning up pet hair on carpet and rugs because it has a motorized brush.

On upholstery, Bissell also includes a brush roll that will help clean pet hair off fabric upholstered chairs and sofas.

Product specifications

What consumers say?

Consumers say that this vacuum is great as a spot cleaning tool even with the 40-minute run time.

The small dirt cup prevents it from being a stand alone cleaner. And it lacks the power and agitation to deep clean carpet.

While the run time is nice, the price isn’t and consumers would recommend that you get the cheaper 18 volt version if your home mostly has bare floor with minimal carpeting.

The foldable handle was a popular feature because it makes it easier for people to clean dirt underneath furniture without needing to bend over too much.

The power switch located on the handle also is a nice feature because it is easily accessible.

Another feature that consumers liked is the charger that is self-standing. And it doesn’t need to be mounted on a wall like a Dyson DC59.

This allows easier storage without having to drill holes on the wall.

Where can I buy this?

You can buy this cordless stick vacuum from Amazon for less than $120. And it’ll be eligible for their 2-day free shipping if you join Prime.

Amazon also sells extended warranties of up to 3 years if you want that extra peace of mind.

To wrap up

This 2-in-1 stick and some neat features that include the big 25.2-volt battery, edge cleaning, and collapsible handle.

The big 25.2 battery will run for up to 40 minutes.

So the question will be, are you willing to spend this much for a vacuum with not much power? If the answer is no then the cheaper 18-volt option is a wiser choice.

But make no mistake Bissell is moving in the right direction by adding more run time with this handheld masquerading as a stick vac.

This product is a great option if you’re looking for a spot cleaner. The 40-minute run time is a plus and allows for better coverage.