Practice review: Bissell Sweep Up

I can't remember what I was doing in Big Lots a couple of weekends ago, but I walked out with an item I've been wanting for a while: A cordless sweeper, like the ones restaurant employees use to zip over a toddler's food-fetti before ushering over the next patrons.

This device appealed to me as a way to keep up with the thrice-daily toddler-meal monsoon without having to lug out the vacuum every time my 15-month old announces "all done" by flipping her plate to use as a steering wheel or hat.

So even though I wasn't specifically looking for it at the time, the all-black, slightly older version of this beauty was sitting on an endcap, with its $12 price sticker begging me to take it home.


Here's what I love about it:

• It took less than two minutes to "assemble" (screw the handle together).
• One could easily remove a link of the handle to make it just the right height for a child to operate (Is 2.5 too young to start pulling your own weight?).
• Its slightly grating squeal while in use is still much quieter (and less terrifying to kids) than regular vacuum and even DustBuster.
• I don't necessarily have to bother picking up toys before using it; I can use it to push them right out of my way without worrying about parts getting suctioned up.
• It may not grab every Cheerio, but there's always plenty of hair and other ickiness waiting for me in the easy-to-open collection bin.
• On higher-pile carpet, it makes lines almost exactly like those left by an actual vacuum.

But I'm not crazy about...

• The way the middle roller brush tends to fall off just as I'm really getting going faux vacuuming the upstairs. However, I'll concede that this is likely due to user error akin to employing a sand shovel to do a Bobcat job. The roller pops back in place easily.
• Having to clean out the roller brushes manually. The little comb for this task attaches conveniently to the handle, though it's all too easy to "forget" to rake out the hair and lint until "next time." (I have the same type of amnesia regarding DustBuster emptying.)

Overall, I'd call my $12 Bissell Sweep Up a successful impulse buy, which I will likely use on a regular basis for some time (i.e., until Spawn learn how to use it effectively).

Disclosure: Hope you liked my first review. I purchased the item described myself and received no compensation for writing about it. When and if companies do send free samples or other payment, I'll be the first to shout it from the rooftops.