The Bissell Revolution HydroSteam Pet Erased All Evidence of My Sister’s Messy Puppy

Updated: Apr. 02, 2024

Emily Way/RD.com

Bissell says the new Revolution HydroSteam Pet is a splurge-worthy deep cleaner, so we put it to the test.

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I love animals, and puppies are pretty high up on my list of favorites. However, they’re not exactly clean—those little paws are notoriously good at getting into trouble! When my sister adopted her new pup Porkchop and suffered subsequent spills and accidents, I volunteered to help her with a carpet deep clean (I know—my “sister of the year” award is well overdue!). Between a fleet of dogs, cats and kids, I knew that she had her cleaning work cut out for her. And as a huge fan of spot removers, I hate to see a good carpet get riddled with stains!

Bissell offered to send me the new Bissell Revolution HydroSteam Pet for review, and I knew my sister’s home was the perfect place to test it out. So, I did what any good sister would do: I packed the machine into my car and headed over to rescue her rugs. Between marker stains and puppy pee, this carpet cleaner really had its work cut out for it!

My instincts proved correct. Spoiler alert: The HydroSteam Pet performed even better than expected on my sister’s stain-laden living room, removing everything from paint to pee and a few questionable stains in between. Here’s everything you need to know about this carpet cleaning superhero.

What is the Bissell Revolution HydroSteam Pet?

Bissell Revolution Hydrosteam Pet Emily Way/RD.com

Bissell is a household name in cleaning. Between a huge selection of great vacuums, plus reliable performance and generous warranties, it’s no wonder customers keep coming back. The Bissell Revolution HydroSteam Pet is the brand’s newest addition to its carpet cleaner lineup. Featuring Bissell’s first-ever foray into steam technology, the HydroSteam Pet uses a blast of hot air in addition to powerful suction, lifting out set-in stains in seconds.

Not only does this carpet scrubber remove pet stains, but it also uses two rows of brushes to force debris out from deep within carpets. This, coupled with powerful suction, is a surefire way to rid floors of both sticky spills and pet hair alike. Each unit arrives with a collection of attachments for upholstery, plus stairs and spot treatments and two trial-size bottles of floor and upholstery cleaning solution.

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We Tried It

Bissell Revolution HydroSteam Pet

The Bissell Revolution HydroSteam Pet uses steam technology to pull up tough stains. Superheated steam penetrates carpet fibers easier than water, while heat helps draw out residue.

How We Tested It

Puppy Pee

Dog lying on the carpet Emily Way/RD.com

Upon entering my sister’s home, Porkchop was happy to greet me at the door. Maybe a little too happy, considering he had an accident mere minutes after my arrival. Normally, I would be reaching for a generic carpet stain remover, but this was a perfect first test for the Bissell Revolution HydroSteam Pet.

I quickly assembled it by sliding the handle into the body of the machine, then filling the tank with water and solution using the handy fill lines. Once the tank was snapped in place and the machine heated up, I was ready to remedy Porkchop’s mishap. I used the steam setting to pretreat the stain, which took seconds to remove. It was almost effortless, requiring just two passes to completely eliminate any trace of yellow.

Then, I tested out the quick dry function by switching modes using the button on the handle. The carpet didn’t even feel wet after treating it. Unlike other carpet cleaners that use heat, this machine employs almost black hole-tier suction to literally suck out every ounce of wetness. It also passed the “wet sock” test after walking in on only minutes after treating the stain. As a bonus, it did double duty and pulled up a bit of pet hair that was stuck deep in the carpet, too. Win!

Marker Stains

Before and After of a Rug Emily Way/RD.com

While not a replacement for a proper pet hair vacuum, the carpet cleaner does pick up a lot of hair and debris as it sucks up solution. We vacuumed the entire living room and prepared for another round of cleaning, this time over the entire carpet.

Next up was a constellation of set-in marker stains. We didn’t have high hopes since the stains were there for years, but amazingly the Bissell machine pulled up a ton of pigment. For reference, these tough stains were still plaguing my sister after countless carpet treatments, some of which were from machines that were even costlier than the Bissell. While we weren’t able to entirely remove the stains with two rounds of the spot tool, they were seriously lightened. With a few more treatments they won’t be nearly as noticeable. If we were to catch them fast enough next time, I’m confident we could stop any kind of staining at all.

Despite vacuuming prior to going in with the Bissell Revolution HydroSteam Pet, the HydroSteam Pet pulled up an alarming amount of leftover dirt. Plus, it’s so satisfying to watch the brown water leach up from the carpet fibers. If it wasn’t so gross, I could spend an entire day mesmerized by the sheer amount of ick it grabs.

Bissell Revolution HydroSteam Pet Product Features

Bissell Revolution Hydrosteam Pet Machine Emily Way/RD.com

Features

Steam technology to release set-in stains
Two trial-size formulas included
Pet upholstery tool
Stair tool
EZ Clean brush roll cover
Hose attachment
Five-year limited warranty

Pros

Steam technology that pretreats tough stains
Quick dry mode
Sleek design
Controls on handle for easy access
LED display
Picks up pet hair
Two rows of brushes for deep penetration

Cons

Relatively small tank size
Took some time to learn the controls
A bit heavy at 22 pounds

FAQ

Which Bissell pet stain remover is best?

It’s hard to go wrong with any of Bissell’s pet stain products. For set-in stains and larger areas, consider the Bissell Revolution HydroSteam Pet. Those who have less frequent stains, a smaller apartment or fewer pets should invest in the much more portable Pet Stain Eraser.

What is HydroSteam technology?

The Bissell Revolution HydroSteam Pet uses steam technology to pull up tough stains. Superheated steam penetrates carpet fibers easier than water, while heat helps draw out residue. Those looking for something that focuses less on stains and more on dirt and fur may have more luck with the editor-tested Bissell Pet Hair Eraser.

What is the difference between the Bissell Revolution products?

Bissell’s Revolution line offers an assortment of carpet cleaners that offer distinct benefits. The Revolution HydroSteam Pet is best for sticky or set-in messes that require a steam pretreatment to pull up. It’s also perfect for older stains and frequent deep cleanings since it offers strong suction and additional precision using the included attachments.

The ProHeat 2X Revolution machine comes with similar attachments and performance to the Revolution HydroSteam. However, it doesn’t use any steam while pulling up stains. It’s preferable for infrequent pet messes, smaller spills and smaller areas. Plus, it’s nearly $130 less than the Revolution HydroSteam Pet—perfect for those on a budget.

What Other Reviewers are Saying

Reviewers on Amazon praise the Bissell Revolution HydroSteam Pet for its ease of use and incredible cleaning power.

“This machine is the best,” writes verified purchaser Jackie S. “I was going to have my carpet professionally cleaned and the company was charging $275 for upstairs, downstairs and staircase. I bought this machine instead and it does a better job than the professionals did the last time I had my carpet cleaned. Now I can keep my carpet clean myself so this machine is well worth the money.”

Reviewer Victor E. loves his Revolution so much that he switched brands after trying one. “All my life I’ve been a Hoover guy… this Bissell has changed the game. The steam function is amazing. And the steam with clean function cannot be beat. I would recommend this 1000 times over. It’s by far the easiest steam cleaner that I have ever used. The water changing function is also very, very easy, much easier than any Hoover that I’ve ever owned.”

Final verdict

Anyone who suffers with subpar carpets will absolutely love the Bissell Revolution HydroSteam Pet. Between simple controls and superior stain-fighting power, cat puke and puppy pee have met their match. While the machine itself is pretty heavy at 22 pounds, it’s also not made to be a portable carpet cleaner.

Those looking for something travel-friendly would be happier with the popular Little Green machine. However, families with large stains or sticky messes won’t regret splurging on the Revolution HydroSteam. It’s so handy that I was afraid my sister wouldn’t want to part with it. At least I have a good idea of what she wants for Christmas this year!

Update

After eight months of use, the Bissell Revolution HydroSteam Pet has more than earned its spot in my cleaning rotation. Even after I replaced my carpets with hardwood, I still use the upholstery attachment to keep my well-loved Kova Pit sectional from looking its age. A few things this handy cleaning sidekick saved my couch and carpet from include cat puke, nacho cheese sauce, diet coke, red wine (!!!) and herbal tea. I cringe thinking about what my living room would look like without my trusty Bissell by my side. Where to buy the Bissell Revolution HydroSteam Pet

The Bissell Revolution HydroSteam Pet is available on Bissell.com and Amazon. It’s a bit pricey at around $400, but if that’s the price of stain-free floors, we can’t complain. After all, that’s less than the cost of a whole new carpet and rivals the price of a professional job (which lasts only as long as it takes to spill another drink, might I add). Pet owners, take note: While Bissell cleaners can be costly, the peace-of-mind they give you is 100% priceless.