Bissell's Move To China

The oldest Bissell I've used was the PureAir from around 2000. The last time I got to see one of those was in 2004 so I can't tell you where it was made, but I can say that it was quite a vacuum. It was quiet, groomed the carpet well, and very user friendly. I know they were recalled at some point, and it certainly did not last my aunt very long, but it was so much better than their current lineup. I'm not sure I'd buy one for full price however; I understand that they were sold for over $200.

My family owned a late 1990s Bissell LittleGreen for many years too. It was used often and lasted until 2008 or so; about 11 years. It was much better built than today's models for sure. I would certainly pay full price one of those new.

The last Bissell I bought new was made in Korea, and that was about a year ago. I know Bissell was still manufacturing in America in the late 80s to at least the early 90s. They were the ones who built the Cleartrack machines. I think they might have done something for Oreck at some point as well, but I'm not sure.

Overall, I'd certainly say that the older Bissells are both better products and better built than today. I think they reached their peak in quality in the early 2000s. By 2005 they had started their current path. But I'm sure that they are making much more money today than they were a decade ago.

I too would love Hoover to bring back their manufacturing to America, but I've come to accept they won't. They are owed by a Chinese company now, and even if they did return, their products of yesterday would not. It's sad but true.


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Post# 200834 9/15/2012 at 21:41 (4,234 days old) by director12 ()
Checkrate/Likes 1 Can anyone remember what year Bissell moved to China for machine productions? The American and Korean products are better made. Fantomfan, I'm sorry to hear about your Powerforce not being in the family anymore. FantomLightning and bagintheback, do you like the older Bissells better than the newer models? Anyone, I need to know if Korean Bissell's are better than Chinese. I want Hoover to go back to the USA so badly, to stay true to their roots.

Post# 200838 , Reply# 1 9/15/2012 at 22:58 (4,234 days old) by bagintheback (Flagstaff, Arizona)
Checkrate/Likes 1 The oldest Bissell I've used was the PureAir from around 2000. The last time I got to see one of those was in 2004 so I can't tell you where it was made, but I can say that it was quite a vacuum. It was quiet, groomed the carpet well, and very user friendly. I know they were recalled at some point, and it certainly did not last my aunt very long, but it was so much better than their current lineup. I'm not sure I'd buy one for full price however; I understand that they were sold for over $200. My family owned a late 1990s Bissell LittleGreen for many years too. It was used often and lasted until 2008 or so; about 11 years. It was much better built than today's models for sure. I would certainly pay full price one of those new. The last Bissell I bought new was made in Korea, and that was about a year ago. I know Bissell was still manufacturing in America in the late 80s to at least the early 90s. They were the ones who built the Cleartrack machines. I think they might have done something for Oreck at some point as well, but I'm not sure. Overall, I'd certainly say that the older Bissells are both better products and better built than today. I think they reached their peak in quality in the early 2000s. By 2005 they had started their current path. But I'm sure that they are making much more money today than they were a decade ago. I too would love Hoover to bring back their manufacturing to America, but I've come to accept they won't. They are owed by a Chinese company now, and even if they did return, their products of yesterday would not. It's sad but true.

Post# 200840 , Reply# 2 9/15/2012 at 23:37 (4,234 days old) by director12 ()
Checkrate/Likes 1 I agree, the older Bissells are better built than the newer models.

Post# 201226 , Reply# 3 9/19/2012 at 17:03 (4,230 days old) by bravokid ()
Checkrate/Likes 1 I have one of these machines in my collection labeled as power clean and it indeed was made in the USA it is a very powerful cleaner those 12 amp direct air motors were beastly to say the least one of my favorite's reminds me of a bravo maybe even a little better. These are keepers and the recall was only due to the. Cord not the cleaner it self

Post# 201229 , Reply# 4 9/19/2012 at 17:28 (4,230 days old) by director12 ()
Checkrate/Likes I like the American and Korean Bissells better.

Post# 366595 , Reply# 5 2/12/2017 at 01:03 (2,624 days old) by Buster1849 (-)
Checkrate/Likes 1 I do have a bissell cleanview that was made in korea and was purchased in 2005. The oldest bissell I have ever used is the lift-off bagged from 1998 and the last time I saw it was in 2015. I haven't really had any experience with one of the newer ones but judging from the reviews i've read the ones that were built up until the late 2000's(2008 or 2009) were much better quality wise.

Post# 366651 , Reply# 6 2/12/2017 at 19:43 (2,623 days old) by Buster1849 (-)
Checkrate/Likes 1 Picture of my cleanview View Full Size

Post# 376466 , Reply# 7 8/5/2017 at 22:30 (2,449 days old) by carolinaguy1996 (Candler, NC)
Checkrate/Likes That's true. Korean Bissells were due to Samsung's involvement. Samsung dumped their vacuums. Was it due to their Note 7-style explosions?