Bissell PowerFresh Deluxe Steam Mop Review: Worth It? (November 2026)
The Bissell PowerFresh Deluxe 1806 is a solid buy for sealed hard floors when you want a built-in scrub brush for stuck-on messes and quick 30-second heat. Skip it if you'd rather have three steam settings and a bigger tank for whole-home mopping.
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The Bissell PowerFresh Deluxe 1806 is worth buying for sealed hard floors if you want a built-in scrub brush and steam that's ready in about 30 seconds. Its two steam levels and 0.56-liter tank suit kitchens and entryways; a bigger tank and a third setting cost more but cover more floor.
That's the short version of what most Bissell PowerFresh Deluxe steam mop reviews are really weighing: scrubbing help versus tank size. This review walks through the specs that change daily use and names the model to pick instead if the 1806's trade-offs don't fit your home.
The Bissell PowerFresh Deluxe 1806 at a glance
The 1806 puts a flip-down SpotBoost brush on the mop head and keeps the rest simple. You get High and Low steam, a 0.56-liter tank and a 30-second warm-up.
Bissell PowerFresh Deluxe 1806: Best for stuck-on messes
- Built-in SpotBoost Brush
- High and Low steam modes
- 30-second warm-up
- 0.56-liter tank
A steam mop for kitchens and sealed floors where crumbs, spills and dried food land often. The flip-down SpotBoost brush does the scrubbing for you.
Pros
- Built-in SpotBoost brush handles sticky spots
- Ready in about 30 seconds
- Works with Spring Breeze scent discs
- Supports Bissell Pet Foundation
Cons
- Two steam levels only
- Smaller 0.56-liter tank than the 1940A
Bissell says the steam removes 99.9% of germs and bacteria on hard floors without harsh chemicals. That claim applies when you use the mop as directed, so keep the pad moving and let the steam do its work.
It's a corded upright at 6.2 lb. That weight is light enough to carry up stairs but steady enough to push without fighting it.
Bissell also supports its Pet Foundation with each purchase.
The mop is sold as a single unit under model number 1806C in the Sapphire Powerfresh Deluxe color. Its floor surfaces cover sealed hardwood, linoleum, ceramic, tile, marble and granite.
Steam alone does the sanitizing, so there's no bottle of floor cleaner to buy alongside it.
The included components are the mop itself plus the pad and measuring cup for filling. That's a lean kit.
It means the first session is just fill, attach, plug in and go.
Who the PowerFresh Deluxe 1806 suits
Buy it if your floors collect small, sticky messes more often than they need a deep whole-house clean. Kitchens, entryways and bathrooms are where the SpotBoost brush earns its place.
The brush is the reason to choose this model over a plain steam mop. Flip it down on dried cereal, sauce spots or sticky footprints, work the patch, then flip it back and mop the open floor.
Skip it if you mop large open areas in one go. A 0.56-liter tank and two steam levels mean more refills and fewer choices than the 1940A offers.
Skip it too if you want scent control and scrubbing without any extra steps, since the fragrance disc is a separate add-on.
It also suits homes with pets, where paw prints and dropped kibble land on sealed tile or laminate. A quick pass with steam lifts the surface mess without dragging out a bucket.
For accidents that soak in, though, the mop is only part of the answer.
Renters with sealed vinyl or laminate will find the upright easy to store. The corded design means no battery to charge, so it's always ready when you are.
Specs that matter in daily use
The numbers that change your routine are tank size, heat time, weight and steam control. Bissell lists 0.56 liters of capacity and a 30-second heat time for the 1806.
| Detail | Bissell PowerFresh Deluxe 1806 |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 0.56 liters |
| Heat time | 30 seconds |
| Weight | 6.2 lb |
| Steam levels | High and Low |
| Scrubbing | Built-in SpotBoost brush |
| Scent | Spring Breeze fragrance disc tray |
| Power | Corded |
| Floor types | Sealed hardwood, tile, ceramic, linoleum, marble, granite |
| Warranty | Check Bissell's terms for your model |
The 0.56-liter tank is the figure to think about. It's enough for a kitchen and a hallway, but a full floor plan may send you back to the sink.
Bissell includes a measuring cup so you can fill it without guessing.
Two steam levels cover the basics. Low handles everyday dust and light film, while High tackles greasy kitchen film and bathroom grime.
There's no middle setting, so you pick between gentle and strong.
The 30-second heat time matters on spill nights. You fill, plug in and start steaming before a mess dries into the floor.
The 6.2 lb weight sits in the same range as the 1940A, so the difference between them isn't heft. It's the tank and the steam settings.
The upright form factor means you push it like a vacuum rather than dragging a bucket behind you.
Setting up and using the 1806
Setup is short: fill the tank, plug in and wait for steam. Bissell includes a measuring cup, so you can pour a measured amount rather than filling to the rim.
- Fill the tank with water using the measuring cup.
- Attach a clean microfiber pad to the mop head.
- Plug in the cord and let the mop heat for about 30 seconds.
- Choose High or Low steam for the floor and mess.
- Flip down the SpotBoost brush on sticky patches.
- Work slowly so steam has time to loosen dirt.
Keep the mop moving on sealed wood. Parking it in one spot lets heat and moisture build up, which can dull a finish over time.
For scent, drop a Spring Breeze disc into the built-in tray. The disc is optional and the mop works without it.
If you're new to steam mopping, our guide on how to use a Bissell steam mop covers pad choice, water and floor safety step by step.
Getting the most from the SpotBoost brush
The SpotBoost brush works best when you give the steam a moment to soften the mess. Flip it down over the spot and hold the mop still for a beat before scrubbing.
Work the patch in short back-and-forth passes. Long strokes just spread the loosened grime across clean floor.
Short passes keep the scrubber in contact with the sticky part.
When the spot lifts, flip the brush back up and mop the area again with the pad to pick up what the scrub loosened. Otherwise the loosened film dries back onto the tile.
Rinse the brush under the tap after a tough job. Food caught between the bristles hardens and makes the next scrub less effective.
A quick rinse keeps it ready for the next spill.
Care and maintenance
Care comes down to clean pads and a fresh tank. Bissell's microfiber pad picks up the dirt, so a loaded pad just smears it around.
Wash pads after each session or when they look grimy. Rinse the tank and let it dry between uses so water doesn't sit and go stale.
Wipe the SpotBoost brush after sticky jobs. Dried food caught in the bristles makes the next scrub less effective.
Store the mop with the cord loosely wrapped. A tight wrap strains the cord where it meets the handle.
Empty the tank before storage rather than leaving it full. Standing water in a warm room is where smells start, and a dry tank means the next fill is fresh.
Let the pad air dry fully too, since a damp pad left on the head can pick up odor.
The corded design means there's no battery to manage. That's one less thing to maintain, though the cord itself is what limits where you can reach.
Trade-offs to know before you buy
The main trade-off is tank size against scrubbing help. The SpotBoost brush is the 1806's best feature, and the smaller tank is the price you pay for a lighter, simpler mop.
Two steam levels are enough for most homes but not for every floor. A third setting gives you a gentler middle option for delicate sealed surfaces.
The scent disc is an extra, not a built-in air freshener. If you want a steady scent while cleaning, plan to buy discs separately.
Weight is fine for a corded upright, though a lighter mop is easier on stairs and in tight rooms. The 6.2 lb figure is close to the 1940A, so neither is a burden.
Finally, steam mops are for sealed floors. Check any worn or unsealed finish before you start, since steam can lift a failing coat.
The 1806's own instructions list sealed surfaces for a reason, and skipping that check is the one mistake that turns a good mop into a floor repair.
How the 1806 compares to other steam mops
The 1806 sits in the middle of the Bissell steam mop range. Two alternatives change the balance depending on what you clean most.
If you want to see the full lineup first, our roundup of the best Bissell steam mops puts each model side by side.
Bissell PowerFresh 1940A: best for whole-home cleaning
The 1940A is the pick when tank size and steam choice matter more than the SpotBoost brush. It has three steam settings and a removable 16-ounce tank.
Its 23-foot power cord reaches across more rooms before you change outlets. The Easy Scrubber flips down for grout and dried spills, so it covers the scrubbing job too, just with a different design.
The removable tank is the practical difference. You carry it to the sink, fill it and click it back rather than hauling the whole mop to a faucet.
That matters when you refill more than once.
It also lists a maximum temperature of 212 °F, matching the boiling point of water, so the steam is hot enough for the sanitizing claim when used as directed. Choose the 1940A if you mop several rooms in one go.
Choose the 1806 if sticky kitchen spots are your main problem.
Shark Steam Pocket Mop S3501: best for tight spaces
The Shark S3501 suits small homes and cluttered rooms where you turn and reach constantly. It weighs under 5 lb and has swivel steering.
It comes with two washable double-sided microfiber pads. Flip the mop head to use the other side and keep cleaning without stopping to swap pads.
It has no scrub brush, so tough stuck-on messes need more effort from you. The lighter build and swivel head make everyday mopping easy in tight spots.
The trade-off is the missing scrubber: a sticky patch takes a few more passes or a separate tool.
Its long cord gives it a wide cleaning radius too, so reach isn't the weak point. The swivel steering is what sets it apart in a room full of chair legs and door frames.
If you're weighing a steam mop against a bucket and mop, our steam mop vs spin mop comparison explains the difference in effort and water use. And if you're deciding between a mop and a full steamer, steam mop vs steam cleaner covers which jobs each one handles.
Verdict: is the PowerFresh Deluxe 1806 worth it?
The Bissell PowerFresh Deluxe 1806 is a good buy for sealed floors that see sticky daily messes. The SpotBoost brush saves real scrubbing effort, and the 30-second heat means you'll actually use it on small spills.
Buy it if your cleaning centers on kitchens, entryways and bathrooms. Pick the PowerFresh 1940A instead if you mop large areas and want three steam settings with a bigger tank.
Pick the Shark S3501 if a lighter mop with swivel steering fits your rooms better.
Check your floor finish before the first use. Sealed hard floors are fine; unsealed or worn wood isn't.
That one check is the difference between a helpful tool and a costly mistake.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Bissell PowerFresh Deluxe 1806 work on hardwood floors?
Bissell says the PowerFresh Deluxe 1806 is safe on sealed hard floors, including hardwood, linoleum, ceramic, tile, marble and granite. Unsealed wood and floors with worn finish are a different story, so test a hidden spot first and keep the mop moving rather than letting steam sit in one place.
What is the SpotBoost brush on the PowerFresh Deluxe?
The SpotBoost brush is a built-in scrubbing attachment on the mop head. Flip it down over a sticky patch or dried food spill and work the area with steam to loosen the mess before mopping the rest of the floor.
How long does the PowerFresh Deluxe take to heat up?
Bissell lists a 30-second heat time for the PowerFresh Deluxe 1806. Fill the tank first, then let the mop come to steam before you start on the floor, since a cold pad mostly spreads water around.
Can you use scent discs with the PowerFresh Deluxe?
Yes. The 1806 has a built-in tray for Spring Breeze fragrance discs, which release a scent while you clean.
The disc is optional, and the steam sanitizing works the same without it.
Is the Bissell PowerFresh Deluxe 1806 good for pet homes?
It can help with everyday paw prints and light messes on sealed floors, and Bissell supports its Pet Foundation with each purchase. For accidents soaked into carpet or grout, use an enzyme cleaner first and follow it with the steam mop once the floor is ready.
