Bissell SpinWave SmartSteam 3897A Review: Worth It? (October 2026)
This Bissell SpinWave review finds the SmartSteam 3897A best for sealed hard floors where you want steam and powered scrubbing in one mop. Pick the SpinWave 20393 for targeted solution spray without steam, or the PowerFresh Deluxe 1806 for a built-in brush.
On this page (8 sections)
- What does the Bissell SpinWave SmartSteam do?
- How should you choose among these floor cleaners?
- What should you check before buying the SmartSteam?
- How do you set up and use the SpinWave SmartSteam?
- What are common SpinWave SmartSteam mistakes?
- How should you care for the tank and pads?
- Is the Bissell SpinWave SmartSteam worth choosing?
- Sources and care guidance
The Bissell SpinWave review question comes down to whether you want rotating mop pads and steam in the same machine. The SmartSteam 3897A combines those tools for sealed hard floors, with two steam levels, a no-steam setting and controls at the handle.
It suits homes where powered scrubbing can help with dried spills and stuck-on messes. If you mainly need a simple mop for dust and small spills, or your flooring doesn't allow steam, another approach will be a better fit.
What does the Bissell SpinWave SmartSteam do?
The SmartSteam pairs two rotating microfiber pads with steam. Fingertip controls select two steam levels or no steam, and the LED display shows the cleaning mode and steam readiness.
Bissell SpinWave SmartSteam 3897A: Best for flexible sealed-floor cleaning
- Two rotating microfiber pads
- Two steam levels and no-steam mode
- 538 ml water tank
- LED display
A steam mop with dual rotating pads, fingertip controls and a display for cleaning mode and steam readiness. Its no-steam option adds a setting for sealed floors that need a gentler approach.
Pros
- Rotating pads spin up to 230 RPM
- Two steam levels and no-steam option
- LED display and headlights
- Removable water tank and washable microfiber pads
Cons
- Designed for sealed hard floors
- Steam and rotating pads may be more than you need for routine dust
The pads spin at up to 230 RPM. A swivel head helps you move around furniture and baseboards, while floor-directed LED headlights illuminate the area ahead.
The mop has a removable 538 ml tank and machine-washable pads. Its corded electric design means you’ll need to plan your route around an outlet, but the power connection avoids relying on a rechargeable battery.
Bissell describes the SmartSteam as quieter than a leading spinning steam mop. Room layout, flooring and your own noise tolerance affect how noticeable a mop sounds in daily use.
Who should choose this Bissell SpinWave review pick?
It’s a good match if you have sealed hard floors, want a powered pad to do the scrubbing, and prefer steam as a cleaning option. The no-steam mode adds flexibility, but it doesn't override your flooring maker’s instructions about which cleaning methods are allowed.
This model is less compelling if you rarely face stuck-on grime or want the simplest possible tool. Rotating pads, a water tank and washable parts give you more to prepare and care for than a basic mop.
How should you choose among these floor cleaners?
Choose the cleaning method you’ll use most often, then make sure it suits your floors. The SmartSteam is for steam plus rotating pads, while the SpinWave 20393 applies solution on demand without steam.
| Cleaner | Main approach | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| SpinWave SmartSteam 3897A | Steam and rotating pads | You want steam with powered scrubbing |
| SpinWave Hard Floor 20393 | Rotating pads and solution spray | You want to control solution application |
| PowerFresh Deluxe 1806 | Steam and a built-in SpotBoost Brush | You want a brush for sticky, localized messes |
| Shark Steam & Scrub S8002BRN | Steam and rotating pads | You want a similar steam-and-scrub setup |
The SpinWave 20393 makes more sense when you want to apply cleaning solution as needed. The PowerFresh Deluxe 1806 is a better match when you want steam and a built-in brush rather than rotating pads.
The Shark Steam & Scrub is the closest alternative here. For a focused comparison of its rotating-pad approach with Bissell’s, read Shark Steam & Scrub vs Bissell SpinWave.
What should you check before buying the SmartSteam?
Confirm that your floor is sealed and that its manufacturer permits steam. This matters particularly for laminate, vinyl and wood, where material and installation details can affect the care instructions.
For laminate, review whether you can steam mop laminate floors. If you have vinyl, check whether steam mopping vinyl floors is suitable before choosing a steam cleaner.
Also measure the place where you plan to store the mop. Its upright height is 47.4 in, so check for low shelves or closets, and make sure a corded cleaner can reach the rooms you want to clean.
How do you set up and use the SpinWave SmartSteam?
Set up the mop on a floor that is approved for its selected mode, attach the pads as shown in the manual, and fill the removable tank according to Bissell’s instructions. Plug it in, choose a mode at the handle, and wait for the display to show that steam is ready before beginning.
Use the low steam level when it’s appropriate for your floor and cleaning task, and reserve the higher level for situations where your floor care guidance permits it. The no-steam mode can be useful when you want the rotating pads without steam, but check the manual for how to use that mode correctly.
Move steadily and avoid leaving a hot mop stationary on the floor. For a steam mop routine, see our guide on how to use a Bissell steam mop.
What are common SpinWave SmartSteam mistakes?
The most consequential mistake is using steam on a floor that isn’t approved for it. A no-steam setting does not change the floor maker’s rules, and a surface that looks sealed may still have care limits.
Another mistake is treating the mop as a vacuum. Pick up loose dirt first so the pads can focus on damp cleaning, rather than pushing grit across the floor.
Don’t assume a higher steam level is always better. Choose a mode that your floor permits, keep the mop moving, and follow the manual’s guidance for the pads and solution use.
How should you care for the tank and pads?
Empty and store the tank as directed after cleaning, and let washable pads dry fully before putting them away. Follow the pad care instructions so detergent, heat or fabric softener doesn’t interfere with their cleaning use.
Keep spare clean pads ready if you’re cleaning a large area or moving between rooms. The included pads are reusable, so washing them after use is part of the routine rather than an optional extra.
If you’re unsure whether tap water is suitable, our guide to distilled water in a steam mop explains the considerations. For washing guidance, see how to clean steam mop pads.
Is the Bissell SpinWave SmartSteam worth choosing?
Choose the SmartSteam if you want steam and powered rotating pads for sealed floors, and you’re comfortable filling the tank and washing the pads. Pick the SpinWave 20393 if controlled solution spray matters more than steam, or the PowerFresh Deluxe 1806 if a built-in brush is the feature you’ll use most.
Skip the SmartSteam if your flooring maker doesn’t allow steam, you need a cordless cleaner, or a simpler mop already covers your routine. For more options, compare it with the best Bissell steam mops and the broader guide to steam cleaners for floors.
Sources and care guidance
For operating instructions and floor compatibility, read the Bissell SpinWave SmartSteam support information and your flooring manufacturer’s care guide. Bissell’s sanitization statement depends on following its directions.
For the difference between a steam mop and a larger steam cleaner, see steam mop vs steam cleaner.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Bissell SpinWave SmartSteam a steam mop?
Yes. The 3897A combines steam with two rotating microfiber pads and offers two steam levels plus a no-steam mode.
Its LED display shows the selected mode and steam readiness.
It is intended for sealed hard floors, so check your floor care guidance before using steam.
Can you use the Bissell SpinWave SmartSteam without steam?
Yes. Fingertip controls include a no-steam option alongside two steam levels.
That gives you another mode to consider for delicate sealed floors, but it doesn't mean every floor is suitable.
Follow your flooring maker's care instructions.
How is the SpinWave SmartSteam different from the SpinWave 20393?
The SmartSteam 3897A combines steam with rotating pads and has two steam levels plus a no-steam mode. The SpinWave 20393 uses powered pads and an on-demand spray for cleaning solution.
Choose according to whether steam or targeted solution application better fits your routine.
Does the Bissell SpinWave SmartSteam sanitize floors?
Bissell says the SmartSteam kills 99.9% of germs, bacteria and viruses using steam when used as directed. Follow the manual's instructions for the conditions needed to sanitize.
That claim doesn't make steam suitable for floors that aren't sealed or approved for steam.
