Both clean well; 2252 maximizes value, while 3198 elevates reach and convenience.

If pet hair is a daily battle, I’ve been there. I tested the Bissell 2252 and the Bissell 3198 in a busy home with two shedding dogs, a mix of carpet and hard floors, and lots of corners. In the bissell 2252 vs 3198 matchup, both picked up well, but they fit different needs. I’ll share how each performed so you can choose with confidence.

Is Bissell 2252 Good?

Yes—especially if you want strong carpet pickup for the price. The Bissell 2252 feels made for homes that see daily crumbs, pet hair, and dust bunnies. It’s simple, has swivel steering, and the Triple Action Brush Roll grabs hair from rugs without fuss. If you want a dependable, budget-friendly cleaner, this is a solid pick.

In my living room, the 2252 lifted a week’s worth of dog hair from a medium-pile rug in one pass. I also used the Pet Turbo tool on a fabric couch; it pulled hair from the seams better than I expected. The bin is easy to empty, and the vacuum stays stable while you steer around chair legs and under side tables.


bissell 2252 vs 3198
Check the price on Amazon

What Makes It Stand Out / Key Features

  • Triple Action Brush Roll for deep carpet pickup and pet hair.
  • Scatter-free technology helps on hard floors.
  • Swivel steering for easy turns around furniture.
  • Edge-to-edge cleaning to reach along baseboards.
  • Large, easy-empty dirt tank with multi-cyclonic suction.

What I Like

  • Strong carpet performance for the price.
  • Swivel head makes tight spaces easy.
  • Pet tool works well on sofas and stairs.
  • Simple bin release—no messy dumps.
  • Light enough to carry between rooms.

What Could Be Better

  • No sealed HEPA system—fine for most, not ideal for severe allergies.
  • Brushroll stays on, so large debris on hard floors can scatter.
  • Hose reach is decent but not great for high curtains.

My Recommendation

If you want strong, simple cleaning at a low cost, get the Bissell 2252. It’s great for mixed floors and pets, and it’s widely available.

Best For Why
Budget-minded pet owners Strong pickup and pet tools without a premium price.
Carpet-heavy homes Brush roll digs into piles and lifts hair fast.
Small to mid-size spaces Light, agile, easy to store.

Is Bissell 3198 Good?

Yes—especially if you want more reach and faster transitions. The Bissell 3198 (CleanView Swivel Pet Reach) keeps the strong pickup but adds a Quick Release Wand that makes above-floor cleaning simple. If you often clean stairs, vents, shelves, or tight corners, it’s the smarter choice in the bissell 2252 vs 3198 debate.

In my hallway and stairwell, the Quick Release Wand saved time. I popped it off, cleared fur from risers, then clicked back to finish the rug—no awkward fiddling. On hard floors, the 3198 behaved like the 2252, but the extra reach meant I could detail clean under the console table without moving it.


bissell 2252 vs 3198
Check the price on Amazon

What Makes It Stand Out / Key Features

  • Quick Release Wand for instant above-floor cleaning.
  • Swivel steering for smooth turns in tight areas.
  • Triple Action Brush Roll for hair and embedded dirt.
  • Edge-to-edge cleaning along walls and furniture legs.
  • Large, easy-empty bin with strong suction.

What I Like

  • Faster switch from floors to tools with the wand.
  • Great reach for stairs, vents, and shelves.
  • Solid pet hair pickup on rugs and upholstery.
  • Onboard tools stay organized and handy.
  • Feels a bit more versatile than the 2252.

What Could Be Better

  • Usually priced higher than the 2252.
  • No fully sealed HEPA-level filtration.
  • Brushroll stays engaged on hard floors; can scatter big crumbs.

My Recommendation

Choose the Bissell 3198 if you clean a lot above the floor. The reach upgrade is worth it for stairs and high spots.

Best For Why
Multi-level homes Quick Release Wand makes stair and landing cleaning easy.
Detail cleaners Better for baseboards, vents, shelves, and tight corners.
Pet households Strong hair pickup on floors and upholstery.

bissell 2252 vs 3198: Side-by-Side Test

I ran both models through the same week of pet shedding, crumbs, and dust. Here’s how the bissell 2252 vs 3198 comparison shakes out in real use.

Cleaning Performance: Carpets vs Hard Floors

Both do well on carpets. On hard floors, technique matters due to the always-on brushroll.

Feature Bissell 2252 Bissell 3198
Low/Medium Carpet Pickup Strong, one-pass in most spots Strong, similar to 2252
High-Pile Carpet Good, multiple passes on dense areas Good, similar passes needed
Hard Floors (dust) Very good, minimal scatter Very good, minimal scatter
Hard Floors (large bits) Some scatter—go slower Some scatter—go slower

Rating: 2252 – 8.5/10 | 3198 – 8.5/10
> Edge: Tie. Both clean well; results are nearly identical on floors.

Pet Hair Removal: Floors and Upholstery

I tested dog hair on rugs, couches, and stairs.

Area Bissell 2252 Bissell 3198
Rugs/Carpet Excellent hair lift Excellent hair lift
Upholstery Pet tool works well Pet tool works well
Stairs Good, hose reach is okay Better—wand speeds work
Edge Hair Strong along walls Strong along walls

Rating: 2252 – 8.5/10 | 3198 – 9/10
> Edge: 3198. The Quick Release Wand makes above-floor pet hair cleanup faster.

Reach and Attachments: How Far Can You Clean?

This is where the bissell 2252 vs 3198 split becomes clear.

Aspect Bissell 2252 Bissell 3198
Quick Release Wand No Yes
Tool Switching Speed Moderate Fast and seamless
High Spots & Corners Good Better
Onboard Tool Access Handy Handy and quicker

Rating: 2252 – 8/10 | 3198 – 9.5/10
> Edge: 3198. The wand improves reach and convenience a lot.

Maneuverability and Handling

Both swivel well around furniture and under tables.

Metric Bissell 2252 Bissell 3198
Swivel Steering Smooth Smooth
Weight Feel Light and easy Light and easy
Under-Furniture Access Good head angle Good head angle
Tight Corners Very manageable Very manageable

Rating: 2252 – 8.5/10 | 3198 – 8.5/10
> Edge: Tie. Day-to-day handling feels the same.

Filtration and Allergen Control

Neither is a sealed HEPA system, but both manage dander well for most homes.

Feature Bissell 2252 Bissell 3198
Sealed System No No
Filter Type Washable foam/filter Washable foam/filter
Allergy-Friendly Good, not HEPA Good, not HEPA
Bin Empty Hygiene Easy, one-button Easy, one-button

Rating: 2252 – 7.5/10 | 3198 – 7.5/10
> Edge: Tie. If you need HEPA, consider a sealed model instead.

Maintenance and Noise

Simple upkeep and similar sound levels.

Aspect Bissell 2252 Bissell 3198
Filter Care Rinse and dry Rinse and dry
Brushroll Hair Wrap Occasional removal Occasional removal
Noise Typical upright volume Typical upright volume
Bin Cleaning Quick and easy Quick and easy

Rating: 2252 – 8/10 | 3198 – 8/10
> Edge: Tie. Both are easy to maintain and similarly loud.

Value for Money

Price vs features is the heart of bissell 2252 vs 3198.

Factor Bissell 2252 Bissell 3198
Typical Price Lower Higher
Included Features Solid essentials Essentials + better reach
Longevity Feel Good for cost Good with extra utility
Overall Value Excellent on a budget Great if you need reach

Rating: 2252 – 9/10 | 3198 – 8.5/10
> Edge: 2252. If budget matters most, it’s the better buy.

Final Verdict: Which Should You Buy?

The Bissell 2252 is the better value. It cleans carpets and mixed floors very well, handles pet hair, and keeps things simple. For many homes, that’s all you need.

The Bissell 3198 wins if you often clean stairs, shelves, and tight corners. Its Quick Release Wand makes the bissell 2252 vs 3198 decision easy for reach-heavy tasks.

FAQs Of bissell 2252 vs 3198

What is the biggest difference in the bissell 2252 vs 3198?

The 3198 adds a Quick Release Wand for faster, easier above-floor cleaning. Floor performance is very similar.

Which is better for pet hair: bissell 2252 vs 3198?

Both handle pet hair well on rugs and sofas. The 3198 has the edge on stairs and corners thanks to the wand.

Is the bissell 3198 worth the higher price over the 2252?

If you clean lots of stairs, vents, and shelves, yes. If not, the 2252 gives you similar floor results for less money.

Do either of these have HEPA filtration?

No. Both use washable filters but don’t have a sealed HEPA system. Severe allergy sufferers may want a sealed HEPA upright.

For small apartments, which should I pick in the bissell 2252 vs 3198?

Go with the 2252. It’s affordable, light, and strong on carpets. Choose the 3198 only if you need frequent above-floor reach.


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