BISSELL PowerFresh Scrubbing & Sanitizing Steam Mop 1940A

The Bissell 1940A is a steam mop, not a vacuum, even though some shoppers find it while searching for wet/dry vacs. It cannot pick up dust, debris or liquid. If you want to steam-clean tile or sealed hardwood after vacuuming, read on. This page is based on manufacturer and retailer specifications and published reviews, not our own testing.

What the Bissell PowerFresh Scrubbing 1940A does

The Bissell PowerFresh Scrubbing 1940A heats water from a removable tank and releases steam through a microfiber pad on a swivel-steering head. It has three steam levels, and Bissell says it heats up in about 30 seconds. A flip-down scrubber pad is meant for stuck-on messes.

It has no suction, filter or dust bag. It is sold as a wet/dry model, but it only steams. If you need a wet vac for spills, debris or liquid, look in that category instead.

Bissell's product copy says the steam kills 99.9% of germs and bacteria. That is the manufacturer's claim and we have not verified it independently.

Specs and where they land in our catalogue

Spec	Detail
Type	Corded steam mop
Power	1,500 W
Weight	6.2 lb (2.81 kg)
Water tank	16 fl oz (0.47 L), removable
Cord length	About 23 ft (7.0 m)
Steam levels	3
Heat-up	About 30 seconds
Included	Microfiber mop pad, microfiber scrubby pad, scent discs
Color	Blue/white

Retailer listings disagree slightly on cord length (some say 23 ft, one lists 25 ft). We use the 23 ft figure that two published reviews also give.

Against other wet/dry-category entries in our catalogue, the weight is its standout: 6.2 lb (2.81 kg) ranks in the top 10% for low weight, where the median is 12.81 lb (5.81 kg). The 7.0 m cord ranks in the top quarter for length, against a median of 6.1 m. The water tank is the opposite story. At 0.47 L it ranks in the bottom quarter, against a median of 18.9 L, though that median mostly reflects dirt tanks on true vacuums, so the number says more about a steam mop's small reservoir than about a defect. Expect to refill on bigger floors.

Listings state a two-year limited warranty, which is typical for the group, and Bissell's page has advertised a 30-day money-back guarantee. Check the terms on the seller's page when you buy.

Floors it is meant for

Published descriptions list sealed hardwood, ceramic tile, marble, linoleum and granite as suitable, which matches how we classify it: hard floors and tile only. For dry pickup first, see vacuums for hardwood floors and tile floors. Steam and moisture can damage unsealed or worn wood finishes, so check your flooring maker's guidance and the Bissell manual first. The sources we reviewed do not say how it handles carpet or rugs, so assume it is not meant for them.

Drawbacks reported in listings and reviews

• No vacuuming. Loose dirt, pet hair and crumbs need removing first with a separate vacuum. The Bissell PowerFresh Vac and Steam page covers a model that adds a vacuum.
• Few extras. One published review notes there is no detachable handheld steamer, grout brush or other attachments. The Bissell 2685A page covers a related steam mop with a handheld steamer mode.
• Scent discs are cosmetic. The same review says they do not help cleaning.
• Controls and power. KTLA's product page mentions no on/off switch, and a retailer-sourced review summary calls the steam power modest and the scrubber just okay. These are other people's observations, not our findings.
• Small tank. The sources give no run time per fill that we can confirm.

No noise level is published for this model.

Buying the Bissell PowerFresh Scrubbing 1940A: what comes with it

The 1940A is a steam mop, so make sure the listing you open says steam mop and shows model 1940A rather than a vacuum from the same family, such as the PowerFresh Vac and Steam. Our spec table lists the box as a microfiber mop pad, a microfiber scrubby pad and scent discs, with a removable 16 fl oz water tank, a roughly 23 ft cord and a blue/white body. Some listings quote a slightly different cord length, so use the model code as the anchor.

Listings state a two-year limited warranty, and Bissell's page has advertised a 30-day money-back guarantee. Neither is guaranteed by every seller, so read the terms on the page you buy from. Spare pads are a separate purchase, so a listing that bundles extra pads is not the same package as the base unit.

The live offers list is easiest to read by comparing entries with the same code and contents. Tracked offers run $79.99 to $112, and the Bissell 1940A price should be checked against that spread against what is included before deciding.

Steam mop or vacuum: choosing the right tool

The 1940A makes sense if you already own a vacuum and want a simple, light mop for tile or sealed wood in an apartment or small home. It is a poor fit if you need one machine for dry debris, wet spills or carpets. For dry pickup on hard floors, a stick or upright vacuum does the job; for liquid and garage mess, a wet/dry vac is the right category. Other models from the maker are collected under the Bissell vacuum cleaners hub.

For dry pickup from the same maker, the Zing canister vacuum is a corded, bagged canister. Another Bissell model with its own page is the Little Green Mini.