• Sweep brooms, also known as floor sweepers, have the same rolling bristles of a vacuum, but they require no motor and lift up dirt simply by rolling over the area.
• They are ideal for cleaning small spaces or messes when a broom or vacuum would be more of a hassle.
• The Bissell floor sweeper has multiple brushes and dustbins that improve cleaning power and extend the amount of time you can use it before you need to empty it.

Outside of seeing one that dated back to the Reagan administration collecting dust in my parents’ garage, I didn’t have much experience with sweep brooms, also known as floor sweepers, before trying out the Bissell Natural Sweep. I sort of assumed this cleaning appliance was a relic that didn’t stand up to the rigors of modern life, but after using the Bissell around my apartment, I realized how wrong I was.

No, it won’t totally replace a high-quality upright vacuum, but it’s not meant for that. It’s an ideal device for homes with little storage space, for apartments with just a few rugs, or as a go-between to delay the time between each deep clean of your carpet or floor. And this sweeper comes with a second roller that helps increase the device’s cleaning power, and a second dustbin to improve its capacity.

There aren’t a ton of moving parts on this cleaner. Under the body, there are two rollers—one in front and one in back. Each of these rollers has its own separate dustbin that snaps open when it’s time to empty. In the corners, there are small wheels that keep the sweep broom in motion. These are close enough to the floor that the rollers always make solid contact.

Out of the box, all I had to do was attach the handle and start rolling, and when I did, the sweep broom itself is virtually soundless. Outside of the muffled sound of the rollers and wheels, it makes no real noise at all. Furthermore, the cleaning process took around the same amount of time as it does when I use a regular vacuum. I covered areas twice over, running it forward and backwards, then moved on. After cleaning, the difference was notable. All visible hair, dirt, and dust was lifted easily, and emptying out the dustbins was proof of how well it worked. The dustbins fill up relatively quickly, comparable to how quickly they fill on most robot vacuums, so make sure to empty them at least once midway through cleaning up a large area.

It’s worth noting that the sweep broom did not dig down nearly as deep as even a cordless stick vacuum and is certainly not close to the level of a carpet cleaner. However, it works incredibly well for taking off the top layer of debris. This makes it ideal for low-traffic areas that don’t require a deep clean or as a way to prolong the time between deep cleans in higher-traffic areas.

Final Thoughts

I like the Bissell Natural Sweep because it’s simple, quiet, and easy. It cleans every surface type, and it doesn’t require me to get on my hands and knees. It also fits neatly into compact storage spaces, especially if I remove the handle. It won’t clean as well as a regular vacuum, but not every mess requires that amount of power. In those cases, this floor sweeper will get the job done quickly and quietly.

Shop the Bissell Natural Sweep Floor Sweeper