Bissell PowerFresh 1940A Steam Mop Review: Worth It? (October 2026)
The Bissell PowerFresh 1940A suits routine cleaning and dried-on spills on floors approved for steam. Choose it for adjustable steam and its flip-down scrubber, the Shark S3501 for lighter carrying, or the PowerFresh Deluxe 1806 for a detachable spot brush.
On this page (9 sections)
- Who should buy the Bissell PowerFresh 1940A?
- What floors can you clean with the PowerFresh?
- How useful are the steam controls and Easy Scrubber?
- Are the tank, cord and weight practical for your rooms?
- Which alternative fits your cleaning routine?
- How should you set up and use the PowerFresh?
- How do you care for the pads and water tank?
- What mistakes should you avoid with a steam mop?
- Should you choose the Bissell PowerFresh 1940A?
The Bissell PowerFresh 1940A is a sensible choice for routine dirt and dried-on kitchen spills if your floor manufacturer allows steam cleaning. Its adjustable steam and flip-down scrubber suit homes where most mopping is straightforward, with a few stubborn spots along the way.
Choose a different tool if your main problem is crumbs, pet hair or liquid spills that need collecting. A steam mop works on a floor you've already cleared of loose debris.
Who should buy the Bissell PowerFresh 1940A?
Buy the 1940A if you want regular mopping and occasional spot scrubbing in one tool. It makes the most sense for a kitchen, dining area or other steam-approved hard floor where tracked-in dirt and dried splashes share the same cleaning route.
Bissell PowerFresh 1940A
- 3 steam settings
- Flip-down Easy Scrubber
- 23 ft power cord
- Removable water tank
- Washable microfiber pads
A practical choice for kitchens with steam-approved floors and a mix of routine dirt and dried-on spills. The flip-down scrubber keeps spot cleaning part of your mopping routine.
Pros
- Adjustable steam for different cleaning tasks
- Flip-down scrubber for dried-on grime and grout
- Removable tank fills at the sink
- Reusable washable microfiber pads
Cons
- Requires floors approved for steam cleaning
- Loose debris needs sweeping or vacuuming first
- Cord and pad washing add routine chores
The removable tank is useful if you prefer filling at a sink rather than pouring water into the mop. Reusable pads also suit a household willing to wash cleaning cloths after each session.
The main commitment is the routine around the mop: clear the floor, manage the cord, change dirty pads and let everything dry before storage. Those chores matter more to everyday convenience than an optional fresh scent.
When is the PowerFresh 1940A the wrong choice?
Skip it if you want one machine to collect debris and wash the floor. Sweeping or vacuuming remains a separate step, so a steam mop won't shorten that part of your routine.
Also skip it if your flooring prohibits steam or its care instructions are unclear. Buying a steam mop first and checking floor compatibility later can leave you with a tool you cannot use in your main rooms.
For frequent moves up and down stairs, compare the lighter Shark below. If choosing the cleaning method is still the bigger question, our guide to choosing a steam mop explains the category's main trade-offs.
What floors can you clean with the PowerFresh?
Use the 1940A only on sealed hard floors whose care instructions allow steam. Bissell names sealed hardwood, tile, ceramic, granite and marble among its intended surfaces.
Flooring guidance takes priority over the mop's surface recommendations. Heat and moisture can affect finishes, seams and adhesives differently, so a floor's material name alone is not enough to approve steam cleaning.
Look for care instructions for your exact flooring, especially in homes with several floor types. An approved tile kitchen does not make the adjoining wood or laminate room suitable.
Check the floor's condition too. Loose tiles, damaged finishes and open joints need attention rather than extra steam or harder scrubbing.
If you have wood flooring, our guide to whether you can steam mop hardwood floors explains what to check. When approval is missing, use the floor manufacturer's recommended cleaning method.
How useful are the steam controls and Easy Scrubber?
The controls are useful when your floor has different levels of dirt in the same room. The Easy Scrubber adds a way to address dried-on patches without reaching for a separate brush.
For routine cleaning, start with the lowest steam level suitable for the task and permitted by the instructions. More steam is not automatically better, especially if it leaves more moisture than the floor can safely tolerate.
Use the scrubber for a defined spot, then continue mopping to collect the loosened dirt. Work within Bissell's directions instead of pressing hard or leaving the hot head parked over a mark.
A stubborn patch may need another careful pass or a floor-approved spot-cleaning method. Don't keep adding heat to an unknown stain, damaged finish or discolored grout and expect scrubbing to solve it.
The scrubber is a useful buying reason if you regularly clean dried food splashes. It matters less if your floor mainly gathers dust, which you should remove before steaming anyway.
Are the tank, cord and weight practical for your rooms?
The 1940A's 16 fl oz removable tank and 23 ft cord suit buyers who can plan a cleaning route around nearby outlets. Its 6.2 lb weight also deserves attention if the mop will live on a different floor from the rooms you clean.
Map the route from the outlet to the farthest corner, allowing for furniture and doorways. A cord that reaches across an empty room may feel shorter once it has to pass around a table.
Keep the cord behind your working area and out of the mop's path. Move to another outlet before you reach the limit rather than pulling the cable taut.
The tank's size tells you how much water it holds, not an exact cleaning time. Steam output and how you work affect water use, so don't plan a whole-home session around an assumed runtime.
The removable design makes refills easier at the sink. Follow the manual's shutdown and refill steps, and avoid lifting or handling hot parts to save a few seconds.
Which alternative fits your cleaning routine?
Choose the Shark S3501 for easier carrying or the PowerFresh Deluxe 1806 for its detachable spot brush. Keep the 1940A as your first choice when adjustable output and a flip-down scrubber match your normal floor care.
| Detail | Bissell PowerFresh 1940A | Shark Steam Pocket Mop S3501 | Bissell PowerFresh Deluxe 1806 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam controls | 3 settings | Follow operating instructions | High and Low modes |
| Spot-cleaning feature | Flip-down Easy Scrubber | Double-sided cleaning pads | Detachable SpotBoost Brush |
| Water tank | 16 fl oz | 15.2 fl oz | 0.56 L |
| Weight | 6.2 lb | 4.9 lb | 6.2 lb |
| Filling | Removable tank | Included filling flask | Included measuring cup |
Choose the Shark S3501 for carrying and furniture
The Shark is the better fit if lifting the mop and steering around furniture are your main concerns. Its swivel steering suits rooms where chair legs and other obstacles break up the cleaning path.
It includes 2 double-sided washable microfiber pads. Flipping the head gives you another cleaning face, which helps when the first side becomes dirty partway through a room.
Both faces eventually need washing, so this is a convenience feature rather than a way to avoid pad care. Skip the Shark if your main buying reason is a dedicated scrubber for recurring stuck-on food.
For a broader comparison of the brands, see Shark steam mop vs. Bissell.
Choose the PowerFresh Deluxe 1806 for focused spot work
The Deluxe fits buyers who prefer a detachable brush for sticky patches. Its SpotBoost Brush is the reason to choose it over the original PowerFresh, rather than assuming the Deluxe name means it suits everyone better.
The simpler steam controls may be enough if you want a straightforward choice between routine and tougher cleaning tasks. An included measuring cup handles filling.
Skip it if you want finer adjustment of steam output or a lighter mop to carry upstairs. It weighs the same as the 1940A, so the brush style should drive this choice.
How should you set up and use the PowerFresh?
Start with a debris-free floor, a clean pad and the correct water fill. Good preparation keeps loose grit out of the cleaning path and gives the pad room to collect dirt.
- Check the floor and route. Confirm steam approval, remove small obstacles and choose an outlet that lets you work toward the exit.
- Sweep or vacuum. Remove crumbs, hair and grit, including debris along baseboards and under chair legs.
- Attach the pad while the mop is cool. Follow the manual so the pad sits correctly and covers the cleaning head as intended.
- Fill as directed. Use the water type Bissell recommends, observe the fill limit and secure the tank before powering on.
- Allow it to heat. Bissell gives a 30-second warm-up for the 1940A; follow its readiness guidance before beginning.
- Work in controlled passes. Keep the head moving according to the instructions and address stubborn spots with the scrubber as needed.
- Change a dirty pad. Stop safely and allow hot parts to cool before handling them, following the manual's procedure.
A clean pad is especially important when moving from a dirty entryway into a cleaner room. Continuing with a heavily soiled pad can spread residue instead of lifting it away.
Let the floor dry before walking across it or replacing rugs. Keep children and pets clear of the hot mop and cleaning area while you work.
Our guide on how to use a steam mop covers the full routine in more detail.
How do you care for the pads and water tank?
Wash the pads after cleaning and let the mop and pads dry before storage. Putting everything away damp can leave stale odors and make the next cleaning session less pleasant.
Follow the pad's washing instructions, including guidance on detergent and dryer use. Avoid fabric softener unless specifically allowed, since residue can reduce microfiber's ability to absorb and collect dirt.
Check the pad for trapped grit before reusing it. A pad can look fairly clean while still holding particles that should not be dragged across a floor.
Follow Bissell's directions for emptying the tank and storing the mop. Do not improvise a vinegar soak or descaling treatment unless the manual approves it.
If steam output changes, unplug the mop and let it cool before checking the manual's troubleshooting steps. Inspect the water supply and pad fit as directed rather than poking at a hot steam outlet.
Optional Spring Breeze scent discs add fragrance. Leave them out if you prefer fragrance-free cleaning, and never substitute oils or scented liquids in the tank.
What mistakes should you avoid with a steam mop?
Avoid dirty pads, unapproved additives and leaving the hot head stationary. These habits can create residue, excess moisture or avoidable stress on the floor.
- Using steam instead of removing debris. Crumbs and hair need collecting before you mop.
- Choosing maximum output for every room. Match the setting to the task and floor guidance rather than treating higher output as the default.
- Scrubbing damaged areas harder. A worn finish or loose grout needs the right repair or care method.
- Adding floor cleaner to the tank. Follow the water instructions; detergent and other additives belong only where expressly approved.
- Putting a wet pad away on the mop. Let parts cool, remove the pad as directed and dry everything before storage.
- Treating a quick pass as sanitizing. Routine cleaning and a specified sanitizing procedure are different tasks.
Bissell says the 1940A kills 99.9% of germs, bacteria and viruses when used as directed with its microfiber pads. Follow the exact procedure rather than inventing a dwell time or holding the mop still.
If you need help separating dirt removal from sanitizing claims, read our explainer on how well steam mops work.
Should you choose the Bissell PowerFresh 1940A?
Choose the Bissell PowerFresh 1940A if your floors permit steam and your routine includes dried-on spills. Its flip-down scrubber fits buyers who want to handle those spots while working through the room.
Choose the Shark if carrying the mop and moving around furniture matter more. Choose the Deluxe if you specifically prefer a detachable brush for focused spot cleaning.
If your daily mess is mostly loose debris and wet spills, compare a steam mop with a wet-dry vacuum mop before buying. For more steam-cleaning options, use our best steam mops guide to narrow the choice around your floors and cleaning routine.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Bissell PowerFresh 1940A good for hardwood floors?
The PowerFresh 1940A is designed for sealed hardwood, but use it only when your floor manufacturer also permits steam cleaning. A sealed finish does not make every wood floor suitable for heat and moisture.
If permission is unclear, choose the cleaning method recommended for your exact flooring.
What makes the PowerFresh 1940A different from the Deluxe 1806?
The 1940A has 3 steam settings and a flip-down Easy Scrubber, while the Deluxe 1806 has High and Low modes and a detachable SpotBoost Brush. Pick the original for finer steam adjustment, or the Deluxe if a removable brush better suits the sticky spots you regularly clean.
Can the Bissell PowerFresh 1940A sanitize floors?
Bissell says the 1940A kills 99.9% of germs, bacteria and viruses when used as directed with its microfiber pads. Follow the sanitizing procedure in the manual, including any required timing and movement.
A quick cleaning pass does not automatically meet those conditions, and the floor must permit steam.
Does the PowerFresh 1940A use cleaning chemicals?
The PowerFresh 1940A uses steam for cleaning, so you do not need to add floor detergent to perform its normal steam-cleaning function. Optional Spring Breeze discs provide fragrance.
Follow Bissell's directions for water and disc placement, and do not pour detergent, vinegar or essential oils into the tank.
