If you’re in the market for a cordless vacuum that’s not only lightweight but also performs excellently on both hard floors and carpets, you might be considering the Kenmore DS1030 and the Bissell 3061 Featherweight. We bought both of these budget-friendly, bestselling cordless vacuums and put them through various evaluations to determine which one is better and in this review we will go over our results.
The Basics At-A-Glance
When it comes to lightweight vacuums, this particular style is the way to go, in our opinion. Not only is the overall weight lighter than most cordless stick vacuums, but unlike models such as Dyson’s, where all of their weight is in the handle, these two are styled more like an upright vacuum with their weight distributed evenly. This significantly reduces the actual weight on your arm when pushing.
Both models also feature a handheld vacuum that can easily be removed from the base for above-floor cleaning jobs and come with attachments for this purpose as well.
The Kenmore DS1030 is a top pick for anyone seeking a powerful yet lightweight cordless vacuum. This model excels with its dual power settings, allowing you to toggle between low and max power modes, which not only enhances its efficiency on various surfaces but also boosts its deep-cleaning capabilities, particularly on carpets. In our tests, it consistently outperformed its competitors in suction power and battery life within its price range, offering up to 45 minutes of runtime on its low setting. Additionally, its innovative Easy Cut nozzle is a standout feature, adeptly handling hair tangles with ease. The added convenience of LED lights on the floorhead improves visibility in low-light conditions. Overall, the Kenmore DS1030 combines functionality, power, and thoughtful design, making it a superior choice in the budget-friendly segment of cordless stick vacuums.
- Lightweight
- Versatile floor-to-handheld
- Active hair removal
- Effective on various surfaces
- Long runtime
- LED lights
- Affordable
- Basic features
- Basic filtration
The Bissell FeatherWeight Cordless Stick Vacuum 3061 emerges as an exceptional choice for anyone looking for the best stick vacuum for small spaces. This cordless cleaner is not just lightweight and easy to store, but it also performs impressively on both hard floors and carpets, ensuring a thorough clean regardless of surface type. Its unique handle design folds down for easy storage, which is invaluable in space-constrained settings. Moreover, the Bissell Featherweight is versatile enough to switch from floor vacuum to a handheld device, enhancing its utility for above-floor cleaning. Its capability to pick up large debris on hard floors and carpets, thanks to the spinning brush roll, truly sets it apart from other models in its category. For those prioritizing a mix of affordability, convenience, and effective cleaning in a vacuum cleaner, the Bissell FeatherWeight Cordless offers an unbeatable solution in the budget-friendly segment.
- Lightweight, easy storage
- Versatile floor-to-handheld
- Effective on various surfaces
- Affordable
- Foldable handle design
- Short battery life
- Long charge time
- Basic filtration
- Cumbersome dustbin management
Power and Performance
Starting with the power, the Kenmore has two power settings—low and max power—while the Bissell only has one power setting. In our airflow and sealed suction tests, the Kenmore was quite a bit more powerful than the Bissell in both cases. This was also true in the more practical power tests like the unsealed suction test, where the Kenmore again performed significantly better than the Bissell.
In our testing, the Kenmore DS1030 showcased its superior power with two settings—low and max—providing robust suction that outperformed the Bissell, which operates with a single power mode. This was evident in our sealed suction and unsealed suction tests, where Kenmore consistently led. Both vacuums performed admirably in carpet deep clean tests, with Kenmore slightly edging out Bissell, making it a strong candidate for the best stick vacuum in terms of raw power.
In the carpet deep clean test, which determines how good they are at picking up deeply embedded debris like sand in carpets, both vacuums performed admirably, with Kenmore slightly edging out Bissell, making it a strong candidate for the best stick vacuum in terms of raw power.
Debris Pickup
A critical aspect of any vacuum cleaner review is its ability to handle various debris types. Both vacuums excelled on carpets, handling everything from fine to extra-large debris effortlessly. On hard floors, while both were effective at collecting fine and medium debris, the Bissell’s design allowed it to pick up larger debris like Cheerios—a task where the Kenmore faltered due to its shallower gates, which are optimized for carpet performance.
Battery Life and Filtration
Battery performance is key in cordless vacuum comparisons. The Kenmore offers up to 45 minutes of cleaning in its low power setting and 15-20 minutes in max power, surpassing the Bissell’s 20 minutes of runtime. Neither model features sealed HEPA filtration, but Kenmore’s superior performance in our fog tests gave it an edge in overall air quality management.
Features and Attachments
Regarding special features and attachments, each vacuum has its perks. The Bissell Featherweight boasts a pivoting wand for easy under-furniture cleaning and compact storage. Meanwhile, Kenmore introduces an innovative Easy Cut nozzle for hassle-free hair removal from the brush roll and includes LED lights for better visibility, making it the more feature-rich option.
Quick Features at a Glance
| Kenmore DS1030 | Bissell Featherweight | |
| Run time | Up to 45 min | Up to 20 Min |
| Storage | Storage Base | Folds Compact |
| Folding Handle | No | Yes |
| Handheld Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Hair Removal | Yes | No |
| Attachments | Crevice tool, dusting brush, a 2-in-1 combination tool | Crevice tool, upholstery, turbo brush |
| LED Headlights | Yes | No |
Conclusion
After thorough testing and evaluation, the Kenmore DS1030 emerges as the slightly better choice in this ultra-lightweight vacuum showdown, thanks to its superior power, better filtration, and more versatile features. It offers great value for anyone prioritizing lightweight and ease of use in a vacuum cleaner.
