Bissell PowerFresh Steam Mop (1940A): Everything You Need to Know Before Buying

If you've been comparing steam mops for your hard floors, chances are the Bissell PowerFresh 1940A has already shown up in your search results more than once. It's one of the most established names in the steam mop category, and for good reason. Here's a full breakdown of what it does, how it performs, and who it's actually a good fit for.

What the Bissell PowerFresh 1940A Does

At its core, the PowerFresh uses steam — not chemicals — to clean and sanitize sealed hard floors. According to Bissell, <cite index="12-1">it can eliminate up to 99.9% of germs and bacteria on sealed hard floors when used as directed.</cite> That includes common household concerns like <cite index="12-1">Human Coronavirus, Influenza A, Staph, and mold spores, based on third-party lab testing.</cite>

It's designed for <cite index="12-1">sealed hardwood, ceramic, linoleum, granite, and marble floors,</cite> making it a versatile option if your home has a mix of flooring types rather than just one.

Key Features

SmartSet Digital Steam Control — <cite index="8-1">gives you the option of high, medium, or low steam depending on your cleaning needs,</cite> so you're not blasting the same steam level on a lightly dusty floor as you would on a sticky, dried-on mess.

Flip-Down Easy Scrubber — <cite index="8-1">helps break up dirt on floors and in grout quickly and easily,</cite> which matters more than it sounds like once you've dealt with a kitchen floor that's seen a few too many spills.

Two Included Mop Pads — a soft microfiber pad for everyday cleaning and a scrubby microfiber pad for tougher messes. Independent testing found <cite index="9-1">the scrubby pad cleaned better than the soft pad, while the soft pad is better suited to delicate flooring like sealed hardwood or laminate.</cite> Both pads are <cite index="9-1">machine washable, though Bissell recommends air-drying them.</cite>

Long Power Cord — <cite index="8-1">the power cord is 23 feet long, allowing for extended reach and flexibility while cleaning without frequently switching power outlets.</cite> If you've ever fought with a mop cord that's too short for an open-concept kitchen and living room, this is a genuinely useful spec.

Fast Heat-Up — <cite index="12-1">this machine heats up in just 30 seconds for rapid readiness,</cite> so you're not standing around waiting to start cleaning.

Swivel Steering — <cite index="8-1">the swivel head enables easy maneuvering around furniture and tight spaces.</cite>

How It Performs in Real-World Use

Independent reviewers who tested the PowerFresh in home settings found it to be a solid, well-rounded performer. One review summed it up as <cite index="13-1">a well-balanced steam mop, with strong cleaning performance, multiple steam cleaning modes, and good maneuverability rounding it out as a whole.</cite>

A couple of honest tradeoffs worth knowing before you buy: <cite index="13-1">the PowerFresh struggles with cleaning up large liquid messes, and it doesn't come with a tray to rest on after use, which can leave more residue on your floors</cite> if you set it down between passes. Neither is a dealbreaker, but they're worth factoring into how you plan to use it.

On size and weight, the unit is compact and light enough for most people to maneuver comfortably — <cite index="13-1">it stands 28.6 inches tall, 11.6 inches wide, and 7.1 inches deep, weighing in at 6 pounds.</cite>

Who This Steam Mop Is Best For

• Households with multiple hard floor types (tile, sealed hardwood, laminate, linoleum) who want one mop that handles all of them
• Anyone wanting a chemical-free way to sanitize floors, especially in homes with pets or young kids
• People who want flexible steam levels rather than a one-setting-fits-all mop
• Larger homes or apartments with fewer power outlets, thanks to the long cord

Where to Buy

If the PowerFresh sounds like the right fit for your home, HouseFlexa has the Bissell PowerFresh 1940A Steam Mop listed here, ready to ship.

Final Thoughts

The Bissell PowerFresh 1940A isn't flashy, but it doesn't need to be — it's a reliable, chemical-free steam mop that handles the everyday reality of hard floor cleaning well, with just enough extra features (steam control, scrubber, long cord) to make it noticeably more convenient than a basic model.