Side by side

BISSELL MultiClean 2998 vs Kenmore BU4050: BISSELL makes floor passes wider, and Kenmore is lighter to carry and seals the bag

Quick verdict

BISSELL 2998 is the one for a wider floor path and bagless collection. Kenmore BU4050 is the one for self-sealing bags and a lower published full-unit weight if you carry the vacuum between floors.

Before you buy

Why, and what it costs you

Pick the disposal job you will not mind repeating

The 2998 has a reusable 0.75 L cup that you empty. The BU4050 releases a self-sealing bag. If avoiding bag purchases matters and cleaning up a cup is acceptable, choose BISSELL. If moving a loose load of fur and dust into the bin is the step you want to make easier, choose Kenmore.

Where this comes from

The bag capacity is unspecified, so dust-cup capacity is not compared directly with it.

The catch

BISSELL MultiClean Allergen Lift-Off Pet

You have to empty and clean the cup by hand.

The catch

Kenmore Intuition Hair Eliminator

You have to keep buying bags.

BISSELL MultiClean Allergen Lift-Off Pet

BISSELL MultiClean Allergen Lift-Off Pet

Why pick it
  • Clean wider strips of open floor
  • Empty and reuse a dust cup rather than buy bags
The catch
You have to empty and clean the cup by hand.
See price & reviews on Amazon
Kenmore Intuition Hair Eliminator

Kenmore Intuition Hair Eliminator

Why pick it
  • Let the collected fur go out in a sealed bag
  • Lift a complete unit specified at under 15 lb
The catch
You have to keep buying bags.
See price & reviews on Amazon

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Comparison updated , Product data updated , Amazon.com / United States

What this page compares

Bagless against self-sealing disposal, carried weight and cleaning width, compared for a home with pets and stairs.

BISSELL 2998 is the one for a wider floor path and bagless collection. Kenmore BU4050 is the one for self-sealing bags and a lower published full-unit weight if you carry the vacuum between floors.

Which one fits

Pick the situations that sound like you

  • Skip open-cup disposal

    A self-sealing bag keeps the debris inside on the Kenmore.

    BISSELL MultiClean Allergen Lift-Off Pet
    Caution
    Kenmore Intuition Hair Eliminator
    Better fit
  • Wide, open rooms with carpet

    The BISSELL has a wider nominal cleaning path.

    BISSELL MultiClean Allergen Lift-Off Pet
    Better fit
    Kenmore Intuition Hair Eliminator
    Good
  • Take the entire cleaner up the stairs

    The Kenmore’s full-unit weight figure is lower.

    BISSELL MultiClean Allergen Lift-Off Pet
    Good
    Kenmore Intuition Hair Eliminator
    Better fit
  • Furniture leaves just thin strips to work in

    The Kenmore’s cleaning path is 11 in, compared with 13 in on the BISSELL. You still need to check the outer dimensions of the head.

    BISSELL MultiClean Allergen Lift-Off Pet
    Good
    Kenmore Intuition Hair Eliminator
    Better fit

In practice

Differences you will notice

Pick the disposal job you will not mind repeating

The 2998 has a reusable 0.75 L cup that you empty. The BU4050 releases a self-sealing bag. If avoiding bag purchases matters and cleaning up a cup is acceptable, choose BISSELL. If moving a loose load of fur and dust into the bin is the step you want to make easier, choose Kenmore.

How we worked this out

The bag capacity is unspecified, so dust-cup capacity is not compared directly with it.

A two-inch wider path mostly helps on open carpet

The listed cleaning paths are 13 in for BISSELL and 11 in for Kenmore, a 2 in difference. Wide open strips can favor BISSELL, but furniture legs and pet beds cut into that advantage. Cleaning-path width by itself cannot show fewer total passes or faster removal of embedded hair.

How we worked this out

Subtract 11 from 13 and you get 2 in. Nothing is inferred about coverage time or hair pickup.

Lifting the whole unit and cleaning stairs are separate calls

The Kenmore specification of under 15 lb sits below the 15.7 lb figure for BISSELL, which is useful when you move the whole machine upstairs. Both detach for hose work once you arrive. Decide based on the carrying step that bothers you, because the full-unit figures do not say which detached pod feels easier.

How we worked this out

The published gap for the whole unit is more than 0.7 lb. The mass of the pod was not verified.

Option A
BISSELL MultiClean Allergen Lift-Off Pet

BISSELL, 2998

MultiClean Allergen Lift-Off Pet

This bagless upright has a removable Lift-Off pod, a 30 ft cord and a manual brushroll stop. A sealed HEPA system and an included TurboEraser let it handle both floor and above-floor jobs.

Best for
Clean wider strips of open floor

Facts we checked

  • Dirt disposal: Bagless 0.75 L dust cup
  • Cleaning path: 13 in cleaning path
  • Whole-unit weight: 15.7 lb full unit
  • Portable cleaning: Lift-Off pod for hose and accessory cleaning
Option B
Kenmore Intuition Hair Eliminator

Kenmore, BU4050

Intuition Hair Eliminator

This bagged Lift-Up upright has a floor brush that clears wrapped hair on its own. You also get button-release bags, a 30 ft cord and a separate brushroll stop.

Best for
Let the collected fur go out in a sealed bag

Facts we checked

  • Dirt disposal: Self-sealing bags released by a button
  • Cleaning path: 11 in cleaning path
  • Whole-unit weight: Under 15 lb full unit
  • Portable cleaning: Lift-Up pod for hose and accessory cleaning

Spec by spec

Where they really differ

Where BISSELL MultiClean Allergen Lift-Off Pet and Kenmore Intuition Hair Eliminator differ
SpecBISSELL MultiClean Allergen Lift-Off PetKenmore Intuition Hair EliminatorIn practice
Dirt disposalBagless 0.75 L dust cupSelf-sealing bags released by a buttonGoing bagless means no bags, though the cup has to be emptied.
Cleaning path13 in cleaning path11 in cleaning pathA wider path is mostly useful in open areas.
Whole-unit weight15.7 lb full unitUnder 15 lb full unitThe figures cover the whole unit, pods included.
Portable cleaningLift-Off pod for hose and accessory cleaningLift-Up pod for hose and accessory cleaningOn each, the pod comes off for stairs and fabric tools.
Cord reach30 ft cord with manual storage30 ft cord with manual storageEach is specified at 30 ft, which means outlet reach won't settle this pair.

Trade-offs

What each pick costs you

With BISSELL MultiClean Allergen Lift-Off Pet

  • Its published full-unit weight is higher.

With Kenmore Intuition Hair Eliminator

  • It cleans a path two inches narrower.

Change of plan

When the answer changes

I'm fine with cleaning a cup and want bagless collection

Go with BISSELL MultiClean Allergen Lift-Off Pet. With a reusable cup, there are no replacement bags to buy.

What worries me most is handling loose dust

Go with Kenmore Intuition Hair Eliminator. The bag closes up as it is released.

Decision guide

How to decide

Pick BISSELL 2998 if you want a wider floor path and bagless collection. Pick Kenmore BU4050 if self-sealing bags matter, and so does the lower published full-unit weight for carrying the vacuum between floors.

01

Pick the disposal chore you can live with repeating

The 2998 has a reusable 0.75 L cup that you empty. The BU4050 releases a self-sealing bag. If avoiding bag purchases matters and cleaning up a cup is acceptable, choose BISSELL. If moving a loose load of fur and dust into the bin is the step you want to make easier, choose Kenmore.

02

A two-inch wider path mostly helps on open carpet

The listed cleaning paths are 13 in for BISSELL and 11 in for Kenmore, a 2 in difference. Wide open strips can favor BISSELL, but furniture legs and pet beds cut into that advantage. Cleaning-path width by itself cannot show fewer total passes or faster removal of embedded hair.

03

Lifting the whole unit and cleaning stairs are separate calls

The Kenmore specification of under 15 lb sits below the 15.7 lb figure for BISSELL, which is useful when you move the whole machine upstairs. Both detach for hose work once you arrive. Decide based on the carrying step that bothers you, because the full-unit figures do not say which detached pod feels easier.

Check these before you buy

  • Make sure you can reach the bag chamber or cup where you store the vacuum.
  • Judge the balance of the pod with the tool you plan to use on stairs.

What this page can’t tell you

  • No matched cleaning, noise or odor test was performed, so the recommendations lean on documented features and operating limits.

By the numbers

What the data shows

What we found across the upright vacuums we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.

Show the facts and the math
Models in the comparison
2 models
Sources
4 covering these models
Product data updated
The facts and sources behind each product in this recommendation
ProductNeeds it meetsFacts we checkedSources
BISSELL MultiClean Allergen Lift-Off Pet
  • Clean wider strips of open floor
  • Empty and reuse a dust cup rather than buy bags
  • Dirt disposal: Bagless 0.75 L dust cup
  • Cleaning path: 13 in cleaning path
  • Whole-unit weight: 15.7 lb full unit
  • Portable cleaning: Lift-Off pod for hose and accessory cleaning
  • Cord reach: 30 ft cord with manual storage
  • BISSELL 2998 model documentation: BISSELL (maker specs)
  • BISSELL 2998 exact Amazon listing: Amazon (store listing)
Kenmore Intuition Hair Eliminator
  • Let the collected fur go out in a sealed bag
  • Lift a complete unit specified at under 15 lb
  • Dirt disposal: Self-sealing bags released by a button
  • Cleaning path: 11 in cleaning path
  • Whole-unit weight: Under 15 lb full unit
  • Portable cleaning: Lift-Up pod for hose and accessory cleaning
  • Cord reach: 30 ft cord with manual storage

Ready to buy

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Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.

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