Bissell 1543A Symphony Pet All-in-One Vacuum & Steam Mop
Bissell 1543A Symphony Pet All-in-One Vacuum & Steam Mop is designed for cleaning pet and other messes from hardwood, tiles, linoleum, laminate and similar surfaces quickly and thoroughly. Bissell 1543A combines a steam mop and a stick vacuum cleaner in a single unit, saving both time and effort.
Although it doesn't come with a carpet glider by default, Bissell 1543A comes with 2 different microfiber pads, but also with detachable SteamBoost tray and Swiffer SteamBoost disposable steam pads. After all, there are pet's messes users would rather throw away their pads than wash them ...
Published: August 17, 2018.
Bissell 1543A Symphony Pet - Features and Specifications
When the unit arrives, it requires some assembly which can be done rather quickly. Also, to familiarize yourself with your new steam mop/vacuum cleaner, it is highly recommended to thoroughly read the instructions/manual - unit is simple to use and maintain, but just in case ...
Bissell 1543A Symphony is powered via 25 feet (~7.6 m) long power cord, allowing the user to quickly clean rather large area, without stopping the cleaning task while looking for another wall power socket.
Unit doesn't feature automatic power cord rewind system - the power cord is manually wrapped around power cord wrap hooks.
Bissell 1543A Symphony comes with 1100 W water heater and 400 W electric vacuum motor, for maximum current of ~12.5 Amps.
However, Bissell 1543A Symphony is 2-in-1 unit and can be used as steam mop only, as stick vacuum only or as (recommended) steam mop/stick vacuum cleaner at the same time.
Bissell 1543A Symphony has two steam settings:
- Hi for durable floors and sticky messes,
- Lo for delicate floors and every day cleaning.
Also, vacuum controls are simple off/on and they are independent from steam mop controls.
Unit's controls are positioned on the handle and are easily accessible by the user.
Water tank capacity is 12.8 oz (380 ml), which is enough for ~15 minutes of average floor steaming.
When the unit starts, it takes some 30 seconds for water heater to start to produce steam, which is acceptable delay and comparable with other similar steam mops.
Water tank is not detachable from the unit, so when filling it with the water, one must use some sort of flask, glass or bottle.
It is recommended to use distilled or demineralized water for steam mop cleaning, since tap water can over time decrease the efficiency of water heater and prevent proper operation of the unit.
Note: like all other steam mops, Bissell 1543A Symphony should be used on bare, sealed floors like granite, tile, marble, linoleum and similar.
The use of steam mops on the certified sealed wooden floors is OK, as long as the finish has no cracks in it - if there are cracks, steam can penetrate the wood and make it change shape and even rot.
The use of ANY steam mop on unsealed and waxed, sensitive wooden floors is not recommended.
In order to increase the effect of cleaning, Bissell Scented Demineralized Water can be used. Obviously, it is more expensive than tap water, but it leaves surfaces clean, without streaks of any kind and it leaves pleasant scent in the cleaned room.
Scented discs are another option for increasing the feeling of the freshness and cleanness - just put one of the discs into the steam mop pad's inner pocket and it will do its job.
Vacuum cleaner part of the unit is designed for simplicity and efficiency - 3.3 Amps motor creates good suction enabling the unit to clean bare floors efficiently, easily vacuuming pet and human hair, dust and other debris.
Dirt bin is transparent, allowing the user to see type and amount of vacuumed dirt. When the dirt reaches Max. Fill line, it is time to empty the dirt bin. Also, empty it after each use.
Dirt bin features so-called Drop-IT Emptying System which help with emptying the dirt bin without the user ever touching the dirt.
Air filtration is good and is achieved combining cyclonic action and mechanical air filter.
Air filter is washable, but it is also recommended to replace it every six months, depending on the use.
Unit weighs 9.74 pounds (~4.41 kg) with an empty tank - it is not the lightest unit on the market, but it is combo, 2-in-1 unit.
Cleaning with is 11 inches (~28 cm), helping the user with cleaning of large areas.
Unit doesn't feature full swivel mechanism, but despite that and the 9.74 pounds weight, Bissell 1943A easily maneuvers around obstacles commonly found on the floors.
For everyday cleaning, unit uses two microfiber pads, microfiber scrubby steam pad for more durable surfaces and tough stains, and one soft microfiber steam pad for more delicate surfaces, like hardwood and laminate.
Microfiber steam mop pads are machine washable, just be sure not to use the bleach or fabric softener.
Mop pads should always be air dried - do not dry them in the drier or using hair drier or anything similar.
Also, it’s a good idea to have different mop pads for each of your rooms, and bathroom and kitchen - when used properly, hot steam kills 99.9% of germs and bacteria, but there are also other dirt and debris that can be transferred via mop pads (not as easily as by various footwear, but ...).
Note: Bissell 1543A doesn't feature scrubbing mechanism. This may sound odd for some people, but generally this is not that bad - sensitive floors can be damaged by scrubbing mechanism, especially when there are sand or similar debris around.
Bissell 1543A Symphony also features detachable SteamBoost tray and four Swiffer SteamBoost disposable steam mop cleaning pads - when they get dirty, simply throw them away.
Note: when using Swiffer SteamBoost disposable steam mop cleaning pads it is recommended to set the steam to the 'Lo' setting. Also, for everyday use, use the traditional washable microfiber pads.
Bissell 1543A Symphony doesn't feature a carpet glider, but if required, it can be ordered separately.
Since this unit also features 'vacuum cleaner', carpet glider can help the user to vacuum the carpet and revive and sanitize up the point its surface using the steam.
Note: When cleaning the carpets with the 'carpet glider', vacuum itself is not strong enough to thoroughly and deeply clean the carpet - unit also lacks the motorized brush roll for vacuuming the carpets. And when using the steam mop (with or without the vacuum suction), it can only penetrate just few mm into the carpet surface (at least something), but it can also damage sensitive carpets and area rugs. So before using the steam mops on the carpets and area rugs, check if your carpets can handle it.
Bissell Symphony All-in-One Vacuums & Steam Mops Comparison
Bissell manufactures several very similar Symphony all-in-one vacuums & steam mops units, with two most popular being 1132A and 1543A models. Their comparison is given in the following table:
| Model | Symphony All-in-One Vacuum & Steam Mop, 1132A | Symphony Pet All-in-One Vacuum & Steam Mop, 1543A |
| Photo |  |
 |
| Washable Microfiber Pads | Yes | Yes |
| Disposable Pads | No | Yes |
| Weight | 9.7 lbs | 9.74 lbs |
| Cleaning Width | 11 inches | 11 inches |
| Water Tank Capacity | 12.8 oz | 12.8 oz |
| Steam Control | Steam on Demand | Steam on Demand |
| Digital Controls | Vacuum Function, Steam Function | Vacuum Function, Steam Function |
| Heater Warm-Up | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
| Scrubbing Mechanism | No | No |
| Main Features | Dry Tank Technology, Quick-Release Mop Pad Tray, Cyclonic Vacuum | Dry Tank Technology, Quick-Release Mop Pad Tray, Cyclonic Vacuum, SteamBoost Tray |
| Recommended Surface Type | Sealed Hardwood, Ceramic, Linoleum, Granite, Marble | Sealed Hardwood, Ceramic, Linoleum, Granite, Marble |
| Amazon Link | Bissell 1132A Symphony |
Bissell 1543A Symphony |
Note: Amazon affiliate links open in the new windows, feel free to check.
As one can see, both 1132A and 1543A are very similar units, except that 1543A is 'PET' model and thus features disposable steam mop pads and their SteamBoost tray.
Long Story Short: if you need good and reliable 2-in-1 unit, consider Bissell 1543A Symphony Pet All-in-One Vacuum & Steam Mop.
It comes at acceptable price, with 2-year warranty, can quickly clean and sanitize large areas, killing 99.9% of germs.
If you have large bare floors, and need a good steam mop, consider Bissell 1543A Symphony - it speeds up cleaning and does a great job.
For more reviews and recommendations, check Bissell 1543A Symphony Pet Steam Mop and Steam Vacuum Cleaner Amazon link (link opens in the new window).