We have had this machine for about two years. It does EXACTLY what Bissell says it will do, but you must keep two things in mind: 1) It is NOT a 4hp industrial shop vac, and 2) it does what they say it will do IF YOU FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS! It is most important to keep the back of the machine lifted just enough so the dirty water tank does NOT touch the floor. This makes it so the suction opening is FLAT on the floor and is in its most efficient position. After we got our cleaner, I was most annoyed to find that almost all of the negative reviews I had read were because people expected the machine to be something Bissell never claimed it is, and they simply did not read the directions. I think it is a great little machine.