7 Best Hoover Carpet Cleaners of 2025

The Hoover SmartWash Pet doesn’t just clean—it transforms carpet care into a seamless, almost intuitive ritual. With its motion-sensing auto-clean technology, this machine automatically dispenses cleaning solution when you push forward and activates HeatForce drying as you pull back, eliminating guesswork and user error. The real hero? The FlexForce Pet PowerBrushes, which aggressively agitate deep into carpet fibers to lift out embedded pet hair, dried-in mud, and even the faintest odor traces—making it a fortress against the chaos of household pets.

In real-world testing across medium-pile and high-traffic carpets, the SmartWash Pet consistently pulled out gritty residue and sticky spills with minimal passes. Its dual-tank system keeps clean and dirty water fully separated, while the 8-foot hose and detachable Spot Chaser Wand make stairs, car interiors, and furniture feel like legitimate extensions of the main clean—not awkward afterthoughts. However, the upright design demands more storage space than compact models, and maneuvering under low furniture is a tight squeeze. On plush rugs, it occasionally leaves slightly damp patches unless given extra drying time.

When stacked against the FH52000 SmartWash+, this model stands out with its pet-specific tools and included storage mat, making it a more complete package for homes with frequent messes. It’s not as lightweight as the PowerDash line, but the trade-off is industrial-grade cleaning power in a user-friendly shell. Ideal for pet owners in medium to large homes who want one machine to handle everything from full-room refreshes to targeted stain attacks, the SmartWash Pet delivers a higher tier of performance and versatility compared to more basic uprights—without veering into professional-grade complexity.

The Hoover SmartWash+ FH52000 is a game-changer for large homes, where efficiency and consistency matter most. Its motion-activated auto-clean system ensures every push forward delivers perfectly mixed solution, while the pull-back motion triggers powerful extraction and HeatForce drying—no buttons, no hesitation. The FlexForce PowerBrushes dig deep into carpet bases to dislodge years of compacted dirt, making it feel like you’re resetting your carpet’s lifespan with each pass. For families tired of patchy cleaning or inconsistent results, this machine brings foolproof precision to every stroke.

During extended cleaning sessions across 1,500+ sq. ft. homes, the FH52000 proved its endurance with strong, uninterrupted suction and reliable solution distribution. The 8-foot hose and included stair tool allow for quick transitions from floor to furniture, though the lack of a dedicated pet pretreat wand puts it behind the SmartWash Pet in stain readiness. On low-pile carpets, it dries impressively fast—often within 2–3 hours—thanks to HeatForce. But on thicker rugs, it requires a second dry pass to prevent moisture pooling, and the water tanks, while large, can be awkward to refill and empty due to their fixed position.

Compared to the PowerScrub Deluxe, the FH52000 trades some deep-scrubbing intensity for smoother, more automated operation—perfect for users who prioritize ease over brute force. It’s less specialized than pet-focused models but more capable than budget picks like the PowerDash. If you’re tackling whole-house cleans regularly and want a set-it-and-forget-it rhythm without sacrificing power, this Hoover delivers a rare balance of scale and simplicity, outperforming similarly priced models in consistency and coverage.

When deep carpet rejuvenation is the mission, the Hoover PowerScrub Deluxe attacks with the kind of aggressive scrubbing power most machines only dream of. Its five counter-rotating SpinScrub brushes generate a churning action that lifts matted grime, ground-in spills, and years of buildup like a pressure washer for carpets. Paired with HeatForce drying, it doesn’t just clean—it accelerates recovery, getting floors walkable faster than many competitors. For anyone who’s ever felt their carpet cleaner just “glides over” dirt without removing it, this model is a revelation.

In side-by-side tests on high-traffic living rooms and entryways, the PowerScrub Deluxe removed coffee stains, tracked-in oil, and even dried ketchup with just one or two passes. The dual-tank system is a standout—keeping clean and dirty water completely isolated—while the included upholstery, crevice, and pet tools make it a true all-in-one solution. However, the machine is heavy and less agile on stairs, and the SpinScrub brushes, while powerful, can feel overly aggressive on delicate area rugs. It also lacks auto-mixing, requiring manual solution pouring, which risks overuse or under-dilution.

Next to the PowerScrub XL Pet, the Deluxe offers similar scrubbing performance but without the XL’s TruMAX tank for extended runtime. It’s heavier than the PowerDash models and less automated than the SmartWash line, but for users who want maximum mechanical scrubbing over smart features, it’s unmatched. Perfect for homeowners with older carpets needing a deep reset or those facing frequent spills, the PowerScrub Deluxe prioritizes raw cleaning power over convenience, delivering results that feel closer to professional service than rental-grade gear.

The Hoover PowerScrub XL Pet is a beast of a machine built for pet owners who battle chronic messes and want to win. With the same five counter-rotating SpinScrub brushes as its sibling Deluxe model, it digs deep into carpet fibers to obliterate pet urine, vomit, and muddy paw prints. But where it truly shines is its TruMAX recovery tank, which holds more dirty water—meaning fewer mid-clean stops to empty. And with Quick Clean mode, it delivers a faster dry time for spot refreshes between full cleans, a rare and welcome feature in this class.

In real-life use, the PowerScrub XL excelled on thick, shaggy carpets where pet accidents had soaked through to padding. The pet tool and upholstery nozzle made couch and car seat cleanups feel thorough, not rushed. HeatForce drying reduced moisture significantly, though full dry time still hovered around 4–6 hours in humid conditions. The tank design makes filling and rinsing easy, but the machine’s size makes storage a challenge in compact spaces, and the noise level is noticeably higher than smaller models. It also lacks the Spot Chaser Wand found on the SmartWash Pet, limiting pretreatment precision.

Compared to the PowerScrub Deluxe, the XL Pet adds smarter tank engineering and pet-focused runtime, making it better suited for frequent, large-scale messes. While not as automated as the SmartWash line, it outmuscles them in scrubbing intensity. For pet-heavy homes with large carpeted areas or recurring accidents, this cleaner delivers industrial-level performance with homeowner-friendly usability, offering more power and capacity than mid-tier models while staying easier to use than commercial units.

Don’t let the compact size of the Hoover PowerDash Pet+ fool you—this little cleaner packs a surprising punch for small spaces and sudden messes. Weighing under 12 pounds, it’s effortless to maneuver around furniture, up stairs, and into tight corners, making it ideal for apartments, dorms, or quick cleanups after pet accidents. The PowerSpin pet brush roll effectively lifts surface stains and resists odor buildup, while HeatForce drying ensures carpets aren’t left soggy—critical in smaller areas where airflow is limited.

In testing, the PowerDash Pet+ handled coffee spills, tracked-in dirt, and light pet messes with ease, especially on low- to medium-pile rugs. The larger-than-expected tank for its class allowed for 200+ sq. ft. of cleaning before refill, outperforming other compact models. However, it lacks the scrubbing intensity of SpinScrub or FlexForce brushes, so heavily soiled carpets require multiple passes. The upright design is stable, but the hose reach is limited, and the lack of advanced tools restricts its versatility for upholstery or stairs.

Against the PowerDash Pet Advanced, this model offers a better value with the included storage mat, which keeps dirty water off clean floors—a small but meaningful detail. It’s not meant for whole-house cleans, but for renters or pet owners in small homes, it strikes a smart balance between portability and performance. While it can’t match the deep clean of larger Hoovers, it delivers solid, no-fuss results with minimal effort, making it the most practical budget pick for targeted, frequent cleanups.

The Hoover PowerDash Pet Advanced redefines what a compact cleaner can do by bringing above-floor versatility to a lightweight platform. At just over 11 pounds, it’s incredibly easy to carry up stairs or into cars, yet it includes tools for carpets, stairs, upholstery, and furniture—a rarity in this size class. The PowerSpin pet brush roll resists odors and handles surface stains well, while HeatForce drying keeps post-clean dampness to a minimum. For pet owners who need to clean more than just floors, this model is a space-saving powerhouse.

In real-world use, the included hose and attachments made couch stains and car seat spills feel manageable—not like chores. It cleaned medium-pile rugs effectively in one pass, though deep stains required pretreatment. The tank capacity is modest, so large areas mean frequent refills, and the suction power, while decent, doesn’t match heavier-duty models. On plush carpets, it sometimes left behind moisture, requiring a fan or open window for full drying. Still, for its size, the cleaning consistency is impressive.

Compared to the PowerDash Pet+, this model trades the storage mat for expanded cleaning reach, making it better for multi-surface messes despite the slightly higher price. It’s not as powerful as the PowerScrub line, but for users who prioritize portability and flexibility over deep scrubbing, it’s a top contender. Ideal for small homes, RVs, or pet owners who clean cars and furniture often, the PowerDash Pet Advanced offers the best above-floor functionality in a lightweight Hoover, outclassing basic compact cleaners in adaptability and tool integration.

The Hoover CleanSlate Plus is the first responder every home with pets or kids should have on standby. This handheld spot cleaner delivers instant stain intervention, turning spills into afterthoughts before they set. With a 40 oz dual-tank system, it keeps clean and dirty water separate—a rare feature in portables—while the 7” WidePath tool covers large messes fast and the TightSpot nozzle reaches into car seams, baseboards, and couch crevices with surgical precision. When accidents happen, this machine doesn’t wait—it acts.

In testing, the CleanSlate Plus obliterated red wine on fabric, muddy paw prints on stairs, and dried food on car seats with minimal scrubbing. The hose rinse tool makes post-clean maintenance effortless—just flush with water and it’s ready for next time. Battery-free operation means constant power, but the corded design limits range, and the compact size means frequent emptying on large jobs. It lacks the scrubbing brushes of uprights, so set-in stains still need pretreatment. Still, for fresh messes, it’s unmatched in speed and convenience.

Next to the PowerDash models, the CleanSlate Plus isn’t meant for full carpets—but it excels where others can’t go. Compared to basic handhelds, it offers superior suction and smarter tank design. For pet owners, parents, or car detailers who need a fast, reliable stain assassin, this portable cleaner delivers professional-level spot removal in a simple, no-fuss package, offering more versatility and power than any cordless spot vac in its class.