The 6 Best Hoover Carpet Cleaners for Pets, Stairs and Whole Rooms, Ranked & Reviewed

Our verdict: A compact, portable-style Hoover that handles pet accidents without taking over a closet.

The PowerDash Pet Compact is listed as a portable machine in the $100 to $200 bracket, with the Pet name pointing to messes from dogs and cats. It is the one Hoover that balances size, price and everyday usefulness.

It ranks first because most households need to clean a few traffic lanes and the odd accident, not shampoo every room monthly. A compact body is easier to carry, fill and store than an upright, and that convenience is what keeps people using the machine. It sits above the PowerScrub models because it asks less of your time and storage. The tradeoff is that wide-open carpet takes longer, since a compact head covers a narrow strip per pass.

A good fit for pet homes that need something ready for hallways, stairs and small rugs. Look elsewhere when several big rooms are fully carpeted.

Format

Portable compact

Pet focus

Pet-oriented model

Price bracket

$100 to $200

Brand line

Hoover PowerDash

Our verdict: A full upright for pet households that want room-sized cleaning and upholstery cover.

The PowerScrub XL Pet is an upright machine in the $100 to $200 bracket, sold for carpet and upholstery and tuned for pets. The XL in the name signals the larger, more capable member of the PowerScrub family.

It takes second place because an upright is the right tool when carpet is the main surface, and the XL promises more capability for demanding use. It does not beat the PowerDash overall because uprights are bulky, need more storage and need more setup each time. You trade convenience for coverage, and for a pet-heavy home with big rooms that trade is worth making.

It is the right choice if you do a proper deep clean a few times a year and want one machine for both floors and furniture. Skip it if you live in a small apartment with limited storage.

Format

Upright

Surfaces

Carpet and upholstery

Pet focus

Pet model

Price bracket

$100 to $200

Our verdict: The long-running PowerScrub with a pet formula label, sold at a mid-range price.

The PowerScrub Deluxe is an upright carpet cleaner listed with a pet formula feature in the $100 to $200 bracket. It is the familiar, older design in the PowerScrub family, and it has been a standard household recommendation for years.

It ranks third because it covers the same job as the XL at a similar price, but the XL is described as the more capable model. A close alternative to the top picks, it is worth a look when you find it on a good deal. The risk with an older design is that features lag behind newer rivals, so compare tank size and tools before choosing.

Buy it for regular room cleaning with a classic Hoover approach. Skip it if you want the more capable XL or a compact machine.

Format

Upright

Feature

Pet formula

Price bracket

$100 to $200

Brand line

Hoover PowerScrub

Our verdict: The most expensive Hoover here, an automatic upright for people who want less manual work.

The SmartWash+ is an upright in the $200 to $500 bracket, the highest on this list. The Automatic label means the machine handles part of the cleaning cycle for you, rather than relying on a trigger held by hand.

It ranks fourth because the premium price only pays off if you value the automation. For many buyers, a cheaper PowerScrub covers the same carpet at half the cost. Where it wins is convenience: less fiddling, a more hands-off wash, and a model aimed at people who clean regularly.

Buy it if you clean carpets often and want the easiest routine. Skip it if you are happy to operate a standard machine and keep the money.

Format

Upright

Operation

Automatic

Price bracket

$200 to $500

Brand line

Hoover SmartWash

Our verdict: A small portable spot cleaner for sofas, stairs and car seats.

The CleanSlate Plus is a hand-carried spot cleaner meant for carpet and furniture, priced from $100 to $200. It is the smaller-footprint option in the Hoover lineup, aimed at single stains rather than rooms.

It ranks fifth because the PowerDash Pet Compact is also portable and carries a pet focus at a similar price, which makes it the more flexible pick. The CleanSlate is the tool to buy when sofas, chairs and car seats are the main target, since small spot cleaners reach tight places better than bigger machines.

Buy it for furniture and car refreshes. Skip it if pets drive the purchase.

Format

Portable spot cleaner

Surfaces

Carpet and upholstery

Price bracket

$100 to $200

Brand line

Hoover CleanSlate

Our verdict: The lowest-priced Hoover in the group, with a compact pet-focused design.

The PowerDash Pet+ is a compact carpet cleaner in the $50 to $100 bracket, the cheapest of the six. It carries the Pet+ label and the compact PowerDash design.

It ranks last because the PowerDash Pet Compact above it costs a little more and has a longer-established standing. The Pet+ is the better bet if cost is the deciding factor and you want to try Hoover without a big commitment. Listings mark it as an upright format, which usually means a handle you push rather than a hand-held tool, so check the shape before buying.

Buy it for a small budget and light pet cleanups. Skip it if you want proven features or a larger machine.

Format

Compact, listed upright

Pet focus

Pet+ model

Price bracket

$50 to $100

Brand line

Hoover PowerDash