Quick Answer: In 2026, Hoover and Bissell clean carpets equally well — the difference is priorities. The Hoover SmartWash+ wins on ease of use: its automatic triggerless spray is nearly foolproof, though at $289.99 (verified 2026-08-19) it’s no longer the cheaper machine. The Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro now wins on both price ($237.99) and pet-specific features like its CleanShot pretreater and specialized tools. Buy Hoover for simplicity; buy Bissell if pets rule your floors or price matters most.
Last updated: August 19, 2026 — SmartWash+ and ProHeat pricing re-verified; Hoover is now the pricier machine, a reversal from earlier 2026 checks.
Bissell and Hoover are the two brands most people cross-shop, and their flagship uprights — the Hoover SmartWash+ and the Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro — are a perfect head-to-head. Here’s how they actually compare.
Head to head
| Feature | Hoover SmartWash+ (FH52000) | Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro Plus (3588F) |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning power | Excellent (matched Bissell in testing) | Excellent |
| Spray system | Automatic, triggerless | Manual trigger + CleanShot pretreater |
| Pet features | Capable (pet models available) | CleanShot pretreater, pet upholstery tool, antimicrobial brushes |
| Dry time tech | HeatForce (on pet models) | HeatWave + ~30-min Express Clean |
| Weight | Full-size upright | ~17.5 lbs |
| Typical price (verified 2026-08-19) | $289.99 | $237.99 (list $279.99) |
| Best for | Value & ease of use | Pet homes & pretreating stains |
2026 price ladder: matching models side by side
Both brands sell four rungs of the same ladder, and the model names hide it. This table pairs the equivalent machines so you compare like with like rather than badge with badge. Prices for the flagship and mainstream rows verified 2026-08-19; the rest verified July 2026 and typically move $20-40 on sale.
| Class | Hoover | Price | Bissell | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flagship full-size | SmartWash Pet Complete FH53000 | ~$250 | ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro Plus 3588F | $237.99 |
| Mainstream full-size | SmartWash+ FH52000 | $289.99 | ProHeat 2X Revolution (base) | ~$200 |
| Mid-size / manual trigger | Power Scrub Elite Pet FH50251 | ~$150 | TurboClean Pet 3948 | ~$130 |
| Compact budget upright | PowerDash Pet Advanced FH55010 | ~$99-120 | TurboClean / Clean & Fresh | ~$100-130 |
| Portable spot cleaner | CleanSlate Plus FH14050 | ~$110 | Little Green Max Pet 3860 | ~$110-160 |
| Large-capacity / crossover | — | — | Big Green 86T3 | ~$400 |
Bissell vs Hoover by the numbers
- $237.99 vs. $289.99 — the Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro Plus’s current price against the Hoover SmartWash+‘s, per Bissell.com, Hoover.com, and Target.com (verified 2026-08-19) — Bissell is now the cheaper machine, despite the two matching each other on stain removal in independent testing.
- ~17.5 lbs — the weight of the Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro (per Bissell’s published specs), light enough to carry between rooms but still a full-size upright.
- ~30 minutes — the targeted dry time of Bissell’s Express Clean mode with HeatWave, per Bissell, versus the several hours a non-heated pass can take.
- Every 12–18 months — how often carpet manufacturers and the carpet-care industry recommend deep cleaning, dropping to every 3–6 months in homes with pets or kids — the usage frequency that decides whether you buy or rent.
Where Hoover wins: simplicity, not price anymore
The SmartWash+‘s headline feature is its automatic, triggerless spray — push forward and it lays down solution, pull back and it dries. There’s no trigger to hold or dial to balance, which removes the most common deep-cleaning mistake: over-wetting. In independent testing it cleaned just as well as the Bissell ProHeat, but as of 2026-08-19 it costs $289.99 versus the ProHeat’s $237.99 — about $52 more, not less. If you want the easiest hands-off operation and don’t mind paying a premium for it, Hoover is still the pick — see our full Hoover SmartWash+ review for the complete rating and spec breakdown.
Hoover SmartWash+ Automatic Carpet Cleaner
- Automatic triggerless spray — foolproof for first-timers.
- Cleans as well as the Bissell ProHeat, but now costs about $52 more.
- Large tanks and wide path for whole-house jobs.
Where Bissell wins: pets, pretreating, and now price
Bissell built the ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro around pet messes. The onboard CleanShot pretreater lets you blast a set-in stain with concentrated formula before you make a pass, the counter-rotating antimicrobial brushes dig hair out of the carpet base, and the included pet upholstery tool cleans furniture and stairs. Add HeatWave’s consistent water temperature, a ~30-minute Express Clean dry mode, and a $237.99 price that now undercuts the SmartWash+ by about $52 (verified 2026-08-19), and it’s the better all-around buy for homes with animals — or anyone who just wants the lower price.
Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro Plus (3588F)
- CleanShot pretreater blasts set-in pet stains before cleaning.
- Antimicrobial dual DirtLifter brushes lift hair and embedded dirt.
- Pet upholstery tool for furniture, stairs, and car seats.
What about budget and portable models?
Both brands cover every price point. On the budget end, Hoover’s PowerDash Pet Advanced ($120) and Bissell’s TurboClean Pet ($130) are close competitors — both compact, light, and effective for smaller homes. For spot cleaning, it’s Bissell’s Little Green vs Hoover’s CleanSlate: the Little Green is the cult favorite, while the CleanSlate offers a bigger tank and wider tool for the money. See our Little Green vs CleanSlate breakdown for the full spec matchup, or the best portable carpet cleaner guide for the whole field.
The bottom line
There’s no wrong answer here — both brands clean carpets beautifully. Choose the Hoover SmartWash+ if the most foolproof, hands-off operation is worth paying about $52 more for. Choose the Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro if you live with pets, want the pretreater and specialized tools that make accidents and hair easier to handle, or just want the lower price. Leaning Bissell? Our best Bissell carpet cleaner guide ranks every model in the lineup and decodes the confusing SKU numbers, and our Tineco vs Bissell comparison shows how Bissell stacks up against the smart-sensor competition. Leaning Hoover? Our best Hoover carpet cleaner guide does the same for the SmartWash, Power Scrub, and PowerDash families. For the full field of machines across every budget, see our best carpet cleaner roundup. Whichever brand you land on, check our best carpet cleaner deals guide first — the SmartWash+ has a live discount right now, and it covers when Bissell’s ProHeat line actually goes on sale too.