Hoover versus Bissell

Bissell or Hoover carpet cleaners? Now that’s a tough call indeed. Both are big brands. Both come with a legacy of vacuum cleaning.

Moreover, both boast of excellent features to make your carpet cleaning task a breeze. And both are market leaders when it comes to home carpet cleaners. Indeed, our review of 5 of the Best Carpet Cleaners included three Bissell models and one Hoover model.

So which is better?

There are really no straight answers to this question, with both the machines having some advantages and some disadvantages over each other. But, for the sake of comparison, let’s break down these advantages and disadvantages into clear lists so you can get some idea of which works better for you.

comparison between hoover and bissell carpet cleaners

Carpet Cleaner Types

The first difference to note between Hoover and Bissell Carpet Cleaners is the range of options that each brand offers. The Bissell range is extensive and includes over 30 different models of carpet cleaner across 3 types: upright, portable and canister. Their range also includes a professional line of carpet cleaners.

Bissell's variations of these models comprise additional options such as "lift-off", which provides 2 machines in 1: you get an upright carpet cleaner for entire rooms and a removable spot cleaner for stairs, upholstery, auto interiors and other hard to reach areas. Other options include for example "Pet", "Premium or "Deluxe", each providing slight variations in features and attachments so that you can tailor to your needs. 

By contrast to Bissell, the Hoover carpet cleaner range is much smaller: there are only 9 models to choose from on Hoover's website at the time of writing, all of which are upright models. Therefore, for this comparison of Hoover vs Bissell carpet cleaners we've used only the latest upright models from both brands.

We've paired up 3 similarly priced best selling upright models from each brand to see how they compare.

->Hoover Power Path Pro Advanced Carpet Cleaner vs Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution

Hoover Power Path Pro Advanced Carpet Cleaner, FH51102PC

The Hoover Power Path Pro Advanced Carpet Cleaner combines two powerful scrubbing systems to provide a really deep clean. It features Hoover's best carpet cleaning system (the DualTECH system): consisting of Hoover's patented SpinScrub Technology AND a rotating brushroll to lift and remove tough stains.

The removable 13 inch Dual V Nozzle and 1 gallon clean water tank let you cover large areas with less hassle. Use the 8 ft. Hose and Upholstery Tool to clean furniture and stairs then attach the Hard Floor Squeegee to get to sealed hard wood, tile and more.

Heated Cleaning and Dual Tank Technology provide a fast dry time and an easy clean-up so you can get back on your floors in no time. 

Cons

Bissell 1548 ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Full-Size Carpet Cleaner

The Bissell Proheat 2x Revolution has a slightly better rating compared to the Hoover Power Pro Advanced. This is based on ratings on the manufacturers website and also retailers such as Amazon.

The Bissell Proheat 2x Revolution pet carpet cleaner offers multiple cleaning modes to fit your needs. It includes a pet stain tool for tackling tough pet stains with ease. Furthermore, there are two cleaning modes on this unit: either express or deep clean. When using express clean mode, your carpet dries in about an hour, so you don't have to stay off of your floors all day long.

In addition, the attached hose and tools make it easy to clean stairs, upholstery, and hard-to-reach areas. This Bissell carpet cleaner also features full-width "surround suction" enabling a fast dry of your carpets.

Pros

Cons

This video demonstration courtesy of QVCtv shows off all of the features and performance of the Bissell Proheat 2X Revolution. You can get this at the best price from Amazon via this link.

->Hoover Carpet Basics Power Scrub Deluxe Carpet Cleaner vs Bissell DeepClean Essential Full Sized Carpet Cleaner

Hoover Carpet Basics Power Scrub Deluxe Carpet Cleaner

The Hoover Power Scrub features the SpinScrub multiple brush system and has automatic mixing of the detergent solution and the water. You can choose a water only (rinse) or water with cleaning solution.  This carpet cleaner has been around for a few years and has therefore had the test of time to provide feedback on its long term performance. This cleaner has over 5,000 positive reviews on Amazon and you will be hard pressed to find a better carpet cleaner for this price.

Pros

Cons

The video below shows how to setup the Hoover PowerScrub Deluxe and runs though its features and testing.

BISSELL DeepClean Essential

Bissell's Deep Clean Essential features the DirtLifter PowerBrush and a pressurized spray, which gently loosens and lifts dirt from your carpet. The tank in the Bissell differs from the one in the Hoover as it is a 2-in-1 tank system, with a bladder inside the tank to separate clean from dirty water. Bissell's Heatwave Technology® helps maintain water temperature throughout the carpet cleaning process. 

Pros

Cons

->Hoover Max Extract 77 Multi-Surface Pro Carpet & Hard Floor Deep Cleaner vs Bissell ProHeat 2X Lift Off Pet Carpet Cleaner

Hoover Max Extract 77 Multi-Surface Pro Carpet & Hard Floor Deep Cleaner, FH50240

This Hoover MaxExtract deep cleaner is designed to clean a variety of surfaces from carpets to couches and sealed wood floors to tiled floors. It includes the Spinscrub hand tool, upholstery tool and a squeegee. This Hoover is a much older model than the Bissell and was released in 2010. 

This versatile, easy-to-use machine removes water, dirt and grime with pressurized cleaning, and has heated drying for a fast dry time. This is the only model in this Hoover vs Bissell carpet cleaner review to feature an adjustable speed control for various floor surfaces, including a Spill Pick-Up mode so you don''t scrub in spills.

Pros

Cons

Bissell 15651 ProHeat 2X Lift Off Pet Carpet Cleaner

The Hoover ProHeat 2X Lift Off has a unique and innovative design that offers upright cleaning and a detachable, portable deep cleaner.

The Bissell Proheat 2x Revolution pet carpet cleaner offers multiple cleaning modes to fit your needs. Tackle tough pet stains with ease using the pet stain tool.

The proheat 2x Revolution pet also offers two cleaning modes either express or deep clean. When using express clean mode, your carpet dries in about an hour, so you don't have to stay off of your floors all day long.

Plus, the attached hose and tools make it easy to clean stairs, upholstery, and hard-to-reach areas. Bissell carpet cleaners also feature full-width "surround suction" enabling a fast dry of your carpets.

Pros

Cons

Hoover vs Bissell Technology, Performance & Features

Cleaning power

Of course that’s the first thing you’d think of when comparing two carpet cleaning vacuums. After all, that’s the purpose of buying the vacuum in the first place. So if the cleaning ability of the vacuum is not good or effective enough, then there’s no point even looking at its beautiful and sleek body.

Looking at the Hoover range first. Their models definitely have higher suction power, thus enabling quick action when it comes to sucking in dirt and dirty water. The additional advantage of powerful suction is that your carpet will dry up faster.

Bissell carpet cleaners come with their patented Heatwave technology, which helps maintain constant water temperature throughout the cleaning process. And hot water, as we know, is more effective in cleaning dirt out of anything, including your carpet. 

The balance, therefore, appears to be equally tilted in favor of both the brands.

Motor power

Talking of power-packed performance, the power of the motor is another thing that differentiates the good from the best when it comes to carpet-cleaning vacuum. As compared with Hoover, most Bissell models have lower motor amperage, leading to a slightly lower suction ability.

So you’ll find Hoover, especially its bestselling Power Scrub Deluxe, having an edge when it comes to the suction power of the machine.

Brush system

Coming now to the brush systems used in the two carpet cleaners, this is another criteria to be benchmarked when comparing the two. Both use different kinds of brushing technology:

• Hoover (Power Scrub Deluxe and Power Path Pro Advanced ) use a counter-rotating SpinScrub brush system to clean the carpet threads meticulously. 
• By comparison the Bissell ProHeat 2X and Deep Clean models use DirtLifter brushes with 12 rows and 6 rows respectively and work by agitating the dirt particles and also scrubbing stains.

Again, there seems to be very little to choose from, with both the vacuums seen to have highly effective brush systems to do the job of cleaning your carpet. You have options to choose from depending how much scrubbing power you require.

Tank system

Another feature that needs to be compared while making a choice is the tank system fitted into the machine. In the case of Bissell, a single tank system is generally used for both clean and dirty water, while Hoover has a twin tank system. So in the Bissell cleaner, you’ll find the clean and dirty water separated from each other by a thin waterproof diaphragm, while the Hoover keeps the two kinds of water in separate tanks. 

The size of the water tank/s is another important criterion here but, again, both machines stand at par on this count, offering a range of models with different tank sizes. So you can choose the size you need, depending on how big or small your carpets are and how often you need to use the carpet cleaner.

The Hoover system is found to be preferable by many users since they find it easy to throw out the dirty water without having to remove the clean water tank, and without the danger of the two getting mixed.

Weight and size

With most users preferring to go for lightweight and compact machines, Hoover generally tends to come out with vacuums that are lighter and smaller. However, Bissell are starting to compete with the Hoover in the weight stakes with the Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet, which is only 18.1lbs. 

Durability and long-lasting performance

Naturally, this is an important consideration in the final run since nobody wants to spend on replacing their machine every 1-2 years. Actually, both Bissell and Hoover are found to make highly durable machines that are found to last quite a few years. Of course there are exceptions, but fortunately, problems, if any, usually occur in the first one year or so, and are hence covered by the warranty.

So it’s another count on which both the machines are seen to fare equally well, leaving not much to choose.

Conclusion

Choosing between Hoover and Bissell carpet cleaners is not an easy task as there are many models to choose from with each one offering something slightly different. Both brands have good options depending on your needs.

Both Hoover and Bissell also have their own detergent formulae to make the task of cleaning even more effective.

While many people prefer the twin tanks and portability of Hoover, there are others who think a single tank is easier to maintain and clean, and also find the pet-friendly feature of Bissell a great advantage. Suction, of course, is one thing which users of Hoover swear by, but then, on the other hand, you’ll find many favoring the hot water system of the Bissell as being more effective in cleaning carpets etc.

At the end of the day, both appear to be good machines but if budget is a constraint, you’re more likely to find a Hoover model to suit your pocket than a Bissell one.