Quick Answer: In 2026, Hoover and Bissell clean carpets equally well — the difference is priorities. The Hoover SmartWash+ wins on value and ease of use: its automatic triggerless spray is nearly foolproof and it typically costs about $100 less than a comparable Bissell. The Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro wins for pet homes with its CleanShot pretreater and specialized tools. Buy Hoover for value and simplicity; buy Bissell if pets rule your floors.
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+ | Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | ~$200 | ~$250 |
| Best for | Value & ease of use | Pet homes & pretreating stains |
Where Hoover wins: value and simplicity
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 while selling for roughly $100 less. If you want the easiest path to clean carpets and the best price, Hoover is the pick.
Hoover SmartWash+ Automatic Carpet Cleaner
- Automatic triggerless spray — foolproof for first-timers.
- Cleans as well as the Bissell ProHeat for about $100 less.
- Large tanks and wide path for whole-house jobs.
Where Bissell wins: pets and pretreating
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 and a ~30-minute Express Clean dry mode, and it’s the better machine for homes with animals — even though it costs a bit more.
Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro
- 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 best portable carpet cleaner guide for that matchup in detail.
The bottom line
There’s no wrong answer here — both brands clean carpets beautifully. Choose the Hoover SmartWash+ if you want the best value and the most foolproof operation. Choose the Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro if you live with pets and want the pretreater and specialized tools that make accidents and hair easier to handle. For the full field of machines across every budget, see our best carpet cleaner roundup.