The verdict in 10 seconds
Best Hoover
Hoover SmartWashCleans carpets well when it works, but durability is a gambleSuits you if
- You have pets and deal with regular carpet stains and odors
- You want an automatic clean-and-dry machine that's simple to run
- You'd like built-in tools for stairs, furniture and spot cleaning
Best Shark
Shark StainStrikerA handy, capable stain fighter for spots, not whole roomsSuits you if
- You have pets and deal with regular accidents on carpet or furniture
- You need quick spot cleanup for spills on rugs, stairs, sofas, or car seats
- You want something compact that's easy to store and simple to operate
Which brand wins?
Shark is the stronger brand for carpet cleaners right now. The best single model of the two is the Shark StainStriker, which suits you if you have pets and deal with regular accidents on carpet or furniture.
We researched 8 expert reviews, analyzed 376 owner ratings and comments across 9 sources for every Hoover and Shark model we cover, and cross-checked them into one verdict, so you don't have to.
Show me the receipts
Brand scoreboardAverage score 44 vs 81 · reliability 0 vs 78
| Hoover | Shark | |
|---|---|---|
| Product Review score | 44 | 81 |
| Experts | 72 | 78 |
| Owners | 37 | 87 |
| Reliability | 0 | 78 |
| Models scored | 1 | 1 |
| Most reliable model | Hoover SmartWash | Shark StainStriker |
Averages across scored models. ● marks the better number on each row.
Questions people actually ask
Which is better, Hoover or Shark?
Shark, on balance. Its models do better overall.
Based on: Average Product Review score 44 for Hoover vs 81 for Shark.Which brand is more reliable, Hoover or Shark?
Shark. Its models are less likely to give you trouble.
Based on: Average reliability 0 vs 78.What is the best Hoover carpet cleaner?
The Hoover SmartWash. It suits you if you have pets and deal with regular carpet stains and odors.
Based on: Highest Product Review score among Hoover models (44).What is the best Shark carpet cleaner?
The Shark StainStriker. It suits you if you have pets and deal with regular accidents on carpet or furniture.
Based on: Highest Product Review score among Shark models (81).