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Bissell Little Green 1400B vs Hoover SmartWash

The Bissell Little Green 1400B comes out ahead for most homes.

Highest scoreBissell Little Green 1400B

Bissell Little Green 1400B

71
Full verdict →
vs
Hoover SmartWash

Hoover SmartWash

44
Full verdict →

The verdict in 10 seconds

The Bissell Little Green 1400B at work: a portable carpet cleaner on a carpeted staircase

The Bissell Little Green 1400B suits you if

  • You have pets, kids, or frequent small spills
  • You want to refresh a couch, stairs, or car seats
  • You have limited storage space and a tight budget

Skip it if

  • You want to deep-clean whole rugs or rooms
  • You want to avoid rinsing brushes and hoses after each use
  • You need fabric to dry quickly after cleaning

The Hoover SmartWash suits 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

Skip it if

  • You need a machine you can count on to last for years
  • You want something light and easy to carry around the house
  • You'd be frustrated by leaks or suction that fades over time

So, which one?

The Bissell Little Green 1400B is the stronger all-rounder of the two. The Hoover SmartWash is still the better fit if you have pets and deal with regular carpet stains and odors.

We researched 11 expert reviews, analyzed 416 owner ratings and comments across 12 sources for the two, and cross-checked them into one verdict, so you don't have to.

Show me the receipts

The scoreboardProduct Review score 71 vs 44 · reliability 62 vs 0
Bissell Little Green 1400BHoover SmartWash
Product Review score7144
Experts7672
Owners7037
Reliability620
Report problems15%44%
Evidence8 reviews · 109 comments3 reviews · 307 comments
Typical price$79–$130$250

● marks the better number on each row.

Experts vs ownersExperts 76 vs 72 · Owners 70 vs 37

Bissell Little Green 1400B

Hoover SmartWash

ExpertsOwnersEach expert review
How we reached each verdictThe numbers behind each model's score

Bissell Little Green 1400B

We analyzed 8 expert evaluations, 7 of them hands-on, plus 109 owner comments (78 first-hand). All 7 hands-on reviewers found it effective on stains, and cleaning results were the top owner theme at 29%, while 8% of owners mentioned leaks and 6% weak suction. Failure-related mentions appear in 15% of owner comments, which pulls reliability down to 62, though one hands-on writer reports trouble-free use since 2022. The evidence is thinner on long-term durability and on how it compares with cheaper rivals, since no reviewer published a numeric score and only one compared it head-to-head with the Little Green Mini.

Hoover SmartWash

Our research found a sharp split between hands-on expert results and long-term owner experience: the 3 hands-on evaluations score it 72, while owners score it 37. Across 307 owner comments (249 first-hand), 30% report the machine breaking or dying, 22% cite weak suction and 7% report leaks, against only 10% praising its cleaning. Experts praised its pet-stain removal, water extraction and automatic cycles, but one (Wired) withheld full judgment pending long-term durability testing. Evidence is limited to 3 expert sources with no published scores, so expert praise reflects mainly short-term performance.

Where each one falls shortThe most common complaints

Bissell Little Green 1400B

  • Tanks can spill or leak, and fabric stays wet a while
  • Brush head and hose need frequent, fiddly cleaning
  • Too small for large areas; short hose limits reach

Hoover SmartWash

  • Breaks down or shorts out within months
  • Weak or fading suction
  • Leaks, plus a bulky, heavy build

Questions people actually ask

Which is better, the Bissell Little Green 1400B or the Hoover SmartWash?

The Bissell Little Green 1400B, for most homes. The Hoover SmartWash is the better fit if you have pets and deal with regular carpet stains and odors.

Based on: Product Review score 71 vs 44.

Which is more reliable?

The Bissell Little Green 1400B. It's the least likely of the two to give you trouble.

Based on: Reliability 62 vs 0; problems mentioned by 15% vs 44% of owners.

Which is easier to live with day to day?

The Bissell Little Green 1400B. It's the one people are happiest with once it's home.

Based on: Owners score 70 vs 37, from ratings and comments.

Which is cheaper?

The Bissell Little Green 1400B usually costs less.

Based on: Typical prices: Bissell Little Green 1400B $79–$130; Hoover SmartWash $250.

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