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The Best Hoover Vacuum Cleaners for Carpets

Updated on July 23, 2020 by Joseph D. Nielson

Table of Contents

Best Hoover Carpet Cleaners Reviews & Guide

Which Hoover carpet cleaner is best for a home with pets with muddy paws? Which has the deep carpet-cleaning power to keep up with your very spilly toddler? Are any of them also good on hardwood floors?

You know that Hoover is the best name in the industry, but you’re not sure which model is right for your home. What is the best Hoover carpet cleaner for you?

The Hoover line is so vast and extensive that you might find yourself a bit overwhelmed with all of the options to choose from. But, that’s why we’re here. We have done the dirty work (pun regretted) for you and today we will compare Hoover carpet cleaners to find the best one.

We’ve thoroughly researched the full Hoover line and we have picked the top 7 models that can tackle the floors of your busy home.

Keep reading to find the one that best suits your needs!

The 7 Best Hoover Carpet Cleaners Comparison Table

IMAGE PRODUCT
  • Best Used For: Carpet cleaning, Pet hair removal
  • Suction Power: 10
  • Weight: 18.5 lbs
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  • Best Used For: Pet hair removal, Upholstery, Hardwood flooring, Carpet cleaning
  • Suction Power: 9
  • Weight: 18.5 lbs
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  • Best Used For : Pet hair removal, Carpet cleaning, Upholstery
  • Suction Power: 9
  • Weight: 20lbs
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  • Best Used For: Pet hair removal, Carpet Cleaning
  • Suction Power: 9
  • Weight: 27lbs
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  • Best Used For: Pet hair removal, Carpet Cleaning
  • Suction Power: 9
  • Weight: 21.85 lbs
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  • Best Used For : Pet hair removal, Carpet cleaning, Upholstery
  • Suction Power: 8
  • Weight: 9 lbs
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  • Best Used For : Pet hair removal, Carpet cleaning
  • Suction Power: 9
  • Weight: 16.2 lbs
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The 7 Best Hoover Carpet Cleaners Review

1. TOP PICKHoover Power Scrub Elite Pet Carpet Cleaner

Features include:

  • 360 degree SpinScrub Brush Technology for deep carpet cleaning
  • Dual-V Nozzle cleaning system
  • HeatForce applies heat directly to surface while cleaning
  • High-capacity, removable Dual Tank system for dirty and clean water (2.5 gallons)
  • Auto-detergent mixing system
  • Wash/rinse selector

Best Suited For: Large, multi-room homes, pet owners

This model is perfect for homeowners who feel like they are constantly fighting an uphill battle against pet hair and stains every single day. We feel it is simply the best Hoover carpet cleaner on the market today!

Let’s start with the things that pet owners care about the most, as we compare Hoover carpet cleaners. A 2-in-1 Antimicrobial Pet Tool means you can choose to use the rubber nub insert for cleaning your pets’ messes, or you can use the slightly more robust bristle insert to really give you more scrubbing power.

There is also a Heatforce + Quick Clean Mode that allows you to go from clean to dry in about 45 minutes. This is really handy, because who wants to avoid walking in an area on your rug for half of a day while it dries?

It’s also extremely lightweight for a machine this powerful. It weighs a bit less than 19 pounds

and you can pick it up by one of the 4 handles. Despite its light weight, it still comes with large capacity tanks for both your clean and dirty water, which means having to refill less.

It also has automatic detergent mixing, which gives you the perfect combination of detergent and water so you’re never using too much or too little.

However, the bottom line is this unit simply eats stains for breakfast. It is borderline fun to watch it clean. You can make short work of just about any stain, whether it’s fresh or it has sat on your rug for years.

Pros:

  • Best-in-class cleaner
  • Amazing bargain
  • One of the top-rated and best-reviewed Hoover carpet cleaners
  • Fast and powerful, going from clean to dry in 45 minutes

Cons:

  • None, really. Seriously

Video: Hoover® Power Scrub Elite Carpet Cleaner – Assembly and Use

Hoover Carpet Cleaner Reviews: The Power Scrub Elite Pet Carpet Cleaner

This one tops our list because you are simply not going to find a carpet cleaner at this price point, with so many amazing online reviews. 90% of all of its Amazon reviews are 4 or 5 stars. That means if you own this machine, you love this machine.

Many of the reviews say that the Hoover Power Scrub Elite Pet Carpet Cleaner does as good (or better) of a job than those monster machines that you can rent, or the machines sold by other manufacturers that are two and three times the cost.

2. Hoover WindTunnel 3 High Performance Pet Bagless Corded Upright Vacuum UH72630PC

Features include:

  • Hoover QuickPass Brush Roll removes more dirt on initial pass
  • Hoover WindTunnel3 Technology provides 3 channels of deep suction cleaning
  • Multi-cyclonic suction for constant suction power
  • HEPA-certified filter for trapping 99.7% allergens
  • Height adjustment
  • 40-ft cord for extended reach
  • Headlight

Best Suited For: Large multi-room homes, multi-surfaces, pet owners, allergy-sufferers

This is listed as Hoover’s Top Vacuum, which is really saying something! However, given that it doesn’t have any carpet cleaning power, we have listed it as #2. Today we’re talking about Hoover carpet cleaners, but if you just need a vacuum, this is the one to get.

This is simply an incredible unit that gives you a super-powerful vacuum cleaner, with the flexibility to cover a lot of ground without having to unplug and replug, or break your back with a cumbersome and clunky model. This unit is lightweight, comes with very long hoses and cords, plenty of attachments, and it’s very easy to use.

The first thing that homeowners will notice is how much they can get done in a short amount of time. The hoses give you an amazing 15 feet of reach. You can get the small crevices on the floor trim and then quickly move on to ceiling trim, vaulted ceilings, beams, or ceiling fans.

At the same time, a 40-foot long power cord gives you the ability to clean multiple rooms without replugging.

Families with asthma or allergy concerns will love that this unit uses a HEPA filter with an odor absorbing carbon layer that traps 99.97% of dirt, dust, and allergens. It also comes with a reusable filter that is easy to clean under a tap and running water.

The WindTunnel 3 technology creates three channels of suction to give you a deeper cleaning than models twice its price. At the same time, the multi-cyclonic technology passes the air through 13 cyclones, which filters dirt and debris without you losing any suction.

But, the key selling point for this model is probably the selection of tools that give you an incredibly clean home. One of our favorite features is the pivoting dusting tool that lets you clean on top of ceiling fans, high shelves, and bookcases without having to stand on a ladder or chair.

Meanwhile, the crevice tool attacks those hard-to-reach places, which basically means you don’t have any hard to reach places anymore.

And finally, as the name indicates, this model is absolutely unstoppable when it comes to pet hair. The pet turbo tool completely demolishes stubborn pet hair and easily removes it from carpet, upholstery, furniture, and stairs with a single pass.

Pros:

  • Incredibly light, yet powerful
  • Top notch air filter system
  • Quick Pass Brush roll gives you twice the cleaning power
  • Fantastic value for its price

Cons:

  • No “wet” carpet cleaning

Video: Hoover WindTunnel 3 High Performance Pet Bagless Upright

Hoover Carpet Cleaner Reviews: The WindTunnel 3 High Performance Pet Bagless

Online reviewers are all echoing exactly what homeowners want to hear about a new vacuum cleaner: You get more done than ever before in less time than ever before.

The reviews say that the power, the flexibility, and the features mean you are not spending your time pulling ladders out of closets or fussing with moving from power outlet to power outlet. The time you spend cleaning is actually spent cleaning.

Yes, we want to mainly compare Hoover carpet cleaners today, but this is just a great deal.

3. Hoover Carpet Cleaner SteamVac with Clean Surge Carpet Cleaner Machine F5914900

Features include:

  • Hoover SpinScrub Brush Technology for deep cleaning carpets
  • 3-speed spin brush
  • CleanSurge Control for extra detergent to heavy stains, high traffic areas
  • Heated Cleaning
  • Tool Mode adjusts to hardwood surfaces
  • Dual Tank Technology for clean and dirty water
  • 133 oz clean water capacity

Best Suited For: multiple-pet owners, high-volume foot traffic households

If you have pets and children, renting a carpet cleaner from the local grocery store isn’t going to get it done. You need a powerful solution, and you need one at a good price because this is an everyday thing.

The Hoover Carpet Cleaner SteamVac with Clean Surge Carpet Cleaner Machine is likely the solution you’re looking for. It gives you the power of a commercial model, at a very reasonable price point.

It also gives you the power and reliability you’re expecting from the Hoover name, which is why we’re naming it the runner-up for best Hoover carpet cleaner.

This unit tackles whatever you can throw in front of it with spin scrubber technology. These are multi-directional brushes that surround the fabric fibers to remove dirt and stains at every angle.

You’ll be amazed at what this can do to coffee, food, juice, or pet waste. It makes shockingly short work of even the most stubborn stains. This means there is no longer any need to fret, worry, or spring into immediate action when something gets spilled. Life happens and when it does, this steam vac has your back.

Its fantastic cleaning power isn’t limited to the floor. It also comes with a spin scrub powered hand tool that works wonders on furniture, upholstery, and stairs.

It also comes with dual tanks, so you can keep your cleaning solution and the dirty water separate at all times.

However, the real difference might be the Clean Surge Control, which gives you the ability to apply extra power and detergent to extra stubborn stains or high traffic areas. You also get 3 Speed Brushroll Control, so you can switch from gentle cleaning to heavy-duty wherever needed.

Pros:

  • Commercial-quality stain removal ability
  • 360° of cleaning with spinscrub
  • One of the lighter models of the sort, at only 20 pounds
  • 3 Speed Brush Roll Control gives you different speeds for different materials
  • Fantastic value for its price

Cons:

  • Doesn’t include as many tools as other carpet washers in the Hoover line
  • One of the louder units

Video: Cleaning Carpet: Hoover SteamVac

Hoover Carpet Cleaner Reviews: The Carpet Cleaner SteamVac with Clean Surge

Critics and reviewers have put this unit through the wringer and made this one of the more favorably reviewed Hoover carpet cleaners. They tried it on tough stains on the carpet and found that it works extremely well, as long as you go slowly and give it a chance to work its magic.

They also used the hand tool to get noticeable results on furniture, chairs, sofas, and the stairs.

Many also raved about the convenience of the dual tank system, and how easy it is to fill/ dump out the contents.

4. Hoover Carpet Cleaner Max Extract Dual V WidePath Carpet Cleaner Machine F7412900

Features include:

  • Hoover SpinScrub Brush Technology
  • Dual-V suction for wider, deeper suction power
  • Heat Cleaning
  • Auto-detergent mix
  • 3-speed brush cleaning action
  • Dual water tank for clean and dirty water(2 gallon capacity)
  • Removable Tool Caddy
  • Fingertip Rinse On/Off settings

Best Suited For: large carpets, area rugs, upholstery

For exhausted homeowners, The Hoover Carpet Cleaner Max Extract Dual V WidePath Carpet Cleaner is a high-powered miracle that almost seems to remove dirt and stains magically.

If you have a large space to clean and need a heavy-duty cleaner to cover it, we highly recommend the Hoover Carpet Cleaner Max Extract Dual V WidePath Carpet Cleaner.

It gives you that extra coverage with a wide path nozzle, and a sixth brush to give you 20% more cleaning action.

Your home’s carpets and rugs can get filthy in a hurry if you have kids and pets. You have constant traffic walking all over your beautiful rugs. Sometimes, you have to remind the kids (or your significant other) not to come inside with their shoes on. These high-traffic areas can really take a day-to-day beating… and then something gets spilled.

If you’re tired of trying to sop up spilled juice, coffee, wine, or milk and cereal with a paper towel, this is the unit for you. There is no need to get down on your hands and knees to try to clean it, while experimenting with different types of cleaners in homemade solutions.

You also get a fantastically powerful SpinScrub Hand tool, the Upholstery Tool, and the Squeegee. These are perfect for cleaning smaller areas like your carpeted stairs, your dining room chairs, or your couch. It’s also particularly handy when you want to clean an area and you don’t want to move a large piece of furniture. You can get full cleaning power while going under or around it.

In terms of power, you get an awesome 12 amp motor that combines with the wide nozzle to cover a lot of floor space quickly.

Pros

  • An extra brush that gives you 20% more cleaning action
  • A wide, 13-inch nozzle width
  • Three different speeds of brush control
  • Edge cleaning bristles

Cons

  • At 27 pounds, it is one of the heavier Hoover carpet cleaners

Video: Max Extract® Dual V® Carpet Washer (F7452900): How to use

Hoover Carpet Cleaner Reviews: Carpet Cleaner Max Extract Dual V WidePath

One of the features that really stands out among online reviewers is the edge cleaning bristles.

These give you a nice tight clean all the way up to the wall and the trim for no missed spots in corners or along the wall. This feature isn’t available on all cleaners.

Reviewers are also big fans of the automatic detergent mixing system. You don’t need to fuss around with trying to figure out the right ratio of water and detergent. You just pour both in and the machine figures it out for you. With dual tanks, your clean water and your dirty water are always kept separate, and both can be emptied in a couple of seconds. Because nobody likes a dirty job to do once they have finished cleaning.

5. Hoover Max Extract 60 Pressure Pro Carpet Deep Cleaner

Features include:

  • Hoover SpinScrub Technology
  • Dual-V Cleaning nozzle
  • Dual Tank for clean and dirty water
  • Auto-detergent mix
  • Heat Cleaning
  • Automated multi-surface tools for cleaning floors and above-floor surfaces

Best Suited For: carpet stains, above-floor surfaces, wood, vinyl, tile, grout

Imagine you are desperately trying to get dinner ready before company arrives, and you accidentally spill some red wine right in the middle of the living room.

You don’t just need this stain gone as quickly as possible, you need the carpet to be dry as quickly as possible before people arrive and start trying to walk on it. This is where the Hoover Max Extract 60 Pressure Pro Carpet Deep Cleaner really comes in handy.

This unit’s heated cleaning function uses a powerful motor with forced heat to give you a deep cleaning that will also dry up faster than you thought possible. This easily makes it one of the top models on the market and one of the best Hoover carpet cleaners.

This is a no-nonsense machine that makes stains and dirt simply disappear. You get the Hoover exclusive spin scrubber technology that gives you 360° of cleaning action. It is tough on stains, yet is gentle on the fabric.

The price point is also fantastic on this model, especially when you compare it to the cost of having to rent a commercial carpet cleaner. This unit likely does a better job and it’s waiting in the closet for whenever you need it.

You can even get a deep cleaning right up against the wall, with the pressurized edge-to-edge cleaning.

Pros:

  • Fantastic value for its price
  • Plenty of cleaning power
  • Fast dry times
  • Hand tool for stairs, furniture and upholstery

Cons:

  • Doesn’t come with as many attachments as other Hoover carpet cleaners

Video: Hoover Max Extract 60 Pressure Pro Deep Cleaner Not Working On Low Pile Carpet?

Hoover Carpet Cleaner Reviews: The Max Extract 60 Pressure Pro Carpet Deep Cleaner

The online reviews are very good for the Hoover Max Extract 60. A number of reviewers have said that they used to rent carpet cleaners from the grocery store, and this model does a far better job at a fraction of the price.

Other people have raved about the fact that they took this unit out of the box and immediately put it to work on stains that were a few years old. The Hoover Max Extract 60 got rid of them, like magic.

Reviewers also love the relatively light weight of the machine (about 20 lbs) and how easily it maneuvers around their home. And like many other Hoover carpet cleaners, people love the smart tanks system that automatically separates your cleaning water so you can easily fill/dump each tank individually, with no mess involved.

This unit may not have all of the features and attachments of other (and slightly more expensive) models among Hoover carpet cleaners, but this is the perfect model for someone who just wants a powerful and reliable carpet cleaner that can keep up with their family’s messes.

6. Hoover Spotless Portable Carpet & Upholstery Spot Cleaner

Features include:

  • Self-cleaning Technology flushes dirt from hoses
  • Antimicrobial tool prevents bacteria, mildew, and mold forming
  • Dual Water Tank with water level indicator
  • Removable Cleaning Solution Tank
  • 14 ft cord length
  • Lightweight, portable
  • Spot Sprayer for stubborn, heavy duty stains

Best Suited For: condo living spaces, hardwood flooring, carpets, upholstery

Maybe you live in a home with nothing but hardwood floors. Or maybe you have a condo or apartment, without the need for a full-size carpet cleaner. However, spills and stains still happen on throw rugs, furniture, and other upholstery. That’s where the Hoover Spotless Portable Carpet & Upholstery Spot Cleaner steps in beautifully.

The spotless model is perfectly named because it is exactly what you need for spot cleaning. It’s small and light, yet effective and powerful. It is certainly the best Hoover carpet cleaner for small spaces. It has the Hoover engine and technology you need to take care of life’s little accidents and spills from pets or kids.

When spills happen, there is no need to frantically Google, “How do I remove ___ from ___” and rush to grab a roll of paper towels. Just use the Hoover Spotless Portable to quickly eliminate the spill before it becomes a stain. It also does wonders on old stains in your carpet or upholstery that you may have given up on. Set the Hoover Spotless Portable loose on stains and get ready to be amazed.

Pros

  • Small, compact and only 9 pounds
  • Industry-leading cleaning power for a portable unit
  • Longer reach
  • Self-cleaning hose

Cons

  • As a portable unit, it has its limitations compared to full-size Hoover carpet cleaners

As we compare Hoover carpet cleaners, this is the best small space solution.

Video: Hoover Spotless Portable Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner – How To Use Self-Clean

Hoover Carpet Cleaner Reviews: The Spotless Portable Carpet & Upholstery Spot Cleaner

About 75% of Amazon reviews for this product are 4 or 5 stars. So, if you were to compare

Hoover carpet cleaners based solely on online reviews, this one is certainly near the top.

People who bought it love how small and light this machine actually is. At the time of this writing, it is the lightest portable carpet cleaner on the market today, at just under 9 pounds. And at the same time, it’s only 15 inches tall, which means you don’t have to take up a lot of closet space to store it. You can easily tuck this away in the kitchen or bathroom cupboards.

This is a really big deal for people who live in condos and apartments where closet space is at a premium. They can store this cleaner in a closet that already has their washer and dryer unit, without taking up much more space than a shoebox. And, it’s easy to pull it out when stains happen.

Another feature that reviewers are really responding to is the self-cleaning hose. Nobody wants to clean a carpet, only to be left with a stinky hose. To clean it, just plug it into the cleaning port on the back of the unit and turn it on to flush out any dirt, grime, or debris.

This is also a big hit with people who have hardwood floors throughout their homes, but have a bit of carpet or a runner on their stairs.

7. Hoover REACT QuickLift Bagless Upright Vacuum UH73301PC

Features include:

  • Sealed Allergen System traps 99% of allergens and dirt (HEPA-certified)
  • Hoover WindTunnel Surge Technology for powerful suction
  • Hoover FloorSense Technology adjusts brush roll speed automatically to different floor surfaces
  • Hoover REACT System tested for pet hair removal
  • Detachable canister for easy, above-floor cleaning
  • Hoover App for customizable cleaning

Best Suited For: pet owners, above-floor cleaning, multi-surface floors

This last one is another divergence away from Hoover carpet cleaners. But, this is another fantastic vacuum at a great price.

There is a myth in the world of home cleaning that you need to spend $400 or $500 to get the best of the best vacuum cleaner. This is no longer the case. You can clean your home without cleaning out your bank account! The Hoover REACT gives you more cleaning power and versatility than a vacuum two or three times its price.

A lot of vacuum companies have come and gone over the years, but Hoover has remained on top of the mountain by constantly evolving. This model is a perfect example of the power and suction you have come to expect from this brand, combined with new smart technology.

Let’s start with the basic and most practical features that you will love. The Portable Lift Canister makes it incredibly easy to carry the vacuum and give your stairs a simple and deep cleaning. Meanwhile, the Advanced Swivel Steering makes it easy to operate everywhere else, as you can quickly maneuver around or underneath anything in its path.

You can also feel good about the Sealed Allergan System, which captures 99% of the allergens in your home, without releasing them back into the air. At the same time, pet owners can take comfort in knowing all of Hoover’s vacuums meet the Paws and Claws standards for pet hair removal.

Now, onto the more advanced technical aspects. First of all, this model is compatible with the Hoover App, which lets you customize how your vacuum works and make sure it’s always performing at an optimal level.

At the same time, its smart FloorSense technology detects and analyzes the changing floor types to adjust your brush speed. This means you are getting the perfect clean when you switch from carpet to hardwood floors, without having to touch a single button.

Pros:

  • Probably the best vacuum cleaner you can possibly buy at this price
  • Next-level technology
  • Incredibly light and portable

Cons:

  • Could be too much vacuum for a small space or a condo
  • No wet carpet cleaning/ stain removal capability

Video: Hoover® REACT™ The Vacuum with Instincts – Cyclonic Filter

Hoover Carpet Cleaner Reviews: The REACT QuickLift Bagless Upright

Online reviewers who have to switch from carpet to hardwood to linoleum love the sensor features.

They also love that it is light and stores very easily. At the same time, the detachable pieces make it easy to get to the low nooks and crannies around fireplaces, as well as those cobwebs and dust collections up and around the ceiling, trim, and ceiling fans. They also love the swivel head that takes them places their old vacuum cleaner could not.

Bloggers and YouTubers have put this model to the test, up against messy piles of Cheerios and rice grains and the Hoover easily stood up to the test. It was also able to make short work of coffee grounds in a throw rug. The dusting brush also did extremely well on all types of surfaces, including furniture and blankets.

And of course, it garnered rave reviews for its pet-friendly attachments that made short work of hair on fabric and carpet.

Hoover Vacuums: The Industry Standard for Over a Century

The name “Hoover” is one of those brand names that transcends an industry. For a long period of time, the brand name was a verb. You would Hoover your home the same way you would Xerox something, use a Kleenex, drink from a Thermos, or ride Rollerblades.

But, did you know that the Hoover company originally started off by selling leather goods?

Their tannery business began in 1827 with Henry Hoover and an 80-acre farm near New Berlin. He passed it on to his son Daniel Hoover, who sold the business to his sons, William H. “Boss” and Frank K. Hoover.

However, around the turn of the century, the mass roll-out of the automobile was poised to kill their business. Streets filled with automobiles meant that people would no longer be buying saddles in nearly the volume that had sustained their business. They had to pivot and go in a completely new direction. And it took an asthmatic janitor to show them the way.

James Murray Spangler was an inventor and a janitor. Cleaning carpets would kick dust and send him into a coughing fit. So, he sought to invent something that would do the job better.

His first crude “electric suction sweeper” was made with parts from a sewing machine’s motor, some ceiling fan blades and a soapbox. Other models used a broom and a pillowcase. This was a far cry from today’s advanced Hoover carpet cleaners.

His first sale ($60, plus another $15 for attachments) was to his cousin, Susan Hoover, who also happened to be married to William H. ‘Boss’ Hoover. This led to the Hoovers buying the company. The rest, as they say, is history.

This was by no means the first carpet cleaning device ever invented. For example, in 1898, John S. Thurman’s gasoline-powered “pneumatic carpet renovator” shot an “air-blast” to blow dust away. However, the clear downside was the machine was the size of a horse-drawn carriage. Thurman did fairly well traveling with his device and charging hotels and well-off families 4 dollars for a house call, which is about $125.00 today.

However, the Hoover vacuum improved the technology, made it portable and brought it into everyone’s home.

Making The Right Choice

Before you find out what vacuum will perfectly suit your needs, you need to identify exactly what those needs are. Do you or your children have severe allergies? Do you have pets? Do you have a lot of stairs, or different types of surfaces?

Make your list of wants and must-haves, then use the reviews we’ve written above to figure out the best Hoover carpet cleaner for your needs and your family.

To be perfectly honest, there is no wrong choice. All of the vacuums we’ve listed above are industry-leaders and can kick the heck out of dirt.

However, if carpet stains are a priority, you will want to stay away from the Hoover WindTunnel 3 High Performance. It’s probably one of the best vacuums in the world right now, but it has no stain removal. At the same time, if you’re in a small space or mainly have hardwood floors, the Hoover Spotless Portable is all you will ever need.

All of these models are backed by the Hoover name and legions of online reviews that rave about what a life-changer these machines can be.

Are you ready to find yours?

Joseph and Family
About Joseph D. Nielson

Former journalist and editor for various press groups, I now dedicate my time to reviewing products for the home and family life. When I get time to myself, I enjoy rock climbing, taking my dirt bike for a rip, and most importantly providing my family with the best home possible!