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Bissell Little Green 1400B vs Hoover SmartWash vs Shark StainStriker
The Shark StainStriker comes out ahead for most homes.
The verdict in 10 seconds
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
The Shark StainStriker suits 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
Skip it if
- You want to deep clean wall-to-wall carpet across whole rooms
- Your stains are mostly old, ground-in dirt
- You don't want to rinse out the machine after every use
So, which one?
The Shark StainStriker is the stronger all-rounder of the three. The Bissell Little Green 1400B is still the better fit if you have pets, kids, or frequent small spills. The Hoover SmartWash is still the better fit if you have pets and deal with regular carpet stains and odors.
We researched 16 expert reviews, analyzed 485 owner ratings and comments across 15 sources for the three, and cross-checked them into one verdict, so you don't have to.
Show me the receipts
The scoreboardProduct Review score 71 vs 44 vs 81 · reliability 62 vs 0 vs 78
| Bissell Little Green 1400B | Hoover SmartWash | Shark StainStriker | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Product Review score | 71 | 44 | 81 |
| Experts | 76 | 72 | 78 |
| Owners | 70 | 37 | 87 |
| Reliability | 62 | 0 | 78 |
| Report problems | 15% | 44% | 9% |
| Evidence | 8 reviews · 109 comments | 3 reviews · 307 comments | 5 reviews · 69 comments |
| Typical price | $79–$130 | $250 | $120–$300 |
● marks the better number on each row.
Experts vs ownersExperts 76 vs 72 vs 78 · Owners 70 vs 37 vs 87
Bissell Little Green 1400B
Hoover SmartWash
Shark StainStriker
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.
Shark StainStriker
Our research found strong hands-on results for stain removal: 4 of 5 expert sources tested it directly, and one named it the best carpet cleaner it tested for stains. Owners are more enthusiastic than experts (owner score 87 vs. expert score 78), with 33% of 69 owner comments praising cleaning results and only 6% reporting a unit that broke or died. The evidence is thin, with just 5 expert sources, 45 first-hand owner accounts, and an overall confidence rating of low. One hands-on review (cnn.com) covered a larger upright version of roughly 18 lb priced around $300, while the others assessed the portable spot cleaner, so findings may not apply equally to every StainStriker model.
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
Shark StainStriker
- Small tanks need frequent refilling and emptying
- Short cord may require an extension cord
- Struggles with impacted or deep-set stains
Questions people actually ask
Which is better, the Bissell Little Green 1400B or the Hoover SmartWash or the Shark StainStriker?
The Shark StainStriker, for most homes. The Bissell Little Green 1400B is the better fit if you have pets, kids, or frequent small spills. 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 vs 81.Which is more reliable?
The Shark StainStriker. It's the least likely of the three to give you trouble.
Based on: Reliability 62 vs 0 vs 78; problems mentioned by 15% vs 44% vs 9% of owners.Which is easier to live with day to day?
The Shark StainStriker. It's the one people are happiest with once it's home.
Based on: Owners score 70 vs 37 vs 87, 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; Shark StainStriker $120–$300.As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It never changes a score.