Professional Vs. Regular Upright Home Carpet Cleaners Comparison

Professional Vs. Regular Upright Home Carpet Cleaners Comparison

Professional Vs. Upright Home Carpet Cleaners – Which are better? Depending on what your needs are, you will find more benefits in going with one class of machine over another. We put together this guide to help home users trying to decide whether to buy a regular upright home carpet cleaner or a professional/ light commercial carpet cleaner. Sometimes it helps to see the factors laid out in front of you when struggling through the decision-making process, so here it goes:

1. Cleaning Power

Bissell 86T3 (right) and Hoover SteamVac (left) compared.  Hoover SteamVac cleaned dirtier left block. While Bissell cleaned cleaner right block

Professional carpet cleaners, or carpet extractors (as they are sometimes called), have better cleaning power than regular upright cleaners for home use. The differences are most noticeable when the carpets are really dirty. You can see for yourself a comparison of cleaning by the very popular full-sized upright cleaner Hoover SteamVac with Clean Surge vs. the Bissell 86T3 Professional Deep Cleaner machine:

The vast majority of standard upright home carpet shampooers will have a single motor handling both the rotation of the cleaning brushes and the suction of excess water from the carpet or upholstery. Any motor which has to do double-duty in a carpet cleaning device will be strained to deliver an award-winning cleaning performance.

The Bissell 86T3 carpet cleaner features a dual motor design, with one motor rotating the brushes, while another motor is used to scoop up excess water and solution from the carpet. Dual motors will win out in performance every single time, but dual motor designs also cost a lot more.

2. Durability

Professional/ light commercial carpet extractors for home users are built to much higher workmanship standards than regular-grade cleaners. They tend to last a lot longer, and are free from problems like leaking tanks or clogged piping that regular upright cleaners sometimes unfortunately face. This keeps the user experience of professional cleaner machines hassle-free, as they do not have to deal with problems of getting their machines fixed as often.

In addition, they are known to last longer on average. In fact, the manufacturers themselves are aware of this, and therefore willing to give a longer warranty for professional grade machines.

3. Warranty

Manufacturers often provide a 4 to 5-year warranty when it comes professional machines, vs. 1 to 3 years for regular upright cleaners. As explained above, since professional/ commercial grade machines are built to higher quality standards, manufacturers have the confidence to support a longer period of warranty.

The longer period of warranty is also a reason that some users pick a professional cleaning machine. They know that by spending a bigger sum upfront, they are assured of a powerful machine that cleans extremely well, and that will work well for years to come.

Professional grade carpet shampooers that are sold to commercial users, however, have shorter warranty periods. For example, the Bissell BG10 carpet extractor, the same machine as the Bissell 86T3 but sold for commercial uses, has a 1-year warranty. This makes sense, as manufacturers would expect a commercial carpet cleaner to be used in a commercial setting, suffering more wear and tear as a result.

4. Cost

Professional/ light commercial carpet cleaners can cost several hundred dollars more than regular carpet cleaners, although the price difference is usually no more than about $300. A best-selling and top-rated regular upright cleaner like the Hoover Power Scrub Deluxe costs around $180, compared to around $400 for the well-known Rug Doctor Mighty Pro carpet extractor.

Although users pay more for a professional grade carpet cleaning machine, they do get more bang for your buck as a result. If you compare the water storage and cleaning capabilities of a commercial cleaner to the same cleaning and water storage features of a regular household carpet cleaner, the numbers speak for themselves.

Ironically, paying a higher price upfront could mean more savings down the road, from repairs, parts or even machine replacements. Some users choose to purchase a commercial grade machine because they want to “do it right the first time.”

Your final decision won’t necessarily come down to cost alone. It also depends on your carpet cleaning situation. The fact remains that larger households with pets will benefit more from the sheer power of a professional carpet cleaner, whereas small households dealing with small carpeted areas may find their needs well-served by a less costly regular upright carpet cleaning machine.

5. Weight

One thing you’ll notice about any professional carpet cleaner – the Bissell 86T3 being example – is the sheer physical size and weight of them. It’s not that they’re so bulky or heavy you’d never manage to operate them, but they do tend to weigh 10-15 pounds (without water) more than a regular carpet cleaner.

If you compare the Bissell 86T3 which weighs 42 pounds to the  Bissell 8852 Essential Carpet Cleaner  which weighs 24 pounds, there’s a weight difference of almost 18 pounds. When you factor in that the Bissell 86T3 has a higher water storage capacity, it adds further to the weight.

Fortunately, carpet cleaning machines, whether they are professional carpet cleaners like the Bissell 86T3 or Rug Doctor Mighty Pro, or lighter upright machines like the Bissell 8852 Essential or Hoover SteamVac, are all ergonomically designed to be easy to pull and push on wheels.

Home users who need to clean multiple floors may want to be cognizant of the weight that they can comfortably handle, or else have help available if they need to bring the machine up and down the stairs.

6. Storage Space

Professional carpet cleaning machines tend to be bulkier, although they may not have as large a footprint as their weight suggests. For example, the Bissell 86T3 measures 11 inches wide, 20 1/2 inches deep and 42 1/4 inches high (but handle can be folded down to a lower height).

The regular upright Bissell 8852 cleaner measures 11 inches wide, 20 inches deep and 43 inches high (handle can’t be folded down). The Hoover Power Scrub FH50150 measures 11.5 inches wide, 17.25 inches deep and 43.25 inches high (handle can’t be folded down).

Regular upright carpet shampooers may still make more sense for smaller living spaces as they are lighter, less bulky and will still get the job done. For some people, it may feel like an overkill to store a heavy-weight machine at home just for cleaning one or two rooms every month.

7. Water Tank System

Professional carpet cleaning machines typically have two-tank systems – one for handling clean water and one for collecting the dirty water to be dumped. Bissell’s regular upright cleaners typically use a single tank with a flexible “bladder” membrane pouch holding the clean water.  Hoover’s regular upright cleaners  have a separated two-tank system.

Although Bissell’s single “bladder” tank system works OK, a two-tank system appears to be favored by more people.

8. Water Tank Capacity

Professional carpet cleaning machines have larger sized tanks to hold more water. This allows for more cleaning to be done without having to stop and refill the tanks. The Bissell 86T3 Professional Deep Cleaner has a tank size of 1.75 gallons vs. a 1 to 1.25 gallon tank size for most regular upright cleaners.

Bonus Tip

If you are unsure of whether to purchase a professional grade or regular upright carpet cleaner machine, it doesn’t have to be an all or nothing decision. Especially for first time buyers without much experience in owning carpet cleaning machines, getting a professional grade machine may seem intimidating.

One suggestion is to purchase a basic upright cleaner machine for $150 to $200 for regular use around the home. Then, in times when carpets get really dirty, you can supplement its use by renting a commercial machine or engage professional cleaning services to help.

Summary

There are a number considerations to keep in mind when it comes to choosing between professional/ light commercial grade machines or regular upright carpet cleaners. Some will stand out more than others, and tilt your decision one way or other.

Generally, buyers of professional grade cleaners tend to be a tad more experienced in DIY home carpet cleaning than the average carpet cleaner machines buyer. They see the value in paying for the best equipment to ensure the best cleaning experience possible.

Regular upright home carpet cleaners are known to clean extremely well. When the carpets are not as dirty, you can’t really tell the difference in results from a professional grade cleaner. When you factor in the lower cost and lighter nature of these cleaners, it’s clear why a majority of home users purchase them. 

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Rug Doctor Mighty Pro X3 Review

Rug Doctor Mighty Pro X3 Review

The Rug Doctor Mighty Pro X3 machine is perhaps the most popularly known carpet cleaner sold to serious home users today. It is a commercial grade machine that is built with high quality workmanship and powered to clean effectively. Many users over the past 3 decades attest to the fine results they have gotten from using a Rug Doctor.

While the Rug Doctor is certainly a pioneer and dominant player for DIY home carpet cleaning equipment for a long time, consumers now get to choose alternative models from companies like Hoover and Bissell as well. The Rug Doctor has a stronghold because of it’s high quality workmanship and massive cleaning power.

In this review, we will look into the main features and benefits of the Rug Doctor carpet cleaner, how well it cleans, and how its performance rates against other popular home carpet cleaning machines. In particular, this review is for the Rug Doctor Might Pro X3 model, which is the official blue colored Rug Doctor carpet machine sold (not the red colored rental unit or an older model).

Rug Doctor Features & Benefits

Vibrating Brush Technology – The Rug Doctor Mighty Pro X3 machine comes with its patented vibrating brush technology that is able to loosen and bring out dirt from carpets effectively.

High 1.74 HP Horsepower – A high power amperage for the motor, together with a 28 psi power pump ensures that dirt and stains are eradicated from carpets. That said, regular carpet cleaners like the Hoover Steamvac with Clean Surge is fast catching up with a 12 amp amperage, which is very close to the power of the Rug Doctor motors.

10.8 Inches Path Width – The cleaning path is fairly standard for carpet cleaners across the board.

Adjustable Handle – The adjustable handle allows for users to adjust the height of the handle so it is more comfortable to handle the machine. The adjustable height varies between 32.5″ to 36.5″. The handle can also be folded down when storing, saving room.

Separate Clean And Dirty Water Tanks – Clean and dirty water tanks are separated. This makes it easier to fill and refill the water tanks. Most carpet shampooer users prefer a separated two-tank system like what the Rug Doctor has.

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Hot Water Cleaning – The clean water tank can be filled with hot water for better cleaning of carpets. People call this machine the Rug Doctor steam cleaner, but there is no actual steam used. This is standard practice for products labeled “steam” carpet cleaners as well (“steam” can be considered a misnomer).

Long Hose & Tools – The Mighty Pro X3 Pet Pack comes with a 12 inch hose and an upholstery/stair tool. This is great for cleaning the stairs, sofas, chairs, autos and other hard to reach areas.

5 Year Warranty – The Rug Doctor Mighty Pro X3 carpet cleaner comes with a 5 year limited warranty.

Other Rug Doctor models: Rug Doctor also has a domestic-grade upright carpet cleaner machine. It’s slightly less powerful, but also lighter and less expensive. You can check out the Rug Doctor Deep Carpet Cleaner here. Alternatively, if you are looking for the new small compact Rug Doctor spot cleaner, check out the Rug Doctor Portable Spot Cleaner Review.

Rug Doctor Review

Commercial Quality Carpets Cleaning Results

For many users, the efficacy of the Rug Doctor shampooer at cleaning out dirt and stains is astonishing. Users describe white and light colored carpets returning very close to their original color and how nasty pet stains were totally lifted through using a machine like the Rug Doctor Might Pro.

The results have been variously described as “amazing,” “as good as professional carpet cleaners,” and “better than any other machine I’ve tried.” The Rug Doctor is a commercial quality machine, and it does deliver very high level results.

Cleaning Effectiveness Compared To Other Carpet Cleaning Machines

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The consensus from most users who have experience with both the Rug Doctor and regular grade machines is that the Rug Doctor cleans much better. Compared to a popular regular-grade upright model like the Hoover SteamVac with Clean Surge, many users agree that they see better results. Users who were previously using other machines have commented that they did not even realize that their carpets had so much dirt embedded until they ran the Rug Doctor on it.

However, cleaning results when compared to another commercial grade machine like the Bissell 86T3 Big Green Deep Cleaning Machine is less impressive. Many users who have tried both machines see better cleaning results from the Bissell 86T3 Big Green professional cleaning machine.

Solid Build

One of the key reasons that users like the Rug Doctor Mightly Pro X3 is it’s commercial grade build. The machine is built to last for many years to come. One frequent complaint with regular grade machines is that they are rather flimsy in build. Regular grade machines are also known to more frequently wear out after a few years of active use.

The value in getting a Rug Doctor is the assurance that one can own a reliable machine that cleans carpets really well and lasts. This translates to a lower cost over the long run. See more comparisons between professional/ commercial machines and regular upright grade models.

Ease-of-Use

Most users find the Rug Doctor machine easy to use once they have read the instructions. It may not be intuitive especially if you have never used a carpet cleaner before. Once you have gone through filling the tank and running a few cleaning strokes, it’s all about repeating a few simple steps. The two-tank system makes it easier to empty and fill the tanks. In addition, the long 12″ hose and hand tool allows users to easily clean stairs, stained areas or hard to reach places.

One criticism of the Rug Doctor’s usability is that the large sized tanks make it difficult to fill the tanks under the sink. Unless you fill it at the bath tub or shower area, you may have to use another a separate bucket to fill the tank.

Middle-of-the-Road Drying Time

One weakness of the Rug Doctor seem to be the long time it takes for carpets to dry after use. This could be due to it’s lower suction power, as well as the how the machine operates. The machine only suctions water when you pull it backwards. That is less effective than machines which will continue to brush and suction on both forward and backward strokes. In addition, the machine appears to release a lot of water during the cleaning process, which affects its water usage efficiency (next point below).

The length of drying time is not just weaker against a comparable commercial grade machine like the Bissell Big Green Deep Cleaning Machine. Some users also found that it performed less well than the Hoover SteamVac or Hoover MaxExtract 60, which are regular grade upright carpet cleaning machines.

Water Usage Efficiency

A number of users have also pointed out that the machine seem to run release a lot of water for cleaning carpets when compared to other machines like the Hoover SteamVac or Bissell Big Green Deep Cleaning Machine. This means that the machine runs through a lot of water in order to clean a room effectively. This can mean added hassle in terms of frequent refilling of the tanks.

Things To Be Aware Of

Heavy Weight

The Rug Doctor Mighty Pro X3 carpet cleaning machine weighs 39 lbs. Setting up and cleaning the machine on one floor is fine, as it has wheels to roll on. However, if you need to carry it up and down the stairs a lot, it may be difficult and tiring. Some have tried the Rug Doctor and simply feel that the superior cleaning results is not worth the hard work needed to operate a bigger machine, and settled for a regular upright carpet cleaner like the Hoover SteamVac.

Rug Doctor Carpet Solutions (What’s Included & Popular Choices)

The Rug Doctor Mighty Pro X3 Jet Pack comes with a 40-oz bottle of Pet Formula Carpet Cleaner and 17-oz Urine Eliminator Trigger spray. These are generous sizes of cleaning solutions included with a carpet cleaner.

In addition, shoppers usually get the Rug Doctor Oxy Steam Pro 40 oz and Rug Doctor Spot & Stain Remover 17oz if they are looking to do a lot of cleaning.

Rug Doctor Customer Reviews

Here are examples of user experiences with the Rug Doctor machine:

An owner of this machine, Jenn, described how she had owned the Rug Doctor for 6 months and liked both the quality of the machine and the results. Although it cost her twice as much as other cleaner machines she had owned previously, she believed that it was worth paying more for something that would last longer.

An owner of this machine from southern CA explained how he was in the middle of cleaning his home carpets when his consumer-grade models broke down. He replaced it with a Rug Doctor, noting that the consumer-grade he had used would break after a couple of years. He liked how well the Rug Doctor machine cleaned his carpets, suctioning out dirt that his previous machines seemed to have missed.

Joe, carpet cleaning professional, uses the Rug Doctor for professional cleaning jobs. Watch how he was able to clean up a dirty apartment carpeting with this machine.

Should You Buy The Rug Doctor Mighty Pro X3?

Before you purchase, we do recommend comparing the Rug Doctor against the Bissell Big Green Deep Cleaning machine. This is also a commercial grade machine in the same price range. This Bissell commercial machine benefits from more updated engineering to provide even better cleaning effectiveness, water suctioning efficiency and faster dry times.

Overall, the Rug Doctor Mighty Pro X3 is a worthy purchase if you are looking for a machine that cleans better than regular upright carpet cleaners. It may be a little more expensive upfront, but it is likely to last for a long time, so buyers do get good value for their money.

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Bissell Big Green Deep Cleaning Machine 86T3 Review

Bissell Big Green Deep Cleaning Machine 86T3 Review

The Bissell Big Green Deep Cleaning Machine 86T3/86T3Q is a professional gradecarpet cleaning machine that has created a great deal of excitement since it’s introduction in Oct 2010. Through the last few years, it has built up a legion of fans who attest to the high quality cleaning results and solid workmanship of the machine.

We will take a closer look at the details in this review, by looking into the features and benefits of the machine, how it performs, as well as comparisons with other top-rated carpet shampoo machines.

Bissell Big Green Deep Cleaning Machine 86T3/86T3Q Features & Benefits

Cleans Better Than The Leading Rental Carpet Cleaner – According to Bissell’s testing, this machine cleans better than the leading rental carpet cleaner machine. This assertion is supported by many user reviews, from users who say that they have gotten better results from the Bissell Big Green Deep Cleaning Machine as compared to the Rug Doctor, or the Hoover SteamVac. There are more details on comparison results further down the page.

Rotating DirtLifter® Powerbrushes – The Bissell Big Green Deep Cleaning machine uses Bissell’s patented DirtLifter power brushing technology to ensure that the entrenched grime and dirt on carpets are loosened and lifted out of the carpet fibers. This removes deep down stain particles, debris and other dirt.

Forward & Backward Cleaning with Drying Efficiency – The cleaner will clean on both forward and backward passes. This reduces the time taken to clean. At the same time, it does not compromise on the suction and drying time. Most carpet cleaning machines will clean only in direction, either on the forward or backward stroke.

Adjustable Tank Handle – The adjustable tank handle on the machine allows users to select a suitable height for handling the machine. This ensures that users are comfortable while cleaning. It helps to ensure that the Bissell Big Green Deep Cleaning machine remains easy to maneuver and push around despite it’s weight.

10.5″ Cleaning Path – The cleaning path 10.5″ is fairly standard for a home carpet cleaning machine.

Use Hot Water For Better Cleaning – The machine allows for the use of hot water to steam clean carpets, as hot water can remove dirt better. “Steam carpet cleaning” is actually a misnomer. There is no actual steam involved. You just add hot water to the tank. It’s the same for all industry leading carpet machines, even industrial grade ones.

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Separate Clean & Dirty Water Tanks – This ensures that filling and emptying tanks is easy to do. It is also a welcome departure from Bissell’s single tank system used in their regular grade carpet cleaners. A lot of users have expressed a preference for a two-tank system, saying that it is easier to use and more hygienic.

Large Tank Capacity – The clean water tank takes 1.75 gallons of water. This is a lot bigger compared to 1 gallon for most regular grade cleaners, and therefore saves users time in refilling. It is smaller than the 3 gallon capacity of the Rug Doctor Mighty Pro X3.

However, a number of users have commented that it works better than the Rug Doctor in terms of cleaning efficiency. The means that it uses less water to clean up more carpet area. It also avoids the problems users have fitting the Rug Doctor’s large tank into the sink for filling up.

Flow Indicator – An easy-to-see indicator to monitor the water tank levels and change them out if necessary. It makes it really quick and easy to check on the tank water levels while cleaning.

9 foot hose & 6″ Stair/ Stain Tool – An extendable hose and handtool attachment for cleaning stairs, upholstery, and stains, or for hard to reach areas.

Long 25 ft Cord Length – Users enjoy the long 25 ft cord length as it means less plugging and unplugging as they do their cleaning.

5-Year Limited Warranty – Longer than the typical 1 or 2 year warranty for regular home carpet cleaners. However, buyers are also paying a lot more, so this is in line with buyer expectations.

Bissell Big Green Deep Cleaning Machine 86T3/86T3Q Review

Excellent Cleaning Results

For buyers looking to get the best home carpet cleaning machine that money can buy, this is it. According to users who have tried top-rated machines like the Hoover SteamVac with Clean Surge or the Rug Doctor, the cleaning results of the Bissell Big Green Deep Cleaning Machine 86T3 beats them out. The cleaning results are also reported to be superior to that of the leading regular-grade upright carpet cleaner, the Bissell ProHeat 2X.

The cleaning results have been variously described as such:

• cleans pet stains out “like a champ”
• cleans better than the Hoover SteamVac
• removed more dirt out than previous carpet cleanings, including using the Rug Doctor and professional cleaning services
• got cat vomit stains out
• a “serious tool” for getting the carpet cleaning done right the first time

Cleaning Comparisons With Top Rated Carpet Cleaning Machines

The observations that the Big Green Deep Cleaning Machine cleans better than regular grade upright carpet cleaning machines like the Hoover SteamVac or Bissell ProHeat 2x may not be surprising, considering it is a commercial grade machine that is designed to be better and costs a lot more. The superior cleaning performance is most obvious for dirtier carpets, where the Big Green machine demonstrates an ability to brush deeper and more thoroughly to clear out the stains and dirt.

What’s notable is that quite a number of users reported better results from the Bissell Big Green Deep Cleaning Machine as compared to their results with the Rug Doctor. For decades, the Rug Doctor was the only commercial grade machine available to home users for use and purchase. Now, home users are presented to another outstanding and possibly better choice. Bissell’s own test results also alludes to the fact that their machine is better. As one user puts it, this machine is a step up from the Rug Doctor.

Need more proof about the cleaning effectiveness of the Bissell Big Green Deep Cleaning Machine 86T3/86T3Q? Check out this video comparison of Bissell Big Green Deep Cleaning Machine Vs Rug Doctor Mighty Pro

Large Water Tank

A large sized water tank allows for more cleaning to be completed for each time that users fill up the water tank. This saves a lot of time and hassle. The Bissell Big Green Deep Cleaning Machine has a water tank capacity of 1.75 gallons, which is much bigger than the 1 gallon water tanks found in regular grade machines.

Easy To Use

Even though it is commercial grade, the Bissell Big Green Deep Cleaning Machine is a simple machine to use. The set-up is quick and simple. It is mainly a matter of filling up the clean water tank with water and detergent and adjusting the height of the handle as needed. There are very few knobs and controls, even fewer than compared to their regular grade upright machine like the Bissell Proheat 2x deep cleaner. The Big Green Deep Cleaning Machine is clearly designed to offer an easy-to-use and effective cleaning experience, without attaching shiny features that may sound nice, but in most cases distract and interfere with the overall efficiency of the machine.

The 9 foot hose and 6 inch attachment tool makes it easy to clean stairs, upholstery like sofas or hard to reach areas.

Dry Time

Dry time for the Bissell Big Green 86T3 is fast. The actual dry time will vary depending on the air circulation, humidity/temperature levels and the type of carpets being washed. That said, a number of users have describe about a 3-hour window for drying their carpets, which is relatively quick. The machine is designed to direct hot air from th e running machine motors to hasten the drying. In addition, the suction power of the machine is very good. This means that the machine is able to suction up a lot of the water discharged to clean the carpets.

Things To Be Aware Of

More Expensive Than Regular Carpet Cleaners

The main downside of the Bissell Big Green Deep Cleaning Machine is it’s high price tag of around $450, compared to $200 for a regular carpet cleaner. Here’s what you get in return: the best home carpet cleaning power, easy operations, freedom from common carpet machine problems and a longer lasting machine.

Regular carpet shampooers will get carpets very clean, but not as clean as the Bissell Big Green Deep Cleaner. Regular cleaners just do not have the same level of workmanship, which often results in problems with tank leakages and tank lid alignments. The machine comes with a 5 year warranty period, compared to the 1 to 2 year period that regular carpet cleaners have.

This Bissell machine costs more upfront. Still, lots of people buy it because they see good value in the money saved on renting a high powered machine, expensive machine replacements and an overall great operations experience.

Heavy Weight

One thing to bear in mind is that the Bissell Big Green 86T3 is a heavy machine. It weighs around 42 pounds. Setting the machine up for use and pushing it around is not a problem for most people. But if this is a machine that you need to bring up and downstairs a lot, be prepared for some heavy lifting or have someone who can help.

The machine handling is ergonomically designed, so that it feels easy enough to push around for cleaning to be done. One user 2sequoyah described herself as a 60 year old, 5 foot 3 inch lady weighing 115 lb. If this gives your any comfort at all, she mentioned that she had no trouble no setting the machine up and using it.

If you are willing to forgo the better cleaning power for a lighter machine, consider a regular grade machine like the Hoover Power Scrub Deluxe FH50150.

If you are still not sure whether to go for a professional/ commercial grade machine like the Bissell 86T3 deep cleaner, or a regular full-sized upright machine like the Hoover Power Scrub FH50150, check out this Professional Vs. Regular Upright Home Carpet Cleaners Comparison for a detailed contrast of the pros and cons.

Compared To The Bissell BG10 Commercial Carpet Extractor

The Bissell Big Green Deep Cleaning Machine 86T3 is the same machine as the Bissell BG10 Commercial Carpet Extractor. The only differences are the the Bissell BG10 features a 1-year warranty (commercial use OK), a detachable yellow power cord, and no accessories.

Both have the same two motors powering them, one for vacuuming and one for brushing. (Be careful of unfounded online rumors that only the BG10 runs on two motors. See BG10 comparison.) Both are sold at around the same price.

For home users buying a carpet cleaner for their homes (and not to do commercial cleaning), the Bissell Big Green Deep Cleaning Machine 86T3 makes much more sense – you get more accessories ($60 value) and a much longer warranty period for the same money.

Cleaning Detergent

Bissell advises users to use Bissell 2X formula with the Bissell Big Green Deep Cleaning Machine. A 24 oz bottle of Bissell 2x cleaning solution does come included with the machine package. This is less than a normal full sized bottle of detergent, so depending on what your plans are, you may want to arm yourself with more detergent.

Choosing a good detergent formula can have a huge impact on final results. The manual states that using non-Bissell cleaning detergent could damage the machine and void the warranty. Some users have tried other brands of detergents to varying degrees of success. It could work for you if you understand the risks and know what you are doing. Otherwise, it’s just easier to choose a Bissell 2X formula.

There are several types of Bissell 2X detergents. Most people buy the BISSELL 2X Professional Deep Cleaning Formula together with this machine. This detergent is very highly rated and is known to clean extremely well with Bissell carpet cleaners.

In addition, most shoppers also purchase a bottle of Bissell Stain Pretreat for Carpet & Upholstery with their Big Green machine. For older and deeper stains, pretreatment can literally work “miracles” according to some users.

Should You Buy The Bissell Big Green Deep Cleaning Machine 86T3?

The Bissell Big Green Deep Cleaning Machine 86T3 is the best choice for serious home users who want their carpets cleaned right the first time around. If you are looking for the best cleaning results in combination with a smooth and lasting user-experience, this is the best home carpet cleaner that money can buy, bar none.

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Best Top 3 Home-Business Carpet Cleaning Machines Reviews

Professional/ Commercial Carpet Cleaning Machines Reviews

Professional or light commercial grade carpet cleaning machines increasingly bought by home users who want the best carpet cleaning performance and experience available. These machines are also purchased by commercial cleaning crews who want an inexpensive, effective and easy-to-use carpet cleaner to take around with them.

Professional or commercial grade machines are built to much higher standards than regular home-use carpet cleaners. In addition to better cleaning performances, these machines offer users a longer lasting and very much trouble-free usage experience. The main downside is that they cost $200 to $300 more than regular upright cleaners. If you are not sure whether to go with a professional or regular grade model, check out this list or in-depth comparison. Below are the best professional grade carpet cleaning machines for home users.

Best Professional/Commercial Carpet Cleaning Machines

1. Bissell 86T3 Big Green Deep Cleaning Machine (Home Users)

The Bissell 86T3 Big Green Deep Cleaning Machine is the best rated professional grade carpet cleaner machine on the market today. Highlights include:

• Best cleaning power in the professional/light commercial category
• Better cleaning performance than regular upright cleaners and common rental carpet cleaners
• New efficient design from 2010
• No assembly required
• Easy to use
• Virtually free from common carpet cleaning machine problems
• Superior workmanship and engineering – the machine is built-to-last
• 5-Year Limited Warranty (Non-Commercial Use)

If you are looking for the best cleaning results in combination with a smooth and lasting user-experience, this is the best home carpet cleaner that money can buy, bar none.

2. Bissell BG10 BigGreen Commercial Deep Carpet Cleaner (Business Users)

The Bissell BigGreen Commercial BG10 Deep Carpet Cleaner is best suited for business users seeking an effective and low cost carpet extractor for commercial cleaning jobs. The Bissell BG10 is the same machine is the Bissell Big Green 86T3 Deep Cleaning Machine listed above (same points of “Best Cleaning Power, Easy to use” apply, except for the warranty).

The notable differences are in the packaging: the BG10 comes with a yellow power cord that is detachable, and the package does not include any hose and tool attachments for cleaning upholstery or stairs (can be separately purchased). Besides the differences in packaging, the Bissell BG10 has a shorter warranty period of 1 year (commercial use OK) compared to the Bissell 86T3 Deep Cleaning Machine’s 5-year warranty (restricted to non-commercial use).

Since both sell for about the same price, the Bissell 86T3 is the better deal for home users, whereas the Bissell BG10 is the better choice for commercial users.

3. Rug Doctor Mighty Pro X3 (Home Users)

The Rug Doctor Mighty Pro is the most widely known professional or light commercial grade carpet cleaner in the US today. It has enormous brand recognition, since for decades, it has been the most common rental carpet cleaner found in grocery stores across the country. There’s a reason it’s so successful – the machine performs at a high level and is built-to-last. Highlights include:

• Vibrating brush technology effectively loosens dirty
• Proven commercial grade results – cleans better than regular carpet cleaners
• Easy to Use
• Long 12 inch hose to clean hard to reach areas
• Very long history/track record of powerful cleaning performance
• 5-Year Limited Warranty (Non-Commercial Use)

If you are seeking commercial quality cleaning performance provided by a well-built and reliable machine that will last, the Rug Doctor is definitely worthy of careful consideration.

Professional/Commercial grade machines are best recommended for home users in these situations:

• Users who want the best carpet cleaning machines available for the cleanest and most hassle-free do-it-yourself carpet cleaning experience.
• Have a budget of $400 or more to spend on a Professional/Commercial grade cleaner machine.
• Large areas of dirty carpets that need thorough cleaning – professional grade machines have better cleaning power than regular upright cleaners.
• Minimize possibilities of dealing with carpet cleaner machine malfunctions.
• Have not been satisfied with their experience with a regular upright cleaner in the past, and motivated to go for something better.
• Don’t mind the bulkier build and heavier weight of a Professional/Commercial grade machine.

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Hoover MaxExtract 77 Carpet & Hard Floor Cleaner FH50240 Review

The Hoover MaxExtract 77 Multi-Surface Pro Carpet & Hard Floor Cleaner FH50240 is Hoover’s premium carpet cleaner model. It incorporates all premium features that users want in a good home carpet cleaner, and is capable of cleaning hard floors as well. This review will go into detail of exactly what makes this carpet cleaner a force to be reckoned with.

Hoover Max Extract 77 Carpet Cleaner FH50240 Features & Benefits

SpinScrub Deep Cleaning – Users receive excellent deep-cleaning power through Hoover’s patented counter-rotating brushes technology. Out of all Hoover SteamVacs (ie carpet cleaning machines), the Max Extract 77 FH50240 contains the most advanced configuration and quantity of brushes. There are a total of 77 counter rotating brushes organized around 11 spinscrub heads and spread over 2 rows.

The SpinScrub feature allows you to choose from several different cleaning modes, such as ‘Spill Pickup’, ‘Gentle Scrub’ and ‘Power Scrub’, so you won’t have to use a one-size-fits-all approach to cleaning your carpets or hard surfaces.

Pressurized Edge-to-Edge Cleaning For Added Cleaning Boost – The pressurized cleaning feature injects a pressurized jet of water onto carpets, eradicating the toughest stains. The edge-to-edge cleaning ensures even cleaning results, even close to the edge of carpets. Besides this cleaner (Max Extract 77), only the Hoover Max Extract 60 has this feature.

MaxExtract Dual V Nozzle Technology Provides Even Cleaning and Fast Drying – If you want your carpets to be cleaned as thoroughly and as quickly as possible then you’ll be grateful for the Dual V Nozzle tech in this carpet cleaner. Basically this allows this Hoover to use very high levels of suction to extract dirty water from carpets very quickly, allowing them to dry that bit more quickly and get really, really, clean at the same time.

Dual Tank System Makes It Easy To Fill/Refill Tanks – The ‘Smart Tanks’ system integrated into this Hoover MaxExtract carpet cleaner means that you have separate tanks for clean and dirty water. A lot of users find it more convenient to use a two-tank system than having one tank that stores both clean and dirty water. Users are free to fill or empty each tank separately, there is no chance of mixing the clean and dirty water.

Widepath Cleaning For Faster Cleaning – This cleaner has a wide cleaning path that is approximately 20% wider than a standard Hoover Steamvac. This allows more cleaning to be done with each cleaning stroke.

Hot Water Cleaning For Added Action – The machine works well with hot water. It does not have an internal heater to produce steam, just like almost all other carpet cleaners out there.

CleanSurge For Heavily Trafficked Areas – A single push of a button is all you need to apply extra detergent and cleaning power to troublesome stains, or heavily trafficked areas of your carpet. It’s nice to know that you can focus your cleaning efforts where you’ll get the most benefit from them!

Automatic Detergent System/ Separate Detergent Compartment – There is a separate compartment for filling detergent. The machine will automatically mix the detergent and water in the right ratio for best cleaning results. The machine instructions does call for the use of Hoover detergent.

Automatic Rinsing Removes Detergent Residue – The AutoRinse™ feature on this carpet cleaner means you can lay down detergent when you’re pushing the cleaner forwards, and it then automatically rinses the same area with fresh water when you’re pulling the cleaner backwards. This can save users having to remember which areas were cleaned properly and which weren’t.

The auto rinsing feature also saves cleaning time as users can easily apply a rinsing stroke immediately after a cleaning stroke without running a second cleaning round using the rinse only mode. Users will still have the option to run additional rinsing cycles using the Max Extract 77’s rinse-only mode.

Squeegee Attachment For Hard Floors Cleaning – The machine comes with a squeegee attachment for cleaning hard floors.

Good Hose Length – More hose is almost always better when it comes to any kind of carpet cleaner, and the Hoover MaxExtract 77 (FH50240) has 9-feet of cord for you to work with – at least with a cord of this length you won’t feel restricted.

Good Power Cord Length – You won’t find yourself tied to a power outlet with the 20-foot power cord on this carpet cleaner.

2-Year Warranty – The Hoover MaxExtract 77 carpet cleaner comes with a 2-year warranty, longer than the standard 1-year warranty that come with other machines.

Hoover MaxExtract 77 Carpet & Hard Floor Cleaner FH50240 Review

Massive Deep Cleaning Power

The 77 brushes in the Hoover MaxExtract 77 Carpet & Hard Floor Cleaner FH50240 allow it to get really deep into the pile of your carpet, loosening up as much dirt as possible. Then when you combine this with the MaxExtract DualV nozzle technology, you get the kind of cleaning you’d expect from a leading brand name like Hoover. The Pressurized Edge-to-Edge cleaning feature packs in yet another additional boost of cleaning power.

Given the triple action of SpinScrub with 77 brushes(loosening out dirt), Dual V (sucking water out evenly for fast and even drying), and Pressurized Edge-to-Edge cleaning (pressurized cleaning jet), the MaxExtract 77 FH50240 is best equipped to clean out the toughest stains and extremely dirty carpets compared to any other Hoover carpet shampooer.

It’s easy to make claims about how well your carpet shampooer functions, but the proof is in the results, and this Hoover carpet cleaner produces impressive results by the truck load! It’s not difficult to find users who are astonished by how obviously clean and fluffy their carpets have gotten, even compared to past results using commercial quality rental machines or cleaning done by professional carpet cleaners.

Large, Separate Water Tanks That Are Easy To Use

We really liked the fact that this carpet and floor washer has two separate water tanks for clean and dirty water. The tank capacity for both the clean and dirty tanks are around 1.14 gallons, which is larger than the standard 1 gallon tanks you will find in other Hoover carpet washers. For people who like to save times, it means getting more cleaning done with each filling and emptying of tank routine. Note that the extra water capacity does weigh down the machine further a little bit more.

If you’ve ever had to work with a single tank carpet cleaner you’ll know just how much time you spend stopping and starting to empty the water tank. At least with the ‘Smart Tanks’ system you only need worry about disposing of the dirty water when that tank is full, or topping up the main water/detergent tank when it’s running low. Also, there is less mess having to deal with both clean and dirty water in one tank.

The tanks are designed to be easy to remove and put back in place. Compared to the Hoover SteamVac with Clean Surge, the dirty water tank is slightly easier to access. The MaxExtract 77 features a newer design.

Fast Dry Time

To help speed up your carpet drying time this carpet cleaner uses heater air to dry out your carpet that little bit more once it’s finished extracting all the water from it. Obviously if you can leave windows and doors open to help with the natural drying process, it will help to speed things up too.

Versatility – Tough Carpet Stains, Hard Floors, Autos, Furniture

This carpet cleaner has several cleaning modes, which means you can adjust the cleaner to suit your particular cleaning tasks – including its ability to clean hard surfaces. The CleanSurge feature is also a nice touch because when you come across a stubborn stain – and you will come across one sooner or later – you can simply “zap” it with more detergent to get rid of it.

If you’re working with just cleaning up annoying spills, you can use the spill pick-up mode to pull in the spill without scrubbing it into the carpet. Or you’re having to work on some more serious stains you’ll be glad of the power this carpet shampooer puts at your disposal.

This carpet and floor cleaner machine package also includes an upholstery tool and powered spinscrub tool that will allow for cleaning furniture, stairs and autos.

Things to Look Out For

Compared To Other Hoover Carpet Cleaners

Includes ALL Premium Features. The Hoover MaxExtract 77 Pro Carpet & Hard Floor Cleaner FH50240 is the premier top-end Hoover carpet cleaner model compared to all other Hoover carpet cleaners. Premium features like cleaning hard floors, auto-rinsing, rinse-only cleaning, pressurized jet cleaning for tough stains, having a separate compartment for detergent and Clean Surge all included here. This cleaner is most suitable for users looking to clean out the toughest stains and/or someone who likes the convenience of all premium features.

Comes With Powered Handtool. The package also includes a powered spinscrub handtool, a useful attachment that is found in many but not all Hoover cleaners.

Larger Tank Capacity. The Hoover MaxExtract 77 Pro Carpet & Hard Floor Cleaner FH50240 also has a higher tank capacity at around 1.14 gallons, compared to the usual 1 gallon tank in most Hoover carpet cleaners.

Compared to Hoover Max Extract 60. As a comparison, the Hoover Max Extract 60 FH50220 is very close in features to this cleaner, but without the hard floor cleaning feature. With or without the hard floor cleaning feature, many users still go for the Max Extract 77 because the Max Extract 60 also does not have Auto Rinse, Clean Surge and the powered Spinscrub handtool attachment. The Max Extract 60 costs about $60 to $70 less.

Hard Floor Cleaning Ok But Not Spectacular

Praise for the cleaner’s ability to handle clean carpets is universally positive and outstanding. The feedback from users regarding its ability to clean hard floors is somewhat more muted. For sure, there are users who like how easy it was to clean their hard floors with this cleaner, getting the gunk out. Separately, other users complained that the machine gets unreasonably loud, while others say that it is hard to use.

Users seeking out a great carpet and hard floor combo cleaner machine may want to check out the Hoover MaxExtract All Terrain Carpet Washer F7452900PC as well. User satisfaction feedback regarding the hard floor cleaning results of the Hoover MaxExtract All Terrain is better. The main difference is that the Hoover MaxExtract All Terrain does not have the pressurized jet cleaning and Clean Surge feature, which means it’s overall cleaning power is a tad lower.

Weight

If you’ve never used a carpet cleaner before then you’ll probably be surprised at just how heavy they can be when fully loaded with water and detergent. With that being said once you develop a “flow” when using one you’ll probably not even notice after the first few uses.

The Hoover MaxExtract 77 may initially come off as a little heavier than the Hoover SteamVac with Clean Surge or Hoover Power Scrub Deluxe Carpet Washer.

The MaxExtract 77 machine itself weighs 22.5 lbs, compared to the 17.5 lbs of theBissell Proheat 2X Revolution. However, it is still lighter than the average Bissell’s home upright cleaner, which typically weigh around 25 pounds and higher. It also has a large water tank, which when filled with water, means more weight. One user said it will feel like you’ve had a workout after the cleaning is done.

Hoover Brand Detergent

According to Hoover, to avoid any long-term problems with this carpet cleaner, they strongly advise owners to use Hoover-brand detergent. You’ll find a lot of carpet cleaner detergents on the market which claim they’re suitable for use in any carpet cleaner, but if you want the best possible results from the Hoover MaxExtract 77, the easiest approach is to limit it to use with Hoover’s own detergent products. The top Hoover cleaning detergents chosen by Hoover MaxExtract 77 buyers are:

Hoover Platinum Collection Pet Plus Carpet and Upholstery Detergent

Hoover Platinum Collection Professional Strength Carpet & Upholstery

Hoover 2X FloorMate Tile & Grout Plus Hard Floor Cleaning Solution

Should You Buy The Hoover MaxExtract 77 Carpet Cleaner?

The Hoover MaxExtract 77 Multi-Surface FH50240 carpet cleaner is a great choice if you’re looking for a killer combination of cleaning power, functionality and high-end features. It is a carpet cleaner that cleans hard floors, and has all Hoover’s premium features like auto-rinsing, rinse-only cleaning, pressurized jet spray stain cleaning, widepath cleaning and more. As Hoover’s top-end model, it is not the cheapest carpet cleaner on the market, but surprisingly reasonably priced to provide outstanding value to customers.

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