The second Hoover model on our top 5 list is the SmartWash Automatic Carpet Cleaner (FH52000) which is perhaps one of the best deals for the money out on the market if you are looking for a carpet cleaner that has wet-cleaning capabilities. Apart from being able to deep-clean your carpet, it also comes with a drying feature, dual-tank system, and a pet tool that can handle any type of pet hair on your furniture. In other words, this is a solid multi-purpose cleaner that can easily be enough of a purchase for all of your house-cleaning needs.
Our Verdict: If you are looking for an affordable carpet cleaner that can do both wet cleaning and has a built-in dryer, then this model should be a near perfect match for you. It also comes with an above-ground cleaning attachment which makes it easier to take care of pet hair on your furniture or even clean your stairs. Apart from that, the SmartWash by Hoover is quite the bulky cleaner that will save you on a carpet cleaning service but won't save you a lot of space in your closet.
To see other models on our top 5 list and learn more about carpet cleaners in general, head over to our detailed Guide on the topic.
Table of Contents
Overview & Features of Hoover Smartwash Carpet Cleaner
The theme across this whole model is the affordability. Hoover has been a brand that has relied on its solid reputation for quite some time now and this new line of products that are so affordable and yet so practical are only going to expand their reputation.
According to the EPA, mold and bacteria can begin to grow in wet carpet as soon as 24-48 hours after becoming wet. HeatForce Technology is used to quickly and thoroughly dry carpeting to prevent this
The SmartWash is a full-sized carpet cleaner, though, so be prepared for quite the large item, as opposed to other models like the Hoover PowerDash, which are far more compact. Still, that size allows for a bigger cleaning surface to be covered thanks to the 12 inch cleaning path.
Our Rating:
- Strong motor combined with agile power brushes
- Dries up your carpet faster than other models in this class
- Triggerless design for the cleaning solution dispersion
- Automatically knows when to wash or when to dry
- The head is low profile allow it to squeeze in tight spaces
- The 2-in-1 pet tool allows for easier above-floor cleaning
Wet Cleaning
Cleaning with the SmartWash is quite intuitive thanks to all of the features implemented in this model. It is, in fact, Hoover’s top-of-the-line cleaner and has almost all of their patented features built into it. Still, the downside of all that is plenty of things that can go faulty or break if you aren’t very careful.
Since this is a dual-tank cleaner, you will be able to use a cleaning solution in the clean water gallon which has a capacity of 1 gallon. The solution tank is 20 oz which is more than enough if you want to clean a large carpet or even a whole room. Smaller tanks tend to make the process harder due to the constant refills. The Auto Mix feature mixes the solution with the water for optimal cleaning concentrations, which also saves on the costs of cleaning since Hoover’s cleaning solutions aren’t exactly the cheapest.
The Smartwash offers a fast, simple operation that doesn’t require multiple passes, just push forward to clean and pull back to dry, it’s that easy
When moving forward, the carpet cleaner knows that it has to clean so it uses water. When you stop and start moving backwards it detects that and starts drying up the carpet or surface you are cleaning. The “HeatForce” feature does an excellent job of drying faster than the previous generation Hoover carpet cleaners.
When cleaning a thick carpet, the two FlexForce powerbrushes lift and pick up even the deeply stuck debris and pet hair. If there is an excess of hair you might have to stop occasionally for some de-clogging but other than that they do an excellent job at cleaning everything on their path.
Size and Build Quality
In terms of size, the SmartWash is quite the cleaning item. It easily weighs more than 20 pounds and has a total of 2.15 gallons worth of water capacity. When those tanks along with the dirt canister are full, this cleaner can easily reach 35 pounds which is exceedingly heavy for an everyday model but thanks to the flexible bottom hinge at the wheels, it doesn’t really show its true weight when you are moving around.
The foot of the cleaner sits quite low which allows you to access tight spaces in terms of height. The width of the whole head is 12 inches which makes it easier to clean larger areas fast but also makes it too bulky to fit some places.
Accessories
In terms of bonus items this model is quite generous. Apart from the 2-in-1 antimicrobial pet tool, you also get an 8 ft extension hose, storage bag, and a sample bottle of different Hoover cleaning solutions, which as we mentioned are quite expensive (but also very effective).
Additional Features
The nozzle of the Hoover SmartWash is easily removable with a 1-step process. You just have to remove a lid if you want to access the brushrolls.
HeatForce Technology is used to dry your carpet quickly, preventing mold growth and unwanted odors
The above-ground cleaning is another feature that we really liked here which isn’t something you see on every carpet cleaner. Now let’s check out other advantages this model offers us and see what are its main cons.
Advantages & Disadvantages of Vacuum Cleaner
Pros
- Strong motor combined with agile power brushes
- Dries up your carpet faster than other models in this class
- Triggerless design for the cleaning solution dispersion
- Automatically knows when to wash or dry depending on your movements
- Easily removable nozzle
- The head is low profile allow it to squeeze in tight spaces
- The 2-in-1 pet tool allows for easier above-floor cleaning
Cons
- A bit bulky
- Very heavy with its tanks full
- Hoover cleaning solutions are quite costly and are not included in your purchase
Conclusion & Rating
Our Rating:
In terms of sheer practicality and cleaning capabilities, the Hoover SmartWash Automatic Carpet Cleaner is almost unmatched in its price class. Its water cleaning feature is very effective and thanks to the smart wet/dry system it leaves your carpet fresh and dry after a cleanup, which is essential for pet owners. Nothing is worse than having your pet take a Sunday walk around your wet carpet, as that will attract all the loose hair and dust from it.
The price of this Hoover carpet cleaner is also another feature that is worth pointing out since it is a great bang for the buck if this is what you are looking for. That only notable drawbacks are the fact that the SmartWash can get quite heavy when fully operational and the solutions (from which you get small samples) are costly. As a whole, we gave this model a four and a half out of five stars rating.
