Hoover appears to sell an unending number of full-size Max Extract carpet cleaners, including the Max Extract 60 (FH50220), the Max Extract Dual V WidePath (F7412900), the Max Extract Dual V All Terrain (F7452900PC), and the Max Extract 77 (FH50240). They overlap in features but have clear differences in strengths and weaknesses, as owners of multiples can attest. We bought all four and used them for several months in personal and professional environments before coming to our conclusions: each gets the job done, but not all to the same degree.

Why buy the Hoover Max Extract 60 Pressure Pro Carpet Deep Cleaner (FH50220)?

Along with the Dual V WidePath, the 60 is one of our two favorite Max Extracts and one of our favorite sub-$200 full-size cleaners. We like the 60 more than any other cleaner on this list (besides the WidePath) because it features a heating system to help dry carpets after cleaning them, and it works! We’re also fans of its size and weight; it’s basically a vacuum-sized carpet cleaner and almost as easy to use as one. It cleans extremely well for its price range (the next big step up would be a Big Green), it’s designed ergonomically and allows you to save detergent even if you run out of water, and it’s flexible enough to use in pretty much every room and on every surface that’s upholstered or carpeted. We love it.

Why buy the Hoover Carpet Cleaner Max Extract Dual V WidePath Carpet Cleaner Machine (F7412900)?

The Dual V WidePath is one of our two favorite cleaners on this list because of how wonderfully wide its cleaning surface is. The sixth brush sounds like a gimmick until you actually use it; it does save time, which gives us more time for doing things that don’t involve cleaning carpets. The cleaning is spectacular; it does one of the best jobs we’ve come across for a carpet cleaner in its price range. Assembly out of the box is straightforward and we love how easy the tanks are to remove, refill, and replace. It does a fantastic job on most carpet environments and even though it doesn’t have a heated drying system, it does suck a lot of water out of the carpets, significantly reducing drying time. It’s significantly heavier than the 60 at 27 pounds vs 22, but we’ll take the additional cleaning strength as compensation.

Why buy the Hoover Carpet Cleaner Max Extract Dual V All Terrain Hardwood Floor and Carpet Cleaner Machine (F7452900PC)?

The Dual V All Terrain isn’t quite as enthralling as its two slightly cheaper predecessors in the Max Extract line, but it’s also a capable machine for cleaning most carpet environments. The main flaws have to do with its weight: at 30 pounds, it’s the heaviest of the Max Extracts we’ve looked at (not lifted!) so far, and even though it weighs only 3 pounds more than the other Dual V, it can get a bit tiring to lug from one place to the next; we believe carpet cleaning should be a pleasure, and a few of our staff members found themselves yearning for the other Max Extracts after spending time with the All Terrain. If you can get past the weight, however, it’s a very capable machine; it cleans well and it pulls enough moisture from the carpets afterward that you’ll find them nearly dry in a couple of hours after you stop working.

Why buy the Hoover Carpet Cleaner Max Extract 77 Multi-Surface Pro Hardwood Floor and Carpet Cleaner Machine (FH50240)?

Finally, we really wanted to like the Max Extract 77; we had high hopes coming into it after hearing fellow cleaners rave about it, and the truth is that it does do a job when it comes to cleaning. We’re also fans of the return of heated cleaning, which again helps cut down the drying time in carpets by a good hour or more in several cases. The problems have to do with the volume (it’s loud) and the detergent use (it uses more). It also has the most features, but they aren’t necessarily the most reliable over the long term; nothing on our model broke, but we’ve heard stories of random motor failures that gave us pause. If you can get past these issues, you’ll probably enjoy it; when it comes to cleaning, it can keep up with any of the other Max Extracts. But if you’re looking for the best value, this isn’t it.

Our recommended Max Extracts are the 60 and the WidePath; we recommend caution before purchasing the All Terrain or the 77.

You can buy the the Max Extract 60 (FH50220) on Amazon here, the Max Extract Dual V WidePath (F7412900) here, the Max Extract Dual V All Terrain (F7452900PC) here, and the Max Extract 77 (FH50240) here.

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