For portable spot cleaning, choose Little Green if you want compact, low‑cost cleanup; pick CleanSlate if you prefer wider tools and stronger coverage.
Bissell Little Green (1400B)
Hoover CleanSlate (FH14050)
Budget Starter
- Light body and simple tool set.
- Good reach for couches and stairs.
- HydroRinse tool keeps hose fresh.
Bissell Little Green 1400B
Bigger Jobs Fast
- 7″ WidePath tool cuts passes.
- TightSpot tool for seams and car crevices.
- Hose Rinse tool for quick cleanup.
Hoover CleanSlate FH14050
Portable spot cleaners handle spills before they set, save soft surfaces, and keep cars presentable. Bissell’s compact unit and Hoover’s wider‑path machine aim at the same mess with different approaches. This guide gives you the quick verdict and the trade‑offs that steer a buyer one way or the other.
In A Nutshell
Need a small cleaner that tucks into a closet and keeps sofas, rugs, and car seats in shape? The Little Green fits that brief with a low tier and a simple tool set. Want faster coverage on stairs and larger spots? CleanSlate’s wider head and stout suction feel better for heavy traffic areas.
Both use warm water and a small amount of formula. Both include a self‑rinsing hose tool, so cleanup stays quick. Specs vary in quiet but meaningful ways—hose reach, tank size, and tool width matter more than you think. Bissell product page and Hoover product page list the official details.
Side‑By‑Side Specs
Specs via official pages and manuals: Bissell 1400B; Hoover CleanSlate. Bissell user guide lists the 48‑oz tank and 3‑amp rating; Hoover lists a 40‑oz tank and 15‑ft cord on its product page.
Bissell Little Green — What We Like / What We Don’t Like
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✅ What We Like
- Compact body that fits a small shelf yet holds a 48‑oz clean tank.
- HydroRinse hose tool keeps the line clear in under a minute.
- Simple tool set covers couches, area rugs, and car seats without fuss.
⚠️ What We Don’t Like
- Shorter hose (4 ft) makes stair treads a bit tight.
- 3″ head means more passes on big spills.
- Power rating is modest; set‑in stains may need repeat passes.
Hoover CleanSlate — What We Like / What We Don’t Like
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✅ What We Like
- 7″ WidePath head cleans steps and large patches with fewer strokes.
- TightSpot tool reaches seams, rails, and console crevices in cars.
- Longer hose (4.5 ft) gives easier angles on stairs and SUVs.
⚠️ What We Don’t Like
- Smaller clean tank (40 oz) means a refill sooner on deep jobs.
- Wider head is less nimble on tight upholstery curves.
- Tool kit takes more drawer space than Bissell’s smaller pieces.
ℹ️ Good To Know: Both brands call for warm water only (under 140°F) and recommend their own formulas. See the
Little Green user guide (PDF) and the
CleanSlate FH14050 manual.
Little Green Or CleanSlate: Which Fits You Better
Power & Throughput
Throughput comes from a mix of suction feel, tool width, and how often you need to pause for a refill. CleanSlate’s 7″ head covers a stair tread in two quick passes. The Little Green’s 3″ head is better for precision on cushions and car bolsters. On large patches, Hoover’s wider path is the time saver. On spot‑level work, Bissell’s narrower head helps you zero in without overspraying.
Tank size also matters. Bissell’s 48‑oz clean tank stretches a session on rugs and seats. Hoover’s 40‑oz tank is fine for routine messes and quick stairs. If you often tackle long staircase runs or a minivan’s third row, fewer refills feel nice.
Noise & Comfort
Both are corded units with a vacuum motor and pump, so expect a steady whir. The difference you feel isn’t the tone; it’s how many strokes you take. A wider head shortens runtime. A smaller head reduces wrist effort on tight shapes. Either way, hose length affects comfort on stairs, and Hoover’s extra half‑foot helps.
Cleaning & Parts
Each model ships with a self‑rinsing hose tool. That little add‑on matters, because it clears residue that can smell later. Bissell’s HydroRinse clips on and flushes the line; Hoover’s Hose Rinse does the same. Tool sets differ: Bissell pairs a 3″ Tough Stain Tool with a spraying crevice piece. Hoover bundles a 7″ WidePath plus a TightSpot tool. If pet accidents happen on area rugs, the wider head and quick hose flush on the Hoover combo feel efficient. If most tasks are couch arms and car seats, Bissell’s small head and clean tank size are a strong match.
Safety & Standards
Both guides call for warm water—not boiling—and remind you to test fabrics in a hidden area. That avoids color bleed on delicate upholstery and keeps internal components safe from heat shock. Follow the user guides for water limits, formula fit, and fabric tags. Links above go straight to the manuals.
Warranty & Service
Bissell’s Little Green line carries a limited one‑year warranty per the user guide. Hoover’s CleanSlate line lists a limited two‑year warranty in its manual. Warranty terms can vary by SKU and retailer, so check the current booklet for your exact model. Sources: Bissell Little Green user guide and Hoover FH14050 manual.
Pricing & Packages
Think in tiers, not raw dollars. Little Green usually sits in the $ tier, and CleanSlate sits in the $$ tier. Hoover also sells a larger CleanSlate XL with a longer cord and bigger tank, which pushes it toward the $$–$$$ range. If you want the lowest out‑the‑door spend, go Bissell. If stair speed or big patches top your list, Hoover’s bundle earns its keep. Compare current offers on the official pages: Bissell pricing and Hoover pricing. For the step‑up model, see CleanSlate XL.
Price, Value & Ownership
Ownership items drawn from the brands’ pages and manuals. Links: Bissell 1400B, Hoover CleanSlate, plus Little Green user guide and CleanSlate FH14050 manual.
Where Each One Wins
🏆 Compact Storage — Bissell Little Green
🏆 Bigger Clean Tank — Bissell Little Green
🏆 Longer Hose — Hoover CleanSlate
🏆 Lowest Tier — Bissell Little Green
Decision Guide
✅ Choose Bissell Little Green If…
- You want the lowest tier without giving up stain‑lifting basics.
- Storage space is tight and you’ll clean sofas, area rugs, or car seats.
- You prefer a larger clean tank so refills are rare on routine jobs.
✅ Choose Hoover CleanSlate If…
- You want faster coverage on stairs, rugs, and large mess zones.
- Crevice cleanup matters in car cabins and tight upholstery seams.
- You prefer the feel of a longer hose and a wider head.
Best Fit For Most Homes
Most households with stairs or bigger spill zones should start with Hoover CleanSlate. The 7″ tool covers more ground per pass, the hose reach feels easier on stairs, and the kit handles both broad strokes and tight creases. If you’re budget‑driven, short on storage, or doing mainly couch cushions and car seats, the Little Green is a smart, compact pick that stretches a fill further.
Method note: this comparison compiles manufacturer specs, user guide details, and public product pages to frame everyday trade‑offs. Official sources: Bissell 1400B, Little Green user guide, Hoover CleanSlate, FH14050 manual, and the step‑up CleanSlate XL.