For portable spot cleaning, pick Little Green for quick spill duty; choose Little Green Max Pet for tougher pet messes and faster hose cleanup.
Bissell Little Green (1400B)
Little Green Max Pet
Best Price Route
- Quick spill cleanups on carpets, stairs, car seats
- Light to carry and easy to store
- Basic 3″ tool covers most tasks
Bissell Little Green (1400B)
Pet‑Focused Route
- Stain Trapper keeps gunk in a separate cup
- Self‑cleaning hose helps cut odors
- Longer hose reaches sofa corners
Little Green Max Pet
Portable spot cleaners tackle drips, paw prints, and tipped cups before they set. The classic Little Green keeps things simple; the Max Pet version adds a Stain Trapper tool and a hose rinse port that speeds cleanup. This guide gives you the fast verdict and the trade‑offs that steer buyers one way or the other.
In A Nutshell
The standard Little Green is the pick for tight budgets, lighter messes, and small spaces. It’s compact, easy to carry, and has fewer pieces to keep tidy. The Max Pet variant leans into pet life: longer hose, Stain Trapper cup for the gross stuff, and a self‑cleaning hose port. If pets and frequent messes are in play, that convenience is worth it.
Side‑By‑Side Specs
Bissell Little Green — What We Like / What We Don’t Like
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✅ What We Like
- Light body that’s easy to carry up stairs and move between rooms.
- Simple tool set keeps setup and teardown quick.
- Clear tanks make fill and empty steps straightforward.
- Short hose path reduces places where grime can linger.
- Compact footprint stores neatly on a shelf or closet floor.
- Lower entry cost tier for shoppers who want basics done right.
⚠️ What We Don’t Like
- No self‑cleaning hose; you’ll flush it by hand after messy jobs.
- Without a Stain Trapper, thick messes pass through the hose.
- Hose reach feels short inside large SUVs and deep sofas.
- No active heat; warm tap water helps, but long sessions cool off.
The base model shines for spot duty—coffee on a rug, crumbs ground into a step, or drips under a high chair. With fewer attachments in the box, setup stays quick, and there’s less to rinse when you’re done. If your place is small, this one fits the shelf and the budget tier that makes sense.
Little Green Max Pet — What We Like / What We Don’t Like
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✅ What We Like
- Stain Trapper tool captures liquids and debris in a separate cup.
- Self‑cleaning hose port helps flush odors and residue after use.
- Longer hose reach makes sofa arms and car footwells easier.
- Pet‑ready bundle keeps the messy stuff out of the main tank.
- Leaves fabric drier when you move slowly and overlap passes.
⚠️ What We Don’t Like
- Higher cost tier than the basic unit.
- More parts to rinse and keep organized.
- Heavier body and tool kit add bulk on a closet shelf.
- Stain Trapper cup needs frequent emptying on large messes.
This version is built for pets and frequent spills. The Stain Trapper keeps the worst gunk out of the main recovery tank, and the hose rinse port speeds end‑of‑job cleanup. If you’re a daily user, those two upgrades save time and help keep smells in check.
Little Green Or Max Pet: Which Fits Your Home Better
Power & Throughput
Both units pull up liquid through a narrow tool while you brush fibers. On quick passes, the base model handles everyday drips and muddy steps without drama. When you slow down and overlap strokes, Max Pet tends to leave fabric drier, thanks to its pet‑tool geometry and the longer hose that reduces tug on your wrist.
Neither unit heats water. Start with warm tap water and a measured splash of carpet formula. Work in small zones and re‑fill when the mix cools. Short, slow strokes beat fast scrubbing every time.
Noise & Comfort
These machines hum like a small shop vac. The smaller body on the base unit feels easier on a staircase and inside compact cars. The upgraded version’s longer hose is the comfort win, since the tank can sit on the floor while you reach across a sectional or into tight car footwells.
For late‑night use, lay a towel under the unit to dampen vibration and to catch drips when you dock the tool.
Cleaning & Parts
End‑of‑job rinse is where the pet‑ready model earns its keep. Plug the tool into the self‑clean port, run clean water, and watch cloudy mix flush through. That habit reduces hose film and lingering smells.
The base unit needs a manual rinse. Fill the clean tank with warm water, spray for a few seconds, then suction the water through the hose and tool into the dirty tank. Pop the tool apart to scrub the spray channel if you notice a fan pattern that looks uneven.
ℹ️ Good To Know: Use only carpet formulas made for extractors. Look for the CRI Seal of Approval on liquids you buy at retail. That mark means the product passed lab checks for performance on carpet fiber and backing.
Look for cleaning solutions that carry the Carpet & Rug Institute’s Seal of Approval. Many popular cleaners also meet the EPA’s Safer Choice Standard, which helps when kids and pets share the floor.
Safety & Standards
Always plug into a grounded outlet and avoid puddles around the unit. Keep the sprayer aimed at fabric; the pump isn’t meant for bare floors. When you finish, release pressure by spraying into a sink for a second, then detach the tool.
Store with tanks empty and the hose clipped to prevent kinks. A quick wipe of the tool face keeps hair from drying over the spray channel.
Warranty & Service
Both models ship with a limited warranty. Care steps matter: empty the dirty tank, rinse the hose and tool, and avoid leaving formula in the unit between sessions. For the fine print, check the maker’s warranty page for your exact SKU.
Pricing & Packages
The base unit lives in the $ tier with a one‑time purchase. Typical box contents: the machine, a 3″ Tough Stain Tool, and a starter bottle of formula. The pet‑ready version sits in the $$ tier and adds the Stain Trapper tool plus the self‑clean hose port. Bundles change, so confirm the parts list on the official pages:
Billing cadence: One‑time. No subscription needed. Consumables include formula and, over years, replacement tools or hoses if wear builds up.
Price, Value & Ownership
Ownership math is simple: if you clean once a week or less and deal with light spills, the budget unit delivers. If you clean several times a week or you’re chasing pet mess, the time saved at cleanup makes the upgraded kit the smarter buy.
Where Each One Wins
🏆 Fast Cleanup — Little Green Max Pet
🏆 Portability — Bissell Little Green
🏆 Budget Tier — Bissell Little Green
🏆 Sofa/Car Reach — Little Green Max Pet
Decision Guide
✅ Choose Bissell Little Green If…
- You want the lowest cost tier with strong day‑to‑day performance.
- Your messes are light: drinks, food spots, small paw prints.
- You prefer fewer parts and the smallest storage footprint.
✅ Choose Little Green Max Pet If…
- Pets or kids create frequent, messy spots that need fast attention.
- You want the Stain Trapper cup and hose self‑clean to speed teardown.
- You’ll clean sofas, stairs, and cars where a longer hose helps.
Where Most Households Should Start
If your place sees light spills and once‑a‑week cleanups, start with Bissell’s compact base model. It’s easy to lift, easy to store, and easy on the wallet tier. Add the pet‑ready version when life gets messier—its Stain Trapper and self‑clean hose shave minutes off each job and keep the system fresher between uses.
That’s the core split: basic model for small jobs at the lowest tier, pet‑focused model for frequent cleanups and faster teardown. Pick the one that matches your mess pattern today, and you’ll be happier every time you pull it off the shelf.