Shark CarpetXpert EX304 vs Hoover SmartWash+ Automatic
Shark CarpetXpert EX304 (#1, best overall) vs Hoover SmartWash+ Automatic (#4): in our Carpet Cleaners & Extractors scoring the Shark CarpetXpert EX304 totals 9.2/10 and the Hoover SmartWash+ Automatic 8/10. At $315 versus $249, the Hoover SmartWash+ Automatic costs $66 less.
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TopsFive comparison scores
Side by side
| Shark CarpetXpert EX304 | Hoover SmartWash+ Automatic | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $315 | $249 |
| Tank | 0.75 gal clean | 1 gal clean |
| Hose | 12-foot onboard | — |
| Feature | Oxi mixing | Auto-sensing |
| Heat | No HeatWave | — |
| Weight | Moderate | — |
| Operation | — | Automatic push/pull |
| Control | — | Minimal |
| Price | — | $190-250 |
How they differ in real use
Built from our carpet cleaners scoring, each product's published specifications, and verified owner feedback — not hands-on testing.
Both the Shark CarpetXpert EX304 and the Hoover SmartWash+ Automatic made our Top 5 Carpet Cleaners & Extractors, at #1 (best overall) and #4. Highest stain reduction scores in independent testing. Dual-solution Oxi mixing automatically blends undiluted Oxi for professional results. 12-foot onboard hose for convenient spot treating. Simplest operation—push forward to wash, pull back to dry. Automatic sensing prevents oversaturation. Ideal for anyone intimidated by carpet cleaner operation.
We score carpet cleaners & extractors on Stain Removal (35%), Tank Capacity (25%), Features (20%), Ease of Use (10%) and Value (10%). On that basis the Shark CarpetXpert EX304 totals 9.2 out of 10 and the Hoover SmartWash+ Automatic 8. The widest gap is Stain Removal, where the Shark CarpetXpert EX304 scores 10 against 8 for the Hoover SmartWash+ Automatic — deep cleaning. Features also separates them: 10 for the Shark CarpetXpert EX304 versus 7 for the Hoover SmartWash+ Automatic. The Hoover SmartWash+ Automatic claws back ground on Tank Capacity and Ease of Use.
On paper, the specifications that actually differ: Tank — 0.75 gal clean on the Shark CarpetXpert EX304 versus 1 gal clean on the Hoover SmartWash+ Automatic; Feature — Oxi mixing on the Shark CarpetXpert EX304 versus Auto-sensing on the Hoover SmartWash+ Automatic.
Pricing as of January 27, 2026: $315 for the Shark CarpetXpert EX304 and $249 for the Hoover SmartWash+ Automatic, a $66 difference in the Hoover SmartWash+ Automatic's favor. Owners praise the Shark CarpetXpert EX304 for highest stain scores and dual-solution Oxi mixing; the most common complaint is 0.75 gal tank smaller. Owners praise the Hoover SmartWash+ Automatic for automatic operation and no triggers or buttons; the most common complaint is less control.
Shark CarpetXpert EX304
- Highest stain scores
- Dual-solution Oxi mixing
- 12-foot onboard hose
- Professional results
- 0.75 gal tank smaller
- Shark ecosystem
- Manual operation
Hoover SmartWash+ Automatic
- Automatic operation
- No triggers or buttons
- Prevents oversaturation
- 1 gal tank
- Less control
- Basic features
- Mid-range performance
Which should you buy?
The Shark CarpetXpert EX304 is the better fit for maximum stain removal and spot cleaning ease — it is the higher-scoring pick here, chiefly for Stain Removal and Features. The Hoover SmartWash+ Automatic is the better fit for first-time users and simple operation preference, and the stronger choice if Tank Capacity and Ease of Use matter more to you than the overall score. If the $66 saving matters more than Stain Removal, the Hoover SmartWash+ Automatic is the better value. The Shark CarpetXpert EX304 is a poor fit for largest whole-home jobs; the Hoover SmartWash+ Automatic is a poor fit for control enthusiasts.
Choose the Shark CarpetXpert EX304 if
- Maximum stain removal
- Spot cleaning ease
- Value seekers
Skip it if
- Largest whole-home jobs
- Automatic operation preference
Choose the Hoover SmartWash+ Automatic if
- First-time users
- Simple operation preference
- Intimidated by cleaners
Skip it if
- Control enthusiasts
- Professional results
Common questions
Is the Shark CarpetXpert EX304 better than the Hoover SmartWash+ Automatic?
In our Carpet Cleaners & Extractors ranking the Shark CarpetXpert EX304 scores higher overall, 9.2 to 8, with the biggest advantage in Stain Removal. The Hoover SmartWash+ Automatic is stronger on Tank Capacity and Ease of Use, so it is the better pick if those matter most to you.
How much more does the Shark CarpetXpert EX304 cost than the Hoover SmartWash+ Automatic?
$66 more as of January 27, 2026: $315 for the Shark CarpetXpert EX304 against $249 for the Hoover SmartWash+ Automatic. Prices move, so the merchant page shows the current figure. What the extra buys is mostly Stain Removal — 10 versus 8 in our scoring.
What is the main difference between the Shark CarpetXpert EX304 and the Hoover SmartWash+ Automatic?
The headline spec difference is Tank: 0.75 gal clean on the Shark CarpetXpert EX304 versus 1 gal clean on the Hoover SmartWash+ Automatic. In use, the gap that matters most is Stain Removal (10 vs 8 in our scoring): deep cleaning.