Built with a dual air path, the Hoover SteamVac V2 cleans floors deeply and helps them dry quickly, thanks to its spinning brushes and powerful edge-to-edge suction. A 12-amp machine with an 11-inch cleaning path, the vacuum works on both carpets and upholstery through a combination of floor nozzle suction and hose attachments. Its operation is simple: hot tap water is combined with a cleaning agent, dispersed into carpet or upholstery, and sucked back up into the machine's recovery tank. The SpinScrub system in the floor nozzle features five rotating brushes to agitate carpet fibers and bring ground-in dirt to the surface. If you choose, the brushes can switch off for gentler cleaning and remove for easy maintenance. Easy to maneuver by their bucket-style handles, the clean water and recovery tanks each hold one gallon of liquid, while the separate detergent tank holds 16 ounces. Fingertip switches control solution release and let you choose between shampooing and simply rinsing. For above-floor cleaning, the vacuum comes with a removable 8-foot onboard trigger hose, stair/upholstery attachment, and two-brush SpinScrub hand tool. Helpful details on this unit include quick-release hooks for the 27-foot power cord, a lint filter, a carrying handle, and a 16-ounce starter bottle of detergent. Though designed primarily for carpets, the SteamVac V2 can be used on bare floors with the separate purchase of a bare floor attachment. Hoover includes a full one-year warranty. --Emily Bedard
