PowerScrub Deluxe vs PowerScrub XL Pet

Analysis

A thorough examination of the differences between the PowerScrub Deluxe and the PowerScrub XL in six different categories.

Both models have the same measured suction at the hose (where a tool is attached for spot cleaning).

The PowerScrub Deluxe, though, has more measured suction at the base (near the vacuum motor) and at the nozzle (at the bottom of the cleaner at the front of the cleaner head).

Winner: PowerScrub Deluxe

The PowerScrub Deluxe performed much better than the XL model in our upright stain test.

The table above lists the number of passes it took each cleaner to clean up each stain.

A score higher than 10 indicates that the cleaner did not completely clean a stain within 10 passes (we ended testing after 10 passes). The higher the score (past 10), the darker the stain that was left behind.

For example, the PowerScrub XL scored 14 for the tomato sauce stain. The PowerScrub Deluxe scored 12 for the same stain. Both models left behind a stain after 10 passes (score >10) but the the XL model left behind a darker stain (14) than the PowerScrub Deluxe (12).

The Deluxe model outperformed the XL model cleaning up 5 of the 6 other stains as well.

Note especially how the Deluxe model was able to completely clean the ice cream (in 9 passes) and chocolate syrup stain (in 8 passes) while the XL model failed to clean either stain in 10 passes.

Winner: PowerScrub Deluxe

After the upright stain test we measured the moisture level of the carpet that was cleaned. The reading was exactly the same for both models (25%).

We then ran each cleaner three more times over the same section of carpet, only drying carpet on the forward push and the backward pull (normally we would dispense soap and water on the forward push and only dry on the backward pull).

After these 3 additional dry passes the reading for the Deluxe model was lower (23%) than the equivalent reading for the XL model (25%).

Winner: PowerScrub Deluxe

Both models have very large water tanks and so both models are able to clean up a relatively large area before you need to refill or empty their water tanks.

The XL model can clean a larger area than the Deluxe model before you need to refill its clean tank.

The Deluxe model can clean a larger area than the XL model before you need to empty its dirty water tank.

Winner: Tie

Cleaning the XL model’s dirty water tank is slightly easier, because it has less nooks and crannies you have to clean.

Cleaning the rest of both models is just about equally easy to do.

You can remove the front nozzle of both models. And you can easily pull of the brush assembly of both models to rinse and wash it under a tap.

Winner: PowerScrub XL

You can connect a hose to spot clean with both models. The Deluxe model did perform better in our spot cleaning test though.

Winner: PowerScrub Deluxe

Other Notes and Features

Both models have exactly the same measured cleaning path width (10.5”) because they feature the same size brush assembly with exactly the same design.

This assembly is composed of 5 small rotating brushes, which is a different design than that of most other carpet cleaner brush assemblies. Most other carpet cleaners use one or two large brushrolls to agitate and wash carpet instead of multiple smaller circular brushes like these PowerScrubs.

The PowerScrub design results in less spreading of stains as the carpet cleaner washes carpet. Take a look at the screenshot below. Note how much less the PowerScrub Deluxe spreads the tomato sauce and chocolate ice cream stain than the Bissel ProHeat 2x Revolution.

Verdict

Our bottom line recommendations.

When it comes to general recommendations, there really isn’t any sizable advantage that the XL model has over the Deluxe, but there are at least two big advantages the Deluxe model has over the XL.

The Deluxe model has significantly more measured suction (at the base and the nozzle) and it performed significantly better in our upright stain test.

For these reasons, we generally recommend the PowerScrub Deluxe over the PowerScrub XL.