Sandia Sniper 12-Gallon 100 PSI Carpet Extractor (80-2100 / 80-3100 Series, Optional Heat)

Which Sniper 12-Gallon Do I Need?

Two choices decide the model: the vacuum motors and the heater. The tanks, the 100 PSI pump, the 10-inch wheels and the body are the same on all four.

Dual 2-stage or dual 3-stage vacuum motors. Both versions run two motors side by side. The 3-stage motors add a third fan stage, which means stronger suction on long hose runs and thick, wet carpet, so you leave less water behind and the carpet dries faster. The 2-stage 80-2100 is the only model that runs on a single 25-foot cord, which makes it the easiest to plug in on a job. The dual 3-stage 80-3100 needs two cords on two separate circuits. Sandia rates the series at up to 205 inches of water lift.

Heat or no heat. Hot solution loosens greasy soil and body oils that cold water leaves behind, which matters on traffic lanes, entry mats and restaurant carpet. The in-line heater warms the solution on its way to the wand, so the tank stays at tap temperature. Heated models use two 25-foot cords, one of them dedicated to the heater, and each cord needs its own 20 A circuit. Pick heat if your crew fights oily soil every week. Skip it if you mostly maintain clean office carpet and want the simplest setup.

The step from dual 2-stage to dual 3-stage costs $86, and adding the heater costs about $760. Not sure which fits your building? Call (855) 601-5678 or message us with your carpet type, square footage and outlets, and we'll tell you.

100, 200, 300 or 500 PSI?

Sandia builds the 12-gallon Sniper with four pump sizes. The body, tanks, vacuum motors and heater option stay the same, and the pump decides how hard the machine can push solution into the carpet. Sandia lists every pump above 100 PSI as adjustable.

For carpet on a regular maintenance schedule, 100 PSI does the job. If you fight restaurant traffic lanes or heavy soil every week, the 200 PSI 80-2200 costs $772 more than the 80-2100, and the 500 PSI models are the ones built for restorative work.

What You Need to Start Cleaning

Sandia ships the Sniper as a machine only: tanks, pump, motors and the 25-foot power cord or cords. Hoses and tools are sold separately, so check this list before you order.

Hoses and carpet wand (needed). The Sandia 80-0500 kit gives you a 25-foot vacuum hose, a 25-foot solution hose with quick disconnects and a stainless dual jet wand. Choose "With 25 ft Hose and Wand Kit" above and you save $100 against buying the kit separately at $560. Need to reach farther from the outlet? The kit also comes with 50-foot hoses.

Upholstery and stair tool (optional). For chairs, booths, stair treads and car interiors, add the Sandia 10-0501 stainless hand tool ($186). Sandia lists this stainless tool as required for machines with heat, so it's the one to pair with the -H models.

You'll also want a low-foam extraction chemical, a defoamer for the recovery tank and a pre-spray for heavy soil. Sandia warns against powdered detergents, citrus and butyl degreasers in this machine.

The Owner's Insights on the Sandia Sniper 12-Gallon

What I like about the Sniper is how little gets in your way. The controls sit recessed in the top of the body at waist height, so you don't bend down to flip a switch and nothing sticks out to snap off when the machine rides in a van. The 10-inch wheels roll it up stairs one step at a time without dragging the tank on the nose of the tread.

The 12-gallon tanks are the real reason to buy it over a spotter. A school custodian can work a classroom wing on one fill, and a cleaning business can finish a small office suite without hunting for a sink halfway through.

The honest part: 100 PSI is a maintenance pressure, not a restoration pressure. For badly neglected carpet you still pre-spray and agitate first, and the heated models need two separate circuits. Map your outlets before you buy one.

Why You'll Love the Sniper 12-Gallon

• 12-gallon solution and recovery tanks. Fewer trips to fill and dump, so more of the shift goes into actual cleaning.

• Two vacuum motors on every model. Strong recovery pulls more water out of the carpet, and carpet that dries sooner is back in use sooner.

• Motor cooling air intake. The fans pull outside air over the motors to keep them from overheating on long jobs.

• Optional 2,000 W in-line heater. Solution up to 200°F, per Sandia, helps break down oily traffic-lane soil that cold water leaves behind.

• Recessed waist-high controls. Protected in transport and storage, and easy to reach without stooping.

• Roto-molded polyethylene body. Resists dents, chips and cracks, and Sandia backs it with a lifetime body warranty.

Sniper 12-Gallon or Another Portable Carpet Extractor?

We sell all of these, so here's a straight comparison with the portable extractors buyers usually cross-shop at this price.

If you only need a cold-water extractor for light maintenance and your budget is tight, the Tornado Surge 10 costs $270 less, comes with a wand and hose, and does the job. The Sniper earns its price with bigger tanks on both sides and a factory heater option. The NaceCare TP 8X pushes more pressure from a smaller machine and comes with its wand and hose, and the Clarke EX20 matches the tank size at a higher price. Need more than 100 PSI? The same Sniper comes with an adjustable 200 PSI, 300 PSI or 500 PSI pump. Need a smaller machine for stairs, vans and small jobs? The Sniper 6-gallon has the same body design and pump choices with 6-gallon tanks, from $1,988. See every option in our carpet extractors collection.

Setup, Chemicals and Upkeep

Sandia ships the machine with RV antifreeze in the lines, so the first job is flushing about a gallon of clean water through the wand. Fill the solution tank with water no hotter than your tap. Hot fill water can damage the pump and void the warranty, and on heated models the in-line heater does the heating for you.

Pre-spray and agitate heavy soil, give the chemical about 10 minutes, then extract. Use low-foam chemicals and keep defoamer in the recovery tank. After each job, empty and rinse both tanks, clean the solution tank filter and float screen, and store the machine with the lids off. In cold climates, winterize with RV antifreeze, because freeze damage isn't covered.

Sandia can factory-install auto-fill and auto-dump on new 12-gallon Snipers. It has to be built in before the machine ships, so ask us for a quote before you order.

Why You Should Consider a Sandia Carpet Extractor

Sandia machines come from Ultimate Solutions in Huntington Beach, California, and Sandia shows the 12-gallon Sniper as manufactured in the US. The roto-molded bodies carry a lifetime warranty, the vacuum motors and 100 PSI pump get 2 years, and Sandia sells the replacement pumps, motors and heater parts through its distributor network.