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For an active household with lots of foot or paw traffic, a carpet cleaner, sometimes called a carpet shampooer, can make quick work of common stains and refresh dingy rugs or carpets. Whether you’ve considered one for spot-cleaning or need more frequent whole-house cleaning, carpet cleaners can make upkeep a lot easier.
We tested 20 top-rated carpet cleaners on rugs, carpets, and stairs to find which ones leave floor fibers looking like new while also offering the best value. Our favorite is the Hoover SmartWash+ Automatic Carpet Cleaner thanks to its effective stain removal and overall cleaning power. Read on to find out why we also consider the following to be some of the best carpet cleaners on the market and learn about what features will best suit your home and lifestyle.
- BEST OVERALL: Hoover SmartWash+ Automatic Carpet Cleaner
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Hoover PowerDash Compact Carpet Cleaner
↓ Jump to Review - BEST PORTABLE: Bissell Little Green Portable Carpet Cleaner
↓ Jump to Review - BEST DEEP CLEANER: Bissell Big Green Pet Pro Carpet Cleaner
↓ Jump to Review - BEST SPOT CLEANER: Rug Doctor Pet Portable Spot Cleaner
↓ Jump to Review - BEST STEAM CLEANER: Dupray Neat Steam Cleaner
↓ Jump to Review
How We Tested the Best Carpet Cleaners
Before we began testing, we researched more than three dozen products, ranging from small portable options to professional-style equipment and even a few steam cleaners. We considered weight, cord length, and accessories, and we looked at carpet cleaner reviews from users to determine what made potential picks exceptional.
We tested the carpet cleaners on a carpet swatch marked by several tough-to-clean stains, including red wine, chocolate, dirt, and oil. We also used them around our own homes on old stains, like pet urine, and on furniture, if applicable. We rated each machine’s effectiveness on how well it could eliminate a stain and how quickly it could do it. We also assessed the overall ease of use, portability, and suction, using the included accessories where needed, carrying them around our homes, and taking note of how quickly the carpet dried after cleaning. Out of the many products we tested, these seven carpet cleaners are our favorites.
| Testing Stats | |
| Products tested | 20 |
| Hours spent testing | 15 |
| Tests performed | 8 |
| Price range | $100 to $412 |
Our Top Picks
Whether you’re looking for a portable option for quick spot-cleaning, an upright for whole-house cleaning, or a steam cleaner to sanitize, our list offers those options and then some. We’ve included multifunctional models as well as some straightforward picks. See how they fared and which one might be best for your needs.
Best Overall
Hoover SmartWash+ Automatic Carpet Cleaner
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.5/5; Effectiveness 5/5; Suction 5/5; Portability 4/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- Type: Upright
- Cord length: 22 feet
- Weight: 18.49 pounds
What We Like
- Automatically switches between wash and dry functions for more efficient cleaning
- Additional tools and long cleaning hose are quite useful for spot-cleaning
- Dry-only mode helps remove excess moisture and speed up drying time
What We Don’t Like
- Build quality seems less durable than other uprights
- Reassembling brush cover and brush roll after cleaning is not intuitive
With no buttons to push or triggers to pull, this high-tech unit makes carpet cleaning incredibly easy. It simply shifts to auto-clean when the user pushes it forward and switches to auto-dry when the user pulls it back. The auto-dry function extracts water from the carpet and applies heat for a shortened drying time.
Hoover’s AutoMix system combines and dispenses the correct amount of solution for the best cleaning possible, while the 1-gallon tank provides ample clean water for washing and rinsing. This upright carpet-cleaning machine is also quite versatile thanks to its longer power cord, 8-foot hose, and several attachments, including one for pet hair.
It took us a little while to get used to the lack of buttons and triggers, but once we used the machine for a bit, we found it to be one of our favorites. Within a few short passes and in less than 5 minutes, this machine had removed all of the test stains and left our carpet square nearly bone dry. We also found the dry-only mode extremely helpful for removing moisture. In this mode, it operated like a wet vacuum for carpet. It was so good at drying areas that the next day, we used it to suction excess water from a couple of still-wet spots we had tested. It was lighter than similar uprights, which resulted in more maneuverability and better portability.
The downside of this otherwise great machine was that the build quality didn’t seem as durable and the design was not always intuitive. For instance, when we removed the hose, the plastic pieces near it came off, and we struggled to get them back into place. Additionally, we removed the brush cover and the brushes for cleaning and found them a little less than intuitive to snap back into place. Still, we think these are minor downsides compared to the value offered by this effective carpet cleaner.
Get the Hoover SmartWash+ carpet cleaner at Amazon, Target, or Hoover.
Best Bang for the Buck
Hoover PowerDash Carpet Cleaner
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 4.5/5; Effectiveness 5/5; Suction 4.5/5; Portability 5/5; Value 4/5
Product Specs
- Type: Upright
- Cord length: 20 feet
- Weight: 12.5 pounds
What We Like
- HeatForce power is a convenient feature that speeds up dry time
- 20-foot power cord can reach many rooms
- Lightweight and small design is portable and functional for tight spaces
What We Don’t Like
- Lacks additional tools for more detailed spot-cleaning
- Removing and rinsing dirty tank water can be a little tricky
A whole-home carpet cleaner in a compact design, this budget-friendly model from Hoover weighs just 12.5 pounds, making it ideal for anyone with limited storage space. The 0.5-gallon tank provides enough water for most rooms, and Hoover’s HeatForce Technology heats the carpet as dirty water is sucked into the tank for faster drying. The pet brush roll easily collects hair and helps purge difficult stains. While the model has no hose attachment, its low profile lets users get under furniture fairly easily.
This compact upright cleaner impressed us with how quickly it removed all the stains. It was also one of the easiest carpet cleaners to use, making quick work of our test messes. This unit removed all the stains from our carpet square in three passes, which took less than 5 minutes. We used it for 2 more minutes without distributing any water to help dry the carpet. This machine left the carpet square very dry to the touch.
The main downside to this portable upright carpet cleaner is that it does not come with an attachment hose, so getting into small spaces or corners may be difficult. The process of removing the dirty water was a little awkward compared to some of the other carpet-cleaning machines we tested, but it wasn’t a deal-breaker, especially at this price point. This is an excellent choice for those in the market for a carpet cleaner that gets the job done with no fuss and at a great price.
Get the Hoover PowerDash carpet cleaner at Amazon.
Best Portable
Bissell Little Green Portable Carpet Cleaner
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Effectiveness 4.3/5; Suction 5/5; Portability 5/5; Value 4.7/5
Product Specs
- Type: Portable
- Cord length: 15 feet
- Weight: 9.65 pounds
What We Like
- Generous clean-water and dirty-water tanks provide consistent deep-cleaning capacity
- Powerful suction picks up and removes deep stains, dirt, and debris
- HydroRinse self-cleaning tool included for cleaning hose
What We Don’t Like
- Tanks can slightly leak over the edges of the container if they’re not upright
The Bissell Little Green portable carpet and upholstery cleaner is a versatile machine, able to clean everything from carpets to auto interiors. It has powerful suction capabilities, efficiently removing stains from the soft surfaces in a home. Bissell’s portable carpet cleaner has removable water tanks that are easy to fill and clean, each of which has a capacity of 48 ounces. It includes a 3-inch tough-stain tool, a HydroRinse tool attachment, and a sample-size bottle of the brand’s cleaning solution.
In testing, the Bissell Little Green easily eliminated dirt and fresh stains, and it greatly improved the appearance of set-in stains. We liked that the Bissell Little Green has a good-size tank for clean water and wastewater, so we didn’t have to empty and refill as often. It’s lightweight, and its 15-foot cord made it easy to move around. We especially liked the HydroRinse self-cleaning tool attachment that allowed us to clean the hose without spilling water everywhere. It’s a great option for spot-cleaning.
Read our full review: Bissell Little Green Portable Carpet Cleaner
Get the Bissell Little Green carpet cleaner at Amazon or Bissell.
Best Deep Cleaner
Bissell Big Green Pet Pro Carpet Cleaner
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Effectiveness 5/5; Suction 5/5; Portability 3/5; Value 4.5/5
Product Specs
- Type: Upright
- Cord length: 25 feet
- Weight: 44 pounds
What We Like
- Long 25-foot power cord can travel farther than those of many other carpet cleaners
- Specially designed pet tool is great for pet beds and furniture
- 8 rows of brush bristles get deeper into carpet fibers than some smaller models
- Powerful suction leaves carpets relatively dry after use
What We Don’t Like
- One of the most expensive carpet cleaners on the list
- Heavy, cumbersome, and more difficult to store than smaller cleaners
This heavy-duty carpet cleaner uses an extra-large rotary brush for lifting dirt to produce results similar to those of professional carpet cleaning. The 1.75-gallon clean water tank provides more water than necessary for most rooms, and the 9-foot hose can clean under beds, sofas, and other hard-to-reach areas. The model includes two hose attachments: a pet stain tool and a 6-inch stair tool. However, at 44 pounds, this machine is difficult to maneuver and requires more storage space.
What it lacks maneuverability, however, it makes up for in effectiveness. It was heavy to push, and we had to go much slower than with other models, but after 20 minutes of testing, the Bissell Big Green had removed all of the stains and then some. We had some older stains on a low-pile basement carpet that we thought would never come out, but this machine removed them without the need to use any advanced spot treatment. The suction power left the carpets surprisingly dry to the touch and completely dry within about 4 hours.
We also appreciated the cleaner’s practical features and attachments. We used the narrower stair-tool attachment to spot-clean corners and other narrow areas. The generously sized 9-foot hose easily snapped into place and was a cinch to use—essentially exactly like a standard vacuum cleaning hose. We even used the 6-inch attachment on some couch stains, which the machine took out in under a minute.
This is a great alternative to renting a carpet cleaner and an ideal pick for those who have plenty of square feet of carpeting. For those who want to feel like their carpets have been professionally cleaned, this machine won’t disappoint.
Get the Bissell Big Green carpet cleaner at Amazon, Wayfair, or Bissell.
Best Spot Cleaner
Rug Doctor Pet Portable Spot Cleaner
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Effectiveness 4.9/5; Suction 4.5/5; Portability 4.5/5; Value 4.4/5
Product Specs
- Type: Portable
- Cord length: 15 feet
- Weight: 18.34 pounds
What We Like
- Built-in wheels and retractable handle make this machine more portable
- Effectively tackles pet hair as well as odor from pet messes
- Dual water tanks; clean and dirty water are kept separate
- Extra-long cord makes it convenient for cleaning stairs
What We Don’t Like
- Heavy when water tanks are full
- Sprayer may drip after cleaning, leaving drip marks on the floor
While the Rug Doctor may be on the heavier side for a spot cleaner—just over 18 pounds—its sizable 64-ounce tanks, built-in wheels, and retractable handle make it easy to tackle several spots at once. This smartly designed portable carpet cleaner features a 4-foot hose and 15-foot power cord to reach across large rooms and stairs, plus a dual-tank system that keeps clean and dirty water separate for an enhanced cleaning job. Plus, its cleaning head, with a rubber brush, lifts loose pet hair and tackles stains on carpet, upholstery, and pet beds, making it a great option for pet owners as well.
When we tested it on the different stains, it lifted red wine, oil, chocolate, coffee, and tomato sauce with very little effort in under 5 minutes. The dirt stain and pet urine both lingered after an initial pass, requiring about 10 more minutes of scrubbing to remove. While it did take a little more elbow grease to remove all these stains, we expected that for a spot cleaner. They generally aren’t quite as powerful as an upright carpet cleaner. The only downside was that when we finished, the carpet square we tested was significantly damper than the others. Still, the Rug Doctor is a sturdy, good carpet cleaner in a small package.
Get the Rug Doctor carpet cleaner at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Walmart.
Best Steam Cleaner
Dupray Neat Steam Cleaner
Our Ratings: Ease of Use 5/5; Effectiveness 4/5; Suction N/A; Portability 5/5; Value 4.8/5
Product Specs
- Type: Canister
- Cord length: 16 feet
- Weight: 9 pounds
What We Like
- Heats up to 275 degrees Fahrenheit; great for tough stains
- Long cord that winds in base; makes for easier storage
- Built-in funnel for filling the tank; prevents a watery mess
- Retractable carrying handle; easy to tote around the home
What We Don’t Like
- No onboard accessories storage
For a chemical-free way to sterilize carpet, a steam cleaner is a great option. Carpet can contain 200,000 bacteria per square inch. The Dupray Neat steam cleaner can dispense steam as hot as 275 degrees Fahrenheit, a temperature capable of sterilizing surfaces and killing 99 percent of viruses and bacteria. The 54-ounce tank on this model allows for up to 50 minutes of continuous cleaning. It comes with 17 accessories, including a triangle tool, a crevice tool, and brushes for cleaning carpets and upholstery.
In testing, we liked how well the Dupray maneuvered and produced powerful steam that effectively cleaned hard and soft surfaces. Although the steamer can help loosen dirt and grime, some manual scrubbing is necessary to remove tough stains using the triangular steam head and microfiber bonnet attachment. We also liked its cube shape. Though most steam cleaners feature a cylinder shape, Dupray’s shape makes it easier to store in small spaces. The machine features a built-in funnel for filling the tank and a cord wrap to wind the 16-foot cord into the unit’s base. Although these features make the device easy to store, we would have loved onboard storage for the accessories.
Get the Dupray carpet cleaner at Amazon or The Home Depot.
Jump to Our Top Picks
What to Consider When Choosing a Carpet Cleaner
Carpet cleaners often feature various cleaning modes, include several accessories, and weigh a lot more when their water tanks are full, which can impact portability. Hose and cord length also impact portability and how long you can continuously clean before having to unplug and move. Keep these considerations in mind when shopping to ensure you pick the best residential carpet cleaner for your needs.
Spot-Cleaning vs. Whole-House Cleaning
Spot-cleaning machines are lightweight, portable, and less expensive than whole-house cleaners, but the suction isn’t as strong as larger units. They’re ideal for use on stairs, in homes with just a couple of carpeted rooms, or in homes with area rugs. These small carpet cleaners are also good for cleaning the carpets in your car. Household steam cleaners can be used to spot-clean small areas of a carpet or rug. They can sanitize carpets and help loosen dirt and other stubborn stains.
Whole-house or upright carpet cleaners have robust motors capable of producing powerful suction while rotating thick cleaning brushes. These machines may also have the versatility of more than one cleaning mode. They’re costlier than spot cleaners and use more cleaning products, so they’re best suited to larger homes with many carpeted rooms that see heavy traffic. Using a heavy-duty carpet cleaner helps to remove dirt and grime that have sunk deep into the fibers of the carpet or rug.
Weight and Portability
In general, the heavier the machine, the more powerful its suction motor and rotating brushes will be. Portable units, like handheld carpet cleaners, are lighter and are easily maneuvered into any position. There are also mid-weight carpet cleaners that may not be capable of heavy-duty cleaning but do a better job than small handheld machines.
Buyers will want to consider their physical limits, the amount of carpeting, and the number of levels in the home when making a decision. In some instances, a portable carpet cleaner is the best option. It’s important to also keep in mind that the weight listed for each machine does not include the added weight of water.
Cord and Hose Length
Cord and hose length both affect cleaning time; the less you have to unplug and plug in, the more efficient the cleaning session. Extensive cords and hoses are particularly helpful in large rooms and for cleaning stairs. Some cords reach more than 20 feet, as many in our lineup do. Carpet cleaner hoses generally max out at 10 feet, but some upright units have no hose at all. One handy attribute of a hose attachment is that it allows access under heavy pieces of furniture like beds or sofas.
Accessories
Carpet-cleaner accessories are attachments that can be added to a hose or intake port for cleaning different materials, reaching difficult areas, or dealing with pet hair and odors. Some of the most common types include upholstery tools; crevice-cleaning attachments (handy for tight spots like the indent created where the baseboard meets the carpet); or spinning brushes that lift tough, stuck-on stains. Pet attachments include special brushes, guards, and even isolated tanks for trapping fur to prevent it from getting caught in the machine. Many machines include samples of the brand’s best carpet shampoos or cleaning solutions to help get you cleaning right away.
FAQs
Before buying or renting a carpet cleaner, take a look at these frequently asked questions about carpet cleaners and their answers below.
The price range in this lineup is $99 to $412. However, the average cost of professional carpet cleaning is about $50 per room and can be up to $600 for larger homes. This means that after just a few uses, your new carpet cleaner will have paid for itself. You also have the option of renting carpet-cleaning equipment and DIYing the job at an average price of $30 per day. Either of these routes may make sense if you have just one or two carpeted rooms, but if your entire house is carpeted or you live with furry friends, it may be more cost-effective to compare carpet cleaners and invest in your own unit.
If regular vacuuming and moderate care are taken, a carpet can be cleaned once every 12 to 18 months. In an active household with pets and children, you’ll want to clean the carpet every 6 to 12 months.
The best carpet cleaner for pets is capable of removing pet hair, odors, and stains from even the deepest fibers of the carpet. For this purpose, the Bissell ProHeat 2X carpet cleaner is at the top of our list.
Bissell recommends staying off carpet for 4 to 6 hours after cleaning; however, total dry time depends on a variety of factors, including the type of carpet fibers, the pile, how much solution and water were used, room size, ventilation, humidity, and temperature. Carpet made from polyester takes between 6 and 12 hours to dry, but wool carpet takes at least 24 hours to dry. To reduce the drying time, use a quick-cleaning mode, which releases less liquid, and increase ventilation by opening windows, turning on fans, and turning on heat or air conditioning.
Meet the Testers
Amber Guetebier is a writer, editor, and creative writing instructor who began writing for the Bob Vila team in 2021. Before becoming a freelance writer, she was a landscape designer and nursery professional. She is also a mother of one active son and four pets, all of whom track in dirt, make messes, spill things, and generally wreak havoc on her carpets year-round. She writes about home and garden, parenting, travel, and more for various outlets, including CNET, Angi, ParentMap, and Scary Mommy.
Michelle Larson is an assistant editor at BobVila.com, where she spends her days providing structure for product reviews and asking questions about commas. She’s been a writer and editor for more than 10 years in the fields of health, business, and the home. Because she’d rather spend a little more up front than buy a tool or appliance twice, she strongly believes in the power of research and reviews for finding quality items that are meant to last.
Debbie Wolfe is a photographer, author, and freelance writer in various niches. She has contributed hundreds of home, garden, and crafting articles and DIY tutorials for leading media outlets and retailers, including HGTV, Real Simple, Forbes Advisor, The Spruce, The Home Depot, Walmart, and Mother Earth News. She is the author of two DIY books: Do-It-Yourself Garden Projects and Crafts and Crafting with Herbs from Skyhorse Publishing. Her testing approach is straightforward and budget-minded.
Additional research was provided by Timothy Dale.
