Products are chosen independently by our editors. Purchases made through our links may earn us a commission.

Best Carpet Cleaners

Updated
An expert product reviewer known for her comprehensive analysis and in-depth expertise across various categories, providing unbiased and insightful reviews.
Updated

Product Overview

The Bissell ProHeat 2X Lift-Off Pet 15651 carpet cleaner is the ideal tool for cleaning pet hair and stains from carpets. With tools like the integrated pet hair turbo brush and stain lifter, this carpet cleaner is perfect for getting your carpets looking spotless again.

The lightweight design of this cleaner makes it easy to use and store, even when filled with water and cleaning solution. The tank is removable and it has a carrying handle, it even has two settings for how hot you want your water to be.

It's the perfect machine for a household. This model can cover 15 square feet with just one tank of solution, yet it still delivers the same power as competitors twice its size. So it's perfect for homes with one-story open floor plans, or those who don't have much to clean in the first place.

PROS
  • Lightweight and easy to carry around
  • Excellent cleaning performance
  • Good drying performance
CONS
  • Noise performance could be better
  • Average sized water tank

Product Specifications

  • Coverage Area (sq. ft.) 15
  • Hose Length (in.) 61
  • Weight (Full) 30
  • Weight (Empty) 24.25
  • Weight (Tank) 6
  • Dimensions 19 x 13 x 44 inches
Best Price / Quality
Hoover PowerDash Pet FH50700

Product Overview

The Hoover® PowerDash™ Pet Expert Carpet Cleaner is the perfect partner in crime to tackle pet messes and everyday stains from pesky pet paws.

The PowerSpin Pet Brush Roll offers a powerful clean for high traffic areas and tight spaces, so you can give your whole home a thorough cleaning.

This easy-to-use pet carpet cleaner delivers convenience, ease, and an impressive performance.

In addition, the HeatForce™ technology power delivers even faster drying for any space, so you can get back to what matters most to you.

PROS
  • Gentle on delicate fabrics, preserves the look and feel of clothes
  • Tanks that can be easily removed and emptied
  • The lightweight design makes it easy to store anywhere
  • HeatForce™ technology speeds up the process of drying
CONS
  • Small water storage tank

Product Specifications

  • Hose No
  • Separate Tanks Yes
  • Carry Handle No
  • Coverage Area 8
  • Weight (full) (lbs.) 17
  • Weight (empty) (lbs.) 12.5
  • Weight (Tank) 5
  • Cord Length 20 Feet
  • Dimensions 15.25 x 10.13 x 43.5 inches

Product Overview

This carpet shampooer and deep cleaning machine can be heavy-duty when it comes to cleaning pet stains and has a number of solutions for spaces where space is limited.

It has a four-row deep cleaner that uses a specialized formula to remove vomit, urine and mud of all kinds.

The dual tanks keep water and formula separate from dirty water. They protect carpets and other flooring by never putting dirty water in them again. With the tank, keeping this carpet cleaner is easy.

PROS
  • Powerful for its lightweight
  • It has two tanks
  • Removable Nozzle
CONS
  • Not good for thicker kinds of carpet
  • Takes time to figure out how to use

Product Specifications

  • Hose No
  • Separate Tanks Yes
  • Carry Handle No
  • Coverage Area 8
  • Weight (Full) 18
  • Weight (Empty) 12
  • Weight (Tank) 6
  • Tank Size 5/8 gallon
  • Dimensions 20.5 x 16 x 11.4 inches

Product Overview

The Hoover SmartWash Plus is probably best in easily washing carpets. With no complicated buttons, you just move forward to clean and pull back to dry.

It mixes precisely the correct amount of solution for optimal cleaning.

It does a good job of removing stains and doesn't leave too much moisture behind. It's also relatively easy to use, with a good weight, cord length, and tank access.

PROS
  • Dual-Tank System
  • The Nozzle can be removed in one step
CONS
  • The quality is low and it breaks quickly
  • Heavy usage may result in water leaks

Product Specifications

  • Hose Yes
  • Separate Tanks Yes
  • Carry Handle Yes
  • Coverage Area 6
  • Hose Length 108
  • Weight (Full) 26
  • Weight (Empty) 18
  • Weight (Tank) 8
  • Dimensions 15 x 15 x 0.80 Inches
  • Separate Tanks Yes
  • Coverage Area 28

Product Overview

Perfect solution for anyone looking for a powerful, yet easy to use machine. With the triple action vibrating brush, you can be sure that all sides of each carpet fiber will be released of dirt and grime.

The enhanced vacuum motor also delivers pro-grade suction power to extract the dirt, grime and odors. Plus, with two large capacity tanks, you can clean for longer without having to stop and empty/fill them as often.

And when you're done, simply fold down the handle for easy storage.

The powerful suction of the Mighty Pro X3 works great on multiple surfaces, making it a versatile tool for any household. The included attachments make it easy to clean hard-to-reach areas and the detachable hose makes it simple to empty and maintain.

PROS
  • Solid choice for deep cleaning
  • Vibrating brush releasing dirt & stains
  • Two large-capacity tanks
CONS
  • Construction feels weak during vibrations
  • Slightly noisier than the other models

Product Specifications

  • Hose Yes
  • Carry Handle Yes
  • Hose Length 155
  • Weight (Full) 65
  • Weight (Empty) 43
  • Weight (Tank) 22
  • Tank Volume 9 Gallons
  • Dimensions 21 x 12.5 x 27.5 inches
  1. A great balance of price, cleaning and noise: Bissell ProHeat 2X Lift-Off Pet 15651
  2. Perfect for pet owners: Hoover PowerDash Pet FH50700
  3. Great for tight spaces, high traffic areas and area rugs: Bissell TurboClean PowerBrush 2987
  4. Automatic cleaning solution which eliminates guesswork: Hoover SmartWash+ Automatic FH52000
  5. A powerful machine for deep cleaning: Rug Doctor Mighty Pro X3 Commercial Pro
Whether you have children, pets, or just a tendency to wear your shoes inside the house, your carpets are bound to get dirty. A good carpet cleaner can help you get them looking like new again. We tested five of the most popular models and recommend the following.
The best way to find a carpet cleaner is to consider your budget and look for a cleaner that falls within your price range. Carpet cleaners can be found for as little as $30 or as much as $500.

There are two main types of carpet cleaners - steam cleaners and dry cleaners.

  • Steam cleaners - more expensive but more efficient
  • Dry cleaners - cheaper but less effective

You also need to determine the type of carpets you have in your home. The best way to clean nylon or blended carpet is with steam cleaning or dry cleaning, while the best way to clean a wool carpet is with a carpet shampooer.

It isn't hard to use a carpet cleaner. Truthfully, you could be discouraged before you open the box and see all the parts you'll need to assemble to use the cleaner. But once you get past this initial task, it'll seem as easy as vacuuming your carpets. Just remember that cleaning carpets is not like vacuuming - you need to do things slowly and carefully to avoid mistakes. Some carpet cleaners also have detachable lift-offs, which are easy to use and maintain.
If you're cleaning carpet at home, many of the models covered under use 3.5 liters of water and will ask for another refill quickly. Most carpet cleaners will use one tank that contains a mix of clean water and detergent, while a second tank will collect all the dirt as it's being cleaned. So, you can expect them to remove about ten feet of carpet per tank over time.
The best way to avoid over-wetting the carpet is never to shampoo a section more than four times and make sure you test out your detergent before doing an entire carpet. If it leaves discoloration, then don't do it.
One of the most effective ways to clean a carpet is to use hot water extraction. You must be careful when doing this on a delicate fabric like a carpet. However - some carpet detergents contain powerful chemicals that might cause damage. When using a hot water extraction system, it's essential to dry the rug afterward completely, or mold could develop. Be sure to test any detergent mixture beforehand on a small area of your carpet, and avoid using steam cleaners if you have an especially delicate rug.
Domestic carpet cleaners are bigger than standard vacuum cleaners, so you may need to factor storage into your decision. Whether you need one depends on how much carpet you have installed in your house and if there are animals or kids around. If you have carpeting with cream carpets with many stains, you can save yourself plenty of time and hassle.
Carpet stains can also be removed with a scrubbing brush, hot water, and detergent, but it is easier and a time saver to use a domestic carpet cleaner.