We've Tested 20+ Carpet Cleaners—These 7 Impressed Our Cleaning Experts
Prepare to be wowed when you see all the dirt these mighty machines remove.
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Between muddy shoes, pet accidents, and spilled drinks, carpets take a lot of abuse. And while a quick vacuum can pick up surface dirt, it won't do much for the stains and grime that work their way into the fibers. That's where a good carpet cleaner comes in.
The Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care & Cleaning Lab has tested dozens of models, evaluating stain removal, and drying time to find the ones worth buying. Our experts’ top pick is Bissell Revolution HydroSteam Pet Carpet Cleaner for how impressively its steam lifted tough stains.
Our top picks:
✓ Best overall: Bissell Revolution HydroSteam Pet Carpet Cleaner
Excels at removing tough stains while leaving carpets dry in under 30 minutes
✓ Best value: Hoover SmartWash Pet Automatic Carpet Cleaner
Impressive cleaning performance at a budget-friendly price
✓ Best portable: Bissell Little Green Portable Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner
Makes it easy to tackle spills and stains on carpets, upholstery, and car interiors
✓ Best professional: Bissell Big Green Professional Carpet Cleaner
Delivers deep-cleaning power for large carpeted areas and whole-home jobs.
Best Deal
Pros
- Cleans using real steam
- Speed dry helps carpets dry within 30 minutes
- Lengthy power cord and extendable hose for better reach
Cons
- Left some suds on the backstroke
- Heavy
Actually produces steam to tackle stubborn stains
We’ve evaluated many Bissell carpet cleaners and consistently find them reliable and easy to use—and this model lives up to its reputation. It impressed our pros enough to earn a Good Housekeeping Cleaning & Organizing Award. Unlike many “steam” cleaners on the market, this one truly produces steam, which helped lift stubborn stains during testing. It also offers a quick-dry mode that leaves carpets touch-dry in under 30 minutes.
Easy to use and effective on set-in stains
Using this model is simple, thanks to an easy-fill tank and three cleaning modes. In our Lab, it effortlessly removed set-in mustard and wine stains. Two specialized tools are included: one for pet hair on upholstery and another for tackling both fresh and dried messes.
Long reach and a large tank, but it's on the heavier side
Other notable features include a 25-foot power cord, an 8-foot hose for extended reach, and a large water tank. At 31 pounds, it’s on the heavier side, and we did notice a bit of leftover suds on the backstroke, though those cleared quickly with a few extra passes.
| Weight | 31 lbs |
| Cord length | 25 ft |
| Attachments and extras | Pet hair upholstery tool, tough stain tool |
Pros
- No trigger: It cleans on forward pass, dries on backwards pass
- Automatically mixes cleaner with water so no measuring
- Great suction
Cons
- Cord is a little shorter than on other full-size models
Simple to operate
One thing we really like about this Hoover upright is how you don’t really need to think too much to figure out how to use it—and that’s one less barrier keeping you from the chore of deep-cleaning the carpet. You simply push the machine forward to dispense the solution (no trigger required), and then you pull it back for it to extract dirty water and start drying the carpet. It also automatically mixes the right amount of cleaning solution and has a convenient “dry-only” mode that applies heat on the forward pass to help speed up drying.
Strong suction picks up more than you might expect
One of our consumer testers told us, “It apparently has better suction than my vacuum, because I vacuumed thoroughly before using, and the cleaner still quickly filled up with dog fur, dust, carpet fibers, and sand.” The cleaner comes with an 8-foot hose and a 22-foot power cord, giving you a decent reach for stairs and upholstery, though slightly shorter than some other full-size models we’ve tested.
| Weight | 20.5 lbs |
| Cord length | 22 ft |
| Attachments and extras | Antimicrobial rubber nub tool, 8-ft hose, pre-treater tool |
Pros
- Hose and cord wrap make storage neat
- Easy to clean, carry, and maintain
- Large tanks
Cons
- Cleaner must be diluted
Long hose and large tanks make it easy to tackle bigger messes
Bissell’s Little Green Machine was one of the first portable carpet cleaners on the market, and it set a high standard. We’ve tested it multiple times in the GH Cleaning Lab, and it’s been a TikTok favorite for years. Its 4-foot hose reaches into nooks and crannies that other cleaners can’t, and the 48-ounce tanks let you clean plenty of area before needing to empty and refill.
Easy to store and carry, with a few minor quirks
Unlike some portable cleaners that are tricky to disassemble and store, this Bissell is straightforward. The hydro-rinse tool makes it easy to clear debris from the hose, helping prevent odors during storage. The hose also wraps around the base and snaps into the back, and its oval shape fits neatly on stair treads.
The cord stores on a rear reel, and the large top handle makes carrying simple. The only minor downsides: The cleaning solution needs to be diluted before use, and holding the tank with one hand while pouring the solution with the other can be awkward. If you prefer something more compact, we’re also big fans of the Bissell Little Green Mini, which is a full 3 pounds lighter.
| Weight | 9.65 lbs |
| Cord length | 15 ft |
| Attachments and extras | Stationary brush and hydro-rinse tool |
Pros
- Large tanks
- Handle folds for storage
- Easy to disassemble and clean
Cons
- Heavy to carry
- Requires more storage space
Surprisingly easy to use for such a large carpet cleaner
Bissell’s Big Green stands out as the most intuitive professional-style carpet cleaner we’ve tested. Despite its large size, it’s easy to use—filling, carrying, and securing the 1.75-gallon tank was effortless. We especially appreciated the spinning flow indicator, which clearly signals when it’s time to refill the cleaning solution. While its hefty build may look intimidating, the adjustable fold-flat handle makes storage simpler, though moving its 40-plus pounds up or down stairs will likely require a second person.
Long cord and hose make cleaning large areas easier
In our testing, the Big Green left carpets feeling soft without becoming overly damp. Its extra-long 25-foot power cord allowed us to clean an entire room without unplugging, and the 9-foot hose plus included handheld stain tool made tackling stairs and upholstery easy.
| Weight | 42 lbs |
| Cord length | 25 ft |
| Attachments and extras | Tough stain tool, 9-ft. hose |
Pros
- Brightens and freshens low pile rugs
- Can vacuum dry debris and wet spills as well as wash carpets and bare floors
- Cordless
Cons
- Isn't as effective on deep pile carpets
- Small dry dust cup
Vacuums, washes floors, and even freshens area rugs
We love the versatility of this wet/dry machine, since it can vacuum dry debris and pet hair, tackle wet spills, wash bare floors, and, unlike most other vacuum mops, clean and freshen low-pile area rugs. In our Cleaning Lab tests, it noticeably brightened our dingy carpet panels, though it isn't as effective on deep-pile carpets as machines with rotating brushes, and the dry dust cup is a bit small.
Cordless design and self-cleaning make maintenance easier
Overall, it’s easy to use and cordless, offering up to 30 minutes of runtime. Its slim design makes it a great option for homes with limited storage. It’s simple to set up and break down, and it even self-cleans when placed back on its recharging base.
| Weight | 15.57 lbs |
| Cord length | N/A |
| Attachments and extras | N/A |
Pros
- Excellent stain removal
- Retractable carrying handle and wheels
- Large tanks
- Rubberized brush lifts pet hair
Cons
- Can be heavy, especially when tanks are full
- Louder than other portable models we tested
Tackles tough pet stains, odors, and hair
If pets are part of your household, you’ve probably used an enzyme cleaner to tackle stains by hand, but this approach isn’t always enough. In our Cleaning Lab tests, the Rug Doctor portable cleaner stood out for removing fresh and set-in stains, as well as ammonia odors. Its large 64-ounce tanks mean less refilling and emptying during big or multi-room jobs compared with smaller models.
Large wheels and a retractable handle make it easier to maneuver
While it’s louder than other portable cleaners and fairly heavy when full, the retractable handle and large wheels make it easy to maneuver or store in a closet. Position it at the top or bottom of a staircase, and with the 4-foot stretch hose, you can likely clean an entire flight. A bonus for pet owners: The Rug Doctor’s nozzle has rubberized bristles that lift hair while tackling stains.
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| Weight | 18.9 lbs |
| Cord length | 15 ft. |
| Attachments and extras | Dual-action pet tool |
Pros
- Caddy holds everything
- Lightweight and portable
- Easy to store
- Wand does not to be plugged in while in use
Cons
- Does not hold a lot of liquid
- Spray bottle is separate from the vacuum wand
Lightweight, portable design makes quick cleanups easy
The Shark Stainforce is easy to use and lightweight. The stain stick and cleaning solution come in a caddy that's easy to carry around the home as you move between areas. The caddy also has a self-cleaning function, which is simple to use by adding water to the base. Its compact size makes it easy to store, and the wand doesn't need to be plugged in while in use.
Effective at tackling fresh stains without over-saturating carpets
It's a great tool for addressing small, immediate messes before they have a chance to set. The cleaning solution can be sprayed onto carpet and uses Oxy power to help eliminate stains. The bristles at the end of the stain stick help agitate stains, while the suction pulls up messy liquid. In our Lab testing, it effectively tackled wine and chocolate syrup stains without leaving the carpet overly saturated. One drawback: The dirty-water tank doesn't hold much, and the spray bottle is separate from the vacuum wand.
| Weight | 6.26 lbs |
| Cord length | N/A |
| Attachments and extras | Stain eliminator tool, crevice tool, extra reversible bristle strip, caddy |
Other carpet cleaners we tested
- Kenmore SpotLight Portable Carpet Cleaner: This small yet mighty carpet cleaner had great suction and effectively removed the chocolate syrup, wine, coffee, and other stains we applied to nylon carpeting swatches. We liked the large tanks, 6-foot hose, and two nozzle attachments, one of which is conveniently oversized for big jobs like sofas.
- Dirt Devil Portable Spot Compact Carpet Cleaner: This machine did a great job removing stains while being lightweight, compact, and easy to store. It comes with two nozzles and the hose wraps around the base for neat storage. The tanks were a bit small, so they may need more frequent refills on large jobs, but we liked the built-in hose rinse to flush the hose of debris before tucking it away for its next use.
How we test carpet cleaners
At last count, the Cleaning Lab has tested more than 20 full-size and portable carpet cleaners, 21 carpet stain removers, an assortment of upholstery cleaners, and even several in-home professional carpet-cleaning services. Our tests may include how well machines clean soiled, dingy industry-standard white carpet test panels and how well uprights and portables remove stains.
We take color measurements before we start, set up each cleaner according to the manufacturer's directions, and run each machine over the dirty carpet for an identical number of passes. The carpet panel is weighed before and after cleaning to assess the amount of moisture left behind. We note how long it takes the carpet to dry, then remeasure the same locations to calculate how well the machine cleaned the carpet.
Portable machines are tested for how well they remove stains we've applied—like red wine and chocolate—from test carpet and upholstery swatches. Both fresh stains and set-in stains are treated with each portable machine, and we rate how well they remove odors from the test swatches.
Other features, like the weight, included accessories, battery charge/runtime, and noise level, are rated. We also assess how easy the appliances are to assemble, use, and store. We test attachments on upholstered furniture or upholstery fabric swatches, and often have consumer testers come into the Lab or test at home for feedback on how easy the machines are to maneuver.
What to look for when shopping for carpet cleaner
If you deal with frequent spills, pet accidents, or have a home full of carpet that needs regular attention, owning a machine can save time, energy, and money over renting in the long run. It also lets you tackle stains and messes immediately, helping keep your carpets in better condition.
Keep these tips in mind when shopping for a carpet cleaner:
✔️ Weight and maneuverability: Carpet cleaners are heavier and more cumbersome to push and carry than traditional vacuums, and they get even heavier once filled with water. Look for models with wide-opening water tanks that are easy to fill and equipped with large handles for easier carrying.
✔️ Footprint: Upright models require more storage space than portable or handheld models. If you don't have much carpeting or have only occasional stains to deal with, a compact model or even a handheld unit may be sufficient. For models with lots of attachments and long hoses, onboard storage is helpful, as you'll be less likely to lose them if they stay right on the cleaner.
✔️ Special features: Most full-size machines have rotating brushes, a hose, a heater, and attachments to clean upholstery, pet messes, and small areas, plus small bottles of detergent to get you started. Built-in heaters are helpful because hot or even warm water helps remove stains faster and more effectively than cold water—and they can also help the carpet dry faster. A long hose is a must for cleaning carpeted stairs and reaching under tight car seats. Nice extras include targeted stain sprayers and models that self-clean or flush the hose and brushes with clear water to stay fresh and odor-free while stored. App connectivity is becoming popular, but it's not a must.
✔️ Warranty: Many manufacturers post this information on their websites, but a warranty between one and five years is the norm for most carpet cleaners. It's also important to note that if a manufacturer recommends a specific cleaning solution, using a different one can void your warranty. While you're at it, check your carpet's warranty to make sure you're not using a cleaning product that will void it.
How do carpet cleaners work?
Carpet cleaners work by dispensing a mixture of cleaning solution and water onto your carpet to dissolve dirt and stains, while a rotating brush helps work the solution into the carpet fibers. The machine then suctions the solution and any dirt that is removed from the carpets into the dirty water tank. While carpet cleaners are often called "steam cleaners," this is a misnomer: Other than the Bissell HydroSteam (our best overall pick above), they don't use steam; you can add hot water to the tank.
Most carpet cleaners come with hoses and mini nozzles for cleaning small areas like upholstery and stairs, and all have two tanks—one for the clean water and detergent solution, and one for the dirty water pulled from the carpet.
How often should you clean carpets?
Carpet manufacturers and the Carpet and Rug Institute recommend having your carpets professionally deep-cleaned every 12 to 18 months. Some manufacturers even require it to uphold the carpet’s warranty. Professional cleaners use more powerful equipment than what you can buy or rent, plus they pretreat stains and can reapply the stain-repellent treatment your carpet likely came with when it was new. But owning a carpet cleaner lets you clean more frequently and tackle stains promptly, so your carpets will look better longer.
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Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Over her 45 years at the Good Housekeeping Institute, Carolyn Forté tested hundreds of floor-cleaning appliances, including carpet cleaners, cordless stick vacuums, steam mops, and more. As the former executive director of the GH Institute's Home Care & Cleaning Lab, she personally tested most of the carpet cleaners featured in this guide. She oversaw all portable and full-size carpet cleaner category tests conducted by Lab analysts. Forté also served as the Second Vice-Chair and Consumer Information Chair of the ASTM F11 Committee, which develops industry test standards used by vacuum cleaner manufacturers.
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