If you have some really tough stains or animal messes, or if you just need to breathe some life back into your old carpets and area rugs, no problem! Invest in a high-quality carpet cleaner machine. Although a good vacuum will keep on top of the standard dirt, like pet hair and dust, it doesn’t have enough power to get rid of tough stains and deeply embedded dirt. Here, the use of carpet shampooers and steam cleaners is necessary, and having your cleaner allows you to take care of emergencies rather than having to wait for a professional.
Our testers from the Good Housekeeping Institute evaluated several machines just to come up with the 7 Best Carpet Cleaners, According to Expert Testing. Whether you are after the best professional carpet cleaner, a tiny carpet steam cleaner, or the best carpet shampooer for pets, we have the answers for you. Now you don’t have to waste your time and energy cleaning by yourself, and the results are guaranteed to be as good as a professional’s if not better.
๐ฅ 1. Bissell Revolution HydroSteam Carpet Cleaner โ Best Overall Carpet Cleaner
Why we love it:
- Removes deep-seated dirt through the use of real steam only
- Features a quick-dry option and can dry the carpet in less than 30 minutes
- An amplifier of pet accessories and a cleaning technique for spots
If you’re on the hunt for the in-home carpet steam cleaner that is the best in every professional test, the Bissell Revolution HydroSteam Carpet Cleaner can definitely be the most suitable for you. The equipment not only comes with a steam unlike all others we have tested, but its efficiency and dehumidification are also enough to make it the very first choice of the masses, hence leaving no room for the others. It wonderfully eliminated the hardest of stains, such as wine and mustard, and gave the carpets an expression of cleanliness and a sense of newness.
Key Features:
- Weight: 31 lbs
- Cord Length: 25 ft
- Extras: Pet hair upholstery tool, tough stain tool
- Ideal for: Homes with pets, kids, and frequent messes
๐ฐ 2. Hoover SmartWash Automatic Carpet Cleaner โ Best Value
Why we love it:
- Fully automatic cleaning: Just press to wash and pull to dry
- A built-in heat drying and a stain pre-treat wand
- A good price for a big cleaner
Need an effective carpet cleaner that offers good cleaning on a limited budget? With the Hoover SmartWash, you get the desired results without the need to master the art of control panels. For the “auto-clean” hands-free operation of the machine, you won’t be required to spray the solution on your own or throw in the towel โ moving the machine forward will do the work. The separate dry-only option greatly contributes to decreasing the time needed for drying.
Key Features:
- Weight: 20.5 lbs
- Cord length: 22 ft
- Extras: An antimicrobial rubber tool, an 8-ft hose
- Ideal for: Families, frequent cleaners, and those looking for a budget-friendly option
๐งณ 3. Bissell Little Green Portable Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner โ Best Portable Cleaner
Why we love it:
- Lightweight and easy to store
- Built-in hose rinse tool
- TikTok is famous for a reason!
The Bissell Little Green Machine is one of those things that you apparently can’t live without if you’re into cleaning, and one of the best portable ones that money can buy. It leaves an unforgettable mark behind while doing professional perfection in cleaning some little areas, upholstery, and cars; the machine is perfect for spot treatments.
Key Features:
- Weight: 9.65 lbs
- Cord Length: 15 ft
- Extras: Stationary brush, hose rinse tool
- Ideal for: Apartments, car owners, pet messes
๐งผ 4. Bissell Big Green Professional Carpet Cleaner โ Best Professional Carpet Cleaner
Why we love it:
- Massive 1.75-gallon tanks
- Professional-grade cleaning power
- Adjustable, foldable handle
The Bissell Big Green easily creates professional results in your home. It is gigantic and bulky, yet it is capable of taking on tough spots and performing deep cleaning as a rental product. Just by passing through, this cleaning machine can make the carpets in our lab tidy, fragrant, and almost dry.
Key Features:
- Weight: 42 lbs
- Cord Length: 25 ft
- Extras: Tough stain tool, 9-ft… hose
- Ideal for: large homes, deep cleaning, and pet households
๐ง 5. Tineco Carpet One Pro Smart Carpet Cleaner โ Best Smart Compact Cleaner
Why we love it:
- Smart sensors that adjust the cleaning according to the dirt level
- Audio and LED prompts guide your cleaning
- Lightweight and easily storable
Tineco Carpet One Pro is a carpet sweeper that is smartly designed and has modern technology that makes it. It controls dirt levels automatically. It uses the power of water and suction according to your needs, and the built-in heaters are there to make sure that the carpet gets dry quickly.
Key Features:
- Weight: 16.5 lbs
- Cord Length: 21.3 ft
- Extras: Handheld tool, 8-ft… hose
- Ideal for: Ideal for Tech-savvy people, the apartment, and light to moderate use
๐ถ 6. Rug Doctor Pet Portable Spot Cleaner โ Best Carpet Shampooer for Pets
Why we love it:
- Exceptional elimination of stains and odours
- A pet tool that collects hair as it scrubs off stains
- Built-in wheels and handle
Everyone who owns pets should have this Rug Doctor Portable Carpet Cleaner. It was the best in the pet stains and carrying the odors out categories. The large tanks are also perfect for your home if you have to clean up multiple times a day.
Key Features:
- Weight: 18.9 lbs
- Cord Length: 15 ft
- Extras: Dual-action pet tool
- Ideal for: Pet owners, frequent accidents, small spaces
๐ก 7. Bissell CrossWave Wet Dry Vacuum โ Best for Area Rugs
Why we love it:
- Vacuums and washes at once
- Self-cleans in storage mode
- Works well on area rugs and bare floors
With a flashy and colorful touchscreen, the Bissell CrossWave project demonstrates the potential of flat panel projection. Certainly, the product is perfect for small areas and those living in a house or apartment that requires urgent cleaning. This gadget is not only light but also very convenient for stressed urbanites with limited living space. Innately, itโs not just another gadget but a revolutionary product and a real time-saver on the daily commute or at a hotel stay.
Key Features:
- Weight: 15.57 lbs
- Cordless Design: 30-minute runtime
- Ideal for: small spaces, apartments, quick cleanups
๐งช How We Tested Carpet Cleaners
It is common practice at the Good Housekeeping Cleaning Lab to make use of standard test carpets that have been scientifically imbued with dirt, stains, and pet messes to empirically determine cleaning performance. Every carpet shampooer undergoes the same cleaning passes, and the drying process is timed as well. Among the things being tested are stain removal, user-friendliness, drying time, tank capacity, and the overall performance by our expert team.
๐ Buying Guide: What to Consider Before Buying a Carpet Cleaner
When you are looking for an appliance for the best carpet cleaner machine for your home, the following should be taken into consideration:
- Weight & Size: Can you carry it upstairs? Portable options are easier for quick cleanups.
- Tank Capacity: Larger tanks mean less refilling, but add weight.
- Dry Time: Features like heat drying or steam can speed this up.
- Attachments: Upholstery tools, pet scrubbers, and stair tools expand your cleanerโs use.
- Storage: Compact models save space; onboard tool storage is a plus.
- Warranty: Check both the cleaner’s and your carpet’s warranty for compatibility.
๐งผ How Often Should You Use a Carpet Cleaner?
Professional services are usually advised to be used once in 12โ18 months, but if you own a carpet cleaner, you are free to do it more frequently; i.e., deep cleans and quite likely stain washing will be faster, not even to mention how much easier the process will be at your home if you have pets or kids.
โ Final Thoughts: Which Carpet Cleaner Is Right for You?
If you are looking for a ‘carpet cleaner machine’ for your home, the decision will depend on the ‘needs of your home’. For example, if you need to clean the entire house, you may select either the Bissell Revolution HydroSteam or the Big Green. In the case of pet spills, the ideal solution is Rug Doctor. Are you after compact and powerful? Then look no further than Bissell Little Green or Tineco Carpet One Pro.
Regardless of your choice, the machines with an endorsement from experts we listed will be of great assistance in maintaining permanently clean and fresh carpets in your home.
