16 Best Carpet Cleaners (Review) In 2021
- The Best Carpet Cleaner
- 1. Hoover PowerDash Pet Compact Carpet Cleaner
- 2. Hoover Power Scrub Carpet Cleaner
- 3. BISSELL ProHeat 2X Revolition Max Clean Carpet Cleaner
- 4. BISSELL Big Green Professional Carpet Cleaner Machine
- 5. Hoover Smartwash Automatic Carpet Cleaner
- 6. BISSELL ProHeat 2X Revolition Pet Carpet Cleaner
- 7. Hoover Power Scrub Elite Upright Carpet Cleaner
- 8. BISSELL SpotClean ProHeat Portable Carpet Cleaner
- 9. BISSELL SpotClean Pet Pro Portable Carpet Cleaner
- 10. BISSELL SpotBot Handsfree Carpet Cleaner
- 11. BISSELL Pet Stain Eraser Portable Carpet Cleaner
- 12. BISSELL Proheat Essential Carpet Shampooer Cleaner
- 13. Rug Doctor FlexClean All-In-One Floor Cleaner
- 14. BISSELL JetScrub Pet Upright Carpet Cleaner
- 15. McCulloch Heavy-Duty Steam Cleaner
- 16. Hoover ONEPWR Spotless GO Cordless Carpet Cleaner
There are many great brands on the market these days, and you need to think about whether you require a light-touch approach, or something heavier. The benefits of maintaining a clean carpet are numerous; health, odor, appearance, hygiene, breathing, asthma, allergies, the list goes on. You'll need to weigh up what your unique needs are, and then select accordingly.
Some units work by using steam-pressure alone, while others require a carpet cleaning solution to be added, which is massaged into the carpet and rotating brushes do the rest. Some models will work on upholstery and area rugs, while others will even work on rough garage floors and even vehicles! There cordless products, hand-held, upright, hands-free, and machines that specifically target pet hair and deep-dyed stains.
Below are some examples of various models which will all be the best at certain things; all will have key strengths and special designs, so your job is to decide whether you want a power scrub, a plethora of accessories, one that uses water, one that is guaranteed to get rids of stains or one that can do all of the above. The best carpet cleaner is, therefore, the best carpet cleaner for your carpet and your unique personal needs.
The Best Carpet Cleaner
1. Hoover PowerDash Pet Compact Carpet Cleaner




Key Features
Powerful cleaning
0.5 gallon dual tank system for clean and dirty water
Compact, modern design
HeatForce drying
Antimicrobial protection
Easy to clean
Hoover PowerDash Pet Compact Carpet Cleaner is easy to use; ideal for dealing with the mess made by pets, pet hair, annoying pet stains; in fact, any stains. It has a powerful suction which is twice as powerful as other popular lightweight carpet cleaners. The PowerSpin Pet Brush Roll is superb for deep cleaning areas of high footfall, and its lightweight structure makes it easy to maneuver and store away. It also boasts HeatForce power, so it can handle area rugs and will help get your carpet clean is next to no time. It’s a revolution pet owners can enjoy, and is designed to handle stains and leave your carpets smelling great.
2. Hoover Power Scrub Carpet Cleaner




Key Features
Lightweight
Smart Tank system
Special SpinScrub Technology
Multiple brush system
8′ hose & upholstery too
Hoover Power Scrub Carpet Cleaner can prolong the lifespan of your carpet because it can handle different types of carpet, and in fact other fabric surfaces like upholstery. Its water tanks are spill-free and user-friendly in terms of accessing filling, emptying, and cleaning. The SpinScrub multiple brush system works wonders on a thicker carpet, while there is a rinse option, as well as a DualV Nozzle, with automatic detergent mixing, so you don’t have to do much to set it all up. Its power cord is 20 feet long, allowing you to cover quite some distance, and the heated air function enables you to speed up the drying process, invaluable in wintertime.
3. BISSELL ProHeat 2X Revolition Max Clean Carpet Cleaner




Key Features
New Max Clean mode
Bissell’s fastest dry time
Clean-Shot Pretreated
Lightweight structure
2 in 1 Pet Upholstery Tool
EZ Clean Brush Roll Cover
Cleaning up the mess on your carpet made by pets has never been easier, thanks to this unique Pet Pro Cleanup System. There are plenty of features on it, such as the 2-in-1 Pet Upholstery Tool, as well as a BISSELL Professional Pet Urine Eliminator + Oxy. These features are brilliant for cleaning and removing odors, stains, and pet hairs. There is also an EZ Clean Brush Roll Cover for when you need to clean your tools. Bissell deep-clean mode is more powerful than top brands you might rent from your grocery store, drying your carpet in about a half-hour. There is also the satisfaction of knowing that when you buy the BISSELL ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro, you are indirectly helping the BISSELL Pet Foundation and its mission.
4. BISSELL Big Green Professional Carpet Cleaner Machine




Key Features
9-foot hose
Trial-Size BISSELL Formulas x 3
25 Foot Power cord
Powerful suction
5 year limited warranty
Boasting beefed up motors and a super size brush roll, BISSELL Big Green Professional Carpet Cleaner Machine is ideal for serious carpet cleaning, particularly deep dirt and other stains. It has an Anti-Tip design and is one of the best if you’re looking for sturdy, robust use; arguably better than even the leading rental carpet cleaner. It has a Cleaning Path Width of 10. 5″ and is ideal if you want a cleaner that’s going to power through a large area of thick carpet. Bissell is a proud supporter of its Pet Foundation, too, so you know that if you purchase this machine you are doing your bit for that charity.
5. Hoover Smartwash Automatic Carpet Cleaner



Key Features
Automatic Cleaning Technology
Auto Clean motion sensing design
Auto Mix
Auto Dry
FlexForce PowerBrushes
Hoover Smartwash Automatic Carpet Cleaner makes cleaning your carpet feel more like vacuuming! It’s as simple as pushing forwards to clean, then pulling back to dry, without any confusing buttons or measuring out of cleaning solution. It has Flex force power brushes which use that Hoover power to draw out even ingrained dirt from the carpet’s many fibers. The automix function exactly mixes and produces the right amount of solution for perfect cleaning. The auto dry function evaporates the water with heat force so your drying time is that much faster.
6. BISSELL ProHeat 2X Revolition Pet Carpet Cleaner




Key Features
New and improved Express Clean Mode
BISSELL Pro Max Clean & Protect
Lightweight design
BISSELL Professional formula
Pet spot cleaning accessories
BISSELL ProHeat 2X Revolition Pet Carpet Cleaner weighs half what a rental machine weighs, and has a well-designed foot which glides like a vacuum cleaner underneath furniture. The new Max Clean Mode and Dual DirtLifter Power Brushes work together with Heatwave Technology so that dirt and stains are professionally removed. Drying time is a staggering half-hour; BISSELL’s fastest ever. Its Pet Stain Tool has specially designed tips that reach deep into fibers and can remove tough odors and stains. The connected hose helps you to clean harder-to-reach areas. BISSELL is happy to anote $10 with each purchase, and is committed to donating a minimum of $1,000,000 to BISSELL Pet Foundation this year alone.
7. Hoover Power Scrub Elite Upright Carpet Cleaner


Key Features
Spin Scrub System
Fast Dry Time
Large Capacity Tanks
Automatic Detergent Mixing
Suction Technology – Dual V
2-in-1 pet tool attachment
Hoover Power Scrub Elite Upright Carpet Cleaner was created for premium cleaning and drying. It has two modes: Deep Clean and Quick Clean. Deep Clean Mode effectively cleanses clinging dirt and deep stains, while Quick Clean Mode uses its Heat Force to dry your carpet in 45 minutes. Its Spin Scrub Brush System obliterates bacteria and odor, and it s Wash/Rinse Mode removes solution markings at the same time as providing the most powerful clean. It is a cleaning machine that has the whole family in mind, including pets.
8. BISSELL SpotClean ProHeat Portable Carpet Cleaner




Key Features
Heatwave technology
3-inch tough stain tool
Deep reach tool
Self Cleaning tool
Removable water tanks
BISSELL SpotClean ProHeat Carpet Cleaner is portable, so it’s ideal for stairs, upholstery, and smaller spaces. This model is one that focuses on spots and uses a Professional Spot and Stain + Oxy formula to make it one of the best at concentrating on a smaller area of concern. Water temperature is maintained due to its inbuilt Heatwave Technology, and its small size makes it easy to store away when not being used. It won’t rival your upright vacuum cleaner for space.
9. BISSELL SpotClean Pet Pro Portable Carpet Cleaner




Key Features
Very powerful suction
Professional-style results.
Stain Trapper Tool
3″ Tough Stain Tool
Trial-size PET PRO OXY Urine Eliminator Formulas x 2
BISSELL SpotClean Pet Pro Portable Carpet Cleaner is designed to tackle ingrained dirt and pet stains with its potent suction, brushing motion, and cleansing solution. It has a capacious 3/4 gallon tank which means you won’t have to constantly replenish the water tank. It has a stain trapper tool and a tough stain tool, as well as a lengthy hose and 22-foot power cord which will help you get around every corner of a large room. It comes with a trial-size BISSELL professional pet urine Eliminator + Oxy, which makes cleaning your carpets that much more satisfying for pet owners.
10. BISSELL SpotBot Handsfree Carpet Cleaner




Key Features
Preset cleaning cycles
Hands-free cleaning modes x 2
Trial-size Pet Stain & Odor
Pet Oxy Boost Formula
3″ tough stain tool
BISSELL SpotBot Handsfree Carpet Cleaner is an ideal machine for thicker carpet or rugs, because the Deep Reach Technology transmits the solution right into the depth of the carpet’s fibers, obliterating those stubborn stain residues. It has potent suction power and boasts a handsfree cycle. Its Automatic Smart System produces the correct amount of solution, so you can leave the SpotBot Pet to do the grafting on your behalf, leaving you free to get on with other things. It has two preset cleaning cycles, simply select which one you want.
11. BISSELL Pet Stain Eraser Portable Carpet Cleaner




Key Features
Grab and go cordless convenience
Formula always ready for use
Trial-size formulas x 2
2019 Version with increased tank capacity
If you don’t want to be limited by a cord, then the BISSELL Pet Stain Eraser Portable Carpet Cleaner is for you. It’s one of the best products at removing stubborn stains left by your beloved pet. It has the usefulness of the BISSELL pet stain eraser but without a cord, and so is among our top picks if you’re on a budget. It comes with a Trial of professional spot & stain + Oxy formula, so its cleaning power is considerable and requires no clean water or even water to implement. This formula stays neatly in the machine so it’s good to go whenever you are. You simply spray the formula onto the carpet or rug, using the built-in brush to scrub; then vacuum up the messy floor which is now clean and dirty water will be stored in the dirty water tank.
12. BISSELL Proheat Essential Carpet Shampooer Cleaner




Key Features
Impressive suction
Large capacity water tanks (1 Gallon)
8-ounce trial size bottle of professional formula
6 cleaning rows of rotating power brushes
Tough stain tool
Spraying crevice tool
BISSELL Proheat Essential Carpet Shampooer Cleaner is one of the best at obliterating ground-in dirt, allergens, stains, and odors. It has a rotating dirt Lifter power brush which works with the pressurized spray to soften and prise out the deepest dirt; amazing how much will come out! It has a patented 2-in-1 tank system which makes cleaning your carpet so much easier – not as many trips to the sink. Its heatwave technology keeps water temperature consistent throughout your cleaning session. One of the best models in this category.
13. Rug Doctor FlexClean All-In-One Floor Cleaner




Key Features
Rug Doctor’s first all-in-one floor cleaner
Lightweight
Hassle-free FlexClean
Extracts both old and new stains
Rug Doctor FlexClean All-In-One Floor Cleaner name means you won’t need various machines and cleaning tools – this one does it all! It’s suitable for hard and soft floor surfaces in a home or work environment. You’ll just need to adjust the flow setting of the dual-action formula for your particular cleaning requirement, to enjoy a clean and dry, relatively quick clean. It is surprisingly lightweight and user-friendly, maneuvering like a regular vacuum cleaner. Enjoy the revolving brush penetration, considerable suction power, and squeegee nozzle. Cleaning your carpet has never been easier. It is one of the most versatile carpet cleaners on the market and would be well worth your money.
14. BISSELL JetScrub Pet Upright Carpet Cleaner




Key Features
XL Dirt Lifter Power Brush
Lightweight
LED headlights
Collapsible handle
Trial-size bottle of PET PRO OXY Urine Eliminator formula
The BISSELL JetScrub Pet Upright Carpet Cleaner is best used as an emergency cleaner, for cleaning carpets soiled by beloved pets instantly and efficiently. Weighing in at less than 14 pounds, it is maneuverability is superb and feels more like a vacuum cleaner. Features include LED headlights that help reveal hidden blemishes and stains and a CleanShot Pretreater that starts the process before you even get to the cleaning process. It’s XL DirtLifter PowerBrush boasts more than twice the tufts of regular bristles, and its JetScrub Pet with an added PET PRO OXY Urine Eliminator formula will make your pet carpet friendly, whatever happens! With the Express Clean Mode you won’t need to wait for hours, just 30 minutes, and the EZ Clean Up design means it is all easy to take apart, the dirty water tank easy to remove and pour out.
15. McCulloch Heavy-Duty Steam Cleaner




Key Features
2-year hassle-free warranty
Chemical-Free Cleaning
Large Capacity Tank
18 Versatile Accessories
Fantastic Reach
Wow! 1500 watts of steam cleaning power, no chemicals required. McCulloch Heavy-Duty Steam Cleaner will handle not just interior surfaces but also vehicles: trucks, motorcycles, boats, and of course cars. It may be used to remove hard ground dirt from a BBQ grill, from patio furniture, including patio heater, or from a garage. There is a handy ‘steam ready’ light which shows when the machine is ready for action, and a steam-control switch to regulate the amount of steam coming from it. This unit has a storage compartment for its 18 attachments, a 15-foot power cord, caster wheels, and some nice accessories which help you to close in on those difficult nooks and crannies which too often get let alone. The cleaning is helped by its 48-ounce water tank which will keep going for 45 minutes of continuous use.
16. Hoover ONEPWR Spotless GO Cordless Carpet Cleaner




Key Features
Grab & Go Portable Spot Cleaning
Cordless
Lightweight Design
Multi-Purpose Pet Tool
Dual Tanks
Hoover ONEPWR Spotless GO Cordless Carpet Cleaner is cordless and will help you pick out and save horrible spots of spillage, mess, excrement, etc. without being bound by a cord. It has impressively powerful suction, Hoover power cleaning capability, and cleaning solutions. It has Dual Tanks which separate the clean and dirty water for convenience. Once done, simply empty and rinse. The compact design makes it one of the best carpet cleaners in terms of being easy to store and carry around the house. Read the reviews; it cleans as well as the more heavy-duty cleaners and is well worth adding to your list of must-have domestic cleaning products.
Features To Consider With Carpet Cleaners
There a few big things which every carpet cleaner ought to have, but there is also a whole range of other things which might depend on how often you plan on using it, whether or not you have pets, how much available storage space you have, what kind of flooring your house has, and how house proud you are. These things are all relative, and so it's up to you to weigh up how important the factors below are to you personally.
Drying
Different models of carpet cleaners offer different drying capabilities. Some have high-velocity air movers which can speed things up to as fast as 30 minutes! Other cleaners will specialize in other things, and the drying time will be considerably longer. Such things are personal, and you might want to view features such as accessories or extra-strong steam pressure as of more importance than quick drying time. Or you might be using your carpet cleaner in a business environment when any form of wet floors is a liability.
Cleaning Formula
Carpet cleaners come in all shapes and sizes, and most will have a special compartment into which you pour the special cleaning formula. Models will carry their own specific instructions, and when you buy your new machine you can also review the product's patented cleaning formula. Some products come with a special package of cleaning formula, and you are entitled to discounted formula if you sign up to their website. Alternatively, if you're using a machine that depends largely on steam pressure alone, then you might want to make your own formula, something that is relatively easy to do.
Ease Of Use
There are quite a few heavy-duty models on the market, as well as those which are lighter than your average upright vacuum cleaner. First thing's first; decide how often you want to be using it and how heavy-duty you need it to be. If it services your front room, and maybe one other room then a 'hands-free' lighter option could suit you. However, if you add pets, thick carpets, and a troop of family members trudging in muddy shoes then you'll want pressurized super-hear cleaners, which tend to be a bit heavier and less nimble.
Performance
Just like with vacuum cleaners carpet cleaners run on specific power capacity, and all come with different suction power and motor size. Some have different brush rotors that specialize in cleaning fibers; others have two modes - quick clean and deep clean. Some are even suitable for cleaning your car, motorbike, of filthy garage floor!
Pets
The biggest reason for people purchasing carpet cleaners is pet mess and pet hair. Vacuum cleaners and handheld vacuum cleaners can only do so much, and carpet cleaners are by far the best at cleansing/suctioning up animal hairs from the fibers of any carpet. Those carpet cleaners which offer a super-heat and quick-dry capability will ensure that no shampoo or chemicals are left on your carpet, and pets won't have to be banished into the garden for hours on end.
Tank Capacity
Tank capacity can be as large as 48 ounces, so you can keep your cleaning machine going for up to 45 minutes. Generally, though, the larger the tank the heavier the machine, and if you want a quick clean then you'll want a lighter, smaller model. Those machines which have a power scrub function will tend to need larger water tanks, and if you have a particular need to clean soiled and entrenched dirt then a larger tank capacity will help you get the job done.
Cord Length
Some models are cordless, but many of the more powerful ones aren't; the battery charging process isn't sufficient for their increased electrical output. The cleaning power required is substantial, and so for a household that needs a more hefty suction power, the cord length needs to be long enough to cover a wide space, if need requires it.
Suction
Cleaning power is linked to suction power, although unlike vacuum cleaners the extra chemical dispersal and brush technology are what make carpet cleaners invaluable.
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Weight
Carpet cleaners come in as much variety as vacuum cleaners. If you just want to steam clean your kitchen floor or ensure that your front room is as clean and nice smelling as possible, then a hand-held upright model will suit you. However, there are even hands-free carpet cleaners available these days, which are easy to use and easy on your joints, ideal for more mature users.
Heater
Cleaners don't just thoroughly scrub, shampoo, and suction up dirt from your carpet; many of them increasingly have in-built heating capacities so your carpet is bone dry within an hour.
Edge Cleaners
Edge cleaners will tend to be part of the range of accessories which many carpet cleaners will come with. Simply clip off your main suction tube, clip on the edge cleaner and you'll be able to get into those perimeters and corners.
Brushes
Most carpet cleaners will come with extra brush heads which can be fitted as used as applicable. You'll need a coarser brush for more obdurate stains, and a softer brush to massage in some of the cleaning solutions so that the water can be applied through your machine.
Attachments
The best carpet cleaners may have anything up to 18 different accessories that may treat a variety of floor surfaces, and upholstery.
Warranty
Many companies will offer up to a 5-year warranty, although some will come with a lifetime warranty. This will cover replacement parts, but not necessarily labor, so make sure you scrutinize the small print!
Types Of Carpet Cleaner Machines
Whole Carpet
You might not have a specific niche role for your Carpet Cleaner but want it to do an all-round job. Bearing in mind that a good quality carpet cleaner can make your carpet ten times cleaner than it usually is, an all-in-one cleaner might be a great investment. If you're not overly fussy then there are plenty of models on the market.
Spot
Unlike your all-round model, a spot carpet cleaner is best used in short bursts of concentrated power and focus. Its main job is to utilize its deep reach technology to target specific stains and obliterate them. Their removable are usually user-friendly, to empty and refill. They tend to be shorter models because you're not using them all over the house so they don't need to be that maneuverable.
Upright
Upright models function in some ways like vacuum cleaners. You can navigate around a whole room, and most of the best models have a low reach function which glides underneath furniture. It's also advisable not to be bending down much if you suffer from back-related strains, so an upright could be good for health.
Portable
Portable really means hand-held, so like a car vacuum can be brought out if there's a sudden stain like red wine, which needs immediate and serious attention. Unlike sturdier all-around models, this one will be able to get into small, inconvenient crevices and corners.
Carpet Cleaner FAQ
Q: Is it better to shampoo or steam clean carpets?
Steam would seem to be best, on balance. Yes, the shampoo contains a detergent that is useful in breaking down and cleansing dirt; but no, it isn't a natural disinfectant like steam. Steam, at 212° Fahrenheit has the ability to destroy more of the grime that shampoo can't quite get to. Steam dries within 2 days, whereas shampooing may take longer. That's why steam cleaners and steam mops are the best options for carpet cleaning.
Q: Do carpets get dirty faster after cleaning?
The best carpet cleaner is not to use it at all, ie. a show-room carpet that no one will tread on or ever use - just for appearance. But in the real world our homes may at times feel like a building site, especially if you have teenage boys in the house. Carpet cleaners have undergone extensive tests to ensure that they will not damage any carpet. If a carpet appears to become dirty more quickly, even after using your cleaning machine on it, it may be because you haven't correctly followed the manufacturer's instructions. Incorrect carpet cleaning technique is usually the cause of this apparent phenomenon.
Q: How often should carpets be cleaned?
Vacuuming, as a rule of thumb, should occur twice a week. Carpet cleaners, however, should be used less frequently; we're talking months rather than days. If you have a busy household in which shoes are allowed on in all rooms, then you'll want to vacuum more than twice a week and be using your carpet cleaner every three to six months.
Q: Does using a carpet cleaner ruin carpets?
Generally, no, but, just as with over-vacuuming, there are things we can over-do in terms of using your carpet cleaner. You can over-shampoo, and over time this will stick into carpet's fibers and become impossible to remove. You can over-wet; even the best carpet cleaners can't protect the underlay beneath your carpet, and if this gets moisture soaking into it then it can get damaged. Don't apply cleaning products without doing a little test first, because different products suit different kinds of carpets. Use a little bit of product on a bit of carpet under a bookshelf or TV stand, and see that it won't adversely affect the rest of the carpet.
Sources
How to Clean Carpet Like a Pro - Better Homes & Gardens
How to clean a carpet: our top tips for cleaning carpet with or without carpet cleaner - Real Homes