The best vacuums are great for everyday messes — think crumbs, pet hair and the general dust that settles into your carpets, area rugs or upholstery. But when life gets messier (hello, mystery stains and muddy footprints), a carpet cleaner will be your best friend. These machines go beyond surface debris, using water, cleaning solution and strong suction to lift the dirt and grime that vacuums leave behind.
To help you find the best carpet cleaner for your home, the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care & Cleaning Lab put top models through rigorous testing. We evaluated how well they tackled stains (both fresh and set-in), how quickly carpets dried, how easy the machines were to maneuver and maintain and — most importantly — how clean they actually got the carpet.
Our Reviews
Bissell Revolution HydroSteam Carpet Cleaner
Pros
- Cleans using real steam
- Speed dry helps carpets dry within 30 minutes
Cons
- Left some suds on the backstroke
Weight: 31 lbs | Cord length: 25 ft. | Attachments and extras: Pet hair upholstery tool, tough stain tool
We've put many Bissell carpet cleaners to the test over the years and consistently find them to be reliable, user-friendly machines — and this model definitely lives up to the hype. It impressed our pros enough to earn a spot in our Best Cleaning & Organizing Awards. Unlike most so-called “steam” cleaners, this one actually generates steam, which helped lift stubborn stains during testing. It also features a quick-dry mode that left carpets touch-dry in under 30 minutes.
This model is straightforward to use, with an easy-fill tank and three cleaning modes to choose from. In our Lab, it effortlessly steamed away set-in mustard and wine stains. It also includes two specialized tools: one for removing pet hair from upholstery and another for tackling both fresh and dried messes.
Additional standout features include a long 25-foot power cord, an 8-foot hose for extended reach and a generous water tank. At 31 pounds, it’s on the heavier side, and we did notice a bit of residual suds on the backstroke — but those cleared quickly with a couple of extra passes.
Hoover SmartWash Pet Automatic Carpet Cleaner
Pros
- Treat stains without bending
- Cleans on forward pass, dries on backward pass
- Automatically mixes cleaner with water for less mess
Cons
- Cord is a little shorter than on other full-size models
Weight: 20.5 lbs | Cord length: 22 ft. | Attachments and extras: Antimicrobial Rubber Nub Tool, 8-ft. hose, pre-treater wand
One thing we appreciate about this Hoover is how it automatically mixes the cleaning solution with the water in the tank — no need for measuring or guesswork. To operate, just push the unit forward to dispense the mixture (no trigger required), then pull it back to extract the dirty water and begin drying the carpet. It also features a helpful “dry-only” mode that uses heat on the forward pass to help speed up drying time.
The cleaner’s 8-foot hose and 22-foot power cord offer decent range for reaching stairs and upholstery, although they are a bit shorter than what you’ll find on some other full-size models we’ve tested. Consumer testers gave this model strong marks, with one noting, "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."
Bissell Little Green Portable Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner
Pros
- Hose and cord wrap make storage neat
- Easy to clean, carry and maintain
- Large tanks
Cons
- Cleaner must be diluted
Weight: 9.65 lbs | Cord length: 15 ft. | Attachments and extras: Stationary brush and hydro-rinse tool
Bissell's Little Green Machine was one of the first portable carpet cleaners to come to market, and it set the bar high. It continues to be one of the best, most sought-after cleaning appliances.
We've tested it many times in the GH Cleaning Lab, and it's been all over TikTok for the last several years. Its 4-foot hose extends the reach of the cleaning nozzle into nooks and crannies where some other cleaners can't go, and the 48-ounce tanks allow for plenty of cleaning in between emptying and refilling.
Some portable cleaners can be cumbersome to disassemble and clean for storage, but not this Bissell. We found the hydro-rinse tool helpful for ridding the hose of trapped debris and gunk, which can cause odors in storage. In addition, we love that the hose wraps around the base and snaps into the back, and its oval design fits easily on a stair tread.
The cord also stores nicely on a reel in the back, and the large top handle makes for easy carrying. The only hiccups we noted are that the cleaning solution must be diluted before use, and we did find holding the tank with one hand and pouring in the cleaner with the other a bit tricky.
Bissell Big Green Professional Carpet Cleaner
Pros
- Large tanks
- Handle folds for storage
- Easy to disassemble and clean
Cons
- Heavy to carry
- Requires more storage space
Weight: 42 lbs | Cord length: 25 ft. | Attachments and extras: Tough stain tool, 9-ft. hose
Bissell’s Big Green stands out as the most intuitive professional-style carpet cleaner we’ve tested. Despite its large size, it’s surprisingly easy to operate — filling, carrying and securing the 1.75-gallon tank was a breeze. We especially liked the spinning flow indicator, which clearly shows when it’s time to refill the cleaning solution. While its hefty build may look intimidating, the adjustable, fold-flat handle makes storage easier, though you’ll likely need help hauling its 40-plus pounds up or down stairs.
In our testing, the Big Green left carpets feeling soft and never overly damp. Thanks to its extra-long 25-foot power cord, we were able to clean a full room without needing to unplug and move the machine. The 9-foot hose and included handheld stain tool made it simple to clean stairs, baseboards and upholstery too.
Bissell CrossWave Wet Dry Vacuum
Pros
- Brightens and freshens low pile rugs
- Cordless
- Works on bare floors and wet and dry
Cons
- Doesn't deep clean
- Small dry dust cup
Weight: 15.57 lbs | Cord length: N/A | Attachments and extras: N/A
We love the versatility of the Bissell CrossWave OmniForce — the wet/dry machine can vacuum up dry debris and pet hair, slurp up wet spills, wash bare floors and, unlike other vacuum mops, clean and freshen low pile area rugs. In tests, it left our dingy carpet panels noticeably brighter, though it doesn't aggressively clean deep-pile carpet as well as machines with rotating brushes and the dry dust cup is a bit small.
Overall, it's easy to use and has a cordless design that offers up to 30 minutes of runtime. We think it's a good pick for those with limited storage space too. The design is slim, plus it's easy to set up and break down and self-cleans when set back onto its caddy.
Pros
- Excellent stain removal
- Retractable carrying handle and wheels
- Large tanks
Cons
- Can be heavy, especially when tanks are full
- Louder than other portable models we tested
Weight: 18.9 lbs | Cord length: 15 ft. | Attachments and extras: Dual-action pet tool
If pets are part of your family, you're likely already using a good enzyme cleaner to tackle pet stains by hand, but you may want to rethink this approach. This Rug Doctor portable cleaner stood out for doing the best job at removing fresh stains, old stains and ammonia odors in our tests. Its large tanks hold 64 ounces of cleaning solution so there's a lot less refilling and emptying during big or multi-room jobs than you would experience with smaller models.
Though louder than other portable models we tested and relatively heavy — especially when full — its retractable handle and large wheels make it easy to maneuver or wheel into a closet for storage. Place it either at the top or bottom of a staircase and with its 4-foot stretch hose, you'll likely be able to clean an entire flight. Another plus for homes with pets: The Rug Doctor's nozzle has rubberized bristles to grab hair while it's removing stains.
How we test carpet cleaners
At last count, the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care & Cleaning Lab has tested 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. We evaluate carpet cleaning machines for how well they clean pre-soiled, dingy industry-standard white carpet test panels and how well they 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 how much moisture each machine leaves 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 — like ammonia— from the test swatches. Each model's user manual is also carefully reviewed.
Other features like the weight, included accessories, battery charge/runtime and noise level are rated and we also assess how easy the appliances are to assemble, use and store. We test any attachments on upholstered furniture or upholstery fabric swatches and often have consumer testers come into the Lab or send them models to test at home to give us feedback on how easy the machines are to use and maneuver.
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.
What to consider when shopping for a carpet cleaner
Renting a carpet cleaning machine may sound convenient, but when you factor in the effort needed to pick up the appliance and drop it off, the cost of cleaning solution and the fact that the rented machine is probably quite used (i.e., not as efficient or clean as a new one may be), a better option may be to own one.
If you have frequent spills and pet accidents or a home full of carpeting that needs regular cleaning, owning a machine can be a time-, energy- and money-saving option in the long run. Plus, it will allow you to tackle stains and messes more quickly which ultimately means better care for your carpets. Keep these points in mind when shopping for a carpet cleaner:
✔️ Weight and maneuverability: Carpet cleaners are much heavier to carry and push and more cumbersome to use than traditional vacuum cleaners. Once you add water, they weigh even more. If your home has more than one level, carrying a heavy machine up and down the stairs is no easy task. Look for water tanks with wide openings that are easy to fill and that have large handles so they are easy to carry.
✔️ Footprint: Upright models require more storage space than portable or handheld models. If you don't have a lot of carpeting or mostly 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 these attachments if they live 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 especially helpful because using hot or even warm water helps remove stains faster and more effectively than cold water — and they can help the carpet dry faster too. A long hose is a must for cleaning carpeted stairs and reaching under tight car seats. If you have delicate rugs at home, look for a model with rotating brushes that can be shut off or soft rollers to avoid damaging delicate rugs as you clean. Nice extras to have are 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 more popular, but it's not an absolute 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 work with steam but you can add hot water to the tank.
Carpet cleaners come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from portable models and canisters to uprights and even professional-style machines that mimic those you can rent. Most come with hoses and mini nozzles to more easily clean small areas like upholstery and stairs and all have two tanks — one you fill with clean water and detergent solution and one for the dirty water that gets pulled from the carpet.
How often should you clean your 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 stronger, more powerful equipment than what you can buy or rent, plus they pretreat stains and can refresh and reapply the stain-repellent treatment your carpet likely came with when it was new. But owning a carpet cleaner — even a portable one — means you can do more frequent cleanings and tackle stains promptly so your carpets will look better longer.
Other floor-cleaning shopping guides
- Best Vacuums on Amazon
- Best Robot Vacuums
- Best Robot Vacuums for Carpet and Rugs
- Best Mops for Floors
- Best Steam Mops
- Best Robot Mops
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
With over 40 years of experience at the Good Housekeeping Institute, Carolyn Forté has tested hundreds of floor cleaning appliances including carpet cleaners, cordless stick vacuums, robot vacuums, steam mops and more as the executive director of the Institute's Home Care & Cleaning Lab. She tested most of the carpet cleaners featured in this guide and oversaw all of the portable and full-size carpet cleaner category tests conducted by our Lab analysts. Forté also serves as Second Vice-Chair and Consumer Information Chair of the ASTM F11 Committee that develops the industry test standards used by the manufacturers of carpet cleaning appliances.
Carolyn Forté brings more than 40 years of experience as a consumer products expert to her role as executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Lab. Using deep analytical testing and writing expertise in appliances, cleaning, textiles and organizational products, she produces cleaning and home care advice for GH, has authored numerous books and bookazines for the brand and partners with the American Cleaning Institute to co-produce the Discover Cleaning Summits. She holds a bachelor's degree in family and consumer sciences from Queens College, City University of New York.
