6 Best Portable Carpet Cleaners, According to Our Testing

In our GH Cleaning Lab evaluations, this compact Bissell carpet cleaner earned top marks for its overall performance, including its ability to lift stains, tackle odors, and operate with ease.

This machine uses steam to better remove sticky and oily stains. It even succeeded at removing an old stain that had been in a wool carpet for quit some time. With three different cleaning modes and two different attachments, you can quickly clean oily messes, enzyme-based stains like pet messes, and quickly refresh upholstery. And when you don’t need deep cleaning, the steam-only function is ideal for perking up drapes or fabric surfaces.

Though small enough to be considered portable, this model is slightly heavier than other Bissell cleaners. Still, its cleaning power and oversized 64-ounce tank—which minimizes refills—make it a standout. We also like that Bissell’s ready-to-use solution requires no mixing and can stay stored in the machine, so it’s always ready to go.

The Dirt Devil doesn’t come with all the extra features of pricier carpet cleaners, but it delivers strong cleaning performance and a straightforward, user-friendly design that’s impressive for its cost.

In our Lab tests, it tackled tough stains like grape juice, tomato sauce, chocolate, coffee, and synthetic pet urine with ease. Its compact size and intuitive controls made it simple to operate, carry, and store. After cleaning, the hose-flush feature helps remove leftover dirty water, keeping the machine ready for next time. The cord neatly winds onto a reel at the back, and the hose and nozzle clip into place on the base. Even the handle folds down for extra compact storage.

Weighing just 8 pounds, it’s lighter than many competitors, though its smaller clean and dirty water tanks mean you’ll likely need to refill and empty them more frequently than on larger models.

Good things really do come in small packages, and this Hoover portable cleaner proves it. Despite its compact size, it’s loaded with practical features. The 5-foot hose is longer than many competitors, making it easy to reach spills on stairs or in the car. The large carry handle feels sturdy, and in tests, the included pet attachment handled set-in and embedded stains with ease.

This Hoover also stood out for ease of use. The cord wraps neatly at the back, the hose clips securely into place, and its slim profile makes it simple to carry, store, or rest on a stair step or in tight car spaces. The self-standing tanks were a favorite of our tester, who noted they’re “super easy to fill without spilling.”

One thing to keep in mind: Hoover requires its own its own pre-mixed solution to maintain the warranty, but no mixing is needed, which is convenient. It lands in the middle on noise—Quiet Mark gave it two stars.

Tackling an armchair, sofa, or even a full set of dining chairs can be too much for a small or cordless cleaner, but the Kenmore SpotLite is up to the task. With its large tanks, extra-long hose, and oversized cleaning attachment, it makes quick work of cushions, curved arms, and wide backs of upholstered furniture.

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Bissell’s Little Green Machine was one of the first portable carpet cleaners on the market—and it set a high standard that still holds today. It remains a top choice for many, thanks to its powerful cleaning and versatility.

We’ve tested it multiple times in the GH Cleaning Lab, and it’s been all the rage on TikTok for years. The 4-foot hose lets you reach tight corners and tricky spots, while the 48-ounce tanks give you plenty of cleaning time before needing a refill.

Unlike some portable cleaners that can be a hassle to disassemble and store, this Bissell is straightforward. The hydro-rinse tool helps clear debris from the hose to prevent odors, and the hose wraps neatly around the base, snapping into place at the back. The cord winds onto a rear reel, and the large top handle makes it easy to carry.

The solution must be diluted before use, which can make pouring a bit awkward, and Quiet Mark rated it as “loud,” so it’s not the quietest option, but its cleaning power keeps it a go-to.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: Bissell Little Green Portable Carpet Cleaner

Bissell vacuums and extractors are a popular choice for pet owners, and this SpotClean Pet Pro has features that pet parents will find especially helpful.

Its 4-foot hose, long power cord and large tanks make it a perfect choice for big messes, especially in hard-to-reach places. We especially appreciated its “stain trapper” tool that keeps nasty pet messes from reaching the hose or dirty water tank where they can settle and cause odors. In our tests, it was excellent at removing the odor of yellow ammonia that we put down on carpets to simulate pet urine.

The included cleaning formula will go a long way, but it must be diluted before use. We applaud the large tanks that need refilling less often, but that does make it heavier to carry than smaller models, especially when the tanks are full. And it received a "loud" rating in our Quiet Mark sound tests.

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