A carpet cleaning machine sprays a cleaning solution into the pile, scrubs it and pulls the dirty water back into a tank. Small portable units handle spots, stairs and car seats, while upright machines cover whole rooms.
The six machines below include one portable, one compact upright, and four full-size uprights. Sizes, weights and features come from each product’s listing page. We have not used these machines ourselves, and cleaning and drying claims are the makers’ own.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links, and they do not change the product information we give.
What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Type | Portable units suit spots; uprights suit whole rooms |
| Weight | Matters on stairs and when you carry the tank |
| Tools | Hose attachments reach stairs and furniture |
| Drying features | Heat or an express mode can shorten drying time |
Specs at a Glance
| Machine | Size (D x W x H) | Weight | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| BISSELL Little Green Mini | 10 x 13.5 x 12.13 in | 7 lb | 4 in stain tool; self-cleaning hose tool; 8 oz formula |
| Hoover PowerDash Pet | 15.25 x 10.13 x 43.5 in | 12.5 lb | HeatForce drying; PowerSpin Pet brush roll; storage mat |
| BISSELL TurboClean PET | 10.55 x 16.26 x 21.97 in | 14 lb | 7 ft hose; 4 in self cleanout tool; 4-row brush |
| Shark CarpetForce HairPro | 12.87 x 10.39 x 43.66 in | 15.2 lb | PowerFins brushroll; Deep Clean and Express Clean modes |
| BISSELL ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet | 15 x 12.5 x 43.5 in | 17.5 lb | Dual brushes; 7 ft hose; MAX Clean and Express Clean |
| Hoover PowerScrub XL Pet | 17.25 x 12 x 42.5 in | 18.7 lb | Five SpinScrub brushes; HeatForce; 8 ft hose |
The 6 Best Carpet Cleaners
1. BISSELL Little Green Mini 4075
A 7 pound portable cleaner measuring 10 by 13.5 by 12.13 inches that sprays, scrubs and suctions stains from carpet, upholstery, car interiors and pet beds. It includes a 4 inch Tough Stain Tool with a removable lens, a HydroRinse self-cleaning hose tool and an 8 ounce bottle of the maker’s formula, and it stores in a cabinet or closet.
Suits: spills, stairs and car seats. Strengths: the lightest machine here and a compact body. Weaknesses: not meant for whole rooms. Skip it if you need to clean large floor areas.
View BISSELL Little Green Mini Portable Carpet Cleaner 4075 on Amazon
2. Hoover PowerDash Pet FH50700
A 12.5 pound compact upright, 43.5 inches tall, with HeatForce technology for faster drying, a PowerSpin Pet brush roll, a storage mat and a bottle of cleaning solution. The maker positions it for apartments, condos and RVs and gives a one year warranty.
Suits: small homes and area rugs. Strengths: light for an upright and a mat included. Weaknesses: a smaller footprint than the full-size models. Skip it if you want hose tools in the listing.
View Hoover PowerDash Pet Compact Carpet Cleaner FH50700 on Amazon
3. BISSELL TurboClean PET 3948
A 14 pound upright carpet and upholstery cleaner standing about 22 inches tall, with a 7 foot hose, a 4 inch self cleanout tool, a spraying crevice tool and a 4-row DeepReach PowerBrush. The detail section lists the item count as 3948, which is the model number and looks like a data error.
Suits: pet messes on rugs and upholstery. Strengths: two hose tools and a short body. Weaknesses: a listing data error. Skip it if you want a standing handle.
View BISSELL TurboClean PET Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner 3948 on Amazon
4. Shark CarpetForce HairPro EX551
A 15.2 pound upright, 43.66 inches tall, with a PowerFins brushroll, HairPro Technology for pet hair, a Deep Clean mode and a faster-drying Express Clean mode. A 12 ounce bottle of Shark Deep Clean Ultra formula is included. The maker says it is up to 42 percent lighter, a comparison the listing does not define.
Suits: homes with pet hair on carpet. Strengths: two cleaning modes and a formula included. Weaknesses: comparison claims are the maker’s. Skip it if you want hose tools in the listing.
View Shark CarpetForce HairPro Upright Carpet Cleaner EX551 on Amazon
5. BISSELL ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet 1548F
A 17.5 pound full-size upright measuring 15 by 12.5 by 43.5 inches, with dual DirtLifter PowerBrushes, a 7 foot hose, a Pet Stain Tool and a 3 inch Tough Stain Tool. It offers a MAX Clean mode and an Express Clean mode that the maker says dries in about 30 minutes, and lists 6.8 amps.
Suits: whole rooms and stairs. Strengths: two modes and two stain tools. Weaknesses: heavier than the compact models. Skip it if you only clean small spots.
View BISSELL ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Upright Carpet Cleaner 1548F on Amazon
6. Hoover PowerScrub XL Pet FH68050
An 18.7 pound upright with five counter-rotating SpinScrub brushes, HeatForce drying, an 8 foot hose, a pet tool, an upholstery tool, a nozzle cleanout tool and a trial size solution. The maker also describes a TruMAX design that cuts down on tank emptying stops.
Suits: large rooms and furniture. Strengths: the longest hose and five brushes. Weaknesses: the heaviest machine here. Skip it if you need to carry it up stairs often.
View Hoover PowerScrub XL Pet Carpet Cleaner FH68050 on Amazon
Care and Setup
- Vacuum the floor first so the machine handles dirt, not loose debris.
- Test the solution on a hidden spot before cleaning the whole rug.
- Empty and rinse the tanks after each use.
- Clean the brush and nozzle so they do not clog.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Using more solution than the machine’s instructions call for.
- Overwetting the carpet and leaving it damp.
- Putting a portable unit to work on a whole room.
- Forgetting to check that a solution is meant for your machine.
Carpet Cleaner FAQ
Which is best for stairs?
The portable Little Green Mini is the lightest, and it comes with a stain tool. Uprights with hoses can also reach stairs.
Do they come with cleaning solution?
Several list a bottle in the box, including the Little Green Mini, PowerDash Pet and Shark. Check each listing for current contents.
The Short Version
For spots and stairs, the Little Green Mini. For a light upright, the PowerDash Pet. For hose tools in a short body, the TurboClean PET. For pet hair, the Shark. For two modes and stain tools, the ProHeat 2X. For the most brushes, the PowerScrub XL.
