I interviewed experts who clean houses professionally and have extensive knowledge about flooring or provide home restoration services. They suggest keeping the following criteria in mind while shopping:
The list below includes upright and handheld carpet cleaners that are either expert recommended and/or top-rated with at least a 4-star average rating from at least 500 reviews on Amazon.
Several of our experts recommend the Bissell ProHeat line because of its powerful suction and ease of use. For pet owners in particular, the full-size Pet Pro upright model “comes with a pet-specific cleaning solution and a pet hair basket to keep carpets free from fur and odors,” says Will Cotter, owner of FreshSpace Cleaning, a home cleaning service. This model also has dual brushes, a sprayer that dispenses the included stain formula, a tank that maintains hot water temperatures and handheld attachments to tackle stains on various surfaces. Plus, its express mode cleans and dries carpets in under 30 minutes, according to the brand.
Cotter also recommends the Hoover Power Scrub Deluxe carpet washer, which he says is affordable, easy to use and efficient, making it a reliable choice for everyday cleaning. In addition to its spinning brush that breaks up dirt and stains, it also has strong suction and a built-in dryer to remove moisture afterward, according to the brand. This carpet washer comes with an 8-foot hose, designated attachments for stairs, upholstery and crevices, and a sample bottle of cleaning solution.
This upright option from Shark looks a lot like their regular vacuums, but what sets it apart is a high-pressure spray feature that distributes a carpet shampoo evenly over your floor. It’s particularly effective at getting rid of pet stains, odors and smoke smells. Plus, while a vacuum lifts up a lot of solid debris from your carpet like food crumbs and hair, this appliance gets rid of more embedded grime hiding in the fibers of your carpet. It also has multiple handheld attachments to spot clean stains on your floor, furniture and upholstery.
The lightweight Hoover PowerDash is great for both maintenance and spot-cleaning. While it weighs less than other upright carpet cleaners on this list, it still has a deep-cleaning roller brush and a heated dryer so you don’t have to wait long before the carpets are dry. It also comes with a nozzle tool and a trial-size cleaning solution.
If you’re looking for professional-grade results or if you plan on using your carpet cleaner for commercial jobs, Cotter recommends Rug Doctor. The Mighty Pro X3 uses water jets, vibrating brushes, a large 3.9-gallon water tank and professional-grade suction to break down stains, suck up dirt and dry carpets in one pass, according to the brand. While it’s larger than most residential models, its big wheels and folding handle are designed to improve its maneuverability. Each order includes enough deep-cleaning solution to wash over 720 square feet of carpet.
The Bissell Little Green cleaner, which is an NBC Select Pet Awards winner, comes recommended by updates editor Mili Godio.It’s portable and great for spot cleaning small messes and stains on stairs and upholstery. The 48-ounce tank has a handle so you can move it from spot to spot, while the 4-foot hose has a textured attachment for scrubbing stains and a sprayer that dispenses the cleaning formula (trial-size bottle included). It also has enough suction to remove both dirt and moisture as well as a self-cleaning function so you can rinse the hose after every use, according to the brand.
The Rug Doctor spot cleaner is more portable than its upright counterpart and is designed to deep clean dirt, stains and pet messes from various surfaces, including carpet, car upholstery, pet beds and mattresses. With a sprayer and silicone rubber bristles at the end of its hose, the base also has wheels and a retractable handle to improve portability.
Knoll recommends the Bissell SpotClean because it’s effective, compact and easy to use. It has a 96-ounce tank, a 5-foot hose with a scrubber, and cleaning formula to remove odors, stains and dirt, according to the brand. It also weighs less than 15 pounds and has a handle so you can move it wherever you need it.
The Hoover CleanSlate carpet cleaner, which has a 4.3-star average rating from 8,919 reviews on Amazon, has all of the essentials for spot cleaning your carpet and upholstery. It comes with a cleaning solution, wide-mouth carpet-cleaning attachment, a hose rinse tool and a scrubbing attachment. It also has a durable handle on top so you can easily carry it around your home. It’s ideal for cleaning up pet messes, outdoor stains from dirt, grass and food spills.
Like their name suggests, upright carpet cleaners have an upright design that looks like a vacuum cleaner. According to our experts, their larger size often results in better suction and efficiency. While upright cleaners are more expensive and more difficult to maneuver than handheld cleaners, they are great for cleaning large carpeted areas, says Cotter.
While not as powerful as upright cleaners, these are more portable and great for spot-cleaning small areas due to their lightweight designs and compact tanks, says Knoll. They tend to be less expensive, too. While they’re not ideal for washing wall-to-wall carpets, they’re a great option for people with area rugs, carpeted stairs or a lower budget, according to our experts.
Once you’ve decided between an upright or a handheld carpet cleaner, our experts recommend using the following criteria to help you pick a brand and a model:
Whether handheld or upright, you’ll need to take your carpet cleaner out of storage and move it from room to room, so check the machine’s weight and overall dimensions before purchasing. While handheld models are inherently compact, some upright models offer smooth-rolling wheels and elongated hose attachments to boost portability, according to our experts.
Larger water tanks are often measured in ounces or gallons, so they reduce the number of trips to refill and empty, making them ideal for larger carpeted areas. However, larger tanks are also heavier and harder to transport, so a small-capacity tank is common for handheld units.
While carpet steamers and shampooers differ (I explain how below), most carpet shampooers use some heat to loosen up dirt and dry the carpet faster. Machines that use heat are more effective and efficient, especially when drying carpets and erasing set-in stains.
Most residential machines apply a cleaning solution to your carpet before agitating (or scrubbing) the carpet fibers and sucking up the residue, according to our experts. Most of the models on this list come with a cleaning solution (a trial-size bottle, at the very least), but if not, be sure to find one that’s compatible with your machine.
Look for models with an assortment of attachments to allow for more versatility when cleaning your home. Many models come with hoses, brushes, upholstery tools and more cleaning stairs and other areas.
Look for a carpet cleaner with a solid warranty. Additionally, check the warranties on both your carpet cleaner and your rug before cleaning since misuse may void both of them. For example, if you clean houses professionally, choose a commercial model.
At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and experience. We also ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
I am e-commerce writer, editor and consultant who has covered home improvement content for over seven years. You can find my work in publications such as Bustle, CNN, Allure, Better Homes & Gardens, Real Simple, Food & Wine and The Daily Beast. For this article, she interviewed five experts who work with carpet cleaners on a regular basis.
Cory Fernandez is a commerce writer at NBC Select. He writes about cleaning and small home appliances regularly and works with cleaning experts. He has reported on the best hardwood floor cleaners, how to clean walls, and the best way to clean your windows. He contributed to this article.
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