Keeping your carpets clean is about more than just looks — it’s about protecting your floors and maintaining a healthy home environment. However, with so many carpet cleaners on the market, choosing the right one for your needs can be overwhelming.
Knowing what to look for in carpet cleaning machines is a big part of it. So, we’ve broken down the key factors to consider before investing in your new cleaning companion:
- Capacity: Tank sizes matter. A smaller tank is fine for spot cleaning, but tackling entire rooms calls for a larger capacity.
- Attachments: Consider the surfaces you’ll be cleaning. Do you need tools for upholstery, stairs, or tight spaces?
- Drying features: Quick-drying technology means less downtime after cleaning, and that’s a major plus.
- Ease of use: From filling tanks to maintenance, your ideal machine should be simple and hassle-free.
Now that you’re equipped with some essential knowledge, let’s jump right into our top picks for the best carpet cleaners of 2024.
Best For Quick Touchups and Pet Messes: Bissell Little Green Multi-Purpose Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner
Key Specs: 48-ounce tank capacity, lightweight, includes specialty tools, Spot & Stain formula with Febreze
The Little Green is here to save the day, especially if you have pets or bothersome spills like red wine. It tackles fresh spills and stubborn stains on various surfaces, including carpet, upholstery, and even your car interior.
As our top pick for the best portable carpet cleaner, you can grab it to clean up messes as they happen without lugging out a full-size carpet cleaner.
Pros
It might be a petite unit, but it’s a powerhouse that packs a punch with strong suction, making it great for sucking up pet accidents or spilled coffee. The included specialty tools help you target tricky areas like crevices or tight corners, adding to its versatility.
In addition to its powerful cleaning performance, you also get a larger tank, meaning you can clean longer between refills, saving you trips back and forth to the sink.
Cons
The smaller tank isn’t ideal if you want to tackle whole rooms or large-scale messes. The included formula might not be powerful enough for deeply set-in stains or heavy-duty cleaning tasks. Some users find that the machine can be prone to slight leaking.
Best For Small Spaces and Pet Owners: Hoover PowerDash Pet Compact Carpet Cleaner Machine
Key Specs: Lightweight design, HeatForce Technology, antimicrobial brush roll, trial size cleaning solution
If you’re dealing with pet messes in a smaller home, the Hoover PowerDash could be your new best friend. It’s designed to be lightweight and compact for tackling high-traffic spots or tight areas. The antimicrobial brush roll and focus on pet odors make it ideal for homes with furry companions.
Pros
The Hoover PowerDash is a breeze to move around and store, especially helpful in smaller homes or apartments. The HeatForce technology is a major bonus if you want your carpets to dry quickly. That antimicrobial brush roll helps keep both your carpets and the machine itself fresh, a big win for pet owners who battle stubborn odors.
Cons
The PowerDash won’t have the same capacity as a full-size carpet cleaner, so it’s not the best choice for cleaning large rooms. You might also find the suction could be a bit stronger to handle really deep-set stains.
Best For Homeowners With Various Floor Types Who Want Value: Eureka WhirlWind Bagless Canister Vacuum Cleaner
Key Specs: Multi-surface cleaning, bagless design, 2.5L dust container, 2-in-1 crevice tool, automatic cord rewind
The Eureka Whirlwind wants to make your life easier with its versatile cleaning and convenient features. It tackles multiple types of flooring with adjustable airflow settings right at your fingertips. Plus, the bagless design and washable filter mean you won’t have ongoing costs to keep your floors looking their best.
Pros
Eureka’s vacuum offers serious value since it cleans carpets, upholstery, and hard floors with ease, making it great for homes with a mixture of surfaces. The bagless design and washable filter also mean you’ll save money on replacements in the long run.
And let’s not forget the automatic cord rewind — a must-have feature for anyone who values convenience and doesn’t want the hassle of a tangled cord.
Cons
While powerful, some customers might find a traditional upright vacuum offers even more suction power for deep-cleaning carpets. The smaller dust container might need emptying more frequently in larger homes or those with multiple pets.
Best For Tackling Tough Pet Messes and Odors: Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro
Key Specs: MAX Clean Mode, Express Clean Mode, Dual DirtLifter PowerBrushes, CleanShot pre-treater, various cleaning tools
If your furry friends take a toll on your carpets, the ProHeat 2X Revolution has your back. It boasts serious cleaning power with features specifically designed to combat stubborn pet stains and odors. The MAX Clean Mode gives a deep clean, while the Express Mode is fantastic for quick touchups or spills.
Pros
Bissell makes cleaning up after your pets much easier. The variety of cleaning modes and tools lets you customize your approach depending on the mess at hand. Users love how easy it is to assemble and take apart for cleaning, making maintenance a breeze.
Cons
This one’s on the larger and heavier side, so it might be more difficult to maneuver than compact models. The suction on this unit also isn’t as strong as it could be, especially when it comes to deep-set stains that need extra power.
Best For Budget-Conscious Homeowners and Apartment Dwellers: Dirt Devil Endura Lit Bagless Vacuum Cleaner
Key Specs: Lightweight design (under nine pounds), rinsable filter, easy-empty dirt cup, crevice tool, dusting brush, six-foot reach
The Dirt Devil Endura Lite emphasizes convenience and affordability for tackling quick messes and everyday cleaning. It’s a no-frills option that gets the job done on carpets and hard floors without breaking the bank.
Pros
You’re getting an excellent value with this vacuum. It offers solid cleaning power at a wallet-friendly price. Its lightweight design makes it easy to maneuver around furniture and stairs, ideal for smaller spaces or those who prefer a less bulky vacuum.
Thanks to the bagless design and rinsable filter, you’ll also save money over time, eliminating the need for frequent replacements.
Cons
It might lack the deep-cleaning suction of larger, more expensive models, especially on thick carpets. The dirt cup is a bit on the small side, potentially requiring more frequent emptying in homes with heavy shedding pets or lots of foot traffic.
Best For Targeted Stain Removal and Quick Carpet Cleanups: Bissell 3624 Spot Cleaner Professional Portable Carpet Cleaner
Key Specs: Compact and portable, includes stair and tough stain tools, trial-size cleaning formula
The SpotClean 3624 works wonders as an emergency stain eraser. It’s designed for those moments when you need to tackle spills, pet accidents, or stubborn spots on carpets, stairs, or upholstery. Since it’s lightweight and portable, you can easily store it and whip it out whenever a mess strikes.
Pros
This spot cleaner is all about convenience. It’s small enough to store almost anywhere and is surprisingly powerful, making it a favorite for quick touchups or even reviving older carpets. The included tools add versatility, helping you get into corners or tackle upholstery.
Cons
The SpotClean isn’t a replacement for a full-sized deep cleaner. And its heavier design might be a bit more cumbersome for those with limited mobility.
Best For Pet Owners and Homeowners Tired of Deep-Cleaning Carpet Hassle: Hoover SmartWash+ Automatic Carpet Cleaner
Key Specs: Automatic cleaning & drying, auto-mix solution dispenser, FlexForce PowerBrushes, pet tool, stair tool, hose, storage bag
The Hoover SmartWash+ wants to revolutionize carpet cleaning with its ease of use. This could be the answer if you’re craving a deep clean without complex settings or multiple steps. Simply push forward to wash and pull back to dry — the machine takes care of the rest.
Pros
Hoover SmartWash pet vac takes the guesswork out of the process with automatic solution mixing and sensors that determine when to clean and dry, making carpet cleaning as simple as vacuuming.
The FlexForce PowerBrushes are tough on embedded pet messes but gentle enough for everyday cleaning. The quick dry time is a lifesaver if you have impatient kids or pets.
Cons
Since a lot of the cleaning process is automated, some users might miss the hands-on control of a traditional carpet cleaner. Plus, while it removes stains well, it might not have the same deep-cleaning suction power as larger, more expensive professional-grade models.
Best For Pet Owners Wanting a Compact, Powerful Cleaner For Frequent Messes: Bissell TurboClean PowerBrush Pet Carpet Cleaner
Key Specs: Four-row PowerBrush roll, two-tank system, removable nozzle, 20-foot power cord
The Bissell TurboClean targets the needs of pet owners, promising to tackle those inevitable pet stains on carpets and area rugs. This lightweight machine delivers for its size, making it ideal if you’re constantly battling pet hair and accidents.
Pros
This carpet cleaner lives up to its task with the powerful PowerBrush roll designed to get at deep-set dirt and stains, giving you results that a regular vacuum can’t match. The convenient two-tank system means you’re always cleaning with fresh water, and the tanks are easy to fill and empty for minimal hassle.
Cons
The emphasis on portability means the tanks hold smaller amounts of water, so be prepared to refill and empty frequently, especially in larger areas. Some users might find its cleaning path narrow, which means more time spent covering the same areas for a thorough clean.
Best For Budget-Friendly Cleaning On Various Floor Types: Eureka Lightweight Powerful Upright Vacuum Cleaner
Key Specs: 5 height settings, cyclone system, multiple attachments, traps 99.9% of dust and allergens
Need powerful cleaning without breaking the bank? The Eureka PowerSpeed delivers surprising suction and features for its price point. It tackles various surfaces with ease, from carpets to bare floors. The lightweight design and those handy attachments make it a breeze to clean up high and down low.
Pros
It’s one of the most affordable upright carpet cleaners. It’s lightweight enough to maneuver easily, making it a good option for those who struggle with heavier models. The multiple height settings mean it adapts to different floor types, while the attachments let you reach nooks and crannies or even tackle your car interior.
Cons
This cleaner might not have the same deep-cleaning ability as higher-end vacuums, especially on thick carpets. It’s also important to note that frequent cleaning of the roller brush and belt is recommended to maintain optimal performance.
Best For Tackling Stubborn Dirt and Stains With Ease: Hoover PowerScrub Deluxe Carpet Cleaner Machine
Key Specs: SpinScrub brushes, HeatForce drying, DualV Nozzle, various cleaning attachments, separate clean/dirty water tanks
If your carpets have seen better days, the Hoover PowerScrub could be their lifesaver. It’s designed to deliver a serious deep clean thanks to its powerful SpinScrub brushes while also keeping drying time in mind. The various attachments give you more cleaning options when messes happen on stairs or furniture.
Pros
This Hoover means business when it comes to removing stains. The rotating brushes really agitate the carpet fibers, lifting out deep-set dirt. It’s also surprisingly easy to use with a lightweight design and tanks that are simple to fill and empty. The HeatForce drying is a big bonus for getting back on your carpets quickly.
Cons
Some users might feel that the construction leaves something to be desired. Additionally, drying time can still vary depending on your carpet type, so it might not be the fastest “quick dry” out there.
Best For Homeowners Wanting Professional-Level Cleaning Power: Bissell Big Green Professional Carpet Cleaner
Key Specs: XL DirtLifter PowerBrush, long-reach hose, tough stain tool, two large tanks, 25-foot power cord
If you’re serious about getting your carpets deep-down clean, the Bissell Big Green delivers. This machine promises professional-grade results, making it worth considering if you frequently host guests, have kids (and their friends), or own multiple pets.
Pros
This carpet cleaner packs heavy-duty features like the extra-wide cleaning path and tough stain tool, perfect for tackling stubborn grime and spills. The powerful suction and large water tanks mean you can clean for longer periods without refilling/emptying, making it ideal for larger rooms or whole-house cleaning.
Cons
Be prepared — this machine means business, and that means it’s on the heavier side for carpet cleaners. You’ll get a workout maneuvering it, especially up and down stairs. Moreover, its larger size means it requires more storage space compared to compact options.
The Bottom Line
Choosing the right carpet cleaner depends entirely on your individual needs and priorities. Whether battling pet messes, tackling high-traffic areas, or aiming for a deep clean without fuss, there’s an ideal machine waiting for you.
Remember, regular cleaning extends the life of your carpets, safeguarding your investment and creating a healthier, more welcoming home.
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