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A good vacuum cleaner or upright vacuum is the perfect tool for removing dust, pet hair, lint, and food crumbs from carpets, rugs, and upholstery, but for these delicate household fabrics, vacuuming alone is often not enough. Sometimes, wet cleaning is needed to better remove stains and dirt, and that’s when a good carpet cleaner is needed. These devices use a mixture of water, cleaning fluid, and suction to dissolve dirt, leaving fabrics cleaner and brighter.
To find the best carpet cleaners, the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Home Care & Cleaning Lab used each machine to clean pre-soiled white carpeting and took measurements before and after cleaning to determine each model’s dust-removal ability. We also evaluate how long it takes for carpet to dry, each machine’s ability to remove fresh and dried stains, each unit’s ease of use, and more.
We’ve tested many Bissell carpet cleaners and found them to be effective and easy to use, and this unit is no exception. In fact, we were so impressed that it even won our Best Cleaning and Organization Award. What’s unique about this unit is that it’s the only “steam” cleaner that actually produces steam to clean and remove stains. It also has a quick-dry mode that helps carpets dry quickly (it took less than 30 minutes in our testing).
This Bissell vacuum is easy to fill, empty and clean, and has three cleaning modes. It easily removes mustard and wine stains from carpets and comes with two unique attachments: a pet hair tool for upholstery and a tough stain tool for both wet and dry stains.
Other perks include a 25-foot power cord, an 8-foot hose, and a large water tank. At 31 pounds, this washer may be a bit heavy for some to maneuver, and while we did notice a small amount of suds remaining after backwashing, it completely disappeared after a few washes.
Weight: 31 lbs | Cord Length: 25 ft | Attachments & Extras: Pet Hair Removal Tool, Tough Stain Removal Tool
We like how the Hoover automatically mixes the cleaning solution with fresh water in the tank, eliminating the need to measure volume. To clean, simply push the unit forward to start dispensing water (no need to hold the trigger!), then pull back to suck up dirty water and dry your carpet. The Dry Only mode is especially helpful, as it generates heat during the vacuum’s forward stroke to help dry carpets faster. The Hoover’s 8-foot hose and 22-foot cord provide plenty of length for cleaning stairs and upholstery, though both are shorter than the hoses and cords of some other full-size models we tested.
Consumer testers also gave the vacuum high marks, with one saying, “It obviously has stronger suction than my vacuum because I vacuum thoroughly before use, but it still quickly fills up with dog hair, dust, carpet fibers, and sand.”
Weight: 20.5 lbs | Cord Length: 22 ft | Accessories & Extras: Antimicrobial Rubber Block Cleaning Tool, 8 ft Hose, Pre-Treat Nozzle
A full-size carpet cleaner probably won’t be enough to tackle the occasional stain on your carpet or couch, so a lightweight, portable carpet cleaner is a practical solution. This Bissell model was our top pick in recent tests for stain and odor removal, noise level, run time, and more, beating out the larger models we tested. It easily cleaned both fresh and dried-on stains, from red wine to blueberry pie. Plus, we found it easy to set up, clean, and store, so it’s always ready to go if something spills. It’s also one of the quietest models we tested.
The built-in rotating brush gently agitates the carpet pile and uses Bissell’s pre-mixed cleaning solution for a deep clean, but can be turned off for stains on delicate fabrics. The small rubber pads make tackling pet stains easier and cleaner. The run time is 20 minutes, and the small water tank may need to be refilled if you have multiple stains to remove, but it’s a great choice for households that only need to remove a few stains.
The Big Green by Bissell is the most user-friendly professional carpet cleaner we’ve ever tested. It’s easy to operate, and its 1.75-gallon water tank is easy to fill, carry, and replace. The rotating flow indicator is also very helpful, letting you know when you need to refill the cleaning solution. Although the product looks bulky, it’s comfortable to use and has an adjustable, folding handle for easy storage. At over 40 pounds, it takes more than one person to get up and down a ladder.
In our testing, the Bissell Big Green kept our test carpet soft without getting it too wet, and thanks to the extra-long 25-foot power cord, we were able to clean an entire carpeted room without interruption. The 9-foot hose and handheld stain removal tool are ideal for cleaning upholstery, wall edges, and stair treads.
Like the Tineco Combo Vacuum Mop we tested in the Good Housekeeping Lab, this Smart One works with an app to automatically adjust suction power and water flow based on the amount of dirt it detects. Voice prompts tell you when to fill the clean water tank and empty the dirty water tank, while an LED display shows you the cleaning mode, reminds you when the area you’re cleaning is clean, and more. A built-in heater keeps the cleaning solution hot for optimal stain removal and helps dry your carpet faster.
In our testing, we found the Tineco to be very efficient in cleaning, and the hose is easy to attach, allowing you to move from carpet cleaning to upholstery cleaning. This vacuum weighs just 16.5 pounds, making it lighter than many other full-size vacuums, making it compact and easy to store, remove, and set up.
We love the versatility of the Bissell CrossWave OmniForce vacuum—this wet/dry machine can pick up dry crumbs and pet hair, suck up wet stains, mop bare floors, and, unlike other vacuums, it can also clean and freshen short-pile carpet. In testing, it left our dirty carpet noticeably brighter, though it can’t clean long-pile carpets as thoroughly as machines with rotating brushes, and the dry dust bin is a bit small.
Overall, it’s easy to use, cordless, and can run for up to 30 minutes. We also think it’s a good choice for those with limited storage space. The design is slim, easy to install and remove, and self-cleaning when placed on a stand.
If you have pets in your home, you may already be using a quality enzyme cleaner to manually remove pet stains, but you may want to reconsider. In our tests, the Rug Doctor Handheld Cleaner performed best at removing fresh and old stains, as well as ammonia odors. Its large water tank holds 64 ounces of cleaning solution, so it requires far less refilling and emptying than a smaller model when cleaning large or multiple rooms.
Although it’s heavy (especially when fully loaded), the retractable handle and large wheels make it easy to move or slide into a storage cabinet. Set it up at the top or bottom of the stairs, and with its 4-foot retractable hose, you can likely clean the entire staircase. Another plus for families with pets: The Rug Doctor attachment features rubber bristles that grab hair and remove stains at the same time.
At last count, the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Home Care & Cleaning Lab tested 20 full-size and portable carpet cleaners, 21 carpet stain removers, various upholstery cleaners, and even a few in-home professional carpet cleaning services. We rate carpet cleaning machines on how well they clean pre-soiled, soiled, industry-standard white carpeting, and how well they remove stains.
Before we started, we measured the color, set up each machine according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and ran each machine over the soiled carpet the same number of times. The carpet panels were weighed before and after cleaning to estimate the amount of moisture each machine left behind. We recorded the time it took for the carpet to dry, then re-measured the same spots to calculate how well the machine cleaned the carpet.
The portable machines were tested to see how well they removed stains we left on our carpet and upholstery test samples, such as red wine and chocolate. Each portable machine tackled both fresh and stubborn stains, and we rated how well they removed odors like ammonia on our test samples. Each model’s user manual was also carefully reviewed.
We also evaluate other features such as weight, included accessories, battery power/run time and noise level, as well as how easy it is to assemble, use and store. We test all of our attachments on upholstery or fabric samples, and we often invite consumer testers to the lab or send them models to test at home so we can find out how easy the machine is to use and operate.
Renting a carpet cleaning machine may seem like a convenient option, but when you consider the effort required to obtain the equipment, the cost of the cleaning products, and the fact that a rented machine will likely be used quite frequently (i.e., not as effectively or cleanly as a new machine), purchasing one may be a better option.
If you have frequently soiled carpets or pets, or if your home is full of carpets that need regular cleaning, purchasing a machine can save you time, energy, and money in the long run. It also allows you to tackle stains and dirt faster, which ultimately means better care for your carpet. When shopping for carpet cleaning products, keep the following in mind:
✔️ WEIGHT AND MANEUVERABILITY: Carpet cleaners are heavier than traditional vacuums and are more difficult to carry and push. They weigh even more after adding water. If your home has more than one floor, carrying heavy equipment up and down stairs is a challenge. Choose a tank with a wide opening that’s easy to fill and large handles for easy portability.
✔️ Size: Upright models require more storage space than portable or handheld models. If you don’t have a lot of carpet or only need to treat spots occasionally, a compact or even portable unit may be sufficient. Built-in storage is useful for models with many attachments and long hoses, as these attachments are less likely to get lost if they’re right on the vacuum.
✔️ FEATURES: Most full-size machines come with a rotating brush, hose, heater, and attachments for cleaning upholstery, pet waste, and small areas, as well as a small bottle of detergent for your use. Built-in heaters are especially useful, as using hot or even warm water can help remove stains faster and more effectively than cold water, and they can also help your carpet dry faster. A long hose is essential for cleaning carpeted stairs and for cleaning under tight car seats. If you have delicate carpets at home, look for models with rotating brushes or soft rollers that can be turned off to avoid damaging the delicate carpet while cleaning. Spot spot sprayers and models that self-clean or rinse the hose and brush with clean water are nice additions to keep them fresh and odor-free during storage. App connections are becoming increasingly popular, but they are not strictly necessary.
✔️ Warranty: Many manufacturers list this information on their websites, but most carpet cleaners come with a warranty of between 1 and 5 years. Also note that if the manufacturer recommends a specific cleaner, using another cleaner may void the warranty. While you’re at it, check your carpet warranty to make sure you’re not using a cleaner that will void the warranty.
Carpet cleaners spray a mixture of detergent and water onto the carpet to loosen dirt and stains, and a rotating brush helps the cleaner penetrate the carpet fibers. The machine then sucks the cleaner and any dirt it has removed from the carpet into a dust collection tank. While carpet cleaners are often called “steam cleaners,” that’s a misnomer: With the exception of our favorite, the Bissell HydroSteam, none of them use steam—instead, you add hot water to the tank.
Carpet cleaners come in all shapes and sizes, from portable to container, upright, and even professional machines that mimic rentals. Most come with a hose and mini-head, making it easy to clean small areas like upholstery and stairs, and all have two tanks—one filled with clean water and cleaning solution, and one for the dirty water sucked up from the carpet.
Carpet manufacturers and the Carpet and Flooring Manufacturers Association recommend having your carpet professionally deep cleaned every 12 to 18 months. Some manufacturers even require it to maintain your carpet’s warranty. Professional cleaners use more powerful and reliable equipment than you can buy or rent. They’ll pre-treat stains and can also renew and reapply any stain-resistant coatings that may have been on your carpet when it was new. But having a carpet cleaning machine, even a portable one, means you can clean more often and remove stains faster, keeping your carpets looking great longer.
Carolyn Forte has more than 40 years of experience with the Good Housekeeping Institute. As executive director of the Institute’s Home Care and Cleaning Lab, she has tested hundreds of floor cleaning products, including carpet cleaners, cordless upright vacuums, robot vacuums, steam mops, and more. She has tested most of the carpet cleaners featured in this guide and supervised all portable and full-size carpet cleaner testing conducted by our lab analysts. Forte also serves as second vice chair and consumer information committee chair for ASTM Committee F11, which develops industry testing standards used by carpet cleaning equipment manufacturers.
Carolyn Forte has over 40 years of experience as a consumer product expert and is the executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Home Care & Cleaning Lab. She provides cleaning and home care advice for GH using her in-depth analytical testing and writing experience on appliances, cleaning products, textiles, and organizational products, has written numerous books and publications for the brand, and co-hosts the Discover Cleaning Summits in partnership with the American Housekeeping Institute. She holds a BA in Family & Consumer Science from Queens College, City University of New York.
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