While they might not seem essential in your arsenal of home cleaning tools, the best carpet cleaners can significantly impact the preservation of your rugs' condition. These mighty machines utilize a combination of warm water, cleaning solutions and suction to effectively lift stains, remove dirt and neutralize odors simultaneously. Regular use of carpet cleaners can uphold the freshness and cleanliness of your rugs, proving especially beneficial for pet owners and homes with little kids.
The best carpet cleaners use a combination of warm water, cleaning solution and suction to scrub carpet fibers, allowing them to lift stains, remove dirt and neutralize odors all at once.ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / PHOTOS: RETAILERS
Carpet cleaners come in two primary styles: full-size models resembling upright vacuums and compact portable options tailored for spot cleaning. While most models can effectively tackle the task, it's vital to prioritize ease of use during the shopping process. Leanne Stapf, president of The Cleaning Authority, a cleaning services business, advises, "The best carpet cleaners are portable, easy to store and facilitate reaching small corners." She warns against choosing bulky machines, as they can be cumbersome to operate and store.
Utilizing expert guidance and our own expertise, we've curated a selection of top-notch options—some of which Vetted staffers use in their own homes. Whether you require a robust full-size solution for cleaning wall-to-wall carpeting or a compact option for spot-cleaning pet stains, here are the best carpet cleaners suitable for every home.
Our Top RecommendationsBest Carpet Cleaner Overall : Hoover PowerDash Pet Compact Carpet CleanerBest Portable Carpet Cleaner: Bissell Little Green Multi-Purpose Portable Carpet and Upholstery CleanerBest Carpet Cleaner For Pet Owners: Bissell SpotClean Pet Pro Portable Carpet CleanerBest Carpet Cleaner For Large Spaces: Hoover SmartWash Automatic Carpet CleanerBest Splurge Carpet Cleaner: Tineco Carpet One Smart Carpet CleanerBest Carpet Steam Cleaner: Dupray Neat Steam CleanerBest Carpet Cleaner Overall A Compact Upright Model Perfect For High-Traffic AreasAmazonHoover PowerDash Pet Compact Carpet CleanerWeight: 12.5 pounds | Dimensions: 15.25 x 10.13 x 43.5 inches | Clean water tank: 0.5 gallon | Cord length: 20 feet | Additional features: HeatForce drying technology, Hoover Nozzle Cleanout Tool | Brush style: Antimicrobial brush roll
This Hoover PowerDash’s half-gallon clean water tank is is enough to deeply clean a 300-square-foot room or multiple smaller rooms. Plus, it features an antimicrobial brush roll designed with pets in mind. In the event that anything gets trapped in the brush roll, the nozzle that covers it comes off and the machine itself comes with a Nozzle Cleanout Tool to help ensure your carpet cleaner stays in tip-top shape.
Depending on the size of your home, this particular upright carpet cleaner may be more or less convenient for your needs: It doesn’t come with nozzle attachments, meaning this machine works best on large carpeted areas as opposed to smaller, tighter spaces.
What our editors say: “I've only used the Hoover PowerDash a couple of times, but the amount of dirt (and dog hair!) it sucks up is amazing,” says Karen Tietjen, Forbes Vetted senior updates editor. “I've used it on both throw rugs and carpet, and even clumsily ran it over a a spot on my easily stained linen rocking chair ... and it came right out! Note that this carpet cleaner is a bit hey—and if you he a hey-shedding pet, like me, you may he to wipe down the roller bar after a shampooing session—but otherwise it's very easy to use and clean.”
Pros:
Removable nozzle for easy and effective brush roll cleaningHeatForce technology to speed up drying time1-year motor warrantyCons:
No attachments for targeting tight cornersBest Portable Carpet CleanerA Small But Mighty Option That's Dog Parent-ApprovedEditor’s PickAmazonBissell Little Green Multi-Purpose Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner