Best Carpet Cleaners For Pets 2024

Dogs and cats can be hard on your floors and carpets, whether leaving behind muddy paw prints or lingering odors. The best carpet cleaners for pets effectively remove stubborn smells and stains from rugs and upholstered surfaces. Our top pick is the expert-backed Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro Plus, which has several rows of scrubbing brushes to tackle the most intense gunk. Based on feedback from an expert and three pet owners on our staff, we also crowned Bissell&#;s Little Green Pet Pro the best small carpet cleaner for pets; its compact size and efficiency at cleaning various messes make it easy to keep small dwellings consistently clean.

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The best carpet cleaners for pets, like Bissell's Little Green Pet Pro, have built-in spot treaters ... [+] and dual suction-scrubbing capabilities.

While a dedicated vacuum for pet hair can give your floors a surface clean, carpet cleaners go deeper to leave your rugs and carpet truly spotless and stink-free. Using a combination of water, scrubbing and suction power, and cleaning solution, &#;these cleaners tackle pet hair, stains and odors, making them essential for keeping carpets fresh,&#; says Jennifer Rodriguez, chief hygiene officer at Pro Housekeepers. Ahead, our team of home editors&#;who have extensive experience covering a range of cleaning products&#;curated nine of the best carpet cleaners for pets, including affordable, portable and multipurpose picks.

Best Carpet Cleaner For Pets Overall

User-Friendly And Incredibly Powerful

Wayfair

Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro Plus

Weight: 17.5 pounds | Dimensions: 43.5 x 12.5 x 15 inches | Clean water tank: 1 gallons | Cord length: 25 feet | Additional features: 2-in-1 upholstery tool, trial-size urine eliminator solution, crevice tool, CleanShot pre-treater | Brush style: Multiple spinning brush rolls

Pros:

• Brushes spin forward and backward
• Very powerful suction
• User-friendly
• Covered by five-year limited warranty

Cons:

• Tank needs frequent changing
• Carpets may take a while to dry post&#;deep clean

If you&#;ve got a pet that&#;s not the best at using the bathroom outside or loves tracking mud indoors, the Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro Plus is a really powerful machine that can scoop up serious gunk and stench. (It even promises to remove eau de skunk&#;really.) That&#;s partially thanks to the multiple rows of dirt-lifting brushes that spin in two directions to scrub more deeply into carpets. Italso has incredibly powerful suction, according to a resounding number of reviewers; a few say they&#;ve replaced their go-to carpet-cleaning rentals with the ProHeat 2X Revolution.

The Deep Clean setting offers the most thorough clean, though users warn that it&#;ll take longer to suction out the solution and for the treated carpets to dry. But for smaller jobs, there&#;s also an Express Clean mode that allows you to get things clean and dry in 30 minutes. Plus, there&#;s built-in CleanShot pre-treater to help you fight especially stubborn stains.

What our experts say: Professional home organizer Meghan Kessman, who&#;s also a dog parent, deems this model one of the best for carpets. &#;For those set-in stains, deep-cleaning machines like the Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution can be a lifesaver,&#; she says.

Best Value Carpet Cleaner For Pets

A Petite But Powerful Workhorse For Smaller Jobs

Amazon

Hoover PowerDash Pet+ Compact Carpet Cleaner

Weight: 12.8 pounds | Dimensions: 43.5 x 10.1 x 15.3 inches | Clean water tank: 0.5 gallons | Cord length: 20 feet | Additional features: Antimicrobial brush roll, removable nozzle, HeatForce tech, dual tank, storage mat | Brush style: Spinning brush roll

Pros:

• Compact and lightweight
• Dual tank system separates clean water from dirty
• Removable brush roll guard

Cons:

• Dirty water reservoir needs emptying often

It&#;s rare to get a full-sized quality carpet cleaner for less than $200, but Hoover delivers with this lightweight model. This machine features a PowerSpin Pet brush roll with antimicrobial-treated brushes to tackle bacteria that cause odors, while the cleaner&#;s HeatForce helps carpets dry more quickly. This cleaner is also light&#;just under 13 pounds&#;and easy to tote from room to room or up and down stairs. While many upright carpet cleaners are behemoths, this one is on the petite side, making for easy storage (and it comes with a storage mat, too, in case of leakage).

Due to its relatively small water tank, reviewers say this machine is best used on small carpeted areas and rugs or for spot-cleaning. That said, users note the dirty water is easy to empty during cleaning jobs, and the included cleaning tool simplifies the task of removing pet hair from the brush roll.

Best Professional Carpet Cleaner For Pets

Exceptional Cleaning That's On Par With Industrial Models

Amazon

Bissell Big Green Professional Carpet Cleaner

Weight: 50 pounds | Dimensions: 42.3 x 11 x 20.5 inches | Clean water tank: 1.75 gallons | Cord length: 25 feet | Additional features: Tough Stain tool, extension hose, upholstery brush, crevice tool, 3 trial-sized cleaning solution | Brush style: Rotating brush roll

Pros:

• Adjustable handle
• Outstanding suction and stain removal
• Intuitive to use
• Best for those with multiple pets and/or kids

Cons:

• Very heavy

&#;&#;If your pets always seem to be soiling your carpets or rugs, you might want to invest in a professional-grade machine instead of renting time and again (which could save you money in the long run). That&#;s where the Big Green machine comes in. It features eight rows of bristles and powerful suction that gets to the most embedded stains and dirt in your carpet.

Two caveats: At around 50 pounds, this thing is quite heavy and will require a bit of a workout to use. It&#;s also a considerable investment. Still, most reviewers say its consistent effectiveness at tackling pet stains&#;which eliminates the need for booking one-time professional services&#;make it well worth these shortcomings.

Best Small Carpet Cleaner For Pets

A Compact Spot Cleaner For Unexpected Messes

MOST POPULAR

Wayfair

Bissell Little Green Pet Pro Portable Carpet Cleaner

Weight: 13.3 pounds | Dimensions: 14 x 14 x 10 inches | Clean water tank: 0.8 gallons | Cord length: 20 feet | Additional features: Pet stain tool, tough stain tool, spraying crevice tool, trial-size Urine Eliminator solution | Brush style: Upholstery

Pros:

• Lightweight
• Compact
• Sizable tank capacity

Cons:

• Not for deep-cleaning large carpeted areas

Don&#;t let the size of Bissell&#;s Little Green Pet Pro fool you: This device packs some serious power. The cleaner offers impressive suction and scrubbing action to help work out even the most stubborn of pet stains. Its portability and small size make it easy to use on upholstery, inside a car and on stairs. This handy device also has a Pet Stain Tool specially designed to lift and remove pet messes, along with a Tough Stain Tool and Spraying Crevice Tool. Forbes senior data engineer Zach Quinn praises its effectiveness at cleaning various messes from his pets: &#;We have five animals in a carpeted apartment, and it&#;s one of the reasons we&#;re able to keep the space consistently clean.&#;

What our testers say: Another pet parent on our staff, director of features and special projects Kimberly Peiffer, swears by the Little Green Pet Pro&#;s performance. Peiffer tells us, &#;It is truly awesome! I use it all the time to clean up various pet messes (there are many) in my household. Bonus: It&#;s not huge in size so I can tuck it neatly into a closet without it taking up a ton of space.&#;

Best Carpet Cleaner For Pets On Amazon

Has A Sizable Tank And Is Effective On Old Stains And Odors

Amazon

Hoover Power Scrub Elite Pet Carpet Cleaner

Weight: 18.5 pounds | Dimensions: 22.8 x 12.3 x 14.5 inches | Clean water tank: 1.3 gallons | Cord length: 20 feet | Additional features: Dual-tank system, auto-detergent mixing, 2-in-1 pet tool, storage mat, trial-sized Expert Clean solution | Brush style: Spinning scrub brush

Pros:

• Detachable parts make cleaning simple
• Users say it&#;s effective on old urine stains and smells
• HeatForce technology shortens drying time

Cons:

• Hose may not be long enough for higher stairs
• Higher-pile rugs may be trickier to clean

For homeowners with a lot of carpeting or rugs to tackle in one go, the Hoover Power Scrub Elite is a solid choice. This two-tank cleaner offers a sizable 1.3-gallon capacity to help you clean for longer periods without needing to dump gunky water every half hour. The Power Scrub&#;s 360-degree spinning brushes go deep into your carpets to gently lift any messes that may be lingering; for surface stains, its Quick Clean Mode uses HeatForce to help clean and dry carpets in about 45 minutes. The machine also includes an 8-foot hose and a pet tool attachment to help you get into carpeted spots that are hard to reach, like stairs.

One unique feature many reviews highlight is the Hoover Power Scrub&#;s Wash/Rinse Selector: After shampooing, choosing the Rinse option will shut off the solution dispenser so that only clean water comes out&#;which you can then use to wash and suction off remaining cleaner residue and dirty water.

Best Carpet Cleaner For Pets With Attachments

A Portable Option To Tackle Stains Of Varying Sizes

Walmart

Hoover CleanSlate Pet Portable Carpet Cleaner

Weight: 9.4 pounds | Dimensions: 14 x 10.5 x 13 inches | Clean water tank: 0.3 gallons | Cord length: 15 feet | Additional features: 7-inch WidePath tool, TightSpot tool, Hose Rinse tool, trial-sized cleaning solution | Brush style: Bristle brush, narrow brush

Pros:

• Portable and storage-friendly
• Includes a hose-cleaning attachment
• Many say it&#;s effective on old pet stains
• Auto-shutoff when tank is full

Cons:

• Relatively small tank capacity
• Some question the hose&#;s durability

Hoover&#;s CleanSlate features several versatile cleaning tools that&#;ll (almost) make it a joy to tackle stains. That&#;s because this compact machine combines powerful suction with its diverse collection of attachments to tackle various pet stains. The 7-inch WidePath Tool is designed for larger surface areas like the stairs or your couch, and the TightSpot Tool helps you get into those tricky nooks and crannies. One pup parent, who purchased it to tackle smells, says it exceeded their expectations, noting, &#;Not only did it do that, but [it also] removed a lot of the dog hair... [I also] used it to see if it would remove old stains from chairs at my parents&#; house, and wow, it removed so many of them.&#;

Bonus: The brushes contain an antimicrobial coating to help fight odors. Plus, once you&#;re ready to clean the machine, flush it out with the included Hose Rinse tool.

Forbes staffer and pup parent Janet Yin was impressed with how well the CleanSlate cleaned her ... [+] stained upholstery.

What our testers say: After sharing the results from cleaning her couch (above), Forbes art director of content and design Janet Yin, who has two long-haired dogs and two cats, deemed it one of the best investments for pet parents. &#;I love the portable size; it&#;s easy to put away and store it,&#; she says. &#;Every part comes off, too, so I can clean and dry it thoroughly.&#;

Best Multipurpose Carpet Cleaner For Pets

Mops And Vacuums&#;Effectively&#;In Just One Go

Amazon

Bissell CrossWave Pet Pro Multi-Surface Wet Dry Vac

Weight: 11.5 pounds | Dimensions: 46 x 12 x 10.5 inches | Clean water tank: 0.2 gallons | Cord length: 25 feet | Additional features: Dual-tank system, tangle-free brush roll, trial-sized Febreze and FreshStart formulas, pet hair strainer, Cleanout Storage Tray | Brush style: Rotating brush roll

Pros:

• Easily maneuverable
• Intuitive to use
• Hair rarely gets trapped around brush
• Removable parts help ease cleaning

Cons:

• Relatively small tank capacity
• May be tedious to clean up

Pet stains and the carpets they land on don&#;t only need scrubbing; a little vacuuming is usually involved, too. The Bissell CrossWave Pet Pro lets you do both at once, and on a variety of surfaces: from wood and tile to rubber mats and rugs. A pet hair management system pulls up fur before separating and trapping it so you can easily dispose of it after you clean. Its multi-surface brush roll works on both sealed hard floors and area rugs; it&#;s also designed to be tangle-free, which several reviewers vouch for. A two-tank system separates clean and dirty waters. The whole thing is 11.5 pounds, which&#;along with its swivel steering&#;makes it comfortable to move between rooms.

Best Carpet Cleaner For Small Pets

Easily Tackles Small Accidents, Including Urine

Amazon

Rug Doctor Pet Portable Spot Cleaner

Weight: 18.3 pounds | Dimensions: 17.8 x 12.5 x 17.3 inches | Clean water tank: 0.5 gallons | Cord length: 28 feet | Additional features: Dual tank system, Dual-Acting Pet Tool, trial-sized Pet Stain And Odor cleaning solution | Brush style: Upholstery

Pros:

• Compact with a retractable handle
• Easy to empty
• Rubber bristles are gentler on surfaces

Cons:

• Quite heavy
• Some report the sprayer is a bit finicky

The Rug Doctor is designed to tackle stubborn stains head on, thanks to its intense suction and ability to handle upholstery and carpets alike. At over 18 pounds, this device isn&#;t exactly lightweight&#;but its compact size makes it easy to stash away when you&#;re done. A few cat owners report being impressed with the Rug Doctor&#;s effectiveness at tackling cat vomit and urine stains and odors. Others highlight the non-motorized rubber brush, which &#;unlike nylon bristles or spinning brushes&#;tends to be gentler on fabric, but still effective at picking up pet hair.

Best Handheld Carpet Cleaner For Pets

Under 5 Pounds And Lets You Tackle Small Pee Stains Fast

Wayfair

Bissell Pet Stain Eraser PowerBrush Plus Portable

Weight: 4.4 pounds | Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 18 inches | Clean water tank: 0.06 gallons (0.5 pints) | Cord length: N/A (20-minute runtime) | Additional features: Tough-stain PowerBrush tool, Pet Tool, 2 trial-sized Oxy solution | Brush style: Spinning brush roll

Pros:

• Easy to operate
• Several removable parts for simpler cleaning
• Perfect for car cleaning

Cons:

• Suction is not as strong as our other picks

For times when you want to tackle pet stains as soon as they happen, opt for the Bissell Pet Stain Eraser over a larger corded machine. This cordless, handheld cleaner has a rotating brush to thoroughly work through stubborn stains. But unlike other machines on our list, you won&#;t need to mix the cleaning formula with water; it can also be stored in the cleaner, making it easier to grab and go. And, at just over 4 pounds, this cleaner won&#;t give you an unwanted arm workout while you clean.

A word on effectiveness: While this won&#;t have the suction power that the full-sized models on our list have, several pet-owning reviewers vouch for how well it pulls up urine stains and deodorizes afterward.

Why Trust Forbes Vetted

Forbes Vetted has a robust catalog of home content. Our library includes dozens of expertly researched articles specific to pet cleaning, including air purifiers for pets, robot vacuums for pet hair and handheld vacuums for pet hair, to name a few.

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• Our home section is overseen by deputy editor Rebekah Lowin, senior editor Amanda Arnold and editor Sholeen Damarwala, who each have several years of experience in the home furnishing and cleaning space.
• Many members of our editorial team are also devoted pet parents who have tested several of the best pet care products, including vacuums for pet hair, self-cleaning litter boxes and cat water fountains.
• We review this story regularly to ensure our product selections are as up to date as possible. It was last refreshed in June by home updates writer Fran Sales.

Meet The Experts

To enhance our knowledge of the best carpet cleaners for pets, we consulted the following five cleaning experts:

How We Chose The Best Carpet Cleaners For Pets

We started our search for the best carpet cleaners for pets by sifting through top-rated models among trusted home appliance retailers, including Bissell, Hoover and Rug Doctor.

• We considered a number of factors, including suction power, budget, movability, weight, cord length (or cordless), design (e.g., upright or portable), tank capacity, noise level and ease of use and cleaning.
• We noted any extra useful features for each product, such as express cleaning modes, solution auto-mixing and spot-cleaning accessories.
• We considered customer reviews, honing in on carpet cleaners for pets that have highly favorable customer feedback.
• We looked for models with an average rating of at least 4 our of 5 stars and at least 700 total ratings (a majority of our recommendations have garnered thousands).

What To Look For In A Carpet Cleaner For Pets

A carpet cleaner can make a big difference in how your flooring looks when you have pets. Consider these factors during your search:

Type

There are several types of carpet cleaners to consider, including petite models you easily move between messes for spot treatment and larger machines with spinning brush rolls that work like an elevated vacuum. &#;For home use, I'd recommend either a portable or handheld cleaner to make it easy to get edges and furniture, or a steam carpet cleaner so you can break down stains easier using higher temperatures,&#; says Shawn Grant, owner of cleaning company Clear Facility Services. If your pet only makes the occasional mess, you may prefer to invest in a smaller machine. For those looking to clean large areas of carpet at a time, a device you push around is a better bet.

Brush Style

Some carpet cleaners for pets have wide brushes that are designed to steam areas and suck up gunk, while others have spinning brush rolls to dig pet messes out of the fibers of your carpet. If your pet tends to make a mess in an area that requires deep cleaning, look for a model with a spinning brush roll. &#;Dual or multi-brush systems tend to perform better in agitating and removing entrenched pet hair and dander,&#; says Eliana Coca, owner of E.C. House Cleaning. That said, fixed and edge brushes have their role, too. These &#;are great for those areas where a rotating brush either can't fit or it doesn't give enough force to pull dirt or hair up,&#; Grant says.

Additional Features

There are several extra tools that may be worth your investment. &#;Additional features worth considering in a carpet cleaner for pet owners include attachments specifically designed for upholstery and curtains, as pet hair tends to accumulate in these areas as well,&#; says Coca. &#;High-end filters and a system that facilitates easy removal and cleaning of the brush head and water tank will also make the cleaning process more hygienic and manageable, ensuring remnants from one cleaning session do not compromise the next.&#; Lastly, removable brush heads make post-cleanup easier, Rodriguez says.

Price

You can typically expect to spend anywhere from $100 for a smaller or handheld cleaner to $400-plus for an industrial-strength option. Figure out in advance what level of cleaning you expect to do, as well as how much of a surface area you plan to cover&#;that can help dictate how much you should expect to spend.

What Type Of Carpet Cleaner Is Best For Pet Urine?

The best carpet cleaner for pet urine, in our opinion, is the Bissell Little Green Pet Pro Portable Carpet Cleaner (also our top compact pick). Meaghan Kessman, professional home organizer, agrees: &#;As a dog owner myself, I understand the challenges of keeping carpets clean with pets. I personally use and recommend Little Green for its powerful suction and targeted cleaning, making it perfect for tackling pet accidents.&#;

Both Kessman and Marla Mock, president of Molly Maid (a Neighborly company), also recommend using enzyme-based cleaning solutions, which are effective on both urine stains and odors. &#;They break down the proteins in the urine that cause the smell and stain,&#; Mock says, adding that &#;a portable spot cleaner can work well on small stains when used with an enzyme-based cleaning solution.&#;

What Is The Best Carpet Cleaner To Buy For Pets?

In , our top pick is the Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro Plus because of its 1-gallon clean tank capacity, multiple rows of cleaning brushes and extra pet-focused accessories. It&#;s one of Kessman&#;s top recommendations, who saying it&#;s &#;powerful, versatile and designed with pets in mind.&#;

That said, the best cleaner for you really depends on your personal needs. If you have a small pet who only has occasional &#;accidents,&#; for instance, a cleaner with a small capacity&#;like the expert- and staff-backed Bissell Little Green Pet Pro Portable Carpet Cleaner&#;may be right for you. If your pet tends to cause frequent stains, a portable, always-at-the-ready option like Bissell&#;s Pet Stain Eraser PowerBrush Portable Carpet Cleaner is likely your best bet.

How Often Should I Clean And Shampoo Carpets If I Have Pets?

Regular maintenance cleaning is important. Mock&#;s rule of thumb: &#;You should vacuum your carpet at least twice a week to remove hair and debris and spot-clean immediately after any accidents.&#; While Mock&#;s and Kessman&#;s recommendations for the frequency of shampooing and deep cleaning varies (Mock advises every six months while Kessman suggests every one to two months), they both advise regularly vacuuming your carpet, especially high-traffic areas, a few times a week. &#;This helps reduce pet hair, dander, and trapped dirt, keeping your carpets fresher between deep cleans,&#; Kessman says.

To help you find the best carpet cleaner for your home, we tested several models and put the most effective carpet and upholstery sprays and treatments up against the toughest stains. We evaluated important factors such as performance, price, weight, and more to see which devices excelled in specific categories. For extra tips on finding the right carpet cleaner, we spoke with Matthew Baratta , VP of operations at Daimer Industries, and Aaron Christensen , resident cleaning expert and VP of growth at Homeaglow.

A standard vacuum cleaner is enough to handle crumbs, dust balls, and pet hair, but larger messes like food stains and spills are sometimes beyond the scope of this device. It&#;s best to opt for more heavy-duty carpet cleaners and/or upholstery sprays to handle tougher jobs. When combined, these cleaning components can help restore your home to its previous, unsoiled state without having to spend countless hours scrubbing.

That said, there were some hiccups: When using this product on red wine, it reacted a little unfavorably to the chemical in the cleaner, leaving behind a tinge of blue that did not come from any part of the spray. We also tried out the scrubbing brush on the top of the can, which turned out to be a little rough on delicate surfaces and furniture. Apart from those two little qualms, this spray is truly one of the best carpet and upholstery cleaners on the market&#;just be sure not to be overzealous while applying it.

OxiClean&#;s Total Interior Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner performed fast and well on a mix of tough stains, tackling wine and soda spills with ease. Not to mention, the foam solution also worked really well on a variety of surfaces, such as carpets, furniture, and car seats. During testing, we noticed that waiting the recommended 30 seconds for the foam to set in allowed it to effectively eradicate any evidence of dirt, stains, or odors.

To further explain how strong this spray was, we noticed that it was able to effectively remove most stains after just a single treatment. And despite its power, the formula carries the EPA&#;s Safer Choice label, meaning the ingredients are safe for humans, animals, and the environment. However, bright stains are a sore spot, even for this tough spray. Although it was able to get a solid portion of this mess out, there was still a faint mark from where the stain was. To really minimize any lingering stains, we highly recommend pairing this spray with an upholstery or carpet cleaner.

Using a pre-cleaning treatment spray on tough stains provides an extra cleaning boost to minimize any faint marks left over after scrubbing. Bissell&#;s Advanced Tough Stain Pretreat Formula was the top performing upholstery spray during testing, and for good reason. It was great at wiping out wine, soda, and marinara stains without the use of any additional devices like carpet cleaners. We also loved how comfortable it was to hold and how quickly we were able to switch between different application settings, such as mist and spray.

It struggles with bright stains, which may require extra scrubbing or the use of an upholstery cleaner.

One major con that we noticed during testing, however, was the amount of noise that the spot cleaner produced while in use. While it certainly wasn&#;t horrible, it was still distracting despite being so small.

While we loved how lightweight and storage-friendly this device is, it did struggle a bit when it came to brighter stains like mustard. Like with other products on this list that also had this same issue, we highly recommend that buyers use pre-treating sprays in conjunction with this device to effectively remove them. After six months of use, this cleaner is still exceeding our expectations. It has been the most helpful while house training a new puppy, working wonders on dog pee and cat vomit stains.

The 13-pound Bissell SpotClean Pro Portable Carpet Cleaner is excellent for both carpet and upholstery cleaning . During testing, we noticed that its cleaning performance was stellar on wine, soda, and marinara stains on sofa cushions. Additionally, the included 4- and 6-inch suction attachments work perfectly to suck dirt from even the smallest crevices, and its relatively light weight makes cleaning on a staircase that much easier. Not to mention, its 22-foot cord and 5-foot hose&#;that are both easy to lock in place when not in use&#;allow for even more convenient cleaning sessions.

After six months of use, we are still pleased with this carpet cleaner. In addition to tackling fresh stains, we were impressed that it was able to lighten older ones, as well. It was relatively quiet when operated, too&#;in fact, the noise it produced is comparable to that of a standard handheld vacuum . Just note that since this is a great pick for spot cleaning, its limited tank capacity and power make it unsuitable for bigger messes.

While there are no wheels, the spot cleaner&#;s retractable handle makes it easy to carry it around from one soiled area to the next. Moreover, the gripping-textured base keeps the machine stable on almost any surface. It felt a little awkward to change the cleaning heads, almost as though we were forcing them on and off. We also wish there were a bit less maintenance required in terms of rinsing, cleaning, and tending to the machine, though this is to be expected of such a device.

If you need a strong spot cleaner without the added bulk, the Hoover CleanSlate XL is a lightweight option that&#;s easy to move around the house. With a variety of attachments such as brushes and smaller suctions, this 11-pound Hoover performs on a mix of stains, including dark soda and wine, although in our tests, the brighter the stain, the more it struggled. Its performance on pet stains , however, is excellent when used with the included Oxy stain-removing solution, which quickly eradicates the odor and color of most spot messes.

Although its lab performance left much to be desired, the cleaner redeemed itself in our long-term testing. Throughout two months of use, the Tineco iCarpet effectively tackled every stain in front of it, leaving the area smelling fresh with no visible remnants. This lightweight carpet cleaner has become our go-to choice for spot cleanups as well as full-room cleans&#;it's practically noiseless and gets the job done. Weight: 16.5 pounds | Cord Length: 21.3 feet | Hose Length: N/A | Dirty Water Tank Size: 1.5 liters | Clean Water Tank Size: 2 liters | Cleaning Path: 11 inches

While we really loved the size and quiet nature of the iCarpet, its cleaning power could use a boost. The device does excel at cleaning spilled wine and coffee, but set-in dirt and large messes were major obstacles. In our lab, the iCarpet left behind faint traces of dirt after several passes, while its small 2-liter tank required frequent refilling to clean up major messes.

Despite weighing under 17 pounds, the Tineco iCarpet is sturdy and reliable. Those living in small spaces will not only enjoy this device&#;s compact structure but also its simple assembly that allows pieces to click easily into place. During testing, we noted how quiet this carpet cleaner was compared to other options on the market, which is a major plus for those looking to minimize noise while cleaning.

Throughout two months of use, this carpet cleaner has maintained its high quality. While it didn't noticeably change our carpet's texture, look, or smell, it certainly kept it looking fresh and clean. As the manufacturer warns, this product is less suitable for spot cleaning and better for tackling large areas quickly. Since it deep cleans and shampoos your carpet, we recommend it for more intensive tasks rather than casual cleanings.

Although we loved how effective this carpet cleaner&#;s attachment tool was, its soap and scrub feature does use up a lot of water. While using this feature, we noticed that the clean water tank was completely empty after just five minutes, leading to frequent refills for bigger messes. Interestingly, the cleaner&#;s dirty water tank didn&#;t fill up nearly as fast, which did help balance out the device&#;s water usage.

At almost 35 pounds when filled with clean water, The Rug Doctor TruDeep Carpet Cleaner does have some heft to it, but its easy-carry handle helps alleviate the bulk when transporting this device. Thankfully, it arrived pretty much assembled straight out of the box, so we didn&#;t have to worry about lifting and attaching heavy parts. We also took note of the included pet upholstery tool that was able to get rid of most stains and hair with a single pass, significantly cutting down on cleaning time.

We were surprised to find that the dirty water tank didn't seem to accumulate much dirty water. Despite this confusing aspect, the device still proved to be effective on our carpet. After two months of use, the cleaner is still working wonders&#;our carpet looks newer, feels softer, and smells cleaner. Although it does have its quirks, the overall value this device offers is more than enough to make up for these small faults.

This option showed a solid performance when tackling everything from pet hair to upholstery stains. It didn&#;t leave the carpet too wet at the end of cleaning, but we did note that there were some faint stains left behind. That said, we highly recommend pre-treating stains before using this device to minimize the potential for lingering marks.

The Hoover Pro Clean Pet Carpet Cleaner is one of the most budget-friendly options on our list, and it still packs quite a punch. We especially loved that its tank capacity&#;while not as large as some of the other options on this list&#;was still pretty sizable and required minimal refilling during cleaning sessions. However, we did notice that when it was full, it was a little heavy and hard to maneuver.

The carpet cleaner becomes heavy when loaded with water, making it harder to turn while in use.

The trade-off for this handy device is the noise it produces. Other carpet cleaners offer different settings that affect the level of noise emitted, but this cleaner has a single, loud setting that can&#;t be adjusted. It&#;s also important to note that while some carpet cleaners simply click into place during setup, the ProHeat 2X requires the use of a screwdriver to attach the cord wrap. Despite these cons, we were impressed with how lightweight yet powerful this carpet cleaner was.

After using this carpet cleaner for two months, it has become an integral part of our cleaning routine. Our carpet, area rugs , and couch all look brighter and cleaner&#;and they even smell better, too. We found the scent to be a bit overpowering at first, but it went away after a few days.

The Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution carpet cleaner is great for pet owners, thanks to its included cleaning solution. This extra component was not only great for breaking down pet urine , but it also effectively masked the scent. Moreover, the standup machine&#;s hose and brush attachments made deep cleaning a breeze, allowing us to intensely scrub away wine and coffee stains with ease.

It produces a lot of noise, and since there&#;s only one setting, there&#;s no way to reduce the volume.

Although it weighs over 40 pounds, the wheels on this carpet cleaner make it easy to maneuver around the house. Thanks to its long extension cord, we were able to navigate areas without feeling tethered to an outlet. Additionally, the water tanks are easily accessible and simple to fill up and dump out. After two months of use, this machine is still performing up to par. The only main drawback we noticed with the carpet cleaner was the amount of noise it produced while in action. Its volume certainly isn&#;t piercing, but it was easy to hear from one room over.

Right from the start, we loved how simple the Bissell Big Pet Pro carpet cleaner was to set up. The instructions were incredibly intuitive, and it came with minimal parts, all of which easily locked into position. Once assembled, this upright did double duty by sucking up dirt and hair before tackling a myriad of stains including wine, coffee, and chocolate syrup. After a few passes and the use of the handy wet/dry attachment, the stains vanished and the carpet was as good as new.

Final Verdict

Whether cleaning up after pets or kids, it&#;s hard to beat the intense power and effectiveness of the Bissell Big Pet Pro Carpet Cleaner. It was easy to maneuver and cleaned a variety of stains on both carpets and tile with minimal hassle. However, for those who may be on a tighter budget, we do recommend the Hoover Pro Clean Pet Carpet Cleaner which is a master of removing coffee stains.

Our Testing Process

To compile our list, we put many carpet cleaners, upholstery cleaners, and upholstery sprays to the test in real-world scenarios to determine which products performed best. Yes: We poured red wine, spilled coffee, let mustard drip, tracked in dirt, and even put gooey chocolate sauce on fabric to determine which carpet and upholstery cleaning products effectively got the job done. 

We built and and set up each of the carpet cleaning devices with any included attachments, weighed them with and without clean water (which was filled to the recommended line), and used the manufacturer&#;s recommended detergent, if applicable. Each stain we created sat for 10 minutes, and we took before and after photos to see how well each device performed. We also took note of decibel levels while the carpet cleaners were in use, dumping dirty water tanks in between sessions. Throughout the testing process, we recorded how long it took to clean and paid close attention to how the stains changed, noting whether they became more faint, or in some cases, vanished. 

When it came to upholstery cleaners, we introduced mustard and marinara sauce into the testing arena and added rugs and cushions into the equation, too. We pitted the best cleaners&#;with all applicable attachments&#;against DIY solutions on leather and non-leather surfaces. We also took note of the amount of scrubbing needed to achieve successful results, how moist the cushions and rugs remained after the cleaning was finished, and any additional use of paper towels. 

Finally, the best upholstery sprays were tested against DIY solutions on red wine, dark soda, marinara, and mustard stains that were created on both leather and non-leather upholstery. Similar to the method used to test upholstery cleaners, we measured cleaning time, effectiveness, possible abrasion on furniture, and ease of use (i.e. how easy it was to switch between spray settings) to determine which products performed the best across these multiple categories. For long-term insights, we continued using each cleaner over an extended period, evaluating its performance after two an six months of use.

How to Shop for Carpet Cleaners Like a Pro

Type

The type of carpet cleaner you opt for will likely be determined by the amount of space and type of area(s) you plan on cleaning as well as how much power you want. &#;Upright carpet cleaners and portable, cordless carpet cleaners are not powerful enough for commercial cleaning&#;however, they are terrific tools for homeowners who want to deep clean their carpet periodically.&#; Baratta says. &#;If you mainly need something for spill or spot treatment, a small portable cleaner with heat is a good option, especially if you get one with a cord so you don&#;t have to worry about charging batteries.&#;

Tank Size

The larger the clean water and dirty tanks are in your selected carpet cleaner, the longer you will be able to clean without stopping to refill and dump. &#;If you have a lot of carpet in your home, small children, or pets, you may benefit from a carpet-cleaning machine with a larger tank due to the likelihood of stains and messes,&#; Christensen says. However, bear in mind that larger tanks will make the cleaner heavier and possibly more cumbersome to operate when full.

Features 

Most carpet cleaner features include a variety of cleaning settings that allow the unit to be used on different types of flooring and surfaces, alongside the ability to add a fresh scent behind while cleaning. Additionally, a low level of noise could end up being the most beloved feature of your carpet cleaner if you want to still carry a conversation or hear the TV while cleaning.

Attachments and Accessories

It's recommended that you purchase a carpet cleaner with attachments or accessories&#;like wands, extra hoses, brushes, and crevice tools&#;to tackle specific areas, surfaces, and messes. Even better, some devices include carpet cleaner solutions and/or formulas to pretreat tough food and liquid stains.

More Carpet Cleaners to Consider

Shark CarpetXpert Carpet Cleaner: This carpet cleaner from Shark can make wine stains disappear almost immediately, even before brushing them with the hand tool attachment or applying any suction action at all. Unfortunately, we found that the device's water tank does fill up quickly while in use. For small spaces, this may not be an issue, but for consumers with a lot of carpet to clean, it will require more frequent refills than other cleaners. Additionally, its 23-pound weight when filled with water made it difficult to move around, making it one of our least portable options.

Dirt Devil Portable Spot Compact Carpet Cleaner: This budget-friendly Dirt Devil device received excellent marks for its effectiveness and ease of use on stairs, upholstery, and small crevices that other vacuums (even ones with attachments) may struggle to reach. The device also has a gentle squeeze trigger that activates the cleaning solution spray while vacuuming to help clean tough stains. However, this exact feature ended up becoming its downfall during testing because it left behind too much moisture.

Questions You Might Ask

What is the difference between a carpet cleaner and a steam cleaner?

According to Baratta, carpet cleaners and steam cleaners both provide users with more powerful wiping and washing capabilities than a typical vacuum or mop, but steam cleaners primarily use heat while carpet cleaners don&#;t. &#;[A carpet cleaner] will often spray water or a cleaning solution onto a carpet and simultaneously vacuum the surface,&#; Baratta says. &#;Meanwhile steam cleaners [are composed of] several different types of machines, including vapor steam cleaners, pressure washers, and carpet extractors that also have heaters.&#;

Is a carpet cleaner worth buying?

&#;Those who have a constant need to deep clean large surface areas of carpet or deal with heavy soil or frequent spills may benefit from owning a carpet cleaner," Baratta says. Additionally, if you&#;re regularly dealing with heavy soil, pet stains, or frequent spills from soda, wine, or coffee, carpet cleaners have more power to eradicate these types of messes.

How much should you expect to pay for a carpet cleaner?

You can expect to pay anywhere from $100 to $500 for a carpet cleaner. However, the price will vary depending on the size, accessories, features, and included solutions. For example, if you&#;re eyeing a carpet cleaner that has multiple attachments or heavy-duty cleaning power, it may end up costing a lot more than one that&#;s a little smaller or lacks various bells and whistles. On the other hand, if you plan on using a carpet cleaner pretty frequently, it could pay for itself within a few uses when compared to the cost of renting similar equipment.

Take Our Word for It

This article was written by Jeff Bogle, a contributing writer for Real Simple with over a decade of experience writing lifestyle content for a variety of publications, and updated by Jamie Fischer, a commerce writer for Real Simple. To compile these recommendations, we tested a variety of carpet cleaners and spot cleaners on a variety of surfaces, spills, and stains. Each product was evaluated on ease of assembly, cleaning power, noise level, portability, and overall quality. For expert tips on how to choose the right carpet cleaner, we consulted Matthew Baratta, VP of operations at Daimer Industries, an industrial cleaning equipment company, and Aaron Christensen, resident cleaning expert at Homeaglow.

What Is Real Simple Selects?

Next to each product on this list, you may have noticed a Real Simple Selects seal of approval. Any product appearing alongside that seal has been vetted by our team&#;put through tests and graded on its performance to earn a spot on our list. Although we buy most of the products we test, sometimes we do get samples from companies if purchasing a product ourselves isn&#;t an option. All products go through the same rigorous process, whether they are purchased or sent by the company.

Love our recommendations? Check out more products that have earned the Real Simple Selects, from humidifiers to cordless vacuums.

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