Prepare to be wowed when you see all the dirt these mighty machines remove.
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A good vacuum cleaner or stick vac is the tool of choice to remove dust, pet hair, lint and food crumbs from your carpets, area rugs and upholstery — but simply vacuuming these soft household fabrics often isn't enough. Occasionally, they need wet cleaning to better tackle stains and ground-in dirt, and that's when it's time to put a good carpet cleaner to work. These appliances use a mix of water and a cleaning solution and suction to dissolve soil leaving fabrics cleaner and looking brighter.
To find the best carpet cleaners, the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care & Cleaning Lab uses each machine to clean a pre-soiled strips of white carpet, taking measurements before and after cleaning to determine each model's grime-removing ability. We also assess how long it takes for carpets to dry, how adept each machine is at removing fresh and dried stains, how easy each appliance is to use and more.
We've tested many Bissell carpet cleaners and found them to be effective, easy-to-use appliances and this model is no exception. In fact, it impressed us so much that it earned a spot in our Best Cleaning & Organizing Awards. What sets it apart is that it's the only "steam" cleaner we've seen that actually produces steam to clean and remove stains. And there's a quick-dry mode to help carpets dry fast (in less than 30 minutes in our tests).
This Bissell is easy to fill, empty and clean, and offers three cleaning settings. It easily steamed out mustard and wine stains from carpet and comes with two unique attachments: a pet hair tool for upholstery and a tough stain tool to tackle both wet and dry messes.
Other plusses include its 25-foot power cord, 8-foot hose and large water tank. At 31 pounds, some might find this model a bit heavy to maneuver, and while we did notice some light suds left behind on the backstroke, it all disappeared with a few passes.
Weight: 31 lbs | Cord length: 25 ft. | Attachments and extras: Pet hair upholstery tool, tough stain tool
We like how the Hoover automatically mixes the cleaning formula with the clean water in the tank, so there's no messy measuring. To clean, simply push the machine forward to dispense (no triggers to hold!) and pull it backward to suction out the dirty water and dry the carpet. Especially helpful is a "dry-only" mode that emits heat on the forward stroke to help carpets dry faster. The Hoover's 8-foot hose and 22-foot cord provide ample reach for cleaning stairs and upholstery, though both are shorter than those on some other full-size models we've tested.
Consumer testers rated this cleaner highly too with one sharing, "It apparently has better suction than my vacuum because I vacuumed thoroughly before using, and the cleaner still quickly filled up with dog fur, dust, carpet fibers and sand."
Weight: 20.5 lbs | Cord length: 22 ft. | Attachments and extras: Antimicrobial Rubber Nub Tool, 8-ft. hose, pre-treater wand
A full-size carpet cleaner can be more than you need for an occasional spot on the carpet or couch so owning a lightweight portable carpet cleaner is a practical solution. This Bissell model was our best overall pick in a recent test for stain and odor removal, sound, run time and more, outperforming the larger models we tested. It erased fresh and dried red wine and blueberry pie stains with ease, and we found it easy to set up, clean and store so it's ready to go when a spill happens. It was also among the quietest models we tested.
A built-in rotating brush gently agitates the carpet pile and works in Bissell's pre-mixed detergent solution for deep cleaning, but it can be switched off when tackling stains on delicate fabrics. A nubby rubber tool makes tackling pet messes easier and less messy. It has a 20-minute runtime, and the small tanks will likely need refilling if you're removing multiple stains, but it's a great option for homes with only a few stains to clean.
Weight: 4.4 lbs | Cord length: Cordless | Attachments and extras: Stationary pet tool
Bissell's Big Green is the most user-friendly professional-style carpet cleaner we've tested. It was easy to maneuver and to fill, carry and replace its 1.75-gallon tank. The spinning flow indicator was also extremely helpful in showing when cleaning solutions needed refilling. Despite appearing bulky, this model is user-friendly and has an adjustable, foldable handle for easier storage. Weighing in at over 40 pounds, it will take more than one person to carry it up and down the stairs.
In tests, the Bissell Big Green left our test carpets soft and not overly wet and with the extra-long 25-foot power cord we cleaned an entire carpeted room without stopping. The 9-foot hose and handheld stain tool are ideal for cleaning upholstery, along wall edges and stair treads.
Weight: 42 lbs | Cord length: 25 ft. | Attachments and extras: Tough stain tool, 9-ft. hose
Like the Tineco combo vacuum mops we've tested in the Good Housekeeping Cleaning Lab, this Smart One Carpet Cleaner works with an app and automatically adjusts the suction and water flow according to how much dirt it detects. Voice prompts tell you when to refill the clean water tank and empty the dirty one and the LED display indicates the cleaning mode, alerts you when the area you're working on is clean and more. Its built-in heater keeps the cleaning solution hot for optimal stain-fighting and helps dry carpets faster too.
In our tests, we found the Tineco cleaned very well and attaching the hose to go from cleaning carpet to upholstery is easy. At just 16.5 pounds, this model is lighter to maneuver than many other full-size cleaners and it's smaller footprint is easier to store, pull out and set up.
Weight: 16.5 lbs | Cord length: 21.3 ft. | Attachments and extras: Handheld tool, 8-ft. hose
We love the versatility of the Bissell CrossWave OmniForce — the wet/dry machine can vacuum up dry debris and pet hair, slurp up wet spills, wash bare floors and, unlike other vacuum mops, clean and freshen low pile area rugs. In tests, it left our dingy carpet panels noticeably brighter, though it doesn't aggressively clean deep-pile carpet as well as machines with rotating brushes and the dry dust cup is a bit small.
Overall, it's easy to use and has a cordless design that offers up to 30 minutes of runtime. We think it's a good pick for those with limited storage space too. The design is slim, plus it's easy to set up and break down and self-cleans when set back onto its caddy.
Weight: 15.57 lbs | Cord length: N/A | Attachments and extras: N/A
If pets are part of your family, you're likely already using a good enzyme cleaner to tackle pet stains by hand, but you may want to rethink this approach. This Rug Doctor portable cleaner stood out for doing the best job at removing fresh stains, old stains and ammonia odors in our tests. Its large tanks hold 64 ounces of cleaning solution so there's a lot less refilling and emptying during big or multi-room jobs than you would experience with smaller models.
Though heavy — especially when full — its retractable handle and large wheels make it easy to maneuver or wheel into a closet for storage. Place it either at the top or bottom of a staircase and with its 4-foot stretch hose, you'll likely be able to clean an entire flight. Another plus for homes with pets: The Rug Doctor's nozzle has rubberized bristles to grab hair while it's removing stains.
Weight: 18.9 lbs | Cord length: 15 ft. | Attachments and extras: Dual-action pet tool
At last count, the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care and Cleaning Lab has tested 20 full-size and portable carpet cleaners, 21 carpet stain removers, an assortment of upholstery cleaners and even several in-home professional carpet cleaning services. We evaluate carpet cleaning machines for how well they clean pre-soiled, dingy industry-standard white carpet test panels and how well they remove stains.
We take color measurements before we start, set up each cleaner according to the manufacturer's directions and run each machine over the dirty carpet for an identical number of passes. The carpet panel is weighed before and after cleaning to assess how much moisture each machine leaves behind. We note how long it takes the carpet to dry then remeasure the same locations to calculate how well the machine cleaned the carpet.
Portable machines are tested for how well they remove stains we've applied — like red wine and chocolate — from test carpet and upholstery swatches. Both fresh stains and set-in stains are treated with each portable machine, and we rate how well they remove odors — like ammonia— from the test swatches. Each model's user manual is also carefully reviewed.
Other features like the weight, included accessories, battery charge/runtime and noise level are rated and we also assess how easy the appliances are to assemble, use and store. We test any attachments on upholstered furniture or upholstery fabric swatches and often have consumer testers come into the Lab or send them models to test at home to give us feedback on how easy the machines are to use and maneuver.
Renting a carpet cleaning machine may sound convenient, but when you factor in the effort needed to pick up the appliance and drop it off, the cost of cleaning solution and the fact that the rented machine is probably quite used (i.e., not as efficient or clean as a new one may be), a better option may be to own one.
If you have frequent spills and pet accidents or a home full of carpeting that needs regular cleaning, owning a machine can be a time-, energy- and money-saving option in the long run. Plus, it will allow you to tackle stains and messes more quickly which ultimately means better care for your carpets. Keep these points in mind when shopping for a carpet cleaner:
✔️ Weight and maneuverability: Carpet cleaners are much heavier to carry and push and more cumbersome to use than traditional vacuum cleaners. Once you add water, they weigh even more. If your home has more than one level, carrying a heavy machine up and down the stairs is no easy task. Look for water tanks with wide openings that are easy to fill and that have large handles so they are easy to carry.
✔️ Footprint: Upright models require more storage space than portable or handheld models. If you don't have a lot of carpeting or mostly have only occasional stains to deal with, a compact model or even a handheld unit may be sufficient. For models with lots of attachments and long hoses, onboard storage is helpful as you'll be less likely to lose these attachments if they live right on the cleaner.
✔️ Special features: Most full-size machines have rotating brushes, a hose, a heater and attachments to clean upholstery, pet messes and small areas, plus small bottles of detergent to get you started. Built-in heaters are especially helpful because using hot or even warm water helps remove stains faster and more effectively than cold water — and they can help the carpet dry faster too. A long hose is a must for cleaning carpeted stairs and reaching under tight car seats. If you have delicate rugs at home, look for a model with rotating brushes that can be shut off or soft rollers to avoid damaging delicate rugs as you clean. Nice extras to have are targeted stain sprayers and models that self-clean or flush the hose and brushes with clear water to stay fresh and odor-free while stored. App connectivity is becoming more popular, but it's not an absolute must.
✔️ Warranty: Many manufacturers post this information on their websites, but a warranty between one and five years is the norm for most carpet cleaners. It's also important to note that if a manufacturer recommends a specific cleaning solution, using a different one can void your warranty. While you're at it, check your carpet's warranty to make sure you're not using a cleaning product that will void it.
Carpet cleaners work by dispensing a mixture of cleaning solution and water onto your carpet to dissolve dirt and stains while a rotating brush helps work the solution into the carpet fibers. The machine then suctions the solution and any dirt that is removed from the carpets into the dirty water tank. While carpet cleaners are often called "steam cleaners," this is a misnomer: Other than the Bissell HydroSteam, our Best Overall pick above, they don't work with steam but you can add hot water to the tank.
Carpet cleaners come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from portable models and canisters to uprights and even professional-style machines that mimic those you can rent. Most come with hoses and mini nozzles to more easily clean small areas like upholstery and stairs and all have two tanks — one you fill with clean water and detergent solution and one for the dirty water that gets pulled from the carpet.
Carpet manufacturers and the Carpet and Rug Institute recommend having your carpets professionally deep cleaned every 12 to 18 months. Some manufacturers even require it to uphold the carpet’s warranty. Professional cleaners use stronger, more powerful equipment than what you can buy or rent, plus they pretreat stains and can refresh and reapply the stain-repellent treatment your carpet likely came with when it was new. But owning a carpet cleaner — even a portable one — means you can do more frequent cleanings and tackle stains promptly so your carpets will look better longer.
With over 40 years of experience at the Good Housekeeping Institute, Carolyn Forté has tested hundreds of floor cleaning appliances including carpet cleaners, cordless stick vacuums, robot vacuums, steam mops and more as the executive director of the Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Lab. She tested most of the carpet cleaners featured in this guide and oversaw all of the portable and full-size carpet cleaner category tests conducted by our Lab analysts. Forté also serves as Second Vice-Chair and Consumer Information Chair of the ASTM F11 Committee that develops the industry test standards used by the manufacturers of carpet cleaning appliances.
Carolyn Forté brings more than 40 years of experience as a consumer products expert to her role as executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Lab. Using deep analytical testing and writing expertise in appliances, cleaning, textiles and organizational products, she produces cleaning and home care advice for GH, has authored numerous books and bookazines for the brand and partners with the American Cleaning Institute to co-produce the Discover Cleaning Summits. She holds a bachelor's degree in family and consumer sciences from Queens College, City University of New York.
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