The 9 Best Carpet Cleaners of 2024, Tested by Real Simple

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The 9 Best Carpet Cleaners of 2024, Tested by Real Simple

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.

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.

It expertly cleans everything, including pet hair, coffee stains, and spilled wine.

While not ear-splittingly loud, it does produce a fair amount of noise.

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.

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.

It comes with its own cleaning solution that effectively cleans up stains.

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

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.

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 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.

Both the clean and dirty water tanks require minimal refilling when handling large and small messes.

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

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.

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.

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.

Its pet upholstery attachment removed a significant amount of mess after a single pass.

Its soap and scrub feature can quickly drain the tank, leading to frequent refilling.

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.

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.

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.

It’s compact and doesn’t produce as much noise as other options.

It struggles with large messes due to its small tank capacity and its lack of heavy-duty power.

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.

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.

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

Better Homes & Gardens / Henry Wortock

It’s easy to maneuver and use in tight spots due to its light weight and various attachments.

It lacks wheels and struggles to effectively remove bright stains like mustard.

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.

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.

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.

It has a solid cord and hose length that can solidly lock into place for easy storage and transportation.

Its noise level while operating is very distracting.

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.

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.

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.

The bottle is very comfortable to hold, and switching from mist to spray is easy.

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

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.

Type: Pretreater, spot and stain remover | Volume: 22 ounces | Compatible Surfaces: Carpet and upholstery

It works really well as a car detail solution.

The scrubbing brush may be a little rough on delicate fabric.

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.

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.

Type: Cleaner | Volume: 19 ounces | Compatible Surfaces: Carpet, upholstery, leather, vinyl, and fabric

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

“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.

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.

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.

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.

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