Prepare to be amazed by how much dirt these powerful machines can lift.
While a good vacuum is great for picking up dust, pet hair, and crumbs, it isn’t always enough. Every so often, your carpets need a deeper clean. That’s where a reliable carpet cleaner comes in.
These machines use water, cleaning solution, and strong suction to lift embedded dirt and refresh fibers. The result? A cleaner, brighter carpet that feels like new.
We put multiple carpet cleaners to the test. We looked at how well each model cleaned pre-soiled carpets, how fast they dried, and how easy they were to use. Below are the three that impressed us the most.
1. Bissell Revolution HydroSteam Carpet Cleaner (Best Overall)
This Bissell model impressed us across the board. It even made our list of top-rated cleaning products. What sets it apart is the real steam function, which helps break down tough stains. It also features a quick-dry mode that, in our tests, dried carpets in under 30 minutes.
We found it easy to fill, empty, and clean. It includes three cleaning modes and attachments for both pet hair and stubborn stains. A 25-foot cord and 8-foot hose provide good reach, and its large tank means fewer refills. However, it weighs 31 pounds, and we did notice some suds left behind, which cleared after a few extra passes.
Weight: 31 lbs
Cord length: 25 ft.
Extras: Pet hair tool, tough stain tool
2. Hoover SmartWash Pet Carpet Cleaner (Best Value)
This model is a great choice for anyone who wants simplicity and performance. The Hoover SmartWash automatically mixes water and cleaning solution, so there’s no need to guess. Just push forward to clean and pull back to dry.
It also has a “dry-only” mode that uses heat to speed up drying time. With an 8-foot hose and 22-foot cord, it offers good range for stairs and upholstery. Testers loved how it pulled up hidden debris—even after vacuuming.
Weight: 20.5 lbs
Cord length: 22 ft.
Extras: Antimicrobial Rubber Nub Tool, hose, pre-treater wand
3. Bissell Stain Eraser PowerBrush Plus (Best Portable)
If you only need to clean small messes, a portable option may be your best bet. This cordless model stood out in our testing. It easily handled fresh and set-in stains like red wine and blueberry pie. We also appreciated how quiet and lightweight it was.
Its built-in rotating brush agitates fibers for deeper cleaning, and you can switch it off for delicate fabrics. The small tanks and 20-minute runtime are best for spot cleaning. Still, it’s perfect for households that need a quick, effective solution for occasional messes.
Weight: 4.4 lbs
Cord length: Cordless
Extras: Stationary pet tool
“If you’re looking for a reliable carpet cleaner, any of these three models will get the job done.”
Whether you need full-sized power or a compact spot cleaner, each of these options balances cleaning performance with ease of use. Consider your space, needs, and budget to choose the best fit.