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The Best Carpet Cleaners

Last updated on August 21, 2023

We looked at the top 19 Carpet Cleaners and dug through the reviews from 59 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Carpet Cleaners.

Best Carpet Cleaners

Our Review Process

Don't Waste Your Money is focused on helping you make the best purchasing decision. Our team of experts spends hundreds of hours analyzing, testing, and researching products so you don't have to. Learn more.

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Despite our best efforts, carpet inevitably becomes stained. Kids and pets, as well as plain old accidents, can leave your carpet in desperate need of a thorough cleaning. And let’s not forget the regular wear and tear of daily life.

Even if you don’t have a major carpet “emergency” on your hands, you’ll still need to do a thorough deep cleaning periodically to rid your carpet of the everyday dirt and grime that accumulates. You may not even realize how dingy your carpet has become until it’s been cleaned. The process can revitalize old carpet and make it look like new again. If you’ve been thinking about replacing your old grimy carpet, investing in a nice carpet cleaner may just change your mind and help you save some money.

MORE: The Best Vacuum for Carpets

It’s not just the improved appearance of your flooring that will inspire you. Certain types of messes can leave your carpet smelling less than fresh. Repeated pet accidents, in particular, can trap foul odors in your carpet that only vigorous machine cleaning can remove.

Carpet cleaning is also the most effective way to destroy the allergens and bacteria that your carpet harbors. Clean carpet can lay the foundation for an equally clean and healthy household.

MORE: The Best Carpet Deoderizer

Hiring a professional to clean your carpet is an option, but buying a machine to do it yourself can be the more cost-effective route in the long run. One factor that will determine how efficiently your device lifts embedded dirt is the size and power of the motor. For example, the BISSELL Turboclean Powerbrush Pet Carpet Cleaner has a four-row rotating power brush that makes it ideal for sucking up ground-in dirt.

Another factor to consider in buying a carpet cleaner is the tanks. Separate tanks for water and the cleaning solution will make for quicker and easier refilling, and the smaller the tank, the more you’ll have to stop to refill it.

You should also consider how heavy and cumbersome the machine is and weigh that against your home’s needs. If you need to bring it up and down several flights of stairs, for example, a lighter model. There are a few that weighs in at just over 3 pounds, which will make the job a lot easier.

MORE: The Best Carpet Stain Remover

Some models also offer versatility, as they can easily switch between an upright cleaner and a portable spot cleaner for extra-tough spots and stains.

Our Picks For The Top Carpet Cleaners

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Product Overview
Our Take
Pros
Cons
 Top Pick

Hoover PowerDash Pet FH50700 Fast Dry Carpet Cleaner

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Hoover

PowerDash Pet Fast Dry Carpet Cleaner

Designed specifically for homes with pets, this carpet cleaner vacuum works wonders for cleaning your carpet. It uses a special PowerSpin pet brush roll to clean with antimicrobial protection.

Overall Take

Lightweight and EffectiveThe carpet dries quickly thanks to this cleaner's special HeatForce power. It's also lightweight and easy to use.

Pros
" Highs: Cleaning performance was very good. - Drying performance was very good."
Cons
"There is no hose or other tools for cleaning furniture and stairs."
 Runner Up

Bissell CleanView Specialized Anti-Pet Fur Carpet Cleaner

Bissell

CleanView Specialized Anti-Pet Fur Carpet Cleaner

Banish pet hair and debris with this carpet cleaner, which features a special steering system that makes navigating around furniture a breeze.

Overall Take

Handy OptionYour carpet will be refreshed in no time, thanks to this user-friendly carpet cleaner.

Pros
" Performance wise, it cleaned carpet well due to its patented dual rotating power brushes and has a reasonably fast drying time of under 4 hours. At the same time, this product comes with an amazing 3-year limited warranty!When compared to..."
Cons
"It makes good use of space by separating clean water and solution from dirty water all within the same tank, but it was still heavy, bulky and hard to maneuver generally."
 Strong Contender

Bissell LittleGreen Stain Removing Carpet Cleaner

BISSELL

LittleGreen Stain Removing Carpet Cleaner

Here is a portable carpet cleaner that can crush small and large cleaning chores. Its powerful suction and cleaning spray work effectively on stains and tough spots. It can take on big jobs like carpeting, staircases and rugs, along with smaller spaces like car interiors and apartments. It also has a rinse tool attachment and removable water tank w...

Overall Take

Compact and Portable DeviceThis device can move from place to place with ease for versatile cleaning anywhere you need it.

Pros
" A recyclable machine and eco friendly. The tough stain tool is effective on tough stains. Great machine for pet owners."
 Also Great

Hoover Power Scrub Deluxe Lightweight Carpet Cleaner

Hoover

Power Scrub Deluxe Lightweight Carpet Cleaner

This vacuum and shampooer makes it easy to deep-clean your rugs. It has a spinning brush system that is strong enough to clean thoroughly, all while being gentle on your carpeting. It comes with an upholstery tool, a stair tool, an 8-foot hose and some carpeting cleaning solution. This powerhouse also weighs under 19 pounds.

Overall Take

Attacks the Toughest DirtFor a spotless home, use this carpet cleaner tool — it attacks dirt and messes with its powerful cleaners.

Pros
" Lightweight and 20 ft cord. Easy to use. Includes dual tanks, a rinse option, and hot air blowers for drying."
Cons
"Has some quality-control problems,"
Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
26

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the carpet cleaners available to purchase.
19

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

View All Product Rankings

59

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: BestReviews, Business Insider, Good Housekeeping, Woman's World, Service Master Restore.

243,901

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 19 Carpet Cleaners and also dug through the reviews from 59 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Carpet Cleaners.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

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What to Look For

  • Before the cleaning, you should conduct a quick pre-clean. Much like you wouldn’t leave your dirty clothes lying around before letting a professional cleaning team in, you’ll have to do a little legwork before you break out your carpet cleaning machine. First, vacuum your carpet as normal to pick up any surface debris. Think of it like sweeping your hard floors before you mop them.
  • Next, you’ll want to pre-treat any especially tough stains to give a little boost to the cleaner’s power. You can use a commercial solution, or there are a number of surprising substances you probably already have that can do the trick, depending on the type of stain. For example, club soda is great for beer and wine stains while dishwashing detergent works well on grease stains.
  • Make sure you move furniture out of the way before getting started. Some types of wood furniture can release dye into a wet carpet and stain it. The same goes for metal, which can leave rust stains. This will also make it much easier for you to keep track of where you’ve already vacuumed, as well as avoid stepping in areas you’ve just cleaned.
  • Give your carpet plenty of time to dry. How long that takes depends on the carpet’s thickness. Usually, it will take between four and six hours after cleaning before it’s fully dry and safe to walk on again.
  • When your carpet is dry, vacuum it again for a perfect finish.
  • Your carpet cleaner can pull double duty in a lot of cases. It’s not just your carpets that can be cleaned with the device. Some models come equipped with an eight-foot, ready-to-use hose and upholstery tool that can be used on furniture, stairs and other hard-to-reach spaces.
  • Don’t wait until your carpet is downright filthy to clean it. Think of it like going to the dentist. If you keep up with regular cleanings, you’ll get better results.
  • With that in mind, prevention can be the best medicine. No matter how tidy you are, your carpet will eventually need a deep clean. But you can reduce the frequency and effort you put in by taking steps to keep your carpet in the best shape possible in between cleanings. Just like you should brush and floss regularly between dentist visits, use good doormats at the entrances to your home, and consider asking people to remove their shoes before entering your home (including your kids!). You may also consider investing in some large area rugs, depending on the space.

Carpet Cleaners Rankings

1. Hoover PowerDash Pet FH50700 Fast Dry Carpet Cleaner

Overall Score: 9.6
Reviews Included: 7

3. Bissell LittleGreen Stain Removing Carpet Cleaner

Overall Score: 9.4
Reviews Included: 5

4. Hoover Power Scrub Deluxe Lightweight Carpet Cleaner

Overall Score: 9.3
Reviews Included: 5

5. BISSELL Turboclean Quick Stain Fighting Carpet Cleaner

Overall Score: 9.2
Reviews Included: 5

6. Hoover FH52000 Smartwash Upright Carpet Cleaner

Overall Score: 9.2
Reviews Included: 5

7. Bissell TurboClean Compact Two-Tank Carpet Cleaner

Overall Score: 9.1
Reviews Included: 10

9. Resolve Pet Expert Brushing Kit Carpet Cleaner

Overall Score: 9.0
Reviews Included: 3

10. BISSELL ProHeat Max Clean Anti-Odor Carpet Cleaner

Overall Score: 8.9
Reviews Included: 5

11. Rug Doctor Animal Compact Carpet Cleaner

Overall Score: 8.8
Reviews Included: 2

12. BISSELL Little Green ProHeat Portable Carpet Cleaner

Overall Score: 8.8
Reviews Included: 8

13. Shark NV501 Anti-Allergy Extended Reach Carpet Cleaner

Overall Score: 8.7
Reviews Included: 8

14. Bissell Big Green Pet Adjustable Handle Carpet Cleaner

Overall Score: 8.7
Reviews Included: 10

15. Vacmaster Professional Ultra Quiet Carpet Cleaner

Overall Score: 8.7
Reviews Included: 1

17. Rug Doctor Mighty Pro X3 Triple Action Carpet Cleaner

Overall Score: 8.6
Reviews Included: 10

18. OxiClean Stain Remover Liquid Carpet Cleaner

Overall Score: 8.6
Reviews Included: 1

More to Explore

William Sprague started the first woven carpet mill in Philadelphia in 1791.  The next big innovation in carpet came in 1839 when Erastus Bigelow invented the power loom for weaving carpets, which tripled carpet production by 1850.

Over the next century and beyond, carpet underwent a number of changes and waxed and waned in its overall popularity. The style of carpet that was “in” at any given time also changed (shag carpet on the ’70s, anyone?).  In the 1950s and ’60s, the wide availability of synthetic fiber carpet made it the flooring of choice in homes across the country, just as suburban sprawl was taking hold.

Carpet continued growing in popularity for generations until an inevitable “backlash” came from those who grew up with wall-to-wall carpeting and preferred hardwood floors once they were adults with their own homes. Today, people remain fiercely divided on whether carpet or hardwood is the best flooring option at home.

One thing that’s always in style? Clean carpet. In addition to everyday dirt and grime, you may be surprised that your carpet may also be hiding bugs, mold, skin flakes, pollen, pet waste and tons of germs. Yuck! Ready to get that carpet cleaner yet?

More to explore