Best Carpet Cleaner: How to Choose the Right One

Finding the “best carpet cleaner” isn’t a simple answer that works for everyone. The right choice depends on your specific situation, the kinds of messes you have, and your budget. Are you dealing with tough pet smells, or just needing to tidy up areas with lots of foot traffic? Do you want something quick for spots, or do you need a deep, full-room clean? The perfect carpet cleaner for you should get rid of dirt, stains, and smells, leaving your carpets cleaner and fresher. This guide covers how carpet cleaners work, top models for different needs, and important tips to help you choose the right one for your home.

What Is a Carpet Cleaner and How Does It Work?

A carpet cleaner is a machine designed to clean your carpets far better than a regular vacuum. While vacuums remove dry dirt and dust, carpet cleaners go deeper to wash out ground-in grime, sticky stains, and odors. These machines spray a mix of water and cleaning solution onto your carpet, scrub the fibers with brushes, and then suck up the dirty water with strong suction. This process removes dirt and cleaning solution, making your carpet look better and helping it dry faster than you might expect from using water.

The process works in three main steps. First, the cleaning solution soaks into the carpet and loosens tough dirt and stains. Next, the brushes scrub the fibers to break everything up. Finally, the machine’s suction pulls all the dirt, debris, and liquid into a tank, leaving the carpet cleaner and less damp. This method removes visible dirt along with odors and allergens from deep inside the carpet.

What types of carpet cleaners are available?

There are several main types of carpet cleaners to choose from. Upright carpet cleaners look like upright vacuums and are best for cleaning whole rooms. Many have extra tools for cleaning stairs or fabric furniture. Portable spot cleaners are much smaller and can be handheld. These are great for quick cleanups-small spills, pet messes, or stains-without needing to use a large machine. Some new models even clean themselves after use.

There are also professional-style carpet cleaners for sale or rent. These are more powerful and can handle big jobs or very dirty rooms. They cost more and are bigger and heavier but do a great job if you need a deep clean.

How do carpet cleaners remove stains and odors?

Carpet cleaners remove stains and odors using a mix of cleaning solutions (sometimes with special enzymes or oxygen boosters) to break down stains at a chemical level. For pet odors, enzyme cleaners eat away the bacteria that cause the smell. After the solution sits and does its job, the carpet cleaner scrubs the spot and sucks up everything-including any dissolved odor-causing material. This not only removes stains but helps prevent lingering smells and new dirt from sticking to damp fibers.

Key Things to Think About When Picking the Best Carpet Cleaner

Picking the best carpet cleaner can feel confusing with so many options. To keep things simple, just focus on what matters most for your home and cleaning routine. These factors help you pick a machine that fits your needs and avoids becoming another unused gadget in your closet.

Carpet type compatibility

Before you look at extra features, make sure the cleaner is safe for your carpet. Almost all machines work on common carpet types like nylon, polyester, and most natural fibers, but delicate or older carpets might need special attention. Always read both the carpet cleaner and your carpet’s guidelines, and test a small spot first to avoid damage.

Stain and odor removal power

This is one of the most important things, especially if you have pets or kids. A good carpet cleaner should handle tough stains like red wine, chocolate, ketchup, and even ink, plus stubborn smells like pet urine or a musty dog smell. Look for machines with heated cleaning, strong suction, and cleaning solutions made for deep stain and odor removal. Features like a pre-steam treatment can help lift odors and stains before the main cleaning, making a big difference.

Ease of use and cleaning speed

The best carpet cleaner is one you don’t mind using! Consider how simple it is to set up, fill, empty, and move around. Easy controls and big water tanks are helpful, as are features that add cleaning solution automatically. Some machines also help your carpets dry faster so you can use the room sooner. If a machine looks complicated or heavy, consider an easier model.

Weight, portability, and storage

If you have stairs, lots of rooms, or need to clean furniture, a lighter, easier-to-carry model will help. Upright carpet cleaners can vary a lot in weight, so check before buying. Also, consider where you’ll keep it-some are bulky, but smaller spot cleaners store easily. Extras like a drip tray can help avoid leaks.

Noise levels during operation

Carpet cleaners are loud, but some are quieter than others. If you’re sensitive to noise or have kids who nap, check the decibel (dB) level. Quiet machines are easier to use for long periods or large rooms.

Attachments and special features

Many carpet cleaners come with tools for furniture, stairs, and tight spaces. Some have different cleaning modes-like “deep clean” or “quick dry”-and self-cleaning cycles for easier maintenance. Think about what you need to clean most often and whether these tools would help you.

How We Test and Rate the Best Carpet Cleaners

To find the best carpet cleaners, we run every machine through real-life messes and tough conditions. We look beyond the listed features and see how each machine performs with difficult stains, pet odors, and user needs. Here’s how we test and rate them:

Stain and odor removal tests

We put stains like chocolate, ketchup, red wine, and marker on white carpet samples and let them sit. Each carpet cleaner then goes over the stains twenty times at its highest setting. After drying, we check how well the stains disappeared. The Tineco Carpet One Cruiser and Bissell Revolution HydroSteam both do very well here.

For odor, we use wolf urine (similar to dog urine in smell) on carpet, then test each machine with special pet modes and solutions. Once dry, we use a “sniff test,” comparing carpets side-by-side. The Bissell Revolution HydroSteam stands out for removing even tough pet odors. We also allow pet odors to build up on a carpet for a month to check how well each cleaner removes general “dog smell.”

Carpet drying time

To test drying time, we step on colored paper after cleaning. If the paper is wet, the carpet is still damp. The Hoover SmartWash+ FlexForce usually dries carpets the quickest in our tests.

Handling of pet messes

Since many buyers want to clean up after pets, we check how well each machine removes pet stains, odors, hair, and dander. We look for cleaners that leave no trace behind, not just on the surface.

Noise measurement and user experience

We measure how loud each machine is (using a decibel meter app), as quieter models are better for homes with kids, pets, or those easily bothered by noise. We also look at how easy it is to build, use, move, fill, empty, and store each one. The Tineco Carpet One Cruiser is the quietest, while the Bissell Revolution HydroSteam is effective but louder.

Best Carpet Cleaners in 2024

In 2024, there are several excellent carpet cleaners available with new features that make cleaning easier and more effective. Here are the top picks based on our tests and user experience:

Best overall carpet cleaner

Bissell Revolution HydroSteam is our top pick for its cleaning power and ability to remove strong odors, especially from pets. Its special pre-steam function helps loosen even the toughest dirt and smells.

Best carpet cleaner for pet stains and odors

The Bissell Revolution HydroSteam is also the best for tackling pet messes. It stands out for handling pet urine and odors other cleaners struggle with. Its strong suction and pet cleaning features make it a favorite for homes with animals.

Best value carpet cleaner

If you want solid performance at a good price, go with Bissell Revolution Pet ProHeat 2X. It may not have all the newest features, but it cleans well-especially for usual stains and foot traffic. It’s also lighter and easy to use.

Best portable carpet cleaner

Portable models like the Bissell Little Green are best for quick spot cleaning, pet messes, and spills. They’re compact, handy, and easy to grab when you need a fast fix for a small area.

Best upright carpet cleaner

Hoover SmartWash+ FlexForce stands out for being easy to use and for quick carpet drying. It adds solution automatically, needs no mixing, and usually lets you clean a room on a single tank. Dry-only mode helps speed up drying.

Best professional-grade carpet cleaner

Tineco Carpet One Cruiser is best for those wanting almost-professional results at home. It features AI that senses how much power is needed, Wi-Fi, and a gentle push-assist. It’s quiet, cleans deeply, and adjusts automatically.

Pros

• Bissell Revolution HydroSteam: Best for pet odors, great stain removal, long cord, self-cleaning mode, pre-steam cleaning, big tanks.
• Tineco Carpet One Cruiser: Best for tough stains, quiet operation, dries carpets quickly, easy push-assist, smart sensors, self-cleaning, powerful cleaning.
• Bissell Revolution Pet ProHeat 2X: Lightweight, quieter than some, ideal for typical stains, good value.
• Hoover SmartWash+ FlexForce: Fast drying, automatic mixing, large tanks, good for regular cleaning and busy areas.

Cons

• Bissell Revolution HydroSteam: Heaviest machine (22.5 lbs), sticky pedal, loud, not great if you need to carry upstairs.
• Tineco Carpet One Cruiser: Expensive, small water tanks, gets heavy when full, doesn’t allow you to turn off smart features.
• Bissell Revolution Pet ProHeat 2X: No self-cleaning mode, no drip tray, just okay at very tough stains and smells.
• Hoover SmartWash+ FlexForce: Short cord, loudest model, just average for tough stains or pet odors.

Key features and specifications

• Bissell Revolution HydroSteam: 25′ cord, 22.5 lbs, storage tray, self-cleaning, hose attachments, 1 gal dirty/clean water tanks, heated cleaning, 80.1 dB noise.
• Tineco Carpet One Cruiser: 21.3′ cord, 22 lbs, storage tray, self-cleaning, hose attachments, 0.4 gal dirty, 0.5 gal clean tanks, heated cleaning, 76.8 dB noise.
• Bissell Revolution Pet ProHeat 2X: 22′ cord, 17.5 lbs, no storage tray, no self-cleaning, hose attachments, 0.4 gal dirty, 1 gal clean tanks, heated cleaning, 80.1 dB noise.
• Hoover SmartWash+ FlexForce: 22′ cord, 18.5 lbs, no storage tray, no self-cleaning, hose attachments, 0.5 gal dirty, 1 gal clean tanks, heated cleaning, 82.2 dB noise.

Comparing Top Carpet Cleaner Brands

Major carpet cleaner brands like Bissell, Hoover, Shark, and Rug Doctor are well-known for their quality machines. Each has its own strengths worth comparing when picking a cleaner that fits your needs.

Bissell vs. Hoover: Which cleans better?

Bissell and Hoover are the main choices for home carpet cleaning. Both offer a wide range of models and handy features for pet messes. Bissell usually cleans better, especially for pet odors, thanks to features like pre-steam cleaning. Hoover is strong on user-friendly machines-for example, the Hoover SmartWash+ makes cleaning easy and dries carpets quickly. Bissell is best if you need strong pet odor removal, but Hoover is better for general cleaning and simplicity.

How does Shark compare to other brands?

Shark is better known for vacuums, but its carpet cleaners, like the Shark CarpetXpert, also offer good cleaning and easy-to-use designs. Shark models have strong suction and focus on easy handling. They’re usually priced competitively but would need direct testing against Bissell and Hoover for hard stains and odors to see how they compare.

Are Rug Doctor machines worth it?

Rug Doctor machines, which are often rented out, are powerful and good for deep cleaning large or very dirty areas. Renting one costs about $40 daily, plus the cleaning solution. This is cheaper than hiring professionals and good for a deep clean once or twice a year. For regular use, you can also buy models, but they are heavier and need more storage. Rug Doctor is worth it if you need serious deep cleaning or want to save money on occasional big jobs.

Should You Rent, Buy, or Hire a Professional Carpet Cleaner?

Deciding whether to rent, buy, or hire professionals depends on your budget, how often you clean, and how much work you want to do yourself. Each option has its own pros, cons, and costs.

When should you rent a carpet cleaner?

Rent a carpet cleaner if you don’t need to clean carpets often and have little storage space. Renting usually costs less than $60 (including solution) for a day-good for spring and fall cleaning, special events, or big spills. It’s the best budget choice for once or twice a year cleaning.

Who should buy a machine?

Buy a machine if you’ll clean carpets often-like if you have pets, kids, or heavy foot traffic. The first cost is higher (usually $140-$240 for a good one, plus $19 for solution), but after that, cleanings cost only the solution. It’s convenient for cleaning up messes right away and saves money if you clean often.

Pros and cons of professional carpet cleaning services

Professional services bring heavy-duty machines and do all the work, even moving your furniture. They know how to treat different carpet types and use powerful equipment that removes deep-down grime. However, cleaning a house professionally costs much more-usually $400-$700 for a few rooms and rugs. It’s good for yearly deep cleans or when you move in or out, but not for frequent small cleaning jobs.

Cost breakdown and what makes sense for you

• Renting: Less than $60 per use (for machine and cleaning solution).
• Buying: Higher at first, but becomes cheaper with every use-just pay for solution after your first cleaning.
• Hiring: $400-$700 per job, depending on the size and location.

If you seldom clean, renting is cheapest. If you clean a lot, buying pays off quickly. Hire pros if you want the deepest clean or have major stains you can’t handle yourself. You can often find sales on carpet cleaners in April, May, and December.

How to Use a Carpet Cleaner Properly

Owning or renting a carpet cleaner is part of the equation-using it the right way gives you far better results. With some easy steps, your carpets can look fresh and last longer.

Steps for effective carpet cleaning

1. Prepare the area: Start by vacuuming up dirt and dust. Move furniture or protect it with covers to avoid water damage.
2. Pre-treat stains: Spray a spot cleaner on tough stains and let it sit 5-10 minutes before cleaning the whole area.
3. Fill water and cleaning solution: Use hot water and the right amount of cleaning solution for your machine. Don’t overdo it, or you could leave sticky residue.
4. Start cleaning: Clean a section farthest from the door and work backward. Go slowly and overlap your passes. Often, you spray going forward and suction as you pull back.
5. Focus on suction: After cleaning, make a few dry passes to get up as much water as possible. This helps your carpet dry faster.
6. Empty and rinse tanks: Watch the dirty-water tank and empty it as needed. Rinse the tank out after each use to stop smells.
7. Let carpets dry: Allow several hours for carpets to dry before walking on them or putting furniture back. Fans and open windows can speed it up.

Safe carpet cleaning for different rugs and carpets

Most carpet cleaners are safe for regular carpets, but wool, silk, or older rugs may need special care. Always read care instructions and do a spot test first. If you have more than one type of carpet at home, check if your cleaner works for all or use a different method for fragile areas.

How to care for your carpet cleaning machine

• After every use: Empty and rinse the dirty water tank. Let it dry to prevent mold or bad smells. Remove any hair from the wheels.
• Weekly/after a few uses: Clean the brush rolls and wipe the outside of the machine. Remove any tangled hair or fibers.
• Monthly/heavy use: Clean hoses and attachments; flush with clean water. If the machine doesn’t clean itself, give it a deeper clean as the manual suggests. Check for pet hair that might block things up.

Doing this keeps your machine in good shape and ready for next time.

Carpet Cleaner FAQ

Here are answers to some common questions people have about carpet cleaners and how they’re used.

Can all carpet cleaners be used on every carpet type?

Most can, but some carpets-especially those made of wool, silk, or certain antiques-may not be safe with standard machines. Always read your carpet and machine manuals, and test a small area before doing the whole room.

How often should you deep clean your carpets?

Deep clean once or twice a year for regular homes. Homes with pets, kids, or lots of visitors should do it every 3-4 months. Vacuum regularly in between for best results.

Can carpet cleaning help with allergies?

Yes. Carpets trap allergens like dust, pollen, and pet dander. Deep cleaning removes these, raising air quality and helping those with allergies or asthma. Regular cleaning also stops germs from building up.

Are carpet cleaning solutions all the same?

No. Always use the brand and type of solution made for your machine. Using the wrong solution may void warranties, damage your machine, or leave residue. Some brands, like Resolve, make solutions safe for many popular machines, but check your manual first.

What’s the best way to clean up pet stains?

1. Act fast: Blot up as much as you can right away with towels-don’t rub.
2. Use an enzyme cleaner: Spray on a pet-specific enzyme solution. This breaks down pet messes and odors at the source.
3. Let it sit: Give the cleaner at least 10-15 minutes to work.
4. Clean and extract: Clean the spot with your carpet cleaner, making several passes to remove everything.
5. Repeat if needed: For old or tough stains, do it again until the smell is gone.
6. Consider a pet-friendly machine: Machines like the Bissell Revolution HydroSteam are made for homes with pets and handle tough stains and smells well.