10 Best Carpet Cleaners 2025 in the United States

The Bissell Little Green Mini is a compact, portable carpet and upholstery cleaner ideal for quick spot cleaning on carpets, car interiors, pet beds, and upholstery. It offers solid cleaning power to handle spills, pet stains, and embedded dirt with its 4" Tough Stain Tool and a self-cleaning HydroRinse hose, which helps keep the machine in good shape with less hassle.

The water tank holds about 16 ounces, so it’s best for smaller jobs, not large room cleaning. Weighing 7 pounds, it’s lightweight and easy to carry around, fitting comfortably in small storage spaces. It runs on corded power with one cleaning setting, keeping things simple but limiting flexibility for tougher messes.

Drying time should be expected to be moderate, typical for this size device. Maintenance is straightforward thanks to the self-cleaning tool and removable parts. For those seeking a portable cleaner mainly for spot treatments, cars, or upholstery, this Bissell model is practical, easy to use, and effective, although it might not be the best choice for deep cleaning large carpets or heavy-duty use due to its small tank and single power level.

The Hoover Powerscrub XL Pet Carpet Cleaner is a solid choice for pet owners and anyone needing a deep-cleaning carpet machine. It has a decent 0.8-gallon tank, which allows for longer cleaning sessions without frequent refills or emptying, thanks in part to its TruMAX recovery tank technology. The five counter-rotating SpinScrub brushes work well to lift tough stains, making it more effective than cleaners with fewer brushes. Its HeatForce feature helps speed up drying time, so carpets don’t stay wet for long.

Weighing about 27 pounds, it’s on the heavier side for a carpet cleaner, which might make it less convenient to carry around or use on stairs, but its upright design and included 8-foot hose with specialized pet and upholstery tools add versatility around the home. The machine’s Auto Mix feature takes the guesswork out of mixing cleaning solution, ensuring good results without extra effort. Maintenance is fairly straightforward, with easy-to-clean brushes and a nozzle cleanout tool included.

With strong stain-fighting ability, pet-specific tools, and faster drying time, it serves as an excellent option for homes with pets, though its weight might be a drawback for frequent heavy-duty use or for those needing a lighter machine.

The Shark StainStriker Portable Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner is a lightweight and compact machine weighing just under 9 pounds, making it easy to carry and store. It features a modest tank capacity of about 40.5 ounces, which suits quick spot cleaning and smaller areas rather than whole-room deep cleans. The included small tools optimize its use for detailed work on upholstery, car interiors, stairs, and spot stains rather than large carpeted zones.

This model uses a dual-activated cleaning formula and strong suction that is especially effective at removing tough stains and odors, including pet messes, making it ideal for pet owners or households dealing with stubborn spots. One standout feature is the onboard self-cleaning system that rinses the tool and hose quickly without extra attachments, simplifying maintenance.

It comes with two cleaning tools and two specialized cleaning solutions. This cleaner is best suited for those needing a portable, easy-to-use spot cleaner for targeted stain removal rather than a heavy-duty carpet cleaner intended for large floor areas.