10 Best Handheld Carpet Cleaners 2025 in the United States

The Bissell Little Green Mini is a lightweight, portable carpet and upholstery cleaner ideal for quick spot cleaning and small messes around your home, car, or pet areas. Weighing just 7 pounds, it’s easy to carry and store, making it a good choice if you need a handy cleaner that doesn’t take up much space. Its 16-ounce tank is on the smaller side, so while it works well for targeted cleaning tasks, you might need to refill it frequently during bigger jobs.

Powered by a corded electric source, you won’t have to worry about battery life, but your cleaning range depends on the length of the power cord. The cleaner includes useful tools like a 4-inch tough stain attachment and a HydroRinse self-cleaning hose that helps keep the machine fresh and simple to maintain. It also uses a special cleaning formula designed to remove tough stains and odors, which is helpful if you have pets or kids.

The suction power is effective for removing dirt embedded in upholstery and carpets, but it’s meant for spot cleaning rather than deep, large-area jobs. The included accessories add versatility, allowing you to clean various surfaces beyond carpets, such as car seats and pet beds. Maintenance is straightforward thanks to the self-cleaning feature, which saves time and effort. If you want a handheld cleaner that’s easy to store and handles everyday stains quickly, this Bissell model fits well. However, for larger cleaning tasks or cordless convenience, another option might suit better. Its focus on portability, simple upkeep, and pet stain removal makes it especially appealing for pet owners and car enthusiasts.

The BISSELL Little Green Multi-Purpose Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner is a solid choice for anyone looking to tackle tough stains and odors effectively, especially pet owners. One of its standout features is the powerful suction, which excels at removing stubborn spots from various surfaces, including carpets, upholstery, and car interiors. With a large 48 oz. tank capacity, it allows for extended cleaning sessions without frequent refills, a definite plus for bigger jobs.

Portability is another strength, as its lightweight and handheld design make it easy to maneuver around your home or vehicle. The included attachments, like the HydroRinse Self-Cleaning Tool and Tough Stain Tool, add versatility and enhance its cleaning capabilities. Additionally, the compatibility with BISSELL’s Spot & Stain formula, which includes Febreze for freshness, is a nice touch for ensuring thorough cleaning.

On the flip side, being corded can limit mobility to a certain extent, as you'll need to stay near an outlet while using it. Weighing in at about 9.65 pounds, while not overly heavy, it could be cumbersome for some users during prolonged cleaning sessions. The maintenance does require some effort, as you’ll need to clean the HydroRinse tool after each use to maintain its performance. This carpet cleaner is well-suited for anyone looking for a dependable, portable cleaning companion.

The BISSELL® Little Green® Max Pet SmartMix is a portable carpet and upholstery cleaner designed for pet owners. It features SmartMix Technology, enabling effective cleaning solutions for tough stains and pet hair removal. Weighing 8.2 pounds, it is relatively lightweight and easy to move around, which is great for portability.

However, it is a corded electric model, meaning you'll need to be near a power outlet for operation, which might limit its range a bit compared to cordless models. The tank capacity isn't specified, but given its portable nature, it's likely adequate for small to medium-sized cleaning tasks without being too cumbersome.

The self-cleaning Tough Stain Tool and Pet Hair Removal Tool are valuable attachments that enhance its cleaning capabilities, particularly for pet owners. Maintenance seems straightforward, with no batteries required and minimal assembly needed. This cleaner is well-suited for pet owners looking for a portable and effective solution to manage stains and pet hair on carpets and upholstery. Its corded nature might be a drawback for those needing more mobility, but its useful attachments make it a strong contender in the handheld carpet cleaner category.