Best of
The Best Carpet Cleaners (2026)
The best carpet cleaners of 2026: Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro Plus, Shark CarpetXpert, Hoover PowerScrub, CleanSlate, and more, compared on scrubbing, tanks, and drying.
Our top picks at a glance
Best overall
Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro, 1986Pet-owning households with wall-to-wall carpet who want one upright that handles rooms, stairs, and sofa cushions.
Best upgraded upright
Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro Plus, 3588FHouseholds that clean carpets often and want rooms back in use sooner, with dedicated tools for pet upholstery and stubborn spots.
Best Shark upright
Shark CarpetXpert, EX201Homes that want one machine for carpets, rugs, and upholstery, with a dedicated handheld tool for fresh stains.
For most carpeted homes, the Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro Plus is the pick: thorough brush scrubbing, heated cleaning, and a faster-drying finish. Smaller pet homes should buy the Hoover PowerDash Pet Plus, and anyone who mainly chases spills should buy the Hoover CleanSlate Plus and skip the upright altogether. The Bissell Little Green ProHeat is the budget spot cleaner that earns a place in almost any home.
The picks, ranked
Best overall
Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro, 1986
The established pet-home upright: twin brush rolls, heated cleaning, and a hose tool for stairs and upholstery.
Strengths
- The Dual DirtLifter PowerBrushes work solution deep into the pile rather than skimming the surface, which is what lifts ground-in dirt from busy walkways.
- HeatWave technology helps maintain the temperature of the cleaning solution during use, so the wash stays effective across a whole room rather than cooling off halfway through.
- The included hose and stair tool extend the machine beyond floors, letting one purchase cover carpeted stairs and upholstery as well as open carpet.
Limitations
- It is a full-size upright in weight and footprint, so storage needs a proper cupboard and carrying it upstairs is a deliberate job.
- Tanks need emptying and rinsing after use, and skipping that chore leaves stale solution and odour in the machine.
- The machine only earns its keep with regular use, so a home with a single small rug may find a portable cleaner the wiser buy.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Owners praise how thoroughly the twin brushes lift dullness from busy walkways
- Owners like that heated cleaning keeps the wash effective across a whole room
- Owners value the hose and stair tool for covering steps and sofas with the same machine
Common complaints
- Owners find the upright heavy to carry upstairs and awkward to store in small homes
- Owners dislike having to rinse tanks and brushes after every clean to avoid stale smells
- Owners note that a single small rug does not justify a machine of this size
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Type | Full-size upright carpet cleaner |
|---|---|
| Brush system | Dual DirtLifter PowerBrushes |
| Heat | HeatWave technology to maintain solution temperature |
| Tools | Hose and stair tool included |
| Best for | Whole-room deep cleaning in pet homes |
Best for: Pet-owning households with wall-to-wall carpet who want one upright that handles rooms, stairs, and sofa cushions.
Skip if: You live mostly on hard floors, you want a machine light enough to carry upstairs daily, or you only ever clean single spots.
Best upgraded upright
Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro Plus, 3588F
The upgraded Revolution: the same deep-cleaning formula, with a faster-drying finish and extra pet tools in the box.
Strengths
- The updated design is built around a faster drying finish, so cleaned rooms return to normal use sooner than with the older Revolution.
- Dual DirtLifter PowerBrushes give the same thorough scrubbing action as the original, which matters on high-traffic carpet that has dulled over time.
- The included pet upholstery tool and tough stain tool mean sofas and localised pet messes are covered without buying extra attachments.
Limitations
- It remains a full-size upright, so it needs cupboard space and a firm grip on stairs.
- The premium over the original Revolution buys drying speed and tools, not a different cleaning principle, so occasional cleaners may not feel the difference.
- As with every carpet washer, tanks and brushes need rinsing after use to keep the machine fresh.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Owners appreciate rooms returning to use sooner after cleaning thanks to the faster-drying finish
- Owners say the pet upholstery tool makes sofa cleaning feel properly equipped rather than improvised
- Owners report that ground-in dirt in hallways visibly lightens after a thorough pass
Common complaints
- Owners feel the premium over the original Revolution is hard to notice on occasional cleans
- Owners complain that the full-size body still demands proper cupboard space
- Owners mention that brush and tank rinsing after each use takes longer than expected
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Type | Full-size upright carpet cleaner |
|---|---|
| Brush system | Dual DirtLifter PowerBrushes |
| Drying | Faster-drying finish than the original Revolution |
| Tools | Hose, pet upholstery tool, and tough stain tool |
| Best for | Frequent whole-room cleaning in pet homes |
Best for: Households that clean carpets often and want rooms back in use sooner, with dedicated tools for pet upholstery and stubborn spots.
Skip if: You want the lowest-priced Revolution, you have little carpet, or you prefer a lighter, more compact machine.
Best Shark upright
Shark CarpetXpert, EX201
The Shark upright with a handheld stain eliminator built in: floors first, spot treatment without a second machine.
Strengths
- The StainStriker handheld tool applies solution and lifts stains on the spot, so fresh spills are treated immediately rather than waiting for a whole-room clean.
- It cleans carpet, area rugs, and upholstery from one machine, which keeps a mixed-floor home to a single purchase.
- Three cleaning tools in the box cover stairs, edges, and pet messes without extra purchases.
Limitations
- The upright body still needs proper storage space, and it is not a substitute for a small portable cleaner in a car.
- Owners moving from a Bissell or Hoover need to learn Shark's own solution and tool system, since formulas are not interchangeable in practice.
- The handheld stain tool is a bonus, not a full portable cleaner, so long hose work on far stairs is less comfortable than with a dedicated spot machine.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Owners love treating a fresh spill at once with the handheld stain tool instead of waiting for a room clean
- Owners find one machine covering rugs, carpet, and upholstery keeps the cupboard simpler
- Owners say the included tools make edges and pet areas easier to reach
Common complaints
- Owners find the handheld tool less comfortable than a true portable for long stair work
- Owners note that learning Shark's own solution range takes a first clean to get used to
- Owners feel the upright still needs a proper storage spot despite its versatile tools
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Type | Upright carpet, rug, and upholstery cleaner |
|---|---|
| Spot tool | StainStriker handheld tough stain eliminator |
| Tools | Three cleaning tools included |
| Surfaces | Carpet, area rugs, and upholstery |
| Best for | Mixed homes with pets and rugs |
Best for: Homes that want one machine for carpets, rugs, and upholstery, with a dedicated handheld tool for fresh stains.
Skip if: You want the cheapest upright available, or you need the largest tanks for a very large carpeted house.
Best value upright
Hoover PowerScrub Deluxe, FH50150
The long-serving Hoover upright: straightforward deep cleaning with tools for upholstery and tight corners.
Strengths
- The upright design covers rooms efficiently, with a wide cleaning path that keeps whole-room jobs from dragging on.
- Included upholstery and crevice tools extend cleaning to sofas and edges, so the machine is not limited to open floor.
- The controls and tank layout are straightforward, which suits buyers who want a carpet cleaner that needs no learning curve.
Limitations
- It lacks the heated-cleaning and fast-dry features of newer premium uprights, so carpets take longer to dry after a deep clean.
- Pet-specific tools are not the focus here, so heavy pet homes may prefer a model with a dedicated pet tool set.
- It is a full-size machine, so flat dwellers with one rug should consider a portable cleaner instead.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Owners like the straightforward controls that need no learning before the first clean
- Owners say whole rooms are covered efficiently without fuss
- Owners value the upholstery and crevice tools for sofas and room edges
Common complaints
- Owners wish carpets dried faster after a deep clean with this older design
- Owners find pet-specific cleaning less well equipped than on newer pet-focused models
- Owners note the full-size body is more machine than a single-rug flat needs
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Type | Upright carpet cleaner |
|---|---|
| Tools | Upholstery tool and crevice tool |
| Surfaces | Carpet and upholstery |
| Operation | Wash and extract with powered brushes |
| Best for | Whole-room cleaning on a mid-range budget |
Best for: Buyers who want proven, uncomplicated whole-room carpet cleaning at a mid-range price.
Skip if: You want heated cleaning, the fastest drying, or a machine aimed specifically at heavy pet hair.
Best compact upright
Hoover PowerDash Pet Plus, FH50704
The compact Hoover upright: lighter and easier to store than a full-size machine, still built for pet stains.
Strengths
- The compact, lightweight body is easy to carry between rooms and simple to store, which means it actually gets used rather than staying in a cupboard.
- Pet-focused design tackles stains and odour on carpet, so everyday pet accidents are handled without hiring a cleaner.
- It bridges the gap between a portable spot cleaner and a full upright, covering rugs and small rooms an upright would handle slowly.
Limitations
- Smaller tanks mean more refills and emptying on a large room, so whole-house cleans take longer than with a full-size machine.
- The narrower cleaning path covers less carpet per pass, which shows on large open floors.
- It is not a portable spot cleaner, so car interiors and high stairs still call for a hose tool or a second machine.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Owners praise the light, compact body that is easy to carry between rooms
- Owners say pet stains on rugs are handled without hiring help
- Owners like that it stores in a small space yet still cleans like an upright
Common complaints
- Owners find the smaller tanks need refilling partway through a larger room
- Owners note the narrower path means more passes on open floors
- Owners feel car interiors and high stairs still call for a separate portable tool
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Type | Compact upright carpet cleaner |
|---|---|
| Focus | Pet stain removal and deodorising |
| Size | Compact and lightweight for easy storage |
| Surfaces | Carpet and rugs |
| Best for | Smaller pet homes |
Best for: Smaller homes and flats with pets, where a full-size upright would be too much machine and too much storage.
Skip if: You clean large carpeted rooms end to end, or you want the biggest tanks and the widest cleaning path.
Best for big carpeted rooms
Hoover PowerScrub XL Pet
The big Hoover for big carpeted homes: a wide path, strong suction, and tools for pet messes beyond the floor.
Strengths
- The larger cleaning path and strong suction cover big rooms in fewer passes, which shortens the least enjoyable household job.
- Multi-purpose tools take cleaning beyond the floor to upholstery and other surfaces, so pet messes are not confined to carpet.
- The XL sizing suits whole-home cleans, where smaller machines lose time to tank refills.
Limitations
- Size and weight make it the wrong choice for small storage spaces and for carrying up narrow stairs.
- A machine of this size is overkill for a single rug or a small flat, where a portable cleaner would do.
- Running costs include Hoover solution and the time to clean tanks and brushes after each use.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Owners like covering large rooms in fewer passes thanks to the wide path
- Owners say strong suction leaves carpets feeling properly extracted rather than damp
- Owners value multi-purpose tools for tackling pet messes beyond the floor
Common complaints
- Owners find the size and weight awkward on narrow stairs and in small storage spaces
- Owners feel the machine is excessive for a single rug or a small flat
- Owners mention that cleaning tanks and brushes after a big session takes real time
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Type | Full-size upright carpet cleaner |
|---|---|
| Focus | Pet stains and deep, set-in dirt |
| Tools | Multi-purpose tools for upholstery and beyond |
| Suction | Powerful suction for deep extraction |
| Best for | Large carpeted homes with pets |
Best for: Larger homes with extensive carpet and pets, where a compact machine would need constant refilling.
Skip if: You have a small flat, limited storage, or you mainly clean single spots rather than whole rooms.
Best budget spot cleaner
Bissell Little Green ProHeat, 2513
The classic Little Green: a small, heated spot cleaner that lives in a cupboard and earns its keep on spills.
Strengths
- Heated cleaning helps loosen oily and set-in spots that a cold-water spot cleaner leaves behind.
- The compact size stores easily and travels to the mess, including car interiors, rather than asking you to bring the mess to the machine.
- The self-cleaning HydroRinse tool flushes the hose after use, which keeps the machine fresher between jobs.
Limitations
- The small tanks and narrow tool cover one stain at a time, so a whole room would be a long, repetitive job.
- The hose reach limits how far from a socket you can work, which matters on stairs and in cars.
- It needs its own Bissell formulas for best results, adding a small running cost to every clean.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Owners love grabbing a small machine for a spill instead of dragging out an upright
- Owners say heated cleaning shifts oily spots that cold-water cleaners leave behind
- Owners appreciate the self-cleaning hose tool keeping the machine fresher between jobs
Common complaints
- Owners find the small tanks limit the machine to one stain at a time
- Owners note hose reach can fall short on stairs and in cars
- Owners dislike needing Bissell formulas on hand for every clean
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Type | Portable spot and stain cleaner |
|---|---|
| Heat | ProHeat heated cleaning technology |
| Tool | Self-cleaning HydroRinse tool |
| Surfaces | Carpet, upholstery, and car interiors |
| Best for | Spills and spot stains |
Best for: Anyone who needs a grab-and-go machine for spills, pet accidents, and car seats without buying a full upright.
Skip if: You want to deep clean whole rooms, or you dislike carrying a small machine and hose from room to room.
Best portable for stairs
Bissell SpotClean ProHeat, 2694
The stair-friendly SpotClean: heated spot cleaning with a tool shaped for steps, plus upholstery and car work.
Strengths
- The stair tool is shaped for carpeted steps, reaching treads and risers that a flat floor tool cannot clean properly.
- Heated cleaning with OXY-based formulas tackles stubborn spots, including ground-in dirt on stairs and high-traffic areas.
- The lightweight portable body is easy to carry up a flight of stairs, unlike any upright.
Limitations
- The cord is shorter than on larger portables, so stair work near the top of a flight may need an extension or a replug.
- Tank capacity suits spot work, not long sessions, so plan on refills for a full staircase plus a sofa.
- It is a spot machine, so it will not replace an upright for a whole-room deep clean.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Owners praise the stair tool for reaching treads and risers properly
- Owners say the light body is easy to carry up a full flight of steps
- Owners find heated cleaning effective on ground-in dirt along stair edges
Common complaints
- Owners wish the cord reached further near the top of a staircase
- Owners note tank capacity runs out during a staircase plus a sofa in one session
- Owners feel whole-room cleaning is beyond what this spot machine can reasonably do
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Type | Portable spot and stain cleaner |
|---|---|
| Heat | ProHeat heated cleaning technology |
| Tool | Stair tool plus tough stain tool |
| Formulas | Works with Spot and Stain and OXY formulas |
| Best for | Carpeted stairs and upholstery |
Best for: Homes with carpeted stairs, where a spot cleaner with a proper stair tool beats a bucket and a brush.
Skip if: You need whole-room cleaning, or you want the largest portable tanks for long sessions.
Best easy-store spot cleaner
Hoover CleanSlate Plus, FH14050
The tidy Hoover spot cleaner: strong suction, versatile tools, and a design that stores neatly after a spill.
Strengths
- Strong suction lifts stains and dirty water in fewer passes, so a spill is dealt with before it soaks deeper.
- Versatile tools cover carpet, upholstery, and car interiors, making one small machine useful across the home and the car.
- The portable, tidy design stores well, so the machine is on hand for unplanned messes rather than buried in a garage.
Limitations
- Tank size suits spot work, so a long session on a sofa and a rug means trips back to the sink.
- It cannot deep clean a whole room, so carpeted homes still need an upright for periodic full cleans.
- Hose length limits reach from the nearest socket, which matters on stairs and in larger cars.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Owners like having a capable spot cleaner to hand the moment a spill happens
- Owners say strong suction clears a stain in fewer passes than expected
- Owners value tools that move easily from carpet to sofa to car seats
Common complaints
- Owners find the tank small for a long session on a sofa and a rug together
- Owners note it cannot take over whole-room deep cleaning from an upright
- Owners mention hose length limiting reach from the nearest socket
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Type | Portable carpet and upholstery spot cleaner |
|---|---|
| Focus | Permanent stain and mess removal |
| Tools | Versatile tools for carpet, upholstery, and cars |
| Storage | Compact portable design |
| Best for | Everyday spills and pet accidents |
Best for: Homes that want a capable spot cleaner for mud, wine, and pet accidents without dedicating a cupboard to it.
Skip if: You clean large areas in one session, or you want the biggest spot-cleaner tank available.
Best large-tank spot cleaner
Hoover CleanSlate XL, FH15000V
The big-tank spot cleaner: wider tools and a large tank for longer sessions on sofas, rugs, and stairs.
Strengths
- The large tank means fewer trips to the sink during a long session, which keeps momentum on a sofa or a full staircase.
- The WidePath tool covers broad areas quickly, so a rug or a sofa cushion takes fewer passes than with a narrow tool.
- Specialised tools for tight spots and pet messes mean the XL is not just bigger, it is better equipped for varied messes.
Limitations
- It is larger and heavier than the standard CleanSlate, so it is less of a grab-and-go machine for a single small spill.
- It still cannot replace an upright for whole-room deep cleaning, despite the larger tank.
- The bigger body needs more storage space than a compact spot cleaner.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Owners appreciate fewer trips to the sink during a long sofa or staircase session
- Owners say the wide tool covers broad cushions and rugs noticeably faster
- Owners like having dedicated tools for tight spots and pet messes in one box
Common complaints
- Owners find the larger body less handy to grab for a single small spill
- Owners note it still cannot replace an upright for whole-room cleaning
- Owners feel the bigger machine needs more shelf space than a compact spot cleaner
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
| Type | Portable carpet and upholstery spot cleaner |
|---|---|
| Tank | Large tank for longer spot-cleaning sessions |
| Tools | WidePath tool, TightSpot tool, and pet tool |
| Focus | Deep cleaning of carpet and upholstery |
| Best for | Long spot-cleaning sessions |
Best for: Households that spot clean often and hate refilling, especially on large sofas, wide rugs, and full staircases.
Skip if: You only clean the odd spill, you want the smallest possible machine, or you need whole-room upright cleaning.
How we chose
Scrubbing before suction claims
Brush design decides how much dirt actually leaves the pile. We credited machines whose brushes work solution into the carpet, and treated suction as the second half of the job: recovering dirty water, not a substitute for scrubbing.
Tank size against real rooms
A tank that suits a spill frustrates a whole-room clean, and a tank built for rooms wastes space in a flat. We matched tank size and cleaning width to room size, and said plainly where a compact machine runs out of capacity.
Drying time is part of cleaning
A carpet that stays damp for a day is a carpet you cannot use, and damp pile can smell. We credited faster-drying designs and heated cleaning, and we noted where older uprights leave carpets wet longer.
Tools decide the second job
Most carpet cleaners are bought for floors and used for stairs, sofas, and cars. We credited hose tools, stair tools, and upholstery tools, and penalised machines that clean floors well and nothing else.
Questions, answered
Do I need an upright or a portable carpet cleaner?
Buy an upright if you deep clean whole rooms, and a portable if you mainly treat spills, stairs, and upholstery. Many homes benefit from both, but if you buy one, match it to the job you do most often, since an upright is wasted on single spills and a portable is slow for a whole room.
Do carpet cleaners work on pet stains and odour?
Yes, when the stain is treated promptly and the machine extracts the dirty water fully. Pet-focused models add suitable tools and formulas, but old, set-in stains may need repeated passes, and no machine guarantees removal of every stain that has been left for months.
How long does carpet take to dry after cleaning?
It depends on the machine, the carpet pile, and ventilation. Faster-drying designs and good extraction shorten drying, while older uprights and thick pile lengthen it. Open windows, run a fan, and avoid walking on the carpet in shoes until it feels dry to the touch.
Can I use any cleaning solution in a carpet cleaner?
No, use the solution made for your machine type. Each maker formulates for its own tanks, brushes, and seals, and the wrong formula can foam excessively, leave residue, or damage the machine. Keep a spare bottle so a spill never waits for a shopping trip.