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Our favorite machines are lightweight, easy to handle, and ultra-quiet.
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
For more on how we tested portable carpet cleaners, seeour testing processbelow.
The tank leaked slightly when the power turned off.
The Bissell delivered on all these points and more.
Credit: Amazon
It works by circulating a mix of water andcarpet spay cleaneronto the affected spot on your carpet.
The wine and dirt stains only left a faint hint of a stain after cleaning.
We also liked the self-cleaning tool, which makes it easy to rinse out your gadget after every use.
The Bissell Deluxe portable carpet cleaner completely removed the coffee stain and left faint stains from wine and dirt during our testing.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Henry Wortock
We loved how quiet it was at just 70 decibels.
Putting this rig together was a little more complicated than others on our list.
The tank capacity is a lot smaller than most options.
The Dirt Devil is the best budget option that doesn’t sacrifice cleaning capabilities.
Its also small and portable enough to use while detailing the upholstery or mats in your vehicle.
It worked well on big-timestains like red wineand dark soda, leaving little-to-no trace of the stains once dried.
It easily handled drool, dirty paw marks, stains from dog treats, and spilled coffee.
The hose nozzle is very stiff and can be tough to maneuver.
We found the best portable carpet cleaner for pets is without a doubt the Hoover.
During testing, it stood out for its uninterrupted cleaning abilities.
The cleaner performed well on a mix of old and new stains.
The hose is shorter than other models we tested.
We also found that it decreased age-relateddiscoloration on our rugsat home.
However, for all its benefits, it has a few small drawbacks.
We used this carpet cleaner most frequently for spot-treating dog messes.
But it was very effective at preventing new stains from accidents and eliminating urine and vomit odors.
We found the instructions were unclear and lacking.
When spills occur inside your car, cleaning up can be a tricky endeavor.
The Hoover impressed us with its portability, ability to fight stains, and helpful attachments.
The Hoover effortlessly removed chocolate and coffee stains from white carpet using the tight-spot tool.
As much as possible, we recommend keeping this unit intact to avoid wrestling the tank back into place.
But the cordless version is a bit easier to set up, lighter, and even more portable.
Salsa and mud stains were tougher, taking us 30-50 passes while still not completely removing them.
The cleaner has two modesturbo and Eco, with turbo delivering higher suction power.
Regardless of your chosen mode, the cleaner has a long battery life of up to 35 minutes.
We also loved theBissell Pet Stain Eraser Plusfor its low price and cordless portability.
For every test, we used the manufacturer’s recommended detergent.
All of our picks can work on carpet and upholstery.
We found during testing that not all carpet cleaners work equally well on different stain types.
Cord Length
Another key factor to consider is the power cord length on your carpet cleaner.
Credit: Amazon
Also, keep in mind that battery-powered models tend to have less powerful suction than corded devices.
If youre dealing with particularly tricky messes, we recommend getting one with a cord.
Weve noted the cord length, when applicable, for each of our picks.
The cleaner performed very well on tough stains like red wine and dark soda.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Dera Burreson
Additionally, the instructions were difficult to understand.
This, paired with the high price, put this portable carpet cleaner towards the bottom of our list.
Ecowell Portable Carpet Cleaner Machine
We likedthis little machineand found it did very well on wet stains.
However, it struggled to remove dry chocolate and potting soil stains.
Its a reasonably good value for the price, but many others we tested were superior.
Your Questions, Answered
What is the best carpet cleaner for home?
It also worked well onfood stains, albeit with a few extra passes.
How can I clean my carpet at home like a professional?
Your carpets will need a deep cleaning at least once a year, according to Cohoon.
Be careful not to steam clean too often, as the excessive moisture or soap can damage carpet fibers.
This can help youmaintain the appearance of your upholsteryand flooring while avoiding the damage that excess liquid can have.
Do I need a vacuum and a carpet cleaner?
Standard vacuums are not equipped to handle moisture, Stapf says.
Dirty water entering the vacuum may cause the buildup of mold or even damage the motor.
In more serious cases, vacuuming a damp or wet carpet can also end in electrocution.
Who We Are
What Is BHG Recommends?
Next to all of the products on this list, you may have noticed ourBHG Recommends seal of approval.
In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products.
Looking for more products that have earned ourBHG Recommends seal of approval?
Check out our picks for everything from picnic blankets to humidifiers.
Credit: Hoover
The Hoover CleanSlate removed marinara and mustard stains with ease, outperforming others.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Henry Wortock
Credit: Amazon
It takes less than three minutes to set up this spot cleaner, and no assembly is required.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Henry Wortock
Credit: Amazon
The Hoover CleanSlate needed little water and cleaning solution to effectively remove stains.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Henry Wortock
Despite the small size, the Bissell Little Green Cordless only needed to be emptied once during lab testing.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Henry Wortock
Despite the small size, the Bissell Little Green Cordless only needed to be emptied once during lab testing.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Henry Wortock
Where possible, we tested the portable carpet cleaners on upholstery as well as carpets.Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Testers used a decibel reader to get exact measurements of the noise levels when the cleaners were running.Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
The Hoover Onepwr did not perform as well on stains as other options we tried.Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
