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Best Home Carpet Cleaners in 2023: Buying Guide

You no longer have to hire a carpet cleaning company to restore your carpets to a like-new state. Home-use shampooers are becoming more commonplace and user-friendly. Like vacuums, carpet cleaners come in a range of sizes and styles, and each cleaner has a unique set of features to offer. With the right carpet cleaner, you can ensure that your carpets don’t become worn before their time.

Best Home Carpet Cleaners


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However, it’s not enough to select a carpet cleaner with a bunch of bells and whistles. You also have to consider the size of your home and the demands of your lifestyle.

Our Recommended Home Carpet Cleaners in 2023

6) Hoover PowerDash Pet Compact FH50700

The Hoover PowerDash Pet Compact FH50700 is an excellent upright carpet cleaner that’s not just lightweight and powerful, but it’s also one of the most budget-friendly models on the market. With twice as much cleaning power compared to previous Hoover models, the FH50700 should be able to remove the most stubborn wine and pet stains from your medium-pile carpeting in fewer swipes.

Hoover FH50700
Hoover FH50700

The PowerSpin brush roll is designed to deliver a gentle massage on your carpet’s fibers while also digging deep to remove stains and debris. With HeatForce Power, you can expect quicker drying times from this upright carpet cleaner. This 12-pound beast is an excellent carpet cleaner for those with dirty pets and dirtier children.

Hoover PowerDash Pet Compact Carpet Cleaner...
  • EASY TO USE: Lightweight & compact design for efficient cleaning and storage
  • POWERFUL CLEANING: Perfect for pet messes, high traffic areas, area rugs, and small spaces

5) Hoover Power Scrub Deluxe FH50150

The Hoover Power Scrub Deluxe FH50150 is a larger-than-life carpet cleaner that weighs an astounding 19 pounds (dry weight). However, with great size and weight comes great power—the SpinScrub brushes rotate all 360 degrees and produce the deepest clean, even on set-in pet and wine stains.

Hoover Power Scrub Deluxe FH50150
Hoover Power Scrub Deluxe FH50150

This behemoth of a carpet cleaner comes with an 8-foot suction hose and four handy spot-cleaning tools to get rid of stains on carpeted steps, upholstery, and auto interior. Thanks to a built-in heater, the Power Scrub Deluxe shoots a constant stream of warm air onto your carpets, allowing them to dry quicker than ever before.

Hoover PowerScrub Deluxe Carpet Cleaner...
  • EASY DEEP CLEANING: SpinScrub Brushes powerfully removes deep-embedded dirt and stains...
  • FASTER DRYING: HeatForce for faster drying so you can get back on your carpets quickly

4) Bissell Turboclean Powerbrush Pet 2085

The Bissell Turboclean Powerbrush Pet 2085 is a super-pet-friendly carpet cleaner that’s designed to remove embedded hair and dried pet “surprises” in just one or two passes. The DirtLifter Powerbrush with four rows of ultra-stiff bristles digs deep into carpets to loosen stains at the roots.

Bissell 2085
Bissell 2085

On both sides of the floorhead are EdgeSweep Bristles that serve to clean along the legs of furniture and baseboards while you effortlessly navigate the floorhead around your floors. This carpet cleaner doesn’t offer much in terms of above-ground cleaning, but being incredibly lightweight and powerful, it shouldn’t have any problems leaving your carpets looking as new as the day you got them.

BISSELL Turboclean Powerbrush Pet Upright...
  • Every Bissell purchase helps save pets. Bissell proudly supports Bissell pet foundation...
  • Clean powerfully. Remove tough stains and pet messes.

3) Hoover Power Scrub Deluxe FH50150

Weighing a mere 18.1 pounds, the Hoover Power Scrub is the lightest carpet cleaner on our list. It’s also the easiest to lift with four handles from which to choose.

Hoover Power Scrub Deluxe FH50150
Hoover FH50150

The wash-and-rinse dial is super-simple to use, allowing you to instantly switch between modes, and the power cord measures 20 feet to provide you with a decent cleaning radius. You even get a 2-year warranty to protect your home-care investment.

The nozzle on the Hoover FH50150 utilizes a balanced suction system that evenly dries your carpet, and the rotating brushes touch every carpet fiber in its path.

In order to speed up the cleaner’s drying time, it produces a strong, steady flow of hot air. If you have some upholstery or stair shampooing to do, the 8-foot hose and the three attachments streamline your chores. You even get a mesh storage bag, so you won’t lose any tools.

Like the Rug Doctor at our number five spot, this Hoover carpet cleaner has a 1-gallon two-tank system to separate the clean and dirty water. The clean water tank’s spout allows you to refill it without spilling any water.

After refilling, all you have to do is add your preferred cleaning solution to a dedicated compartment – the tank’s auto mixing feature will take care of the rest. To get you started, Hoover included a small sample bottle of its proprietary cleaning formula.

2) Rug Doctor Mighty Pro X3

Here’s another winner from the Rug Doctor except the Mighty Pro X3 is geared toward knocking out pet odors.

Rug Doctor Mighty Pro X3
Rug Doctor Mighty Pro X3

While its weight of 39 pounds and boxy shape make this carpet cleaner somewhat bulky, the extra girth is to be expected due to its 1.74-horsepower motor that produces 28 pounds per square inch of suction. You’ll also appreciate the adjustable handle and the easily accessible spray button.

The 10-inch-wide vibrating brush not only offers a sizable cleaning path but also fiber-fluffing ability while two jets spray strong streams of soapy water to tackle the most stubborn of stains. For staircases, upholstery and more, there is a handheld tool that attaches to the lengthy 12-foot hose.

Since it carries the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval, you can feel confident that you’re getting a reliable carpet cleaner.

With a tank system that holds a whopping 3 gallons of water, you won’t find yourself constantly running to the sink. However, when you do need to dump or refill the tank, you can hold it by the convenient carrying handle attached to the top.

As a bonus, you get two different types of carpet cleaners – a professional-strength pet formula and an enzyme urine eliminator. In addition, you get 5 years of warranty coverage.

Rug Doctor Mighty Pro X3 Pet Pack commercial...
  • For professional-looking results within the comfort of home, use the lightweight, compact,...
  • Rotating brushes dig deep into carpet fibers to extract dirt, grime, filth, stains, spots,...

1) Bissell Big Green Professional 86T3

When you need heavy-duty cleaning power, the Big Green Machine is the go-to carpet cleaner. This solidly built cleaner weighs 40.6 pounds, and it’s designed not to tip over when in use.

Bissell Big Green Professional Carpet Cleaner Machine, 86T3
Bissell 86T3

With a casing made of durable materials, you don’t have to worry about it sustaining dings and dents. For ease of use, the handle is fashioned in the T-bar style with a trigger button. This handle also folds in half to save storage space.

The carpet cleaner’s power even extends to the multiple waves of bristles on the floor nozzle’s brush. In order to help you shampoo and dry your carpets faster, the Big Green cleans within a 10.5-inch path, and the machine works whether it’s being pushed or pulled. For spot cleaning, there is a specialized handheld tool and a 9-foot stretchable hose.

Once you plug the 25-foot power cord into the nearest electrical outlet, the 12-amp motor springs to life to give you professional-grade carpet cleaning ability.

This cleaner boasts a dual-tank system with a 1.75-gallon capacity, and there is a lifting handle for no-hassle transport to your sink or tub. Like the Rug Doctor at the number two spot, the Big Green also offers a 5-year limited warranty.

Bissell Big Green Professional Carpet Cleaner
  • Every Purchase Saves Pets. BISSELL proudly supports BISSELL Pet Foundation and its mission...
  • Outcleans the Leading Rental. Get professional grade cleaning results, Power Rating:12...

FAQs

Why Buy a Carpet Cleaner When You Can Rent One?

Sure, you can find carpet cleaner rentals in most grocery and hardware stores, but the process is a pain. First, there is the rental cost, which isn’t too expensive. However, the low advertised price doesn’t pertain to larger rental machines, and the money you’ll spend doesn’t stop there.

Many stores require you to put down a deposit in addition to the rental price. You also need a form of identification and a credit card, which will be charged if you accidentally damage the cleaner.

These carpet cleaners are also hefty and large, so you must have a vehicle that is big enough to transport the machine back and forth to the store. Plus, you can’t immediately address stains before they set in like you can when you own a carpet cleaner. For all the trouble you have to go through, you only get to rent the cleaner for a day or two.

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Carpet Cleaning Seems Difficult – Isn’t It Easier to Hire a Carpet Cleaning Service?

A carpet cleaning service will certainly save you time and effort, but it won’t save you money. If you think renting a carpet cleaner is cost-prohibitive, the price of hiring a carpet cleaning service is much higher. You can expect to spend as much as $75 per room unless the company charges by the square foot.

Either way, you can easily shell out half a grand to get your carpets professionally cleaned, and you have to deal with scheduling an appointment, making sure someone is at home while the technician is cleaning and watching strangers traipse through your home.

Residential carpet cleaners are easier than ever to use. Many of them have a divided tank or two tanks to keep the dirty water from contaminating the clean water. A lot of tanks also have a specially designed spout to prevent spills when you pour the water. There are also some models that actually mix the detergent, so you get the perfect water-to-formula ratio every time.

I’m Short on Storage Space – Where Would I Even Keep a Carpet Cleaner?

No matter how much storage space you have in your house, there is a carpet cleaner out there that is compact enough to fit. The best home carpet cleaner for you is one that is slim instead of boxy. In the product description, the manufacturer will list the shampooer’s dimensions, so you’ll know for sure whether you have room for that particular model.

Some cleaners even have a folding handle that cuts the height of the carpet cleaner in half when not in use.

Aren’t Carpet Cleaners Heavy? I Don’t Know If I Can Push One.

You don’t have to be a bodybuilder to push and maneuver a carpet cleaner. You can find cleaners that weigh 30 pounds or less. Some even weigh under 20 pounds. To help you push it, you’ll want the handle to be ergonomically designed.

Look for a handle that is wide enough for both hands like a horizontally looped or T-bar handle. Ones with rubber grips or a vertical loop also make it easier for you to move the carpet shampooer across the floor.

My House Is Large – What Kind of Carpet Cleaner Should I Buy?

Obviously, your house has carpet; otherwise, you wouldn’t be reading this guide. If your home is large or almost every living space is covered in carpet, the goal is to find a carpet cleaner that can do the job fast.

The shampooer’s cleaning path should be wide to get as much of the floor scrubbed as possible in one pass.

A machine that can clean forward and backward also helps. The tank’s size matters too. The greater the tank’s capacity, the fewer the breaks you’ll need to take to refill and dump the water.

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How Fast Does the Carpet Dry?

Long gone are the days when you had to steer clear of a freshly shampooed carpet for 24 hours. Manufacturers equip many carpet cleaners with components that quicken the drying time. Quite a few cleaners rely solely on extraction power. If the cleaner’s suction is strong enough, extraction drying works fine.

An even faster way to dry a carpet is by applying heat. Some models force hot air out of the cleaner head to shorten the amount of time it takes to dry a carpet to just a couple of hours.

Can Home Carpet Cleaners Remove Stubborn Stains?

Carpet cleaners for home use can completely eliminate stains if they have a brush made for the job. If stains are a big concern, look for a carpet cleaner with a brush that scrubs from all angles. This type of brush can clean every part of stained carpet fibers. Another excellent brush for stain removal is a spinning one that reaches deep into the fibers of your carpet, which prevents stains from reappearing when the carpet dries.

Besides the brush, features like a heating element that keeps the tank’s water warm will help the cleaner release stains. As far as cleaning formulas go, use a highly-concentrated solution that has oxygen boosters.

What If My House Has Carpeted Stairs?

Cleaning a set of stairs can be a challenge. To tackle this task, you need a carpet cleaner with a smartly placed lifting handle. If the cleaner has multiple lifting handles, that’s even better. The length of the power cord is also important because if it’s too short, you’ll have to stop shampooing to switch outlets. For efficiency, there are a couple of features that will make cleaning carpeted stairs easier.

A stretchable hose means less lifting and lugging, and then there are the attachments. Ideally, the shampooer should come with a crevice tool for edge cleaning and a wide stair tool for treads and risers.

What Features Are Important for Cleaning Messes Made by Pets and Children?

Hair and odors are the two biggest issues faced by pet owners. If you have pets, you need a carpet cleaner with a basket. Situated within the tank, this removable basket catches hair before it reaches the bottom of the reservoir, so you don’t inadvertently clog the machine.

Multiple-row bristle brushes are great for lifting hair, and odor-eliminating enzyme formulas can remove unpleasant smells.

Although you never know what kind of mess your child will make from one day to the next, spilled drinks, ground-in dirt and general grime are way up on the list. When you’re comparison shopping, pay special attention to any carpet cleaner that lets you spray extra spurts of cleaning solution. You’ll also appreciate cleaners with side brushes that clean dirt from baseboards.

BISSELL 1548F

Can I Use a Carpet Cleaner on Upholstery?

Whether you want to renew the cleanliness of the floorboards in your car or you’re simply tired of sitting on dingy furniture, a home carpet cleaner can help. You just need one with the right type of attachment – an upholstery tool. This tool is small and handheld, and it secures to the machine’s hose. Most of these tools have spinning brushes, and they all deliver the same suction strength as the floor head.

If you want to clean your car, make sure the power cord is long enough to reach from the nearest outdoor electrical outlet.

How Do I Choose a Great Home Carpet Cleaner?

A carpet cleaner is a major purchase, so you don’t want to be disappointed in its performance when you take it out of the box. If this is your first time buying a carpet cleaner, you probably feel overwhelmed and don’t know how to begin sifting through the various models in your price range.

Use this list of features as a guide to finding a carpet cleaner that’s right for you.

Suction

The amount of extraction force that a carpet cleaner can produce depends on its air watts. The higher the air watts, the stronger the machine’s suction. However, suction strength isn’t the only component of a carpet shampooer’s cleaning ability. You also have to consider the width of its cleaning path. A 12-inch nozzle or one that’s wider means that more water and dirt can be extracted on a single pass, which increases the shampooer’s efficiency.

Most carpet cleaners only scrub the floor when you pull it backward, but some will clean them even if you’re pushing it forward, allowing you to go over one section of floor twice without starting a new path.

Residential Carpet Cleaner

Brushes

When it comes to brushes, the more thorough and powerful they are, the cleaner your carpets will be. Therefore, only the best will do. Cross-bristle brushes work carpet fibers from all directions, and dual spinning brushes that counter rotate are better than a single-spinning brush.

You can even find carpet cleaners with a dozen or more rows of bristles and side brushes to boot. In order to make maintaining your carpet cleaner easier, look for a model with a brush that detaches when you need to clean it.

Dry Time

Every carpet cleaner varies when it comes to drying time. The factors that play a role in drying time include how often you release extra bursts of soapy water. If you’re in a hurry for your carpet to dry, use this feature sparingly. In addition, the amount of water the cleaner can extract makes a difference.

Strong suction equates to a fast drying time, and heated air helps move the process along. Generally, you can expect the average drying time to take about 4 hours.

Attachments

Tools make any shampooing job easier, and they give you the ability to clean your stairs and furniture too. The most common accessories include those made for stairs and upholstery. Usually, these tools are typically wide and triangular; some even have a button that releases sprays of cleaning solution.

Crevice tools are also common, and they come in handy for working into tight spaces, edges and corners.

For the most reach possible, you need a home carpet cleaner with a long hose of at least 6 feet. Often, manufacturers equip their carpet cleaners with on-board storage caddies while other manufacturers give you a drawstring or hanging bag. As a bonus, your carpet cleaner may also come with a small bottle of the company’s brand of cleaning formula.

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Controls

Since your hands will be busy holding, pulling and pushing the carpet cleaner, you don’t want a shampooer with controls further away than your fingertips. Cleaners with solution-release buttons on the handle are the easiest to use. Some handles require you to slightly adjust the position of one hand to operate the button while others act more like a trigger.

While less important, you should also look for the location of the power switch. Other settings like rinse and wash may be located on the body of the carpet cleaner; this control is often a turn dial.

Tank

Manufacturers are now making water tanks more user-friendly than ever before. Most are transparent, so you can easily see how much water is in the tank, and some have extra-large openings that make refilling, rinsing and emptying a breeze. To reduce the frequency of trips to the sink, look for a carpet cleaner with at least a 1-gallon capacity.

If you want to make sure that dirty and clean water never come in contact with one another, there are models that contain a divided tank.

However, totally separate tanks streamline the refilling and dumping processes. Don’t forget about other conveniences such as a hair-trapping basket or integrated soap cap.

Carpet Cleaner For Home use

Warranty

This feature is surprisingly overlooked by many people; however, its importance is two-fold. First, the warranty covers the cost of a replacement or repair if the machine malfunctions. Second, it gives you a rough indication of how confident the manufacturer is in the carpet cleaner’s reliability. When you’re reading a model’s list of features, be sure to see how long the warranty lasts. Shoot for a carpet cleaner with warranty coverage from 2 to 5 years.


Our Recommended Carpet Cleaners

Budget Pick The Bissell TurboClean PowerBrush 2987 is the convenient upright carpet cleaner for pet owners with small spaces to help bring area rugs and carpets back to life.

Most Popular If you own multiple pets and want to get odor and stains under control, this Bissell ProHeat 2X 1986 Carpet Cleaner is worth checking out..

Best of the Best The Bissell Big Green Professional-Grade Carpet Cleaner achieves a whole new level of clean by out-cleaning the leading rental carpet cleaner.

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Last Update: 2024-03-28 | Affiliate links/Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

About the author

Hi I’m Alex, founder of HouseholdMe.com and I’d like to say thank you for dropping by. Like most of you, the first thing I look at before buying something online is reviews or buying guides. By reading what other people say will help me gauge whether or not a product is good or not.  I am trying to help people find answers, solve problems, and get inspired.

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