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Tracked-in dirt, food spills, pet messes and more can turn the common areas of your home into eyesores instead of the warm, welcoming spaces they're meant to be. A portable carpet cleaner is the perfect tool to quickly and easily clean up pet accidents or wine spills on carpeting and upholstery, so these busy areas of your home look their best. Plus, they can suck up wet spills better than a cloth, are gentler on fabrics than stain remover spray and power through stains better than you can by hand. Best of all, they're nimble, ready-to-use at a moment's notice and easier to use and store than a full-sized carpet cleaner.
When the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care and Cleaning Lab evaluates portable carpet cleaning machines, we test how well they lift fresh and set-in food, dirt and other stains. We also assess how easy they are to fill, empty, clean and store. We consider factors like weight, maneuverability and how comfortable they are to use and hold. We have each tested and scored by Quiet Mark, an outside organization that evaluates products and appliances for sound on a scale of one to three stars. “Quiet” appliances get a three-star rating, while those deemed “loud” get a one-star rating.
Pros
- Rotating brush for deep cleaning
- Very lightweight
- Formula doesn't require mixing
Cons
- 8-ounce tanks require frequent emptying/refilling
- Takes four and a half hours to fully charge
In our GH Cleaning Lab tests, this Bissell mini carpet cleaning champ earned the highest overall score for performance which included stain and odor removal, run time, sound and more.
It easily lifted both fresh and dry red wine and blueberry pie filling stains from our test carpets, and we found it easy to maintain and clean the machine. At just over 4 pounds, it was the lightest model we tested. We especially like that it features a built-in rotating brush for better deep-cleaning, but we also appreciate that the brush can be switched off to clean delicate fabrics such as hand-woven rugs and velvet. An included nubby rubber pet tool helps better tackle pet messes.
In our tests, we noted a runtime of 20 minutes and a recharge time of four and a half hours. The 8-ounce tanks are small and require more frequent refilling than models with larger ones. Bissell recommends using its own ready-to-use formula, which we think is a convenient choice because it doesn't require diluting and can be stored in the machine so it's ready to use when needed.
It also earned a top score of three stars for sound — which means it's relatively quiet — analysts deemed it "good" compared to others in our test.
Power | Battery/cordless |
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Weight | 4.4 lbs |
Tank capacity | 8 oz |
Powered brush | Yes |
Stationary brush | No |
Runtime | 20 minutes |
Quiet Mark sound rating | Good |
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Easy to carry
- Cord and hose wrap neatly for storage
Cons
- Small water tank capacity
- Does not have many cleaning features
This Dirt Devil may not have all the bells and whistles as some more expensive carpet cleaners, but it boasts a user-friendly design and a powerful cleaning performance for a model at this price point.
It did well in our Lab tests, effectively removing tough carpet stains like grape juice, tomato sauce, chocolate, coffee and synthetic pet urine. We found it intuitive and easy-to-use, and its small size made it easy to carry and store.
When you are done with your cleaning, use the hose-cleaning function to flush out any remaining dirty water before you tuck the machine away. The cord wraps neatly around a reel on the back of the machine, and the hose and cleaning nozzle wrap around the base and snap into place as well. Plus, the carrying handle can be folded down for even more compact storage.
At only 8 pounds, this model is lighter than many others we tested, but the small dirty and clean water tanks may need to be refilled and emptied more often than those in larger carpet cleaners.
Power | 15-ft cord |
---|---|
Weight | 8 lbs |
Tank capacity | 19 oz |
Powered brush | No |
Stationary brush | Yes |
Runtime | N/A |
Quiet Mark sound rating | Not tested |
Pros
- Tanks stand upright for easy filling
- Long hose
- Slim profile
Cons
- Small tanks
- Cord is shorter than others
Good things come in small packages, and this Hoover perfectly fits the bill. This corded portable cleaner packs an array of helpful features for a model of its size. Its 5-foot hose is longer than some other models which makes it easy to pick up spills in hard-to-reach places such as on stair treads or in the car — though it is corded, so your reach may be limited. We loved the big carry handle and found that the included pet attachment efficiently tackled set-in and embedded stains.
This Hoover earned top marks for ease of use too. The cord wraps neatly at the back, the hose clips into place and its slim design makes it convenient to carry, store and set on a stair step or in the narrow confines of the car. The tanks, though a bit small, stand on their own, which delighted our tester who said, "They are super easy to fill without any spilling."
Take note: Hoover requires the use of its own pre-mixed solution or you will void your warranty, but there's no diluting required which we think is a plus. It’s not the quietest nor the loudest machine: Quiet Mark rated it two stars.
Power | 14-ft cord |
---|---|
Weight | 9.48 lbs |
Tank capacity | 8 oz |
Powered brush | No |
Stationary brush | Yes |
Runtime | N/A |
Quiet Mark sound rating | Average |
Pros
- Includes small and large cleaning heads
- Very long hose and large tanks
- Works with any brand of cleaning solution
Cons
- May be a bit heavy for some to carry
- May be a bit large to use easily in small cars
Cleaning an armchair, sofa or a set of eight dining room chairs might be too much for a small or cordless appliance to handle. But this Kenmore's combination of large tanks, extra-long hose and an oversized cleaning attachment means that you can easily and more quickly clean the cushions, curved arms and broad backs of upholstered furniture pieces.
Its usefulness doesn't end there. It's well-equipped to handle fresh and set-in carpet stains more quickly than cleaners with smaller brush heads. When we tested the Kenmore Spotlite in our GH Cleaning Lab for our (and deemed it a winner), it was intuitive to use and did a great job removing grape juice, tomato sauce, coffee stains and more.
The large tanks were easy to fill and markings for small and big jobs let us know how much solution to add. While it lacks a hose-cleaning feature, Kenmore recommends drawing clear water through it to rinse the hose before storing. When you run out of the sample cleaning solution that comes with the SpotLite, feel free to use any brand of portable cleaner solution.
At over 10 pounds, it may be heavy for some to carry and can be a bit large to use easily in small cars.
RELATED: The Best Car Upholstery Cleaners to Erase Stains and Odors
Power | 20-ft cord |
---|---|
Weight | 10.23 lbs |
Tank capacity | Clean water tank: 76.8 oz; dirty water tank: 64 oz |
Powered brush | No |
Stationary brush | Yes |
Runtime | N/A |
Quiet Mark sound rating | Not tested |
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Pros
- Hose and cord wrap make storage neat
- Easy to clean, carry and maintain
- Large tanks
Cons
- Loud
- Cleaner must be diluted
Bissell's Little Green Machine was one of the first portable carpet cleaners to come to market, and it set the bar high. It continues to be one of the best, most sought-after cleaning appliances.
We've tested it many times in the GH Cleaning Lab, and it's been all the rage on TikTok for the last several years. Its 4-foot hose extends the reach of the cleaning nozzle into nooks and crannies where some other cleaners can't go, and the 48-ounce tanks allow for plenty of cleaning in between emptying and refilling.
Some portable cleaners can be cumbersome to disassemble and clean for storage, but not this Bissell. We found the hydro-rinse tool helpful for ridding the hose of trapped debris and gunk which can cause odors in storage. In addition, we love that the hose wraps around the base and snaps into the back.
The cord also stores nicely on a reel in the back, and the large top handle makes for easy carrying. The cleaning solution must be diluted before use, and we did find holding the tank with one hand and pouring in the cleaner with the other a bit tricky. This little machine earned "loud" marks from Quiet Mark.
READ OUR FULL REVIEW: As a Cleaning Expert, Here's Why I Recommend Bissell's Little Green Portable Carpet Cleaner
Power | 15-ft cord |
---|---|
Weight | 9.65 lbs |
Tank capacity | 48 oz |
Powered brush | No |
Stationary brush | Yes |
Runtime | N/A |
Quiet Mark sound rating | Loud |
Pros
- Excellent stain removal
- 4-foot hose
- Retractable carrying handle and wheels
Cons
- Heavy (almost 20 lbs when tanks are full)
- One-star Quiet Mark rating
Larger than other models we tested, the Rug Doctor is like a cross between a portable and full-size carpet cleaner, and with its telescoping handle and wheels, it almost resembles a piece of carry-on luggage. Looks aside, it's a workhorse that powered through tough stains and did the best job of nixing both the color and the odor of the yellow ammonia we put down to simulate pet urine.
In our evaluation, we noticed the nozzle’s rubberized bristles even grabbed pet hair while removing stains for a more thorough attack on pet messes. Its wheels and carrying handle aided in maneuvering and moving from one room to the next. The oversized tanks on Rug Doctor’s corded model hold 64 ounces of cleaning solution, so that means less refilling when tackling bigger jobs.
We found that filling the solution tank was a bit tricky as the tank does not stand on its own and can be heavy when full, so be sure to balance it well on a flat surface. Another downside is that it's a bit louder than others we tested, earning a one-star rating from Quiet Mark.
Power | 28-ft cord |
---|---|
Weight | ~19 lbs |
Tank capacity | 64 oz |
Powered brush | No |
Stationary brush | Yes |
Runtime | N/A |
Quiet Mark sound rating | Loud |
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Pros
- Special container system for pet messes
- Very long power cord
- Very large tanks
Cons
- One-star Quiet Mark rating
- Heavy when full
Bissell vacuums and extractors are a popular choice for pet owners, and this SpotClean Pet Pro has features that pet parents will find especially helpful.
Its 4-foot hose, long power cord and large tanks make it a perfect choice for big messes, especially in hard-to-reach places. We especially appreciated its “stain trapper” tool that keeps nasty pet messes from reaching the hose or dirty water tank where they can settle and cause odors. In our tests, it was second only to the Rug Doctor in overall stain removal and was excellent at removing the odor of yellow ammonia that we put down on carpets to simulate pet urine.
The included cleaning formula will go a long way, but it must be diluted before use. We applaud the large tanks that need refilling less often, but that does make it heavier to carry than smaller models, especially when the tanks are full. And it received a "loud" rating in our Quiet Mark sound tests.
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Power | 20-ft cord |
---|---|
Weight | 13 lbs |
Tank capacity | 96 oz |
Powered brush | No |
Stationary brush | Yes |
Runtime | N/A |
Quiet Mark sound rating | Loud |
How we test portable carpet cleaners
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When the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care and Cleaning Lab evaluates portable or even full-size carpet cleaning machines, we test how effectively they remove both fresh and set-in food stains and other spills from light-colored, medium-pile carpets. We even use a yellow ammonia mixture to simulate pet urine.
We assess ease of use by checking how easy they are to fill, empty and clean. We also take into account factors like weight, maneuverability and how comfortable they are to use. For cordless models, we measure charge time and runtime. We test any extra attachments included with the appliance. In our last category review of portable carpet cleaners, we conducted 38 different tests and logged almost 500 data points.
Because some of these machines can be quite loud, we send the machines to be evaluated by Quiet Mark, an independent organization that evaluates products for the sound levels they produce. Appliances deemed “quiet” earned a three-star or "good" rating, products with average sound levels earned two stars and those considered “loud” were given a one-star rating.
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What to look for when shopping for a portable carpet cleaner
✔️ Warranty: Some manufacturers will void the warranty if you don’t use their brand of cleaner. Always be sure to check the manufacturer's website or the user manual. Most machines come with one-year limited warranties while some may offer longer ones.
✔️ Brush: A carpet cleaner with a powered rotating brush can reduce the effort out of removing stains from your carpet. A switch to turn off the brush when cleaning delicate fabrics is a plus. Without a powered rotating brush, you'll have manually to scrub the stain with the built-in stationary scrub brush.
✔️ Tank size: Large tanks allow for less frequent refilling and emptying for larger jobs, but remember that large tanks weigh more when full and can be harder to carry up and down stairs. A 64-ounce tank filled with solution and water will add 4 pounds of weight to the machine. If you know you will be frequently cleaning up stains or cleaning large areas, a larger machine might be handier than a smaller one.
✔️ Cordless vs. corded: A cordless cleaner is more portable, making it a great choice for car cleaning. Check how long it runs and how long it needs to recharge, especially if you’re using it for bigger jobs. You won't have to worry about battery life with a corded model, though you'll be tethered to a cleaning radius determined by the nearest outlet.
✔️ Weight: Carpet cleaners with hoses stand on their own while you're using them so all you're really lifting is the weight of the nozzle, but they will still need toting from room to room and perhaps up and down stairs. With handheld models, you're holding the entire weight of the machine while you are doing the cleaning, so look for one that will be manageable even when full of water and solution.
Is it necessary to clean the tank?
Portable carpet and upholstery cleaners are designed to be ready to use at a moment's notice when spills happen, so if there's any leftover solution in the clean water tank when you're done, it's fine to leave it there for the next time.
But the dirty water tank should always be cleaned before storage to prevent odors. Rinse and dry out the dirty water tank, remove any fuzz, lint or hair from the brushes and flush any debris from the nozzle. This can hamper bacteria growth and helps prevent foul smells. The last thing you want to do is deposit any old dirty remnants on a new stain.
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Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Carolyn Forté has over 40 years of experience testing all types of cleaning appliances and stain removal products for clothing and home furnishings, drawing on her textiles background to make sure GH's recommended cleaning products are safe to use on today's carpeting, upholstery and clothing fabrics. She is the consumer information chair of ASTM's F-11 Vacuum Cleaner Committee, where industry engineers develop test standards for wet and dry vacuums and floor and carpet cleaning appliances. She supervised all the testing for this review, assuring that the tests were conducted in a repeatable and reliable way.
Lynn Redmile is a contributing product reviews analyst for Good Housekeeping and spent over two years testing all kinds of portable and full-size floor cleaning products, including robot vacuums, handheld vacuums and portable carpet cleaners. She conducted all the hands-on testing for this review and helped develop some of the carpet cleaning testing protocols.
Lynn Redmile
Contributing Product Analyst
Lynn Redmile (she/her) is a contributing product reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she's been evaluating nutrition, fitness, beauty, textiles, home, pet, and cleaning products since 2012. She brings over 30 years of data analysis and project management experience to the role.
Carolyn Forté
Home Care & Cleaning Lab Executive Director
Carolyn Forté brings more than 40 years of experience as a consumer products expert to her role as executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Lab. Using deep analytical testing and writing expertise in appliances, cleaning, textiles and organizational products, she produces cleaning and home care advice for GH, has authored numerous books and bookazines for the brand and partners with the American Cleaning Institute to co-produce the Discover Cleaning Summits. She holds a bachelor's degree in family and consumer sciences from Queens College, City University of New York.