Best Carpet Steam Cleaner - Reviews, Comparisons & FAQs

Owning a machine is less expensive over time than renting or hiring a professional carpet cleaning service, and you'll have the machine on hand to tackle carpet stains as soon as they occur, as well as perform regular maintenance cleanings to keep your carpets and upholstery looking good for longer. Because we understand that not all households have the same carpet cleaning needs, our cleaning experts have provided recommendations for carpet cleaners that can handle pet messes, are safe for area rugs, and take up little storage space.

1. Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro Carpet Cleaner

Important Specifications 

• Brand: Bissell

• Special Feature: Lightweight

• Form Factor: Upright

• Color: Multicolor

• Filter Type: Disk

Product's highlights

The Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro will satisfy anyone looking for a deep-cleaning machine with simple features and powerful cleaning power. There are two cleaning modes on this upright carpet cleaner. The Max Clean setting is best for cleaning heavily soiled carpeting, whereas the Express Clean setting uses less formula and water for faster drying.

Once properly assembled, this model cleaned the best in our product testing. This cleaner lost its previous position as our top pick due to the mediocre assembly process and the fact that it is so large (it resembles a commercial carpet cleaner). However, if you frequently come across difficult stains, need to clean a large area, and have the space in a utility room or garage to store this machine, this is an excellent choice.

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Pros

• Various cleaning modes

• Results are visible and immediate.

• Tools and attachments that are useful

Cons

• Large dimensions

• Some assembling is required.

2. Bissell Jetscrub 25299 Upright Pet Carpet Cleaner

Important Specifications 

• Brand: Bissell

• Item Weight: 12.34 Pounds

• Style: Jetscrub

• Model Name: Bissell JetScrub Pet Upright Carpet Cleaner, 25299

Product's highlights

After multiple rounds of testing, the Bissell Jetscrub 25299 Upright Pet Carpet Cleaner remains our undisputed top pick for a carpet cleaner. It has multiple cleaning modes plus a pre-treatment feature, and a floor head LED light. It's portable enough that you'll use it around the house to suction up stains, dirt, and other debris.

It was simple and easy to empty the dirty water. We found that we didn't need to use the included brush to clean the tank. The cleaner isn't the most versatile because there are no hoses or other special attachments, but it works so well with the 2 available settings and has a small floor head for concentrated cleaning. There isn't much left to be desired. It's also quieter (similar to a typical vacuum) and lighter than the other models we tested. Overall, this carpet cleaner is more effective, easy to use, and portable than comparable machines, earning it our best overall rating and a spot in your cleaning closet.

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Pros

• Self-propelling

• Has a stain-prevention feature

• LED lighting on the floor head

• Handle that collapses

Cons

• There are no hoses or attachments.

• First, some stains must be vacuumed.

3. Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro Carpet Cleaner

Important Specifications 

• Brand: Bissell

• Special Feature: Lightweight

• Form Factor: Upright

• Color: Multicolor

• Filter Type: Disk

Product's highlights

This powerful machine thoroughly cleans, can be used on stairs and upholstery, and even removes pet hair. A stain-targeted spray nozzle is one of the Bissell's innovative features. It operates with a simple pedal press and does not require stopping, bending down, or the use of a separate product. To remove stubborn pet hair and stains from furniture fabrics and mattresses, use the 2-in-1 Pet Upholstery Tool both dry and wet. Its dual DirtLifter PowerBrush extracts even the most stubborn stains from your carpets. Carpet cleaners used to be large and heavy, but this one is lightweight and has a removable brush roll cover for easy cleaning.

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Pros

• The brush roll cover can be easily removed and cleaned.

Cons

• There is no on-board tool storage.

4. BISSELL CrossWave All-in-One Multi-Surface Cleaner

Important Specifications 

• Brand: Bissell

• Form Factor: Cannister

• Color: Green

• Filter Type: Cloth

• Model Name: CrossWave

• Surface Recommendation: Hard Floor, Carpet

Product's highlights

Low pile area rugs are simple to clean because dirt remains mostly on the surface, eliminating the need for a stiff brush to get deep down. With a soft microfiber and nylon brush, the Bissell CrossWave gently cleans area rugs without damaging the short pile or fraying the loops. This lightweight vacuum is ideal for low flat rugs, but it also vacuums dry dirt and works on bare floors. We also liked how it dispenses just enough water to clean without soaking the carpet or the flooring underneath. It's lightweight and has controls that are easy to reach, so you can go from vacuuming to washing without missing a beat. There's even a place to keep the wet brush until it dries. Its two-tank technology separates dirty and clean soapy water in the machine, and its 25-foot power cord allows you to clean every inch of your living room.

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Pros

• It includes a tray for drip-free storage.

Cons

• Not recommended for use on silk or other delicate rugs.

5. Hoover Smartwash Automatic Carpet Cleaner

Important Specifications 

• Brand: Hoover

• Color: Turquoise

• Item Weight: 18.49 Pounds

• Style: Smartwash

• Model Name: Smartwash

Product's highlights

The Hoover Smart Wash is a cost-effective full-sized carpet cleaning machine. This low-cost model includes useful features that help you get the job done quickly. Push the cleaner forward to wash the carpet with a pre-mixed solution of water and cleaning formula. Pull the appliance back to remove the moisture and allow the carpet to dry. It saves you time by automatically dispensing the correct solution and water combination. If you're concerned that your carpet is too wet, use the "dry only" setting and make a few more passes. It also includes a 12-foot hose, a 2-in-1 pet tool, and a stair tool. You can cover a lot of ground with the 22-foot cord and gallon-sized tank. This cleaner was easy to maneuver, convenient to use, and overall a great performer for us.

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Pros

• Cleaning is made easier with a pre-mixed solution.

• Brush cleaning in a single step with a removable nozzle

Cons

• It can be difficult to transport.

1. How do carpet cleaners function?

Carpet cleaners are available in a variety of shapes and sizes, ranging from portable models and canisters to uprights and even professional machines that are similar to those available for rent. Many come with hoses and mini nozzles to make cleaning small areas like upholstery and stairs easier, and they all have two tanks: one for clean water and detergent solution and one for dirty water pulled from the carpet. While carpet cleaners are frequently referred to as "steam cleaners," this is a misnomer: they do not use steam, but you can add hot water to the tank.

2. How frequently should your carpets be cleaned?

Carpet and Rug Institute and carpet manufacturers both recommend having your carpets professionally deep cleaned every 12-18 months. Some carpets even require it to maintain the carpet's warranty! While professional cleaners use more powerful equipment than you can buy or rent (plus they pretreat stains and can refresh and reapply the stain repellent that came with your carpet when it was new), owning a carpet cleaner — even a portable one — allows you to do more frequent cleanings and tackle stains quickly, ensuring that your carpets look better for longer.

3. What types of stains can carpet cleaners get rid of?

A carpet cleaner can often reduce or eliminate stains caused by dirt, mud, food and drink, grease, oil, and bodily fluids. Some stains may be removed with a single treatment, while others may necessitate multiple cleaning sessions. To boost stain-fighting power, consider using a specialty carpet-cleaning solution, such as one designed for pet stains.

A carpet cleaner is the most effective method for removing embedded dirt, stains, and odors from wall-to-wall carpeting and large area rugs. The most basic method for removing stains is to spray the affected area with your preferred cleaner and allow it to sit before scrubbing, making sure to test the spray cleaner on a small, hidden area first. But sometimes a spray isn't enough, or an entire room needs to be deep cleaned. Those are the times when a carpet cleaner really shines.