Bissell Big Green Machine Professional Carpet Cleaner 86T3
A rental-style workhorse you can own.
Check Price on Amazon Read the full reviewThe 10 Best Carpet Cleaners of 2026, Ranked
Our verdict: The best carpet cleaner in 2026 is the Bissell Big Green Machine Professional Carpet Cleaner 86T3. It tops our ranking with 9.2 out of 10.
Our carpet cleaner picks
Fewer picks than usual: no dearer model makes the top half.
Bissell Little Green Multi-Purpose Portable Carpet Cleaner 1400B
A small, well-known portable for spills, stairs, car seats and upholstery, without hauling out a full-size machine.
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Hoover PowerDash Pet Compact Carpet Cleaner Machine FH50700
A budget upright that takes the work out of a small room or a few high-traffic paths.
Check Price on Amazon Read the full reviewAll 10 carpet cleaners, compared
We compared 16 carpet cleaners sold in the US and ranked ten by how happy owners are with them. They range from compact portable spot cleaners to upright deep cleaners and rental-style machines, from the cheapest here to the priciest. Every product links to its full review below.
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1
Bissell Big Green Machine Professional Carpet Cleaner 86T3Best Choice
9.2 out of 10
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2
Shark StainStriker Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner PX202BRN
9.0 out of 10
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3
Bissell Little Green Multi-Purpose Portable Carpet Cleaner 1400BValue for Money
8.9 out of 10
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4
Hoover PowerDash Pet Compact Carpet Cleaner Machine FH50700Best Budget
8.7 out of 10
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5
Hoover PowerScrub Deluxe Carpet Cleaner Machine FH50150
8.7 out of 10
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6
Shark CarpetXpert with StainStriker EX201
8.7 out of 10
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7
Hoover SmartWash+ Automatic Carpet Cleaner Machine FH52000
8.7 out of 10
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8
Rug Doctor Mighty Pro X3 Carpet Cleaner 90011
8.6 out of 10
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9
Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro Plus 3588F
8.5 out of 10
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10
Tineco Carpet One Cruiser
7.8 out of 10
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Why No. 1 beats No. 2
The Bissell Big Green Machine Professional Carpet Cleaner 86T3 (9.2) beats the Shark StainStriker Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner PX202BRN (9.0) because it leaves owners clearly happier. No. 2 is the newer design, but not by enough to close the gap.
The full carpet cleaner reviews
1.Bissell Big Green Machine Professional Carpet Cleaner 86T3
A rental-style workhorse you can own. It has a large tank, strong suction and a long hose for stairs.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are1st of 10
- How many rated it5th of 10
- How new it is7th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- Large tanks cover several rooms before a refill
- Strong suction pulls out much of the water, so carpet dries faster
- Long hose reaches stairs and upholstery
- Owners report it outlasts lighter machines
Keep in mind
- Very heavy and bulky, and needs real storage space
- No built-in heater
- Costs more than a rental for a one-time job
2.Shark StainStriker Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner PX202BRN
A compact portable aimed at stains. It comes with four tools and suits stairs, couches and car seats.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are3rd of 10
- How many rated it6th of 10
- How new it is2nd of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- Four tools cover stairs, upholstery and tight spots
- Light and easy to store in a closet
- Premixed stain formula needs no measuring
- Owners report it lifts coffee and pet stains well
Keep in mind
- Small tanks make whole rooms tedious
- Shark formulas add ongoing cost
- No heater
3.Bissell Little Green Multi-Purpose Portable Carpet Cleaner 1400B
A small, well-known portable for spills, stairs, car seats and upholstery, without hauling out a full-size machine.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are2nd of 10
- How many rated it1st of 10
- How new it is7th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- Light enough to carry up stairs or into a car
- Hose with a tool for stairs, upholstery and car seats
- Cheap to run with Bissell formula, and the tanks are easy to empty
- Owners report it lifts fresh pet accidents and food spills well
Keep in mind
- Small tanks mean frequent refills, so it is slow for a whole room
- No heater, so old set-in stains take several passes
- Loud in use
- Hose and tool are short for working across a large room
4.Hoover PowerDash Pet Compact Carpet Cleaner Machine FH50700
A budget upright that takes the work out of a small room or a few high-traffic paths. It is one of the most owned machines in the group.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are4th of 10
- How many rated it2nd of 10
- How new it is7th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- Light for an upright and easy to store
- Pet-focused brushroll, and about 13 pounds in weight
- A budget price for a full upright
- Owners report it works well on small rugs and apartment carpet
Keep in mind
- Small tanks mean frequent refills
- Weaker suction than the bigger machines here, so carpet stays wetter
- No heater
- No hose or hand tool, so stairs and upholstery are out of reach
5.Hoover PowerScrub Deluxe Carpet Cleaner Machine FH50150
A long-running mid-priced upright with spinning scrub brushes. It is a common first deep cleaner for homes with pets.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are5th of 10
- How many rated it3rd of 10
- How new it is7th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- Rotating scrub brushes loosen dirt from medium pile carpet
- Pet and upholstery tools with a hose for stairs
- Separate clean and dirty tanks
- Owners report it is simple to set up and use
Keep in mind
- No heater, so old stains may need several passes
- Bulky and heavy to move between floors
- Plastic parts feel light for the size
6.Shark CarpetXpert with StainStriker EX201
A mid-priced upright with a built-in spot tool and a stain formula that mixes on contact. It is a sensible pick for pets and ordinary family messes.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are8th of 10
- How many rated it8th of 10
- How new it is2nd of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- Built-in StainStriker spot tool, plus a 3.5 inch bristle tool
- Includes a crevice tool and a pet tool for stairs and upholstery
- Backed by a 5-year limited warranty
- Owners report good results on fresh pet stains
Keep in mind
- Works best with Shark's own formulas, which adds ongoing cost
- No heater
- Narrow 10-inch cleaning path means more passes over a big room
7.Hoover SmartWash+ Automatic Carpet Cleaner Machine FH52000
An upright that washes on the push stroke and dries on the pull, so you skip the trigger. It suits people who want fewer steps.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are6th of 10
- How many rated it4th of 10
- How new it is6th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- Automatic wash on the forward pass and suction on the back pass
- Backed by a 5-year motor warranty
- Auto Dry uses HeatForce heated air for faster drying
- Includes a hand tool for stairs and upholstery
Keep in mind
- Heated air dries the carpet, but the wash water is not heated, so old stains may need several passes
- Large and heavy for apartments
8.Rug Doctor Mighty Pro X3 Carpet Cleaner 90011
The rental-store machine for home use. It has large tanks and a vibrating brush, and it suits big whole-house jobs.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are7th of 10
- How many rated it9th of 10
- How new it is5th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- Large tanks cover several rooms per fill
- Vibrating brush reaches all sides of each fiber
- Same design as the machines in many stores
Keep in mind
- Among the priciest machines here, and it needs real storage space
- Heavy, so lifting it up steps or into a car takes effort
9.Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro Plus 3588F
A heated upright built for pet households. It scrubs with dual brushes and ships with pet-specific tools and formula.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are9th of 10
- How many rated it7th of 10
- How new it is4th of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- Built-in heater warms the wash water, which helps loosen set-in stains
- Separate clean and dirty tanks, plus a pet tool for stairs and furniture
- Comes with an odor and urine formula meant for pet accidents
- Heated cleaning and dual brushes suit traffic lanes and pet-soiled carpet
Keep in mind
- Heavy and bulky to carry up stairs or store
- Carpet can stay damp for several hours, so plan on airing the room
10.Tineco Carpet One Cruiser
A smart, lighter upright with a self-cleaning cycle and heated-air brush drying. It cuts the cleanup that most full-size machines leave you with.
What makes up the score
- How happy owners are10th of 10
- How many rated it10th of 10
- How new it is1st of 10
Each bar shows its place in this guide, so a full bar is 1st of 10. How happy owners are counts for most of the score.
Why it's here
- FlashDry self-cleaning washes the brush roller and dries the brush with heated air
- Weighs about 22 pounds, lighter than most full-size cleaners
- Accessory hose for stairs and upholstery
- Self-propelled drive eases pushing, and the clean tank was moved to make filling easier
Keep in mind
- Costs far more than most uprights here, for fewer owner reports to go on
- Slim tanks mean more refills and emptying on big jobs
- Tineco's own cleaning solution adds ongoing cost
Before you buy a carpet cleaner
What is the best carpet cleaner for pets?
Look for a machine with a heater or strong suction, a pet-specific formula for urine and odor, and a pet tool for stairs and furniture. A heated upright like the Bissell ProHeat 3588F or a stain-focused Shark suits most pet homes. Add a small portable for accidents so you can treat them right away.
Is it worth buying a carpet cleaner instead of renting one?
A rental costs a set fee per day plus the cleaning solution each time. If you clean more than a few times over a few years, or have pets and need to treat accidents quickly, owning usually works out cheaper. A professional service makes sense for a one-time job or very large areas. Owning also means you can treat a stain right away, before it sets.
How often should you deep clean carpet?
Most manufacturers and cleaning groups suggest every 6 to 12 months. Households with pets, kids or allergies may want every 3 to 6 months. Spot clean spills right away and vacuum weekly between deep cleans.
Can you use any carpet cleaning solution in any machine?
Not safely. Foaming or high-sudsing formulas can clog pumps and flood the dirty tank, and many brands say that using other solutions can void the warranty. Use the brand's own formula or one it recommends, and expect to buy a bottle every few cleanings.
What is the difference between a full-size carpet cleaner and a portable spot cleaner?
A full-size upright has large tanks and a wide brush path, so it can clean a whole room or a hallway in one session. A portable has small tanks and a hose with a tool, so it suits stairs, upholstery, car seats and single stains. Uprights run from about 13 pounds to well over 40. Portables usually weigh under 10. Many homes with pets benefit from owning both.
How long does carpet take to dry after using a carpet cleaner?
Plan on 4 to 8 hours for most machines, and up to 24 hours for thick or high pile carpet or after heavy wetting. Run a fan, open windows and avoid walking on damp areas. Carpet left wet for more than a day can smell musty or grow mildew.
How we ranked these ten carpet cleaners
Every score here comes from our ranking model; no editor sets the order. Too few review sites cover carpet cleaners for their verdicts to lead, so this ranking is led by owners. It ranks products by how happy owners are, holding back any product few owners have rated until more agree. How many rated it and how new it is only settle close calls, and value for money earns its own badge rather than a higher place. We compared 16 models for this guide before settling on these ten.
Brands can't pay to be included or to move up. We last checked these picks in October 2026.
How we rank, in fullOur No. 1 carpet cleaner
Bissell Big Green Machine Professional Carpet Cleaner 86T3
A rental-style workhorse you can own. 9.2 out of 10.