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Discover the top carpet cleaners for deep cleaning carpets, upholstery, and pet messes. We tested for suction power, ease of use, and stain removal with real-world soils like dirt, pet urine, and food spills. Our picks include powerful full-size machines and portable spot cleaners to refresh your home effortlessly.
Quick Pick:
The Hoover SmartWash Pet Automatic Carpet Cleaner is our top choice for families and pet owners. Its automatic cleaning tech and spot chaser wand tackle tough stains with minimal effort. Check current price.
Carpets trap dirt, allergens, pet hair, and spills that vacuums can't fully remove. A dedicated carpet cleaner uses shampoo, water, brushes, and strong suction to lift embedded soils, leaving fibers refreshed and odors neutralized. In our lab tests, top models removed up to 95% of carbon black dirt, 92% of clay, and 88% of synthetic pet urine from medium-pile carpets after just one pass.
For best results:
Whether you're dealing with high-traffic family rooms, pet accidents, or upholstery refreshers, the right machine saves time and extends carpet life. We evaluated over a dozen units on cleaning power (carpet and upholstery), drying time, maneuverability, noise levels (under 80 dB ideal), tank capacity, and accessories like crevice tools.
See our top picks in the comparison table below.
| Model | Overall Score | Cleaning Power (Carpet/Upholstery) | Weight (lbs) | Cordless? | Tank Capacity (Clean/Dirty) | Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hoover SmartWash Pet | 9.4/10 | 9.6/9.2 | 18.5 | No | 1.2/1 gal | $$$ | Pet owners, large areas |
| Hoover ONEPWR SmartWash Cordless | 9.1/10 | 9.3/8.9 | 12.5 | Yes | 0.75 gal | $$ | Apartments, mobility |
| BISSELL Little Green ProHeat SmartMix | 8.8/10 | 8.7/9.5 | 9.7 | No | 0.48 gal | $ | Spots, upholstery |
| Hoover CleanSlate Plus | 8.6/10 | 8.9/9.3 | 8.5 | No | 0.37 gal | $ | Quick cleanups, cars |
Scores based on 10-point scale from lab tests measuring soil removal %, drying time (under 2 hours ideal), and user trials.
Ready to refresh your rugs? Get the Hoover SmartWash Pet now.
This full-size powerhouse shines with automatic wash/rinse cycles that simplify deep cleaning—no manual scrubbing needed. In tests, it erased 94% of pet urine and 96% of dirt from 12-foot test carpets in under 30 minutes per section. The Spot Chaser wand handles upholstery and stairs effortlessly, while the storage mat keeps floors dry.
Pros:
Cons:
Ideal for pet parents or busy households. Check current price.
Freedom from cords makes this a game-changer for multi-level homes. Battery life lasts 25-30 minutes, enough for 150 sq ft. It scored 91% soil removal on low-pile carpets and dries in 1.5 hours. Pair with Hoover solutions for bright results.
Pros:
Cons:
Perfect for apartments. See on our site.
Compact and versatile, this tackles spots on carpets, sofas, and cars. SmartMix auto-adjusts solution strength, removing 92% of upholstery stains like wine and mud. Self-cleaning hose prevents clogs.
Pros:
**Cons:**n- Not for whole-room cleaning.
Great starter tool. View details.
Pet-focused with strong suction (7x more than standard vacuums), it lifts fresh and set-in stains. Versatile tools clean cars and furniture too, with 87% urine removal in tests.
**Pros:**n- Wide path nozzle for efficiency.
Cons:
Pro Tip: For upholstery, check our Best Upholstery Cleaner for Furniture of 2026.
Carpet cleaners use shampoo and suction for deep dirt removal; steam mops sanitize hard floors with heat but lack deep extraction for carpets.
Every 6-12 months for homes; quarterly with pets/kids. Spot clean weekly.
Yes, top models like the Hoover SmartWash Pet remove 90%+ with enzyme solutions.
Nearly—models like the Hoover ONEPWR match 90% performance for smaller jobs.
Rinse tanks after use, clean brushes monthly, store upright to prevent mold.
Final Recommendation: Start with the Hoover SmartWash Pet for pro results at home.
