Carpet cleaners: every model we've tested, ranked
Every home with carpet, pets or children needs one machine in this category — the only question is whether it's a handheld spot extractor (the iconic Bissell Little Green) or a full upright carpet washer. We test stain pull-out, drying time and how awful the machine is to empty. (It's always awful. We rank them anyway.)
Rankings
Carpet cleaners FAQ
Spot cleaner or full-size carpet washer?
Spot extractors handle the accidents (paws, wine, toddlers) that happen monthly; upright washers handle the seasonal whole-room refresh. Most homes want the spot extractor first.
Why does my carpet get dirty again so fast after washing?
Residue. Over-dosing detergent leaves sticky fibers that attract soil — that's why we favor machines with automatic dosing (Hoover SmartWash+, Tineco Carpet One) or clean-water-only passes.
Do carpet cleaners really remove pet odors?
They remove the source if you reach it — which means extracting through the pad side for urine. Enzyme pre-treatment plus a strong extractor is the one-two punch.
How long does carpet take to dry?
Spot-cleaned areas: 1-2 hours. Full-room washing: 6-24 hours depending on machine, passes and humidity — dry passes and heated-dry features cut it significantly.