The Best Portable Carpet Cleaner of 2023
Get rid of tough spots and stains with ease thanks to the best portable carpet cleaner available this year!
We’ve compiled a list to lead you to the best portable carpet cleaner on the market to help you keep your home in sparkling condition. There’s no place like home, and the perfect fittings can transform a home into a personal paradise. However, accidents happen. Drinks spill, pets leave messes, and the daily business of living brings unexpected stains to household items. When cleaning by hand, some tough stains just won’t budge no matter how hard you scrub. On the other hand, full-sized carpet cleaners tend to cost a lot of money. They are also too cumbersome to use on small spots and stains. This is where these products come in handy! Not only are they easy to carry around, but they also cost much less than full-sized cleaners!
Everything We Recommend
1. Best Product
BISSELL Little Green Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner
2. Runner Up
BISSELL SpotClean Pet Pro Portable Carpet Cleaner
3. Cost Effective
Hoover PowerDash Pet Compact Carpet Cleaner
4. Almost Made the Cut
BLACK+DECKER Cordless Spill + Spot Cleaner
1. Best Product
Best For Everyday Maintenance
BISSELL Little Green Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner
This lightweight corded device will have your house looking spotless in no time, with minimal effort!
Specifications
- Product Dimensions
- 8.25 x 17.25 x 12.5 inches
- Item Weight
- 9.65 pounds
- Warranty Description
- 1 year limited
- Batteries required
- No
Pros
Strong Spray and Suction- 48 oz Tank Capacity
- 3" Tough Stain Tool
- Compact Design
Cons
Short Hose Length- Brush is Only 3"
Previous Customer Experience
| Easy to use |   | 4.8 |
| Easy to remove | | 4.8 |
| Suction power | | 4.4 |
| Easy to clean | | 4.4 |
| For deep cleaning | | 4.4 |
| Value for money | | 4.4 |
Who It’s For
The Bissell Little Green is the perfect portable carpet cleaner if you often deal with small stains on furniture, carpets, and auto interiors. This may be due to the presence of pets, children, or an accidental spill once in a while.
Why It’s Great
The Bissell Little Green is renowned for its powerful spray and suction that powers through all kinds of stains. The scrub brush at the mouth of the hose is suitable for all kinds of soft surfaces. It’s also able to remove chocolate syrup, wine, dye, oil-based pigment, grease, and even wax. Additionally, because it weighs only 9.65 pounds when empty, it is a great choice in terms of compactness. But since the solution tank is big enough to hold up to 48 ounces of liquid, this has no impact on its capacity.
Additionally, it includes a very helpful hydro-rinse tool to clear dirt and debris from the hose. This hose can be easily wrapped around the base and clasped to the back of the machine, making storage easy. The four-foot hose and fifteen-foot power cord make it easy to tackle hard-to-reach spots with very little trouble.
Potential Flaws
The tanks might have the tendency to leak if not handled properly. Due to its rounded shape, the process of filling up the solution tank is a bit tricky, but this shouldn’t be a problem if you can maintain a steady hold. In addition, the machine has been reported to be on the loud side. Some customers also reported that the machine died after only a few uses.
Other Features
When compared to other cleaners in its category, the Bissell Little Green is unquestionably at the lower end of the price range. It is the top-rated bestseller on Amazon, with an overall rating of 4.6 out of 5. It has even become the subject of viral TikTok videos as people marvel at its powerful cleaning ability.
2. Runner Up
Best For Stain Removals
BISSELL SpotClean Pet Pro Portable Carpet Cleaner
Whether you have a messy pet or are dealing with an accidental spillage, BISSELL will never disappoint.
Specifications
- Item Dimensions
- 10 x 14 x 14 inches
- Item Weight
- 13.20 lbs
- Warranty Description
- Limited 2 year
- Form Factor
- Cannister
- Batteries required
- No
- Cord Length
- 20 ft
- Tank Capacity
- 96 oz
- Power Rating
- 5.7 Amps
Pros
- Superior Suction
- Tough Stain Tool and Stain Trapper
- Urine Eliminator Included
- Compact Design
- Cleans Multiple Surfaces
- 5 Foot Hose and 20 Foot Power Cord
- Holds ¾ Gallons
Cons
- Fixed Bristles Rather Than Rotating
- Corded Machine Makes For Cumbersome Handling
Previous Customer Experience
| Easy to use | | 4.4 |
| Easy to clean | | 4.4 |
| Durability | | 4.3 |
| Suction power | | 4.1 |
| For stairs | | 4.1 |
| For deep cleaning | | 4 |
Who It’s For
The Bissell SpotClean Pet Pro is one of Bissell’s most powerful and effective portable carpet and upholstery cleaners, especially for households with pets and kids. This cleaner combines impressive suction power and brushing action and uses two Pet Pro Oxy urine eliminator formulas to get rid of the toughest messes with ease.
Why It’s Great
The Bissell 2458 has a large, ¾-gallon water tank, allowing you to deal with several messes before emptying and refilling. A 3-inch stain tool helps scrub and suction away tough stains, while a stain trapper cup prevents debris, pet hair, and wet messes from going up the hose and into the machine. Weighing in at 13 pounds, the Bissell 2458 is not a heavy vacuum, making it easy to carry up and down the stairs or around the room.
Potential Flaws
Although the corded design provides impressive suction power, it can make the cleaner cumbersome by posing a tripping hazard and potentially getting tangled in furniture. You may find the necessity to exert effort when scrubbing messes because the stain tool has fixed brush bristles rather than powered, rotating ones.
Other Features
Despite the lack of cordless convenience, the Bissell 2458 comes with a 5-foot hose and a 20-foot power cord, offering you some cleaning flexibility. As is the case with every Bissell purchase, part of the proceeds from this cleaner go to the Bissell Pet Foundation, which is on a mission to rescue homeless pets.
3. Cost Effective
Best For Cleaning on A Budget
Hoover PowerDash Pet Compact Carpet Cleaner
Able to deep clean your carpets and help them dry afterward, this pick is sure to exceed expectations.
Specifications
- Item Dimensions
- 16.7 x 11.9 x 23.5 inches
- Item Weight
- 16.02 pounds
- Batteries required
- No
- Form Factor
- Upright
- Brush System
- Brush Roll
- Cord Length
- 20 Feet
- Tank Size
- 0.5 Gallons
Pros
- Compact Deep Cleaning
- HeatForce Technology dries as you go
- High Power and Lightweight
Cons
- Difficult to Empty The Dirty Water Tank
- Prone to Small Leaks
Previous Customer Experience
| Maneuverability | | 4.5 |
| Easy to use | | 4.5 |
| Suction power | | 4.2 |
| For deep cleaning | | 4.2 |
| Value for money | | 4.2 |
| For stairs | | 3.2 |
Who It’s For
The Hoover PowerDash Go is a portable, compact, and lightweight cleaner. As such, it's perfect for people with furry little friends. Besides, it comes with a spot and stain pet tool as well as a rubber nub pet tool to lift away messes.
Why It’s Great
The Hoover PowerDash Go is one of the lightest portable carpet cleaners on our list, in addition to being the most affordable. Pet owners should choose it because it makes getting rid of pet messes very simple. The interchangeable tools, the spot and stain pet tool, and the rubber nub pet tool come with antimicrobial technology to prevent mold, bacteria, and mildew from growing on them.
In addition, it comes with a pre-mixed Hoover Paws & Claws cleaning solution that does not require dilution. Its attractive and sleek design is perfect for those who love their machines to be visually appealing. Lastly, the dual tank system makes emptying and refilling a simple process.
Potential Flaws
Customers report that the spray trigger tends to leak and malfunction. It does not work well for deep cleaning and requires frequent refilling, as the capacity of the tank is only 8 ounces. The hose is also on the short side, only 24 inches long. Unlike many others, the hose does not have a self-cleaning function, so if it is not cleaned manually, it will become filled with dirt.
Other Features
It has received an average rating of 4.1 stars on the marketplace in addition to being "Amazon's Choice." Due to the interchangeable tools, its dual purposes seem to give it a competitive advantage. The bristle brush is useful for general cleaning, while the rubber-nub pet tool can handle challenging pet messes. For its low price, the Hoover PowerDash Go is certainly above average.
4. Almost Made the Cut
Best For Small Spills
BLACK+DECKER Cordless Spill + Spot Cleaner
Sometimes a mess does not need all the fanfare - this little spot cleaner quickly deals with any spillages or messes
Specifications
- Item Dimensions
- 17.8 x 6.2 x 8.31 inches
- Warranty Description
- 2-year limited warranty
- Batteries required
- Yes
- Item Weight
- 5.28 pounds
- Batteries
- 1 Lithium Ion batteries required (included)
Pros
- Handheld and Portable
- Battery Indicator Light
- Wide Nozzle Allows for Quick Pick Up
Cons
- Struggles to Hold Battery For Long
- Small Fluid Tank
Previous Customer Experience
| Easy to remove | | 3.5 |
| Easy to use | | 3.2 |
| Easy to clean | | 3 |
| Suction power | | 2.6 |
| Value for money | | 2 |
Who It’s For
Get this portable carpet cleaner if you have pets or little ones that often leave unpleasant stains on your carpets and upholstery.
Why It’s Great
The Rug Doctor boasts twice the suction power of other machines, making it powerful enough to clean all kinds of stains. It is also the only one on this list that comes with a long retractable handle and carpet-friendly wheels to aid movement from one place to another. True to its name, the Rug Doctor easily lifts pet messes from carpets, upholstery, and car interiors. Lastly, the trial-size cleaning solution has been reported to neutralize odors as well.
Potential Flaws
The Rug Doctor is the heaviest of all the machines on our list, weighing a massive 18.86 pounds. It is also the most expensive, costing a bit more than the average machine in the category. The hose does not have a self-cleaning function.
In addition, the awkward shape of the tank makes it difficult to fill with a solution. Additionally, according to customers, if not handled carefully, it tends to leak. For these reasons, this portable cleaner just couldn’t make it into our top three.
Who This Is For
These best portable carpet cleaners are perfect for dealing with small stains and pet messes on upholstery, carpets, and auto interiors. If this is you, then you need a portable carpet and upholstery cleaner, as full-sized machines may not allow for effective spot cleaning.
Difference between carpet and upholstery cleaners
In recent times, the lines distinguishing carpet cleaners from upholstery cleaners have become blurred. Many companies now specialize in manufacturing multi-purpose equipment. Thus, one cleaner can work on both carpets and furniture, as well as car upholstery and stairs. As such, this makes it much easier for customers when inevitable messes occur in different parts of the home. Instead of purchasing multiple machines to handle different areas, one machine can do all the work.
However, it is important to pay attention to the type and quantity of cleaning solution used when cleaning upholstery. Make sure to check if the solution is suitable for the upholstery material. Also, avoid spraying too much solution on your upholstery to prevent the foam and other underlying materials from getting soaked. This is because it can lead to a buildup of mold and unpleasant odors.
Can you use a carpet cleaner on sofas and armchairs?
The answer is yes! Most portable carpet cleaners on the market are multipurpose cleaners. That is, they accommodate a wide range of surfaces, such as carpets, upholstery, car interiors, and stairs. Even better, a lot of them come with interchangeable tools, such as bristle brushes and rubber tools, depending on the type of surface being cleaned.
Why You Should Trust Us
The market is saturated with a large number of fancy-looking portable carpet cleaners. However, not all of them are powerful enough to get rid of stains and embedded dirt. Therefore, we focused on products that have proven track records of effectiveness. Using a consumer-focused approach, we selected products that have high customer satisfaction rates and excellent reviews. In fact, none of the products listed here received less than a four-star rating!
How We Picked
Trying to find the perfect home appliance can be daunting when you consider the broad range of products marketed online. Whether it be large or small, corded or cordless, all these portable carpet cleaners promise to get the job done. We know how tasking and stressful the process can be. Therefore, we did all the work by scouring countless customer reviews and product descriptions to find the best options for your home.
Portability
We looked for portable carpet cleaners powerful enough to suck up any kind of stain, whether it be old or new. Portable cleaners are meant to be an alternative to full-sized ones in terms of size, so we made sure to choose machines that are portable and compact, small enough to carry without strain. And, they all have comfortable handles that make it easy to move the machine around while cleaning. Besides, each cleaner comes with its own free bottle of cleaning solution, so you don’t have to worry about mixing your own. These solutions have proven to be effective at getting rid of stains.
Price vs. quality
All the products on this list come in beautiful and bright designs. Better still, you don’t have to worry about splashing out, as all options are budget-friendly. However, this doesn’t have a negative effect on their quality.
Ease of use
What’s even more amazing is how easy they all are to use! Even before reading the instruction manuals, the products’ style makes assembly and storage as straightforward as possible. Every part and component is easy to use, store, wash, and disassemble. As these cleaners get the job done fairly quickly, the noise they generate shouldn’t be a problem. Thankfully, the power cords extend several feet, giving you a long reach while cleaning.
How We Picked
Size/Weight
No one wants to drag around a heavy machine while getting rid of stains. Therefore, portable carpet cleaners must be just what their name implies: portable!
Style/Design
Who says that household equipment has to look clunky and awkward? These best portable carpet cleaners look good while still getting the job done.
Quality of Wash
Getting rid of stains and spills shouldn’t take an inordinate amount of time and effort. Therefore, the quality of the wash needs to be superior so that tough stains can be removed with only a little elbow grease.
Cost-Effectiveness
You don’t have to spend a fortune to get the best portable carpet cleaner. We found the best bargains to help you spend less while getting more in terms of quality!
Care and Maintenance
Filling the cleaning solution
In order to extend the life of your portable carpet cleaner, it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions meticulously as each machine is different. When filling the tank with solution, pay attention to the measurement lines on the tanks, if any are included. But if there are no limit lines, avoid overfilling the tank to prevent spilling.
Lastly, after handling the solution, ensure you wash your hands properly as a result of the chemicals involved.
How to store your portable carpet cleaner
After use, wrap up the cord and hose and attach them to the back of the machine with the attached clasps. However, if no clasps are available, wrap them carefully and secure them with a peg or any similar tool. Also, avoid spilling liquids on the machine or its power cord to prevent it from malfunctioning.
