Buying guide for Which portable carpet cleaner is best?
Whether your dog tracks mud in from a walk, your kids are messy when dipping their chicken nuggets in ketchup or a guest spills red wine at a dinner party, your carpeting can get stained pretty easily. You don’t always want to drag out a full-size carpet cleaner to take care of spots, though, so finding the best portable carpet cleaner for your home can help you keep your floors and upholstered furniture stain-free.
We tested and researched over a dozen models to find the best portable carpet cleaner for every home. We evaluated how well they cleaned by testing them on common stains including mud, red wine and tea. Additionally, we considered how easy the spot cleaners were to move, store and maneuver around furniture and other obstacles.
Ultimately, the Bissell SpotClean ProHeat was our favorite portable carpet cleaner. It’s the lightest of the models we tested, making it easy to move and carry up and down stairs. We also loved how effectively it removed stains like mud, wine and ketchup, cleaning them completely in two passes or fewer. And thanks to its long cord, we didn’t have to move the machine much during cleaning.
Our top picks
Bissell SpotClean ProHeat Plus Portable Carpet & Upholstery Spot Cleaner
Best Portable Carpet Cleaner
Product Specifications
Clean Tank Capacity: 37 oz | Weight: 8.5 lb | Cord Length: 15’ | Warranty: 2-year limited warranty | Accessories: Tough-stain tool and deep-stain tool
The Bissell SpotClean ProHeat Plus offers big cleaning power in a compact, portable package that weighs under 9 pounds. It effectively removed various stains, including mud, ketchup, red wine and ice-melt residue from a winter storm, in two passes or less without much scrubbing.
The clean water tank is on the small side, but we were still able to clean a 64-square-foot area before refilling. A benefit of its smaller design is that the SpotClean ProHeat Plus fits easily into tight spaces. With the compact tool heads that were included, we quickly cleaned around a sofa, beneath a coffee table and along stair edges. The power cord and hose are quite long, so we didn’t need to move the machine much during cleaning.
The machine came with a larger deep-stain tool and a smaller tough-stain tool. The deep-stain tool was slightly better at removing set-in stains because it had stiff rubber bristles that agitated the carpet fibers for deeper cleaning. That said, we didn’t observe a huge difference between the results the tools rendered.
Though the SpotClean ProHeat Plus does an excellent job deep-cleaning stains, it didn’t get the carpet overly wet. It took just 30 minutes for the treated spots on our carpet to dry. We were disappointed by the fact that the SpotClean ProHeat Plus didn’t heat the water. Instead, it only maintained the temperature of the water we added.
Bissell Little Green Multipurpose Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner
Best Portable Carpet Cleaner for Upholstery
Product Specifications
Clean Tank Capacity: 48 oz | Weight: 9.7 lb | Cord Length: 15’ | Warranty: 1-year limited warranty | Accessories: Tough-stain tool and spraying crevice tool
The Bissell Little Green Multipurpose Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner may not be as lightweight as the Bissell SpotClean ProHeat, but its water tank holds 11 ounces more, cutting down on your trips to the sink for refills. In fact, we cleaned the entire upholstered surface of the couch in our testing area on a single tank — and this couch had several stains from dog treats and mud.
While it weighs over a pound more than the SpotClean ProHeat, the Little Green was easy to maneuver in tight areas. The 3-inch tough-stain tool allowed us to clean the sofa and larger areas efficiently, while the crevice tool let us reach into narrower areas like along stair edges. We were impressed with how well it removed pet hair from the sofa, too, removing 90% of the hair we placed on the upholstery on our first pass.
The Little Green was just as effective on upholstery as it was on carpet. We tested its ability to address mud, iced tea, tomato sauce and coffee stains on medium-pile carpeting; it removed all types of stains in two passes or fewer. It didn’t get the carpet overly wet, either, so the spots we cleaned dried in 35 minutes or less.
One of the best things about the Little Green was how easy and intuitive it was to operate. We set it up within five minutes of removing it from the box and only needed to skim the manual briefly to start cleaning. The clean-water tank leaked when we turned it over to place it in the machine, but we didn’t have any issue with the dirty-water tank leaking when it was time to empty it.
Because of its compact design, the Little Green would work well in apartments and other small homes. Its cord and hose wrap around the machine when in storage. It can be difficult to clean after usage, though, because it sometimes clogs with pet hair and other debris.
Hoover CleanSlate Plus Carpet Upholstery Spot Cleaner
Best Portable Carpet Cleaner for Pet Owners
Product Specifications
Clean Tank Capacity: 40 oz | Weight: 9 lb | Cord Length: 18’ | Warranty: 2-year limited warranty | Accessories: Wide-path tool and tight-spot tool
The Hoover CleanSlate Plus Carpet Upholstery Spot Cleaner makes it quick and easy for pet owners to clean up after their pets. It’s one of the lighter portable carpet cleaners we tested, but it still has a 40-ounce water tank that can clean larger areas without frequent refills. We cleaned a 100-square-foot area of low-pile carpeting on a single tank.
During testing, we removed mud stains that the dogs had tracked in as well as vomit after one had gotten sick. The CleanSlate removed each of the stains in two minutes or less, which was much more efficient than our usual method of scrubbing with a manual brush. It made quick work of spilled cola and coffee, and it even removed a spot of tomato sauce on our dining room rug.
The CleanSlate has a substantial, high-quality feel, but it isn’t overly heavy when full, so it’s easy to move around. We easily carried it up and down stairs and found its top handle quite comfortable to hold. It has an 18-foot cord and 4.5-foot hose, both of which enhanced maneuverability. We only had to move it three or four times while cleaning an entire 8-foot by 10-foot rug.
The 7-inch-wide path tool made cleaning efficient because we could clean a large area quickly. The tight-spot tool came in handy when we wanted to clean along the back edge of carpeted stairs.
Maintenance was pretty simple, though it took us 15 minutes to fully empty and clean it. The included rinse tool enabled us to thoroughly clean the hose, so we didn’t have to worry about residue inside the machine for our next cleaning session. The CleanSlate’s recovery tank doesn’t have a locking lid, so you must be careful when removing it to prevent leaks.
Dirt Devil Portable Carpet & Upholstery Spot Cleaner
Best Portable Carpet Cleaners for Cars
Product Specifications
Clean Tank Capacity: 19 oz | Weight: 6 lb | Cord Length: 15’ | Warranty: 1-year limited warranty | Accessories: Stain tool and 2-in-1 pet tool
The lightest and most compact of all the models we tested, the Dirt Devil Portable Carpet & Upholstery Spot Cleaner may also be the most convenient choice. It weighs just 6 pounds and has an easy-to-hold handle; we moved from room to room and up and down stairs in our testing area without issue. The hose was highly flexible, which allowed us to easily access tight spots. It expertly cleaned the nooks and crannies in our car, too, and the 15-foot cord made it easy to reach the car from an outlet in the garage.
Although compact, the Dirt Devil Spot Cleaner delivers excellent cleaning power. It removed mud, tea and tomato sauce stains from low-pile carpeting in two passes or less, requiring under a minute of cleaning time for each spot. To deep-clean larger areas, we did need to move its nozzle more slowly than the Hoover Clean Slate nozzle or the Bissell LIttle Green nozzle. Still, its suction power was impressive, removing 95% of the coarse kosher salt we placed on the carpet in a single pass.
The one drawback of the Dirt Devil Spot Cleaner’s compact design is its limited tank capacity. It holds just 19 ounces, which is roughly half the size of most other models we tested. We cleaned three quarter-sized mud stains, three paw-sized mud stains from a large dog, a 25-square-inch stain from spilled tea and a dime-sized tomato sauce stain — as well as a 6-square-foot area without specific stains — before we needed to refill.
Rug Doctor Pet Portable Spot Cleaner
Best Portable Carpet Cleaner for Carpets
Product Specifications
Clean Tank Capacity: 64 oz | Weight: 18.33 lb | Cord Length: 20’ | Warranty: 1-year limited warranty | Accessories: Dual-action pet tool
As the largest model we considered, the Rug Doctor Pet Portable Spot Cleaner is suitable for cleaning large areas of carpeting. Still, it’s compact and easy to store. The clean-water tank can hold up to 64 ounces, which is the largest of all the portable carpet cleaners we evaluated. It has carpet-friendly wheels and a retractable handle that makes moving it from room to room a breeze. The 20-foot cord allows you to clean a spacious area without changing outlets, too.
To deep-clean carpets and upholstered surfaces, the Rug Doctor Pet Portable Spot Cleaner comes with a dual-action pet tool with rubberized bristles. This tool digs into fibers to remove not only stains but also odors. It has twice the suction power of similar portable cleaners, and it can even pick up pet hair and other loose debris.
The machine comes with an 8-ounce container of Rug Doctor’s Pet Stain and Odor Cleaning Solution. This pro-enzymatic formula is made to remove pet urine, waste, vomit and other organic substances like blood from carpeting and upholstery.
How we tested
To assess the performance of these portable carpet cleaners, we used them on different types of stains. We tested them on carpeting and rugs as well as furniture and other upholstered items.
Handling wet stains
We evaluated how well the portable carpet cleaners handled spills and stains with a thinner consistency using coffee, iced tea, soda and red wine. We poured a pre-measured amount of each liquid onto low-pile carpeting, medium-pile carpeting, area rugs and furniture and then recorded how many passes each model needed to fully remove the stain.
Handling heavy stains
We assessed how well the portable carpet cleaners removed heavier stains or thicker substances using mud, tomato sauce, ketchup and pet vomit. We measured the area of each stain and then noted how many passes each model required to remove the stain completely.
Evaluating general cleaning
We wanted to know how well these machines cleaned surfaces without specific stains. We used each model on a smaller area of a large rug and then compared the color and cleanliness of the treated spot to the rest of the carpet to see how much dirt and grime was removed.
Considerations when buying a portable carpet cleaner
Size and weight
Unlike full-size, upright carpet cleaners with wheels, a portable carpet cleaner must be carried from room to room. That’s why the size and weight are such important details to consider. Remember that no matter how light a model may be in its specs, it will be heavier when filled with water and cleaning solution. Expect this to add a pound or more to its overall weight.
Most models, including the Bissell SpotClean ProHeat Plus, Bissell Little Green and Hoover CleanSlate, weigh 10 pounds or less. This makes them pretty easy for most people to take in and out of the closet for storage and from room to room for cleaning. Some portable carpet cleaners weigh under 8 pounds, like the Dirt Devil Portable Carpet & Upholstery Spot Cleaner, which was the easiest model to move around our testing area. A compact cleaner like this is great for apartments and homes where storage space is at a premium. People with limited upper-body strength may also appreciate the lighter weight.
There’s a tradeoff that comes with a smaller size, though. By necessity, the water tanks are usually smaller. This means you’d need to refill more often when cleaning large areas. The Dirt Devil Spot Cleaner weighs just 6 pounds, and its water tank only holds 19 ounces. The Bissell SpotClean ProHeat Plus, Bissell Little Green and Hoover CleanSlate hold at least twice that amount … but they are also more than 2 pounds heavier.
We noticed that the Dirt Devil’s suction power wasn’t quite as strong as the heavier models during testing. It removed all the stains we tested it with, but we needed to work more slowly, increasing our overall cleaning time.
While most portable carpet cleaners weigh less than 14 pounds, some are nearly as heavy as upright carpet cleaners. The Rug Doctor Pet Portable Spot Cleaner weighs over 18 pounds, making it as heavy as some of the full-size models we tested. However, it also has the largest water tank among portable models and improved suction power. If you opt for a bigger model, make sure it has wheels for maneuverability.
No matter what size portable carpet cleaner you choose, look for one with a comfortable, secure handle so you can easily carry it from room to room. All the models we tested had handles, but the Hoover CleanSlate and Dirt Devil Spot Cleaner stood out for their especially easy-to-grip handles.
Capacity
Portable spot cleaners generally have tanks that hold 16 to 64 ounces. Models with large tanks don’t need to be refilled and emptied as often as those with smaller tanks, so they’re a better choice if you want to clean a large area or multiple spots in one session.
Most of the portable carpet cleaners we considered had tanks that held at least 40 ounces. The Hoover CleanSlate Plush Carpet Upholstery Spot Cleaner’s water tank can hold 40 ounces. During testing, we cleaned a 100-square-foot area of low-pile carpeting on a single tank. The Dirt Devil Spot Cleaner’s 19-ounce tank only cleaned approximately 40 square feet before we had to refill it.
Surface type
The best portable carpet cleaners are versatile enough to clean more than carpeting. Nearly all can clean carpets and rugs, but many are also effective at removing stains from upholstered surfaces, including furniture.
All the portable carpet cleaners we tested were designed for use on carpets, rugs and upholstery. However, some models were better suited for the carpets and rugs, while others worked well for all three surfaces. The size of their tools played a role in how effective they were for various surfaces: Larger, wider tools were generally better for carpets and rugs, whereas smaller tools allowed for more precision when cleaning furniture and other upholstered surfaces.
During testing, the Hoover CleanSlate was extremely effective at cleaning carpets and rugs with a 2-in-1 antimicrobial brush. However, its water spray was pretty imprecise, so it got the sofa in our testing area a bit too wet. On the other hand, we loved the Bissell Little Green for cleaning couches and armchairs because its spraying crevice tool allowed us to concentrate our cleaning in smaller areas and even get between cushions.
A note on cleaning solutions
To get the best results from your portable carpet cleaner, you need to pair it with the right cleaning solution. The most important thing is to get a formula for portable machines. If you use a cleaning solution formulated for an upright cleaner, it may not provide the best clean and could even foam too much, causing additional stains on your carpet or upholstery.
Consider the types of stains you need to clean, too. An enzyme-based cleaner is most effective for stains with strong odors like pet urine or vomit because the bacteria it contains can help break down the waste into smaller particles that are easier to remove.
Dark and brightly colored stains require a different approach. During testing, we especially liked the Bissell PRO OXY Spot & Stain Cleaner that came with the Bissell SpotClean ProHeat Plus. Its peroxide-based formula was highly effective at removing food stains including coffee, red wine and ketchup.
A note about carpet cleaner accessories
Most portable carpet cleaners come with at least two accessories or cleaning heads. They usually include suction heads with bristles to scrub carpet fibers; many models include multiple heads in different sizes. The Deep Stain tool that came with the Bissell SpotClean ProHeat Plus was a favorite of ours because its combination of nylon bristles and rubber bristles effectively scrubbed carpet fibers to remove coffee, ketchup, mud and red wine.
Many portable models also have a crevice tool for small areas. The Bissell Little Green’s spraying crevice tool made it easy to focus on stains in narrow areas, which was particularly helpful for cleaning upholstery and furniture.
Couch vs. carpet performance
While portable carpet cleaners are mainly intended for cleaning carpets and rugs, most are also highly effective at cleaning couches and other upholstered furniture. We used all the models we tested on both carpeting and couches and found that portable spot cleaners with smaller cleaning heads or tools worked best. They not only made it easier to get into a sofa’s nooks and crannies, but they also targeted their water spray so the upholstery didn’t get overly wet.
The Bissell Little Green was one of our favorite couch cleaners because it had a crevice tool that allowed us to clean specific stains on the sofa. We used it to remove paw prints that the dogs in our testing area left along the front edge of the cushions, needing just two passes to completely remove the stains.
Our expertise
Jennifer Blair has written about cleaning and home products for BestReviews for seven years, penning over 100 articles on everything from vacuum cleaners to air fryers. At home, she relies on a portable carpet cleaner to clean up the mud and other stains her dogs always seem to leave on carpets and rugs. She has also tested both portable and upright carpet cleaners for BestReviews, including models from Bissell, Hoover and Dirt Devil.
FAQ
Q. Which is better for carpet and upholstery: a steam cleaner or an extraction machine?
A. Steam cleaners are far more likely to damage fabric and upholstery due to the high temperature of the steam. Plus, these machines don’t remove stains all that well. Extraction machines can still damage upholstery with water or the cleaning formula, but it happens much less often. Test any machine on a small, hidden area first.
Q. Do extraction machines come with a cleaning solution?
A. Most spot cleaners come with at least a small sample of cleaning solution. While it doesn’t take much cleaning solution to remove a typical stain, you’ll have to keep a regular supply if you anticipate cleaning up a lot of stains.
Q. Can spot cleaners get out old stains?
A. While spot cleaners might be able to remove surface dirt and some aspects of an old stain, they aren’t intended for use on embedded stains that reach into the carpet pad or sofa batting.
