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✓ 52 sourced quotes

Ranked by evidence

5 Best Carpet Cleaner Machines of 2026, Ranked by Owner Reviews

Published

One excellent tip a pro carpet cleaner told me is that the main mistake made by home users is that we fail to rinse the carpet a second time using clean, hot water to remove soap residue. When you do, you’ll be shocked by how dirty the second rinse water is. Many carpets “dull” a few days after shampooing because the leftover soap discolors.— YouTube comment · philipburton9518 · on the #1 pick, Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro

  1. 1 Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet ProBest overall 12 sources
  2. 2 Bissell Little GreenBest for spots and pets 13 sources
  3. 3 Bissell Big Green MachineMost powerful 11 sources
  4. 4 Rug Doctor Deep Carpet CleanerThe rental you know 8 sources
  5. 5 Hoover SmartWash Pet CompleteBest budget 8 sources
1
Best overall

Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro

The Plus adds tools to the same machine

Illustration of Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro Illustration of the product
Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro — thumbnail of a cited video review ▶ From a video review of this product Check price on Amazon →

affiliate link · goes to an Amazon search for this product

Type
Full-size home upright

Why it ranks here. The home upright everyone recommends, top of Consumer Reports' test, with more owner reviews than any other carpet cleaner. One owner calls it a beast on larger areas and says the carpet looks amazing. The owners' trick: rinse a second time with clean hot water, because soap left in the carpet attracts dirt, and the second rinse water comes out shockingly dirty. The Plus adds tools to the same machine.

The manual is useless, owners were intimidated by the lack of instructions and learned it from YouTube, and the solution cap holds 2.5 ounces rather than 25. It is loud enough to leave ears ringing after half an hour. One owner who came to enjoy carpet cleaning wishes he had paid up for the Big Green.

What owners like

  • A beast on large areas
  • Top of Consumer Reports' test
  • Most reviewed cleaner

What owners complain about

  • Useless manual
  • Loud
  • Keen owners outgrow it

One excellent tip a pro carpet cleaner told me is that the main mistake made by home users is that we fail to rinse the carpet a second time using clean, hot water to remove soap residue. When you do, you’ll be shocked by how dirty the second rinse water is. Many carpets “dull” a few days after shampooing because the leftover soap discolors.— YouTube comment · philipburton9518

8 positive · 3 mixed · 1 neutral · 12 voices · ✓ all 12 linked to source

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  • One excellent tip a pro carpet cleaner told me is that the main mistake made by home users is that we fail to rinse the carpet a second time using clean, hot water to remove soap residue. When you do, you’ll be shocked by how dirty the second rinse water is. Many carpets “dull” a few days after shampooing because the leftover soap discolors.

    YouTube comment · philipburton9518 · watch the original ↗

  • Bought my Bissell ProHeat carpet cleaner....almost 2 months ago. Was intimidated by the lack of instructions and now so grateful that I ran into your clear, concise video first!

    YouTube comment · Tacha1007 · watch the original ↗

  • My tip when using this machine is to wear earplugs or headphones. It may not seem loud to some, but after 30 minutes, you can wind up with some ringing in the ears.

    YouTube comment · digs6881 · watch the original ↗

  • Nice demo! Just a friendly correction: the solution cap is not 25 oz, it's 2.5 oz. But we knew what you meant :). Thanx for sharing your overview and I like the tip about adding oxyclean.

    YouTube comment · nateroo · watch the original ↗

  • I hadn’t used mine because I had no idea what to do until I saw your video. For larger areas, this thing is a beast. I’m tired after doing JUST the hallway.

    YouTube comment · jnelly3426 · watch the original ↗

  • I recently spent $280 on a Bissell ProHeat 2X Pet Pro or whatever the long ass name is. It’s from Target. I wish I just ponied up for a Big Green because I ended up really enjoying carpet cleaning.

    Reddit comment · u/sprchrgddc5 · r/HomeImprovement · 2024-08-01 · read the original ↗

  • Consumer Reports does testing of carpet cleaners and vacuums... They ranked "Bissell ProHeat 2x Revolution Pet Pro Plus 3588F Carpet Cleaner" as #1... The Bissell has a 4.5 rating on Amazon.

    Reddit comment · u/Dependent_Answer848 · r/HomeImprovement · 2024-08-01 · read the original ↗

  • Use this machine today for the first time- amazing! It actually does what it says it will do and so easy to move the containers - thank You for showing how to use it

    YouTube comment · lenaabrams9981 · watch the original ↗

  • Great video! I hadn’t used mine in a year and needed a refresher to remember how to use it. I’m so impressed by how quickly and clean it got my carpets - super satisfying!!!

    YouTube comment · heartquaked · watch the original ↗

  • Thank you!! I just bought one last week and was having trouble with the attachments. Your video walked me right thru it. Thanks again!! The carpet looks amazing!! I'm very happy with it.

    YouTube comment · babsjean9913 · watch the original ↗

  • I’ve borrowed this exact machine from a friend to clean my carpets & couch and this video was incredibly useful. I had no idea what to do or best practices, but between your video & the comments, I feel like I’m going to get the best out of it that I can.

    YouTube comment · AmandaDoyle · watch the original ↗

  • In these comments, several people mentioned doing a last rinse run over your carpet. Apparently, filling the tank with cold water sucks up the residue soap. Apparently, soap left in the carpet attracts dirt! Who would have known?!

    YouTube comment · Diane-c4g1t · watch the original ↗

2
Best for spots and pets

Bissell Little Green

Owners prefer the older ProHeat version, which keeps the water hot

Illustration of Bissell Little Green Illustration of the product
Bissell Little Green — thumbnail of a cited video review ▶ From a video review of this product Check price on Amazon →

affiliate link · goes to an Amazon search for this product

Type
Portable spot cleaner

Why it ranks here. The portable that pet owners buy first, for carpet, sofas, stairs, car seats and mattresses. It pulled three year-old pet stains out for one extremely impressed Costco buyer, saved a horrible-smelling dog couch headed for the tip, and takes care of pet stains like a dream in a two-cat house. Owners prefer the older ProHeat version, which keeps the water hot.

It is a spot cleaner, not a whole-room machine, and results depend on technique: owners fill it with hot water, pre-treat from a separate spray bottle, scrub, then use the machine only to suck it out. One owner of both says the newer SpotClean ProHeat did not work as well as the old version, and one mother's beige couch stains would not come out at all.

What owners like

  • Pulls year-old pet stains
  • Saves sofas and car seats
  • Small and cheap

What owners complain about

  • Spot cleaner only
  • Needs pre-treating
  • Newer version weaker

I bought the Bissell little green machine last week at Costco. I had a few pet stains that were a year old that i couldn't clean up. It got all 3 of them out. Extremely impressed. Can't imagine needing the big green machine people talk about, but it must be pretty great considering what this little machine can do.— Reddit comment · u/timtamz28 · r/HomeImprovement · 2024-08-01

9 positive · 2 mixed · 2 neutral · 13 voices · ✓ all 13 linked to source

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  • FYI. that little green clip, that you weren't sure of, goes on the bottom front of the unit to help hold the hose in place. I love my lil green machine takes care of pet stains like a dream (i have 2 cats)

    YouTube comment · Remnantofagirl · watch the original ↗

  • I have the older version of this machine, the Little Green ProHeat it has the option to keep the water you put in it warm/hot... I had also purchased the newer version Bissell SpotClean ProHeat, but it didn't work as well as the old version.

    YouTube comment · hiddentomato · watch the original ↗

  • Instead of the cleaner in the tank do hot water and in a separate spray bottle do your solution mixed with water and that way you’re sucking up all of the soap out of the fabric!

    YouTube comment · tonyramirez7029 · watch the original ↗

  • I got a dog, so an at home carpet cleaner came next. This thing is a lifesaver <3 I'd say a separate brush/agitator is necessary, presoaking the area helps, and mainly just using this to suck up the water is the best way to go!

    YouTube comment · mangokilla127 · watch the original ↗

  • This thing is so old. Came out over 12 years ago. Im surprised not everyone knows about it yet.

    YouTube comment · NootNoot947 · watch the original ↗

  • Wife and I also have animals and just bought a Bissell Little Green. It’s worked really well so far, and often goes on sale. We got ours for $80.

    Reddit comment · u/50West · r/HomeImprovement · 2024-08-01 · read the original ↗

  • I bought the Bissell little green machine last week at Costco. I had a few pet stains that were a year old that i couldn't clean up. It got all 3 of them out. Extremely impressed. Can't imagine needing the big green machine people talk about, but it must be pretty great considering what this little machine can do.

    Reddit comment · u/timtamz28 · r/HomeImprovement · 2024-08-01 · read the original ↗

  • I just bought one and it took old stains out. I'm pretty happy with it.

    YouTube comment · jessadiana · watch the original ↗

  • I was hesitant on buying this because of the price, thinking it was maybe cheap because it was bad, but you've sold me on it, little things got some power to it

    YouTube comment · Karate_Chimp · watch the original ↗

  • We have a “dog couch” meant for our dogs. It smelt horrible and thought about throwing the old one away; we didn’t have to thanks to this Bissell. It cleaned the couch so well and the dog smell is gone! Saved us a ton of money.

    YouTube comment · Rayx0916 · watch the original ↗

  • Thank you! Just got mine delivered and I really didn’t want to look at the pamphlet😅😂

    YouTube comment · nataliegarcia4215 · watch the original ↗

  • I love it , it cleaned my couch, highly recommended I give it 9 out of 10

    YouTube comment · amanysdesigns4199 · watch the original ↗

  • The fact you have young kids and your white couch looks so good!!! I had a beige one with two girls that looked even worse after a week of use lol. Half of the stains wouldn't even come out with the same exact machine lol

    YouTube comment · jjww1 · watch the original ↗

3
Most powerful

Bissell Big Green Machine

Professional 86T3; also sold as Big Green Pet Plus

Illustration of Bissell Big Green Machine Illustration of the product
Bissell Big Green Machine — thumbnail of a cited video review ▶ From a video review of this product Check price on Amazon →

affiliate link · goes to an Amazon search for this product

Type
Rental-grade upright

Why it ranks here. The machine every thread about the truly best cleaner ends on: rental-grade, powerful, repairable, and owned for years. One long-time owner says it is so much better than the competition it is not even close, another who watched a lot of reviews found nothing came close, and however clean you think your carpet is, you will cry at how much sludge it pulls up. An owner of many machines calls it worth every dollar. Also sold as Big Green Pet Plus.

It weighs 40 to 50 pounds empty and is difficult to move around; one owner wishes for a lighter unit she would use more often, and a second-floor renter bought one anyway. It is the most expensive machine here, which most homes do not need.

What owners like

  • Not even close, say owners
  • Pulls up sludge
  • Repairable, lasts years

What owners complain about

  • 40 to 50 pounds
  • Hard to move
  • Most expensive

Bissell Big Green or bust... I always tell people, no matter how clean you think your carpet is, use this, and you'll cry at how much sludge gets pulled up.— Reddit comment · u/SwampyJesus76 · r/HomeImprovement · 2024-08-01

9 positive · 2 mixed · 11 voices · ✓ all 11 linked to source

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  • The "Bissell Big Green Professional Carpet Cleaner" is the best without any doubt. But it's expensive, and heavy. But it's very very powerful. I watched a LOT of reviews, and no other machine even comes close.

    Reddit comment · u/asr · r/HomeImprovement · 2024-08-01 · read the original ↗

  • I've had one for years and it is so much better than all the rest of the competition. It's not even close.

    Reddit comment · u/Emfuser · r/HomeImprovement · 2024-08-01 · read the original ↗

  • Bissell Big Green or bust... I always tell people, no matter how clean you think your carpet is, use this, and you'll cry at how much sludge gets pulled up.

    Reddit comment · u/SwampyJesus76 · r/HomeImprovement · 2024-08-01 · read the original ↗

  • Had the Little Green for a bit. Tried the Big Green, gifted the little green and bought the big green. What a beast. Obviously they serve different purposes but jeez I love it.

    Reddit comment · u/91-92-93--96-97-98 · r/HomeImprovement · 2024-08-01 · read the original ↗

  • I have a Bissel Big Green Machine- my thought was buy once, cry once. And it works great, though its very heavy and difficult to move around- I wish I had a smaller, lighter unit, and if I did, I would use it more often.

    Reddit comment · u/kevstev · r/HomeImprovement · 2025-12-04 · read the original ↗

  • I bought mine off the used rental tools department at Home Depot. Paid $185 for a Rug Doctor and never looked back! THey have to replace them after so many hours on them. One of the best purchases I've made tbh

    Reddit comment · u/TexasActress · r/HomeImprovement · 2024-08-01 · read the original ↗

  • People in the buy it for life group say the big green machine is the best

    Reddit comment · u/IntelligentFan5409 · r/CleaningTips · 2026-07-04 · read the original ↗

  • I've owned a lot of carpet cleaners through the yrs, and I can say, although this cost a good amount, it's 100% worth every dollar spent.

    YouTube comment · robertbaker50 · watch the original ↗

  • Rented big green machine a few months ago... didn't move furniture 😕 and that machine weighs about 40 to 50 lbs empty lol. live on second floor... The water was grey uh not to bad guess its from dust bunnies... bought big green machine.

    YouTube comment · pamelavance648 · watch the original ↗

  • Roger, I totally agree with you, because this Bissell is truly the grand daddy of all of the Rug Doctor models, via rental units, because of the large rotating dirtlifter powerbrush, and the forward cleaning motion, huh?

    YouTube comment · aramis295 · watch the original ↗

  • If you want a good long lasting carpet cleaner that doesn't leave your carpet feeling like a swamp and you can get replacement parts when things go wrong with it, you want something that looks like you rented it. big green, rug doctor.

    Reddit comment · u/VulnerableTrustLove · r/HomeImprovement · 2024-08-01 · read the original ↗

4
The rental you know

Rug Doctor Deep Carpet Cleaner

The home version of the rental machine

Illustration of Rug Doctor Deep Carpet Cleaner Illustration of the product
Rug Doctor Deep Carpet Cleaner — thumbnail of a cited video review ▶ From a video review of this product Check price on Amazon →

affiliate link · goes to an Amazon search for this product

Type
Rental-grade upright

Why it ranks here. The machine people know from the supermarket rental rack, and enough of them like it to buy one, new or ex-rental from the store's used department. One owner says it works amazingly and the floors are not soaking wet afterwards, an ex-rental buyer never looked back, and school cleaners who ran them all summer call them amazing.

Parts are hard to find: one machine's whole front section fell off at five years, apparently dry rot, and another owner who cannot source the front part will have to bin his. Big Green owners say theirs blows it out of the water.

What owners like

  • Works amazingly, floors not soaked
  • Ex-rentals are a bargain
  • Used daily by professionals

What owners complain about

  • Front fell off at five years
  • Parts hard to find
  • Big Green is stronger

I love this rug dr carpet cleaner! If youre debating it get it! It works AMAZING! And your floors arnt soaking wet after!— YouTube comment · christinas596

4 positive · 2 mixed · 2 negative · 8 voices · ✓ all 8 linked to source

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  • I love this rug dr carpet cleaner! If youre debating it get it! It works AMAZING! And your floors arnt soaking wet after!

    YouTube comment · christinas596 · watch the original ↗

  • Wow! so much grimey water, even though your rugs and sofa didn't look that dirty! Looks like a great bit of equipment!

    YouTube comment · scrapbooklives · watch the original ↗

  • I had one exactly like that for around 5 yrs. Earlier this year I was moving it into place after finishing cleaning my carpet and the whole front section just fell off. I guess it dry rot on me. Anyway I just bought the latest version and it came 2 days later.

    YouTube comment · pauldrummond8641 · watch the original ↗

  • The Rug Doctor carpet cleaner is not cheap I spent $438 U.S dollars it does a good job

    YouTube comment · mattie9419 · watch the original ↗

  • Replacement part for front cant seem to find guess i will have to trash it if all parts are not replaceable discourage others to purchase it

    YouTube comment · laurieleavitt5924 · watch the original ↗

  • Bissell big green blows this machine out of the water. They need to retire.

    YouTube comment · melaniespaur405 · watch the original ↗

  • We used rug doctor as cleaners in the summer clean in schools for the council. They are amazing. This machine looks great. Love Bissell

    YouTube comment · fillistine · watch the original ↗

  • I bought mine off the used rental tools department at Home Depot. Paid $185 for a Rug Doctor and never looked back! They have to replace them after so many hours on them. One of the best purchases I've made tbh

    Reddit comment · u/TexasActress · r/HomeImprovement · 2024-08-01 · read the original ↗

5
Best budget

Hoover SmartWash Pet Complete

FH53000PC; the PowerDash Pet is the compact cheap one

Illustration of Hoover SmartWash Pet Complete Illustration of the product
Hoover SmartWash Pet Complete — thumbnail of a cited video review ▶ From a video review of this product Check price on Amazon →

affiliate link · goes to an Amazon search for this product

Type
Full-size home upright, automatic

Why it ranks here. The budget upright: one button that washes as you push and dries as you pull, and brushes that pop right out for cleaning, which impressed an owner who calls it almost a professional machine with no drawbacks. A Walmart buyer says it works so well instead of renting, and a veteran of many duct-taped machines says it does the job and is simple. The PowerDash Pet is the compact cheap one.

Opinion is split. A Redditor who has owned full-size machines from Shark, Bissell and Hoover rates Hoover not even decent, and one owner's previous Hoover burned out its motor at five years. The same machine sells at very different prices depending on the shop.

What owners like

  • One button, simple
  • Brushes pop out
  • Impressive suction for the money

What owners complain about

  • Not even decent, says one owner of all three
  • Motors burn out
  • Prices vary wildly

It is soooo much better than previous models... my favorite feature of this machine. The brushes are removable. Just push one way. The brush pops right out. Impressive. Overall. This is almost a professional machine. The suction is impressive. The cleaning is impressive... for the price and functionality of this machine. There's 0 drawbacks. 160$ for an almost professional carpet cleaning machine.— YouTube comment · patrickdavis9566

6 positive · 1 neutral · 1 negative · 8 voices · ✓ all 8 linked to source

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  • It is soooo much better than previous models... my favorite feature of this machine. The brushes are removable. Just push one way. The brush pops right out. Impressive. Overall. This is almost a professional machine. The suction is impressive. The cleaning is impressive... for the price and functionality of this machine. There's 0 drawbacks. 160$ for an almost professional carpet cleaning machine.

    YouTube comment · patrickdavis9566 · watch the original ↗

  • I got this at Walmart for $129 and it works so well. I was thinking about to get a rental for $20/time but this one is well worth the money

    YouTube comment · campbellh8295 · watch the original ↗

  • Just ordered this at $269 plus it comes with hundred dollars worth of extras. Can't wait to try this bad boy out..

    YouTube comment · TheColdest247 · watch the original ↗

  • We bought a Hoover PowerDash Pet compact cleaner. Very happy with how it works and the dirt it pulled out was disgusting. Got it on sale for $80. If you have alot of carpet you may want something larger though.

    Reddit comment · u/m0nsterhuntr · r/HomeImprovement · 2024-08-01 · read the original ↗

  • If going with a full-size carpet shampoo vacuum, I like Shark more than Bissell (it was decent) and Hoover (it was not even decent).

    Reddit comment · u/TheGringoDingo · r/HomeImprovement · 2024-08-01 · read the original ↗

  • So far i love mine. ive been thru so many, different makes and used them until they were in critical conditions. Duck tape helped. But so far this one does the job and simple to use, saves me time.

    YouTube comment · MEGABOINK65 · watch the original ↗

  • I just bought one spot chaser Hoover deep clean looking forward in doing my carpets never thought I'd say that but it's true lol I just need the energy to do so lol

    YouTube comment · juliecayer6342 · watch the original ↗

  • You should test this carpet cleaner against the Bissell 2x revolution pet pro.

    YouTube comment · kiwibeast2162 · watch the original ↗

Frequently asked questions

How often should I deep-clean?

Every three to four months with a pet, two to four times a year otherwise, with a portable spot cleaner for accidents in between.

Must I use the maker's cleaning solution?

No, any low-foam carpet shampoo works, but avoid dish soap and laundry detergent, which foam and leave a residue that attracts dirt.

Why does my machine smell?

Dirty water left in the tank, hose and brush, so empty and rinse the dirty tank straight after use and let the parts dry.

Rent or buy?

A rental wins if you clean once a year, but with pets, children or pale carpet owners say a machine pays for itself in a few uses.

How this ranking was made

Every quote on this page links to the post or video it came from, so you can read it in context. ✓ 52 quotes from 51 distinct voices.