Carpets collect so much dirt over time, especially if you have pets or kids. Pets leave their hair on furniture and the carpet, while kids make messes as they play. Vacuuming won’t be enough in this case. You need a portable carpet cleaner to clean around the rooms that have a carpet thoroughly.
Below is a guide on what to look for and some of our best portable carpet cleaners.
Source: smartcleaningtips.com
Buying Guide
Here are some tips to help you choose a portable carpet cleaner.
- Type of Cleaning: You need to consider the type of cleaning you plan to do before getting a carpet cleaner. Portable cleaners work well on stains and spills on regular and light carpets.
- Tank Capacity: If you clean occasionally, you’ll be fine with a smaller tank. However, if you plan on doing heavy cleaning, you need a machine with a big tank.
- Weight and Suction: Remember that a heavier carpet cleaner will sink into your carpet. The right portable cleaner should also have a good amount of suction.
- Attachments: Attachments like stair brushes and upholstery tools help with the cleaning process. Some models have tools that can handle upholstery and pet messes.
- Cord and Hose Length: You should get a cleaner with a long cord and hose as this allows you to reach difficult areas while cleaning. Moreover, this enhances ease of use and flexibility.
- Warranty: Some companies provide a limited warranty that covers parts and defects. Ensure that you understand what the warranty covers before settling for the product.
Buying Recommendations
Budget Portable Carpet Cleaners
1. Hoover SteamVac – Editor’s Pick
The Hoover SteamVac offers value for money as its spinning brushes allow you to clean pet stains, built-up grime, and other messes.
Product Weight: 29.1 pounds
Tank Size: One gallon
Best For: Carpets, Stairs, Upholstery
- Promotes quick and efficient cleaning
- Has a powerful motor
- Comes with two separate tanks
- Budget-friendly
- Has a small dirty water tank
- Bulky when filled with cleaning solutions
- THE COMPLETE CLEAN COMBO: The Hoover PowerScrub Deluxe Carpet Cleaning Machine combines five counter-rotating SpinScrub brushes and HeatForce faster drying to lift and remove the toughest stains and renew your carpets.
- VERSATILE TOOLS: Deep cleaning goes beyond just the floor. PowerScrub Deluxe Pet Carpet Cleaners come with a pet tool for stubborn pet messes, an upholstery tool that scrubs and lifts on fabrics, and a crevice tool for hard-to-reach places.
- DUAL TANK TECHNOLOGY: With individual tanks for clean and dirty water, it’s easy to fill, empty and rinse.
2. Hoover PowerDash
Product Weight: 13 pounds
Tank Size: 0.5-gallon tank capacity
Best For: Carpet cleaning
Get shorter drying times thanks to the HeatForce technology. Being 13 pounds means its light and easy to carry around when cleaning different rooms. Enjoy quick refills thanks to the easy detachment from the main unit. Get into tight spots like under the furniture with the cleaning head.
- Reasonably priced
- Brush roll comes with antimicrobial protection
- Easy to use, maintain, and store
- Portable
- Lacks accessories like an upholstery tool
- Has a small water tank
- Limited warranty for one year
- LIGHTWEIGHT AND COMPACT: Featuring a lightweight and compact design, the Hoover PowerDash Pet Carpet Cleaning Machine provides efficient cleaning power and easy storage. It’s an excellent choice for small homes and apartments.
- SMALL BUT MIGHTY: This upright carpet cleaner is perfect for pet messes, high traffic areas, area rugs and small spaces. The antimicrobial PowerSpin pet brush roll helps protect against pet odors.
- FASTER DRYING: Built with HeatForce technology, the PowerDash helps you enjoy clean, dry carpets in no time.
Portable Carpet Cleaners For Spot Treatment
Some portable carpet cleaners are ideal for spot treatment, some for routine cleaning, and others for deep cleaning.
The best cleaners for spot treatment include:
1. Bissell Handsfree Spot and Stain Cleaner 33N8 – Editor’s Pick
The Hoover SteamVac offers value for money as its spinning brushes allow you to clean pet stains, built-up grime, and other messes.
Product Weight: 12.5 pounds
Tank Size: 32 ounces
Best For: Spot treatment
- Has DeepReach technology to target stains
- Comes with a powerful motor that helps to dry the carpet
- Hands-free device
- Doesn’t have multiple accessories
- Every BISSELL purchase helps save pets. BISSELL proudly supports BISSELL Pet Foundation and its mission to help save homeless pets.
- Get rid of messes without getting your hands dirty. This hands free portable carpet cleaner does all the scrubbing for you
- Preset cleaning cycles that automatically spray, brush, and suction to permanently remove both surface and tough set-in pet stains. Just push the button to clean.
2. Hoover Spotless Portable Carpet & Upholstery Spot Cleaner
Product Weight: 9 pounds
Tank Size: 36 ounces
Best For: Spot treatment
With two tanks to separate clean and dirty water, the portable cleaner can also clean stairs, drapes, and furniture. A cord length of 14 and a water level indicator are available on this cleaner.
- Has antimicrobial materials
- Self-clean technology for deep cleaning
- Uses two tanks during cleaning
- Versatile
- May be difficult to fill solution without a measuring cup or funnel
- LIGHTWEIGHT: Achieve ultimate portability with this lightweight design to reach and remove stains virtually anywhere
- CONVENIENT DEEP CLEAN: Spray, scrub, and remove anything from pet messes to everyday mishaps
- LONGER REACH: Easily reach spots and stains on carpet, upholstery, stairs and more with the 5ft. hose
3. Rug Doctor Portable Spot Cleaner
Product Weight: 19.84 pounds
Tank Size: 0.5 gallons
Best For: Spot treatment
Utilize the portable spot cleaner when preparing your family for spring cleaning. The carpet cleaner can handle dirt, grime, set-in spills, and odors. Its fantastic suction tackles food and beverage stains, coffee, wine, oil, and old pet stains. Find rotating bristles on the Rug Doctor that scrubs different surfaces without damaging steam or heat. The suction addition extracts stains and reduces dry time of carpets.
The Rug Doctor Portable Spot cleaner comes with removable tanks that separate clean and dirty water. You don’t have to guess when filling solution and water.
- Has two times the suction power of other cleaners
- Portable and has wide-set wheels
- Comes with a small compact design
- It’s heavier compared to other carpet cleaners
- Portable Spot Cleaner only weighs 15 pounds, but can hold 64 ounces of solution; removable water tanks are easy to fill and empty
- Manages deep down stain removal with a powerful handheld oscillating motorized brush that makes 1200 movements per minute
- Functions with twice the suction of leading competitors to extract stains faster and shorten dry time
Portable Carpet Cleaners For Carpet and Stair Cleaning
1. Bissell Spotclean Pro 3624 – Editor’s Pick
Product Weight: 16.45 pounds
Tank Size: 96 oz.
Best For: Carpets and Stairs
With a 22-inches long power cord and a five flex hose, you can quickly clean tough stains in hard to reach places. Accessories like three robust stain tools, six stair tools, and an 8 oz professional deep cleaning formula allow you to get rid of stains on stairs, while the formula guards against future stains.
- Extended hose for cleaning
- Superior suction capabilities
- Gets rid of tough stains on carpets and stairs
- It’s challenging to clip the hose to the machine due to the design
- Every Bissell purchase helps save pets. Bissell proudly supports Bissell pet foundation and its mission to help save homeless pets.
- Our most powerful portable spot and stain cleaner for carpets, stairs, upholstery, auto interiors, and more.
- Combines superior suction, scrubbing action and professional cleaning solution to remove stubborn pet stains, embedded dirt and more.
2. Bissell 1716B Spotlifter Deep Cleaner
Product Weight: 4 pounds
Tank Size: 12 ounces
Best For: Carpets
- Good for carpet stains
- Doesn’t have a hose, which makes it easy to carry around
- Not ideal for larger areas
- You have to refill the tank due to its small size
- "SPOTLIFTER" POWERBRUSH VAC/ CLEANER
- Lifts and removes stains and dirt
- Unlimited power - 18' power cord
3. Hoover FH11400PC Deluxe Spotless Carpet Cleaner
Product Weight: 16 pounds
Tank Size: 51 ounces
Best For: Carpets
- Cleans carpets in no time
- Easy to use
- Suction affected by the hose
Best Portable Carpet Cleaners For Pet Stains
1. Hoover FH50251 Power Scrub – Editor’s Pick
Product Weight: 18.5 pounds
Tank Size: 1.25 gallons
Best For: Cleaning Pet Stains
- Simple to use
- Has quick clean and rinse modes
- Impressive 12-inch cleaning path
- Deep cleaning technology
- You need to go slow in both directions
- SPIN SCRUB SYSTEM: Powerfully removes deep-embedded dirt and stains with 360 degree brushes and strong suction while being gentle on your carpet.
- FAST DRY TIME: Tackle surface stains as they happen with Quick Clean Mode and enjoy dry carpets in 45 minutes.
- LARGE CAPACITY TANKS: 2 tank system with a 25% larger tank keeps dirty water separate from the clean water so you can clean more and refill less often
2. BISSELL 1400B Multi-Purpose Portable Carpet Cleaner 7491
Product Weight: 13 pounds
Tank Size: 48 ounces
Best For: Pet Stains
- Cleans up pet stains quickly
- Comes with a 15ft cord for easy reach
- Lacks multiple accessories
- EVERY PURCHASE SAVES PETS. BISSELL proudly supports BISSELL Pet Foundation and its mission to help save homeless pets.
- POWERFUL SUCTION. Remove tough pet spots and stains from carpets, upholstery, car interiors, and more.
- EXCLUSIVE SPECIALTY TOOLS: HydroRinse Self-Cleaning Hose Tool and Spraying Crevice Tool only available with model 1400B.
Final Thoughts
Finding the right portable carpet cleaner doesn’t have to be complicated. You need to decide on what features are important, the type of cleaning you’re looking to perform, and your budget before choosing any cleaner. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, the Bissell 1400B is a fantastic choice. The best overall pick is the Rug Doctor portable spot cleaner that comes with powerful suction, a compact design, and the ability to extract stains effortlessly and quickly.
Last update on 2024-11-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API