And despite its compact size, it’s one of the louder machines we tested. Our biggest complaint is that they did drip a bit when the cleaner was rolled over the carpet, though not so much that it ruined our cleaning job. And they are easy enough to rinse out after each use, too. The two large tanks are easy to fill and empty one full tank of clean water and solution is enough to tackle an entire bedroom. And its low profile easily slides under higher furniture, such as kitchen tables or beds (although you’ll need to move any low-lying furniture out of the way). Its wide cleaning path makes quick work of wall-to-wall carpeting, but it also comes with an 8-foot hose and a pet attachment, so you can easily clean stairs and upholstery or spot-treat stubborn stains. We particularly like that, despite the fact that it’s an upright unit, it weighs just over 12 pounds, so it’s easy enough to carry up and down the stairs with one hand. It managed to remove long-standing stains and left our carpets smelling fresher and looking brighter-even in high-traffic areas. This upright carpet cleaner proved to be more effective than its price might indicate. It can drip a bit when rolling over the carpet, and it's somewhat louder than the competition. Weight: 44 pounds | Cord Length: 25 feet | Hose Length: 9 feet | Dirty Water Tank Size: 1.75 gallons | Clean Water Tank Size: 1.75 gallons | Cleaning Path: 10.5 inches But if you’re someone who finds yourself regularly renting or hiring professionals for carpet cleaners, the Big Green Pet Pro will save you money and hassle in the long run.

This is no small machine, so make sure you have ample storage space to keep it out of the way while not in use (it doesn’t come with on-board storage for the accessories, either). One advantage of its size is you don’t have to bend down to push the machine along, and we found it easy and comfortable to steer, thanks in part to the ergonomic handle.

The 10.5-inch cleaning path makes quick work of large, open spaces, plus it’s outfitted with a 6-inch stain tool, a pet upholstery tool, and a 9-foot hose for getting into hard-to-reach areas. But it does come equipped with a flow indicator that monitors water and solution levels and lets you know when you need to check the tank. This carpet cleaner features two tanks, one for clean water and one for dirty water collection, both of which hold up to 1.75 gallons, so you’ll seldom need to stop to refill or empty the tanks. As a full-size, commercial-style carpet cleaner, this machine is best for those with wall-to-wall carpeting, especially pet owners and those with kids who make frequent messes. And after two months of consistent use, it has significantly brightened white carpeting and eliminated lingering pet odors. The Bissell Big Green Pet Pro completely rid our carpet of wine stains, fresh coffee, and chocolate syrup with the help of its powerbrush and numerous cleaning attachments. It requires ample storage space to keep the machine and its accessories out of the way when not in use. Ranging from portable spot cleaners to powerful machines for whole-home use, our favorite carpet cleaners are the next best thing to a professional cleaning. “If planning to tackle the project of cleaning an entire home you will want a machine with a large capacity holding tank and availability of attachments for upholstery or drapes.” “If purchasing a carpet cleaning machine you must determine if you are going to be using it for a large area on a regular basis, or if it is only for spot treatments between professional cleanings,” says Ragsdale. We also consulted David Ragsdale, production manager at SERVPRO, for expert tips on how to choose the best carpet cleaner for your specific needs.

To determine the best carpet cleaners, we rounded up 21 of the most popular carpet cleaners on the market and put them through thorough testing in our Lab and in our homes, evaluating them for their ability to remove various types of stains, as well as their noise level, design, and overall value. Whether you’re dealing with wall-to-wall carpeting or small area rugs, there are countless models designed with different needs in mind. Investing in a carpet cleaner gives you the ability to clean your carpets and rugs on your own schedule, without the hassle of renting a machine or hiring a professional.

Extractor vacuum attachment