The 5 Best Portable Carpet Cleaners 2023 Review

Best Upright Cleaner: Hoover Compact Carpet Cleaner

Key Features

Has a 20-foot power cord Weighs 12.5 pounds Holds 0.5 gallons of liquid

What Customers Are Saying

Customers appreciated the intuitive design and impressive performance of this compact carpet cleaner. They cited that it was useful for everyday cleaning tasks in high-traffic areas, such as hallways and living rooms. However, other customers experienced longevity issues, stating that the machine lasted less than a year.

Best Handheld Cleaner: Bissell Pet Stain Eraser

Key Features

Has a cordless design Weighs 4.4 pounds Holds eight ounces of liquid

What Customers Are Saying

Many customers highlighted the light weight and simple operation of this carpet cleaner in their reviews. For a cordless carpet cleaner, many users were pleased with how well it picked up pet hair, pet stains, and other blemishes. Other users complained that its suction wasn’t powerful enough to remove deeply embedded grime.

Best For Stairs: Rug Doctor Portable Machine

Key Features

Has a 5.5-foot hose Weighs 19.8 pounds Holds 64 ounces of liquid

What Customers Are Saying

Users thought that this carpet cleaner offered performance that was comparable to a rented full-size machine. They specifically highlighted the larger-than-normal head that could clean entire steps in two or three passes. Conversely, other users said that the water tanks leaked.

Best Steam Cleaner: COSTWAY Steam Cleaner

Key Features

Has a 10-foot power cord Weighs 13 pounds Holds 52 ounces of liquid

What Customers Are Saying

The main benefit of this cleaner that customers repeated over and over again in their reviews was that it was versatile. Satisfied users liked that it could disinfect and clean a wide variety of surfaces—not just carpet. Unsatisfied customers had complaints about the machine leaving a greasy residue on the surfaces that it cleaned. At just 10 feet, the relatively short power cord was also a common complaint.

Most Efficient: Bissell Portable Deep Cleaner

Key Features

Has a 15-foot power cord Weighs 14 pounds Holds 30 ounces of liquid

What Customers Are Saying

This machine’s preset, hands-free cleaning modes saved users valuable time and effort that they would have spent manually cleaning their carpeted and upholstered surfaces with a standard cleaner. Customers with accident-prone children or pets said that this cleaner was able to remove worn-in stains. Negative feedback included mentions of low suction power, loud operation, and soapy residue.

Buyer’s Guide

Weight, size, suction, reach, tank capacity, accessories, and other factors play into your purchasing decision when you’re shopping for a portable carpet cleaner online. Learn more about each of these factors below to make a confident and informed purchase.

Size and Weight

While it’s inconvenient to rent a heavy, professional-grade carpet cleaner for deep cleans, you can carry a true portable carpet cleaner by yourself with relative ease. Most portable carpet cleaners weigh under 15 pounds when their water tank is empty. They usually have a handle, wheels, or both.

Suction Power

A powerful cleaner is able to dry your carpet faster after soaking it with water and solution. It’s also more likely to dig deep and remove old stains that a normal vacuum cleaner can’t reach.

Reach

Despite the mobility of portable carpet cleaners, few models use a rechargeable battery. To achieve the suction that’s necessary to deep clean carpets, most portable carpet cleaners use a cord for continuous, powerful electricity. To cover a lot of ground without changing outlets, look for a machine with a cord that’s at least 15 feet long.

Tank Capacity

Most portable carpet cleaners hold around a half-gallon of water and solution. The more water and solution a model holds, the heavier it will be. If you’re primarily getting one of these machines to hit specific areas of your carpet, a large capacity won’t be a major concern, as you’re not likely to go through the whole tank in one cleaning session.

Accessories

Various attachments help you clean the carpet in vehicles, on stairs, between furniture, and in other awkward or hard-to-reach areas. Many carpet cleaners are sold with extendable hoses, upholstery-specific tools, scrubbing brushes, and other accessories.

How To Use Your Portable Carpet Cleaner

Portable carpet cleaners encompass various lightweight cleaning tools. Whether you’ve chosen a powerful spot cleaner or a traditional upright vacuum, here are some tips to help you efficiently clean your carpet without damaging it:

Before you use your carpet cleaner, run a vacuum cleaner over your carpet first. This removes surface-level debris. Pretreat stubborn grime with a stain remover. Let the spray soak in for a few minutes before running the carpet cleaner over the area. Have your machine ready and close by before pretreating the stained area so that the spray doesn’t dry before you get to soaking it up. Clean the bristles of your carpet cleaner’s brush after each cleaning session. Consider going back over your carpet with just water to remove any leftover cleaning solution. Give your carpet plenty of time to fully dry before walking on it. Ventilate your home by opening windows and running fans to circulate air. Proper ventilation is especially important when you’re using a cleaning solution with harsh chemicals.

What’s the difference between a spot cleaner and a carpet cleaner?

These two names are usually used interchangeably. However, if you want to get technical, spot cleaners target small stains here and there, whereas carpet cleaners clean an entire surface.

Can portable carpet cleaners remove old stains?

Sometimes. However, you usually can’t remove old, worn-in stains without using commercial-grade rental equipment or contacting a professional cleaning company.

How long does it take for my carpet to dry after using a portable carpet cleaner?

It usually takes three to six hours for your carpet to dry after cleaning it. For a faster drying time, point one or multiple fans toward the carpet.

How often should I use a portable carpet cleaner?

We recommend deep cleaning the carpeted areas of your home at least once every three months. Increase the frequency to every one or two months if you have pets or children. Supplement your carpet cleaning with regular vacuuming every week.

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