10 Best Carpet Cleaners 2025 in the United States

The Shark Carpet Cleaner Machine, specifically the Portable Upholstery StainStriker model, is designed to eliminate tough stains and odors from a variety of surfaces including carpets, area rugs, couches, and cars. Its standout feature is the dual-activated stain eliminator which combines two cleaning formulas to tackle even the most stubborn stains and odors without the need for premixing. This makes it particularly suitable for households with pets, as it effectively removes pet urine and smoke odors.

The cleaner is also highly versatile, thanks to its powerful suction that can deep-clean and revive various surfaces, making them look like new again. Weighing under 9 lbs, it is lightweight and compact, ensuring easy maneuverability and storage. The machine comes with multiple attachments like a crevice tool, reversible bristle tools, and a pet tool, adding to its flexibility and targeted cleaning capabilities.

Additionally, it includes two types of cleaning solutions - the Deep Clean Pro Formula and the OXY Multiplier Formula for different cleaning needs. Maintenance is straightforward as well, with no batteries required and components that can be hand-washed. A possible downside might be the water tank capacity of 2 liters, which could require frequent refills during extensive cleaning sessions. Despite this, the ease of use, powerful cleaning performance, and range of included accessories make the Shark Carpet Cleaner Machine an excellent choice for anyone looking to maintain a clean and fresh home environment, especially for pet owners.

The Bissell Little Green Mini is a compact, portable carpet and upholstery cleaner ideal for quick spot cleaning on carpets, car interiors, pet beds, and upholstery. It offers solid cleaning power to handle spills, pet stains, and embedded dirt with its 4" Tough Stain Tool and a self-cleaning HydroRinse hose, which helps keep the machine in good shape with less hassle.

The water tank holds about 16 ounces, so it’s best for smaller jobs, not large room cleaning. Weighing 7 pounds, it’s lightweight and easy to carry around, fitting comfortably in small storage spaces. It runs on corded power with one cleaning setting, keeping things simple but limiting flexibility for tougher messes.

Drying time should be expected to be moderate, typical for this size device. Maintenance is straightforward thanks to the self-cleaning tool and removable parts. For those seeking a portable cleaner mainly for spot treatments, cars, or upholstery, this Bissell model is practical, easy to use, and effective, although it might not be the best choice for deep cleaning large carpets or heavy-duty use due to its small tank and single power level.

The Shark StainStriker HairPro is a portable carpet and upholstery cleaner designed especially for pet owners and those needing spot cleaning on carpets, rugs, and car interiors. Its tank holds about 24 fluid ounces, which is moderate for a portable cleaner, so it’s best for small to medium messes rather than large cleaning jobs. Its compact size and lightweight design (around 13 pounds) make it easy to carry and use in tight spaces.

A standout feature is the HairPro Technology, which efficiently picks up embedded pet hair without clogging or tangling, a common headache with pet messes. The cleaner uses a dual-activated cleaning formula that mixes automatically and boasts powerful suction to tackle tough stains and odors, including pet urine and smoke, without needing pre-treatment or heat. This makes it especially useful for households with pets.

It comes with multiple attachments—a mini and 3.5-inch stain eliminator, a hair extractor, and a pet mess tool—covering various cleaning needs from small spots to hair removal to tough pet stains. The on-board self-cleaning feature is convenient, allowing you to clean the tool and hose quickly without extra parts, which helps maintain the machine easily. The tank capacity limits longer cleaning sessions, so it may require frequent refills for bigger areas. While it’s lightweight for a machine with powerful suction, at 13 pounds it’s not as light as some handheld-only models but remains manageable for most users. Drying time depends on water extraction, and although the suction is strong, it might not fully dry thick carpets immediately. This makes the Shark StainStriker HairPro a solid choice for those seeking a versatile, pet-focused cleaner that’s portable and easy to maintain, ideal for quick spot cleaning rather than deep, whole-house carpet cleaning.