The Best Carpet Cleaners & Shampooers

UPDATED: Jan 07, 2020

Got dirty carpets? There are certainly dozens of cleaning options that you can choose from including buying a carpet cleaner, hiring a pro, or renting a cleaner. While nothing clean better than a pro, the best carpet cleaners & shampooers will save you the cost of hiring a pro every few weeks.

Carpet cleaners and shampooers use a combination of detergent, water, and suction to lift dirt out of the carpets that might not lift using other traditional methods. To help you get the best product for your carpet cleaning needs, here are some of the best products you will find on the market today.

At a Glance: The 10 Best Carpet Cleaners Discussed in Our Roundup:

• Bissell Big Green Professional Carpet Cleaner Machine (Top Pick)
• Hoover Smartwash Automatic Carpet Cleaner (Top Rated)
• Bissell ProHeat Revolution Full-Size Carpet Cleaner (Editor Choice)
• Bissell PowerLifter Upright PowerBrush Carpet Cleaner
• Hoover Power Scrub Elite Pet Carpet Cleaner
• Hoover PowerDash Pet Carpet Cleaner
• Bissell ProHeat Revolution Upright Carpet Cleaner
• Rug Doctor Deep Carpet Cleaner
• Bissell Turboclean PowerBrush Pet Upright Carpet Cleaner 
• Bissell PowerBrush Full-Sized Carpet Streamer and Shampooer

Reviews of Top 10 Carpet Cleaners and Shampooers for 2020

Below are the top 10 models of carpet cleaners and shampooers you will find on the market today.

1. Bissell Big Green Professional Carpet Cleaner Machine

The Bissell Big Green comes with a large DirtLifter PowerBrush that is ideal for deep scrubbing of your carpets. This feature makes it a great product for cleaning the dirtiest of carpet and leaves it free of contaminants.

Another notable feature of the machine is the heavy-duty suction power that helps your carpet to dry fast. It also cleans on the backward and forward pass for minimal cleaning time and dries faster than most carpet cleaners out there.

Furthermore, the cleaner comes with 2 large tanks that provide sufficient space for cleaning your carpet in totality. It also has a professional formula that includes a trial-size Bissell upgraded formula.

Made to last long, the model comes with a 5 years warranty that covers against manufacturer defects and other issues that might arise due to manufacturer course. The model is also very affordable; you don’t need to break a bank to afford it.

2. Hoover Smartwash Automatic Carpet Cleaner

If you want an auto product that will clean and shampoo your carpet without using much effort, then the Hoover SmartWash might be just what you need. Its main feature is the automatic cleaning technology that allows you to use a button to pull or push the cleaner back and forth when cleaning your carpet.

The unit also comes with an auto-clean motion sensor that removes guesswork when cleaning your surface. It prevents the machine from cleaning one place over and over again while ensuring that won’t miss a spot.

The unit’s auto dry feature comes with a HeatForce that delivers powerful and faster drying time. Hence, you get to use your carpet as soon as you finish cleaning it.

To top it up, the package comes with an 8 feet hose, an accessory storage bag, a sample bottle of the recommended solution, and 2-in-1 antimicrobial pet tool. Therefore, you can get straight to cleaning when you receive your machine.

3. Bissell ProHeat Revolution 2X Pet Pro Full-Size Carpet Cleaner

Rated as the best deep cleaning machine for pet messes, this carpet cleaner has pro pet urine eliminator that will leave your carpet fresh. It also boasts of great features such as oxy formula, CleanShot Pretreater, EZ clean bush roll cover, and 2-in-1 upholstery tool.

The CleanShot Pretreater removes and attacks pet stains and spots, ensuring that your machine touches every corner to remove all the stains. The 2-in-1 pet upholstery tool comes in handy to remove pet odors, stains, and hair from your upholstery.

And you don’t need to keep on moving back and forth when cleaning your carpet since it has a wide cleaning path of 11 inches. Also, the carpet dries in about 60 minutes due to the express clean mode.

What’s more, the cleaner comes with a long 25 feet power cord and an 8 feet hose that will allow it to reach far. The product even cleans skunk odor.

4. Bissell PowerLifter Upright PowerBrush Carpet Cleaner and Shampooer

This is yet another full-size carpet cleaner that features 4 rows of dual rotating DirtLifter PowerBrushes. These brushes ensure that you clean your carpet faster and with ease while ensuring that everything is left clean.

In fact, the rotating brushes not only scrub but also lift away stains and dirt that a normal vacuum cleaner cannot remove. Another feature of the product is the 2-in-1 water tank that is easy to refill and empty.

With 11 inches cleaning path, you don’t need to take a whole hour when cleaning your carpet. Simply move your cleaner back and forth a few times and your whole carpet will be shining – just like a new one.

The model is able to eliminate deep-down stains and dirt using hot water and its effective carpet formula. Moreover, the package includes a lint screen, a removable nozzle, an 8 oz. trial sized formula, as well as a one year warranty.

5. Hoover Power Scrub Elite Pet Carpet Cleaner

Hoover Power Scrub has a deep clean mode that is powerful enough to eliminate embedded stains and dirt for whole house cleaning. It has a huge cleaning path of 12 inches, which covers more ground to save you cleaning time.

Another feature of the cleaner is the quick clean mode that has HeatForce in order to speed up drying time. This means that your carpet dry in about 45 minutes. Also, the cleaner has an antimicrobial SpinScrub Brush System that helps to prevent bacteria and odor from developing in your cleaner while cleaning tough messes.

Unlike most carpet cleaners, this model has a rinse mode that enables you to clean your carpet with water and soap and then rinse it with water to remove the soap residue. This is possible by simply using a simple switch.

It also comes with a large tank that will take a lot of water, meaning that you won’t need to refill it regularly. Also, the tank doesn’t need to be emptied frequently.

6. Hoover PowerDash Pet Carpet Cleaner

The Hoover PowerDash Pet has 2X the cleaning power of the top lightweight carpet cleaner on the market today. Another feature of the product is the PowerSpin pet brush roll that provides amazing cleaning power to remove all pet stains and odors from your carpet.

Also, this brush has an antimicrobial protection that ensures your carpet is free of all bacteria and other contaminants. You might also be excited to learn that the product has HeatForce power that ensures faster drying time. What this means is that you can use your carpet as soon as you finish cleaning it.

Additionally, the lightweight design ensures that you can an easy time when cleaning your floor. It also boasts of powerful cleaning that is ideal for small spaces and high traffic areas. With this product, you are assured of getting a clean carpet and even it will help to prolong the life of your floor.

7. Bissell ProHeat Revolution 2X Pet Full Size Upright Carpet Shampooer and Cleaner

The Bissell ProHeat Upright Model OutCleans the best rental carpet cleaning gear and is a lightweight product. What this means is that you can an-easy-to-use product that is also effective in cleaning different kinds of messes including pet stains.

It provides more color and brightness to your carpet than most cleaning machines out there today.  And another thing, your carpet dry in less than one hour after cleaning it – no need to wait for days before you can use your carpet again.  This drying power is possible due to the express clean mode feature.

The machine also has the antibacterial cleaning ability that deep cleans your gear to clean and remove odor – removing all the bacteria that hide in your carpet.  Another feature of the cleaner is the dual DirtLifter PowerBrushes that comes with Heatwave technology to enable deep carpet cleaning.

The cleaner also comes with spot cleaning tools, 7 feet hose, 3 years warranty, and 2 Bissell shampoo formula samples.

8. Rug Doctor Deep Carpet Cleaner

A powerful carpet washer, the Rug Doctor removes stains and dirt when effortlessly and gently pulled across your carpet. It can act as the ideal gift for your family to ensure that your stay in a clean house during the holiday.

Another great feature of the cleaner is the dual cross action brushes that come with rows of rotating bristles to tough every carpet fiber will cleaning. This provides a polished carpet that will shine than before.

The cleaner also boasts of increased suction power that allows your carpet to dry faster, taking you less than 4 hours, and it leaves your carpet clean, fresh, bright, and smooth. You should use Rug Doctor cleaning products to ensure that you get the ideal result.

It also comes with the upholstery tool that cleans all hard-to-reach surfaces plus pet beds, chairs, mattresses, sofa, and other soft places. Get this product for the best cleaning results.

9. Bissell Turboclean PowerBrush Pet Upright Carpet Cleaner Machine and Shampooer

At only 12 pounds, this is one of the lightest upright carpet cleaners on the market today and is easy to carry and maneuver. It is the perfect product for getting rid of tracked-in dirt as well as stains from entryways and area rugs, not to mention cleaning your carpet.

One unique feature of the carpet cleaner is the 2 tank system that keeps dirty and clean water separate. Hence, you get fresh water when cleaning your carpet that doesn’t mix with the dirt one.

It also features 4 rows of rotating DirtLifter power brush that is combined with strong suction to loosen and eliminate dirt from your carpet. The unit requires 3.4 amps of power to operate and is effective in most surfaces.

Lastly, the cleaner comes with an oxy-based formula that eliminates stains such as wine, coffee, pet stains, grape juice, and other tough messes. It also has a collapsible and convenient handle for easier transportation and storage.

10. Bissell PowerBrush Full-Sized Carpet Streamer and Shampooer

This is a 12 amp full-sized carpet cleaner that also cleans stairs, upholstery, and bare floor. Hence, it is a versatile product that will remove your entire house and smelling fresh. The cleaner has 5 rows of rotating DirtLifter PowerBrush that ensures that your carpet is completely clean.

Another feature of the product is the ¾ gallon 2-in-1 water tank that separates clean and dirty water. It also has 3 inches tough stain tool for removing deep stains and a bare –floor tool for cleaning bare places.

Besides, the package comes with finer cleaning formula and hard floor solutions to get you started with the cleaning process. And it is a huge product that measures 19 x 11 x 44 inches. You can always count on this product to save time and provide the best cleaning service as possible.

Features of Effective Carpet Cleaner and Shampooer

What features should you look for when buying a cleaner and shampooer for your carpet?

• Suction – An effective cleaner requires a powerful suction to remove dirt from your carpet.
• Water heaters – Carpet cleaners don’t use steam but some generate a lot of vapor that you might think it’s steam. With that said; some models use hot water and comes with heaters.
• Maneuverability – The best model should be easy to control.
• Through scrub brushes – These brushed should remove all messes including juice, coffee, pet, and other stains.
• Easy to empty tanks – The tanks should be easy to refill and also to empty.
• 2-in-1 tank – For storing clean and dirty water.

Carpet Cleaners and Shampooers FAQs

Q: Where can I get the right carpet cleaner and shampooer for my home?

A: These products are sold in most carpet and cleaner stores near your place. Also, you can buy them online from different places (this is actually the easiest way).

Q: Why should my carpet cleaner have strong suction?
A: Strong suction comes in handy to ensure that the cleaner removes all the dirt from the floor. It is able to clean even the toughest of dirt.

Q: Are carpet cleaners and shampooers expensive?
A: It will depend on the model you choose. Some high-quality product will cost you much more compared to low-quality products.

Q: Do carpet cleaners and shampooers come with warranties?
A: Yes. These products come with warranties that show they are reputable and will last long. You should never buy a product that is not covered with a long term warranty.

Q: What features should I look for when buying carpet cleaners and shampooers?
A: You should look for durability, ease of use, warranty, suction power, and other feature. Go for all the features that you would want in your product.

Final Thoughts

There is no one carpet cleaner that can be said to be the best in the industry today. Of important, when looking for the best carpet cleaners & shampooers, ensure that they have the features that will suit your needs. Do not go for the cheapest or the most expensive product, just ensure that it’s within your budget and is effective.