cleaning & laundry

Best Carpet Cleaner

Author Kim
Kim
16th August, 2021 | 18 minute read

Are you looking for information on the best carpet cleaner available to buy? In this article, we will take a look at the different types of carpet cleaner, what they are good for, the advantages and disadvantages of each type, and what to consider when buying a carpet cleaner.

Carpet cleaner

We will also take a look and review the best carpet cleaners available on the market today so that you can find the right kind of carpet cleaner to suit your specific needs.

What Is a Carpet Cleaner?

If you're not familiar with carpet cleaners or if you've never seen one before, you may be wondering what they're all about.

A carpet cleaner is similar to a hoover in which it cleans your carpet.

Carpet vacuum

However, the difference with a carpet cleaner is that it will usually use water and often some kind of detergent to wash your carpets as you vacuum.

This process provides the best possible carpet clean you can do in your home with a domestic appliance.

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How Does a Carpet Cleaner Work?

A carpet cleaner will use a combination of cleaning methods. Carpet cleaners usually feature a tank for water and detergent, powerful scrubbing brushes, and a vacuum suction.

A carpet cleaner works by injecting a mixture of cleaning solution and water deep into the fibres of your carpet. The powerful brushes then work to agitate and scrub the carpet to loosen any dirt or stains. Once the dirt is loosened, the vacuum suction then lifts the dirt away and stores this dirty water in a separate tank.

Types of Carpet Cleaner

There are several different types of carpet cleaners, and each type comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Below is a list of the different types of carpet cleaner and what they're most useful for:

Handheld Carpet Cleaner

A handheld carpet cleaner is one that is smaller than most carpet cleaners and can be held by hand. This type of carpet cleaner is usually portable and lightweight.

Handheld carpet cleaner

However, a handheld cleaner often requires more labour, so it could be difficult to use on large areas. Therefore, these cleaners work best for focusing on smaller areas and stains.

The Good
  • Compact size
  • Lightweight
  • Allows you to target areas
The Bad
  • Requires more labour
  • Difficult for use on large areas

Cordless Carpet Cleaner

A cordless carpet cleaner is one that is battery operated. One of the benefits of these cleaners is that you can move around freely with them without having to worry about running over the cord.

Cordless carpet cleaner

You can also avoid unplugging and plugging the device back in to reach different parts of the home. However, battery-operated cleaners are limited on time, so if you have a large home, you may run out of battery part way through your cleaning.

The Good
  • No annoying cords
  • Convenient
The Bad
  • Limited battery time

Upright Carpet Cleaner

An upright carpet cleaner is one that is similar to a regular vacuum cleaner. These carpet cleaners are the most common type of carpet cleaner.

Upright carpet cleaner

They consist of two water tanks – one that stores and emits clean water with detergent and another that collects the dirty water once the carpet has been cleaned. These carpet cleaners are very effective and easy to use.

The Good
  • Easy to use
  • Provides a thorough clean
The Bad
  • Tend to be quite bulky

Carpet Steam Cleaner

A steam cleaner emits very hot steam onto the carpet that kills around 99.9% of bacteria. These cleaners don't tend to need detergent or other harsh chemicals as the steam alone is capable of providing a very sanitary clean.

Carpet steam cleaner

These cleaners tend to be lightweight and easy to use. However, these cleaners don't tend to be as powerful as regular carpet cleaners.

The Good
  • No need for detergents or harsh chemicals
  • Lightweight
  • Easy to use
The Bad
  • Not as powerful as some other carpet cleaners

Portable Steam Cleaner

A portable steam cleaner is similar to a regular steam cleaner. However, it can be held in your hand and used to target specific areas.

Portable steam cleaner

These cleaners tend to be used in other areas of the home rather than the carpet as handheld cleaners require more labour, and it would be difficult to cover an entire carpet by hand. These are great, however, if you are focussing on a particular stain.

The Good
  • Compact and lightweight
  • Good for targeting specific areas
The Bad
  • Requires more labour

Best Carpet Cleaner

Now that you know a little bit more about the different types of carpet cleaner available on the market today, it's time to have a look at the best carpet cleaners on the market. We have done a lot of research to find the best carpet cleaners available to you on the market today.

Below is a list of the different types of carpet cleaner and the best carpet cleaners in each category. We have also included a list of pros and cons for each type.

Best Handheld Carpet Cleaner

Vax SpotWash Spot Cleaner

Vax SpotWash Spot Cleaner

This powerful cleaner easily and conveniently cleans up stains and spills using a combination of powerful suction and deep cleaning. It features two cleaning attachments that are designed to tackle stains on different types of surfaces.

The slim, lightweight design means that you can easily transport the cleaner around your home, and the long hose allows you to clean even further. This cleaner comes with a bottle of Vax cleaning solution that will provide the best possible clean for your various home surfaces.

Things we liked
  • Powerful cleaner
  • Slim, lightweight design
  • Portable
  • Long hose
  • It comes with a cleaning solution
Things we didn't like
  • Requires manual work by hand
  • Not great for cleaning large areas
View Prices for this Product

BISSELL SpotClean Portable Carpet Cleaner

BISSELL SpotClean Portable Carpet Cleaner

The Bissell SpotClean portable carpet cleaner easily removes spots, stains, and spills on a variety of surfaces in your home. It features 'HeatWave Technology' that maintains constant water temperature throughout the entire cleaning process.

This particular model comes with two sample bottles of Bissell compact carpet shampoo that will help you achieve the best possible clean with this device. The small, lightweight design is easy to store and easy to carry around the home.

Things we liked
  • Cleans stains well
  • Maintains constant temperature
  • Comes with two sample shampoo bottles
  • Small, lightweight design
Things we didn't like
  • Requires manual work by hand
  • Not great for cleaning large areas
View Prices for this Product

Distianert Handheld Vacuum Cleaner

Distianert Handheld Vacuum Cleaner

The Distianert handheld portable cleaner is a powerful carpet vacuum device that allows you to easily clean up crumbs, dust, and debris throughout your home. The cordless design allows you to transport the device freely throughout your home and further as needed.

The rechargeable battery can be fully charged within 2.5 hours and runs for around 30 minutes on a full charge. With four different types of suction nozzles, you can easily achieve the clean you want with this device. The cyclone cone can separate larger debris to prevent clogging, and the HEPA filter traps fine dust and dirt.

Things we liked
  • Portable
  • Easy to use
  • Cordless
  • Various suction nozzles
  • Multiple filters
  • Low price
Things we didn't like
  • No shampooing/deep cleaning options
View Prices for this Product

Best Cordless Carpet Cleaner

Proscenic Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

Proscenic Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

The Proscenic cordless vacuum cleaner allows you to achieve a powerful clean on your carpets without the need for plugging the device in. The 450W motor creates a powerful suction that can vacuum up dirt, debris, and pet hair with ease.

This model comes with a variety of nozzles and tools to help you achieve a high-quality floor clean. With an easy-to-read LED touchscreen, you can always be aware of how much battery is left, and you can even control the suction levels. The lightweight, slim design allows you to carry the device around your home easily.

Things we liked
  • Powerful cleaning
  • Variety of accessories
  • LED touchscreen
  • Lightweight, slim design
  • Cordless
Things we didn't like
  • No shampooing/deep cleaning options
  • Expensive
View Prices for this Product

MIC Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

MIC Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

This particular vacuum cleaner provides effective, high-suction cleaning throughout your home. The quiet motor allows you to clean your floors at a much lower decibel than most other carpet hoover cleaners. With a detachable handheld cleaner, you can focus on cleaning particular areas by hand.

The lightweight, cordless design means that you can carry your vacuum with ease. The unique V-shaped brush roller can easily pick up dirt, debris, and pet hair from carpets, hard floors, and stairs. With various suction modes, you can achieve the exact level of cleaning that you need for each area of your home.

Things we liked
  • High-suction cleaning
  • Quiet motor
  • Detachable handheld cleaner
  • Various suction modes
  • Efficient filter system
Things we didn't like
  • No shampooing/deep cleaning options
View Prices for this Product

Vax OnePWR SpotlessGo Cordless Spotwasher

Vax OnePWR SpotlessGo Cordless Spotwasher

The Vax OnePWR Spotwasher is a compact, cordless appliance that is easy to store and easy to carry around. The flexible hose and range of additional attachments allow you to achieve the best and most thorough clean possible for your various home surfaces.

With the built-in active jet spray, you can target tough stains for thorough cleaning. The fast-charge battery goes from empty to full in a mere 90 minutes, so you can always keep on top of your cleaning as needed.

Things we liked
  • Compact, lightweight design
  • Flexible hose
  • Range of attachments
  • Built-in active jet spray
  • Fast-charge battery
Things we didn't like
  • Requires manual work by hand
  • Not great for cleaning large areas
View Prices for this Product

Best Carpet Cleaner for Pet Owners

BISSELL ProHeat Revolution Pet Pro Carpet Cleaner

BISSELL ProHeat Revolution Pet Pro Carpet Cleaner

The Bissell ProHeat 2x Revolution Pet Pro cleaner is designed specifically to provide the best possible floor cleans for pet owners. Despite being fairly bulky, this cleaner is lightweight and can easily be moved around your home with little effort.

It provides a very effective carpet clean, and the carpets fully dry in just 30 minutes. With two rotating brush rolls and 12 rows of dirt lifting power brushes, this cleaner provides an exceptional clean for your home floors.

Heatwave technology keeps the water at a constant temperature throughout the entire process of cleaning. With a variety of accessories, you can be sure to achieve a high-quality clean every time with this cleaner.

Things we liked
  • High-quality cleaning
  • Lightweight
  • Powerful brushes for effective cleaning
  • HeatWave technology
  • Various accessories
Things we didn't like
  • Quite bulky
  • Expensive
View Prices for this Product

Vax Rapid Power Revive Carpet Washer

Vax Rapid Power Revive Carpet Washer

The Vax Rapid Power Revive carpet cleaner provides effective deep cleaning on your carpets that dries within an hour for your convenience. The Spin Scrub technology provides a very effective and thorough clean.

The large tank capacity means that you can clean for much longer without any need for refilling. Edge to edge leaning means that you can clean right up to the edges of your carpets with little effort.

The various additional tools included with this model allow you to achieve the most effective clean possible for your carpets. It also comes with a stretch hose hand tool that allows you to target specific areas as needed.

Things we liked
  • Quick drying
  • Stretch hose hand tool
  • Deep cleaning
  • Large tank capacity
  • Various additional tools
Things we didn't like
  • Bulky
View Prices for this Product

Vax Platinum Power Max Carpet Cleaner

Vax Platinum Power Max Carpet Cleaner

The Vax Platinum Power carpet cleaner boasts that it has been proven to clean better than the leading carpet cleaning rental device. With an extra-large brush bar and SpinScrub technology, this carpet cleaner can tackle even the toughest of stains. This fast-drying carpet cleaner leaves your carpets dry in as little as an hour.

There are several cleaning modes and various accessories included with this cleaner to provide the best possible clean for your home carpets. Additionally, the added long stretch hose allows you to target specific areas by hand.

One of the major benefits of this particular model is that it comes with a 6-year guarantee, so you can buy with complete peace of mind.

Things we liked
  • It cleans better than the leading rental
  • Extra-large brush bar
  • SpinScrub technology
  • Variety of cleaning modes
  • Additional accessories
  • Stretch hose for hand cleaning
  • 6-year guarantee
Things we didn't like
  • Expensive
View Prices for this Product

Best Upright Carpet Cleaner

BISSELL ProHeat Revolution Carpet Cleaner

BISSELL ProHeat Revolution Carpet Cleaner

The Bissell ProHeat carpet cleaner features a deep clean mode that offers extremely powerful cleaning that out cleans the leading rentals.

With the express clean mode, you can complete very fast and easy cleaning that dries in around an hour on average.

The lightweight design allows you to easily manoeuvre the cleaner around your home as needed.

HeatWave technology keeps the water at a consistent temperature throughout the entire cleaning process for the best results from the carpet cleans.

The dual DirtLifter Power Brushes loosen and remove dirt that is embedded deep into your carpets to provide a very effective clean.

Things we liked
  • Deep cleaning
  • Lightweight design
  • HeatWave technology
  • Dual DirtLifter Power Brushes
  • Fast-drying carpet cleans
  • Handheld hose for targeted cleaning
Things we didn't like
  • Expensive
View Prices for this Product

Vax Dual Power Carpet Cleaner

Vax Dual Power Carpet Cleaner

With dual rotating brushes, the Vax Dual Power carpet cleaner lifts tough dirt from deep within your carpet fibres to provide the best possible clean for your carpets. The narrow floor head fits into tight and awkward areas, so you can easily clean every area of your floors with little effort.

Twin tank technology keeps your clean, and dirty water separate for the entire duration of your carpet cleans.

The lightweight design allows you to move the cleaner around your home easily. Additionally, this cleaner comes with a one-year guarantee for peace of mind when buying this product.

Things we liked
  • Deep cleaning
  • Narrow floor head
  • Lightweight design
  • 1-year guarantee
Things we didn't like
  • No handheld cleaning options
  • No additional accessories included
View Prices for this Product

VYTRONIX Upright Carpet Cleaner

VYTRONIX Upright Carpet Cleaner

The Vytronix carpet cleaner provides a quality deep clean at a fraction of the price of most other carpet cleaners.

This cleaner will easily clean your carpets but can also clean tough stains such as wine stains, coffee stains, mud, and other types of embedded stains and dirt.

It is lightweight and easy to use, so cleaning your carpets requires very little effort from you. The powerful motor ensures that dirt is lifted away easily and effectively.

If you are looking for an effective carpet cleaner at a great price, then this is the carpet cleaner for you!

Things we liked
  • Low price
  • Effective cleaning
  • Powerful motor
Things we didn't like
  • Not as powerful as some other models
View Prices for this Product

Best Carpet Steam Cleaner

Morphy Richards 9-in-1 Steam Mop

Morphy Richards 9-in-1 Steam Mop

Steam mops are very effective at cleaning your home floors, and this Morphy Richards steam mop is no exception.

With a variety of accessories, this cleaner can provide many different types of cleaning. It also features a detachable handheld cleaner so you can target specific areas for an even more thorough clean.

The heat from the steam can kill around 99.9% of the bacteria in your home, so you can rest assured knowing that your home is safe and clean.

The large water capacity means that you don't have to worry about constantly adding more water.

Things we liked
  • Effective cleaning
  • It kills 99.9% of bacteria
  • Detachable handheld cleaner
  • Large water capacity
  • Lightweight
  • Easy to use
Things we didn't like
  • No vacuuming properties
View Prices for this Product

Moolan Steam Mop 12 in 1 Steam Cleaner

Moolan Steam Mop 12 in 1 Steam Cleaner

This hot steam cleaner provides a powerful and effective clean using hot steam to kill up to 99.9% of bacteria on your floor without the need for any harsh cleaning chemicals. The fast heat-up time means that you can start your cleaning almost immediately after turning the steamer on.

With various steam controls, you can ensure that you achieve the best possible clean for different areas of your home. This model also comes with several additional accessories that allow you to achieve the best possible clean for your home.

Things we liked
  • It kills 99.9% of bacteria
  • Fast heat-up time
  • Various controls
  • Many additional accessories
  • Lightweight
  • Easy to use
Things we didn't like
  • Expensive compared to other models
  • No vacuuming properties
View Prices for this Product

Vileda Steam Mop

Vileda Steam Mop

The Vileda steam mop provides an effective and thorough clean for your floors. With a heat-up time of just 15 seconds, you can use this steam mop almost instantly after it has been turned on. This model includes a carpet glider to help the device effectively move over carpets to provide an effective steam carpet clean.

One of the main benefits of this particular model is that it comes with a two-year guarantee for your peace of mind. So, if you are looking for a lightweight, easy-to-use steam mop, this is a great option.

Things we liked
  • Effective cleaning
  • It kills 99.9% of bacteria
  • Carpet glider
  • Two-year guarantee
  • Lightweight
  • Easy-to-use
Things we didn't like
  • No vacuuming properties
View Prices for this Product

Best Portable Carpet Cleaner

BISSELL SpotClean Portable Carpet Cleaner

BISSELL SpotClean Portable Carpet Cleaner

This effective portable cleaner features HeatWave technology to ensure that the water stays constant throughout the cleaning process. It works great on tough stains and spills and is portable and lightweight enough for everyday use.

This particular model also comes with two sample bottles of Bissell compact carpet shampoo to help you achieve the best possible level of cleaning that you can with this device.

This model's small, compact design means that you can easily store it and move it around as needed. The large water capacity provides a lengthy clean without the need to keep refilling the tank. With a lengthy handheld hose, this cleaner can reach even further to ensure you manage to clean every part of your home that is needed.

Things we liked
  • HeatWave technology
  • Lightweight
  • Comes with two sample bottles of carpet shampoo
  • Compact design
  • Large water capacity
  • Long handheld hose
Things we didn't like
  • Requires manual work by hand
  • Not great for cleaning large areas
View Prices for this Product

Vax SpotWash Spot Cleaner

Vax SpotWash Spot Cleaner

This powerful cleaner easily and conveniently cleans up stains and spills using a combination of powerful suction and deep cleaning. It features two cleaning attachments that are designed to tackle stains on different types of surfaces.

The slim, lightweight design means that you can easily transport the cleaner around your home, and the long hose allows you to clean even further. This cleaner comes with a bottle of Vax cleaning solution that will provide the best possible clean for your various home surfaces.

Things we liked
  • Powerful cleaner
  • Slim, lightweight design
  • Portable
  • Long hose
  • It comes with a cleaning solution
Things we didn't like
  • Requires manual work by hand
  • Not great for cleaning large areas
View Prices for this Product

What to Consider Before Buying a Carpet Cleaner

There are several things that you should consider when choosing the right carpet and upholstery cleaner for you. Take a look at the list below before you decide on which carpet cleaner to buy so that you can be sure you're choosing the right one:

Length of Cable

One of the things you may want to consider when buying a carpet cleaning appliance is the length of the cord. This might not be such an issue if you live in a flat or a small house.

However, if you live in a large home, you will probably want to avoid the possibility of having to unplug and plug in your cleaner over and over. With this in mind, you should think about the length of the cord when choosing the right carpet cleaner for you. Also, keep in mind that you can opt for a wireless carpet cleaner if that is more convenient for you.

Power

The amount of power that the appliance has will determine how well it cleans the carpet. More powerful machines tend to be more expensive. However, if you're looking for a very thorough and powerful clean for your carpets, then you will need to invest in a powerful cleaning appliance.

If you're looking for a carpet cleaning solution that is great for everyday cleaning, then you might not need a device that is as powerful. This is something to keep in mind when deciding which carpet cleaner is best for you.

Carpet cleaning a blue carpet

Type of Carpet

The type of carpet you have may determine the type of carpet cleaner that you need. For example, most carpet cleaners are suitable for short-pile carpets. However, if you have a thick carpet, you may need to look at the specific details of the product to ensure that it is suitable for cleaning your type of carpet.

FAQs

Which carpet cleaning products are the best?

When looking for the best types of carpet cleaners, there are a few things to look out for. First, you should always check that the product you are buying is suitable for your carpet type. This is especially true if your carpet is made up of delicate fibres.

You should also check that the carpet cleaner you choose is suitable for your particular carpet cleaning machine. With this in mind, there are no specific types of cleaner that are best. The best carpet cleaner for you will depend on your carpet and your carpet cleaner.

Can I hire a carpet cleaner?

Yes, there are many local and national carpet cleaning companies out there that provide carpet cleaners that you can hire to provide a thorough carpet clean.

What is the best carpet cleaner to target a specific stain?

The best carpet cleaner for targeting a specific stain is a handheld carpet cleaner, as you can use this to get right into the stain and remove it by hand as needed.

Is an upright carpet cleaner the same size as a regular vacuum cleaner?

Carpet cleaners are a similar size to regular vacuum cleaners. However, they do tend to be a little bulkier to accommodate the water tanks.

Can you use a carpet cleaner on hard floors?

You can use most carpet cleaners on hard floors. However, it is usually recommended that you use a steam mop to clean hard floors.

Sources

  1. https://www.bissell.eu/tips/how-does-carpet-cleaning-work.html