Best Carpet Cleaners & Extractors 2026
Deep carpet cleaning machines.
Our Top Picks
Full Rankings
Shark CarpetXpert EX304
Best OverallHighest stain reduction scores in independent testing. Dual-solution Oxi mixing automatically blends undiluted Oxi for professional results. 12-foot onboard hose for convenient spot treating.
Pros
- ✓Highest stain scores
- ✓Dual-solution Oxi mixing
- ✓12-foot onboard hose
Cons
- ✗0.75 gal tank smaller
- ✗Shark ecosystem
- ✗Manual operation
Bissell Big Green Professional
Best PremiumSame machine carpet cleaning services rent out. 1.75-gallon tanks for whole-house without refilling. Commercial durability for years of heavy use.
Pros
- ✓Commercial-grade
- ✓1.75 gal largest tanks
- ✓Rental-quality results
Cons
- ✗$429 higher price
- ✗Heavy and large
- ✗Overkill for small jobs
Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro Plus
Best ValueCleanShot foot-activated pretreater sprays concentrated solution directly on spots. HeatWave technology maintains water temperature throughout cleaning.
Pros
- ✓CleanShot pretreater
- ✓HeatWave technology
- ✓1 gal tank
Cons
- ✗Heavier unit
- ✗Manual pretreating
- ✗Bissell solution recommended
Hoover SmartWash+ Automatic
Simplest operation—push forward to wash, pull back to dry. Automatic sensing prevents oversaturation. Ideal for anyone intimidated by carpet cleaner operation.
Pros
- ✓Automatic operation
- ✓No triggers or buttons
- ✓Prevents oversaturation
Cons
- ✗Less control
- ✗Basic features
- ✗Mid-range performance
Bissell Little Green Portable
Best BudgetPerfect niche at $100—powerful for tough stains, small enough for closet. Over 2 million sold. Indispensable for spot cleaning, stairs, cars, upholstery.
Pros
- ✓$100 price
- ✓9.65 lbs portable
- ✓Powerful for size
Cons
- ✗48 oz small tank
- ✗Spot cleaning only
- ✗Not whole-room
Score Comparison
| Product | Stain Removal 35% | Tank Capacity 25% | Features 20% | Ease of Use 10% | Value 10% | Weighted Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
#1Shark CarpetXpert EX304 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 9.15 | $315 |
#2Bissell Big Green Professional | 9 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8.75 | $429 |
#3Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro Plus | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8.65 | $280 |
#4Hoover SmartWash+ Automatic | 8 | 8 | 7 | 10 | 8 | 8.00 | $249 |
#5Bissell Little Green Portable | 8 | 5 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 7.15 | $99 |
Buying Guide
Look for tank capacity and heating.
What We Evaluate
Stain Removal
Deep cleaning
Tank Capacity
Water capacity
Features
Hose, heating
Ease of Use
Weight
Value
Price
Our Testing Methodology
We test stain removal on common household stains, tank capacity for coverage, and ease of use. The Shark CarpetXpert achieved highest scores in independent testing.
Learn more about how we test →