Best Carpet Cleaners & Extractors 2026
Deep carpet cleaning machines for stain removal and whole-room extraction.
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 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
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
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
Comparison Table
| Product | Stain Removal | Tank Capacity | Features | Ease of Use | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
#1Shark CarpetXpert EX304 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 9 | $300 |
#2Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro Plus | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 | $278 |
#3Bissell Big Green Professional | 9 | 10 | 8 | 7 | $429 |
#4Hoover SmartWash+ Automatic | 8 | 8 | 7 | 10 | $220 |
#5Bissell Little Green Portable | 8 | 5 | 6 | 9 | $125 |
Buying Guide
Carpet extractors use hot water and cleaning solution to deep clean carpets. The Shark CarpetXpert achieved the highest stain reduction scores in independent testing. Look for tank capacity for whole-home cleaning, onboard hoses for spot treatment, and heated water systems. The Bissell Big Green Professional is essentially the same machine carpet cleaning services rent out.
What We Evaluate
Stain Removal
Deep cleaning effectiveness
Tank Capacity
Clean water capacity
Features
Hose, heating, pretreat
Ease of Use
Weight and operation
Value
Performance per dollar
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 →Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy or rent a carpet cleaner?▼
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