Shark Stainstriker Portable Carpet Cleaner
Dimensions: 12.8 x 11.6 x 15 inches | Weight: 8.5 pounds | Water capacity: 40 ounces | Cord length: 12 feet | Tools: Reversible bristle, pet, crevice and self-cleaning tools
Pros:
- Pet tool collects dirty water in separate chamber
- Reversible bristles for different surfaces
- Includes hose-cleaning tool
Cons:
- Requires two types of formula for best results
Many people use their portable carpet cleaners for pet accidents, and the Shark Stainstriker is particularly well-suited for the task. This pick has a special tool that collects water and debris in a separate chamber, keeping the waste out of the main body of the machine. The chamber is quick and easy to clean, and it helps prevent smells from developing over time. Additionally, this model has a regular attachment with reversible bristles. One side has stiff nylon bristles, while the reverse has rubber bristles that are great for picking up pet hair.
Best Portable Carpet Cleaner For Stains
A Lightweight Machine That Does The Scrubbing For You
Bissell Pet Stain Eraser PowerBrush
Dimensions: 8.5 x 16.5 x 5.7 inches | Weight: 4.4 pounds | Water capacity: 8 ounces | Cord length: N/A | Tools: Rotating power brush
Pros:
- Extremely lightweight and portable
- Scrubs automatically to remove stains
- Cordless design can be used anywhere
Cons:
- Very small water tank
Looking for a compact machine that can tackle minor stains? The Bissell Pet Stain Eraser weighs less than five pounds and has a special rotating brush that you simply place over the stain. It takes care of all the scrubbing for you, making it quick and easy to clean your carpet or upholstery. It has a cordless design that’s great for rooms with limited outlets, and it comes with two trial-size bottles of stain-removal formula. Keep in mind that it has a small water tank, which means it needs to be refilled more frequently.
Best Cordless Portable Carpet Cleaner
A Battery-Powered Model With A Wide Cleaning Tool
Hoover Cleanslate Cordless Carpet Cleaner
Dimensions: 12.8 x 13.3 x 10.3 inches | Weight: 11 pounds | Water capacity: 40 ounces | Cord length: N/A | Tools: WidePath, tight spot and hose rinse tools
Pros:
- Cordless design is highly portable
- Wide path tool cleans a larger area at once
- Built-in light to illuminate stains
Cons:
- More expensive than other models
For ultimate mobility, even if there’s no power outlet nearby, you can’t go wrong with the Hoover Cleanslate Cordless Carpet Cleaner. It’s particularly handy if you want to clean your car, as you won’t have to pull out an extension cord. This option is compatible with any of the brand’s signature “onepwr” batteries and generally lasts around 15 minutes per charge. In terms of the brush, the Hoover CleanSlate comes with a 7-inch cleaning tool that lets you quickly cover large stains and the brush can be completely taken apart to rinse out the crevices. There’s also the “boost mode,” which is ideal for tough stains, as well as a built-in light and a hose-rinsing tool.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
- The Forbes Vetted home and kitchen team includes three expert editors: deputy editor Rebekah Lowin, senior editor Amanda Arnold and editor Sholeen Damarwala.
- Author of this piece Camryn Rabideau is a regular contributor with extensive experience covering home and lifestyle topics.
- Rabideau also gathered key insight and guidance from Rocky Vuong, founder of house cleaning serving Calibre Cleaning. Vuong explained the benefits of a portable carpet cleaner over a full-size version and offered tips on selecting the right model for your home.
How We Chose The Best Portable Carpet Cleaners
The best portable carpet cleaners remove stains and clean upholstery, but they’re smaller and easier to store than full-sized models. When putting together this list, we looked at products from top retailers and brands, including Bissell, Hoover, Shark and more. To guide our recommendations, we spoke with a cleaning expert about what to consider. Based on our expert’s insights and recommendations, we prioritized factors such as water capacity, special attachments and features, weight and portability. We made sure to include both corded and cordless models, too. The final products on this list reflect in-depth research conducted by our writer and meticulous vetting by the editorial team.
What To Look For In The Best Portable Carpet Cleaners
From the weight to ease of use, consider these factors when shopping for a portable carpet cleaner.
Portable carpet cleaners come in corded and cordless models, so you’ll want to consider how you plan to use the machine. “Cordless models provide the ultimate convenience and ease of movement, which is beneficial for cleaning stairs, cars and areas away from power outlets,” says Vuong. “Corded models mainly provide continuous, strong suction power.”
Cordless carpet cleaners like the Hoover CleanSlate offer around 15 minutes of cleaning time per charge, so they’re best for smaller jobs. If you have a large area that you need to clean, a corded model offers unlimited runtime.
You’ll also want to consider the capacity of the machine’s clean water tank. “Opt for a portable model with a reasonable tank size to reduce the frequency of water changes,” says Vuong. “A balance between portability and tank capacity is important—if it’s too small, you’ll have to make constant trips to refill, which compromises the portability of a unit.” On the other hand, if the tank is oversized, it can make the machine quite heavy to move around.
The Bissell Little Green strikes a good balance of convenience and portability. Its 48-ounce water tank isn’t too heavy, but it still lets you clean relatively large areas without needing to refill it.
Portable carpet cleaners often come with multiple attachments. Classic bristle brushes help scrub stains out of carpet and upholstery, and some models have rubber bristles that are gentle on delicate fabrics and useful for picking up pet hair. Other cleaners, such as the Shark Stainstriker, have designated pet tools that keep pet waste out of the main body of the machine.
Look for a model with a hose-rinsing attachment to make it easier to maintain your carpet cleaner after use. These tools force clean water through the hose, flushing out dirt and gunk that might be stuck inside. This prevents odors and mold from developing inside the machine and ensures it’s clean and ready for use the next time you need it.
What Is The Best Portable Carpet Cleaner?
The Bissell Little Green is the best portable carpet cleaner for most people. This viral cleaning tool is well-known for its powerful stain-removal abilities, and it’s the right size for everyday cleaning tasks. It can be used on carpeting, furniture and car upholstery, and its 48-ounce water tank lets you clean for longer before stopping to refill. Plus, it’s reasonably priced and has a large handle, making it easy to move from one room to another.
