8 Best Portable Carpet Cleaner – Comparison and Reviews

Best portable carpet cleaner reviews

Carpet cleaning is a necessary practice that cleanses the air you breathe in your home while at the same time making your carpets look great. It is important to clean your carpets regularly because as it is vital for a healthy indoors environment. When the time to clean up your carpets comes, having the right tools for the job can be the key to success.

The best portable carpet cleaner is ideal for sport cleaning areas of carpet and getting tough stains off of them, off of furniture, or off of a vehicle’s upholstery. It will provide a fast, effective approach for cleaning stains and spills on various surfaces.

In this article, we review the top 8 portable carpet cleaners. They are compact, lightweight, straightforward to use, and easy to store. These devices will differ in terms of features and benefits. We have reviewed and highlighted the pros and cons of 8 of them from leading brands to help you find the one that will best suit your needs.

Best Overall

Rug Doctor Pet Portable Spot Cleaner
  • Powerful suction
  • Slim, compact design for easy cleaning & storage
  • Portable, lightweight and easy to carry
  • Light Weight : Less than 19 lbs
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Budget Friendly

Bissell 1400B
  • Compact deep cleaner
  • 48 ounce dirty tank capacity
  • lightweight design
  • 3" tough stain tool
  • Hose Length: 4 feet
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Best Portable Carpet Cleaner Reviews

1.  Bissell Spotclean Pro 3624

More photo & price on Amazon.com

The Bissell 3624 Spotclean professional portable carpet cleaner offers impressive cleaning results when it comes to removing tough stains and stubborn dirt. This compact carpet cleaner combines powerful scrubbing action, vacuum suction, and the optional 2X professional deep cleaning solution package helps through tough stains. It is designed to clean multiple surfaces including carpet, area rugs, upholstery, auto interiors, and much more.

This equipment comes with 5-foot flex hose and is rated 5.7 amps of power. Its power cord is 22 feet long which makes it easy to clean spots and stains in a large area without having to keep plugging and unplugging. The package includes 6-inch stair tool and 3-inch robust stain tool. A variant includes an 8oz Professional Deep Cleaning formula. This professional-grade deep cleaning formula contains Scotchgard protection that guards your carpet against future stains.

The Bissell 3624 Spotclean professional features a large-capacity tank that can hold a ¾ gallon. You can clean a large area without having to empty and fill the tank frequently. The 6-inch stair tool is excellent for cleaning hard-to-reach surfaces like large furniture areas and stairs.

What we liked
  • A handy spot cleaner with superior suction
  • Cleans multiple surfaces fast and easy
  • The cleaner is great for water distribution
  • Removes tough stains effectively
  • Large hose for extended cleaning
  • Compact footprint—takes less storage space
What we didn't like
  • Hose can break at the handle area
  • The design of the hose is difficult to keep clipped to the machine

The Bissell 3624 delivers impressive cleaning results. It uses powerful scrubbing action, vacuum action, and the optional 2X professional deep clean solution to completely eliminate tough stains and stubborn dirt.

2.  Bissell 1400B

More photo & price on Amazon.com

The Bissell 1400b Multi-Purpose Portable Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner is a compact deep cleaner suitable for small and large clean-ups. It is packaged with a 4-foot hose length, a 48-ounce tank capacity, and a tough-stain brush attachment.

It also includes PVC-free tanks and hose, with 50% of the parts sourced from post-consumer recycled plastic. It allows you to tackle and remove permanent spots and stains from carpet and upholstery. Those results are courtesy of its ingenious combination of suction, water, and formula.

This handy tool lets you spray and suction your carpet and upholstery with a click of a button. The 3-inch tough-stain tool helps in scrubbing away tough stains.

The Bissell multi-purpose portable carpet and upholstery cleaner, 1400b is suited for both spot and stain cleaning. It has a superior suction that removes ingrained dirt and stains with ease.

What we liked
  • Easy to assemble
  • Super lightweight and compact
  • Easy to fill the solution canister
  • Bristles of the brush are very easy to clean
  • Works great and delivers incredible cleaning results
What we didn't like
  • The plastic cap is NOT removable
  • It is rather loud

Bissell 1400B can perfectly handle numerous cleanup tasks - small or big. It can tackle and fully eliminate permanent spots and stains from carpet and upholstery.

With a simple click of a button, this tool allows you to spray and suction your carpet and upholstery for deep clean results. It has an extremely powerful suction, enough to remove caked-on dirt and stains.

3.  Rug Doctor Pet Portable Spot Cleaner

More photo & price on Amazon.com

The Rug Doctor Pet Portable Spot Cleaner is one of the portable carpet and upholstery cleaner. It will clean stains and neutralize odors on rugs and car interior just as well. It has a hand-held dual-action pet tool with twice the suction power of similar carpet cleaners. It removes deep down stains with ease.

The Rug Doctor’s brush suction combo allow for deep scrubbing deep within the carpet fibers without the need to use heat or steam. Rug Doctor does recommend the use of their specialized formulas for best results though.

This cleaning device is easy to use and can be easily moved from spot to spot as it comes with carpet-friendly wheels alongside a foldable handle. These features add extra maneuverability. Its detachable water tanks make them easy to empty or fill.

This high performance portable carpet vacuum is suitable for cleaning carpets, pet beds, couches, car seats, mattresses and more. It does an excellent job when it comes to cleaning high-traffic areas and hard-to-reach places. You can rely on this cleaning machine to make your cleaning work hassle-free.

What we liked
  • Ergonomic design
  • Easy to fill/empty tank
  • Easy transportation and storage with carpet-friendly wheels and a foldable handle
What we didn't like
  • Bristles are quite stiff
  • The hose is somehow short - it should be a little longer

The Rug Doctor Pet Portable Spot Cleaner is easy to use, easy to maneuver, and compact for easy storage. Despite it small size it does wonders in stain removal and odor neutralization. It is overall an excellent portable carpet spot cleaner.

4.  Hoover FH11300

More photo & price on Amazon.com

Hoover’s Spotless Portable Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner is a compact, lightweight cleaning machine for removing stains from carpet, upholstery, stairs, and more. It combines the hygienic deep cleaning tools with powerful suction to lift and eliminate stains.

The equipment boasts the patent-pending Self-Clean Technology that flushes the hose clean after use. This self-cleaning hose protects against bacterial growth and odors, consequently ensuring spotless cleaning results.

This device also packs Dual Tank Technology designed to separate clean and dirty water with ease. Now you can fill, empty and rinse each tank without any problem. Also available is a Bonus Expert Clean Gel to be used to pre-treat stubborn stains and helps to eliminate them.

The tool also features antibacterial protection that guards against the buildup of bacteria, mold and mildew. The lightweight upholstery cleaner sprays, scrubs, and suctions stains and spills for a convenient deep clean solution.

What we liked
  • Extremely easy to set up, store, put away & use
  • Compact, lightweight and powerful suction
  • Self-cleaning function is a thumbs-up
  • Sturdy and durable
  • Detachable hose head for easy cleaning
What we didn't like
  • Rubber brush tends to break down when cleaning
  • The hose is a little shorter - should be 2-3 feet longer for convenience

This Hoover FH11300 Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner can effectively remove stains from carpet, upholstery, stairs, and many other surfaces. It has a combination of powerful suction and hygienic deep cleaning tools, thus lifting and removing stains almost anywhere. What’s more it includes antibacterial protection, which guards against the accumulation of microorganisms.

5.  Bissell SpotBot 33n8

More photo & price on Amazon.com

The Bissell SpotBot 33n8 Pet Cleaner is a hands-free spot & stain cleaning device that gets stain off carpets and area rugs with the push of a button. It features two automatic cleaning cycles, which allow you to select your preferred setting and work on other things as the machine completes the cleaning task on your behalf.

Upon selecting a preset cleaning cycle, Spot-Bot automatically sprays, brushes and suctions away embedded pet stains to remove them. This portable carpet vacuum also features Deep Reach Technology that cleanses the carpet from the bottom up. It thoroughly gets rid of deep down stains from carpet, upholstery, stairs, auto, and more.

Deep Reach Technology delivers cleaning formula and water deep into carpet fibers. In conjunction with Pet Oxy Boost Formula and Bissell Pet Stain & Odor, it permanently removes tough pet stains and odors. The oxygen in this formula enhancer reacts with the stain to eliminate bad odors like vomit, urine, blood and skunk odors.

What we liked
  • Easy to set up, use, move and store
  • Gets out any set-in stain effectively
  • Real time-saver for cleaning spills and messes
  • Cleans vomit (and other unpleasant messes) and neutralizes odor
  • Comes with cleaning solution
What we didn't like
  • Difficult to remove the brush head attachment for cleaning
  • Cheap internal hose causes internal leaks

Do you need a hands-free device that gets stains off carpets and area rugs? The Bissell 33n8 Cleaner has you covered.

It has two automatic cleaning cycles, so all you need to do is select your preferred setting and sit back. The machine will get the work done for you.

6.  Bissell SpotClean ProHeat, 2694

More photo & price on Amazon.com

The Bissell 2694 Spot-Clean ProHeat Portable best spot cleaner is a handy device that removes tough stains and spots from multiple surfaces like stairs and upholstery. It delivers excellent cleaning results when used in combination with Bissell's Spot & Clean and Oxy-Boost formula. Bissell Oxy Boost Formula is designed to react with the stain and neutralize the resulting odor.

This sturdy, compact cleaning kit features a built-in Heat-Wave Technology for maintaining consistent cleaning temperature during cleaning. The machine also features a Deep Reach Tool, which tackles embedded stains and dirt from the bottom-up.

Furthermore, it comes with a 3-inch Tough Stain Tool designed to get rid of stubborn dirt on hard-to-reach places like auto interiors, stairs, upholstery, and area rugs among others. It can rapidly clean up fresh stains like mud, spills, accidents, and others. The Deep Stain Tool dispenses formula enhancer deep into carpet fibers to tackle entrenched stains.

What we liked
  • Tough on stubborn stains
  • Cleans multiple surfaces including hard-to-reach spaces
  • Great for spot treating
  • Easy to remove the water tanks
  • Delivers fast and effective stain removal
What we didn't like
  • The cleaning formula is available in small bottles
  • The machine is pretty loud especially when lifted

The Bissell 2694 is a best handheld carpet steam cleaner and can remove the most entrenched stains and spots from multiple surfaces from auto interiors, upholstery, stairs, area rugs, and more.

7.  Bissell Pet Stain Eraser Cordless Portable Carpet Cleaner

More photo & price on Amazon.com

If you are looking for a cordless carpet cleaner, this Bisselis another one of the best handheld carpet cleaners you can get. The BISSELL 20037 Pet Stain Eraser Cordless Portable Carpet Cleaner is a compact unit with a modern design. Thanks to its small portable size, you can easily grab it by the handle and vacuum any dirty surfaces. The cleaner’s handle is positioned at the back end on top of the unit. This portable carpet cleaner from BISSELL is sold at an affordable price. The fact that this unit is cordless makes it more versatile, and you can be flexible with using it – it can be used to clean your car’s interior, hard-to-reach corners, and more. The cleaner runs on a reliable lithium ion battery.

With the BISSELL 20037 Pet Stain Eraser Cordless Portable Carpet Cleaner, you’ll be able to confidently tackle your pet’s messes around the house. The unit cleans with a Spray, Scrub, and Suction technique; this is a very effective process that leaves your surfaces sparkling clean. The cleaning solution is readily stored within the machine, and it rapidly cleans out various stains with ease. The dirt tank is positioned under the cleaner, it can be easily accessed and emptied one it’s full.

In addition to being one of the best portable carpet cleaners, this unit features a powerful suction that’s excellent for deep spot cleaning and permanent stain elimination. The cleaning solution used in this machine is mixed with warm water, and that mixture works along with the powerful suction to give the best results.

What we liked
  • Compact, portable, and hand-held light-weight unit.
  • Runs on Li battery, and doesn’t require power cord
  • Powerful suction with effective ready-to-use cleaning solution that permanently cleans stains
  • Cleans with a spray, scrub, and suction action
  • Sold at an affordable price
What we didn't like
  • The solution may sometimes leak from the tank
  • Non-ideal charger port design

The BISSELL 20037 Pet Stain Eraser is a fantastic cordless carpet cleaner with a modern look. All its features combine to make it a reliable cleaning unit. A lot of satisfied users have left positive comments and remarks. This unit is one that you will enjoy using if you are looking for a compact carpet cleaner.

8.  Sanitaire Restore Portable Spot Carpet Extractor 

More photo & price on Amazon.com

The Sanitaire Restore Portable Spot Carpet Extractor SC6060A as its name implies is a versatile portable carpet extractor with an elegant design. It has been manufactured to satisfy high standards, and it is able to effectively compete with rival products on the market. Portability is one of this unit's selling points - it has a compact structure with a sturdy handle at the top for easy carriage.

Once you're done cleaning one room, grab the cleaner by its handle, lift it off the ground, and move. In addition to its portability, the Sanitaire Restore Portable Spot Carpet Extractor SC6060A is also light-weight (just 12.8 pounds). This machine doesn’t just have a fancy design, but it is also loaded with great cleaning power. You can easily spot clean your floors, carpets, furniture, and more with the large suction force offered by this cleaner.

The suction hose is quite lengthy, at 5-ft, and can extend to clean elevated platforms. A 6-Inch scrub brush sits at the end of the suction hose, and is highly effective in removing stubborn dirt and stains. The unit features a detachable transparent tank that can be easily taken out and emptied once full. A lengthy power cord is wound around the side of the cleaner – you’d get enough cleaning range when the machine is plugged in.

What we liked
  • Compact, portable, and light-weight design – just 12.8-lbs
  • Easily detached transparent 0.75 gallon tank
  • Lengthy 5-ft hose with 6-inch scrub brush for effective spot cleaning
  • Sturdy handle makes it one of the best handheld carpet cleaners
What we didn't like
  • The suction could be more powerful

If you’re hoping to get a portable carpet cleaner, the Sanitaire Restore Portable Spot Carpet Extractor SC6060A shouldn’t be overlooked. It is one of the best portable carpet cleaners on the market. The cleaner is sold at an affordable price, and you’d enjoy spending your money on it. It is a commercial cleaning unit with good durability that serves businesses well.

A Buying Guide For Best Portable Carpet Cleaner

Portable carpet cleaners offer the best solution for cleaning carpets, upholstery, rugs, stairs, car interiors, and much more. Their mobility makes them suitable for use in different areas. If you need to achieve the best cleaning, you’ll need to opt for the best small carpet cleaner. This buying guide gives you the points to consider when choosing a carpet cleaner. 

Tank Capacity

You will need to consider the tank capacity of the different portable carpet cleaning appliances in the market. The capacity of the tank determines how efficiently the cleaning task will be carried out. Smaller tanks call for more frequent refills, which could take more time and effort. A good tank capacity should be anywhere around 30 ounces.

Suction Power

Pick the best portable carpet cleaning unit with powerful suction. The device with a suitable suction grabs as much dirt as possible, leaving your carpet and upholstery clean and spotless. Strong suction is also useful when it comes to retrieving all the water you use to clean the carpet.

Cleaning Brush Action

Of course, no one wants to do a lot of hand scrubbing when using a portable cleaner. For this reason, you need to purchase a model with a cleaning brush that works well. You could choose a unit that comes with an oscillating brush as it does a better job of scrubbing dirt from carpet fibers. Another great alternative is a cleaning device whose cleaning brush attachment has back and forth motion. It makes the task much more manageable.

Compact/Lightweight Design

You are most likely going to use your carpet cleaner in different places all over your home. Therefore, having a portable carpet cleaning equipment with compact design is imperative. It will enable you to comfortably carry the appliance around and store it wherever you like.

Weight is another aspect of a portable carpet cleaner that makes it easy to transport and store. The lighter the cleaning equipment, the easier it is to move from one place to another. You should find a lightweight carpet cleaning machine particularly if you plan to use it in different places. Make sure that you are familiar with the weight of any portable carpet cleaner before you buy it.

Attachment Package

Having extra tools and attachments makes a carpet cleaner versatile. Such best handheld carpet cleaner will enable you to clean multiple surfaces with a lot of ease, such upholstery and narrow stairs. Buying a carpet cleaning equipment with several tools makes the cleaning task painless.

FAQs About best handheld carpet cleaner

The following are frequently asked questions concerning portable carpet cleaners in the market.

Why do I need to invest in a best portable spot carpet cleaner?

A best portable spot cleaner removes embedded spots, dirt, and stains permanently from a carpet. It is much more effective compared to sprays and foams. With sprays, there’s the likelihood of stains reappearing after a little while. But a portable spot cleaner eliminates them for good—guaranteed.

Which types of chemicals are best and safe for use on a carpet?

It is important to use non-toxic cleaning products that are soap-free, hypo-allergenic, odor-free and with no VOCs or off-grassing. Such cleaning products are safe for use in carpet cleaning both at homes and businesses.

Which one is better between upright and portable deep cleaners?

As far as portable deep cleaners and upright deep cleaners go, we do not look at them in terms of which one is better than the other. Instead, we focus on which equipment between the two is suited to a particular job at hand.

Upright deep cleaners are suitable for use on large areas and whole rooms. On the other hand, portable spot cleaners can tackle grime on stairs, auto interior, upholstery, and much more.

Final Verdict

Portable carpet cleaning appliances provide the best solution for cleaning homes and business premises. Most of these machines include an assortment of accessories for cleaning multiple surfaces, such as pet residences, offices, and shops.

Our top portable carpet cleaner reviews gives you an overview of the best products available for carpet cleaning. Be sure to check this review more closely to help you determine which one will best address your cleaning needs.