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If you need a tool to remove carpet stains and clean upholstery but don’t want another bulky appliance to store, the best portable carpet cleaners are the perfect compromise. They have the same stain-boosting power as many full-size carpet cleaners, but they’re smaller, lighter and easier to store. Our top pick is the Bissell Little Green Portable Carpet Cleaner, a favorite among many cleaning experts thanks to its compact design and powerful stain-removal abilities.
Because these models typically have a smaller brush, they’re best suited for treating stains and minor cleaning jobs. “Portable carpet cleaners are convenient to have on hand for tough spills such as wine, pet messes and juice,” says Rocky Vuong, founder of Calibre Cleaning. “The compact design of portable cleaners makes them easy to carry for people living in apartments or houses with limited storage.” Now, if you’re hoping to clean entire rugs, you’d be better off with a full-size carpet cleaner, which is similar in size to an upright vacuum and can be driven around your floors. If you’re simply looking to clean the occasional stain around the house or you’re short on storage space, though, a portable carpet cleaner is up to the task at hand. Here are our top picks.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted home and kitchen editors have extensive experience testing, researching and reviewing the best home products on the market. We’ve published scores of cleaning-focused articles, including the best carpet cleaners, best robot mops, best stick vacuums for pet hair and more.
- 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.
Corded vs. Cordless
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.
Water Capacity
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.
Attachments
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.