When it comes to keeping my home spotless, having a reliable carpet cleaner has made all the difference. Whether I’m dealing with larger carpeted areas or spot-cleaning a rug, a portable carpet cleaner has become my go-to tool on cleaning day. It’s incredibly convenient for handling spills, pet messes, or quick touch-ups without the hassle of dragging around a heavy machine.
For anyone living in a smaller space like an apartment or condo, or even if you’re just limited on storage, a portable carpet cleaner is a great option. They’re compact, lightweight, and easy to maneuver, making it simple to clean tight spots like stairs and upholstery.
After putting 11 different models through some rigorous testing, I’m excited to share the results. We tackled stubborn stains like red wine, mud, and ammonia to find the best-performing portable carpet cleaners. Here are my top picks for machines that really get the job done!
Best Portable Carpet Cleaners
Hoover CleanSlate XL Deep Cleaning Spot Carpet Cleaner
The Hoover CleanSlate XL Deep Cleaning Spot Carpet Cleaner has quickly become one of my go-to tools for tackling stubborn stains around the house. This portable carpet cleaner uses a combination of scrubbing, cleaning solution, and suction to remove food, pet, and drink spills. It’s lightweight and easy to carry from room to room, even up and down stairs, making it incredibly convenient.
What I love most about the CleanSlate is its versatility. With three attachments, it’s ready for all types of messes. The traditional scrubber handles most stains, the WidePath tool is perfect for larger spills, and the TightSpot attachment is a lifesaver for cleaning between couch cushions or in hard-to-reach corners. The 40-ounce tank holds enough solution to clean multiple spots in one go, which is super handy.
While the CleanSlate does a fantastic job, it’s worth noting that it doesn’t offer onboard storage for the attachments, so I have to keep them nearby. That’s a minor inconvenience compared to its overall performance, though. The built-in hose rinse feature is also great for keeping the machine fresh and free of odors.
If you’re looking for a powerful, compact spot cleaner that’s easy to use and store, the Hoover CleanSlate is an excellent choice.
Eureka NEY100 carpet and upholstery cleaner
The Eureka NEY100 Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner is a solid choice for spot-treating carpets and upholstery. With a simple and efficient design, this machine makes quick work of small messes like pet accidents or spills on car seats. Its 50.7-ounce clean water tank and 27-ounce dirty water capacity ensure you can tackle multiple stains before needing to refill or empty.
Setting up the NEY100 is a breeze. The tanks are clearly labeled and easy to remove with foldable handles, so there’s no confusion or mess when filling or emptying. The flat top design is another plus, making it easy to store in small spaces, even allowing you to stack items on top.
The cleaning process is intuitive: just press the trigger to release clean water, scrub with the bristled head, and suction up the dirt. The long hose and cord give you plenty of reach, whether you’re cleaning stairs or your car’s interior. However, be prepared for some noise—this machine is louder than most full-sized vacuums, reaching about 80 dBA.
Overall, the Eureka NEY100 is a reliable and easy-to-use spot cleaner, great for quick touch-ups, but expect a bit of noise while you’re at it.
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BISSELL SpotClean Pet Pro Portable Carpet Cleaner
The BISSELL SpotClean Pet Pro Portable Carpet Cleaner is a powerful tool for anyone with pets, kids, or high-traffic areas in their home. Weighing 13.25 pounds, it’s portable enough to carry around for quick cleanups, though it’s not the lightest machine out there. The 5-foot hose and 20-foot power cord offer great reach, making it easy to clean stairs, upholstery, and even your car.
Inside the box, you get two key attachments: a 3-inch Tough Stain Tool and a 6-inch Stair Tool, along with a trial bottle of cleaning formula. The attachments are effective for targeting pet messes and tough stains, especially when paired with the machine’s 5.7-amp suction power. The suction, combined with scrubbing and cleaning solution, makes quick work of spills and set-in stains.
While it isn’t advertised specifically for pet stains, the SpotClean Pet Pro handles them with ease. Whether it’s pet accidents or muddy paw prints, this machine gets the job done. The only downside is the noise—it’s pretty loud, but that’s expected from a machine with this much power.
Overall, this is a great investment for anyone looking to tackle stains and spills without calling in professional cleaners.
BISSELL Little Green Cordless Carpet Cleaner
The BISSELL Little Green Cordless Carpet Cleaner is a versatile and convenient option for quick cleaning tasks, especially when mobility and ease of use are key. With its cordless design, it offers improved flexibility over its corded counterparts like the SpotClean Pro. Weighing less than other models and featuring larger tanks than smaller units like the Pet Stain Eraser, it strikes a nice balance between portability and performance.
One of the standout features is its simplicity—just fill the tank, spray the cleaning solution, and use the brush to scrub. The cordless design is especially helpful when cleaning areas with no power outlets, like cars or storage units. It’s easy to handle, thanks to its lightweight build and large handles.
In terms of performance, the suction power is impressive for a cordless machine. It effectively lifts stains from carpets and upholstery, although it’s not as powerful as corded models like the Little Green Pro. However, the trade-off in power is balanced by the convenience of not needing to deal with cords.
Overall, while it may not be the most powerful cleaner in BISSELL’s lineup, the Little Green Cordless is a solid option for those seeking a lightweight, portable, and effective spot cleaner.
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Shark PX201 StainStriker Portable Carpet Cleaner
The Shark PX201 StainStriker Carpet Cleaner is a solid choice for anyone seeking a portable, lightweight spot cleaner. Weighing just 8.51 pounds, it’s one of the lightest in its class, making it easy to maneuver around furniture, up stairs, and into tight spaces. Its compact design comes with two specialized cleaning tools: the Spot Pet Tool and the Stain Striking Tool, providing flexibility for various messes.
With a 450-watt motor, the StainStriker packs a surprising amount of suction power for its size. However, its cleaning system requires significant solution usage due to the placement of the spray nozzle and brushes. While it performs well on common household stains like wine, coffee, and juice, it may require multiple passes for deeper set stains, which could increase your long-term cleaning costs, especially for the formula.
The unit is priced at around $139.99, placing it in line with competitors like Bissell and Hoover, though its smaller tank size may be limiting for larger cleaning jobs. Despite some minor drawbacks, like no storage for attachments and the high solution consumption, the StainStriker’s portability and ease of use make it a worthwhile option for spot cleaning.
