Tank size: Large tanks mean less frequent refilling and emptying for larger jobs, but remember that large tanks weigh more when full and can be heavier to carry up and down stairs. A 64-ounce tank filled with solution and water will add 4 pounds of weight to the machine. If you know you will be frequently cleaning up stains or cleaning large areas, a larger machine might be handier than a smaller one. verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ In our GH Cleaning Lab tests, this Bissell mini carpet cleaning champ earned our best overall score for performance which included stain and odor removal, sound, run time and more. Cleaning an entire sofa, an upholstered wing chair or a set of eight dining room chairs might be too much for a small, cordless appliance to handle. That's why we're recommending Kenmore's SpotLite Portable Spot Cleaner. One of the first portable carpet cleaners to come to market, Bissell's Little Green Machine set the bar high and continues to be one of the best, most sought-after cleaning appliances. We've tested it many times in the GH Cleaning Lab and it's been all the rage on TikTok for the last several years. Its 4-foot hose extends the reach of the cleaning nozzle into nooks and crannies where some other cleaners can't go, and the 48-ounce tanks mean you don’t have to refill or empty them that often.

When the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care and Cleaning Lab evaluates portable carpet cleaning machines, we test how well they lift fresh and set-in food, dirt and other stains and how easy they are to fill, empty, clean and store. We also assess their weight, how easy they are to maneuver and how comfortable they are to use and hold. We also have each tested and scored by Quiet Mark, an outside organization that evaluates products and appliances for sound on a scale of one to three stars. “Quiet” appliances get a three-star rating, while those deemed “loud” get a one-star rating. In our last category test of portable carpet cleaners, we conducted 38 separate tests and assessed nearly 500 data points!

FAQs

Brush: Consider a carpet cleaner with a powered rotating brush to take the effort out of removing stains from your carpet. A switch to turn off the brush when cleaning delicate fabrics is a plus. Without a powered rotating brush, you will need to scrub the stain manually using the built-in stationery scrub brush. Larger than other models we tested, the Rug Doctor is almost a cross between a portable and full-size carpet cleaner, and with its telescoping handle and wheels, it almost resembles a piece of carry-on luggage. Looks aside, it's a workhorse that powered through our stain tests and did the best job of nixing both the stain and the odor of the yellow ammonia we put down to simulate pet urine. The only downside we found is that it's a bit louder than others we tested, earning a one-star rating from Quiet Mark.