Weindependently evaluateall of our recommendations.

If you select links we provide, we may receive compensation.

Spills happen, but these cleaners can reverse the damage.

The Dirt Devil Portable Spot Cleaner FD13000 placed on a dining chair

Photo:Real Simple

We also reached out to cleaning expertRyan Knoll, owner ofTidy Casa, for more info on carpet cleaners.

No matter your carpet cleaning needs, weve got options for every bang out of stain and space.

It has a short battery life.

Bissell Little Green Cordless Portable Carpet Cleaner 3682

PHOTO: Amazon

We also think this is one of thebest upholstery cleaners.

As a bonus, the hose wraps around the entire cleaner for an easy and tangle-free storage.

It can leak a bit and the assembly instructions arent completely clear.

A hand holdign the Bissell Little Green Cordless Portable Carpet Cleaner on a rug

PHOTO: Real Simple

The light stains left behind also improved and eventually vanished with more passes.

There is no place to store the attachments on the actual model.

After two months, it brightened up our white-gray carpet and made them smell better too.

A person adding fluids into the water tank of the Bissell Little Green Cordless Portable Carpet Cleaner

Weve been so impressed at how it’s removed stubborn stains and lingering pet odors.

There aren’t any grubby stains or wear spots leftover either.

If you have large and/or multiple pets, this is a must-have for your home.

A close-up of a person cleaning a stain on a chair with the Bissell Little Green Cordless Portable Carpet Cleaner

The hose is on the shorter side.

We also considered the cord length and how easy each one was to use while cleaning.

Next, we determined the best attachments to clean different stains.

A hand holding the Bissell Little Green Cordless Portable Carpet Cleaner water tank

Lastly, we considered the overall performance and price of each model.

Tank size definitely matters when considering the overall weight, Knoll says.

Maintenance

Believe it or not, all cleaning tools require their own maintenance.

A person cleaning a rug with the Bissell Little Green Cordless Portable Carpet Cleaner

Carpet cleaners are no exception.

While both carpet cleaners andsteam cleanershave similar functions, their cleaning mechanisms and surface compatibility can differ.

If you want deep cleaning, especially on carpets, get a carpet cleaner.

A person opening the dirty water tank of the Bissell Little Green Cordless Portable Carpet Cleaner

If you just want to freshen up carpets or clean hard floors, a steam cleaner might work better.

Its also important to ensure that your steam cleaner is compatible with carpets."

Can you use the same carpet cleaner for low-pile, high-pile, and shag carpets?

A hand holdign the Bissell Little Green Cordless Portable Carpet Cleaner on a rug

It may seem like your carpet cleaner is a one-size-fits-all product, but it may not be so simple.

Knoll says its best to check the product description before buying to avoid any damage.

Some machines let you adjust for different carpets with height controls, he says.

A person adding fluids into the water tank of the Bissell Little Green Cordless Portable Carpet Cleaner

If yours doesnt, it might be too rough on thick carpets or not work well on flat ones.

Take Our Word for It

This article was written byL.

Daniela Alvarez, contributing writer forReal Simplewith four years of experience writing about lifestyle content and product reviews.

A close-up of a person cleaning a stain on a chair with the Bissell Little Green Cordless Portable Carpet Cleaner

Daniela also consultedRyan Knoll, owner ofTidy Casa, for more expert advice on carpet cleaners.

A hand holding the Bissell Little Green Cordless Portable Carpet Cleaner water tank

A person cleaning a rug with the Bissell Little Green Cordless Portable Carpet Cleaner

A person opening the dirty water tank of the Bissell Little Green Cordless Portable Carpet Cleaner

Hoover PowerDash Pet Advanced Carpet Cleaner

PHOTO: Amazon

Person cleaning a stained carpet with the Hoover PowerDash Pet Advanced Carpet Cleaner

PHOTO: Real Simple

Person taking apart the Hoover PowerDash Pet Advanced Carpet Cleaner

Person adjusting the tank on the Hoover PowerDash Pet Advanced Carpet Cleaner

Person using the Hoover PowerDash Pet Advanced Carpet Cleaner hose to remove a stain from carpet

Hands using the Hoover PowerDash Pet Advanced Carpet Cleaner hose to remove a stain from carpet

Hoover PowerDash Pet Advanced Carpet Cleaner cleaning a carpet

Person cleaning a stained carpet with the Hoover PowerDash Pet Advanced Carpet Cleaner

Person taking apart the Hoover PowerDash Pet Advanced Carpet Cleaner

Person adjusting the tank on the Hoover PowerDash Pet Advanced Carpet Cleaner

Person using the Hoover PowerDash Pet Advanced Carpet Cleaner hose to remove a stain from carpet

Hands using the Hoover PowerDash Pet Advanced Carpet Cleaner hose to remove a stain from carpet

Hoover PowerDash Pet Advanced Carpet Cleaner cleaning a carpet

Bissell Big Green Pet Pro Carpet Cleaner

PHOTO: Amazon

Person cleaning a carpet with the hose attachment of Bissell Big Green Pet Pro Carpet Cleaner

PHOTO: Real Simple

Person holding the handle of the water tank of the Bissell Big Green Pet Pro Carpet Cleaner

Bissell Big Green Pet Pro Carpet Cleaner cleaning a brown stain from a carpet

Person pulling Bissell Big Green Pet Pro Carpet Cleaner across a floor

Person holding a component of the Bissell Big Green Pet Pro Carpet Cleaner

Person removing plastic wrap from the Bissell Big Green Pet Pro Carpet Cleaner inside its box

Person cleaning a carpet with the hose attachment of Bissell Big Green Pet Pro Carpet Cleaner

Person holding the handle of the water tank of the Bissell Big Green Pet Pro Carpet Cleaner

Bissell Big Green Pet Pro Carpet Cleaner cleaning a brown stain from a carpet

Person pulling Bissell Big Green Pet Pro Carpet Cleaner across a floor

Person holding a component of the Bissell Big Green Pet Pro Carpet Cleaner

Person removing plastic wrap from the Bissell Big Green Pet Pro Carpet Cleaner inside its box

Amazon Dirt Devil Portable Spot Cleaner FD13000

PHOTO: Amazon

The Dirt Devil FD13000 Portable Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner being used to clean carpeted stairs

PHOTO: Real Simple

A person cleaning stains off a couch cushion using the Dirt Devil FD13000 Portable Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner

A person turning on the Dirt Devil FD13000 Portable Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner

A person cleans a carpet swatch using the Dirt Devil FD13000 Portable Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner

Finger pressing power button on the Dirt Devil Portable Spot Cleaner

Dirt Devil Portable Spot Cleaner cleaning solution and tank displayed on a wood table

The Dirt Devil FD13000 Portable Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner being used to clean carpeted stairs

A person cleaning stains off a couch cushion using the Dirt Devil FD13000 Portable Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner

A person turning on the Dirt Devil FD13000 Portable Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner

A person cleans a carpet swatch using the Dirt Devil FD13000 Portable Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner

Finger pressing power button on the Dirt Devil Portable Spot Cleaner

Dirt Devil Portable Spot Cleaner cleaning solution and tank displayed on a wood table

Person pushing the Hoover PowerDash Pet Advanced Carpet Cleaner across a stained carpet

Real Simple

Hands using the Hoover PowerDash Pet Advanced Carpet Cleaner hose to remove a stain from carpet

Real Simple

A person adding liquid to the water tank of the Bissell Little Green HydroSteam Pet Carpet Cleaner

Real Simple