8 Best Home Carpet Cleaners of 2025

The Shark CarpetXpert HairPro is a game-changer for pet owners drowning in fur, stains, and lingering odors. With its CarpetXpert Technology, this upright cleaner combines a high-speed brushroll, high-pressure PowerSpray, and Shark’s ultra-powerful suction to extract deeply embedded grime that vacuums simply can’t touch. What truly sets it apart is the HairPro Technology, which effortlessly pulls up tangled pet hair without clogging or wrapping around the brushroll—a common pain point for multi-pet households. If you’re tired of cleaning cycles that leave behind clumps of fur or damp carpets for hours, this machine delivers a deep, fast, and fur-free clean with surgical precision.

In real-world testing across wall-to-wall carpets, area rugs, and upholstered furniture, the HairPro proved its dominance in both wet and dry mess scenarios. The 12 oz Deep Clean Pet Formula tackles organic stains with ease, while the integrated crevice and bristle tools made cleaning stairs and baseboards a one-pass job. Dry times clocked in under 4 hours thanks to the dry-only mode and powerful suction, preventing musty smells post-clean. However, its larger footprint and weight make it less ideal for tight storage spaces or users with mobility limitations. It’s a powerhouse, but one that demands a bit more physical effort and room to maneuver.

When stacked against the BISSELL ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro Plus, the HairPro offers superior hair management and faster drying, though it lacks the BISSELL’s dual brushroll density. Compared to the budget-friendly TurboClean PET, it’s clearly in a higher tier—deeper cleaning, better odor elimination, and more durable build. It’s the best overall choice for pet-heavy homes that demand deep, reliable, and fur-ready performance without constant maintenance. For those prioritizing long-term durability and tangle-free cleaning, the HairPro outperforms others in both power and practicality.

The BISSELL ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro Plus is engineered for war zones—homes where pet accidents, skunk encounters, and week-old spills are part of the weekly routine. Its Turbostrength Motor Technology delivers professional-grade suction with surprising quietness, while the 12 rows of Dual DirtLifter PowerBrushes act like tiny scrubbers, agitating deep-set stains that most cleaners glide over. The MAX Clean Mode is where this machine flexes its muscles, lifting grime from carpet depths with a thoroughness that rivals rental units. For pet owners battling odors that linger long after the mess is gone, this model’s skunk-odor-removal capability is nothing short of remarkable.

In practical use, the 35-foot power cord and 8-foot hose offer exceptional reach, eliminating the need to constantly switch outlets or reposition furniture. The Express Clean Mode delivers dry carpets in about 30 minutes, a standout feature for households needing quick turnover. It handled high-traffic areas with ease, though on plush-pile rugs, it occasionally over-saturated, requiring a second dry-only pass. The hose attachment is sturdy and effective for stairs and furniture, but the lack of self-cleaning tools means more manual maintenance after each use. It’s powerful, but demands attention to avoid over-wetting.

Against the Shark CarpetXpert HairPro, the ProHeat 2X wins on scrubbing intensity and drying speed, but falls short on hair management and tool convenience. Compared to the more affordable BISSELL TurboClean PET, it’s a clear upgrade in brush density and cleaning power, though not all users will need that level of intensity. It’s best suited for large, active homes with frequent pet messes where deep stain removal and fast recovery are non-negotiable. When cleaning aggression and speed are top priorities, this model edges out competitors with raw performance.

Don’t let its compact size fool you—the BISSELL TurboClean PET punches well above its weight class for budget-conscious pet owners. It’s packed with a 4-row DeepReach PowerBrush that digs into high-traffic zones where dirt and dander accumulate, paired with strong suction that lifts what vacuums miss. The one-touch 4” Self-Cleanout Tool is a standout, allowing users to clear clogs and rinse the nozzle without touching gunk—perfect for those mid-day accidents. With its 7-foot hose and spraying crevice tool, it transitions smoothly from floor to furniture, making it a versatile, no-fuss solution for homes where spills and paw prints are daily occurrences.

In testing, it handled fresh pet stains and tracked-in mud with impressive efficiency, though it struggled slightly with older, set-in stains compared to higher-end models. The clean water tank is smaller, requiring more frequent refills on larger jobs, and dry times averaged 5–6 hours, longer than pricier alternatives. Still, for a machine under $150, its cleaning consistency and tool integration are commendable. It’s not built for whole-home deep cleans in one go, but for spot treatment and routine maintenance, it delivers reliable performance without the bulk.

Stacked against the Shark EX121BRN, it lacks the dual tank system and ultra-fast drying, but wins on tool convenience and self-cleaning functionality. Compared to the Hoover PowerDash, it offers better suction and brush action for the price. It’s the best budget upright for pet owners who need solid performance without overspending. For those who want effective, everyday cleaning with smart features, this model offers unmatched value in its class.

The Hoover PowerDash Pet Advanced is the ultimate stair and upholstery whisperer—a compact cleaner that punches above its weight when the mess isn’t on the floor. Its PowerSpin pet brush roll works in tandem with HeatForce technology to speed up drying, making it ideal for upholstered furniture, car seats, and carpeted stairs where moisture can linger for days. The 8-foot hose and included tools provide exceptional reach, letting you clean above-floor surfaces without lugging around a bulky machine. For pet owners with cars, couches, or split-level homes, this small but mighty cleaner is a game-changer for targeted messes.

In testing, it handled spills on stairs and pet vomit on upholstery with impressive efficiency, though its small tank size meant frequent refills during larger jobs. The HeatForce feature reduced dry time noticeably—closer to 4 hours than the 6+ seen on budget models. However, on wall-to-wall carpeting, its cleaning path is narrow, making whole-room jobs tedious. The sample solution included is a nice touch, but long-term users will need to buy Hoover-specific formulas for best results. It’s not built for marathon sessions, but for quick, focused cleanups, it’s unbeatable in its niche.

Compared to the Shark StainStriker, it’s less portable but offers better heat-assisted drying and built-in brush roll. Against the BISSELL TurboClean PET, it lacks the self-cleaning tool but wins on drying speed and stair performance. It’s the best choice for homes with stairs, pets, and furniture messes where above-floor cleaning is a regular need. For those who clean more vertically than horizontally, this model delivers targeted power where others fall short.

When you’ve got 3,000 square feet of carpet and two shedding dogs, the Hoover Powerscrub XL is the cavalry that arrives with reinforcements. Its five counter-rotating SpinScrub brushes work in unison to lift and loosen the toughest stains, while the TruMAX recovery tank allows for larger coverage with fewer emptying stops—a godsend for big homes. The Auto Mix feature precisely blends solution with water, eliminating guesswork and preventing overuse. With a 1-gallon clean tank, this machine is built for marathon cleaning sessions, not just spot fixes, making it the undisputed king of large-area cleaning.

In real-world use, it powered through muddy paw prints, food spills, and dried-on messes across medium-pile carpets with minimal passes. The Quick Clean mode is perfect for maintenance, drying carpets faster than standard mode. However, its size and weight make it hard to store and maneuver in tight spaces, and the hose, while long, feels stiff during upholstery work. The Oxy Pet solution boosted stain removal, but the machine is less agile on stairs or furniture. It’s a workhorse, not a nimble specialist.

Versus the BISSELL ProHeat 2X, it covers more ground per fill but lacks the same brush density and odor-fighting precision. Compared to the Shark HairPro, it’s better for big spaces but worse for hair management. It’s the best for large homes where tank capacity and scrubbing power outweigh portability. For those who value coverage and consistency over convenience, this model dominates in endurance and reach.

The BISSELL Revolution HydroSteam isn’t just a carpet cleaner—it’s a steam-powered deep-cleaning hybrid that cleans up to 45% better than standard extractors, thanks to its HydroSteam Technology. The built-in steam pretreater softens sticky, set-in stains before the XL DirtLifter PowerBrush even touches them, making grime removal feel almost effortless. With a 1-gallon tank, it’s built for whole-home cleaning, and the 7-foot hose makes couches, stairs, and car interiors accessible without strain. For users who want sanitization with their clean, the steam function kills bacteria and allergens, adding a layer of hygiene most cleaners can’t match.

In testing, it obliterated juice spills, crayon marks, and muddy footprints with minimal scrubbing. The steam activation is seamless, and the Catch & Clean Tray makes post-clean maintenance a breeze. However, steam mode consumes water faster, shortening runtime, and the machine runs hotter, requiring caution around kids and pets. It’s slightly heavier than non-steam models, and the cleaning path is narrow, slowing large jobs. It’s a brilliant innovation, but not for the faint of heart.

Against the Shark HairPro, it offers better stain softening and sanitization, but lacks superior hair-handling tech. Compared to the Hoover Powerscrub XL, it’s less aggressive on scrubbing but more effective on organic stains. It’s the best choice for homes needing sanitization and deep stain removal. For those who want steam-level cleanliness without sacrificing extraction, this model raises the bar for hybrid performance.