8 Best Carpet Cleaners for Deep Cleaning 2025

If you demand professional-grade deep cleaning in a home unit, the BISSELL Big Green doesn’t just meet expectations—it obliterates them. With a 12-amp motor and rotating DirtLifter power brushes, this machine delivers suction and scrubbing force that rivals rental-grade equipment, tearing through years of embedded grime in a single pass. Its 1.75-gallon tank capacity means fewer refills and longer cleaning runs, ideal for large homes or commercial spaces where downtime isn’t an option. For anyone tired of underpowered cleaners that barely scratch the surface, this unit is a revelation.

In real-world testing, the Big Green excels on high-traffic areas, pet zones, and even neglected carpets with layered spills and ground-in dirt. The forward-and-backward cleaning action doubles the agitation per pass, significantly cutting cleaning time while improving soil removal—something most uprights can’t claim. The 9-inch long-reach hose and 6-inch tough stain tool make baseboards, stairs, and car interiors accessible without switching machines. However, its sheer size and weight make storage and maneuvering in tight spaces a challenge, and the unit lacks steam functionality, limiting pretreatment effectiveness on sticky, caked-on messes.

Compared to the BISSELL ProHeat 2X or Shark CarpetXpert, the Big Green sits at the top of the performance pyramid—it’s the deep-cleaning workhorse you call when other machines fail. While less convenient than lighter models, its raw power and large-capacity tanks make it perfect for infrequent but thorough cleanings, rental services, or homes with extensive carpeting. It offers superior extraction and coverage compared to mid-tier models, trading portability for unmatched cleaning intensity.

When it comes to conquering pet stains and odors, the BISSELL ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro Plus stands in a league of its own. Armed with MAX Clean Mode and 12 rows of Dual DirtLifter PowerBrushes, it dives deep into carpet fibers to extract not just visible messes but also the bio-based residues that cause recurring pet odors. The Turbostrength motor delivers powerful suction with surprisingly low noise, making it ideal for homes with sensitive pets or kids. If your carpet has seen one too many accidents, this machine is engineered to reset it—down to the backing.

Testing confirms it lives up to its claims: skunk odor, old urine stains, and dried vomit are lifted with minimal pre-treatment, thanks to the dual-activated cleaning system and included pet-specific tools. The 8-foot hose and upholstery tool extend its reach to car seats, sofas, and stairs, while the 30-minute dry time (in Express Clean Mode) prevents musty smells and allows quick room reuse. That said, the 6.8-amp motor, while efficient, can struggle on plush or high-pile carpets where deeper agitation is needed, and the smaller tank requires more frequent refills than the Big Green.

Against the Shark CarpetXpert or Hoover PowerScrub, the ProHeat 2X specializes where others generalize—it’s the definitive choice for pet owners who need odor elimination, not just surface cleaning. While not as powerful as the Big Green, it balances performance, convenience, and targeted tech better than any other in the dataset. It delivers more intelligent, pet-focused deep cleaning than the Shark, with smarter tool integration and faster drying.

The BISSELL Revolution HydroSteam redefines deep cleaning by fusing true steam power with professional extraction, making it the most effective hybrid cleaner in the lineup. Its HydroSteam Technology heats water to loosen even the stickiest spills—chewing gum, dried coffee, wax—before the XL DirtLifter PowerBrush scrubs them away, reducing the need for harsh chemicals. The built-in steam pretreater is a game-changer, softening set-in stains in seconds, which translates to less elbow grease and fewer passes. For allergy sufferers or eco-conscious users, this steam-integrated approach is a breath of fresh air.

In practical use, the HydroSteam shines on kitchen spills, high-traffic hallways, and homes with kids, where messes are frequent and often baked in. The 1-gallon clean tank offers solid runtime, and the 7-foot hose with self-cleaning tools makes stairs and furniture cleaning hassle-free. The Catch & Clean Tray simplifies maintenance, minimizing gunk buildup—a common pain point in extractors. However, the steam cycle adds time to setup, and the machine can feel sluggish on oversized rooms due to tank size and warm-up delay, making it less ideal for marathon cleanings.

Stacked against the BISSELL Big Green or Shark CarpetXpert, the HydroSteam carves a niche: it’s the best for homes that want sanitization without chemicals. While it lacks the raw amperage of the Big Green, its steam-enhanced deep cleaning outperforms pure extractors on organic and greasy messes. It offers smarter, more hygienic cleaning than the Hoover, with better stain release and easier maintenance than traditional shampooers.

For homes with wall-to-wall carpeting, the BISSELL TurboClean Pet XL is a time-saving powerhouse engineered to cover more ground with less effort. Its 10-inch cleaning path is one of the widest in the category, slashing cleaning time by up to 30% compared to standard 7-inch models. Backed by a 4-row DeepReach PowerBrush and PRO MAX formula, it tackles pet stains, dander, and allergens with authority, making it ideal for large households with multiple animals. The 1-gallon clean tank minimizes interruptions, letting you clean entire floors without constant refills.

During testing, the TurboClean Pet XL proved highly efficient on medium-pile carpets, lifting tracked-in dirt and surface stains with minimal passes. The 3-inch Tough Stain Tool and spraying crevice tool handled baseboards and stairs effectively, though the hose is shorter than premium models. While it lacks the chemical innovation of Shark or steam of the HydroSteam, it delivers consistent, no-frills deep cleaning with solid reliability. However, on thick or shag carpets, the brushroll can struggle to maintain contact, reducing scrubbing effectiveness.

Against the budget-friendly TurboClean 3952, the Pet XL offers greater coverage and tank size, making it a smarter investment for large homes. While not as feature-rich as the ProHeat 2X, it optimizes speed and reach over advanced stain tech. It provides broader, faster cleaning than the Shark StainStriker portable, with better pet-focused performance than the Hoover.

Don’t let its compact size and budget price fool you—the BISSELL TurboClean 3952 packs a surprising punch for small-space dwellers and occasional users. Despite being one of the lightest uprights in the lineup, it features a 4-row DeepReach PowerBrush that outperforms many heavier models on everyday spills, tracked-in dirt, and light pet messes. The included Pro Max + Oxy Urine Eliminator formula gives it an edge in odor control, making it a smart pick for apartments with pets. It’s the rare budget machine that doesn’t feel like a compromise.

In practice, it excels in tight spaces, hallways, and bedrooms, where maneuverability trumps raw power. The compact design fits in closets, and the short power cord is manageable in smaller rooms. While it can’t match the deep extraction of premium models, it removes ground-in dirt that vacuums miss, especially in high-traffic zones. However, the small tank demands frequent refills on larger jobs, and the suction power drops noticeably when tackling soaked stains or thick carpets.

Pitted against the Shark StainStriker portable, the TurboClean offers better floor coverage and deeper agitation, though less portability. It’s the best value upright for those who clean moderately and prioritize storage and ease over heavy-duty performance. It delivers more thorough carpet cleaning than handhelds, with better brush action than basic shampooers.

The Hoover PowerScrub Deluxe strikes a sweet balance between performance and affordability, making it the best mid-range contender for households that deep clean regularly but don’t need pro-level power. Its five counter-rotating SpinScrub brushes deliver aggressive agitation, lifting stains that vacuums leave behind, while HeatForce technology speeds drying by warming the air during extraction. The Auto Mix system ensures perfect solution-to-water ratios every time, eliminating guesswork and preventing over-saturation.

In real use, it performs reliably on everyday messes, light pet stains, and low-pile carpets, with tools that extend its reach to furniture and crevices. The dual-tank system keeps clean and dirty water separate, maintaining cleaning efficacy throughout the session. However, it lacks advanced features like steam or dual-chemical activation, and the plastic build feels less durable than BISSELL or Shark counterparts. It also runs louder than competitors, which may bother noise-sensitive users.

Compared to the BISSELL ProHeat 2X, the PowerScrub offers solid cleaning at a lower cost, but with fewer pet-specific features and slower drying. It’s ideal for budget-conscious families who want consistent results without bells and whistles. It delivers better value and ease of use than the TurboClean 3952, with wider cleaning reach than most portables.