Best Portable Carpet Cleaner in 2021 [Top 7 Picks]

Updated: 28th December 2020

Admit it: You just can’t avoid carpet stains. Whether it’s pet stains, liquid stains, food spills, or whatever that ruins your beautiful carpet, you have to deal with these every day.

If you want to remove these carpet stains, you need the best portable carpet cleaner that can handle these blots like a pro.

A handheld carpet cleaner, as the name suggests, is a compact, lightweight, and effective appliance. You can easily carry it anywhere, and it doesn’t occupy much space.

Choosing a suitable portable carpet cleaning machine can be tricky. Therefore, I decided to compile a list of the best portable carpet cleaners in 2021 to simplify your decision-making process.

Have a look at these portable carpet shampooers and buy the one that serves your purpose!

Which is the Best Portable Carpet Cleaner in 2021? [Clean Homez Top Picks]

Carpet Cleaners	Best for [Purpose]	Clean Homez Score
BISSELL SpotClean Pro 3624	My FAVORITE & The BEST	9.5/10
BISSELL Little Green 1400B	Best Multipurpose	9/10
Hoover Spotless FH11300PC	Best for Spot Stains	9/10
Rug Doctor Pet 93300G	Most Powerful	8.5/10
BISSELL SpotClean Pet Pro 2458	Best for Pet Stains	8.5/10
BISSELL SpotClean ProHeat 2694	Best for Everyday Use	8/10
BISSELL SpotBot Pet 2117A	Most Convenient	8/10

Disclaimer — As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

I’ve put in a lot of effort to compile this list of compact & portable carpet cleaning appliances:

18+ hours of research

Browsing official websites, e-commerce websites, reading authority blogs, hacking into technical specifications, and much more.

14 products considered

Emphasizing important factors — compact, portable, lightweight, & effective. The initial list comprised of 14 products. But after further research, only 7 made it to the final list.

2100+ reviews analyzed

Analyzing genuine customer reviews for a better understanding from the customer’s point of view. Of course, equal emphasis was laid on positive and negative reviews.

1. BISSELL SpotClean Pro 3624 [My FAVORITE & the BEST]

Key Specifications

• Dimensions: 10 × 14 × 14 inches
• Product Weight: 13.25 lbs
• Power Source & Rating: Corded, 5.7 amps
• Cord length: 22 feet
• Tools: 3-inch Tough Stain Tool, 6-inch Stair Tool
• Hose: 5 feet
• Tank Capacity: ¾ gallons (96 ounces)
• Warranty: 2 years
• Surface Type: Carpet, rugs, upholstery & fabric, auto interiors, stairs, and pet beds
• Stains Type: Pet stains (urine, poop, vomit, drool, blood, paw marks, hair, etc.), wine, cola, mud, coffee, juices, ketchup, grease, etc.

Pros

• Powerful suction that deep cleans your carpet
• Strong cleaning formula that eradicates even the toughest stains
• Light, compact, and requires minimal space for storage

Cons

• Hose tends to crack at the point attached to the tool (a design flaw, maybe)
• A little expensive than the rest

BISSELL SpotClean Pro is the best-selling portable carpet cleaner in the market right now. Powerful motor (5.7 amps or ~684 Watts), superior suction, large tank capacities (3/4 gallons), and lightweight design – these factors make SpotClean Pro the best portable carpet cleaner in 2021.

You get two tools with the unit – a 3-inch tough stain tool and a 6-inch stair tool – sufficient to handle all types of stains, whether old or new. The 5-feet hose and 22-feet cord ensure your reach to far corners and edges. Since it’s compact and light, storing and carrying it around is not an issue.

There’s one minor issue, though. In the curled state, the hose tends to break at the point where it joins the tool (due to stress). But you don’t need to worry because BISSELL provides a 2-year warranty on the appliance.

Overall Score — 9.5/10

The Bottom Line: BISSELL SpotClean Pro is perfect in every aspect – cleaning, suction, maintenance, portability, and versatility. The existing customers swore by this compact machine. So go ahead with the purchase!

2. BISSELL Little Green 1400B [Best Multipurpose]

Key Specifications

• Dimensions: 8.2 × 17.2 × 12 inches
• Product Weight: 9.65 lbs
• Power Source & Rating: Corded, 3 amps
• Cord length: 15 feet
• Tools: 3-inch Tough Stain Tool
• Hose: 4 feet
• Tank Capacity: 0.375 gallons (48 ounces)
• Warranty: 1 year
• Surface Type: Carpet, rugs, upholstery & fabric, auto interiors, stairs, and pet beds
• Stains Type: Pet stains (urine, poop, vomit, drool, blood, paw marks, hair, etc.), wine, cola, mud, coffee, juices, ketchup, grease, etc.

Pros

• Cleans up spots stains like a pro
• Easy to set up and use
• Ultra-compact and portable, suitable for daily use

Cons

• Cleaning up machine parts after use requires efforts
• Only 1-year warranty

BISSELL Little Green is a little beast capable of removing tough stains like a pro. A ~360 Watts (3 amps) motor drives the appliance, delivering sufficient suction to pull out stains using a 3-inch tough stain tool, through the 4-feet hose. The HydroRinse tool helps in rinsing the hose after a thorough cleaning session.

Little Green is compact and lightweight (weighs only 9.65 lbs). Hence, you can easily find space to store it, and also carry it anywhere you want – home, shop, office, or to your parent’s house!

The tank capacities are low (0.375 gallons) and, therefore, you’ll have to empty and refill frequently. The 15-feet cord is also a limiting factor, but if the electrical socket is nearby, there won’t be any problem. BISSELL provides a 1-year warranty on the appliance.

Overall Score — 9/10

The Bottom Line: BISSELL Little Green portable carpet cleaner won’t break your trust at all. It’s tough on spots & stains, occupies small space, and looks stunningly beautiful. So go ahead with the purchase if it meets your requirements. 

3. Hoover Spotless FH11300PC [Best for Spot Stains]

Key Specifications

• Dimensions: 9.72 × 13.94 × 15.04 inches
• Product Weight: <9 lbs
• Power Source & Rating: Corded, 3.5 amps
• Cord length: 14 feet
• Tools: Antimicrobial Rubber Nub Tool
• Hose: 5 feet
• Tank Capacity: 0.40 gallons (51 ounces)
• Warranty: 2 years
• Surface Type: Carpet, rugs, upholstery & fabric, auto interiors, stairs, and pet beds
• Stains Type: Pet stains (urine, poop, vomit, drool, blood, paw marks, hair, etc.), wine, cola, mud, coffee, juices, ketchup, grease, etc.

Pros

• The ergonomic design makes it very efficient, especially scrubbing & suction
• Lightweight and compact design, easier to carry and store
• Self-cleaning technology keeps the hose clean and odor-free

Cons

• Inlet in the clean water tank is too restricted
• Short cord length limits its reach

Hoover Spotless is driven by a powerful 3.5 amps (~420 Watts) motor, capable of removing tough stains of all types, including pet messes. The antimicrobial rubber nub tool, besides agitating stains, prevents odor-causing bacteria and fungus buildup. The 5-feet hose is long enough for better reach, but the cord is short (14 feet).

The machine is one of the lightest portable carpet cleaning appliances as it weighs less than 9 lbs. The compact design takes minimal space and also makes Spotless easy to pick-and-carry. The Self-Clean Technology flushes the hose, removing every grime of filth out of the passage, thereby keeping it clean.

Tank capacity is moderate (0.40 gallons), neither too high nor too low. Hoover provides a 2-year warranty on the product.

Overall Score — 9/10

The Bottom Line: If maintenance-free, powerful, compact, and lightweight machine is what you are seeking, buy Hoover Spotless Carpet Cleaner without a second thought. 

Also Consider: Hoover PowerDash GO Pet+ FH13010PC

If you want a more compact, technologically advanced, and affordable spot cleaner than Hoover Spotless, go for Hoover PowerDash GO Pet+. A 2.6 amps motor (~312 Watts) drives this machine. It features 8 ounces detergent-only tank (water not required), 11 ounces dirty water tank, a 2-in-1 antimicrobial rubber nub and bristle brush tool, and a 2-feet hose.

GO Pet+ is great for spot stains, but its limited detergent capacity can be a problem for many. It weighs just 6.5 lbs. So portability is not an issue at all. Hoover provides a 2-year warranty on the product.

If you want a cordless variant of this compact spot cleaner, you can consider Hoover ONEPWR Spotless GO Cordless. Almost everything is the same, except that it runs on a 2.0 Ah battery and it’s expensive.

4. Rug Doctor Pet Portable 93390 [Most Powerful] 

Key Specifications

• Dimensions: 16 × 10.9 × 15.6 inches
• Product Weight: 15 lbs
• Power Source & Rating: Corded, 10 amps
• Cord length: 15 feet
• Tools: Dual-action pet tool with rubberized bristles
• Hose: 5.5 feet
• Tank Capacity: 0.50 gallons (64 ounces)
• Warranty: 2 years
• Surface Type: Carpet, rugs, upholstery & fabric, auto interiors, stairs, and pet beds
• Stains Type: Pet stains (urine, poop, vomit, drool, blood, paw marks, hair, etc.), wine, cola, mud, coffee, juices, ketchup, grease, etc.

Pros

• IPX 4 rating makes it splash-proof
• Powerful suction ensures deep cleaning
• Retractable handle & wheels for ease of movement

Cons

• Water tank designs not ergonomically balanced
• Quite heavy & large-sized

Rug Doctor Pet Portable stands out with its powerful 10 amps (~1200 Watts) motor, delivering impressive suction, not available even in some of the upright carpet cleaners. The dual-action pet tool with rubberized brush successfully dismantles tough pet stains, both old and new. Here you get a 5.5-feet hose and a 15-feet cord, providing a sufficient range of movement.

Rug Doctor’s body is sturdy and splashproof (IPX4 rating), though slightly bulky and heavy (around 15 lbs). The retractable handle and wheels allow you to maneuver it like a trolley bag. Tank capacity is moderate (.50 gallons). However, the design makes it a little difficult to handle the tanks. Rug Doctor provides a 2-year warranty on the appliance.

Overall Score — 8.5/10

The Bottom Line: Rug Doctor Pet Portable is effortlessly portable, powerful, and durable enough to last for a long time. Buy the latest product to deal with the stains like a pro.

5. BISSELL SpotClean Pet Pro 2458 [Best for Pet Stains]

Key Specifications

• Dimensions: 10 × 14 × 14 inches
• Product Weight: 13.25 lbs
• Power Source & Rating: Corded, 5.7 amps
• Cord length: 22 feet
• Tools: 3-inch tough stain tool, stain trapper tool
• Hose: 5 feet
• Tank Capacity: 3/4 gallons (96 ounces)
• Warranty: 2 years
• Surface Type: Carpet, rugs, upholstery & fabric, auto interiors, stairs, and pet beds
• Stains Type: Pet stains (urine, poop, vomit, drool, blood, paw marks, hair, etc.), wine, cola, mud, coffee, juices, ketchup, grease, etc.

Pros

• Excellent suction and cleaning abilities
• Large capacity tanks
• Compact, beautiful design and a durable body

Cons

• Don’t really need stain trapper tool but that’s alright; it works fine
• Hose prone to cracks at the joints

Powered by a 5.7 amps (~684 Watts) motor, this spot carpet cleaner is a customized version of the SpotClean Pro. Most of the features are the same – 5 feet hose, 22 feet cord, 3/4 gallon capacity tanks, 3-inch tough stain tool, 2-year warranty, and same size and design.

There’s only one major difference – you get a stain trapper tool (captures pet messes in a separate container) instead of a 6-inch stair tool. Further, you get two trial-sized bottles of PET PRO OXY Urine Eliminator Formula.

Performance-wise, SpotClean Pet Pro is as capable as the SpotClean Pro. The only thing is the Pet Pro has been designed for buyers specifically looking for a portable carpet cleaner for pet stains.

Overall Score — 8.5/10

The Bottom Line: If pet stains are your main concern, you can blindly trust BISSELL SpotClean Pet Pro. The efficient functioning and the trust of BISSELL compel you to go for this appliance.

6. ​BISSELL SpotClean ProHeat 2694 [Best for Everyday Use]

Key Specifications

• Dimensions: 6.5 × 12 × 14.5 inches
• Product Weight: 9.2 lbs
• Power Source & Rating: Corded, 2.3 amps
• Cord length: 15 feet
• Tools: 3-inch tough stain tool, deep stain tool, HydroRinse self-cleaning tool
• Hose: 4.5 feet
• Tank Capacity: 0.29 gallons (37 ounces)
• Heatwave technology
• Warranty: 2 years
• Surface Type: Carpet, rugs, upholstery & fabric, auto interiors, stairs, and pet beds
• Stains Type: Pet stains (urine, poop, vomit, drool, blood, paw marks, hair, etc.), wine, cola, mud, coffee, juices, ketchup, grease, etc.

Pros

• Self-cleaning hose technology to keep hose clean
• Compact & versatile
• Deep stain tool is remarkable

Cons

• Suction is not much powerful
• Heatwave mechanism is not much effective

BISSELL SpotClean ProHeat, also branded as the BISSELL Little Green ProHeat (2513G), is a midrange portable spot cleaner. Its driven by a 2.3 amps (~276 Watts) motor, providing decent suction to lift everyday messes out of carpets, rugs, upholstery & fabric, stairs, and cars. You get two tools here to tackle all types of stains – a 3-inch tough stain tool and a deep stain tool.

The Heatwave technology maintains the water temperature for a longer duration and the HydroRinse self-cleaning tool rinses the hose, removing all the filth embedded inside the passage. The 4.5-feet hose and the 15-feet cord are shorter than available in other BISSELL variants, but still manageable.

It’s very light (only 9.2 lbs) and compact. Therefore, it’s easy to carry it around. However, the tank capacity is on the lower side (0.29 gallons). BISSELL provides a 2-year warranty on the product.

Overall Score — 8/10

The Bottom Line: BISSELL SpotClean ProHeat is a synonym for convenience and unparalleled performance. Trust me, you won’t regret buying this advanced machine for cleaning carpets. 

​7. BISSELL SpotBot Pet 2117A [Most Convenient]

Key Specifications

• Dimensions: 9 × 17 × 13.5 inches
• Product Weight: 12.5 lbs
• Power Source & Rating: Corded, 3 amps
• Cord length: 16 feet
• Tools: 3-inch tough stain tool, HydroRinse self-cleaning tool
• Hose: 5 feet
• Tank Capacity: 0.24 gallons (30.6 ounces) for clean water, 0.23 gallons (29.2 ounces)
• Warranty: 2 years
• Surface Type: Carpet, rugs, upholstery & fabric, auto interiors, stairs, and pet beds
• Stains Type: Pet stains (urine, poop, vomit, drool, blood, paw marks, hair, etc.), wine, mud, coffee, juices, ketchup, grease, etc.

Pros

• Completely hands-free functioning
• Perfect for small spots and stains
• Saves your time & efforts

Cons

• Finishing touch needed after hands-free cleaning
• Refilling needed after a couple of cleaning sessions

Overall Score — 8/10

The Bottom Line: BISSELL SpotBot Pet is an intelligent machine that knows what you want! Besides, it looks stunningly beautiful. Buy it to eradicate pet stains in an automatic mode. 

Final Overview: Best Portable Carpet Cleaners Comparison

Let’s have an overview of all the best portable carpet cleaners listed above. This will help you in quickly comparing the portable carpet cleaning machines and take a quick decision. 

Carpet Cleaners	Key Features	Clean Homez Score
BISSELL SpotClean Pro 3624 [My FAVORITE & The BEST]	Power: 5.7 amps Cord Length: 22 ft Hose Length: 5 ft Warranty: 2 years	9.5/10
BISSELL Little Green 1400B [Best Multipurpose]	Power: 3 amps Cord Length: 15 ft Hose Length: 4 ft Warranty: 1 year	9/10
Hoover Spotless FH11300PC  [Best for Spot Stains]	Power: 3.5 amps Cord Length: 14 ft Hose Length: 5 ft Warranty: 2 years	9/10
Rug Doctor Pet Portable 93300G  [Most Powerful]	Power: 10 amps Cord Length: 15 ft Hose Length: 5.5 ft Warranty: 2 years	8.5/10
BISSELL SpotClean Pet Pro 2458 [Best for Pet Stains]	Power: 5.7 amps Cord Length: 22 ft Hose Length: 5 ft Warranty: 2 years	8.5/10
BISSELL SpotClean ProHeat 2694 [Best for Everyday Use]	Power: 2.3 amps Cord Length: 15 ft Hose Length: 4.5 ft Warranty: 2 years	8/10
BISSELL SpotBot Pet 2117A [Most Convenient]	Power: 3 amps Cord Length: 16 ft Hose Length: 5 ft Warranty: 2 years	8/10

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why should I use a portable carpet cleaner?

Upright carpet cleaner vs. portable carpet cleaner: Which one to choose? While upright carpet cleaners are suitable for deep cleaning the entire carpet area, portable carpet cleaners are suitable for spots and stains.
You should buy a portable carpet cleaning machine for cleaning:
– Pet messes like – pet urine, vomit, poop, blood, etc.
– Liquid spills like – milk, wine, juices, coffee, tea, etc.
– Food spills
– Unknown stains and spots formed weeks or months ago
– Upholstery, auto interiors, rugs, stairs, etc.

What are the benefits of using a portable carpet cleaner?

Besides being portable, there’re ample of benefits of a portable carpet cleaner. These are:
Compact and lightweight: These cleaners are so compact that you can store them in small spaces like cabinets, corners, and back of the car. Most of the portable carpet cleaning machines weigh between 10 and 15 lbs. You can carry these easily.
Easy to Clean: By putting in minimal efforts, you can disassemble, clean, and reassemble all the parts. Whether its detaching tanks, cleaning tool, hose, brushes, belts, screws or any other component, you can operate easily after reading the instructions.
Removes Spots & Stains: For everyday use, it’s best to use a portable carpet cleaner. You can take it anywhere, place it anywhere, and clean up the mess in a few minutes. It works best on stains over a small area. It’s perfect for your carpets, rugs, stairs, upholstery, and auto interiors.

How to use a portable carpet cleaner?

The functioning may differ for products of different brands. But the basic mechanism remains the same. Follow these instructions to use a portable carpet cleaner:
Fill up the clean water tank with hot water and cleaning formula (follow the lines on the tank). Place it in the carpet cleaner slot.
Keep the carpet cleaner at an appropriate place. Unwind the hose and attach the tool to the hose.
Plug the cable into the socket and switch on the power button.
Hold the tool and ensure the suction is working properly.
Hover the tool over the stained surface and press the spray button to dispense the cleaning solution over the stain.
Place the tool on the top side of the stain; move it back as the brush rub against the surface, and the suction lifts off the mess.
Now move it forth in a similar manner. Repeat the process until the stain disappears completely. Spray solution a couple of times if you feel the need.
Once the cleaning is over, you can empty and clean the dirty water tank.

How to clean a portable carpet cleaner?

As a user, you can clean the following components of a portable carpet cleaner:
Cleaning dirty water tank: Remove the dirty water tank from the slot. Unplug the cork. Empty the tank and rinse it with clean water. Also, clean the floating stack. Rinse the cork and plug it again.
Cleaning hose: Some carpet cleaners – like Hoover and Bissell – has self-cleaning hose technology. For other cleaning machines, use clean water or detergent solution to clean the hose. Detach the tool from the hose. Switch on the machine. Immerse hose into clean water or detergent solution. The hose will suck the solution, and the impurities will flow down into the dirty water tank.
Cleaning tool: Detach the tool from the hose. Push the button on the top of the tool to slide and remove the front. Clean the front under running water. Check the spraying nozzle for impurities. Wash the brush thoroughly to remove dirt and debris. Assemble the tool components again, and it’s ready to use now.

Can we use a portable carpet cleaner to clean the whole carpet?

Yes, you can, BUT it’s not recommended at all. Downsides of using a portable carpet cleaner to clean the whole carpet are:
You’ll end up wasting your time and effort. A portable carpet cleaner is designed for small spots and stains. The small cleaning tool, small 5-ft hose, small tanks, low suction power is not suitable to clean the whole carpet area.
You’ll compromise with your health & fitness. Since you’ll spray, scrub, and repeat a million times – your hands, shoulders, back, and neck will ache badly. Not to forget, emptying and filling tanks infinite times.
A decrease in the machine’s efficiency and lifetime. An appliance can deliver a relative number of cleaning cycles.  If you use it extensively for cleaning the whole carpet, the parts will wear out, suction will decrease, and the machine will be dead soon. A portable carpet cleaner is suitable for cleaning a spot stain spread over 1 square foot and not 100 square feet carpet area.

Can we use a portable carpet cleaner for cars?

Definitely! Actually, cleaning auto car interiors with a portable carpet cleaner is highly recommended for its ease of use and portability. You can clean upholstery, car seats, dashboard, boot space, foot space, etc. Once done with the cleaning, stack it in the back of your car. You can also consider handheld carpet cleaners for a car. But these are not suitable for deep cleaning. Keep this factor into consideration.

Are full-size, upright, or portable cleaners better?

Depends! It depends on the purpose. What do you want to use it for?
Whole carpet area? Spot stains? Upholstery? Stairs?
Maneuvering a full-size, upright carpet cleaner over stairs, auto interiors, and rugs is NOT suitable at all. For these, you need a portable carpet cleaner so that you can clean easily and effectively.
For spot stains, you can use both upright and portable carpet cleaner. But, imagine pulling out an upright carpet cleaner every time your dog poops or urinate, or your kid spills milk on the carpet. Not feasible, right?
Therefore, a portable carpet cleaner performs better in this situation. If cleaning the whole carpet is in your mind, opt for an upright carpet cleaner.

Why are carpet cleaners better than a spray or foam?

Because carpet cleaners suck!
You can spray cleaning liquid, use foam to loosen up stains, or use a brush to scrub the surface. But then drying up the area is an issue. Further, these tactics don’t work if you want to remove tough stains or deep clean carpets.
Since portable carpet cleaners have strong suction power, they can fight tough stains and deep clean carpets, making them clean and fresh.

Which cleaning formula to use with portable carpet cleaners?

While there is no hard and fast rule to use a particular cleaning formula, it’s safe opting for a professional cleaning formula that comes along with the carpet cleaner. This is because the combination is really powerful, and you’ll witness amazing results when it’s about removing tough spots and stains.
But you can also try other cleaning formulas in the market, as long as they’re compatible with your portable carpet cleaner. Read the instructions on the cleaning formula bottle before trying it out.
Some of the users ask whether they can use eco-friendly or vinegar solution or any other homemade solution. Again, it depends on whether it’s compatible with your portable carpet cleaner or not. The best way to find out is by contacting the brand’s customer service experts.

To Conclude: Which portable carpet cleaner will you buy?

Ask yourself: Does this carpet cleaner solve my purpose? If your heart and mind say YES….go for it!

Also check out

• Hoover CleanSlate Pet Plus vs. Spotless vs. BISSELL Little Green
• Hoover PowerDash Pet vs. BISSELL TurboClean PowerBrush Pet
• BISSELL SpotClean Pro vs. Rug Doctor Pet Portable
• BISSELL Little Green vs. Rug Doctor Pet Portable
• BISSELL SpotClean Pro vs. Hoover Spotless
• BISSELL SpotBot Pet vs. Rug Doctor Pet Portable vs. Hoover Spotless
• BISSELL Pet Stain Eraser vs. SpotClean Pro
• BISSELL SpotClean Pro vs. SpotBot Pet vs. Little Green

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