10 Best Carpet Cleaners 2025 in the United States

The Shark Carpet Cleaner Machine, specifically the Portable Upholstery StainStriker model, is designed to eliminate tough stains and odors from a variety of surfaces including carpets, area rugs, couches, and cars. Its standout feature is the dual-activated stain eliminator which combines two cleaning formulas to tackle even the most stubborn stains and odors without the need for premixing. This makes it particularly suitable for households with pets, as it effectively removes pet urine and smoke odors.

The cleaner is also highly versatile, thanks to its powerful suction that can deep-clean and revive various surfaces, making them look like new again. Weighing under 9 lbs, it is lightweight and compact, ensuring easy maneuverability and storage. The machine comes with multiple attachments like a crevice tool, reversible bristle tools, and a pet tool, adding to its flexibility and targeted cleaning capabilities.

Additionally, it includes two types of cleaning solutions - the Deep Clean Pro Formula and the OXY Multiplier Formula for different cleaning needs. Maintenance is straightforward as well, with no batteries required and components that can be hand-washed. A possible downside might be the water tank capacity of 2 liters, which could require frequent refills during extensive cleaning sessions. Despite this, the ease of use, powerful cleaning performance, and range of included accessories make the Shark Carpet Cleaner Machine an excellent choice for anyone looking to maintain a clean and fresh home environment, especially for pet owners.

The Shark StainStriker HairPro is a portable carpet and upholstery cleaner designed especially for pet owners and those needing spot cleaning on carpets, rugs, and car interiors. Its tank holds about 24 fluid ounces, which is moderate for a portable cleaner, so it’s best for small to medium messes rather than large cleaning jobs. Its compact size and lightweight design (around 13 pounds) make it easy to carry and use in tight spaces.

A standout feature is the HairPro Technology, which efficiently picks up embedded pet hair without clogging or tangling, a common headache with pet messes. The cleaner uses a dual-activated cleaning formula that mixes automatically and boasts powerful suction to tackle tough stains and odors, including pet urine and smoke, without needing pre-treatment or heat. This makes it especially useful for households with pets.

It comes with multiple attachments—a mini and 3.5-inch stain eliminator, a hair extractor, and a pet mess tool—covering various cleaning needs from small spots to hair removal to tough pet stains. The on-board self-cleaning feature is convenient, allowing you to clean the tool and hose quickly without extra parts, which helps maintain the machine easily. The tank capacity limits longer cleaning sessions, so it may require frequent refills for bigger areas. While it’s lightweight for a machine with powerful suction, at 13 pounds it’s not as light as some handheld-only models but remains manageable for most users. Drying time depends on water extraction, and although the suction is strong, it might not fully dry thick carpets immediately. This makes the Shark StainStriker HairPro a solid choice for those seeking a versatile, pet-focused cleaner that’s portable and easy to maintain, ideal for quick spot cleaning rather than deep, whole-house carpet cleaning.

The Hoover PowerScrub XL Pet Carpet Cleaner is a solid choice for anyone looking to deeply clean carpets and upholstery, especially pet owners. Its 0.8-gallon tank capacity allows you to cover a good amount of area before needing to refill, which helps reduce interruptions. The machine features five counter-rotating SpinScrub brushes that provide thorough cleaning by scrubbing carpets effectively from different angles. Additionally, its HeatForce technology speeds up drying, so your carpets aren’t left wet for too long. Weighing about 12 pounds, it strikes a balance between being heavy enough for effective cleaning and light enough to carry around your home without too much effort.

This model includes useful tools like a pet tool for tough pet stains and an upholstery tool for cleaning furniture, making it versatile beyond just floors. The patented TruMAX recovery tank system helps you clean longer by holding more dirty water, and the Quick Clean mode is handy for faster jobs. One thoughtful feature is the Auto Mix system, which automatically mixes and dispenses cleaning solution for you, simplifying the process. Cleanup and maintenance are made easier with included accessories such as a nozzle cleanout tool.

As a corded machine, it requires a power outlet nearby, which may limit mobility a bit compared to cordless models. Also, while 12 pounds is manageable, it might feel a bit bulky for some users during extended cleaning sessions. The PowerScrub XL pairs best with Hoover’s cleaning solutions, including formulas designed specifically for pet messes. If you need a reliable, multi-purpose carpet cleaner that handles pet stains well and dries faster than many competitors, this model delivers good value and performance.