The Best Carpet Cleaners for Pets of 2023

Most folks love their pets but hate the mess they can make on carpets and upholstery. This powerful machine is designed to remove stains, hair, and odors—it even boasts the ability to banish skunk smell! The machine, which employs hot-water extraction, shampooing, and bonnet cleaning, boasts a dual DirtLifter PowerBrush with over 10 rows of bristles for deep cleaning carpet fibers. To help with the toughest stains, this model also comes with an 8-ounce bottle of Bissell Pro Max Clean + Protect cleaning solution and an 8-ounce bottle of Deep Clean + Antibacterial Formula cleaner.

There’s also a two-in-one pet upholstery spot cleaning tool to remove odors, stains, and hair from furniture and drapes, plus a crevice tool for hard-to-reach areas. Set this model on Max Mode for heavy-duty cleaning or Express Clean for a lighter job that dries faster. The only downside to this Bissell ProHeat 2X Lift-Off carpet cleaner is that it weighs 24 pounds, so it is a little heavier than comparable options.

Product Specs

• Type: Upright
• Corded vs. cordless: Corded
• Power usage: 804 watts

Pros

• Can remove stains, hair, and odors—including persistent and potent skunk smell
• Upholstery spot-cleaning tool helps keep furniture looking great, even with pets in the house
• Multiple built-in cleaning modes allow you to adapt cleaning power to match stain degree
• Comes with multiple tools and includes two 8-ounce bottles of cleaning solution

Cons

• Heavy weight; may be hard to carry up stairs or tiresome to hold while cleaning drapes
• Expensive price point compared to other carpet-cleaning machines

Get the Bissell ProHeat 2X Lift-Off carpet cleaner for pets at Amazon, Target, or Wayfair.

The Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro carpet cleaner is an upright machine engineered to target tough stains left by pets as well as their odors from deep within carpet fibers. It has 12 rows of rotating PowerBrushes plus several different cleaning settings, including MAX Clean Mode for the deepest clean, Express Clean Mode that cleans and leaves carpets dry in 30 minutes, and a CleanShot stain pre-treater.

This Bissell ProHeat 2X has a 1-gallon water tank and weighs about 18 pounds. The machine’s low-profile foot allows for maneuvering around and under furniture, as well as increased portability. A bonus 3-inch stain tool and pet upholstery brush tool are included. Note: There is no separate solution tank, so carpet cleaner should be added to the clean-water tank.

Product Specs

• Type: Upright
• Corded vs. cordless: Corded
• Power usage: 816 watts

Pros

• Low-profile design is great for getting around and underneath furniture
• Ample 1-gallon water tank minimizes time spent refilling for larger jobs
• 25-foot power cord reaches throughout bigger spaces without the need to unplug and replug
• Additional tools included, such as a 3-inch stain tool and pet upholstery brush

Cons

• Includes fewer tools and attachments than some other options
• Pricey; may be more than some users need and want to spend

Get the Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution carpet cleaner for pets at Amazon, Best Buy, or Target.

Removing pet messes from carpeting needn’t break the bank. The affordable PowerDash by Hoover is compact and lightweight at 12.5 pounds, yet it’s powerful enough to clean high-traffic areas, while the small size easily gets into tight spaces. This upright pet carpet cleaner has a 20-foot power cord and a ½-gallon water tank.

The base of the machine boasts Hoover’s PowerSpin Pet Brush Roll that lifts and suctions pet messes easily, and the built-in HeatForce Power speeds up the drying process. A trial-size bottle of Hoover carpet cleaner is included and can be mixed directly into the clean-water tank before use.

Product Specs

• Type: Upright
• Corded vs. cordless: Corded
• Power usage: 840 watts

Pros

• HeatForce power is a convenient feature that speeds up dry time
• Trial-size bottle of cleaning solution included; mixes easily with water in tank
• Ample 20-foot power cord can reach throughout many rooms
• Lightweight and small design is portable and functional for tight spaces

Cons

• Some users report loud operation volume, which can be tiresome during big jobs
• Lacks additional tools for more customized cleaning of tight spaces

Get the Hoover PowerDash carpet cleaner for pets at Amazon, The Home Depot, Target, or Wayfair.

Pets can present unique and specific challenges when it’s time to clean carpets. The Bissell Big Green Pet Pro carpet cleaner is designed to provide heavy-duty professional-grade cleaning that may be even more thorough than cumbersome rental models. It comes with a full-size 48-ounce bottle of Bissell Pet Pro Oxy Urine Eliminator formula that tackles tough pet stains and odors.

This model also includes a two-in-one pet upholstery tool that works great on stairs, pet beds, furniture, and other hard-to-reach areas where pets may leave unwelcome surprises. One drawback is that at 44 pounds, this heavy machine is one of the least portable and most cumbersome in the lineup, and its larger size can also make it more difficult to store when not in use.

Product Specs

• Type: Upright
• Corded vs. cordless: Corded
• Power usage: 3,288 watts

Pros

• Long 25-foot power cord can travel farther than most other carpet cleaners
• A specially designed pet upholstery tool is great for pet beds and furniture
• PowerBrush with 8 rows of bristles gets deeper into carpet fibers than some smaller models
• Includes a full-size bottle of cleaning solution specifically designed for pet stains and odors

Cons

• One of the most expensive carpet cleaners on the list
• Heavy, cumbersome, and more difficult to store than smaller, more compact cleaners

Get the Bissell Big Green Pet Pro carpet cleaner for pets at Amazon, Wayfair, or Bissell.

The Bissell Little Green Pet Pro carpet cleaner is an ideal option for thorough, heavy-duty cleaning in a lightweight, portable, easy-to-store machine. This unit weighs a mere 13 pounds, and while it may not be the best option to clean large areas or multipet homes, it’s great for smaller messes and stains.

The 3-inch stain tool is a convenient attachment designed for getting into tighter spaces that larger carpet cleaners can’t reach. Plus, pet messes in the car are easily vanquished with this portable machine, which also works on area rugs, pet beds, upholstery, and more. However, its 5-foot suction hose doesn’t reach as far as those on some larger models.

Product Specs

• Type: Portable
• Corded vs. cordless: Corded
• Power usage: 684 watts

Pros

• Lightweight and compact machine designed for easy portability and storage
• Smaller tools enable easy access to hard-to-reach areas
• Trial-size bottle of Bissell Pet Pro Oxy Urine Eliminator included with purchase
• Small machine functions as a carpet and upholstery cleaner

Cons

• Shorter suction hose compared to some other models on the list
  The compact size makes this unit less than ideal for full-room carpets and large area rugs

Get the Bissell Little Green Pet Pro carpet cleaner for pets at Lowe’s, Target, Wayfair, or Sears.

This versatile and powerful portable carpet cleaner handles more than just pet messes. The Hoover CleanSlate Pet carpet spot cleaner weighs only 9.4 pounds yet features a 40-ounce dual-tank system that many compact cleaners lack. The machine also features a hose rinse tool that helps to flush out dirt and debris that might be left behind after cleaning.

This unit comes equipped with a 7-inch-wide path tool, which is almost or more than double the size of other portable carpet cleaners, making it a good choice for larger messes. Plus, there’s a tight-spot tool for tight and hard-to-reach areas. At only 15 feet long, however, this unit has a shorter cord than many other carpet cleaners on the list.

Product Specs

• Type: Portable
• Corded vs. cordless: Corded
• Power usage: Not listed

Pros

• Ultralightweight and portable unit is easy to carry and store
• One of the only portable cleaners that features a dual-tank system
• The 7-inch tool features changeable inserts for different types of messes
• The tight spot tool is very narrow and ideal for baseboards and corners

Cons

• 15-foot power cord is shorter than those on many other carpet cleaners
• Cleaning larger rooms or area rugs takes longer than when using a full-size model

Get the Hoover CleanSlate carpet cleaner for pets at Amazon, Hoover, or Menards.

Engineered with automatic cleaning technology, the Hoover SmartWash+ is a quality midrange pick with convenient features. This sturdy, upright machine weighs 18.49 pounds and has a 20-ounce solution tank. FlexForce PowerBrushes at the base are gentle on carpet fibers but work hard to remove pet dander, dirt, and messes. It boasts the ability to switch between wash and dry with a simple change in direction: Simply push forward to wash and pull back to dry.

The built-in Auto-Mix function takes the guesswork out of mixing cleaning solution with water, doing so automatically. This pet-worthy carpet cleaner has a 1-gallon water tank, a 22-foot-long power cord, and an 8-foot hose. The triggerless handle is a nice touch, and this model comes with an upholstery pet brush tool and a sample of cleaning solution.

Product Specs

• Type: Upright
• Corded vs. cordless: Corded
• Power usage: 1,200 watts

Pros

• Automatic cleaning technology integrated; switches between wash and dry functions
• Built-in FlexForce PowerBrushes are gentle on fibers yet effective on stains
• Comes with a cleaning solution sample, which the machine mixes automatically
• Additional tools and long cleaning hose are helpful assets to this machine

Cons

• Some users report issues picking up cat hair
• Other users complain that it doesn’t hold up as well over time as they would like

Get the Hoover SmartWash+ carpet cleaner for pets at Amazon or Target.

Bissell’s Big Green Machine professional carpet cleaner is big indeed: 42.25 inches by 20.5 inches long by 11 inches high and a hefty 42 pounds, with a water tank that can hold up to 1.75 gallons. While this heavy-duty machine isn’t particularly portable, it can provide a powerful cleaning punch that rivals professional machines.

Key features include an XL DirtLifter PowerBrush lined with eight rows of bristles that penetrate dirt embedded into carpet fibers. The cord is 25 feet long, and the cleaning hose is 9 feet long for increased reach. This carpet cleaner comes with 8 ounces of carpet-cleaning solution and a 6-inch-wide stain tool that roots out pet messes.

Product Specs

• Type: Upright
• Corded vs. cordless: Corded
• Power usage: 1,440 watts

Pros

• XL DirtLifter PowerBrush and 8 rows of bristles provide heavy-duty cleaning power
• 1.75-gallon water tank is larger than the those found with most carpet-cleaning machines
• 9-foot-long cleaning hose and 25-foot-long power cord combine to give great cleaning range
• 6-inch-wide stain tool roots out stubborn stains and messes

Cons

• Large, heavy design; may be hard to carry and/or store
• Pricey compared to other carpet cleaners

Get the Bissell Big Green Machine carpet cleaner for pets at Amazon, Bissell, or JCPenny.

For manageable pet messes that don’t require hauling out a big machine, consider the Bissell Pet Stain Eraser PowerBrush, a handheld device that spot cleans stains well. It uses rotating DirtLifter PowerBrushes to loosen dirt and pet dander along with strong suction to remove it from the carpet. As a lightweight cordless model, it’s extremely portable, so it’s an especially good choice for cleaning the car should a pet have an accident in transit.

This cordless carpet cleaner is powered by a 7.2-volt lithium-ion battery with an extended runtime of approximately 20 minutes between charges. This carpet cleaning-device weighs less than 4.5 pounds, and its small size makes for easy storage.

Product Specs

• Type: Handheld
• Corded vs. cordless: Cordless
• Power usage: 7.2-volt lithium-ion battery

Pros

• Built-in rotating DirtLifter PowerBrushes loosen stains and hair
• Additional tool and 2 cleaning solutions included
• Lightweight handheld unit is still powerful enough for dirt and messes

Cons

• Limited runtime compared to similar options
• 8-ounce tank; may require frequent refilling for tough stains and large areas

Get the Bissell Pet Stain Eraser carpet cleaner for pets at Amazon, Lowe’s, or Best Buy.

Steam cleaning and disinfecting for pet-soiled carpeting is easy with the McCulloch steam cleaner. This 12-pound machine provides up to 45 minutes of pressurized steam for reaching the deepest fibers of the carpet to remove pet stains and odor. Spray the steam via the 9-foot hose to deep clean carpet and upholstery. At 212 degrees Fahrenheit, the steam removes 99.9 percent of germs and bacteria and is also deadly to lice, fleas, and bed bugs that could attack you or your pets.

The versatile steam cleaner comes with 18 accessories that pet owners can rely on, including a floor mop, scrub pad, and utility brushes for various different surfaces. Be sure to fill the ⅝-gallon tank according to manufacturer recommendations to get through the toughest residues and odors.

Product Specs

• Type: Portable
• Corded vs. cordless: Corded
• Power usage: 1,500 watts

Pros

• Provides a full 45 minutes of pressurized steam per cleaning task; 212 degree Fahrenheit heat is sufficient to disinfect surfaces
• 9-foot hose minimizes the need to unplug and replug while working
• 18 accessories included; enough tools to meet almost any need
• Lightweight construction allows for easy portability

Cons

• No variable-steam options to choose from
• Steam can be a safety issue; users must be cautious to avoid injury

Get the McCulloch carpet cleaner for pets at Amazon, Macy’s, or Sears.

Pets can make messes wherever they travel, so this portable carpet cleaner is an asset for furry buddies on the go. Bissel’s SpotClean Pro portable carpet cleaner is a compact machine that weighs an easy-to-lift 13.25 pounds. It has a 20-foot power cord, a 5-foot suction hose, and a water tank that can hold up to 96 ounces of water.

This cleaner does not have wheels on the base, but its rounded handle makes the machine easy to carry from its storage spot to the carpet. Included with every purchase is a 6-inch tool that removes pesky pet hair and dander from stairs, a 3-inch tough stain tool, and a sample bottle of Pro Max Clean and Protect.

Product Specs

• Type: Portable
• Corded vs. cordless: Corded
• Power usage: 684 watts

Pros

• Lightweight and compact design with housing for its ample 20-foot power cord
• Holds up to 96 ounces of water, which should be enough for most spot-cleaning tasks
• Rounded carrying handle makes holding and moving this machine easy
• Cleaning solution sample included with purchase

Cons

• No wheels, which might make carrying the machine more cumbersome for certain users
• Shorter 5-foot suction hose won’t reach as far as larger machines

Get the Bissell SpotClean carpet cleaner for pets at Wayfair, Bissell, or Sears.

Lugging a large unit up and down stairs can be dangerous and difficult, making a cleaning routine longer and harder. Fortunately, pet owners with carpeted stairs can rely on the Rug Doctor Pet portable carpet cleaner. Although it weighs about 19 pounds, this portable carpet cleaner has built-in wheels and a retractable handle for maneuvering on steps. Plus, it boasts a handheld dual-action power tool with rubberized bristles to dig in gently and remove pet hair and odor.

The unit has a 4-foot hose as well as a 15-foot power cord, which should be ample enough for longer staircases. This Rug Doctor model features a dual-tank system that holds 64 ounces of water and keeps clean and dirty water separate for an enhanced cleaning job.

Product Specs

• Type: Portable
• Corded vs. cordless: Corded
• Power usage: 1,100 watts

Pros

• Dual-action portable carpet cleaner; 4-foot hose and rubberized bristles
• Built-in wheels and retractable handle make a heavier machine more portable
• Effectively tackles pet hair as well as odor from pet messes
• Dual water tanks; clean and dirty water are kept separate

Cons

• Meant for spot cleaning only
• Heavy when clean and dirty water tanks are full

Get the Rug Doctor carpet cleaner for pets at Amazon or The Home Depot.