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Best Bissell Carpet Cleaners

Updated April 2023
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Bissell Big Green Professional Carpet Cleaner Machine
Bissell
Big Green Professional Carpet Cleaner Machine
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Best for Large Households
Bottom Line

Professional-quality model that you can buy for home use; the best on the market, according to our cleaning expert.

Pros

Industrial-strength cleaner for deep-set stains. Cleans on forward and backward passes. Works on all types of carpet. Includes spot-cleaning tool. Twenty-five-foot power cord.

Cons

A bit bulky, but it includes a lot of cleaning power.

Best Bang for the Buck
Bissell SpotClean ProHeat Portable Spot and Stain Carpet Cleaner
Bissell
SpotClean ProHeat Portable Spot and Stain Carpet Cleaner
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Unique Design
Bottom Line

A small, portable cleaner that uses a unique heatwave tech to purify.

Pros

Holds 37 ounces in the water tank. Features tools like the tough-stain tool and the deep-reach tool. Heatwave technology for even temperature. Corded. Good for rugs and stairs. Buyers love how well it works.

Cons

This product can leak water, so use caution. Some issues with the water temperature.

Bissell Little Green Pro Commercial Spot Cleaner
Bissell
Little Green Pro Commercial Spot Cleaner
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Most Comprehensive
Bottom Line

A compact spot cleaner that doesn't sacrifice good quality.

Pros

Name-brand spot cleaner ideal for tight corners, cars, and other places where it's difficult to bring a cleaning device. Twenty-foot cord. Features handle for easy carrying. Easily portable 3/4-gallon tank. Features brush, cleaner, and vacuum.

Cons

Some complaints of it not working well with furniture. Hose does not always work well.

BISSELL ProHeat 2X Lift Off Pet Carpet Cleaner
Bissell
ProHeat 2X Lift Off Pet Carpet Cleaner
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Two in One
Bottom Line

This convertible model is great for cleaning pet hair and pet messes, and it earns our expert's praise.

Pros

Combines full-sized carpet cleaner with a detachable handheld spot cleaner. Boasts 10 rows of bristles for deep cleaning. Heating technology maintains water temperature for effective cleaning.

Cons

Small water tank may need frequent changing.

BISSELL ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Full-Size Upright Carpet Cleaner
Bissell
ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Full-Size Upright Carpet Cleaner
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Easy to Use
Bottom Line

This carpet cleaner eliminates up to 90% of odor-causing bacteria, and it proved easy to assemble in our user testing.

Pros

It weighs half that of rental industrial carpet-cleaning machines and features a max cleaning mode for getting rid of embedded dirt, stains, and allergens. It has a hose and two specialized tools for removing regular stains and pet stains.

Cons

There are rare reports of water leakage after using it, but it may be due to an operation error rather than an inherent defect.

Why trust BestReviews?
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

30
Models
Considered
201
Consumers
Consulted
8
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Researched
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Buying guide for Best Bissell carpet cleaners

Carpeting is cozy and comfortable, but there’s a jungle of dirt and grime hanging out in those fibers. Unfortunately, carpeting is a lot tougher to clean than other surfaces. To really get deep inside carpeted floors, it’s usually necessary to call in a professional with specialized tools. But using an expert is expensive and time-consuming. What if you simply want to refresh your rugs? What if you only need to deal with a single stain? Equip your home with a Bissell carpet cleaner!

Bissell is a top name in home carpet-cleaning technology. The company’s affordable tools are perfect for those who can’t afford or don’t want to bother with professional services. A carpet cleaner is a convenient appliance to have on hand not just for refreshing carpets a few times a year but for spot cleaning, too. A carpet cleaner is great for homes with pets and children, and it’s useful for a variety of cleaning tasks. Clean inside your car, wash carpeted stairs, sanitize pet beds, or de-gunk your sofa.

I1 
Buy a carpet cleaner with a water tank big enough for each cleaning session. That way, you won't need to empty and refill it multiple times per cleaning session.

Key considerations

Bissell carpet cleaners

Upright: This type of carpet cleaner is like a vacuum for your rugs and carpets. Bissell sells both standard uprights intended for home use and professional-grade models with large-capacity tanks. Some uprights are also capable of spot cleaning.

Portable: These are highly maneuverable, handheld devices suitable for spot cleaning and small cleanup jobs. They’re great for cleaning upholstered furniture. Bissell’s portable carpet cleaners are marketed mainly to pet owners, but they’re useful for all sorts of cleaning jobs. Most of the portable models require an outlet, so check that the cord length is appropriate for your needs. Bissell also sells a cordless unit with a 15-minute run time.

Canister: A canister model is a multipurpose tool for cleaning a variety of floor types, including carpet and hardwood.

Size

Capacity: The tank capacity of Bissell carpet cleaners varies from model to model. Available sizes include 8 ounces (for the smallest cordless model), 37 ounces, 48 ounces, 64 ounces (1/2 gallon), 96 ounces (3/4 gallon), as well as 128 ounces (1 gallon) for the professional-grade uprights.

Width: All of Bissell’s uprights have a cleaning path width that ranges from 9.5 to 12 inches.

Weight: As with vacuums, the weight of a carpet cleaner is an important consideration. Handhelds are the lightest in the Bissell lineup, though a number of the company’s portable units weigh just as much as models in the upright category. Uprights range in weight from 12 pounds (the lightest upright model is the PowerClean TurboBrush) to over 25 pounds.

Dyk1 
Expert Tip
If you plan to clean carpet, and not upholstery products like chairs and sofas, an upright cleaner will work best for you. If you need to clean spots out of both rugs and upholstery, a spot cleaner is your best choice.
BestReviews Cleaning Expert

Features

HeatWave

Heating the water helps sanitize surfaces and lift off stubborn stains. This technology maintains the water temperature so that the water stays hot throughout the whole cleaning process. Note that not all carpet cleaners are equipped with a heating function.

PowerBrush

These grabby brushes pull out dirt hidden deep inside carpet fibers and lift it out without pulling up your carpet or damaging rug fibers.

Dual tanks

Units with two water tanks have separate compartments for clean and dirty water. Dual-tank models require less frequent emptying, and you’ll never have to worry about using dirty water on a clean carpet.

Expert Tip
Do your research on which cleaning solution works best for your particular problem, like dog stains or dirt.
BestReviews Cleaning Expert

EdgeSweep brushes

An edge-cleaning design cleans spots around furniture and along baseboards. Not all Bissell models are equipped with these brushes.

Cleaning modes

Some Bissell models allow you to choose between express or deep-cleaning modes. Use the Express Clean mode if you need your carpets dry within the hour. On pet-specific models, you’ll find a Max Clean mode, which offers deep-cleaning performance.

Product bundles

Bissell offers a variety of carpet-cleaner bundles that include all the tools needed to deep clean your carpets.

Expert Tip
When using carpet cleaners, the total weight when filled with water is important to consider. If you need to carry it up and down stairs, you may want to look at a less bulky option.
BestReviews Cleaning Expert

Accessories

To properly clean your carpets and rugs, you’ll want to pair your Bissell carpet cleaner with the appropriate cleaning solution for the job. Here are a few of Bissell’s specialty cleaning formulas:

Deep-cleaning solution: Bissell Deep Clean Pro 4X Concentrated Carpet Shampoo

This carpet-cleaning solution is ideal for high-traffic areas. It’s also an effective spot remover. The formula is tough on stains and odors. It’s been evaluated by the EPA, so you can have peace of mind when using it around children and pets in your home.

Pet stain remover: Bissell 2X Pet Stain & Odor Portable Machine Formula
Use this carpet-cleaning solution to rid your carpeted surfaces of pet-related grime. It’s a useful spot cleaner that works on a variety of smelly pet messes, including urine and vomit. The biodegradable formula is free of phosphates.

Urine eliminator: Bissell Professional Pet Urine Eliminator + Oxy Carpet Cleaning Formula
Did your pet have a run-in with a skunk? This is the cleaner of choice for your needs. It deeply cleans carpeting to remove odors and stains and leaves behind Scotchgard protection to prevent future staining.

Spot remover: Bissell Professional Spot and Stain + Oxy Portable Machine Formula
This product works essentially like the Pet Urine Eliminator, but it’s specially formulated for Bissell’s portable spot-cleaning machines.

Refreshing cleaner: Bissell DeepClean + Refresh with Febreze Formula
This formula has all the power of other Bissell cleaning solutions but with the added power of Febreze.

Antibacterial carpet cleaner: Bissell Antibacterial 2-in-1 Carpet Cleaner
This solution tackles microbes and odors. It’s compatible with Bissell’s Easy-Fill machines.

Dyk2  .
Expert Tip
Remember, the carpet cleaning formula and the temperature of the water make a huge difference when it comes to lifting dirt from your carpet.
BestReviews Cleaning Expert

Bissell carpet cleaner prices

Inexpensive

Lightweight uprights with heating technology and portable units designed for spot cleaning are the cheapest Bissell units and cost under $200.

Mid-range

Product bundles and upright cleaners with HeatWave technology cost between $200 and $500.

Expensive

If you’re interested in the professional-grade Big Green Machine Carpet Cleaner, expect to spend over $500.

Tips

  • Vacuum carpets before cleaning them. Vacuum again once the surface is totally dry to suck up any remaining dirt.
  • Do your research on which cleaning solution works best for your particular problem. (Ex. Dog stains or Dirt)
  • Try not to soak your carpet or rug. If it’s too wet, the machine may struggle to pull out all the water. The surface can take longer to dry or may encourage the growth of mold and mildew.
  • Pretreat stains. As soon as you see a stain, pretreat it. The sooner you treat it, the more easily you'll be able to remove the stain.
  • Fill your machine’s tank with hot water. The heat helps loosen dirt from carpeted surfaces.
  • Clean pet stains right away. Puppies are cute, but accidents can be difficult and frustrating to clean, especially on a carpet! Tackle puppy stains as soon as they happen. Waiting to clean them up can cause stains and smells to linger. A carpet cleaner is an excellent household tool for those who have just introduced a new furry family member to the mix.
I2 
Most Bissell carpet cleaners are not suitable for cleaning deep-pile carpets and rugs.

FAQ

Q. How often should I use my Bissell carpet cleaner?

A. Use your carpet cleaner to spot clean messes and spills as soon as they occur. In homes with pets, you’ll need to use the carpet cleaner more often, especially on upholstered furniture and pet beds. Otherwise, twice a year is usually enough for a deep clean.

Q. Can I use a Bissell carpet cleaner on my hardwood floors?

A. No. Unless you’re using one of Bissell’s multifunction floor cleaners, you should avoid using a carpet-specific tool on your hardwood. The moisture may damage your flooring.

Q. What happens if my Bissell carpet cleaner stops working?

A. Most Bissell products are backed by a warranty. The period varies from product to product, but generally, warranties range from one year to five years. Higher-end products usually have an extended warranty period. Note that if you fail to maintain your carpet cleaner properly, it may not be covered by the company’s warranty. Accidents are also not covered by the warranty.