10 Best Portable Carpet Shampooers 2025 in the United States

The BISSELL Little Green Mini Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner is a solid choice if you want a compact and easy-to-store machine for spot cleaning carpets, upholstery, car interiors, and pet areas. Weighing just 7 pounds, it’s light enough to carry around comfortably, making it ideal for quick clean-ups and smaller spaces. The 16-ounce tank capacity is on the smaller side, so it’s best suited for targeted cleaning rather than large carpeted areas.

BISSELL’s reputation and positive customer feedback suggest it’s effective at removing stains and dirt. The included 4-inch tough stain tool and HydroRinse self-cleaning hose make tackling stubborn spots easier and help with maintenance after use. This model also comes with an 8oz cleaning formula that helps remove stains and odors instantly, especially useful for pet owners.

If you need a portable, no-fuss cleaner for cars, upholstery, or small carpet areas, this machine delivers good cleaning power and useful attachments in a compact design. However, for deep cleaning large carpets or whole-room jobs, a bigger machine with a larger tank might be more efficient.

The Shark Carpet Cleaner Machine, also known as the Portable Upholstery StainStriker, is designed to tackle tough stains and odors in various surfaces, making it particularly useful for pet owners and anyone dealing with stubborn marks. Weighing in at just under 9 lbs, this machine is lightweight and easy to maneuver, which is a definite advantage when cleaning upholstered furniture, carpets, and even vehicles. Its compact size allows for convenient storage after use, which is also a plus for those with limited space.

One of its standout features is the powerful suction capability, which helps to pull out dirt and liquids that are deeply embedded, making your carpets and upholstery look revitalized. The dual-activated stain elimination formula works effectively without the need for premixing, simplifying the cleaning process. The inclusion of multiple accessories, such as a pet tool and a crevice tool, makes it versatile for various cleaning needs around the home.

On the downside, the tank capacity of 2 liters might be limiting for larger cleaning jobs, requiring more frequent refills. Additionally, while the portable design enhances usability, it may not have the same power or effectiveness as larger, more traditional carpet cleaners, especially for extensive stains or deep cleaning sessions. The cord length is also not specified, which might be a concern for users needing to cover larger areas without the hassle of switching outlets.

The Shark StainStriker HairPro is a portable carpet and upholstery cleaner designed especially for homes with pets and cars. Weighing about 13 pounds, it's light enough to carry around for spot cleaning on carpets, rugs, and car interiors. Its tank holds roughly 24 fluid ounces, which is decent for quick cleaning jobs but might need refilling during bigger tasks. One standout feature is its ultra-powerful suction combined with Shark's dual-activated cleaning formula, which promises to remove tough stains, odors (including pet urine and smoke), and embedded pet hair more effectively than many competitors.

The HairPro technology specifically tackles hair pickup without clogging or tangling, which is a big help for pet owners. It comes with four cleaning tools, including special attachments for pet messes and hair, making it versatile for different surfaces and mess types. The onboard self-cleaning function is convenient, allowing you to clean the tool and hose quickly without extra hassle. The product’s dimensions and weight make it fairly portable, though 13 pounds might feel a bit heavy for some users during extended use.

If you need a handy, pet-focused spot cleaner that tackles tough stains and hair, this Shark model is a strong candidate. For very large carpeted areas or extended cleaning sessions, a larger machine or one with a longer cord and wider cleaning path might be more suitable.