These Portable Machines Make Carpet Cleaning Easy

This story was updated in March 2023 to ensure all recommendations vetted and tested by the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care and Cleaning Lab were both current and in stock. A new pick from Tineco was added to replace a discontinued model from another brand.

The key to effectively removing stains, whether from clothing, carpet or upholstery, is to tackle them quickly. Fresh stains are always easier to remove than dried ones, so time is of the essence. Having the right tools on hand to act promptly when pets have accidents or guests spill wine on carpeting and upholstery is essential. While you could go to work with a carpet stain remover spray and a cloth, a corded or cordless portable carpet cleaner can suck up wet spills better than a cloth and powers through stains better than you can by hand. Plus, they're nimble and easier to use than a full-sized carpet cleaner.

When the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care and Cleaning Lab evaluates portable carpet cleaning machines, we test how well they lift fresh and set-in food, dirt and other stains and how easy they are to fill, empty, clean and store. We also assess their weight, how easy they are to maneuver and how comfortable they are to use and hold. Finally, we have each tested and scored by Quiet Mark, an outside organization that evaluates products and appliances for sound on a scale of one to three stars. “Quiet” appliances get a three-star rating, while those deemed “loud” get a one-star rating. In our last category test of portable carpet cleaners, we conducted 38 separate tests and assessed nearly 500 data points!

Our top picks:

As you read through, you'll learn more about each of our recommended portable carpet cleaner picks, how we test them, what features you should look for, what to consider when buying a portable carpet cleaner and why Good Housekeeping's recommendations are so trustworthy.