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The best carpet cleaners in the UK 2024

Best Carpet Cleaners
Written by Joe

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Hours of research

1,440 hours of research sitewide.

Last updated: 26.12.2023 Reading time: 15 Min.

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Your kid spills their juice while playing and your visitors forgot to take their muddy shoes off at the door. 😐

To top it all off, the dog decides to chew his bone on the living room floor.

Our carpets regularly take a beating.

Carpet stains need to be cleaned as soon as possible to avoid setting in. And trying out DIY solutions can often make matters worse.

So having a cleaning solution at hand that works quickly and efficiently is all the more important.

Having a domestic carpet cleaner at home can be the saviour in your hour of need. And our carpet cleaner review will help you choose the right one.

So check out our carpet washer comparison below. 👇

The Tineco Carpet One is being reviewed.

Advantages:

  • Multiple applications
  • Hygiene down to the depths
  • Effective against stains and dirt
  • Germs, bacteria and allergens can be removed
  • Saving effort and time

Disadvantages:

  • Often expensive
  • Many units are quite large and heavy
  • Usually corded

Most important points at a glance

  • Carpet cleaners can save you a lot of time and effort.
  • Most carpet cleaners or wet and dry vacuums can also be used for hard floors.
  • These devices are great at extracting dirt from deep in carpet fibres.
  • Allergy sufferers and pet owners in particular can benefit from carpet cleaner machines.

Our picks for best carpet cleaners

Best alternatives

Find out more about our favorites now

Our favourite
Tineco Carpet One carpet cleaner.

Tineco Carpet One

The Carpet One impresses with innovative technology and deep cleaning.

The Tineco Carpet One is a carpet cleaner that not only washes and vacuums, but also blasts the surfaces dry with warm air. Just right for impatient people who don't want long drying times.

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Tineco Carpet One carpet cleaner.

Deep cleaning 

The cleaning performance of this device impressed us during testing. Thanks to the upholstery attachment, it can also be used as a spot cleaner for tackling stains and spillages.

Whether we used it on carpet or upholstery, the dirty water that ended up in the tank afterwards clearly spoke for itself. 🤢 

The Tineco has the potential to be one of the best carpet cleaners out there. 

Dirty water from the carpet cleaner being poured down the sink.

The Carpet One also managed to reliably remove large areas of dirt in our carpet cleaner test. 

PowerDry technology for fast drying

The special feature of the Tineco Carpet One is that you can switch to drying mode directly after carpet cleaning. It ensures that the residual moisture from carpets is not only sucked up, but also dried with 75 degree hot air. 

So you don't have to wait forever to walk on your carpets again after cleaning. 😀 This function also worked incredibly well in our test.

Detects degree of moisture and contamination 

The Tineco Carpet One is equipped with the innovative iLoop sensor. This means it automatically detects the level of dirt and moisture. 

Depending on how dirty it is or how much moisture is still in the carpet, it adjusts its performance accordingly. 😃

Loop display on the Tineco Carpet One.
The colour of the ring indicates the degree of contamination.

Also available as a cheaper alternative

If the Carpet One is too expensive for you, you can go for the alternative, the Tineco iCarpet, which is a hundred pounds cheaper. 

The lower price is due to the fact that the iCarpet is technically a stripped-back version of the Tineco Carpet One. There is no iLoop and no display of the drying temperature. In addition, the unit is equipped with a normal LCD screen instead of an LED screen. 

Corded only

Have you become so accustomed to the convenience of cord-free models that you no longer want to put up with cleaning with cable devices? 😏 

Then you may be disappointed to learn that the Carpet One is only available with a power cord. 

The cable of the Tineco Carpet One is shown.

However, due to its high energy consumption (it heats the water constantly to 40 degrees), battery operation would be unsuitable for this appliance. 

Not exactly space-saving to stow away 

The Tineco carpet cleaner weighs 7.5 kilos and is 111 cm high. These are not exactly dimensions that can be described as small and compact. 😅

You should keep this in mind if you have little storage space at home. 

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Advantages

Deep cleaning of carpets and upholstery

Dries carpets

Quick setup

 

Ease of use

Simple to clean and repair

Smart device (app, display, etc.)

 

Disadvantages

Quite expensive

Takes up a lot of space

Corded
Best for larger areas
Bissell ProHeat 2x Revolution Carpet Cleaner.

Bissell ProHeat 2x Revolution

The Bissell ProHeat 2x Revolution just keeps going, even in large surface areas.

The ProHeat 2x Revolution tackles stains and dirt with two rotating brushes. You can also choose between two different cleaning programmes.

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Bissell ProHeat 2x Revolution Carpet Cleaner.

Is the Bissell ProHeat 2x Revolution really that revolutionary? 

Equipped with large water tanks 

Both the fresh water and waste water tanks of the Bissell ProHeat are generously sized. Both have a capacity of 7.3 litres. 😮

This means that you can clean really large areas before you need to refill or empty. 

When the time comes, however, both tanks can be easily removed in a few simple steps.

Two rotating brushes for thorough cleaning

The carpet and upholstery cleaner from Bissell is equipped with two rotating brushes. They ensure that the water from the fresh water tank is worked deep into the fabric. 

This way, the cleaner also gets dirt out of the deeper carpet fibres. 

Two different cleaning programmes

Fast and gentle, or would you rather a deep clean? 🤔 You’ll need to answer these questions when you want to clean with the carpet cleaner from Bissell. There is an express programme and a deep cleaning programme. 

The former provides a gentler cleaning that helps you achieve the desired result more quickly. The second cleans particularly thoroughly in depth, whereby more cleaning agent is used. However, you also have to deal with a longer drying time. 

Very simple setup

This Bissell carpet cleaner makes a good first impression with its simple start-up. Everything is easy to put together and tanks can be easily removed and inserted. 

The operation is also self-explanatory. Thus, the Bissell ProHeat can score points with its user-friendliness. 😄

Does not seem so high quality

The Bissell ProHeat 2x Revolution has quite a lot of plastic, and the cleaner does not feel that high-quality. 

On the other hand, it is also very light and can be manoeuvred perfectly around furniture.

Also corded

The carpet cleaner from Bissell is also only available as a corded version. 😔 The reason for this is the same as with the Tineco Carpet One: The ProHeat 2x Revolution heats up the cleaning water and ensures that it also maintains the temperature. 

This constant heating process would put too much strain on a battery-operated unit. 

Check Amazon*

Advantages:

Large clean and dirty water tanks

Tanks easily removable

Rotating brushes for deep cleaning

Two cleaning programmes

Easy to assemble

User-friendly

Disadvantages:

Build quality seems low

Corded
All rounder
Kärcher SE 4001 carpet cleaner.

Kärcher SE 4001

The SE 4001 is a real all-round talent that looks good in every household.

Spray extraction cleaner, wet vacuum cleaner and all-purpose vacuum cleaner in one - that's what you get with the Kärcher SE 4001. Its strong performance and easy usability are what’s really impressive.

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Kärcher SE 4001 carpet cleaner.

You can’t have a carpet cleaner review without a Karcher appliance. We have found a particularly versatile one for you. 

A real multi-talent

Wet vacuum cleaner, carpet cleaner and all-purpose vacuum cleaner in one. The Kärcher SE 4001 is equipped with a foam filter that can also be tapped out while it’s on. 🙂 

It can also be used to suck up wood shavings and the like. If you notice that the filter is full, all you have to do is shake it from the outside and you can continue. 

The Kärcher carpet cleaner can therefore also be used on hard floors. 

Strong against tough stains

The Kärcher SE 4001 features a whopping 210 mbar (21,000 Pa) maximum output. So it is definitely a very powerful device that can remove even stubborn dirt. 

The cleaning solution is sprayed into the carpets with pressure and dissolves dirt even in the deep fibres. The dissolved dirt is then vacuumed up. 🥰

Fast drying time 

Thanks to the Kärcher nozzle technology, you don't have to wait forever until your upholstered furniture and carpets are dry again. All cleaned surfaces can be used again much faster. 

The brand claims a reduction of approx. 50 % in drying time. This is very practical, especially for sofas. Meaning, this Karcher is also a contender for best upholstery cleaner.

Very easy to use

The Kärcher brand has stood for innovation and quality for many years. This is also clearly noticeable in the SE 4001. We were impressed by the top quality workmanship and the fact that the device is very easy to operate. 🤩

The carpet cleaner is easy to manoeuvre thanks to its ergonomic handle and you can switch between mopping and vacuuming at the touch of a button. The filter is also easily accessible and can be replaced quickly. 

Tough on your wallet

It is probably known by now that Kärcher devices are not exactly cheap. Unfortunately, you don't only have to invest a lot of money for the purchase itself. Spare parts and additional components are also quite expensive. 😑 

This means that you will also have to dig deeper into your pocket every now and then for maintenance and servicing of the Kärcher. 

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Advantages:

Versatile

Foam filter

Strong performance

Nozzle technology cuts drying time by half

Very well-built

Ease of use

Disadvantages:

Spare parts expensive

Quite loud
High quality workmanship
Thomas Bravo 20

Thomas Bravo 20

You get quality and performance at an affordable price.

The Thomas Bravo 20 offers a combination of affordability and quality, contributing to its growing popularity.

View on Amazon*
Thomas Bravo 20

The Thomas Bravo 20, though not the most modern in appearance, proves to be quite capable.

It's an affordable option in the Thomas brand's range of household cleaning appliances, available for about 205 pounds. 💷

This vacuum cleaner is a great deal for those looking to clean carpets and upholstery thoroughly.

Extensive Accessories

With the purchase of the Bravo 20, you'll receive an extensive accessory package. 

This includes nozzles for carpets, upholstery, crevices, and hard floors, as well as cleaning agents, equipping you for a thorough cleaning.

Diverse application possibilities

This vacuum cleaner is a versatile all-rounder.

It is suitable for various surfaces such as hard floors, carpets, tiles, car interiors, and upholstered furniture.

Its multi-surface functionality makes it an ideal household helper for any type of home.

Easy to store

Despite its wide range of uses, the Bravo 20 is compact and easy to store, even in small spaces.

It also features an integrated accessory compartment, providing a convenient solution for organizing and storing additional nozzles and tools.

However, the Bravo 20 has a limited action radius due to its 5-meter cable. 🔌

This totals to about 8.5 meters of reach, which may be insufficient for some users.

Additionally, the placement of the water containers is less than ideal.

The fresh water tank, with a capacity of 3.6 liters, is situated inside the 20-liter dirty water tank, requiring removal for refilling.

View on Amazon*

Advantages

Great value for money

Comprehensive accessory package

Multi-purpose use

Easy to store compactly

Disadvantages

Limited action range

Inconvenient water tank placement

Best alternatives

High tech features
Vax
Platinum Smartwash
Price from   £ 199 £ (299.99 )
Check Amazon*
Vax Platinum Smartwash Carpet Cleaner CDCW-SWXS

Vax Platinum Smartwash

A powerful and versatile carpet cleaner.

This carpet spot cleaner is lightweight and easy to use thanks to innovative Smartwash technology.

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Vax Platinum Smartwash Carpet Cleaner CDCW-SWXS

Vax is a leading carpet cleaners brand in the UK, and with models like this one, it’s no wonder. The Platinum Smartwash could be the best Vax carpet cleaner on the market.

Innovative technology for easier cleaning

The Vax Platinum Smartwash Carpet Cleaner is equipped with Smartwash technology, which automatically adjusts the water and cleaning solution to suit the type of carpet being cleaned.

This means your floors will receive the optimal cleaning mode without you having to fiddle around with settings.

It’s also equipped with Motion Sense Technology that initiates cleaning when pushed forwards and dries when pulled back. 

Lightweight and easy to use

The Vax Platinum Smartwash Carpet Cleaner is lightweight and easy to use, making it ideal for those who are not used to using heavy cleaning equipment.

The large water tanks also mean you can clean larger areas in one go.

Handheld tool for stairs cleaning

The nifty handheld tool allows you to transform the carpet cleaner into a handheld device. This makes cleaning stairs, sofas and mattresses a breeze. You can even use it to spot clean your car.

Loud

One downside of this device is the high volume. This device is noisier than other models on the market. 

However, given that this isn’t a product you use as often as, say, a cordless vacuum cleaner, we don’t think this should be too much of a problem.

Check Amazon*

Advantages:

Large water tank

Smartwash technology

Motion Sense technology

Handheld mode

Lightweight

Disadvantages:

Loud

Expensive

What is a carpet cleaner machine?

Carpets make our living spaces cosier. But according to experts, carpets can hold up to 450g of dirt per square foot.

That's where a carpet cleaner comes in handy.

Carpet cleaners use a combination of cleaning solutions, water pressure and powerful brushes to dig out hidden dirt and grime from your carpets for a more hygienic home.

You have some choices when it comes to choosing a carpet cleaner:

  • Dedicated carpet cleaner machine or carpet extractor. Usually just for use on carpets.
  • Multifunction 2-in-1 carpet cleaners, or wet and dry vacuum cleaners. Can be used on multiple floor types.

How does a carpet cleaner work?

In general, carpet cleaning devices use two different cleaning methods:

1. water pressure spraying

2. rotating brush agitation

Carpet extractors use water pressure spraying. They dissolve dirt by spraying water at high pressure onto the respective surface. The dissolved dirt is then vacuumed back up. 👍

Caution: With carpet extractors, the water supply is usually located directly behind the suction nozzle. Therefore, you must always move it across the floor in straight lines towards yourself.

Carpet cleaners that use rotating brushes to get at the dirt are usually more expensive. Dirt is not removed by water pressure, but by brush movements.

Tineco Carpet One has a rotating brush bar.
The rotating brush effectively removes dirt.

The advantage of these devices is that you don't have to pay so much attention to how you move them over the surface. 🙌

Ultimately, however, the cleaners of both groups provide thorough deep cleaning.

  • Best for larger areas
    Bissell ProHeat 2x Revolution Carpet Cleaner.
    Bissell
    Bissell
    ProHeat 2x Revolution
    Price from   £ 246 £ (249.99 )
    The Bissell ProHeat 2x Revolution just keeps going, even in large surface areas.
    Bissell
    ProHeat 2x Revolution
    The Bissell ProHeat 2x Revolution just keeps going, even in large surface areas.
    Price from   £ 246 (£ 249.99 ) Bissell
    Check Amazon*
    Check Amazon*
  • Kärcher SE 4001 carpet cleaner.
    Kärcher
    Kärcher
    SE 4001
    Price from   £ 199
    The SE 4001 is a real all-round talent that looks good in every household.
    Kärcher
    SE 4001
    The SE 4001 is a real all-round talent that looks good in every household.
    Price from   £ 199 Kärcher
    Check Amazon*
    Check Amazon*

Who are carpet cleaners suitable for?

To find out whether a carpet cleaner is suitable for you, it is first important to know what kind of device it is.

Carpet cleaners that can only be used to clean carpets are understandably not useful for everyone. They are only worthwhile if you have a lot of different rugs or solid carpeting in your home. Although they can usually also be used to clean upholstery and mattresses, there are alternatives.

The Tineco Carpet One is shown.
The Tineco Carpet One is one of those machines that is only suitable for carpets and upholstery.

Carpet cleaning vacuum cleaners that are suitable for carpets and hard floors are a different story. These devices are recommended for all those who want a high standard of hygiene at home. 👏

Pet owners and allergy sufferers in particular can also benefit from the deep cleaning of a carpet cleaning vacuum.

Allergy sufferers in particular should also vacuum thoroughly every day. The best cordless hoovers for allergy sufferers, we have already put them to the test.

Carpet cleaners are great for cleaning up pet stains on carpets.

Which should I buy: a steam cleaner or carpet cleaner?

Many people also wonder whether they are better off buying a carpet cleaner or a steam cleaner. The answer depends mainly on what kind of floors you want to clean with it.

A wet and dry carpet cleaning vacuum can usually be used for all types of floors without any problems. A steam cleaner is not suitable for temperature-sensitive surfaces. Normal steam cleaners also do not have a suction ability, which is why any moisture left behind must dry by itself.

However, if you also want to clean outdoor areas such as driveways or similar, a steam cleaner is the better choice for you.

Is a carpet cleaner suitable for all types of carpets?

Before buying a carpet cleaner, there is often some uncertainty as to whether these devices can really be used on every type of carpet.

The answer we have deduced is yes.

In our carpet cleaner test, we were able to clean all types of carpets and upholstery without any problems. So it doesn't matter if you have short pile or long pile carpets or even shaggy rugs.

An exception to this rule may be valuable rugs made of very delicate materials. You’re better off having these cleaned professionally.

What you should pay attention to when using a carpet cleaner, however, is that you fill it with the right cleaning agent. Carpet shampoo packaging usually contains information on which materials you can use it on and which to avoid.

Advantages and disadvantages of carpet cleaners

If you are still undecided whether you should buy a carpet cleaner or not, we have compiled the advantages and disadvantages for you here.

Advantages:

Flexible use

You can clean a wide variety of surfaces with a wet and dry carpet cleaning vacuum. It is not only suitable for carpets, but also for hard floors.

In addition, you can finally get your sofas, mattresses and car seats to the highest level of cleanliness.

Cleaning down to the depths

Conventional carpet and upholstery cleaning usually only removes surface dirt. This means that normally, your carpets just look clean. But that’s not always the case.

A clean looking rug.
This rug actually looks quite clean at first glance.
Dirt from rug being poured down sink.
And yet we got this out.

Dirt often gets deep into the carpet fibres, and very fine dust and dirt lies at the very bottom.

Carpet cleaners can loosen this deep dirt thanks to water pressure or rotating brushes.

Brushes on a carpet cleaner.
The Tineco Floor One cleans with rotating brushes.

This leaves your textiles clean to a much higher standard with a fresh scent.

Carpet cleaning equipment saves time and effort

Have you ever cleaned your carpets or sofas by hand?

Then you surely know that this is quite a lot of work. And often you’re left unhappy with the result.

  1. Vacuum the surfaces thoroughly.
  2. Work in a cleaning solution with a sponge or scrubbing brush, with lots of elbow grease. 🙄
  3. Allow the cleaning solution to take effect.
  4. Remove loosened dirt with a cloth or hoover.

Usually, a lot of residual moisture remains and it takes several hours until everything is dry again.

A good carpet cleaner does all these steps in one go. What's more, the application is much less strenuous for you. 🙂

You can save yourself some time and effort to focus on the finer things in life.

Ideal for allergy sufferers and pet owners

A clean, allergen-free home is essential for allergy sufferers. Any allergens in the air will quickly present themselves in the form of sniffly symptoms.

Deep, hidden allergens can be removed from your home with the help of a carpet cleaner.

Pet owners also benefit from carpet cleaners, as they can be used wherever the four-legged friends like to spend time. 😺🐶

And if you are a pet owner and don't have time to clean up yourself, you can also find the best robot vacuums for dog hair and other pet hair in our review.

Disadvantages

Often expensive

If you want to own a really good carpet cleaner, you often have to invest a lot of money upfront. Especially if you want a device from a leading brand.

Depending on the brand, spare parts and accessories are often not cheap either.

Carpet shampoo, a bucket and a sponge are of course cheaper. 🤷

Takes up space

The utensils you need to clean carpets manually, for example carpet cleaning powder or carpet foam, can usually be easily stored in any cupboard. This isn’t exactly the case with a carpet cleaner machine.

Depending on the model, carpet cleaners can take up quite a lot of space.

So you’ll need a somewhat larger storage area if you want to store a carpet cleaner in addition to your hoover and other household devices.

Testing out carpet cleaners - How well do they really clean?

If you are reading this article, you are probably interested in one thing in particular. Namely, how good the results from a carpet cleaner really are. 🧐

In our tests, we were very satisfied with the cleaning performance of the carpet cleaners.

Both carpets and sofas were cleaned and felt and smelled really fresh afterwards.

Tip: Good results require patience. For thorough cleaning, it’s better to move the cleaning tool slowly over the surface you’re cleaning.

What about the suction power?

Carpet cleaners with powerful suction ensure that as little residual moisture as possible remains in carpets and upholstery.

There were quite big differences between the machines we tested. Cleaners like the Tineco Carpet One, which are also equipped with a drying function, achieved very good results. 💪

The surfaces were still a little damp, but much less so than with appliances without a drying function.

How well carpet and upholstery dries after wet cleaning also depends on the material.

High pile carpets naturally take longer to dry than short pile.

A high-pile carpet is being cleaned with a carpet cleaner machine.
High pile carpets stay damp longer than short pile carpets.

How to use a carpet cleaner - Tips & Tricks

If you are now wondering how to clean carpets with such a device, we have a short guide for you.

1.The surface you want to clean should first be vacuumed with a normal hoover. This will remove loose dirt and dust.

If you are still looking for a suitable device, take a look at our cordless hoover review.

2. Pre-treat particularly stubborn stains, like red wine spillages, with a suitable carpet stain remover beforehand.

3. Fill your vacuum cleaner with the concentrate and water and switch it on.

Cleaning formula for the carpet cleaner is shown.

4. Then run the cleaning head over the surface in even strokes. Make sure you don't miss any spots. It is best to move backwards to avoid doubling back over cleaned areas.

5. Allow the cleaned surfaces to dry thoroughly. Good ventilation can speed up the drying time.

Tip: There are also carpet protector sprays that you can spray on after cleaning. They ensure new dirt and germs don’t build up so quickly.

The best cleaning solutions for carpet cleaners

Many people are of the opinion that you can simply fill a vacuum cleaner with liquid detergent or washing-up liquid instead of buying carpet shampoo.

However, caution is advised here!

Carpet cleaning devices are highly complex and can be damaged by cleaning agents that are not adapted to them. This starts with the fact that mixtures with detergents or washing-up liquid can foam very strongly, which is not good for the appliance.

So we advise you to use special products intended for use with carpet cleaners.

Unfortunately, not all of them are good. Many prefer to use cheap products, but their cleaning effect often leaves much to be desired. Moreover, some of them contain aggressive chemicals. Such cleaning products are harmful to our health.

Let’s take a look at some of the best carpet cleaning products for carpet washers.

Dirtbusters Carpet Shampoo

Dirtbusters Carpet Shampoo* has numerous positive reviews in various online shops.

It can be used in all carpet cleaners, is suitable for cleaning both carpets and sofa upholstery and is scented to leave your home smelling fresh.

The liquid carpet cleaner comes in a 1 litre bottle and only 10ml is needed for every 1L of cleaning water, so it will last you. If you think this isn’t enough, it also comes in a larger bottle.

The Dirtbusters carpet cleaning liquid has dirt- and grease-dissolving properties and is cruelty-free, vegan, non-toxic, biodegradable and made in the UK.

Vax Platinum Professional Solution

Another popular agent for carpet and upholstery cleaning is Vax Platinum Professional*. It not only removes stubborn stains and odours, but also reduces the number of allergens and dust mites.

Vax Platinum Professional is designed for use in Vax carpet cleaning machines. It is perfect for tough dirt and can be used for pre-treating stains.

Bissell Multi-surface floor cleaner - for different floor types

Bissell multisurface cleaning formula* is recommended for cleaning carpets and rugs with Bissell carpet cleaners.

It can also be used on tiles and wood. It is pet and family safe and leaves a fresh spring scent in your home.

Carpet cleaner maintenance and care

If you own a carpet cleaner, you will certainly want your household helper to last for a long time. To ensure a long life, thorough cleaning and maintenance is necessary from time to time.

You will find instructions on how best to do this in the user manual for your device.

However, there are a few guidelines that should be included in the care of any device.

To be able to clean the carpet cleaner really thoroughly, you should remove all parts where possible. Do not forget the container, hoses and the suction valve. Rinse them under clean water and then let everything dry thoroughly.

The tank is being removed from a carpet cleaner for cleaning.

Make sure to clean the appliance regularly. If you use it infrequently, you should still clean it at least every six months.

Always check that each individual part of the carpet cleaner is still fully functional. Many parts can be replaced.

However, it is better not to carry out major repairs on the unit itself. In this case, you can usually contact customer support and have your cleaner repaired.

Are carpet cleaners noisy?

Different people will find the noise produced by carpet cleaners more or less tolerable to varying degrees. In general, however, they are definitely louder than conventional hoovers. Noise insulation is not really a priority with carpet cleaners. After all, they are usually not used as often as other household appliances, like vacuum cleaners.

Experts recommend a volume level that does not exceed 70 to 75 decibels.

As long as you don't start your carpet cleaner at night, the volume is generally quite bearable. 🙃

Carpet cleaner buying guide: what to look out for

If you have already made the decision to buy a carpet cleaner, you need to decide which one is right for you!

The criteria listed below should be taken into account when choosing your model.

Tank size

If the dirty water and/or clean water tank is too small, you may not be able to complete a cleaning session in one go. Depending on the size of the area, you may even need to stop several times. That’s why you should pay attention to the tank capacity when buying a carpet cleaner. 😤

The size of the carpet cleaner tank is shown.

Containers with a capacity of 2 to 4 litres are sufficient for areas of about 60 sqm.

You can use this rule of thumb as a guide when you want to determine the right container size for your home. 👊

How long is the cable?

You have probably noticed how annoying it is to have to keep switching sockets while cleaning. This happens when the cable of the cleaning device is too short. 😠

The longer the power cable, the more room you have for cleaning.

You can see the length of the carpet cleaner cable.

Generally, carpet cleaners have a slightly shorter cable than hoovers.

However, a length of 8 metres should be provided at minimum.

Size and weight of the carpet cleaner

In terms of their dimensions, carpet washers are of course not comparable with super-light and compact cordless hoovers. They are complex devices equipped with powerful technical components. No wonder, then, that carpet cleaners are larger and heavier.

Best Carpet Cleaner Dimensions
Electric carpet cleaners are often larger and heavier.

A carpet cleaner should also not be too light, otherwise it can tip over too easily. 💁

Conversely, if the machine is too heavy, it cannot be manoeuvred around furniture and other obstacles as easily.

How powerful does a carpet cleaner have to be?

A carpet cleaner’s power is strongly related to the cleaning performance. In the case of devices that work with water pressure, attention should be paid to the spray pressure. But they must also be equipped with good suction power in order to reliably suck up the residual moisture after removing the stains.

In general, the average cleaning power for carpet cleaners is between 1,000 and 1,500 watts.

Where should the carpet cleaner be used?

Before you decide on a carpet cleaner, you should always think about where you want to use it. 🤔

Do you really only want to clean textiles like carpets, upholstery and mattresses? Or are there many hard floors in your home that you also want to clean with it?

Your purchase should always be tailored to your individual needs.

What accessories are needed?

The various carpet cleaner models sometimes differ greatly in the accessories included.

Tip: A comprehensive set of accessories is of course always practical, as it ensures versatile application options.

As standard, you will usually find an extension hose and various nozzle attachments in the package contents. This means you can usually start cleaning right away. 😎

What’s included with a carpet cleaner.

You then have the choice of buying additional accessories separately.

Value for money

The prices for washing vacuums vary greatly.

However, by diligently comparing the different models, it is possible to find a device with the right price-performance ratio.

There are also always special offers where you can get a device for less or one that includes a particularly comprehensive accessory set.

Have Which? reviewed carpet cleaners?

Which? is an independent consumer organisation that regularly reviews household products. They have many reviews in the home cleaning sector.

They’ve also paid some attention to carpet cleaners, with many different models put to the test and rated out of 100%.

Coming in at first place is the Vax Platinum Power Max, scoring 80%. 🏆

They praise it for its deep-cleaning and brightening abilities, while pointing out its heavy weight and volume level.

In second place, the Bissell Pro Heat 2x Revolution is a Which Best Buy, also scoring 80%. We definitely agree with the high rating of this model, as we also found it to be an excellent carpet cleaner.

Overall, Vax and Bissell models dominate Which’s carpet cleaner reviews. Unfortunately, they do not include reviews of Tineco or Karcher carpet cleaners.

If you’re looking for reviews that include some lesser-known, but super high-performing brands, then you’ll have to stick to Smart Home Fox! 😉

Where can I buy carpet cleaners in the UK?

If you want to buy a carpet cleaner, you have a couple of options.

You can either go to your local retailer or you can order your carpet cleaner online.

You can make up for the fact that you can't get personal advice when buying online by simply reading through our reviews. 😜

Check out our list of the advantages of online shopping to see the benefits you can redeem.

Buying a carpet cleaner vs. hiring a carpet cleaner

You might also ask yourself whether you should really buy a carpet cleaning machine. After all, you also have the option of hiring them from cleaning agencies. 🧐

In the end, you can only decide for yourself whether to buy your own device or just hire it.

In this chapter, however, we offer you a quick overview of the advantages and disadvantages of buying and renting.

Advantages and disadvantages of buying a carpet cleaner

Pros Cons
  • You can choose the model according to your personal preferences
  • You quickly get used to the handling and can clean even faster
  • One-off cost
  • You can use the machine whenever you like as often as you like
  • Relatively high purchase cost
  • Repairs, maintenance and accessories must be paid for yourself
  • You’re stuck with the one device for the foreseeable

Advantages and disadvantages of hiring a carpet cleaner

Pros Cons
  • Low costs
  • Rental companies explain the handling in detail
  • You may have the choice of having a professional carry out the cleaning.
  • Repairs, maintenance and care are taken care of by the hiring agency.
  • No need to dedicate storage space.
  • If you need the device often, you have to pay rental fees each time.
  • Rental equipment is often outdated and may not always be in the best condition.
  • You may not always receive the same machine, meaning you have to relearn how to use it each time.

Top carpet cleaner brands in the UK

The most well-known and popular carpet cleaner brands in the UK are included in the models we have reviewed above, namely Vax and Bissell.

However, other manufacturers have also made a name for themselves in the area of carpet cleaners. These are: 👇

  • The Rug Doctor
  • Tineco
  • Karcher
  • Bosch
  • Henry

The best carpet cleaners review - Our conclusion

If you have carpets, then buying a carpet cleaner will bring noticeably more cleanliness and hygiene into your home.

Multi-function wet and dry carpet cleaners that are suitable for both carpets and hard floors are ideal for you if you have both in your home.

These 2-in-1 carpet cleaners save you both time and effort.

Once you are familiar with how to use your machine, your carpets will be sparkly clean in no time.

Carpet cleaners also make your carpets walkable again in less time, thanks to the vacuuming of residual moisture.

Special upholstery tools for carpet cleaners ensure your sofas are spotless..

Upholstery attachment for carpet cleaner.

Cleaning upholstery.

We really were surprised by the amount of dirt that carpet cleaners can suck up from seemingly clean carpets.

Loose dirt sucked up by carpet cleaner.

Carpet cleaners are often quite an expensive purchase, so you should think carefully about your requirements beforehand.

Table of Content

  • How we test our cordless vacuum cleaners

    Joe, our wireless vacuum expert on the Smart Home Fox team, has spent over half a decade meticulously testing every model that has landed with us.

    His vast experience allows him to evaluate and assess each product accurately.

    Joe - Smart home fox cordless vacuum cleaner expert

    Backed by rigorous testing of numerous models, our reviews provide comprehensive, unbiased advice.

    We assess the cleaning performance of each vacuum cleaner, compare it to the competition, and then rate it.

    Curious about us? 🤔

    Learn more about the Smart Home Fox team on our 'About Us' page.

    Our ratings are always based on a standardised practical test.

    We evaluate cordless vacuum cleaners in different categories, such as:

    • Suction Test: How effectively does it clean different types of debris on various floor surfaces?
    • Usability: How practical is the vacuum for daily use?
    • Design: Is it well-made? Was user-friendliness a priority during design?
    • Package Contents: Does it come with useful, high-quality attachments?
    • Model Comparison: How does the vacuum compare to other models?
    • Cleaning Features: What factors contribute to the vacuum's cleaning performance
    • Hand Vacuum Usability: Can it be used as a handheld vacuum, and if yes, how well does it function?
    • Ease of Use: How user-friendly is the vacuum?
    • Battery Performance: How long can it clean on a single charge?
    • Maintenance: What maintenance is required, how often, and how much time does it take?
    • Value for Money: Is the hoover worth its cost in terms of performance?

    With these standard tests, we aim to compare different vacuum cleaners and offer you the best possible advice.

    This way, you can make an informed decision for your next purchase! 🛍️

    If you're interested in understanding how we test our products, check out our detailed cordless vacuum testing procedure.

  • Why you can trust us

    • For years, we have been testing tons of products from more than 13 different categories.
    • For our articles and tests, we have spent well over 5,000 hours on research.
    • To make the testimonials readable for you, we have written well over 1 million words!
    • That's why over 5 million readers visit us every year and are grateful for the helpful information we provide. We can see this in tons of fan mail via email, reactions to our Youtube videos, or on our social media channels.
    • A team of 6 smart-home experts regularly check the accuracy of our articles and provide training for our entire team of writers. 
    • Smart-Home-Fox is also present in other countries such as Germany and France.
    • We work with TÜV Rheinland certified (Smart Home consultant) experts.
    • We are talked about in numerous media outlets as well, like the Huffpost.

     

     

Find out more

  • Can I use a carpet cleaner in my car?

    If you want to be able to use your carpet cleaner on your car seats, you will need to buy a carpet cleaner with a handheld mode. This way, you can simply bring the lightweight, compact handheld carpet cleaner out to your car for a deep-clean, without having to lug around the whole machine and dig out extension cords.

    Another advantage of carpet cleaners that feature a handheld function is that you can also easily use them to clean carpeted stairs, sofas, cushions and mattresses. You can even use them on textile wall hangings or tapestries if you have some!

Joe

I have always been excited about smart home products. User-friendliness is one of the most important criteria for new products for me and my reviews should also be user-friendly. This way, you can find the product that suits you best and I hope that our test reports offer you real added value in this way.

Why trust us?

<div style="text-align:center"> <div> <p style="text-align:left"><strong>&gt; 150</strong>&nbsp;products tested</p> </div> </div>

> 150 products tested

<div style="text-align:center"> <div> <p style="text-align:left"><strong>3,528</strong>&nbsp;hours of research</p> </div> </div>

3,528 hours of research

<div style="text-align:center"> <div> <p style="text-align:left">6 Smart Home Experts</p> </div> </div>

6 Smart Home Experts

<div style="text-align:center"> <div> <p style="text-align:left"><strong>Smart Home Fox</strong>&nbsp;is represented throughout Europe</p> </div> </div>

Smart Home Fox is represented throughout Europe

<div style="text-align:center"> <div> <p style="text-align:left"><strong>&gt; 1 million</strong>&nbsp;written words</p> </div> </div>

> 1 million written words

<div style="text-align:start"> <div> <div> <div> <div style="text-align:center !important"> <div> <div style="margin-left:-40px"> <div style="text-align:center !important"> <div> <p style="text-align:left"><strong>&gt; 5 million</strong>&nbsp;satisfied readers per year</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>

> 5 million satisfied readers per year

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