Best carpet cleaners for pristine and tidy floors, tested by Mumsnetters

Tested by MNHQ: Read our full Vax Platinum SmartWash review

The Vax Platinum SmartWash is a fantastic cleaner that will transform the carpets in your home. It’s a big machine, so you’ll need somewhere appropriate to store it, but it still feels comfortable to use, thanks to the clever ergonomic design.

Reviewers love how little effort is needed to remove tough stains. The double brushes are super effective at lifting ingrained dirt, and the motion sensor means you don’t have to have your finger on the water trigger constantly. The SmartWash also dries efficiently so that you won’t be left with a wet and musty-smelling carpet. The controls are simple to use, and it comes with sturdy attachments and two bottles of powerful antibacterial solution. You don’t need to faff with measuring out detergent for the SmartWash; it automatically mixes the perfect solution.

In terms of ease of use and dirt-busting capabilities, Vax Platinum Smartwash stands head and shoulders above its competitors. This is why we have chosen it as our best overall carpet cleaner.

Tested by MNHQ: Read our full Russell Hobbs Lightweight Carpet Cleaner review

This Russell Hobbs carpet cleaner is a lightweight machine that cleans carpets and rugs quickly and effectively. Loose dirt and tough stains are tackled with ease, and the budget-friendly price is terrific.

Unlike some other cheaper machines, the drying power on the Russell Hobbs is impressive – it left soft flooring slightly damp, and the carpet fibres looked lifted.

Setting up this machine is easy to do too. Tap water and correctly measured detergent are all you need to operate the 24cm wide jet spray and robust bristle brushes. The super long cord also means you can clean for longer without finding another plug.

Tested by Mumsnet: Read our full review of the Shark CarpetXpert Deep Carpet Cleaner EX150UK

Compact yet powerful, the Shark CarpetXpert EX150 Series carpet cleaner effortlessly zaps away dirt, grime, and bacteria. It can conquer daily mess with ease and after thorough at-home testing by Mumsnet Editor Rebecca Roberts, we think it deserves a spot in your cleaning arsenal.

It might have a smaller water tank compared to other carpet cleaners, but it's big on effectiveness and can tackle hard-wearing carpets and plusher rugs with equal finesse. Its built-in stain and spot remover is a brilliant feature for stubborn stains and the hose-cleaning tool keeps everything in tip-top shape.

The dry function is a blessing and helps to banish excess moisture, making it bearable to tread on the carpets after cleaning, and the Shark shampoo pleasantly surprises with its not-too-overbearing fragrance. Although, it’s a shame that you’re restricted to using only Shark products with this cleaner. Overall this machine packs a punch in its cleaning prowess.

The Bissell Pro Heat X 2 Revolution has three settings that will remove all kinds of marks, from easy-to-tackle garden mud to dried-in pet stains. Express Clean can be used as and when it's needed, as regularly as you like, whereas to protect your carpet’s pile, the Max Clean mode should be used sparingly as it’s very powerful.

We found the water spray button on the side of the handle helpful in applying the extra water needed for stubborn stains. The HeatWave technology was also excellent for maintaining the warmth of the water so that each sweep of the machine delivers the same level of cleaning. We also loved that the water tanks are generously sized, enough for a whole house clean, and are easy to fill.

If you have messy toddlers or pets, the Bissell Spot Pro is the ideal solution for cleaning small stains and smelly patches of poop or wee. It’s very light for such a sturdy machine, and the compact size means it’s easy to move and store.

The small size of the Spot Pro also means that it is fantastic at reaching underneath and behind furniture. In addition, this portable carpet cleaner comes with high-quality cleaning detergent and two useful brush attachments that deliver impressive cleaning performance without soaking the carpet and needing ages to dry.

For a compact machine to have two good-sized water tanks is impressive. There’s no need to keep running to the sink, and you’ll be cleaning with fresh water.

The Vax Platinum PowerMax Carpet Cleaner can also clean hard floors and upholstery, a great asset in modern homes. It only needs a few steady sweeps on the carpet to remove fresh stains, and it leaves it looking like new.

For hard surfaces, swap to the head attachment to the squeegee, and they will be left clean, dry and glossy. We also loved the pre-treatment wand; it’s an excellent tool for deep or stinky stains.

The PowerMax is a big machine, however the flexible 4.6 metre hose is long enough to do the stairs, sofas and car without the need for heavy lifting. Manoeuvring it around the room is surprisingly effortless too.

The CWCPV011 Compact Carpet Cleaner is Vax’s smallest and lightest carpet cleaner and makes short work of everyday dirt and stubborn stains. The narrow head is advantageous in small rooms and reaching small spaces, and its shape means it’s easier to store than bulkier Vax machines. It’s light enough to carry up the stairs too.

The Aquaspin brushes are treated with an antibacterial coating, so bacteria and fungus are battled with every sweep. The subsequent 99% reduction in the growth of nasties is excellent for people with pets. The strong suction power drags a satisfying amount of dirt out of your carpet and lifts the pile beautifully. Then, HeatBlast technology means that your carpet will be manageably damp rather than wet after cleaning, so you can walk about your home normally in a quicker time.

Henry (known colloquially as Henry Hoover) is an iconic household staple, and we adore the familiar cute design of this carpet, upholstery and hard floor cleaner. But, while his fun and compact appearance are great for getting the kids involved in housework and neat storage, Henry is also an effective cleaner of daily carpet grime and stubborn stains thanks to its impressive suction power.

Henry Wash is a great multitasking machine. The long hose is helpful for stairs, the sofa and the car. However, it is also recommended for emergency use with sink blockages, leaks, and spills. On hard floors, it cleans thoroughly, dries quickly and leaves it looking polished. Likewise, carpets and soft furnishings look and smell like they’ve been professionally washed with lifted fibres and even colour.

Rug Doctor is a manufacturer associated with the big, professional carpet cleaning machines you hire after a house move or renovation. However, they also have cheaper options for sale, such as this compact yet powerful machine.

We were delighted with the results it can achieve on carpets, sofas and chairs but reviews suggest that it didn't work as well on hard, wood or laminate floors. Stains on carpets are lifted easily by the brush head, and even stubborn marks only took minimal effort before they started to disappear. The ergonomic handle made cleaning even hard-to-reach areas easy.

The water tanks are large considering the small size of this Rug Doctor, and you will be able to clean a considerable space without having to remix the detergent. The spot-cleaning tool is a cinch to use too.

Karcher developed their range of carpet cleaners for professionals – however, because the prices are so low compared to other commercial models, they are worth a look, especially if you have a large, carpeted home or lots of pets.

The pull-along design of the Puzzi makes it easy to move around the home, and the long flexible hose with a pivoting head makes reaching the top of the stairs and under the sofa much more manageable. The upholstery tool is very effective and would make a splendid spot or car upholstery cleaner. Each powerful blast of detergent and water is delivered automatically, and we were grimly impressed by the amount of dirty water that filled the large water tank.