Let’s face it, carpets add warmth and comfort to our homes, but they’re also notorious for trapping dirt, dust, and those inevitable spills and pet messes. Traditional vacuuming only goes so far, leaving embedded grime and stains behind. That’s where a fantastic carpet wet and dry vacuum cleaner comes into play, offering a deep, refreshing clean that can revive your carpets and make your whole home feel fresher.
These versatile machines aren’t just for carpets; many can tackle upholstery, area rugs, and even sealed hard floors, making them a true cleaning powerhouse. Whether you’re battling stubborn pet stains, high-traffic grime, or just want to give your home a seasonal refresh, investing in the right carpet cleaning machine can be a total game-changer. We’ve rounded up 10 of the best options on the market, each with unique features to suit different needs and budgets.
Our Top Picks: Carpet Wet and Dry Vacuum Cleaners
Let’s dive into the details of these impressive machines and help you find the perfect deep cleaner for your home.
1. BISSELL TurboClean, Upright Carpet Cleaner, Pro Max Clean &…
The BISSELL TurboClean is a fantastic choice if you’re looking for an upright carpet cleaner that punches above its weight, especially for those everyday pet messes and high-traffic areas. Its compact design doesn’t compromise on power, making it a great solution for smaller homes or apartments where storage is key, but deep cleaning is still a priority. It’s built to get into those ground-in stains that regular vacuums simply miss.
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Key Features:
- Supports BISSELL Pet Foundation with every purchase.
- Outcleans competitive lightweight carpet cleaners.
- 4-Row DeepReach PowerBrush combined with powerful suction.
- Compact and lightweight design for easy maneuverability and storage.
- Compatible with Pro Max Clean + Protect formula with StainProtect Technology.
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Pros:
- Excellent for pet owners due to Bissell’s foundation support and cleaning power.
- Strong suction and brush action tackle tough, embedded dirt effectively.
- Lightweight and easy to store, ideal for smaller living spaces.
- Helps protect against future stains when used with specific formula.
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Cons:
- Primarily for carpets and area rugs, less versatile on other surfaces.
- Might require multiple passes on heavily soiled areas.
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User Impressions: Users love how easy this compact machine is to pull out for quick clean-ups or full room refreshes. They often highlight its surprising power for such a lightweight unit and appreciate its effectiveness on pet-related stains. Many mention the convenience of its size for storage.
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2. Bissell Little Green Mini Portable Carpet and Upholstery…
When it comes to tackling unexpected spills and pet accidents, the Bissell Little Green is a legendary name for a reason. This mini portable carpet wet and dry vacuum cleaner is your go-to hero for quick spot treatments, making short work of embedded dirt and stains on a variety of surfaces beyond just carpets. It’s perfect for cars, upholstery, pet beds, and those tiny spills before they become permanent residents.
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Key Features:
- Supports BISSELL Pet Foundation with every purchase.
- Tackles spills, pet stains, and helps remove allergens.
- Cleans carpets, upholstery, car interiors, and pet beds.
- Includes 4” Tough Stain Tool, HydroRinse self-cleaning hose tool, and 8oz formula.
- Easy storage in small spaces.
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Pros:
- Extremely portable and easy to grab for immediate spot cleaning.
- Excellent for upholstery, stairs, car interiors, and other hard-to-reach spots.
- Effective at removing tough stains and odors, including pet messes.
- Hose self-cleaning tool simplifies maintenance.
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Cons:
- Not designed for whole-room carpet cleaning, primarily a spot cleaner.
- Smaller tanks mean more frequent refills/emptying for larger jobs.
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User Impressions: Customers consistently praise the Little Green for its ability to rescue furniture and carpets from spills that seemed impossible to remove. Pet owners, in particular, consider it a lifesaver for accident clean-up. Its ease of use and portability are frequently mentioned as major benefits.
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3. BISSELL Crosswave Turbo Vacuum Mop All in One Wet and…
Why choose between vacuuming and mopping when you can do both at the same time? The BISSELL Crosswave Turbo is a multi-surface cleaning marvel, acting as both a vacuum and a wet mop, making your cleaning routine significantly faster. It’s safe for various sealed hard floors and even refreshes area rugs, providing a thorough clean that a traditional mop and bucket just can’t match, all while keeping clean and dirty water separate.
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Key Features:
- Supports BISSELL Pet Foundation.
- Vacuums and washes at the same time.
- Safe for tile, sealed wood floors, laminate, linoleum, rubber floor mats, area rugs, and more.
- Two-Tank Technology keeps clean water/formula separate from dirt.
- Antimicrobial treated FreshStart filter protects against odors.
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Pros:
- Saves time by combining vacuuming and mopping into one step.
- Versatile for multiple floor types, including hard floors and area rugs.
- Separates dirty and clean water for a truly hygienic clean.
- Antimicrobial filter helps prevent odors in the machine itself.
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Cons:
- Not a deep pile carpet shampooer; better for surface refreshing on area rugs.
- Requires specific cleaning solution for optimal results.
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User Impressions: Owners are consistently impressed by how much time the Crosswave saves them, especially those with a mix of hard floors and area rugs. They often comment on how much dirt it picks up that they didn’t even know was there, and appreciate the freshness it brings to their homes, especially with pets.
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4. Shark HydroVac MessMaster Wet Dry Corded Vacuum Cleaner,…
The Shark HydroVac MessMaster is designed for those who demand a deep, streak-free clean across all their sealed hard floors and area rugs, even tackling wet and dry messes simultaneously. This clever carpet wet and dry vacuum cleaner doesn’t just clean; it features a continuous self-cleaning system and odor-neutralizing technology, making it a powerful ally against everyday grime and pet-related smells.
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Key Features:
- 3-in-1 cleaning: vacuums, mops, and self-cleans simultaneously.
- Handles both wet and dry messes with powerful suction and hydro mopping.
- Continuous self-cleaning system prevents dirt redeposition.
- Rinse cycle on dock for easy system clean-up.
- Multi-surface cleaning for sealed hard floors and area rugs.
- Reduces odors with included multi-surface concentrate with odor neutralizer.
- Easy clean-up with debris filtration technology in the dirty water tank.
- Extra-large clean tank and LED display for easy operation.
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Pros:
- Exceptional versatility for mixed floor types, handling both wet and dry messes.
- Self-cleaning features and dock make maintenance simple and prevent odors.
- Effectively neutralizes pet odors, a huge plus for pet owners.
- Large clean tank reduces interruptions during cleaning.
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Cons:
- Corded design means you’re limited by power outlet proximity.
- While great for area rugs, it’s not a heavy-duty deep carpet shampooer.
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User Impressions: Many users praise the HydroVac MessMaster for its ability to leave hard floors sparkling clean without streaks, and its effectiveness on refreshing area rugs. Pet owners particularly appreciate its odor-reducing capabilities. The self-cleaning function is a frequently highlighted convenience.
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5. Hoover PowerDash Pet Compact Carpet Cleaner Machine,…
Don’t let the compact size of the Hoover PowerDash Pet fool you; this little machine is mighty when it comes to tackling pet messes and high-traffic areas on your carpets and area rugs. It’s incredibly lightweight and designed for efficient cleaning in smaller spaces, making it super easy to pull out, use, and store. Plus, its HeatForce technology helps dry your carpets faster, which is always a bonus!
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Key Features:
- Lightweight and compact design for easy storage and maneuverability.
- Perfect for pet messes, high-traffic areas, area rugs, and small spaces.
- Antimicrobial PowerSpin pet brush roll helps protect against pet odors.
- HeatForce technology for faster drying times.
- Includes a sample cleaning solution.
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Pros:
- Excellent for pet owners, targeting pet messes and odors effectively.
- Very compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry and store.
- Faster drying time helps prevent mildew and allows quicker use of cleaned areas.
- Affordable and efficient for targeted carpet cleaning.
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Cons:
- Smaller tank capacity means more frequent emptying/refilling for larger rooms.
- Less robust for heavily soiled, entire-house carpet cleaning compared to larger models.
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User Impressions: Reviewers often rave about the PowerDash’s surprising power for its size and price point, especially its effectiveness on pet stains. The quick drying time is a consistent favorite feature, allowing them to get back to normal life sooner. Its compact nature also makes it a hit for apartment dwellers.
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6. Shark StainStriker Portable Carpet Upholstery & Area Rug…
The Shark StainStriker is a specialized portable spot cleaner engineered to obliterate the toughest spots and stains with incredible power. What truly sets this carpet wet and dry vacuum cleaner apart is its dual-activated formula, which mixes inside the unit for 20x more stain-striking power than standard formulas. It’s an absolute powerhouse for pet accidents, lingering odors, and deep-set stains on carpets, upholstery, and even car interiors.
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Key Features:
- Dual-activated formula mixes inside for 20x more stain-striking power.
- Instantly and permanently removes stubborn odors, including pet urine and smoke.
- Ultra-powerful suction pulls out embedded spots and stains.
- Designed for whole home cleaning of carpets, area rugs, upholstery, car interiors.
- Lightweight and compact design (under 9lbs).
- Includes multiple stain eliminator tools and full-size formulas.
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Pros:
- Exceptional stain removal power, particularly for tough and set-in stains.
- Permanently eliminates stubborn odors, a huge benefit for pet owners.
- Highly portable and easy to maneuver for targeted spot cleaning.
- Versatile tools allow for cleaning a wide range of surfaces beyond just carpet.
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Cons:
- Not designed for full room carpet cleaning; solely a spot treatment machine.
- Requires specific Shark formulas for optimal dual-activated cleaning.
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User Impressions: Customers are often shocked by the StainStriker’s ability to lift stains they thought were permanent, especially old pet messes. Its odor elimination is frequently highlighted as superior to other spot cleaners. The compact size and various tools make it incredibly convenient for quick and effective interventions.
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7. Hoover PowerScrub Deluxe Carpet Cleaner Machine for Carpet…
If you’re looking for a comprehensive carpet cleaning solution that tackles heavy-duty grime, the Hoover PowerScrub Deluxe is a fantastic contender. This machine combines five counter-rotating SpinScrub brushes with HeatForce technology for powerful stain removal and faster drying. It’s not just for floors, though – its versatile tools make it great for upholstery, pet messes, and those tricky, hard-to-reach spots.
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Key Features:
- Combines five counter-rotating SpinScrub brushes and HeatForce for deep cleaning and faster drying.
- Versatile tools: pet tool, upholstery tool, crevice tool.
- Dual Tank Technology for separate clean and dirty water.
- Auto Mix feature precisely dispenses solution.
- Includes upholstery tool, pet tool, crevice tool, 8 ft. hose, sample solution.
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Pros:
- Excellent deep cleaning power with multi-directional brushes.
- Faster drying with HeatForce technology.
- Comes with a variety of tools for comprehensive cleaning of various surfaces.
- Dual tank system ensures you’re always cleaning with fresh solution.
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Cons:
- Can be heavier and bulkier than compact models, impacting maneuverability.
- Requires regular cleaning of brushes and tanks for optimal performance.
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User Impressions: Many users praise the PowerScrub Deluxe for its ability to bring old, dirty carpets back to life. Pet owners appreciate the dedicated pet tool and its effectiveness on accidents. The dual tank system and auto-mix feature are frequently cited as making the cleaning process much easier and more efficient.
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8. BISSELL ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro Plus, 3588F, Upright…
The BISSELL ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro Plus is designed to be BISSELL’s best carpet cleaning system specifically for the absolute toughest pet stains and odors – think skunk odors, serious accidents, and deeply embedded grime. With its TurboStrength Motor Technology and 12 rows of Dual DirtLifter PowerBrushes, it delivers professional-grade cleaning, and its Express Clean Mode can even get your carpets dry in about 30 minutes!
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Key Features:
- Supports BISSELL Pet Foundation.
- TurboStrength Motor Technology for powerful yet quiet suction.
- Our best carpet cleaning system for toughest pet stains & odors (removes skunk odors).
- MAX Clean Mode with 12 rows of rotating Dual DirtLifter PowerBrushes for professional-grade cleaning.
- Express Clean Mode delivers dry carpets in about 30 minutes.
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Pros:
- Unrivaled power for pet stain and odor removal, even extreme cases.
- Two cleaning modes (Max Clean and Express Clean) for versatility.
- Very fast drying time in Express Clean mode, minimizing disruption.
- Deep-reaching brushes provide professional-grade cleaning.
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Cons:
- Higher price point than basic models, reflecting its advanced features.
- Can be heavier and larger, requiring more effort to maneuver.
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User Impressions: Pet owners consider this model a true lifesaver, especially those with multiple pets or stubborn accident-prone areas. The ability to remove even strong skunk odors is frequently highlighted, as is the quick drying time. Users consistently report seeing a dramatic difference in their carpet’s appearance and smell.
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9. Hoover Smartwash Automatic Carpet Cleaner Machine, FH52000,…
The Hoover Smartwash+ takes the guesswork out of carpet cleaning with its innovative automatic cleaning technology. You simply push forward to clean and pull back to dry – no triggers, no buttons, just intuitive motion sensing. Combined with Auto Mix, Auto Dry, and HeatForce technology, this carpet wet and dry vacuum cleaner delivers a remarkably easy and effective deep clean, gently removing embedded dirt and pet messes while ensuring faster drying.
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Key Features:
- Automatic Cleaning Technology with motion sensing (push forward to clean, pull back to dry).
- No triggers or buttons required.
- FlexForce PowerBrushes gently remove deep embedded dirt and pet messes.
- Auto Mix precisely mixes and dispenses solution.
- HeatForce Technology helps dry floors faster.
- Includes 2-in-1 Pet Tool, Stair Tool, 8 ft. hose, accessory storage bag, and sample solution.
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Pros:
- Incredibly easy to use, ideal for those who prefer a more automated experience.
- Effective at deep cleaning and removing pet messes without being harsh on carpets.
- Faster drying time thanks to HeatForce technology.
- Comes with useful attachments for thorough cleaning beyond just floors.
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Cons:
- Higher initial cost compared to some manual models.
- Relies on the machine’s automatic mixing, offering less control over solution concentration.
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User Impressions: Customers love the “no-brainer” operation of the Smartwash+, emphasizing how effortless it is to achieve a deep clean. The automatic dry function and quick drying times are frequently praised, making it a favorite among busy homeowners. Pet owners especially appreciate its gentle yet powerful action on pet messes.
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10. Dirt Devil Portable Spot Cleaner Machine for Carpet and…
For quick clean-ups and refreshing smaller areas, the Dirt Devil Portable Spot Cleaner Machine is a reliable and easy-to-use solution. This compact and lightweight spot cleaner is designed for ultimate portability and storage, making it perfect for tackling sudden spills, pet stains, stairs, and upholstery. It comes with versatile tools to ensure you can reach and clean any mess with ease.
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Key Features:
- Easy-to-use design for simple and effective spot cleaning.
- Versatile tools: 2-in-1 pet tool, 4” stain tool, kink-free hose.
- Compact and lightweight for ultimate portability and easy storage.
- Easy maintenance with built-in hose rinse and removable lid.
- 19 oz. tank capacity for tackling multiple messes.
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Pros:
- Extremely portable and easy to carry wherever a mess occurs.
- Affordable option for effective spot and stain removal.
- Dedicated pet tool is very useful for animal accidents.
- Simple maintenance thanks to hose rinse and removable lid.
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Cons:
- Smaller tank size requires more frequent refills for bigger tasks.
- Not designed for whole-room carpet cleaning.
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User Impressions: Users appreciate the Dirt Devil’s simplicity and effectiveness for targeted cleaning. Many consider it a must-have for homes with kids or pets due to its quick response to spills. Its light weight and compact form factor make it a convenient go-to for small jobs and refreshing stairs or car interiors.
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Conclusion
Choosing the right carpet wet and dry vacuum cleaner can make a massive difference in maintaining a clean, fresh, and hygienic home. From tackling stubborn pet stains and embedded dirt to simply refreshing your living spaces, these machines offer a level of clean that goes far beyond what a regular vacuum can achieve. We’ve seen a fantastic range of options, from compact spot cleaners like the Bissell Little Green and Shark StainStriker, perfect for quick interventions, to powerful upright models like the BISSELL ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro Plus and Hoover Smartwash+, designed for whole-room deep cleaning and tackling the toughest challenges.
When making your final decision, consider your specific needs. Do you have pets? Are you dealing with high-traffic areas or just occasional spills? Do you need something portable for upholstery and cars, or a powerful upright for entire rooms? Think about the types of floors you have, drying times, ease of use, and whether a combined vacuum/mop function would simplify your routine.
Ultimately, investing in a high-quality carpet cleaning machine isn’t just about clean carpets; it’s about creating a healthier, more inviting environment for you and your family. Pick the model that best aligns with your lifestyle and cleaning demands, and get ready to enjoy beautifully refreshed carpets and a wonderfully clean home!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What’s the main difference between a wet and dry vacuum cleaner and a regular vacuum?
A wet and dry vacuum cleaner, often called a carpet cleaner or shampooer, uses water and cleaning solution to spray onto carpets, scrub them, and then suction up the dirty water. A regular vacuum only uses suction to remove dry dirt and debris from surfaces. Wet and dry models provide a much deeper, more thorough clean and can remove stains and odors that a dry vacuum can’t touch.
Q2: Can I use a carpet wet and dry vacuum cleaner on hardwood floors?
Some multi-surface wet and dry vacuum cleaners, like the BISSELL Crosswave or Shark HydroVac, are specifically designed to safely clean sealed hard floors (hardwood, tile, laminate) as well as area rugs. However, traditional carpet-only wet vacuum cleaners should not be used on hardwood floors as they can cause water damage. Always check the product specifications for compatibility with different floor types.
Q3: How often should I deep clean my carpets?
For most homes, deep cleaning carpets every 6 to 12 months is a good general guideline. However, homes with pets, young children, or high-traffic areas might benefit from more frequent cleaning (e.g., every 3-4 months). Spot cleaning with a portable cleaner should be done as soon as spills or accidents occur.
Q4: What kind of cleaning solution should I use?
It’s always best to use the cleaning solution recommended by the manufacturer for your specific carpet wet and dry vacuum cleaner. These solutions are formulated to work optimally with the machine and avoid damage or residue. Using other detergents or household cleaners can lead to excessive suds, residue buildup, or even damage to your machine or carpets.
Q5: Are these machines effective for pet owners?
Absolutely! Many carpet wet and dry vacuum cleaner models, especially those highlighted as “Pet” versions (like the Hoover PowerDash Pet or BISSELL ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro Plus), are specifically designed to tackle pet messes, accidents, and odors. Their powerful suction, specialized brushes, and odor-neutralizing formulas are incredibly effective at removing embedded pet hair, urine stains, and lingering smells.
Q6: How do I maintain my carpet cleaning machine?
Regular maintenance is key to extending the life of your cleaner. After each use, empty and rinse the dirty water tank thoroughly. Clean the brushes, nozzles, and filters (if removable) to prevent clogs and odors. Allow all components to air dry completely before reassembling and storing. Some machines even feature self-cleaning functions for easier maintenance.
Q7: Is it worth investing in a portable spot cleaner if I already have a full-size one?
Many find that a portable spot cleaner (like the Bissell Little Green or Shark StainStriker) complements a full-size machine perfectly. While a full-size cleaner is great for whole-room deep cleans, a portable spot cleaner is incredibly convenient for quick, targeted clean-ups of fresh spills, stairs, upholstery, or car interiors without the hassle of setting up a larger machine.
Q8: What’s “HeatForce Technology” or “faster drying”?
“HeatForce Technology” (common in Hoover models) or similar “faster drying” features in carpet cleaners involve directing warm air onto the cleaned carpet area. This helps to evaporate moisture more quickly, reducing the drying time significantly. Faster drying prevents mold and mildew growth, and allows you to use your carpets again sooner after cleaning.
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