Spending money on a domestic appliance and not having it work the way you had imagined can be frustrating, to say the least. That's why when it comes to getting yourself a carpet cleaner, we want you to get it right the first time. Whether you have multiple pets or you want to refresh upholstery, too, this guide will walk you through the key points to consider before choosing a carpet washer.
With these factors in mind, we've gone on to find the most budget-friendly, portable and lightweight carpet cleaning solutions for home use. All easily available to buy online from Amazon and Argos, our carefully curated picks feature leading brands such as Bissell, Vax and Swan, as well as a few cheap options for those on a budget, to help you achieve professional results without ever having to hire a rental again.
For those after a quick look, here is our Top 5:
For a more in-depth look at the comprehensive top 10 selection, make sure to read on to learn more about the different types of carpet cleaner machines available and understand how our ranking was determined.
This article's chosen EC site price listings are reflective of its publishing date.
Image | 1 ![]() Vax | 2 ![]() Karcher | 3 ![]() Bissell | 4 ![]() Russell Hobbs | 5 ![]() Rug Doctor | 6 ![]() Tower | 7 ![]() Vax | 8 ![]() Bissell | 9 ![]() Vytronix | 10 ![]() Swan |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Platinum SmartWash | 3-in-1 Hard Floor and Carpet Cleaner | ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro | Refresh & Clean Carpet Washer | Portable Spot Cylinder Carpet Cleaner | Carpet Cleaner Machine | SpotWash Spot Cleaner | SpotClean Portable Carpet Cleaner | Multifunction Wet & Dry Carpet Washer | Dirtmaster Carpet Washer |
Features | Top of the Range Cleaner That Kills up to 99% Of Harmful Bacteria | Vacuum Cleaner and Carpet Washer in One | Specialist Carpet Cleaner for Homes With Pets | Budget Carpet Cleaning Machine With All the Essential Features | Powerful Compact Carpet Washer From a Trusted Brand | Guaranteed Quality and Odour Neutralising Carpet Shampoo | Multi-Surface Cleaning With Dual Attachments | Slim, Portable Design That’s Perfect for Small Homes | Versatile Multi-Function Cleaner With a Powerful 1600-Watt Motor | Empty and Refill the Tank at the Push of a Button |
Price | £299.00 | £222.73 | £298.60 | £85.99 | £147.99 | £81.49 | £128.60 | £99.00 | £74.99 | £67.99 |
Single-Function / Multi-Function | Multi-function | Multi-function | Multi-function | Single-function | Single-function | Single-function | Single-function | Single-function | Multi-function | Single-function |
Type | Upright | Canister | Upright | Upright | Portable | Upright | Portable | Portable | Canister | Upright |
Tank Capacity | 3.5 L clean water, 1.9 L dirty water | 4 L clean water, 18 L dirty water | 3.7 L clean water, 4.5 L dirty water | 1.8 L clean water, 1.75 L dirty water | 1.9 L clean water, 1.1 L dirty water | 1.7 L | 1.6 L clean water, 1 L dirty water | 1.1 L clean water, 1.4 L dirty water | 5 L | 3 L clean water, 3.1 L dirty water |
Weight | 7.4 kg | 7.9 kg | 7.9 kg | 4.1 kg | 8.2 kg | 5 kg | 3.8 kg | 4 kg | 6 kg | 4.9 kg |
Dimensions | 32 x 46 x 106 cm | 44.1 x 38.6 x 48 cm | 38 x 32 x 110 cm | 28.5 x 73.5 x 45.5 cm | 41 x 27.9 x 39.9 cm | 41.5 x 25 x 109 cm | 24 x 36 x 38 cm | 18 x 32 x 36 cm | 40 x 36.5 x 50 cm | 43 x 30 x 105 cm |
Power | 1200 watts | 1400 watts | 800 watts | 600 watts | 1100 watts | 600 watts | 800 watts | 275 - 330 watts | 8 m | 550 watts |
Hose length | 2.5 m | 2 m | 2.1 m | - | 1.7 m | - | 1.5 m | 1.3 m | 1.5 m | - |
Cord length | 9 m | 8 m | 7 m | 8 m | 4.6 m | 6 m | 4.5 m | 4.1 m | 1600 watts | - |
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Carpet cleaners function come in two types. A single-function cleaner works by shooting water and cleaning solution into the carpet at high pressure, loosening dirt, food or other residue. The suction then extracts the dirt and washes it thoroughly with the vibrating or rotating brush.
A multi-function carpet cleaner works in either wet or dry mode. The wet mode works similarly to a single-function cleaner, whereas the dry mode is low-moisture, which means that your carpet dries much quicker. The best one for you really boils down to whether you think you'd use both functions.
Be mindful, however, that all-in-one machines tend to sit somewhat in-between performance-wise, in that they may not be the best at vacuuming effectively and may not scrub as intensely as a single-function cleaner. For the best vacuuming results, it's best to use a regular hoover.
Get your rugs and carpets looking even cleaner with a carpet shampoo!
Carpet cleaning machines can be classified according to three types based on their size and compactness.
Or, opt for a bagless vacuum cleaner for the other areas of your home.
It's also useful to keep an eye on the size of the water tank to know how long it will take you before you need to refill again. Carpet cleaner tank capacities range from 1 to 5 litres, depending on the unit's size.
Some tanks have separate compartments for clean and dirty water, therefore, the clean and dirty water capacity may vary. Capacity invariably affects the machine's weight, so it's also useful to check the weight and other handy features such as the length of the hose and cord.
This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.
£299.00
Single-Function / Multi-Function | Multi-function |
---|---|
Type | Upright |
Tank Capacity | 3.5 L clean water, 1.9 L dirty water |
Weight | 7.4 kg |
Dimensions | 32 x 46 x 106 cm |
Power | 1200 watts |
Hose length | 2.5 m |
Cord length | 9 m |
SE 4001
£222.73
Single-Function / Multi-Function | Multi-function |
---|---|
Type | Canister |
Tank Capacity | 4 L clean water, 18 L dirty water |
Weight | 7.9 kg |
Dimensions | 44.1 x 38.6 x 48 cm |
Power | 1400 watts |
Hose length | 2 m |
Cord length | 8 m |
£298.60
Single-Function / Multi-Function | Multi-function |
---|---|
Type | Upright |
Tank Capacity | 3.7 L clean water, 4.5 L dirty water |
Weight | 7.9 kg |
Dimensions | 38 x 32 x 110 cm |
Power | 800 watts |
Hose length | 2.1 m |
Cord length | 7 m |
RHCC5001
£85.99
Single-Function / Multi-Function | Single-function |
---|---|
Type | Upright |
Tank Capacity | 1.8 L clean water, 1.75 L dirty water |
Weight | 4.1 kg |
Dimensions | 28.5 x 73.5 x 45.5 cm |
Power | 600 watts |
Hose length | - |
Cord length | 8 m |
£147.99
Single-Function / Multi-Function | Single-function |
---|---|
Type | Portable |
Tank Capacity | 1.9 L clean water, 1.1 L dirty water |
Weight | 8.2 kg |
Dimensions | 41 x 27.9 x 39.9 cm |
Power | 1100 watts |
Hose length | 1.7 m |
Cord length | 4.6 m |
TCW10
£81.49
Single-Function / Multi-Function | Single-function |
---|---|
Type | Upright |
Tank Capacity | 1.7 L |
Weight | 5 kg |
Dimensions | 41.5 x 25 x 109 cm |
Power | 600 watts |
Hose length | - |
Cord length | 6 m |
£128.60
Single-Function / Multi-Function | Single-function |
---|---|
Type | Portable |
Tank Capacity | 1.6 L clean water, 1 L dirty water |
Weight | 3.8 kg |
Dimensions | 24 x 36 x 38 cm |
Power | 800 watts |
Hose length | 1.5 m |
Cord length | 4.5 m |
36981
£99.00
Single-Function / Multi-Function | Single-function |
---|---|
Type | Portable |
Tank Capacity | 1.1 L clean water, 1.4 L dirty water |
Weight | 4 kg |
Dimensions | 18 x 32 x 36 cm |
Power | 275 - 330 watts |
Hose length | 1.3 m |
Cord length | 4.1 m |
WSH60
£74.99
Single-Function / Multi-Function | Multi-function |
---|---|
Type | Canister |
Tank Capacity | 5 L |
Weight | 6 kg |
Dimensions | 40 x 36.5 x 50 cm |
Power | 8 m |
Hose length | 1.5 m |
Cord length | 1600 watts |
SC17310N
£67.99
Single-Function / Multi-Function | Single-function |
---|---|
Type | Upright |
Tank Capacity | 3 L clean water, 3.1 L dirty water |
Weight | 4.9 kg |
Dimensions | 43 x 30 x 105 cm |
Power | 550 watts |
Hose length | - |
Cord length | - |
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