Having your carpets clean while having pets in your home is really tough. Pet accidents are really common and frustrating, and when these little accidents happen, they leave a really bad odor that doesn’t leave your carpets anytime soon. To get rid of your pet urine and odor, you will need something more than a regular vacuum cleaner. Carpet cleaners can help with that; they have strong suction, and with the use of good cleaning solution, they can get rid of urine and odor fast.Â
But choosing the right carpet cleaner can be tricky, as regular carpet cleaners don’t always remove urine stains, and urine enzymes and odors can linger if not treated properly. We tested a lot of carpet cleaners and compiled this list based on our expert, thorough testing and analysis. We’ll weigh their pros and cons to see if they’re worth buying or if better options exist.
Our Top Picks
- Bissell Big Green Professional
- Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Max Clean Pet Pro
- Rug Doctor Mighty Pro X3
- Shark EX201 CarpetXpert
- Hoover SmartWash+ Automatic
Comparison Table
| Model | Best for | Tank Capacity | Weight | Cleaning Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bissell Big Green Professional | Overall Performance | 1.75 gallons | 42 lb | Powerful suction, extra-large brushes, deep cleaning | $411.00 |
| Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Max Clean Pet Pro | Pet Owners | 1 gallon | 17.5 lb | CleanShot pre-treater, HeatWave tech, pet tool | $269.99 |
| Rug Doctor Mighty Pro X3 | Professional-Grade Cleaning | 3.9 gallons | 47 lb | Triple-action brush, strong suction, commercial use | $424.14 |
| Shark EX201 CarpetXpert | Quick Stain Removal | Dual removable tanks | 19.7 lb | StainStriker dual-foam, deep clean & odor targeting | $279.99 |
| Hoover SmartWash+ Automatic | Hands-Free Operation | 1 gallon | 18.5 lb | Auto-cleaning, drying, pet tool included | $297.00 |
Bissell Big Green Professional
The Bissell Big Green Professional carpet cleaner is for people who take cleanliness and hygiene seriously. It is one of the best carpet cleaners that is thoroughly used for cleaning larger areas and big rooms. This machine is basically designed to endure the demanding requirements of cleaning larger areas, and its sturdy build suggests that it will last a long time.Â
In our cleaning test, we found it performed well with both wet and dried-on stains. For our dried stains, we used a dirt mixture as well as coyote urine, which we allowed to dry for 24 hours. In our wet test, we used a glow-in-the-dark mixture as well as an ounce and a half of red wine, both of which the Bissell Big Green did really well with. It’s also highly efficient when it comes to water usage.
Considering its performance and efficiency even in large areas, it does seem to be well worth the price. especially good if they continue offering that five-year warranty on parts available. The issue is it can be bulky for some users.
Reasons to buy:
- Ideal for homes with pets.
- Durable and heavy-duty design.
- Huge tank capacity.
- Strong suction and deep cleaning perofrmance.
Reasons to avoid:
- Bulky, making it harder to move, carry, or store.
Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Max
The Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution is the best carpet cleaner for families with pets. If you are looking for a carpet cleaner to clean up your pet’s urine and odor, then you probably won’t find one better than the Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro. Compared to other home carpet cleaners, this one is expensive. However, its top-quality performance, ease of use, and great cleaning results make it worth the price.
Now, to check if this carpet cleaner is good for pets, I stained a rug with different things, including mustard, coffee, wine, dirt, and permanent marker. After that I let these stains dry. Once dried, I put this carpet cleaner on the rug to test. During the testing, after giving it the first try, most stains were completely cleaned. However, the stains made with wine and mustard were still noticeable, and the permanent marker hardly came off. Remember that I didn’t use any stain remover beforehand, so if you use one, that would probably help to clean.
So, this carpet cleaner is the ultimate option if you want to get rid of your pet’s urine and odor. The only drawback that we noticed is that it can get louder during deep cleaning operations. The setup can also be hard for some users.
Reasons to buy:
- Ideal for pet owners
- Offers Deep Clean Mode for tough stains
- Easy-to-clean brush head
Reasons to avoid:
- Can be loud compared to other models.
- Setup can also be hard for some users
Rug Doctor Mighty Pro X3
The Rug Doctor Mighty Pro X3 is a professional-grade carpet cleaner with great performance and features. It has a 12-foot universal hand tool, which is good enough for cleaning big rooms.
What impressed us most was its cleaning performance. It delivers exactly what you expect from a carpet cleaner with such a price tag. For deep cleaning, it sprays the solution deep into the carpet, reaching germs and dust mites too. After spraying, it uses its brushes to remove stubborn stains. Its powerful suction helps remove all the urine stains, germs, pet hair, and other waste easily.
Compared to other machines, it performs better and has more powerful suction. However, it’s not as good as our top model, Bissell Big Green, which cleans in both forward and reverse motions, making it faster and more efficient. If price is not an issue for you and you are looking for better performance and faster cleaning, the Bissell Big Green might be a better option.
Reasons to buy:
- 5-year warranty.
- Strong suction power.
- Triple-action brush system to deal with dirt, urine stains, and allergens.
- Large water tank.
Reasons to avoid:
- No built-in heater, meaning you need to manually add hot water.
- It cleans in one direction only, making cleaning slower.
Shark EX201 CarpetXpert
The Shark CarpetXpert is Shark’s first-ever carpet cleaner and we’ve tested it and we were surprised by its performance and suction. It performed exceptionally well in our wet and dried-on stain tests. The Shark CarpetXpert even outperformed some of the industry-level carpet cleaners, and it has an unparalleled attachment set.
The Shark EX201 CarpetXpert comes with some great features like an onboard hose system, an oxy solution mixing system, and an easily emptied dirt bin, which makes it worth every penny!. If you are looking for a carpet cleaning that’s value for money and provides efficient cleaning, then the Shark EX201 CarpetXpert should be your next carpet cleaner.
Reasons to buy:
- Exceptionally powerful suction
- Premium attachment set
- Easy to empty and clean
- Dual-activated solution dispensing
- Onboard hose
Reasons to avoid:
- Smaller water tank than competitors
Hoover SmartWash+ Automatic
The Hoover SmartWash+ Automatic is a fully automatic carpet cleaning machine for the home. This is Hoover’s first fully automatic carpet washer, making deep cleaning as easy as vacuuming. No triggers, no guesswork. This carpet cleaner washes when you push forward and dries when you pull back, making it easy to use.
It comes with a hose and other attachments for cleaning upholstery, stairs, and getting closer to baseboards. This carpet cleaner is the most user-friendly among the others.
Hoover SmartWash+ also includes a dry-only mode. It removes dirty water from your water without the use of any additional water or formula.
Reasons to buy:
- It features an automatic cleaning system.Â
- Its lightweight compared to many other carpet cleaners. It weighs only 19 pounds.Â
- With dry-only mode, it can quickly dry your carpet.
- It has a 1.25-gallon clean water tank. Which is sufficient for a big home.Â
Reasons to avoid:
- The 1-gallon dirty water tank requires more frequent emptying.
- The power cord might not be long enough for large rooms.
- Like most carpet cleaners, it can be loud.
Final Thoughts
Keeping pet accidents from turning into permanent stains and odors doesn’t have to be that hard. Each of the models we’ve covered brings something valuable to the table, whether it’s the strong suction of the Bissell Big Green, the pet‑odor cleaning power of the ProHeat 2X Revolution, or the easy‑to‑use Hoover SmartWash+, you’ll find a model that works for your cleaning habits and your budget.
At the end, consistency is just as important as power. Even the best machine won’t work miracles if you let urine sit for days. A regular cleaning schedule, spot‑treating as soon as accidents happen, and using the right solution for pet odors will keep carpets looking and smelling the way you want. Pick the cleaner that feels easiest for you to use, stick with it, and your floors will thank you (and so will your nose). Good luck, and here’s to a fresher, cleaner home, pet hair and all.