10 Best Handheld Carpet Cleaners 2026 in the United States

The Bissell Little Green Mini Pet is a compact, corded handheld carpet and upholstery cleaner designed especially for small messes and pet stains. It offers decent suction power suitable for cleaning carpets, car seats, pet beds, and upholstery, making it versatile for home and auto use. Its 1.42-liter tank is moderate in size, which means it’s enough for quick clean-ups but may require refilling if you have larger areas to clean. Weighing about 7 pounds, it’s fairly lightweight and easy to carry around, though not as light as some battery-powered models. Being corded ensures consistent power without worrying about battery life, but it does limit mobility to some extent compared to cordless options.

The cleaner comes with useful attachments like a 4-inch Tough Stain Tool to tackle stubborn spots and a HydroRinse self-cleaning tool that helps keep the hose clean with less hassle, which is a nice feature for maintenance. It uses a specialized cleaning formula that helps remove stains and odors effectively, especially useful for pet owners. Storage is simple thanks to its small size, fitting well into closets or cabinets. One thing to keep in mind is that it’s not suited for deep or large-scale carpet cleaning because of its tank size and handheld design. Also, being corded might be less convenient if you need to move far from outlets.

This little cleaner is best suited for quick spot treatments, pet messes, and tight spaces where bigger machines can’t reach.

The BISSELL Little Green Multi-Purpose Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner is a solid choice for anyone looking to tackle tough stains and odors effectively, especially pet owners. One of its standout features is the powerful suction, which excels at removing stubborn spots from various surfaces, including carpets, upholstery, and car interiors. With a large 48 oz. tank capacity, it allows for extended cleaning sessions without frequent refills, a definite plus for bigger jobs.

Portability is another strength, as its lightweight and handheld design make it easy to maneuver around your home or vehicle. The included attachments, like the HydroRinse Self-Cleaning Tool and Tough Stain Tool, add versatility and enhance its cleaning capabilities. Additionally, the compatibility with BISSELL’s Spot & Stain formula, which includes Febreze for freshness, is a nice touch for ensuring thorough cleaning.

On the flip side, being corded can limit mobility to a certain extent, as you'll need to stay near an outlet while using it. Weighing in at about 9.65 pounds, while not overly heavy, it could be cumbersome for some users during prolonged cleaning sessions. The maintenance does require some effort, as you’ll need to clean the HydroRinse tool after each use to maintain its performance. This carpet cleaner is well-suited for anyone looking for a dependable, portable cleaning companion.

The Shark StainStriker HairPro is designed to handle tough stains and pet messes in carpets, upholstery, and car interiors, making it a strong choice for pet owners or anyone needing targeted stain removal. It offers very powerful suction that effectively lifts embedded dirt and pet hair, helped by its HairPro technology that avoids tangles and clogs. The cleaner’s 24.35-ounce tank is moderate in size, allowing decent cleaning time before refilling, but it might require refills during larger jobs. Weighing just over 13 pounds, it’s fairly lightweight for a portable unit but still substantial enough to be sturdy—easy enough to carry around but not as light as the smallest handheld models. It runs on corded power, which means continuous suction without battery worries but limits mobility to near an outlet.

Shark includes four specialized cleaning tools and two cleaning formulas, including pet-specific solutions, which add versatility for different surfaces and stain types. A standout feature is the on-board self-cleaning system that simplifies maintenance by flushing the tool and hose quickly after use, saving time and preventing odor build-up. The unit is compact, easy to store, and requires no assembly.

Its size and corded design might not be ideal for users seeking ultra-lightweight or cordless convenience. If your primary need is powerful stain and pet hair removal with practical cleaning attachments and simple upkeep, this model fits well. But if you want something ultra-portable or cordless for quick touch-ups, you might consider lighter or battery-powered alternatives.