10 Best Handheld Carpet Cleaners 2025 in the United States

The Bissell Little Green Pet Deluxe Portable Carpet Cleaner is a strong contender in the handheld carpet cleaner category, especially for pet owners. One of its standout features is the powerful suction, which effectively tackles tough pet stains and odors from carpets, upholstery, and even car interiors. This is coupled with a substantial 48 oz. tank capacity, allowing you to clean larger areas without needing frequent refills.

Its portable and versatile design makes it easy to maneuver, which is a great benefit when cleaning multiple surfaces like stairs or furniture. The inclusion of helpful attachments, such as the 3" Tough Stain Tool and Stain Trapper Tool, also enhances its usability, making it a well-rounded cleaning solution. Plus, it comes with trial-sized cleaning formulas, ensuring you have everything needed to get started right away.

However, it’s important to note that the Bissell Little Green weighs about 9.7 pounds, which might be a little heavy for some users, particularly if you're lifting it for extended periods. Being corded, it has limited mobility compared to cordless models, so you'll need to be near an outlet while using it. While the machine does a great job on a variety of surfaces, its effectiveness can depend on the severity of the stains; very old or set-in stains may require additional treatments. Maintenance is straightforward, but remember that it requires hand washing of certain components, which might not appeal to everyone.

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 BISSELL Little Green Max Pet Portable Carpet and Upholstery Deep Cleaner is an excellent choice for pet owners and those who need a versatile cleaning tool for their home or car. One of its standout features is its superior suction power, which is 30% more powerful than many of its competitors, making it highly effective for deep cleaning tough pet stains and embedded dirt. Its instant and permanent pet stain removal when used with the Triple Action PET PRO OXY Spot & Stain formula ensures that your surfaces remain clean and protected against future stains.

The self-cleaning tough stain tool is another great feature, making maintenance easier by allowing you to rinse out dirt and debris with a one-touch hose and tool cleanout option. The cleaner's ease of use is enhanced by a longer hose and cord, which help you reach difficult spots, and the two-tank technology keeps clean and dirty water separate, simplifying the filling and emptying process.

Weighing in at 8.18 pounds, this cleaner is relatively portable and easy to maneuver around your home or car. It also comes with useful attachments like a pet hair removal tool and an 8 oz. trial size of the BISSELL PET PRO OXY Spot & Stain formula. The cleaner is corded, which may limit its portability compared to cordless models. Despite this minor issue, the BISSELL Little Green Max Pet Portable Cleaner offers powerful cleaning capabilities, especially for pet owners, and is backed by a brand that supports pet welfare through the BISSELL Pet Foundation.