Looking for the Best Professional Steam Carpet Cleaning Machines? There are many options available that provide superior cleaning power.
When it comes to finding products that actually work, you are presented with hundreds of options, so I did the dirty work (pun intended) to find the best solutions for every individual need.
Whether you are looking for a complete home cleaning system or simple spot removal, what you ultimately want is that professional-grade cleaning feel and I’ve got you covered.
In an effort to be transparent, this blog uses affiliates links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn commission on qualifying purchases. So heads up, there may be some in this post!
What machines do professional carpet cleaners use?
Depending on the level of service you need (extremely soiled versus standard) professionals use a couple types of machines. For really tough jobs you can see a pro coming with truck mounted equipment.
For standard jobs a professionals will use commercial carpet shampooers.
Most cases would just require a standard carpet cleaner with professional grade features or formula.
Below we have listed some of the best options based on a range or specialty and needs.
✅ WANT TO CUT TO THE CHASE? We chose the Bissell Big Green Professional Carpet Cleaner as our top choice for the Best Professional Steam Carpet Cleaning Machines. Check out the product page here or see full details below.
What’s the Best Commercial Carpet Cleaning Machine?
- Best Overall: Bissell Big Green Professional Carpet Cleaner
- Best Commercial Carpet Cleaner: Rug Doctor Mighty Pro X3
- Best Rated: Hoover Power Scrub Deluxe Carpet Cleaner
- Best for Home Use: Bissell ProHeat Max Pet Pro
- Best for Pets: Bissell ProHeat 2X Lift Off
- Best Budget: Bissell TurboClean Powerbrush
- Best Portable Carpet Cleaner: Bissell SpotClean Pet Pro
Compare them all here or keep reading for individual reviews.
Best Overall: Bissell Big Green Professional Carpet Cleaner
Here is my top pick, and with over 10,000 5-star Amazon reviews, you could say customers are extremely happy with their purchase.
Vacuuming can go a long way, but as one customer described how they thought they had “vacuumed enough, but this thing picked up so much dog hair it was nuts”, it’s clear to see that it can pay off to dig a bit deeper.
This is one of the most powerful and effective machines on the market and it shows. Whether you have pets, kids, or regularly spill things (hi, me), the powerful suction and dual water tanks ensure a deep, pristine clean.
It includes attachments for upholstery and tight crevices to reach all those hard-to-reach places. Let’s just say, you get what you pay for and this bad boy does not disappoint.
- Every Purchase Saves Pets. BISSELL proudly supports BISSELL Pet Foundation and its mission to help save homeless pets
- Outcleans the Leading Rental. Get professional grade cleaning results, Power Rating:12 amps
- XL DirtLifter PowerBrush. Eight rows of bristles penetrate carpet fibers to loosen and lift embedded dirt
- 9' Long Reach Hose & 6 inches Tough Stain Tool. Easily clean stairs, upholstery and hard-to-reach areas
- Use with BISSELL PRO MAX Clean with Protect Formula. Remove tough, ground-in dirt and stains
- Two Large Tanks. Keep clean and dirty water separate while cleaning
- Adjustable Handle. Select the height that is comfortable for you
- 25' Power Cord. Provides extra reach and easy maneuverability
- Cleaning results based on ASTM F2828 using BISSELL Oxy Multi Purpose formula against the Rug Doctor Mighty Pro X3 carpet cleaner using their top selling formula
Best Commercial Carpet Cleaner: Rug Doctor Mighty Pro X3
If you are in need of a deep, truly professional-grade clean, look no further. “This thing is pure gold”, with many customers describing the 5 year warranty as a huge plus compared with most others that give you only 1 year.
You’re looking at a machine with a vacuum motor that goes through 3 different cycles of spraying, scrubbing and finally extracting the filth that produces one of the quickest drying times of all our top choices!
Perhaps the most impressive quality it possesses is the powerful suction and how it will clean virtually “any stain”.
You will be left amazed by how much dirt it extracts and anybody who enters your home will be jealous and possibly left wondering how you manage to get brand new carpets so often.
- ONE-PASS COMMERCIAL GRADE SYSTEM: Sprays, scrubs, and extracts embedded dirt, grime, filth, and odors with commercial-grade results
- SPRAY: Powerful jets inject carpet cleaner solution deep into carpet fibers to break down embedded dirt, grime, stains, odors and more
- SCRUB: Exclusive Triple Action Vibrating Brush scrubs all sides of each carpet fiber releasing embedded dirt, stains & odors that other deep cleaning machines miss.
- EXTRACT: Enhanced vacuum motor with professional grade suction power removes dirt, stains and odors and aids in faster drying times; Great for commercial, industrial, and home use.
- CRI GOLD RATED: Awarded gold rating by Carpet & Rug Institute for soil removal, water removal and gentleness on carpet.
Best Rated: Hoover Power Scrub Deluxe Carpet Cleaner
If you want proven results from literally thousands of happy customers, you’ve met your match. With close to 30,000 positive reviews, it’s safe to say this is a safe bet.
People love how easy it is to assemble, use, clean and refill.
In life things happen, like pet messes and daily accidents that will leave you wishing you had a powerful cleaning system to get rid of odor immediately.
Coming highly recommended is the Hoover Pretreat Spray, which according to one customer, is a “miracle worker” in tandem with this machine.
Another customer notes that “the heated air feature is not a gimmick” and will leave your carpets quickly dried and looking fresh. Weighing less than 19 pounds, this machine is easy to store and even easier to use.
It’s the best rated for a reason.
- EASY DEEP CLEANING: SpinScrub brushes powerfully removes deep-embedded dirt and stains with 360 degree brushes and strong suction while being gentle on your carpet
- FASTER DRYING: HeatForce for faster drying so you can get back on your carpets quickly
- AN EVEN CLEAN: With the Dual V Nozzle. Handle Material-Plastic
- WHAT’S INCLUDED: 8ft hose to deep clean hard-to-reach areas, stair tool, upholstery tool, crevice tool, and sample bottle of carpet cleaning solution
- REVITALIZE CARPETS: Tackle dirt, debris, and pet messes from your home
Best for Home Use: Bissell ProHeat Max Pet Pro
While this machine is a pro for pets, it’s also a pro as a complete home system, and that’s how I prefer to use it.
Not only does it work magic cleaning entire rooms at a time, but comes with a tough stain tool for spot removal.
Put it in express mode, and your carpets will be dry in roughly 30 minutes.
You can pretreat directly from the machine and it will clean anything from low pile carpet to stairs, upholstery, carpet, area rugs, and pet beds, and all without the smell of mildew like some other cleaners may leave behind.
Sounds awesome, right?
- Every Purchase Saves Pets. BISSELL proudly supports BISSELL Pet Foundation and its mission to help save homeless pets..Amperage : 6.8 amps
- Engineered to be our best and most powerful carpet cleaning system for the toughest pet stains and odors even removes skunk odor. Can be used on bare floors.
- MAX Clean Mode. Packing in 12 rows of rotating Dual DirtLifter PowerBrushes, it delivers professional grade cleaning to remove deep down embedded stains, dirt and odors.
- Express Clean Mode. Delivers dry carpets in about 30 minutes.
- Attack the Toughest Stains. Activate the CleanShot pretreater to deliver a concentrated stream of cleaning solution right where you need it.
- Lightweight Design (less than 18 pounds) and Low-Profile Foot. Makes it easy to use and maneuver around furniture.
- Includes Bonus 3" Tough Stain Tool and 2-in-1 Pet Upholstery Tool. Removes pet hair, stains and odors from upholstery.
- EZ Clean Brush Roll Cover. Makes cleaning the machine after a deep clean quick and easy.
- Stain and odor removal system includes PET PRO OXY Urine Eliminator formula, 2-in-1 upholstery tool, CleanShot Pretreater, EZ Clean Brush Roll Cover.
- Express Clean Mode (reference instruction in user guide). Tested on new carpet with protectant. Results may vary
Best for Pets: Bissell ProHeat Lift Off Pet
If you have a furry friend at home, then this is the carpet cleaner that you need. Not want, NEED.
The best thing about this carpet cleaner is that it comes with a detachable lift off pod that you can use for upholstery, pet beds, rugs or spot cleaning.
It includes tools that are specifically designed to help tackle pet stains all throughout the home and can even be used for car stains!
Use the full size to clean entire rooms or the portable pod to clean the smaller areas, and you’re pretty much covered.
You will be excited to use this machine and actually waiting for your pet to make its next accident on the carpet (okay, maybe not that excited).
This is the holy grail of carpet cleaners for pet owners.
It’s meant to give you professional grade cleaning for your pet stains and odors, and it delivers.
- Every BISSELL purchase helps save pets. BISSELL proudly supports BISSELL Pet Foundation and its mission to help save homeless pets.
- Professional Style Results. Outcleans the leading rental machine.*
- Dual DirtLifter PowerBrush. Ten rows of bristles combined with powerful suction remove embedded dirt and stains.
- Two Machines in One. Full-size carpet cleaner and Lift-Off portable spot cleaner.
- Two Specialized Tools. 3" Tough Stain Tool & Spraying Crevice Tool remove tough messes from stairs, upholstery and hard-to-reach areas.
- Remove Tough, Ground-In Dirt & Stains. Use with BISSELL PRO MAX Clean + Protect formula.
- Eliminate More than 90% of Odor-Causing Bacteria. Use with BISSELL Deep Clean + Antibacterial formula.
- Heatwave Technology. Helps maintain water temperature throughout the cleaning process.
- EdgeSweep Brushes. Deep clean against baseboards and around furniture.
- *Cleaning results based on ASTM F2828 using BISSELL PRO MAX Clean + Protect formula against the Rug Doctor Mighty Pro X3 carpet cleaner using their top selling formula.
Best Budget: Bissell TurboClean Powerbrush
This is by far the best for those balling on a budget and with roughly 25,000 reviews, let’s just say it is a fan favorite. Why?
It does a job well done without burning a hole in your pocket, and promises quick and effective results for grimy stains.
It only weighs 12 pounds, so you don’t need to worry about breaking your back or your bank!
Win win.
It boasts a retractable handle for easy storage and convenience. Suction power is top notch, as in “it sucks up water like a CHAMP!”, according to one zealous customer, and it’s super easy to assemble.
If you don’t have a ton of room, the BISSELL Turboclean Powerbrush is great for storage. It’s lighter than all the others on this list (aside from the portable cleaner), which is perhaps its best quality aside from the awesome price tag.
- Every Bissell purchase helps save pets. Bissell proudly supports Bissell pet foundation and its mission to help save homeless pets.
- Clean powerfully. Remove tough stains and pet messes.
- Remove embedded dirt. Four-row dirt lifter power brush and powerful suction.
- Quickly cleans spots and stains. Powerful Bissell Oxy formula cleans stains like cola and urine.
- Lightweight & easy-to-use. Weighs just 12 pounds and has a retractable handle for easy storage. Power Source: Corded, Power Rating: 3.4 amps
Best Portable Carpet Cleaner: Bissell SpotClean ProHeat
If you require flexibility, need something to use on the go, and like things sitting pretty on the shelf, this one’s for you.
Sick of lugging around heavy machines? Same. That’s why I am obsessed with BISSELL’s SpotClean Pet Pro. You need this if you want something that is no fuss and lightweight that you can use on the fly.
It is portable, which is the number one pro here. It also comes complete with a nice aesthetic design. Bonus points.
Its heatwave technology keeps the water temperature consistent while you’re using it and has a small water tank, which is great since you’ll be transporting it around.
The self cleaning tool makes it a breeze to wash up, which is a favorite feature since it “allows you to actually rinse the hose after a clean up, which is a huge plus so your hose doesn’t start to stink”.
- Every Purchase Saves Pets. BISSELL proudly supports BISSELL Pet Foundation and its mission to help save homeless pets.
- Permanent Stain Removal with the Power of OXY. Take on your toughest spots and stains with the power of BISSELL OXY formula and strong suction.
- Heatwave Technology. Helps maintain water temperature throughout the cleaning process as you loosen and remove tough stains. Suction power: 2.3 amps
- Specialized Tools. Each tool is engineered for specific spots and stains, so choose the one that best fits your mess.
- Lightweight and Compact Design. Allows for storage in small spaces and easy transportation from one stain to the next.
- Tools and Formula Included. Comes with 3" Tough Stain Tool, Deep Stain Tool, HydroRinse Self-Cleaning Hose Tool, and an 8 oz trial-size PRO OXY Spot and Stain formula. Hose Length 4.5'
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy a carpet cleaner or hire someone?
When you are considering whether or not to buy or hire a carpet cleaner, it’s best to consider how often you might need one.
The average cost of a carpet cleaner for hire is about $40 per room, and considering you have carpet or rugs (which you likely do if you are reading this), then it might be cost effective for you to invest in machine for yourself.
By the time you clean 3 rooms at $40 a pop, you are already spending $120 for a one time clean and that is already more than the cheapest carpet cleaning option on this list!
If you will be needing a carpet cleaning more than once, I would invest in a machine of your choice and save yourself some money in the long run.
Plus these options will be more reliable than any cleaner you can rent from a store that has been used a ton before!
The next time your friends or family spill something on your beautiful carpet, you will be happy you purchased one, trust me.
How much is a professional steam cleaner?
All of the options listed here are professional grade steam cleaners, and you can see that they come in all different shapes, sizes and prices!
Usually, they range between $100-$500.
There is something out there for every need and budget, so I hope you find this list useful for that!
Which is the Best Professional Steam Carpet Cleaning Machines?
The most powerful and efficient steam cleaner on the market right now has been voted Best Professional Steam Carpet Cleaning Machines: Bissell Big Green Professional Carpet Cleaner.
But depending on what your specific needs are, we have listed some other great options.
Check out the list above to see what best will suit your needs. This list was made with the best of the best in mind!
How did you like this list? Let us know what your favorites are from this list down in the comments below!
- Every Purchase Saves Pets. BISSELL proudly supports BISSELL Pet Foundation and its mission to help save homeless pets
- Outcleans the Leading Rental. Get professional grade cleaning results, Power Rating:12 amps
- XL DirtLifter PowerBrush. Eight rows of bristles penetrate carpet fibers to loosen and lift embedded dirt
- 9' Long Reach Hose & 6 inches Tough Stain Tool. Easily clean stairs, upholstery and hard-to-reach areas
- Use with BISSELL PRO MAX Clean with Protect Formula. Remove tough, ground-in dirt and stains
- Two Large Tanks. Keep clean and dirty water separate while cleaning
- Adjustable Handle. Select the height that is comfortable for you
- 25' Power Cord. Provides extra reach and easy maneuverability
- Cleaning results based on ASTM F2828 using BISSELL Oxy Multi Purpose formula against the Rug Doctor Mighty Pro X3 carpet cleaner using their top selling formula
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