The 10 Best Rug Shampooers
This wiki has been updated 24 times since it was first published in February of 2019. Very few people actually enjoy cleaning, but the secret to making such work easier is having the proper tools. For grubby floor coverings, the right choice is often a rug shampooer, a heavy-duty device that gets out dirt and odors by applying detergent, scrubbing with brushes, then sucking up the waste liquid. We've included both commercial-grade and consumer models, as well as some spot cleaners. When users buy our independently chosen editorial selections, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Bissell ProHeat 2X Lift Off
2. Hoover PowerDash Pet
3. Rug Doctor Mighty Pro X3
Editor's Notes
September 29, 2020:
When considering the various rug shampooers on the market, we considered both their effectiveness and their versatility. When focusing on the first aspect, we looked at things like the number of bristles on a model's brush roll, its suction power, whether it had separate clean and waste water tanks, and various other features. When analyzing versatility, we looked at the number and style of attachments, length of the hose for said attachments, overall weight, spot cleaning capabilities, and various other properties that added to a unit's convenience. With all of this in mind, we complied the following list, which we think should contain at least one or two models to suit every need.
Those who require commercial power and build quality should look to the Rug Doctor Mighty Pro X3, Sanitaire Restore SC6100A, and the Bissell Big Green. Of these, the Mighty Pro X3 has the largest reservoirs, which means there will be less downtime spent emptying and refilling the tanks when cleaning large spaces compared to the other two models. It also boasts a 12-foot attachment hose for stairs and upholstery. That being said, the Sanitaire Restore SC6100A cleans on both the forwards and backwards pass, which may actually make it more efficient for some. The Bissell Big Green is the most affordable of the three.
For home users who still want the ability to clean all of their carpeted floors, more compact models like the Bissell ProHeat 2X Lift Off, Hoover PowerDash Pet, Hoover SmartWash, Koblenz P-820 B, and Bissell TurboClean PowerBrush Pet are going to be better choices. Not only are they significantly more affordable, but, because they resemble traditional upright vacuum cleaners, they are going to be easier to store and maneuver. Of these, the Bissell ProHeat 2X Lift Off probably offers the most convenience to use it in various settings, thanks to the lift-off spot cleaner that can be carried out to a car or up a few steps, while the Koblenz P-820 B is the most versatile due to its ability to be used on hard floors.
If you only want the ability to tackle the periodic stain, rather than covering large areas of carpet, the Bissell SpotBot and Rug Doctor Pet Portable Spot should handle your needs.
February 08, 2019:
Investigated a range of models at price points appropriate for all budgets. For those who have heavy-duty needs as well as the cash to spare, the Bissell Big Green and Rug Doctor Mighty Pro X3 are robust models, although the latter is probably the more longer-lasting choice. On the less expensive side, we added the Hoover PowerDash and Bissell TurboClean PowerBrush Pet, both appropriate for apartment-dwellers. We also added the Bissell SpotClean even though it's only for spot cleaning, because it is a handy tool for those who have pets.
Special Honors
Daimer XTreme Power XPH-5800T The Daimer XTreme Power XPH-5800T is a tank-heated system that brings water up to 150 degrees Fahrenheit in just 15 minutes. It produces up to 170 PSI of pressure that, when combined with the hot water, allow it to effectively remove stains both new and old. daimer.com
4. Hoover SmartWash
5. Bissell SpotBot
6. Sanitaire Restore SC6100A
7. Bissell Big Green
8. Koblenz P-820 B
9. Bissell TurboClean PowerBrush Pet
10. Rug Doctor Spot 93390
A wandering writer who spends as much time on the road as in front of a laptop screen, Brett can either be found hacking away furiously at the keyboard or, perhaps, enjoying a whiskey and coke on some exotic beach, sometimes both simultaneously, usually with a four-legged companion by his side. He has been a professional chef, a dog trainer, and a travel correspondent for a well-known Southeast Asian guidebook. He also holds a business degree and has spent more time than he cares to admit in boring office jobs. He has an odd obsession for playing with the latest gadgets and working on motorcycles and old Jeeps. His expertise, honed over years of experience, is in the areas of computers, electronics, travel gear, pet products, and kitchen, office and automotive equipment.