Carpet cleaning is important to maintain the health and beauty of your home. To ensure your carpets continue to look as clean as new, we compiled some of the best options in Australia to help you decide.
We also include a buying guide to help you further shortlist your options. Ready to find a suitable pick? Let's get to it!
Our Top Picks
In a hurry? Here are our top three picks:
Hoover SmartWash Plus
Simplifies deep carpet cleaning with automatic wash-and-dry action, strong suction, dual brush rolls, and HeatForce drying for fast, thorough results.
Vax Compact Carpet Washer
Lightweight upright cleaner with strong suction, Aquaspin brush bar, twin tanks, and compact design ideal for small to medium spaces and pet messes.
Hoover PowerDash Cleaner
Compact pet-friendly carpet washer with PowerSpin brush roll, solid suction, HeatForce drying, and easy dual-tank maintenance for everyday stains and high-traffic areas.
If you're not certain, read the detailed review and comparison below to understand which option best suits your needs and the tradeoffs with each device.
1. Hoover Smartwash Plus
Best Overall Cleaner
Water capacity: 2.1 L & 3.8 L
Cord length: 6.7 m
Hose length: 2.4 m
The Hoover SmartWash Plus is one of the most practical and user-friendly carpet washers. The best part about it is the push-forward wash/pull-back dry system. There are no triggers to hold and no guessing about when the solution is spraying. You push it forward, and it dispenses water and solution. Pull it back, and it switches to suction and drying. It sounds simple, but in real use, it makes the whole process faster and less tiring.
The suction is strong. When you pull back slowly, you can see the dirty water being extracted. And after cleaning, carpets are damp, not soaked. With windows open or a fan running, mine were dry in about 1 to 1.5 hours. The dual FlexForce brush rolls do a good job of lifting dirt from traffic areas. It handles ground-in dirt, pet hair, old marks, and general dullness in carpet fibres.
Maintenance is straightforward. The nozzle pops off in one step for rinsing. The tanks are easy to empty and clean, the brushes are removable, and nothing feels overly complicated. For best results, I recommend using the proper carpet shampoo; household substitutes don't clean as well.
Pros
- Simple push-pull operation
- Strong water extraction suction
- Fast drying with HeatForce
- Easy tank maintenance
- Good long-term value
Cons
- Small clean water tank
- Bulky upright storage
- Best with branded solution
2. Vax Compact Carpet Washer
Best Value Carpet Cleaner
Water capacity: 1.5 L + 1.8 L
Product weight: 5.7 kg
The Vax Compact Power Carpet Washer is a small upright unit for light to moderate carpet cleaning. At 5.7kg, it’s lighter than most full-size carpet washers, which makes it easier to carry upstairs and move around furniture. The narrow floor head also helps when working in tighter spaces.
Cleaning performance is strong for a compact machine. The Aquaspin brush bar agitates carpet fibres effectively, and the suction is great. It pulls up visible dirt and handles pet messes, including urine stains and odours, reasonably well when used with a proper carpet solution. It also has a twin tank system that keeps clean and dirty water separate, and the 1.8L capacity is adequate for small to medium rooms, though refilling is required for larger areas.
Drying performance is decent but not exceptional. Carpets are left damp rather than soaked, but drying time depends heavily on airflow. It also does not dry as quickly as larger, higher-end models.
Pros
- Lightweight at 5.7kg
- Strong suction for size
- Compact, easy to store
- Good for pet accidents
- Good value price
Cons
- Drying not very fast
- Small tank needs refilling
- Not ideal heavy soiling
3. Hoover PowerDash Carpet Cleaner
Best for People With Pets
Water capacity: 1.51 L + 2.3 L
Cord length: 6 m
The Hoover PowerDash Carpet Cleaner is aimed at quick cleaning in tight spaces like hallways, bedrooms, and entryways. It offers strong cleaning performance despite its compact unit. The cleaner agitates carpet fibres, lifts surface dirt, pet hair, and light-to-moderate stains.
PowerDash performs well on everyday messes and fresh pet accidents, especially when paired with a proper enzyme or pet solution. However, it’s not built for heavily soiled or deeply set-in stains. Its heatforce drying system helps reduce drying time. Carpets are left damp rather than soaked, and in a well-ventilated room, they dry within a few hours. Suction is also solid, though not at the level of larger, full-size carpet cleaners.
The carpet washer's dual tank system keeps clean and dirty water separate. Plus, its 2.3 L capacity is reasonable for small areas but requires frequent refilling for larger rooms. Build quality is generally acceptable for the price, though the handle feels less stable over time.
Pros
- Effective at pet hair removal
- Lightweight and easy to handle
- Easy tank removal and emptying
- Good for small spaces
Cons
- Tanks refill frequently
- Limited upholstery cleaning without tools
- Not ideal for deep, heavy stains
4. Vax SpotWash Spot Cleaner
Best for Removing Tough Stains
Water capacity: 1 L + 1.5 L
Cord length: 4.5 m
Hose length: 1.5 m
The Vax SpotWash is a handheld spot cleaner for targeted cleaning rather than full-room carpet washing. It's built for spills, pet accidents, and isolated stains. On fresh stains, it performs well, particularly on upholstery, car seats, stairs, and small carpeted areas. It’s a far more convenient alternative to a full-size carpet washer for small jobs and tough stains.
The 1.5m hose provides decent reach, and the slim base sits comfortably on stairs while you work. The dirty water tank has a wide opening, which makes emptying and rinsing straightforward. One design drawback is the clean water filling port, which uses a side plug rather than a full removable lid; this makes filling slightly awkward compared to the dirty tank.
SpotWash's suction is good for spot cleaning, but it is not industrial strength. You get excellent stain removal on sofas and carpets, but it can be somewhat ineffective on tougher marks. I recommend it as a maintenance and emergency clean-up tool, not a replacement for a full carpet washer.
Pros
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- Effective on fresh stains and spills
- Suitable for upholstery, stairs, cars
- 1.5 m hose for reach
Cons
- Limited deep-clean power
- Not ideal for old set-in stains
- Small water/solution capacity
5. Rug Doctor Deep Carpet Cleaner
Best Heavy-Duty Carpet Cleaner
The Rug Doctor carpet cleaner features a dual cross-action brush that keeps all sides of the carpet fibres thoroughly cleaned by two brushes underneath the machine. In a single cleaning run, the device thoroughly cleans and grooms every carpet fibre and shines the carpet.
Rug Doctor has a dedicated super boost spray setting for cleaning extremely filthy and high-traffic areas. The device also includes an upholstery tool and a caddy to clean upholstery, furniture, and difficult-to-reach places. The cleaner has a gold rating from the CRI (Carpet + Rug Institute), US, for its ability to remove more filth than similar machines in its category.
Rug Doctor's Deep Carpet Cleaner is the perfect option if you need a proficient cleaning device for more tedious cleaning tasks. The product is, however, more expensive than many options on our list.
Pros
- Easy to open tank cap
- Carpet-friendly wheels to easily maneuver
- Collapsible handle for compact storage
- Removable tool caddy
Cons
- Product handbook can be made more detailed
- More expensive
6. Sauber Pro SG-100
Best Carpet Shampooer
The Sauber Pro Carpet Shampooer has an onboard 2.5-meter hose for spot cleaning in difficult-to-reach regions and a vibrating power brush that easily removes entrenched dirt and stains from carpet fibres. It has edge-sweeping brushes that effectively clean up against walls and in corners, as well as a dual tank design that keeps clean and filthy water separate.
This carpet shampooer is ideal for any home that wants spotlessly clean carpets, especially for those with pets and those who have allergies. It easily eliminates buried grime and stains thanks to its vibrating power brush. Separate water is kept in separate tanks by a dual tank system with edges of walls and in corners with edge-sweeping brushes. You may thoroughly clean your room without unplugging, thanks to the 7-meter-long power connection.
Pros
- Long power cord
- Easy removal of stains
- Brushes with edges
Cons
- Expensive
How to Choose a Carpet Cleaner?
When it comes to choosing a carpet cleaner, there are a lot of factors to consider. The following are the most important things to keep in mind.
1. Tank Capacity and Weight
When choosing a carpet cleaner, consider the tank capacity. A larger tank means cleaning more area before stopping and refilling the tank.
But this also means the machine will be heavier and more difficult to manoeuvre. Heavier machines are difficult to manoeuvre and can damage your carpets if not used properly. Conversely, a lighter machine may not have enough power to thoroughly clean your carpets.
For most people, a tank capacity of around 1 gallon is sufficient. This allows you to clean a small room or area without stopping and refilling too often. You may want to consider a machine with a larger tank if you have a larger space to clean or heavy traffic areas that need frequent cleaning. Tank capacity is usually listed in gallons, so keep that in mind when making your decision.
2. Suction and Drying Ability
Your carpet cleaner's suction and drying ability determine how well your carpet will be cleaned and how quickly it will dry. When evaluating the suction and drying ability, ensure that the machine has enough power to remove all of the dirt and stains from your carpet. You also want to ensure that the machine can dry carpets quickly.
Finally, you want to ensure that your chosen device is easy to use. You don't want to spend hours operating your carpet cleaner; it takes the convenience out of it. Instead, you want a machine that is easy to set up and use so that you can start cleaning your carpets immediately.
3. Accessories
The various carpet cleaners on the market come with their own set of accessories. Decide which accessories are necessary for your particular cleaning needs and choose a cleaner accordingly. This is true for features, too. You must decide which cleaning features are important to you. For example, some units come with attachments for upholstery cleaning, while others have built-in heaters for drying carpets after cleaning.
4. Prices
Carpet cleaners vary in price, so it's important to compare prices before making your final decision. You can compare prices online or in stores, and be sure to factor in any shipping and handling charges before making your purchase. We recommend considering the price only after you have evaluated your carpet cleaner with the above factors. This way, you are sure not to choose price over value.
Mark Thompson
Should I Use a Carpet Cleaner or a Vacuum?
Carpet cleaners are similar to vacuum cleaners, but are not the same. The first difference between the two is speed and work rate. Carpet cleaners are slower than vacuums and do a better job of cleaning the carpets.
On the other hand, vacuums are excellent for quick clean-ups and don’t have the same deep-cleaning power as carpet cleaners. Carpet cleaners can also be quite expensive, although they last longer and do a better job than vacuums. And while vacuums are less expensive upfront, they often need to be replaced. Both devices incur maintenance costs to work properly.
Now, considering the usability and accessibility of both devices. Some people find vacuuming therapeutic. In fact, you'll find various types of vacuums, including robot vacuums, that take the work completely out of your hands. Still, others find it tedious to operate.
But compared to carpet cleaners, they are a breeze to work with. Carpet cleaners can be heavy and difficult to manoeuvre, making them less enjoyable to use. However, they can be quite fun if you get the hang of them. Additionally, if you have stairs or hard-to-reach areas in your home, a carpet cleaner may be more accessible than a vacuum.
Mark Thompson
That's a Wrap!
Carpet cleaners are the ideal response to removing difficult stains and spots from your carpets. They are, however, not the only solution. Where necessary, get the help of professional cleaners to remove the more stubborn stains. We recommend this at least twice a year, in addition to using your carpet cleaner, to keep your carpets fresh and sparkling new.
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