Best carpet cleaners

Shortlist and buying guide · the ranked board is on its way

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What to look for

Tank size sets how often you refill; a hand tool for stairs and upholstery is worth having.

Models worth comparing

From manufacturers' specifications and published UK reviews, read on 6 October 2026. Not tested by us. In no particular order: these are not ranked, and we do not say which is best until the customer ratings are in.

Budget

Vax Platinum Power Max

Households wanting an affordable full-size washer for deep cleaning whole rooms of carpet.

Large 3.5L clean water tank means fewer refills per room
Wide 35cm cleaning path and a 9m cord
Comes with upholstery and SpinScrub tools plus a pre-treatment wand

Watch out for: Heavy at 9.6kg empty, and Expert Reviews points out that solution and water share one tank, so you mix it by hand.

Clean water tank: 3.5L
Dirty water tank: 2.9L
Power: 1200W
Weight: 9.6kg
Guarantee: 6 years

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Sources: Vax product page · Expert Reviews best carpet cleaners

Mid-range

Vax MAXClean StainShot Pet-Design

Pet owners who want an upright washer that also handles stairs, sofas and car interiors.

StainShot mode for extra cleaning power on tough marks when used with Vax Oxy solution
Onboard hose and tools are ready for upholstery and car seats
Long 7.6m cord and 9.1m total cleaning reach

Watch out for: Its tanks are fairly small for a full-size machine, so expect more refills on large carpets.

Clean water tank: 1.9L
Dirty water tank: 1.35L
Power: 1000W
Weight: 8.2kg
Guarantee: 6 years

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Sources: Vax product page

Premium

Vax Platinum SmartWash

Anyone who cleans carpets regularly and wants the solution dosed automatically rather than mixed by hand.

Separate solution tank, so no manual mixing of cleaner and water
2.5m hose with a SpinScrub hand tool for stairs and upholstery
Lighter than the Platinum Power Max at 8.6kg

Watch out for: Expert Reviews found it very noisy, and its replacement Vax solution adds to running costs.

Weight: 8.6kg
Hose: 2.5m
Guarantee: 6 years

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Sources: Vax product page · Expert Reviews review

Pro

Rug Doctor Deep Carpet Cleaner

Large homes or heavily soiled carpets that call for a heavy-duty, high-capacity machine.

1300W vacuum motor built to pull out more moisture for faster drying
Big tanks: 3.8L clean and 4.2L dirty water
Upholstery tool kit included, with edge-to-edge cleaning

Watch out for: Very heavy at 14.25kg before filling, which makes stairs and storage hard work.

Clean water tank: 3.8L
Dirty water tank: 4.2L
Power: 1300W
Weight: 14.25kg
Guarantee: 2 years (new machines)

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Sources: Rug Doctor product page

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