Best carpet cleaners for home use

Top pick: Shark CarpetXpert with StainStriker. It's the one I'd buy for pet messes — StainStriker mixes a second solution at the brush to break down stains and odors, and it scrubs and extracts in one pass. It's also the best-reviewed of the bunch, so it's a safe bet if you only buy one.

Who the others suit:

• Shark CarpetXpert HairPro — same deep-clean idea with extra hair pickup; best if a shedding dog or cat is the main problem.
• Tineco Carpet One Cruiser — smart sensors and heated wash; for someone who wants the most automated, premium clean.
• Hoover SmartWash+ / SmartWash PET Complete — automatic cleaning that dries faster; good if you clean often and want less guesswork.
• Hoover PowerScrub Deluxe — simple, sturdy, hose-and-tools for stairs and upholstery.
• Bissell PowerClean Pet / PowerForce PowerBrush — budget-friendly entry points for spot work and small homes.

Whatever you pick, use a pet enzyme pre-treatment on old stains and do a second dry pass to pull more water out.