Best Handheld Carpet Cleaners in the UK

The Rug Doctor company manufactures carpet cleaners that are as simple to use as it only can be. What distinguishes their cleaning vacuums is that they do not require complicated assembly, and the Rug Doctor Portable Spot Cleaner is not an exception: it comes ready to use out-of-the-box. All you need to do is set up the device and add a cleaning detergent (a 236-ml Rug Doctor Spot Cleaner is included in the box). After that, you will only need to enable it by pressing one button.

The Rug Doctor Portable Spot Cleaner comes fitted with a fairly powerful motor which ensures fast moisture removal. Due to this powerful suction technology, carpets dry much quicker, which is an obvious advantage over many similar models. Additionally, the set includes a special motorized brush which makes it easy to achieve a deeper cleaning effect, when it's required. The availability of this brush makes the kit quite a unique offer on the market since a majority of portable spot cleaners are devoid of it. With the help of this brush, the cleaner can tackle extremely stubborn carpet stains and do it much quicker than most other portable vacs. Though it might sound as if we exaggerate here but many users agree on this point: impossible is possible with this little cleaning machine. In spite of its small dimensions, the Rug Doctor Portable Spot Cleaner can handle even some extra-tough jobs.

If you’re looking for a compact carpet cleaner, capable of removing even the toughest of stains from your carpets and upholstery, but you can't afford to outstretch your budget, the Bissell 3698L Little Green cleaner is just what you need. Cheaper than most other vacuum cleaners out there, it doesn't lack in performance and can efficiently clean spills, muddy shoe prints, dried chocolate sauce, pets accidents, and much more. This makes it a fantastic and, more importantly, wise choice for any family with kids and/or pets.

This spot cleaner is a great alternative to bulky upright vacuums. It’s extremely portable and almost as efficient. It does a great job of cleaning small set-in stains on carpets, rugs, upholstery, mattresses, stairs, auto interiors, and more. The 3" Tough Stain tool is gentle enough to use on soft surfaces yet tough enough to remove embedded dirt.

The feature we especially like about this vacuum cleaner is that it's not necessary to empty its tank after each use, which makes it ready to use literally at a moment's notice. It uses the HeatWave Technology which keeps the water tank consistently warm during the cleaning process by redirecting the heat generated by the motor. Basically, the Bissell 3698L Little Green cleaner seems to be fit for most any job. Perhaps its only shortcoming (or rather inconvenience) is a small tank capacity. To clean larger areas you'll need to refill it several times during one session. That said, it's not a deal breaker. Besides let's not forget the model we have on hands is not a full-sized cleaner.

The Maxi Vac electric stain remover is a small and inexpensive cleaner that impresses with its performance despite its low price. So if you need a compact and easy-to-use model for tackling small cleaning tasks, this one is perhaps the best of all options. It costs less than £50 yet it doesn't lose points to its rival when it comes to efficiency and performance. Though so small and lightweight, the Maxi Vac electric stain remover easily removes even the most stubborn stains. That said, if you have large areas to clean, this cleaner won't the best option as it has a rather small shampoo container on it and it produces comparatively small amount of power, not enough to keep it running that long. For the rest tasks though the Maxi Vac electric stain remover is a perfect candidate. It works perfectly on short- or medium-pile small rugs, and it does a fantastic job of cleaning sofas, armchairs, cushioned chairs, mattresses, and stairs. It's 20-cm wide and this means you will need to make only a few passes to make everything clean, which is super convenient. What else is convenient about this handheld stain remover is that it's compatible with all types of carpet shampoos, although if you wish to achieve better results, the manufacturer recommends sticking with more expensive brands.

Though the Bissell 36981 Spotclean machine is a fraction of the size and weight of full-sized upright carpet cleaners, it has the kind of specs that allow it to compete with those big boys in performance. What makes it so efficient and allows it to cope with most kinds of stains is its powerful 750-Watt motor delivering amazing vacuuming suction strong enough to pick all kinds of debris and remove all kinds of stains. The Bissell 36981 Spotclean comes with two nozzles that have several rows of stiff bristles for more effective scrubbing. The bristles are perfectly-shaped to agitate the carpet fibres. The cleaner is claimed to be equally effective at cleaning both emergency spills and old stains. Besides, according to some users, it is able to remove even old wine stains, which is nothing short of impressive.

When activated, the vac cleverly keeps the cleaning solution at the right temperature, thanks to the HeatWave Technology. This allows you to always get consistent results when using the hoover. When it comes to the quality of build the Bissell 36981 Spotclean has a robust and smart design. It has a slim profile and is easy to stow away after use. Separate pegs on both sides of the vacuum allow you to wound a 1.3-meter hose and 6.6-meter cable up for storage.

The BISSELL company offers you a perfect grab-and-go option - Stain Eraser. With the help of this extra-portable carpet washer it's possible to effectively clean spots, spills, and stains that may appear inside and outside your house. It comes with a 7.2-volt lithium-ion battery and this means it can be used independently from the grid. The full charge of the battery takes around 4 hours from completely flat. The blue LED lights on the vac will indicate the charged capacity. After a full charge, the vac provides about 15-20 minutes of continuous suction. Not much of course, but usually more than enough for small cleanups. The BISSELL Cordless Spot & Stain Cleaner weighs 1.7 kg only and is very manoeuvrable due to its centrally-positioned handle. The handle has a rubberised surface and is easy to grip. Also, it makes it possible to place the cleaner upright or lay it flat for compact storage. This is a handy option making it a suitable choice for those who are limited in space.