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? Let's get to it!
6 Best Carpet Cleaners in Australia
In a hurry? Here are the best carpet cleaners available in Australia after reviewing numerous models and types. We categorised them by their use case and price.
- Hoover Smartwash Automatic Carpet Cleaner - Best for most Australians
- Vax VX97 Compact Carpet Washer - Best Value Carpet Cleaner
- Hoover PowerDash Pet Compact Carpet Cleaner - Best for Pet Stains
- Vax SpotWash Spot Cleaner - Best for Tough Stains
- Rug Doctor Deep Carpet Cleaner - Best for Heavy Duty
- Sauber Pro SG-100 Carpet Shampooer - Best Carpet Shampooer
If you're not certain, read the detailed review and comparison below to better understand which option best suits your needs and the tradeoffs with each device.
1. Hoover Smartwash Automatic Carpet Cleaner
Best Overall Carpet Cleaner in Australia
The Hoover Smartwash Automatic Carpet Cleaner is the best overall carpet cleaner for several reasons. First, it is very easy to use. It features automatic cleaning technology that allows you to push a button to start the cleaning cycle. The cleaner does an excellent job of cleaning carpets, leaving them looking new and smelling fresh.
Hoover's carpet cleaner has a powerful motor that provides strong suction, making removing dirt and stains from carpets easy. It includes an auto-clean motion-sensing functionality that helps minimize the guesswork, leaving your carpets well-cleaned. Apart from being a 2-in-1 pet tool, it has a stair tool, a 2.4-meter hose, and an accessory storage bag.
Hoover Smartwash comes with some accessories, including an upholstery tool that helps to easily clean various surfaces. The carpet cleaner is also very affordable and of good value for your money. Backed by a 5-year warranty, you can be confident of its durability. For anyone looking for a high-quality, low-cost machine in Australia, the Hoover Smartwash Automatic Carpet Cleaner fits the bill.
Specifications:
- Dirty Water Capacity: 2.1 L
- Clean Water Capacity: 3.8 L
- Power: 1,200 W
- Cord Length: 6.7 m
- Hose Length: 2.4 m
- Product weight: 9.3 kg
Pros
- Affordable
- Lightweight and easy to use
- Includes several helpful accessories
Cons
- Can be difficult to first set up and operate
- Suction power could be better
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2. Vax VX97 Compact Carpet Washer
Best Value Carpet Cleaner
The Vax VX97 Compact Carpet Washer is an upright carpet cleaner specifically designed for carpets, upholstery, and stairs. The carpet washer is a great choice for anyone who wants an easy-to-use, lightweight, and affordable powerful carpet cleaner that is perfect for cleaning small to medium-sized carpeted flooring areas.
Vax features a powerful suction that can remove deep-seated dirt and stains and a rotating brush system that cleans carpets thoroughly and quickly. It also comes with a detachable hose and nozzle for easy spot cleaning. The carpet cleaner has an impressive 20-minute run time, making it one of the most efficient carpet cleaners on the market.
The carpet cleaner is also affordable and an excellent choice for anyone on a budget who wants to keep their carpets clean and fresh. It is one of the lightest and easiest-to-use carpet cleaners on the market. And just like the Hoover carpet cleaner, it comes with a 2-year warranty.
Specifications
- Dirty Water Capacity: 1.5 L
- Clean Water Capacity: 1.8 L
- Power: 840 W
- Cord Length: N/A
- Hose Length: N/A
- Product weight: 5.7 kg
Pros
- Lightweight and easy to maneuver
- Powerful suction to remove stubborn dirt and stains
- Detachable hose and nozzle to reach tight spaces and corners
- Built-in heater to dry carpets quickly
- Has an antimicrobial treatment
Cons
- Loud when in use
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3. Hoover PowerDash Pet Compact Carpet Cleaner
Best Carpet Cleaner for People With Pets
Looking for a carpet cleaner that can handle all the hair and messes your pets leave behind? Hoover PowerDash Pet Compact Carpet Cleaner is the perfect solution for you! This powerful little machine packs a punch and cleans carpets quickly and thoroughly. It is specially designed to deal with pet hair and other tough stains left behind on your carpet by your pets.
The Hoover PowerDash Pet Cleaner features two modes, one for cleaning up after your pet and one for cleaning your carpets. The pet mode uses a special brush to remove pet hair and dirt from your carpets, while the carpet mode uses powerful suction to remove dirt and stains. It also comes with a detachable hose and crevice tool, so you can easily reach tight spaces and corners.
On purchase, you get, included as an accessory, a trial-size bottle of paws & claws solution and a 3-year warranty.
Specifications
- Dirty Water Capacity: 1.51 L
- Clean Water Capacity: 2.36 L
- Motor Volts: 120 Volts
- Cord Length: 6 m
- Hose Length: N/A
- Product Weight: 5.6 kg
Pros
- Dual tank system
- Lightweight and easy to maneuver
- Powerful suction to remove pet hair and dirt
- Brushes are designed to loosen and lift pet hair from carpets
- Has a pet stain tool to help remove stains from pets
- Compact and easy to store
Cons
- Not ideal for people with pet allergies
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4. Vax SpotWash Spot Cleaner
Best Carpet Cleaner for Removing Tough Stains
VAX SpotWash spot cleaner effectively removes spills and stains by combining powerful suction and deep hygienic cleaning tools with a specially formulated cleaning solution designed to target everyday stains. It has multi-surface cleaning capabilities and can be used on various surfaces around the home, including carpet, upholstery, stairs, car interiors, and sealed hard floors.
The carpet cleaner includes versatile cleaning features that spray, scrub, and remove everyday marks and messes from your home. It's also easy to empty and clean. The dirty water tank on the Vax SpotWash cleaner has a large opening that allows you to easily empty and rinses away remaining dirt or debris. SpotWash's slim design also comfortably fits on your staircase, and the 1.5m long hose allows you to clean and maneuver easily.
Specifications
- Dirty Water Capacity: 1 L
- Clean Water Capacity: 1.5 L
- Power: 400 W
- Cord Length: 4.5 m
- Hose Length: 1.5 m
- Product weight: 3.9 kg
Pros
- Cleans multiple surfaces
- Lightweight and compact
- Effective and versatile
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Doesn’t completely remove deep stains on the first wash
- Not designed for large areas
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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 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. You get a 2-year warranty on purchase.
Specifications
- Dirty Water Capacity: 3.8 L
- Clean Water Capacity: 4.2 L
- Power: 1300 W
- Cord Length: 6.7 m
- Hose Length: 2.3 m
- Product weight: 17 kg
Pros
- Upholstery tool for stains, stairs, and autos
- Easy to open tank cap
- Removable tool caddy
- Carpet-friendly wheels to easily maneuver
- Collapsible handle for compact storage
Cons
- Product handbook can be made more detailed
- More expensive
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6. Sauber Pro SG-100 Carpet Shampooer
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.
Specifications
- Dirty Water Capacity: 1 L
- Clean Water Capacity: 1.5 L
- Power: 830 W
- Cord Length: 7 m
- Hose Length: N/A
- Product weight: 8 kg
Pros
- Long power cord to clean without unplugging
- Brushes with edges to sweep against walls and corners
- Easy removal of stains with a vibrating power brush
Cons
- Expensive
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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 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 maneuver. Heavier machines are difficult to manoeuver 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.
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 cleaning of 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, albeit 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 hand. 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 maneuver, 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.
Ultimately, deciding whether to use a carpet cleaner or a vacuum depends on your individual needs and preferences. Consider all these before making your decision.
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.
