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Carpet shampooer reviews

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Last updated: 19 January 2023
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Checked for accuracy by our qualified fact-checkers and verifiers. Find out more about fact-checking at CHOICE.

Our expert testers give every carpet shampooer a thorough workout (using manufacturers' preferred cleaning solutions) to help find the models that:

  • are best at removing ground-in dirt
  • are easy to manoeuvre and control
  • have minimal residual wetness.
 

We've also partnered with Shop Ethical on this update to show the ratings that the Ethical Consumer Group gives to each company.

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A good carpet shampooer will refresh tired carpets and lift ground-in dirt. Our test covers models sold in retail stores from Vax, Bissell, Sauber, Tineco and Hoover, as well as hire models found in Woolworths or Bunnings from Britex and Rug Doctor.

Our interactive comparison tool helps you find out which brands are heaviest, or have useful features like upholstery tools. Our Recommended list will quickly show you which models come out on top.

Note: Our gallery photos are of the models we test and may show mild use.

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Brand

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List of brands we tested in this review.

    Price

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    We test carpet shampooers you can hire or buy outright. For hire models, we list the typical hire cost for 48 hours (though 24-hour hires are available). The cost listed does not include cleaning solutions or additional upholstery tools that may not be supplied with the unit.

    enter value/s in increments of 1 between 0 and 1599

    Recommended products

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    Member only

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    Hire model or buy model

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    Whether the carpet shampooer is a retail model you buy outright or a hire model.

      Upholstery tool

        Performance score

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        Performance consists of carpet cleaning (80%), stain cleaning (10%) and residual wetness (10%).

        enter value/s in increments of i between 27 and 84

        Weight (kg)

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        Weight does not include the weight of the tank when it's full.

        enter value/s in increments of i between 5.5 and 19.4

        Included in this review

        Members-only access
        • Year tested
        • Recommended
        • CHOICE Expert Rating
        • Performance score
        • Ease of use score
        • Noise (db)
        • Carpet cleaning score
        • Stain cleaning score
        • Residual wetness score
        • Good points
        • Bad points
        • Shop Ethical Rating
        • Price
        • Suitable to clean upholstery
        • Cleaning solution supplied
        • Warranty
        • Cord retraction
        • On-board storage
        • Crevice tool
        • Upholstery tool
        • Brush tool
        • Can be used as a dry vacuum cleaner
        • Cleaning solution used
        • Reach from power point (m)
        • Weight (kg)
        • Power measured (W)
        • Power stated (W)
        • Country of origin
        • Hire model or buy model

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