Bissell makes carpet and upholstery cleaners, and the five models here split into two jobs. Spot cleaners are portable machines for a stain on a sofa, a stair or a car seat. Upright washers are floor machines with a brush, made for washing a whole room of carpet. Every model below is a Bissell, so the choice is about the job, the tools in the box and how much machine you need.
Pick the Little Green 4098F if you want one portable machine for spills, the SpotClean 36984 if pets are the main reason, and an upright if you plan to wash rooms. If you are open to other makers, our carpet cleaner guide compares carpet cleaners across brands.
Best Bissell carpet cleaner overall: Bissell Little Green 4098F
Best Bissell carpet cleaner overall: the Bissell Little Green 4098F, because it is a portable cleaner with specialty tools for upholstery, rugs, carpet and car interiors.
The Little Green is the model to start with if you want a machine for spills and stains rather than a floor washer. The listing describes a Little Green Portable Carpet Spot Cleaner that erases spots, stains and spills from upholstery, area rugs, carpet and auto interiors, with powerful suction, a portable and versatile design and a 1.4L clean water tank. The listing says an included Spot and Stain formula tackles tough stains and odours, and the title adds a car and auto detailer with exclusive specialty tools. It holds 4.5 stars from 91,997 ratings. That is a family count, pooled across the Little Green versions on the listing, so read it as a very large following for the Little Green line, not a count for this exact 4098F.
It suits a household that wants one portable machine for sofa spills, car seats and the odd rug stain. The honest catch: it is a spot cleaner, so it is slow for cleaning a whole room of carpet, and its rating count is a family count rather than a count for this model alone.
Best for pet messes: Bissell SpotClean 36984
Best for pet messes: the Bissell SpotClean 36984, because its 330w motor, specialised formulas and tools and Pet Proven testing are aimed at tough stains, pet messes and odour removal.
The SpotClean is another portable machine here, and it leans harder on pet messes. The listing describes a 330w motor, powerful suction and handheld cleaning tools used with water and a Bissell formula. Heatwave Technology helps maintain constant water temperature throughout the cleaning process, and the slim design is easy to carry and fits conveniently on stairs. The Hydro Rinse Self Cleaning Hose Tool and removable water tanks are listed too, and the listing says Pet Proven products are rigorously tested to meet the unique cleaning needs of pet parents. It holds 4.5 stars from 747 ratings.
It suits homes with dogs or cats, and anyone cleaning stairs or sofas. The honest catch: like the Little Green, it treats spots rather than whole rooms, and the listing does not give a tank size.
Best for whole rooms of carpet: Bissell PowerForce 4056F
Best for whole rooms of carpet: the Bissell PowerForce 4056F, because it is an upright carpet washer with a four row DeepReach PowerBrush that is lightweight and compact.
The PowerForce is the compact floor machine in this lineup. The listing calls it the brand's most powerful compact carpet washer, and describes a 4 Row DeepReach PowerBrush that, combined with powerful suction, removes ground in dirt and stains in high traffic areas that vacuums leave behind. It has a two tank system so you always clean with fresh water and solution, large carry handles and a removable suction nozzle. The listing describes it as designed for simple storage and to manoeuvre within tight spaces. It holds 4.6 stars from 94 ratings.
It suits a hallway, lounge or bedroom with wall to wall carpet, where an upright washer suits the whole room. The honest catch: only 94 ratings so far, which is a thin count to judge it on, and the listing gives no tank sizes.
Best steam spot cleaner: Bissell SpotClean HydroSteam 3689F
Best steam spot cleaner: the Bissell SpotClean HydroSteam 3689F, because it adds a 1100w HydroSteam spot cleaner, three cleaning modes and a multi surface tool to the SpotClean idea.
This is the SpotClean with steam. The listing describes HydroSteam Technology that combines steam, powerful suction and a patented Bissell formula, with three modes: SteamWash Max Mode for tough, oily messes, Steam Mode for refreshing upholstery and cleaning grout and tile, and Wash Mode for enzyme based stains like pet accidents. It says Steam Mode dries upholstery in about 20 minutes. Included Tough Stain Tools handle carpets, upholstery, stairs and auto interiors, and a Multi Surface Tool is listed for tile, grout and even sneakers. Sample sizes of Pet Stain and Odour and Oxy Boost formula are included, with a 1.9L clean tank and a 1.5L dirt tank. It holds 4.4 stars from 38 ratings.
It suits someone who wants one portable machine for upholstery, grout and tile as well as carpet. The honest catch: it costs about twice the SpotClean 36984 and has only 38 ratings.
Best premium steam carpet cleaner: Bissell Revolution HydroSteam 3670F
Best premium steam carpet cleaner: the Bissell Revolution HydroSteam 3670F, because it combines HydroSteam Technology, Quick Dry Mode, an LED display and upholstery tools in an upright.
The Revolution is the top of the Bissell range on this page. The listing describes HydroSteam Technology, SteamWash Max Clean Mode and a Steam Pretreat Mode for stuck on and sticky messes. Two DirtLifter PowerBrushes carry 12 rows of bristles, and a one piece EZ Clean brush roll cover is listed. Upholstery tools included are a 2 in 1 Pet Upholstery Tool, an 8cm Tough Stain Tool and a 3 in 1 Tool. A rinsing and storage tray supports a self rinse cycle, and the listing says Quick Dry Mode dries carpets in about 30 minutes. It holds 4.3 stars from 43 ratings.
It suits a larger home with a lot of carpet, where one machine should wash floors and clean the sofa too. The honest catch: it is the dearest model on the page and has only 43 ratings.
How to choose a Bissell carpet cleaner
Bissell spot cleaner or upright washer
This is the first decision. The Little Green 4098F, SpotClean 36984 and SpotClean HydroSteam 3689F are portable spot cleaners for stains on sofas, stairs and car seats. The PowerForce 4056F and Revolution HydroSteam 3670F are uprights with brushes that wash a wide strip of carpet at once. If your carpet problem is a few stains, buy a spot cleaner. If it is a whole room, buy an upright. If the carpet is worn rather than stained, a new rug may be the better fix.
How to read Bissell model names
The names tell you the type. Little Green and SpotClean are the portable spot cleaners, PowerForce is the compact upright washer, and HydroSteam marks the models with steam. Match the complete model code exactly when you buy: the Little Green listing pools several versions together, which is why its rating count is a family count.
Steam or no steam
Steam is the main step up in price. The SpotClean HydroSteam 3689F and Revolution HydroSteam 3670F list steam modes for tough, sticky or oily messes, and the 3689F adds a Multi Surface Tool for tile and grout. The Little Green, SpotClean 36984 and PowerForce list no steam mode, which is plenty for everyday spills. If you want steam for hard floors rather than carpet, our steam cleaner guide covers that.
Tank size decides how much you clean between refills. The listing gives 1.4L for the Little Green, and 1.9L clean and 1.5L dirt for the SpotClean HydroSteam 3689F. Tools matter on sofas and cars: the Revolution lists a 2 in 1 Pet Upholstery Tool, an 8cm Tough Stain Tool and a 3 in 1 Tool, and the 3689F lists Tough Stain Tools.
Pets and formulas
The SpotClean 36984 and Revolution 3670F listings both carry the Pet Proven line, and the SpotClean HydroSteam 3689F lists a Wash Mode for enzyme based stains like pet accidents. Formulas matter as much as the machine: the SpotClean listings name Pet Stain and Odour 2x Concentrate 74R7E and Natural Pet Spot and Stain 3370 as compatible choices. Check the formula before you buy refills.
Drying time
Two listings give a drying time: about 20 minutes for upholstery in Steam Mode on the 3689F, and about 30 minutes for carpet in Quick Dry Mode on the 3670F. For the others, treat the time as unknown until you read the manual.
Read the rating counts honestly
Only the Little Green and SpotClean 36984 have large counts, and the Little Green figure is a family count. The PowerForce, SpotClean HydroSteam and Revolution each have under 100 ratings, so judge them on the listing facts.
Frequently asked questions
Which Bissell carpet cleaner is best?
For most households it is the Bissell Little Green 4098F, a portable spot cleaner with specialty tools for upholstery, rugs, carpet and car interiors. If you want to wash whole rooms rather than spots, the Bissell PowerForce 4056F is the compact upright washer here, and the Revolution HydroSteam 3670F is the dearest upright with steam.
What is the best Bissell carpet cleaner for pets?
The Bissell SpotClean 36984 is our pick for pet messes. Its listing describes a 330w motor, specialised formulas and tools for pet messes and odour removal, and Pet Proven testing. The SpotClean HydroSteam 3689F adds a Wash Mode for enzyme based stains like pet accidents, and costs about twice as much.
Should I use hot or cold water in my Bissell carpet cleaner?
The listings here do not set a water temperature rule, so follow the instructions that come with your machine. The SpotClean 36984 listing says its Heatwave Technology helps maintain constant water temperature during cleaning, and the HydroSteam models list steam modes instead, so check the manual for your model.
How do you use a Bissell carpet cleaner?
Spot cleaners like the SpotClean 36984 use water, a Bissell formula and handheld tools with suction, while the Little Green 4098F lists powerful suction and specialty tools. Upright washers like the PowerForce 4056F use a two tank system, so you clean with fresh water and solution while the dirty water is collected separately. Check the manual for steps.
How long does carpet take to dry after cleaning with a Bissell?
It depends on the machine and the room. The Revolution HydroSteam 3670F listing says Quick Dry Mode dries carpets in about 30 minutes, and the SpotClean HydroSteam 3689F listing says it dries upholstery in about 20 minutes in Steam Mode. The listings give no drying times for the other models.
How do you clean out a Bissell carpet cleaner?
The listings point to built in help. The SpotClean 36984 has a Hydro Rinse Self Cleaning Hose Tool and removable water tanks, the Revolution HydroSteam 3670F has a self rinse cycle with a rinsing and storage tray, and the PowerForce 4056F has a removable suction nozzle. Follow your manual for the steps.
What Bissell carpet cleaner solution or formula do I need?
Use the formula your model lists. The SpotClean 36984 and SpotClean HydroSteam 3689F listings name compatible formulas: Spot and Stain 2x Concentrate 79B9E, Pet Stain and Odour 2x Concentrate 74R7E, Natural Pet Spot and Stain 3370 and Oxy Boost 14051. The Little Green 4098F listing includes a Spot and Stain formula.
Is the Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution on this page?
No. This page compares the five Bissell models we could check against a current listing, and the ProHeat 2X Revolution is not among them. The closest upright washers here are the Bissell PowerForce 4056F and the Revolution HydroSteam 3670F, so compare those two if you want a floor machine.
How much does a Bissell carpet cleaner cost, and is there a sale?
Prices change, so check the current listing. The SpotClean 36984 is the least expensive here, then the Little Green 4098F. The PowerForce 4056F costs more, the SpotClean HydroSteam 3689F costs about twice the SpotClean 36984, and the Revolution HydroSteam 3670F is the dearest of the five models.
