While it’s possible to rent heavy-duty carpet cleaning machines from home improvement stores, in the long run it’s more convenient and economical to purchase your own and use it frequently. Most carpet cleaners are corded uprights (though there are a few canister-style models) and they typically include attachments for dealing with specific messes, like mud or pet stains. These are the best carpet cleaners we recommend, along with advice on how to pick the right model for your home and needs. The Best Carpet CleanersBest Overall:Best Value:Easiest to Use:Best Smart:Best Lightweight:How We SelectedThis list was compiled based on our extensive research and general familiarity with household cleaning gadgets. For our latest update, we replaced our previous Best Value selection with a newer model.