ConsFirst / Carpet cleaners / Compare
Bissell Little Green Pet Pro Portable Carpet Cleaner vs Shark StainStriker Portable Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
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The short answer
Bissell Little Green Pet Pro Portable Carpet Cleaner ranks higher (#1 vs #3 of 8) and scores better on ease of use.
The biggest complaint about the Bissell Little Green Pet Pro Portable Carpet Cleaner is cleans a bit worse than the cheaper model; for the Shark StainStriker Portable Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner it's hose breaks or splits. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| Bissell Little Green Pet Pro Portable Carpet Cleaner | Shark StainStriker Portable Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in carpet cleaners | #1 | #3 |
| Price tier | $$ | $$ |
| Type | Portable spot cleaner | Portable spot cleaner |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 6% | 8% |
| Overall score | 3.7 | 3.6 |
| Cleaning power | 3.5 | 3.5 |
| Suction & dry time | 3.5 | 3.5 |
| Ease of use | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| Cleanup & upkeep | 3.5 | 3.5 |
| Durability | 3.5 | 3.5 |
Price tiers: $ under $120 · $$ $120–300 · $$$ over $300. Highlighted = clearly better (a score gap of 0.3 or more, or a 1–2★ share at least 3 points lower). Scores are explained, with sources, on each product's page.
Top complaints
Bissell Little Green Pet Pro Portable Carpet Cleaner
- Cleans a bit worse than the cheaper model
Wirecutter says it lagged slightly behind the basic Little Green on Fanta, red wine and peanut butter on carpet.
Source: Wirecutter - Handle snaps
Amazon's summary says durability opinions are mixed, with several owners reporting the handle snapped in half.
- Heavier, no hose-rinse tool
At 11 lb empty it was one of the heavier spot cleaners Wirecutter tested, and unlike the basic model it lacks a hose-cleaning tool.
Source: Wirecutter
Shark StainStriker Portable Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner
- Hose breaks or splits
Amazon's summary says durability feedback is mixed, with owners reporting the hose breaking and splitting from frequent bending.
- Short reach, noisy, weak on set-in stains
Vacuum Wars lists a 4.3-ft hose and 12-ft cord, below average. Family Handyman found it noisy, unable to remove a heavily set-in wine stain, and left faint upholstery stains after drying.
Source: Vacuum Wars, Family Handyman - Two formulas, wasted solution
Wirecutter says it uses both a concentrated and a dilutable formula, so refills may cost more than Bissell's single solution. Family Handyman says the solution tanks need a full fill each use and solution can be wasted, and the dirty tank is awkward to clean.
Source: Wirecutter, Family Handyman
Who should pick which
Pick the Bissell Little Green Pet Pro Portable Carpet Cleaner if
Frequent pet or kid accidents
Cars and tight corners (crevice spray tool)
A longer warranty (3 years)
Skip it if: You only clean a stain now and then; You want the strongest stain removal per dollar; You'll carry it around often (11 lb empty)
Pick the Shark StainStriker Portable Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner if
Gross pet messes (tool with its own debris bin)
Light, compact storage (about 8.5 lb)
Easy rinse-out after cleaning
Skip it if: You want the cheapest refills (two formulas); You need a long reach (about 4-ft hose, 12-ft cord); Your stains are old and set-in
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