How We Research
Every guide on GladSwap starts with one question: will this product work for the person who is shopping for it? For our carpet cleaner guides, that means your stains, your floors and the spaces you need to clean.
Here is how we answer it.
1. We start with the stain and the space
A small portable cleaner suits spots, stairs and upholstery, while a full-size machine suits whole rooms. Pet accidents, tracked-in dirt and old stains can each point to a different machine.
We check the tank sizes the maker lists, the hose and tools in the box, and whether the machine is made for carpet, upholstery or both. When your home limits the choice, like steep stairs or a small car, we say what to measure or check.
2. We compare specs and features
We look at tank size, cord and hose length, weight, brush type and the tools that come with each machine. Some makers also say which cleaning solutions to use, so we note what the maker allows in the tank.
We also note the warranty terms the maker lists. When a detail comes from the maker, we say so.
3. We look at buyer feedback
We read through what buyers report after using a machine. We look for patterns, like leaks, weak suction, clogged nozzles, long dry times or tanks that are hard to fill.
One angry review doesn't sink a product. A pattern does.
4. We score each product
Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for. A product that's great for one buyer may score lower in a guide written for another.
Scores spread out on purpose. A 10 is rare.
5. We keep pages up to date
Products change, and some disappear from stores. Bissell, Hoover and Shark each sell several machines with similar names, so we check each model name and code before we write about it.
When we update a guide, the "Updated on" date at the top changes with it.
What our picks are not
Our picks are research, not lab tests. We don't claim to have cleaned with every machine we cover.
Our guides don't replace the maker's manual. For solutions, power and wet-cleaning steps, follow the maker's directions.
We don't promise that any machine will lift every stain or remove all odor. We make no safety promises about any cleaning solution, and when a maker makes one, we label it as the maker's claim.