As a Shopping Editor for home-related content, a large portion of my 9-5 is dedicated to testing new cleaning products, but, to be completely frank, I really dislike cleaning.
While I can appreciate a good vacuum or mop, it takes a life-changing cleaning device to get me excited about chores, and when planning this review, I wasn’t expecting Bissell’s viral Little Green or Shark’s new StainForce Spot Cleaner to fall into this category. But, boy oh boy, was I wrong.
Meet the reviewer
Paris Blanchfield is Better Homes and Gardens’ shopping editor. She is currently stuck in a somewhat toxic cycle of cleaning her lounge and rugs, only to have her dachshund track muddy footprints all over them mere hours later.
What is a spot cleaner?
Spot cleaners are, essentially, an on-demand rescue team for spills, stains, and situations when you find yourself wondering, “How did that even get there?”
Unlike a full-sized carpet cleaner, these compact machines are designed to target small, high-traffic messes on carpets, rugs, upholstery and even car interiors. They work by spraying a mix of water and cleaning solution deep into fibres, gently agitating the area with a brush, then extracting the dirty liquid into a separate tank so the grime lifts out rather than spreading around.
Models like the viral Bissell Little Green Portable Carpet Cleaner and Shark StainForce Portable Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner have become especially popular for pet owners and busy households, largely because of their portability, quick setup and ability to tackle everything from fresh spills to set-in stains without dragging out a full carpet cleaning machine.
What’s so special about the Bissell Little Green and Shark StainForce?
The viral Bissell Little Green Portable Carpet Cleaner has earned a reputation as the overachiever of the spot-cleaning world. In fact, you’ve probably already seen it on your social media feed.
It’s a powerful cleaning tool with great suction, an in-built spray system, and a generous dual-tank system, so you can clean longer without constant refills. Add in targeted tools like the Tough Stain brush and crevice attachment (plus a long hose for awkward corners), and it becomes the perfect tool for tackling pet messes and everyday spills.
On the other hand, the new Shark StainForce Spot Cleaner leans into a more modern, chemistry-meets-convenience approach. Its standout feature is its dual-solution system, which mixes cleaning agents on contact to boost stain-lifting power without requiring pre-treatment, making it particularly effective on set-in or odour-heavy messes.
It also focuses on ease of use, with a sleek, cordless design that feels geared toward quick-response cleanups rather than deep, methodical sessions. Where the Bissell feels like a dependable scrubber, the Shark positions itself as the fast-acting stain assassin, ideal for tackling fresh spills before they settle in for good.
At a glance: Bissell Little Green review
- Rating: 9 out of 10
Pros
- Powerful suction
- In-built spray feature
- Effective on set-in stains
- Affordable cleaning solution refills
- Attachment heads come apart for easy cleaning
Cons
- Bulky design; requires a considerable amount of storage space
- Needs to be plugged in
- Would likely require an extension cord for car cleaning
- Dirty water chamber is slightly more difficult to clean
In a nutshell: Shark StainForce review
- Rating: 8 out of 10
Pros
- Cordless, highly portable design
- Easy to clean
- Handy carry case
- Requires minimal storage space
- Effective on set-in stains
- Affordable cleaning solution refills
- Attachment heads come apart for easy cleaning
Cons
- While the suction power is good, it isn’t as powerful as the Bissell
- Feels slightly less robust
Bissell Little Green Spot Cleaner test
I’m, admittedly, a little embarrassed to admit this, but I don’t think I’ve ever deep-cleaned my rug or carpeted stairs. While they do get a regular vacuum (thanks to my Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller), I simply cannot be bothered to take them in to be professionally cleaned. In fact, up until now, I didn’t even know you could deep clean your carpets without hiring a Rug Doctor. Safe to say, having not one, but two, excellent spot cleaners in the house has been a complete game-changer.
For the highly anticipated carpet test, I started with my living room rug, which had a few set-in stains from old spills. I went in with the Bissell Little Green first, and let me tell you, I was shocked by the amount of dirt I saw being sucked through the head attachment. Despite finding it incredibly satisfying, I really didn’t want to include any images (I keep a tidy house, I swear!), but we’re all friends here, right?
My dog’s hair, dirt, dust, and every other insidious bit of filth hiding within my rug didn’t stand a chance; the Bissell Little Green sucked it all up with just one or two passes. And, because the suction and scrubbing attachment is see-through, I knew when each spot was done. All I had to do was wait for the filthy water to run clear.
The suction was powerful, the scrubbing head was sturdy and effective, and the water tank was large enough to get a large area done without needing to be refilled. And while the set-in stains weren’t completely lifted, they were considerably lightened, which is more than I expected.
Once half of the rug was clean, I moved on to our stairs, which, comparatively, made the pre-cleaned rug seem pristine. However, after a quick session with the Little Green, my stairs genuinely looked like they had been recarpeted. However, it was at this point that I did pick up on a few, albeit minor, faults; its size and the fact that it’s corded. These factors didn’t affect my cleaning efforts when I was tackling the rug, but lugging it upstairs did prove a little cumbersome, as was trying to balance the machine on thin steps so the nozzle could reach my next cleaning location.
Shark Stainforce Spot Cleaner test
After the success of the Bissell Little Green Spot Cleaner, the Shark Stainforce Spot Cleaner had big shoes to fill. However, having put it through the same trials laid out for the former model, I can confidently say it rose to the occasion.
When getting to work on the remaining dirty side of my rug with the Shark spot cleaner, I couldn’t help but notice how lightweight it was; in fact, cleaning up the rug with the Shark felt like using a super-powerful handheld vacuum (that can also suction up spills). Given that this model is so small, and thus, so easy to store, it comes as no surprise that it did feel a touch weaker than Bissell’s Little Green, but that isn’t to say it didn’t do a great job. I could see from the head attachment, which, like the Little Green, is clear for visibility, that it was still picking up plenty of dirt and grime.
I probably wouldn’t have noticed a difference in clean quality between the two models had my rug not been so stained. It was on the set-in stains that I noticed the Bissell performed ever so slightly better, though the Shark did lighten them a little. I also preferred the Bissell’s built-in spray function to the separate spray bottle that had to be used with the Shark Stainforce. But, with that being said, I recognise that solving these problems would mean making the Stainforce larger, which, in my opinion, wouldn’t be worth it.
A large factor of what draws me towards the Shark is that it’s much lighter, less bulky, cordless, and easier to maneuver (and it came with a handy carry case). This means that tackling tricky spots, like my precarious staircase, isn’t a balancing act. In fact, it’s ridiculously easy.
Overall, is a spot cleaner worth it?
If you’re wondering whether a spot cleaner like the Bissell Little Green or Shark StainForce is worth it, the short answer is yes, especially if you want a fast, effective way to tackle everyday messes. From pet accidents to coffee mishaps, the best spot cleaners can remove stubborn marks in minutes, helping extend the life of your soft furnishings and keep your home looking fresh.
Compared to hiring a professional cleaner or replacing stained items, owning a spot cleaner is a cost-effective solution that pays for itself over time, particularly for families, pet owners or anyone prone to the occasional spill.
Which spot cleaner should you buy?
From testing the Bissell Little Green and the Shark StainForce spot cleaners, it’s clear that each model is suited to a completely different kind of home. To figure out which one is right for you, consider how you plan to use it (and how much space you have to store it in).
Buy the Bissell Little Green if:
- You want a thorough, deep clean
- You’d like to tackle old, set-in stains
- You want to lift pet hair from sofas and rugs
Buy the Shark StainForce if:
- You want a light, portable, and cordless spot cleaner
- You don’t have much storage space
- You want to use it to clean your car (without using an extension cord)
Where to buy these top-rated spot cleaners
Looking for the best deal on a new spot cleaner? Here’s where to find my favourite models:
Bissell Little Green Spot Cleaner
$259 at Amazon
Shark StainForce Spot Cleaner
$249.99 at Shark
