Consumer Reports' 6 favorite carpet cleaners under $500

A fast-drying carpet cleaner keeps a room from smelling musty. Consumer Reports tested dozens of machines on stain removal to find the six best picks

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Carpet cleaners promise to lift stains that vacuums and spot treatments leave behind. The wrong model can leave a carpet soaked for days, inviting mold and odors.

Consumer Reports tested dozens of carpet cleaners for cleaning power, drying speed, and convenience so shoppers can find one worth the investment.

Bissell ProHeat 2x Revolution Pet Pro Plus 3588F

The Bissell ProHeat 2x Revolution Pet Pro Plus 3588F, priced at $240, edged out every other model Consumer Reports tested in this category. CR rated its drying performance excellent and both its cleaning and convenience very good, scoring well across every category it measured. A separate tank keeps clean water away from dirty water, and a nearly 7-foot hose reaches stairs and furniture without dragging the whole machine along. It ships with a stain tool, a 2-in-1 attachment for pet messes on upholstery, and an odor-fighting........

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