Bissell Little Green Vs. Shark Stainstriker: A Real-User Showdown Of Portable Carpet Cleaners

I’m no stranger to spills, pet accidents, and the occasional red wine mishap on my light-colored couch. As a pet owner with a rambunctious puppy and a husband who tracks in more dirt than I’d like to admit, I needed a portable carpet cleaner that could keep up.

Enter the Bissell Little Green and the Shark StainStriker—two compact machines promising to tackle stains on carpets, upholstery, and car interiors. In this article, I’ll compare their features, performance, and quirks, sharing my hands-on experience to help you decide which cleaner is your home’s new best friend.

Comparison Table: Bissell Little Green Vs. Shark Stainstriker

My Journey With Carpet Cleaners

Living with a puppy named Max and a husband who seems to attract dirt like a magnet, my home is a testing ground for messes. From muddy paw prints on the carpet to coffee spills on the couch, I’ve battled it all.

I’d heard the buzz about portable carpet cleaners, especially the Bissell Little Green and Shark StainStriker, both hailed as game-changers for spot cleaning. So, I decided to put them to the test, cleaning everything from my living room rug to my car’s upholstery. Here’s what I discovered about their performance, usability, and quirks.

Bissell Little Green: Features And Performance

The Bissell Little Green is a household name, and for good reason. Its compact, lightweight design (9.6 pounds) makes it easy to carry around, whether I’m tackling stairs or the back seat of my car. The 48-ounce clean water tank is generous, meaning fewer trips to the sink during a cleaning session.

The dirty water tank matches this capacity, keeping things balanced and reducing the need to empty it mid-task.

The machine comes with a 3-inch Tough Stain Tool, which has soft but sturdy bristles that gently scrub without damaging fabrics. The HydroRinse self-cleaning tool is a standout feature, flushing out residue from the hose to keep the machine fresh between uses.

Bissell also includes an 8-ounce bottle of Spot & Stain cleaner with OXY, which tackles pet stains and odors effectively. I tested it on a fresh coffee spill on my couch, and with a few passes, the stain was gone, leaving a faint lemony scent.

Suction power is where the Little Green shines. Bissell claims it has 30% more suction than the Shark StainStriker, and I could feel the difference when cleaning low-pile carpets. The machine pulled up dirt and moisture efficiently, though thicker shag rugs took longer to dry—about four hours in my basement. For upholstery, like my polyester couch, drying took around an hour when I was careful not to overspray.

However, the Bissell isn’t perfect. The 4-foot hose feels a bit short when reaching high or awkward spots, like the top of my stairs. It’s also louder than I expected—think vacuum cleaner on high. And while the tank design is user-friendly, it’s prone to tipping over if not handled carefully, which happened to me once, spilling a bit of dirty water.

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Shark Stainstriker: Features And Performance

The Shark StainStriker, weighing in at 8.5 pounds, is slightly lighter than the Bissell, making it a breeze to carry to different rooms. What sets it apart is its dual-tank system: a 17-ounce CarpetXpert tank for water and cleaning solution, and a 12-ounce OXY tank for a concentrated stain-fighting formula. These combine in the handle for what Shark calls “20x more stain-striking power.” I was skeptical, but when I used it on a two-year-old red wine stain on my rug, it lifted most of it after two passes—impressive for a portable cleaner.

The StainStriker comes with a robust set of attachments: a 3.5-inch and 7-inch hand tool, a crevice tool, a Pet Mess Tool, and a hose-cleaning tool. The Pet Mess Tool is a game-changer for pet owners, catching solids like vomit or fur in a separate container to avoid clogging the machine. I tested this on a muddy paw print Max left on my car’s back seat, and it handled the mess without spreading it around.

The 5-foot hose gives a bit more reach than the Bissell, which I appreciated when cleaning under furniture. However, the smaller tank sizes mean more frequent refills—annoying for larger jobs. The suction power is solid but noticeably weaker than the Bissell’s, especially on thicker carpets. Drying times were comparable, with my couch drying in about an hour and my rug in two.

One downside? The StainStriker’s cord length matches the Bissell’s at 15 feet, but I often needed an extension cord for larger rooms. Also, the machine requires two cleaning solutions, which can feel like overkill for small spills and adds to the cost over time.

Pros: Bissell Little Green

• Generous tank capacity: The 48-ounce clean and dirty water tanks allow for longer cleaning sessions without constant refilling or emptying.
• Powerful suction: Bissell’s claim of 30% more suction than the Shark holds up, making it excellent for deep-cleaning low-pile carpets and upholstery.
• Self-cleaning hose tool: The HydroRinse tool simplifies maintenance, flushing out residue to keep the machine fresh.
• Pet Proven certification: Rigorous testing for pet stains and odors gives peace of mind for pet owners like me.
• Beginner-friendly: Clear instructions and a simple setup make it easy for anyone to use, even first-timers.

Cons: Bissell Little Green

• Short hose: The 4-foot hose limits reach, making it tricky to clean high or awkward spots.
• Loud operation: The noise level is higher than expected, comparable to a standard vacuum cleaner.
• Tipping risk: The compact design can tip over if not handled carefully, potentially causing spills.
• Smaller brush size: The 3-inch tool requires more passes for larger stains, which can be tiring.
• Drying time varies: Thick carpets can take up to eight hours to dry, especially if oversprayed.

Pros: Shark StainStriker

• Lightweight design: At 8.5 pounds, it’s easy to carry and maneuver, ideal for quick cleanups.
• Versatile attachments: Multiple tools, including the Pet Mess Tool, handle a variety of messes, from pet hair to solid debris.
• Dual-activated solution: The combination of CarpetXpert and OXY Multiplier tackles tough stains like red wine effectively.
• Longer hose: The 5-foot hose offers better reach for tight or high spaces.
• Compact storage: The cord wraps neatly, and the machine fits easily in a closet.

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Cons: Shark StainStriker

• Small tank sizes: The 17-ounce and 12-ounce tanks require frequent refilling for larger jobs.
• Weaker suction: Less powerful than the Bissell, it struggles with deeply embedded dirt in thick carpets.
• Two cleaning solutions: Using both CarpetXpert and OXY Multiplier adds to the cost and complexity.
• Extension cord needed: The 15-foot cord is limiting in larger rooms, often requiring an extension.
• Wasteful tank design: A single fill line means you must fill the tank fully, potentially wasting solution.

Real-World Testing: My Experience

To get a true sense of these machines, I tested them on a variety of surfaces and stains in my home. First up was my living room rug, a low-pile polyester number with a fresh coffee spill and an older pet stain. The Bissell Little Green tackled the coffee spill in two passes, pulling up most of the liquid and leaving the rug damp but clean. The pet stain took more effort—three passes and some scrubbing—but it faded significantly. The Shark StainStriker handled the coffee spill just as well, but the pet stain required an extra pass due to its weaker suction.

Next, I moved to my couch, which had endured a red wine spill from a movie night gone wrong. The Bissell’s suction power shone here, lifting most of the stain after pre-treating with its OXY formula. The Shark, with its dual-activated solution, was equally impressive, though it took an extra pass to match the Bissell’s results. The Shark’s 7-inch hand tool covered more surface area, making the process faster.

In my car, where Max had left muddy paw prints, the Shark’s Pet Mess Tool was a lifesaver, catching debris before it reached the machine. The Bissell’s smaller brush required more manual scrubbing, but its suction left the upholstery noticeably cleaner. Both machines struggled with drying time in the car—about four hours—but the Bissell’s results looked slightly fresher.

Maintenance Tips

Keeping these machines in top shape is crucial to avoid odors or clogs. Here’s what I learned:

• Empty and rinse tanks after every use: For both machines, leaving dirty water or solution in the tanks can lead to bacteria buildup and foul smells.
• Use the self-cleaning tools: The Bissell’s HydroRinse tool and Shark’s hose-cleaning tool make flushing the hoses simple and prevent residue buildup.
• Store properly: Keep both machines in a dry, cool place to avoid mold, and wrap cords neatly to prevent damage.
• Check filters regularly: The Shark’s metal filter in the dirty water tank needs rinsing to avoid clogs, while the Bissell’s tank should be inspected for debris.
• Use warm water for flushing: Run warm (not hot) water through both machines after use to clear out cleaning solution residue.

Comparison With Other Brands

I also looked at how these cleaners stack up against other popular brands like Hoover and Rug Doctor:

• Hoover CleanSlate: Offers a larger brush head for faster cleaning of big areas but is pricier ($150) and requires more setup effort with formula ratios.
• Rug Doctor Portable Spot Cleaner: Boasts a powerful motor but has a bulky nozzle that’s awkward for upholstery and smaller spaces.
• Bissell SpotClean Pro: A step up from the Little Green with better suction and a longer hose, but it’s heavier and more expensive ($164).
• Kenmore Portable Spot Cleaner: Comparable to the Shark in price and performance but lacks the specialized pet tools that make the StainStriker stand out.

Which One Wins For Me?

After weeks of testing, I lean toward the Bissell Little Green for its superior suction and larger tank capacity, which make it ideal for frequent or larger cleaning tasks. Its Pet Proven certification and self-cleaning tool give it an edge for pet owners like me. However, the Shark StainStriker is a close contender, especially for quick cleanups and pet-specific messes, thanks to its versatile attachments and lighter weight. If you’re dealing with smaller, frequent spills or have pets that leave solid messes, the Shark’s Pet Mess Tool and dual-activated solution might sway you.

Your choice depends on your needs. If you want a machine that handles bigger jobs with less refilling and stronger suction, the Bissell Little Green is your go-to. If portability, pet-focused tools, and a lower price point matter more, the Shark StainStriker won’t disappoint. Both are solid investments for keeping your home fresh, but neither is a miracle worker for ancient, set-in stains—manage your expectations there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Whether you’re battling pet accidents, wine spills, or muddy footprints, the Bissell Little Green and Shark StainStriker are both worthy contenders. I’ve shared my real-world experience to help you weigh their strengths and quirks. The Bissell’s raw power and tank capacity make it a beast for bigger messes, while the Shark’s lightweight design and pet tools are perfect for quick fixes. You can’t go wrong with either, but picking the one that fits your lifestyle will keep your home looking fresh and save you from stain-induced stress. Which one’s calling your name?