Verdict
Head-to-head · Best Carpet Cleaners

Bissell Big Green Pet Pro 3288 vs Shark CarpetXpert EX151

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Shark CarpetXpert EX151 comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.3 vs 4.5). The gap is mostly about Budget-conscious users seeking good suction and easy maintenance — read the strengths below before deciding.

Bissell Big Green Pet Pro 3288
Ranked #2 in Best Carpet Cleaners
Bissell Big Green Pet Pro 3288
$459.99as of Jul 5

The Bissell Big Green Pet Pro 3288 is a heavy-duty upright carpet cleaner designed specifically for pet owners, featuring an 8-Row DirtLifter® PowerBrush and specialized pet tools. Consumer Reports praised its effectiveness for removing embedded dirt and odors, though noted it's quite heavy at 44 lbs. The dual tank system (1.75 gallons each) allows for extended cleaning sessions without refilling. It earned the Pet Proven® gold badge for exceptional cleaning power and includes a 9-foot hose for reaching stairs and upholstery.

Strengths
  • Features 8-Row DirtLifter® PowerBrush for powerful stain and odor removal
  • Includes long-reach hose (9') and specialized pet tools for hard-to-access areas
  • Dual large tank capacity (1.75 gallons each) reduces refilling frequency
Watch-outs
  • Heavy weight (44 lbs) may be difficult for some users to maneuver
  • Requires warm tap water for optimal cleaning performance
Shark CarpetXpert EX151
Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Carpet Cleaners
Shark CarpetXpert EX151
$199.99as of Jul 5

The Shark CarpetXpert EX151 delivers strong suction performance, particularly at the nozzle, and offers easy maintenance with accessible brushroll and cleaning components. However, it performs poorly on certain stains like peanut butter and tomato sauce. The small dirty water tank limits coverage area, though it does feature a convenient hose storage system and integrated spot cleaning tool that enhances versatility compared to competitors. This model is best suited for users seeking a budget-friendly option with good suction but may not meet expectations for heavy-duty stain removal.

Strengths
  • Above average sealed suction at the hose and well above average unsealed suction at the nozzle
  • Brushroll is highly accessible and easily removable for cleaning
  • Hose stores on the carpet cleaner itself, which makes transitioning from upright cleaning to spot cleaning very easy
Watch-outs
  • Below average performer cleaning tomato sauce, grape juice, and especially peanut butter in upright stain test
  • Dirty water tank has exceptionally low capacity, which gives this cleaner a very small area of coverage before you need to empty this tank

How they stack up

Bissell Big Green Pet Pro 3288

While the Bissell Big Green Pet Pro 3288 excels in heavy-duty cleaning with its 8-Row DirtLifter® PowerBrush and dual tank system, it's significantly heavier than the Bissell ProHeat 2x Revolution Pet Pro Plus 3588F and lacks the latter's specialized pet tools. Compared to the Shark CarpetXpert EX201, it has better overall stain removal but is less versatile in spot cleaning.

Shark CarpetXpert EX151

The Shark CarpetXpert EX151 offers better suction at the nozzle than the Bissell TurboClean Pet XL 3746 and has an integrated hose for easy spot cleaning, but it performs worse on tough stains like peanut butter compared to the Bissell Revolution HydroSteam 4120. It also has a smaller dirty water tank capacity than the Bissell Big Green Pet Pro 3288.

Specs side-by-side

SpecBissell Big Green Pet Pro 3288Shark CarpetXpert EX151
Weight44 lb15.9 lb
Cord Length25'25 ft
Hose Length9'5 ft
Cleaning Path Width10.5 in10 in
Suctionpowerful suctionWell above average at nozzle
Tank Capacity1.75 Gal0.6 gal
Dimensions21"D x 11"W x 108"H13.2"D x 12"W x 43.5"H
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