Head-to-head · Best Carpet Cleaners

Bissell Big Green Pet Pro 3288 vs Shark CarpetXpert EX201

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

Bissell Big Green Pet Pro 3288 and Shark CarpetXpert EX201 score essentially the same (4.3 vs 4.3). Pick the one whose trade-offs match your priorities — the strengths and watch-outs below are where they actually differ.

Ranked #2 in Best Carpet Cleaners

Bissell Big Green Pet Pro 3288

4.3

$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

$459.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Ranked #4 in Best Carpet Cleaners

Shark CarpetXpert EX201

4.3

$192.91as of Jul 1

The Shark CarpetXpert EX201 offers strong suction performance and versatile cleaning capabilities, excelling in moisture extraction and spot cleaning with its StainStriker handheld unit. However, reviewers noted below-average stain removal performance on most stains during upright cleaning tests, particularly with peanut butter. The compact design and easy maintenance features make it suitable for pet owners and households needing both full-area and targeted cleaning, though the small water tank capacity limits coverage before refills are needed. This makes it a solid choice for targeted cleaning but less ideal for large area cleaning without frequent refills.

Strengths

— Excellent suction power at the nozzle, well above average for moisture extraction
— Easy maintenance with accessible brushroll and detachable dirty water tank
— Versatile design allowing easy transition from upright to spot cleaning

Watch-outs

— Below average performance on most stains in upright cleaning test, particularly peanut butter
— Small water tanks with below average capacity requiring frequent refills

$192.91 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

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 EX201

The Shark CarpetXpert EX201 surpasses the Bissell TurboClean Pet XL 3746 in suction power and offers better versatility with its StainStriker handheld unit, but it underperforms in upright stain tests compared to the Bissell Revolution HydroSteam 4120, which uses steam for better results. It also has smaller tanks than the Bissell Big Green Pet Pro 3288.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Bissell Big Green Pet Pro 3288	Shark CarpetXpert EX201
Weight	44 lb	18 lb
Cord Length	25'	20 ft
Hose Length	9'	5.1 ft
Cleaning Path Width	10.5 in	10 in
Suction	powerful suction	most powerful suction among carpet cleaners we’ve seen
Tank Capacity	1.75 Gal	0.53 gal
Dimensions	21"D x 11"W x 108"H	1"L x 1"W x 1"H

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