Head-to-head · Best Carpet Cleaners

Bissell Revolution HydroSteam 4120 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.

Ranked #3 in Best Carpet Cleaners

Bissell Revolution HydroSteam 4120

4.3

$329.99as of Jul 5

The Bissell Revolution HydroSteam 4120 performs well in stain cleaning tests, particularly with syrup stains, thanks to its steam functionality. However, it leaves carpets wetter than competitors and requires frequent tank refills and emptying. Tom's Hardware called it a 'well above average performer' in stain tests, but noted it's expensive and has below-average suction. It's best suited for users seeking steam cleaning benefits, though those wanting drier results should consider alternatives.

Strengths

— Well above average performer in upright stain test, especially cleaning syrup stains
— Uses steam in addition to soap and water, which helps loosen dried-on stains
— Good build quality and easy to use and maintain

Watch-outs

— Leaves carpet wetter after cleaning than most competitors
— Requires frequent refilling of clean water tank and emptying of dirty water tank

$329.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best Carpet Cleaners

Shark CarpetXpert EX151

4.5

$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

$199.99 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

Bissell Revolution HydroSteam 4120

The Bissell Revolution HydroSteam 4120 outperforms the Bissell TurboClean Pet XL 3746 in stain cleaning, particularly with syrup stains, thanks to its steam technology. However, it leaves carpets wetter and requires more frequent tank refills compared to the Shark CarpetXpert EX151, which has better suction but worse stain performance.

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

Spec	Bissell Revolution HydroSteam 4120	Shark CarpetXpert EX151
Weight	20 lb	15.9 lb
Cord Length	20 ft	25 ft
Hose Length	7 ft	5 ft
Cleaning Path Width	10 in	10 in
Suction	2.5	Well above average at nozzle
Tank Capacity	1 Gallon	0.6 gal
Dimensions	—	13.2"D x 12"W x 43.5"H

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