Bissell HydroSteam Carpet Cleaner

Overall winner against 48-hour-set stains (mustard, chocolate syrup, coffee, motor oil, grape juice) — first place in 3 of 5 stain categories, 12 brands tested.

Bissell is a long-established, dedicated carpet-cleaning appliance manufacturer, which lines up with it winning most of the field. Real tradeoff: the most expensive unit tested by a wide margin.