Battle of the Upholstery Cleaners: Shark StainStriker vs Bissell Little Green Machine?
If you’ve ever looked at your couch cushions or car seats and thought “How did this get so gross?” — you're not alone. Upholstery has a sneaky way of collecting everything from snack crumbs to mystery stains (I don’t judge). The good news? There’s a whole lineup of portable upholstery cleaners ready to save the day — and today we’re putting the most viral head-to-head to help you figure out which one's the perfect match for you.
The contenders:
1. Bissell Little Green Machine (the OG favorite and OG Viral Fave)
✔ Corded
✔ Weight: ~9 lbs
✔ Removable head: No – a HUGE let down
✔ Hose cleaning tool: Yes! It includes a hose rinse tool
✔ Boost mode: Nope – just consistent suction
This one’s a fan-favorite and has gone viral many times! The OG Little Green is powerful, reliable, and comes with a hose cleaning tool that helps you rinse it out after messy jobs (which is a total game-changer). It’s a little heavier than the others, but it makes up for it with solid cleaning power. The suction is great, but it doesn’t have any fancy boost modes — just straightforward results. Perfect for high-traffic homes with pets, kids, or messy adults.
2. Bissell Little Green Machine MINI
✔ Corded
✔ Weight: ~6.5 lbs
✔ Colors: Available in Original Tea as well as two limited edition colors (Dusk and Lake)
✔ Removable head: Yes – the nozzle FULLY comes apart for deep cleaning of the attachment
✔ Hose cleaning tool: Yes
✔ Boost mode: No boost mode
Think of this one as the baby sister of the OG — it’s smaller, lighter, and easier to carry up and down stairs. Great for smaller spaces or quick jobs (like spot cleaning a stain right when it happens). It’s corded, so you'll need an outlet, but the smaller tank means faster refills and cleanups. Still gets the job done, just in a cuter size.
3. Bissell Little Green Machine MINI Cordless
✔ Cordless! (Hello freedom!)
✔ Weight: ~7.5 lbs
✔ Colors: Available in Original Tea as well as two limited edition colors (Dusk and Lake)
✔ Removable head: Yes – nozzle comes apart easily
✔ Hose cleaning tool: Yes
✔ Battery Boost mode: YES!!!!
Okay, can I hear it for the cordless upholstery cleaner!!!! This one gives you total flexibility — clean the car, couch, or stairs without hunting for a plug. It’s just a little heavier than the MINI with the added battery weight, but still super manageable. The runtime is around 20-25 minutes, so keep that in mind for big jobs. It has BatteryBoost+ Technology, which allows you to preserve battery life, optimal for a cordless cleaner. Bonus: It still includes the hose rinse tool and easy-to-clean nozzle.
4. Shark StainStriker Portable Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner
✔ Corded
✔ Weight: ~8.5 lbs
✔ Model Options: Multiple Options with various colors, attachments, etc.
✔ Removable head: Yes – nozzle comes apart fully for cleaning
✔ Hose cleaning tool: YES!!!
✔ Boost mode: YES – has a “StainStriker” dual-boost feature
✔ Silicone Cleaning Head and Pet Mess Container: YES
Don’t sleep on the Shark StainStriker! While it doesn’t go ‘viral’ every year, it SHOULD!!!! This cleaner is sleek, powerful, and comes with a boost mode that mixes two cleaning solutions for extra stain-fighting magic (great for set-in pet stains or spills). It’s lighter than its counterpart (Bissell Little Green Machine), has a hose cleaning system, and the entire head is designed to pop apart and rinse easily — which is SO important if you don’t want your cleaner smelling like old milk a week later. One of the reasons this is my go to is the head that has a separate compartment for the pet messes or ‘extremely messy’ messes to go into, instead of traveling through the hose, and the silicone bristle heads that allow you to clean up the initial mess without ruining the standard bristles.
So...which one is right for you?
Here’s a quick cheat sheet:
Final Thoughts
If you want consistent suction and don’t mind the cord, go with the classic little green.
If you want something compact and lightweight for small jobs, go mini.
If you love the idea of cordless cleaning, the MINI Cordless will be your new bestie.
If you want premium features with a boost mode, the Shark StainStriker is seriously impressive.
I own all of the above, and they all have their pros and cons, but if you want to know what one I currently love the most, it’s the MINI CORDLESS!!!! However, for larger or messier jobs, I always grab the Shark StainStriker.
No matter which one you choose, your couch, carpet, and your car seats will be thanking you. Happy cleaning!!!
