I tried it: This portable Bissell stain remover is a lean, green cleaning machine

As a home writer who also happens to be a small-space dweller, I stand by the credo that the best appliances are not only effective but compact, versatile and, most importantly, uncomplicated. Case in point: the Bissell Little Green Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner . This gadget came recommended by a good friend (and mom of two mess-prone kids) and has become one of my favorite hacks for keeping rugs and upholstery in tip-top shape. 

I first published my Bissell Little Green review in 2023, but I've been using the machine in my own home to combat dirt and stains for even longer than that. And as Bissell has released new versions of the device — like the pint-size Bissell Little Green Mini , which launched in early 2025 — I've conducted additional testing and updated this review accordingly. 

How it works: Like magic!

The Bissell Little Green requires minimal setup. You snap on the hose clip and screw in the lower back plate (the lone screw is included, the Phillips screwdriver is not), which keeps the hose in place when you're not using the device. You then remove the clean-water tank to add water and cleaning formula — I use Bissell Spot and Stain with Febreze — up to the marked fill lines, click it back into place and affix the desired attachment to the end of the hose. My device came with a stain brush and a crevice tool, but some versions have additional attachments.

When you're ready to clean, plug in the machine and squeeze the spray trigger on the hose to distribute the cleaning solution (the brand recommends hovering about an inch over your target). The stain brush can be used to lightly scrub the cleaning solution into the stain. It also suctions up the remaining dirt and water.

What I liked: Its compact size and powerful suction

For being so compact and unfussy, the Bissell Little Green is a powerful tool. I've been using it for three years now to effectively maintenance-clean my sofa and curtains, as well as to remove (several very dramatic) coffee spills from my rugs and occasional dirt from my car mats (including mud tracked in when it rains).

Most impressively, I was able to use my trusty companion to completely restore my handwoven living room rug, which had become increasingly dirty due to high foot traffic during a big move. To my amazement, it transformed my rug in as little as 10 to 15 minutes — as you can see from the "before" and "after" photos below, leaving it as good as new.

What I would change: I'd take another tool and an additional setting

I like how the Bissell Little Green comes with a "bonus" spraying crevice tool for getting into stairs, upholstery and car crevices, and that the main (3-inch-wide) stain tool sprays, scrubs and suctions. But I'd never say no to another accessory: In this case, I'd welcome an additional stain tool that's wider for covering larger surface areas in less passes, and perhaps one with softer bristles for more delicate upholstery.

What else? The fact that the Little Green has only one suction setting is part of what makes it so uncomplicated. But it's powerful, and I imagine a lighter suction setting would also be helpful for those looking to clean finer fabrics, especially when it comes to curtains.

Bissell Little Green vs. Bissell Little Green Mini

Bissell sells several variations on the Little Green, including a cordless option , one that offers a steam function , a few designed for pet messes and — our newest obsession — the Mini. The company had to make some sacrifices when manufacturing this newer, smaller, lighter model. To start with the most obvious, the smaller frame of the Mini means it has smaller tanks (and therefore lower capacity): You're looking at a 16-ounce clean water tank (versus the 48-ounce tank you get with the original Little Green).

The hoses on both Little Green devices stretch 4 feet. But when I measured the length of the hoses from the back of each machine with their respective attachments affixed, the Mini extended about 4.6 feet (as compared to the original device's 5 feet). The Mini also has a shorter cord, extending 12 feet (as opposed to the original's 15 feet).

I love that my original Little Green comes with a bonus crevice tool; the Mini doesn't, and its 3-in-1 stain tool is slightly narrower, so it requires more passes. Otherwise, as I explain in my Bissell Little Green Mini review , I've found the performance to be comparable, which is good news for those with particularly cozy storage areas and homes. Now, if Bissell could only find a way to make the Mini rechargeable so customers could take its stain-fighting powers on the road! 

Final verdict: The original Bissell Little Green is a lean, green cleaning machine

This gadget is not only practical and powerful, but lightweight (under 10 pounds) and compact (just over 17 inches wide), making it a shoo-in for those who have a small space or can't lift heavy weights. Using it makes me feel like a professional cleaner — and saves me money on having to hire actual carpet- and upholstery-cleaning professionals.

As part of some recent testing for Bissell's new Mini version, I put my beloved original Little Green through its paces against additional substances, including chocolate syrup and grenadine. With just a few passes of the stain tool, the Bissell Little Green was able to clean each spot thoroughly.

The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.