Rug Doctor Review

Analysis

A step by step breakdown of the Rug Doctor's performance.

The Rug Doctor has very high (relative to average) tested suction at the port near the vacuum motor (at the base), and at the end of the hose connected to this port (at the hose).

It has very low (relative to average) tested suction at the nozzle (where the bottom of the cleaner makes contact with the carpet). It’s unclear why there was such a large discrepancy between these two readings.

The Rug Doctor was an above average performer in our upright stain test.

The table above lists the number of passes it took the cleaner to completely clean up the seven different stains used for this test.

Those stains that it did not completely clean up after 10 passes (we ended the test after 10 passes) have a score of 11 or higher. The Rug Doctor only didn’t completely clean the tomato sauce stain. Its score of 11 for this stain indicates that it left light staining after 10 passes. Models that left darker staining after 10 passes are scored 12, 13, 14, etc.

After our stain test we measured the moisture level of the carpet that was cleaned.

The reading for the Rug Doctor was 25% which is dryer than the average of 27% for all of the carpet cleaners we tested.

We then pushed and pulled the Rug Doctor over the same section of carpet again three more times, but this time not dispensing any soap and water as we cleaned so that the cleaner would only extract during these three additional “dry” passes.

After these three passes the reading for the Rug Doctor was exactly the same as before these three passes – 25%. The average for this reading was also 25%.

The bottom line – the Rug Doctor is able to leave carpet dryer than average after regular cleaning (dispensing soap and water as it extracts), but it cannot really dry carpet further with additional “dry” passes like most other carpet cleaners we tested.

The Rug Doctor has exceptionally large water tanks, and so it can cover a very large area before you need to refill its clean tank (with soap and water) or empty its dirty water tank (of dirty water).

Cleaning and maintaining the Rug Doctor after washing carpet is fairly difficult.

It has several more parts to clean than most consumer grade washers, and some of its parts are downright difficult to clean and maintain.

For example, its clean water tank cannot be emptied by removing it and pouring out any remaining soap and water after cleaning.

The tank is permanently installed on the cleaner, so you have to either

Run the cleaner over carpet repeatedly or
Attach a hose and spot cleaning tool (sold separately) and hold down the trigger on the cleaning tool

To empty its clean water tank.

Unlike most consumer grade carpet cleaners, the Rug Doctor doesn’t include a hose and spot cleaning tool when you buy it from most big box retailers.

Instead, you’ll have to buy a hose and tool separately for about $100.

Overall, the Rug Doctor did not perform well in our spot cleaning test.

Other Notes and Features

Unlike most other carpet cleaners we tested, the Rug Doctor washes carpet AND extracts moisture when you pull it backward. You tilt it up to reset its position when you push it forward.

Note that most other carpet cleaners wash carpet when you push them forward and maximize extraction when you pull them backward.

Verdict

Our bottom line recommendations.

We tested two different large expensive carpet cleaners – the Rug Doctor and the Bissell Big Green Machine.

In most of our tests, the Big Green Machine performed better than the Rug Doctor.

Most importantly, it cleaned carpet better and faster in our upright stain test and it left carpet drier after cleaning. It’s also much easier to use and maintain, and so we generally recommend the Big Green Machine over the Rug Doctor Mighty Pro X3.

For our Big Green Machine review click here.

For a full list of all of the carpet cleaners we recommend click here.