A removable nozzle gives easy access to brushes for de-gunking.

(No trigger, here!) We were also won over by an additional dry-only feature that allows you to push and pull the machine without dispensing water or cleaner to help speed up drying time. We loved being able to add cleaning solution directly into the machine's pre-measured tank for automatic mixing and dispensing. Dual tanks, a half-gallon dirty water tank and a one-gallon clean water tank, were large enough for our tester to clean upholstery and an 8-by-10-foot rug without emptying or adding more water. While it's not the lightest of cleaners, it handles like a standard upright vacuum, although its size may not be ideal for those with limited storage space.

For less than $200, this relatively affordable upright cleaner checks all the boxes for us: ample tank size, powerful cleaning capability, simple assembly, automatic shampoo release and mixing, and easy to clean.