Messy kids, muddy paws: the best spot cleaners to handle stains better than Mrs Hinch

For a budget-friendly pick, we recommend the Vax SpotWash Spot Cleaner for lifting spills and stains. Vax combines strong suction with deep cleaning for a sparkling finish on carpet, upholstery, stairs and even hard floors. Plus, it's lightweight and portable, yet compact for car boots and around the house. What's more, the long hose comes in handy for reaching tricky places. Let's not forget the multiple attachments designed for hard floors, carpets, car interiors and more. Not only is the tank easy to empty (effortless), but it also comes with solutions to get you started.

Our tester thought that this versatile device was "great at removing stains and spills from upholstery" and brilliantly cleaned carpets and hard floors. She also found the cleaner helpful in "bringing dust-coated sofas" back to life after some messy house renovations. It was also good at removing stains from an armchair and cleaning very dirty carpets. Our reviewer praised the cleaner for being lightweight, "easy to store," and "easy to set up and use," adding that she was "very impressed" with the cleaning power of this product.

Handling everything from spills to stubborn pet messes, the VAX SpotWash Max Pet-Design boasts 30% more powerful suction. Plus, with the super-large, super-readable and refillable tank, you are granted very little hassle with refilling. Pair that with the advanced tool kit (from crevice tool to messy clean-up tool for pet messes), and you're set for a wide variety of cleaning jobs. Maintain a hygienic environment by killing harmful bacteria with the pre-stain pre-treatment and anti-bacterial solution too. Perfectly designed for muddy paws and pet-related accidents, we think.

This Vax Pet Mess Cleaner has received over 3,000 customer reviews on Amazon UK - and has been granted a well-deserved 4.6/5 average star rating. Fabulous, but what did they think? Well, reviewers agree that the functionality, cleaning power and ease of use are its strengths. One customer says they have had several Vax machines over the years, and this "beats them all hands down." As a puppy owner, this reviewer appreciates this cleaning machine's ease of use and quick fill and empty. Not only that but this lightweight pick is said to be robust, quiet and does a good job. However, some think the trigger is sticky and a bit noisy, and it can get a little warm.

Using water, formula and powerful suction to clean and protect soft surfaces, this professional BISSELL SpotClean Pet Pro is a versatile pick. Spray, scrub and lift stains from carpets, rugs, upholstery, stairs, car interiors and more. Thanks to the large water tank, this BISSELL SpotClean separates clean and dirty water for the best clean and easiest refill (fewer trips, too). Plus, with the included upholstery tool, tough stain tool and a sample cleaning formula, you're more than equipped to tackle pet messes. It's lightweight, portable and comes with a long-reach hose, too.

Customers love the BISSELL SpotClean and have awarded it a commendable 4.6/5 star rating from plenty of Amazon reviews. Many reviewers agree that effectiveness and ease of use are its strong points. One customer commented that it's not complicated to use and removes stains very easily. Perfectly fitting into a cupboard, it's very satisfying to store away as well as use. Some shoppers also say that it is great value for money - and great for pet-related messes. However, some customers say that the machine is noisy and a little heavier than expected. Plus, some reviews have different opinions on its compactness.

Convenient and fabulous, this Vax SpotWash offers 25% more suction power - perfect for homes with pets and kids. What's more, there are no cords to tangle or restrict movement, plus you have 25 minutes of run time to quickly clean up spills and stains as soon as possible. Thanks to the powerful extraction, you can be confident in the knowledge that pesky spills are removed from carpets, upholstery and more. It's slim, lightweight and perfect for smaller spaces - what's not to love? Let's not forget the sheer amount of interchangeable tools and anti-bac cleaning solutions. You're all set to tackle stains, reduce the growth of nasties and clear up any unsightly messes. Winner.

Brushless motor technology and a flexible hose - meet your new best friend. Allowing quick drying of upholstery, thanks to the multiple attachments, you can tackle any surface, any angle. Simply add the solution to the spot, agitate with a brush and vacuum with the spot cleaner. Easy. Needing to cast a wide net? The wide cleaning tool can cover larger areas quickly - for efficiency. We've all been there with gigantic red wine stains. Without the need for frequent refills (hello, 600ml tank) and offering decent battery power, it's a super convenient starter kit. Stains better watch out.

Customers like this pick due to Ryobi's trustworthiness - offering good value and promptly delivered tools for everyday use. Another loves their tool and is very pleased with this versatile kit. However, one customer says it is heavy duty and the battery life could be a little longer for tough stains.

Portable and easy to use, the BISSELL Pet Stain Eraser 2982E Cordless Carpet Cleaner is another favourite of ours. Equipped with a battery, you're offered up to 20 minutes of run time, perfect for quick clean-ups, and powerful suction for tackling pet mess, embedded dirt and spills. Thanks to the BISSELL Pet Stain and Odour Cleaner and Oxygen Boost Solution, you're equipped to deal with any pesky stain that gets in your way. Perfect for emergency clean-ups before guests arrive, this fantastically versatile home cleaning tool promises swift action and multi-surface cleaning.

Customers like the stain removal, ease of use and value for money when it comes to the BISSELL spot cleaner. From over 16,000 reviews, Amazon customers have granted this pick a respectable 4/5 stars. One customer commented that it's "fantastic", complete with brilliant suction and is very convenient for small accidents. They add that they're surprised by how long the battery lasts, too. Many agree that it has clear operating instructions and it works fantastically on stains - and lots of shoppers appreciate the cordless aspect. However, some customers disagree on the suction power, though.

Looking for powerful stain removal? The Shark StainStriker Pet Stain & Spot Cleaner removes pet stains and odours from carpets, rugs, stairs, upholstery, car interiors and more. This Shark spot cleaner combines two formulas, offering heaps of stain-fighting power without any pre-treatment. We love the high-pressure spray that penetrates deep into fabric and extracts nasties in no time. You can tackle multiple stains - from food spills to pet messes - with very little trouble, thanks to the lightweight design, compact storage and long power cord for tight spots and various surfaces.

From over 150 customer reviews, this Shark pick has a fabulous 4.4/5 star rating, with customers praising its cleaning ability, value for money and ease of use. What more could you ask for? One customer mentioned that although the cleaning solutions are a little pricey, it does a good job. Another says it works well on sofas, especially on dog drool - removing stains and odours in little time. Lots of reviewers love their results and appreciate how easy this pick is to use. Some customers reported that the build quality could be a little better and the cord restricts use.

Recognised for its spectacular deep cleaning performance, this Vacmaster EasyClean Carpet Spot Cleaner is another fantastic choice. Last but certainly not least, this spot cleaner features an 800W motor that removes those pesky spills and stains from all manner of surfaces. Simply spray, brush and vacuum for that sought-after spotless finish. Thanks to the various tools available, you can tackle deep cleaning and larger spills with ease. Odours, be gone - this pick uses its large capacity tanks to flush dirt away. With the cleaning solution included, this versatile pick will help you clean hard-to-reach areas thoroughly, thanks to the extra-long hose. And, it's not much hassle to use, either.

Customers appreciate the value, power and weight of the Vacmaster EasyClean machine. One customer calls it "brilliant" and says that it cleans well. Not only that but it's said to be lightweight and easy to carry around, as well as store. Another says it "holds enough water to [clean] a full-size rug", which is a good indicator of how much cleaning you can get out of a full tank. Quickly put together and dismantled after, it's a hassle-free home cleaning kit. Plus, the two sizes of cleaning head tools come in handy, too - for versatile cleaning - from pets to spills. However, some customers have mixed opinions on mobility due to its corded design. Overall, it's a very good spot cleaner for all homes.