Published 2026-11-04, updated 2026-11-04, by the Maclean team in Suzhou
Spot Cleaner vs Carpet Cleaner: What to Sell Under Your Brand
Short answer: In retail, a spot cleaner and a portable carpet cleaner are usually the same compact machine, used on carpets, rugs, sofas, mattresses and car seats. An upright carpet cleaner is a larger, different product. A portable model packs small: one 20GP holds 882 of our M81 or M83 units. Choose a corded model for 220-240V markets and the cordless model for the US.
Buyers search for spot cleaners, portable carpet cleaners, upholstery cleaners and carpet cleaners, and the names overlap. Before you choose a product for your brand, sort out which machine each name means. Then choose the power type that fits your market.
What each name means
| Name | What it usually means | Where shoppers use it |
|---|---|---|
| Spot cleaner | A compact machine that sprays water, scrubs with a brush head and sucks the dirty water into a separate tank | Carpets, rugs, sofas, car seats |
| Portable carpet cleaner | The same compact machine as a spot cleaner | Carpets, rugs, stairs |
| Upholstery or fabric cleaner | The same compact machine, named for soft furniture | Sofas, mattresses, car seats |
| Upright carpet cleaner | A full size machine you push across a room | Whole carpeted rooms |
We make the compact type. Our three models are sold under the first three names. We do not make upright carpet cleaners.
Portable or upright for your brand
An upright machine has a larger body and a larger carton, so fewer units fit in a container and each unit carries more freight. A portable machine fits on a shelf, in a small parcel and in a cupboard at home.
All three of our portable models measure 330 × 160 × 300 mm. The M81 and M82 package is 420 × 260 × 340 mm. A 20GP holds 882 units of the M81 or M83, or 940 of the M82.
Corded, steam or cordless
| M81 cold water | M82 steam | M83 cordless | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power supply | 220-240V, corded | 220-240V, corded | 18.5V battery, 2,000 mAh |
| Rated power | 800 W | 500 W | 250 W |
| Suction | 14-15 kPa | - | 11-15 kPa |
| Clean / dirty tank | 1.6 L / 0.8 L | 1.8 L / 0.8 L | 1.6 L / 0.8 L |
| Noise | 82 dB | 82 dB or lower | 68 dB |
| Net weight | 3.7 kg | 3.7 kg | 3.2 kg |
| Units per 20GP | 882 | 940 | 882 |
The M81 has the most power of the three. The M82 adds steam on the same body, so the two can share one look under your brand. The M83 runs on a battery and is the quietest, at 68 dB. All three come with multi-function brush heads.
Which voltage fits your market
The M81 and M82 are 220-240V only. They suit Europe, the UK, Australia and other 220-240V markets. They are not for the US or other 110-127V markets.
For the US, sell the M83. It runs on a battery, so there is no mains voltage on the machine itself, and it comes with a 110-120V charger. In the US we work with Amazon and DTC brands.
Which one to start with
- Online seller: the M83. It works in the US, and a cordless, quiet machine is easy to show in a product video.
- Retailer or importer in a 220-240V market: the M81 as the main model. Add the M82 when your shoppers compare features on the shelf.
- Brand that already sells floor washers: add a spot cleaner, so your brand covers hard floors and fabric. We can quote both in one inquiry.
What to check on the sample
- Spray and pickup on the fabrics your shoppers have: a rug, a sofa cover, a car seat.
- Leaks from both tanks with the machine full, and how easy the dirty tank is to empty.
- Reach: the M81 and M82 have a 6.5 m working radius. Check it is enough for stairs and cars.
- Weight in the hand, and noise on the sofa from where a person sits.
- Your logo, body colour and colour box.
Your brand on it
On all three models we print your logo on the body, change the body colour and produce your colour box with your artwork. A branded sample takes 10 days. A first order takes 45 days and a repeat order 35 days.
Full specs, photos and container loading for the M81, M82 and M83 are on our carpet cleaners page.
More guides
- How Many Floor Washers Fit in a 20GP, 40GP and 40HQ Container
- Floor Washer Sample Checklist: 12 Checks Before Mass Production
- Brushless or Brushed Motor Floor Washer: Which One to Choose
- What to Send a Floor Washer Factory Before You Ask for a Quote
- OEM or ODM Floor Washers: Where a Small Brand Should Start
- Floor Washer OEM Guide: Choose the Platform, Then Add Your Brand
- How to Choose a Wet Dry Vacuum Manufacturer in China: A Buyer Checklist
- Cordless Stick Vacuum Manufacturer: What to Check Before You Order
Related products: carpet cleaners, OEM service.