How we made this guide: picks, prices and specs come from our catalog and the makers' published specs, owner quotes come from customer reviews on our product pages and the guide was drafted with AI help, then checked and edited by Trevor Hall.
For most pros the best upholstery cleaning machine is a heated 1 gallon spotter, and the one to start with is the Mytee S-300H Tempo at $967. The Mytee S-300 Tempo at $859 is the lower-priced cold-water version, and a detailer who does seats and carpet all day steps up to the Mytee 8070 Mytee Lite at $1,475 (4 gallon tanks, 120 PSI, heated) or the HP90 Stingray at $2,070 (5 gallon tanks).
Quick answer
Pick by how much upholstery you clean in a day, not by the biggest number on the label. On a tight budget, the Sandia 50-2000 kit is $643. Sofas, car seats and spots suit a compact spotter. Full interiors with carpet suit a 4 to 5 gallon detail extractor. Browse every compact extractor under 5 gallons we carry, the heated carpet extractors or the auto detailing extractors.
Quick picks: eight machines compared
| Pick | Best for | Price | Pump | Heater | Tanks (solution / recovery) | Water lift | Weight | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mytee S-300H Tempo | Best all-round upholstery machine | $967 | 55 PSI | 600 W | 1 / 1 gal | 85 in | 28 lb | 1 yr parts and labor, 2 yr major components, 10 yr housing and tanks |
| Mytee S-300 Tempo | Lower-priced cold-water spotter | $859 | 55 PSI | None (cold water) | 1 / 1 gal | 85 in | 27 lb | 1 yr parts and labor, 2 yr major components, 10 yr housing and tanks |
| Mytee 8070 Mytee Lite | Detailers doing seats and carpet | $1,475 | 120 PSI | 1,000 W | 4 / 4 gal | 130 in | 45 lb | 1 yr parts and labor, 2 yr major components, 10 yr housing and tanks |
| Mytee HP90 Stingray | Long days, bigger tanks | $2,070 | 120 PSI | 1,200 W | 5 / 5 gal | 130 in | 65 lb | 1 yr parts and labor, 2 yr major components, 10 yr housing and tanks |
| EDIC Bravo | Light, 5 year parts and labor | from $984 | 55 PSI | 1,500 W on heated models | 3 / 3.5 gal | 106 in | 19 lb | 5 yr parts and labor, lifetime housing |
| Mosquito Spotter 3-Gallon | Pump and heat options, made in USA | from $885 | 55, 120 or 220 PSI | 201°F in-line heater on heated models | 2.9 / 2.6 gal | 82 in | 28 lb | Lifetime body, 1 yr pump and motor |
| Sandia 3-Gallon Heated Kit (50-4100) | Sofas with a 4 in stainless tool | $1,262 | 100 PSI | 600 W | 3 / 3 gal | 76 in | 42 lb shipping | Lifetime body, 2 yr motor and pump |
| Sandia 2-Gallon Kit (50-2000) | Best budget kit | $643 | 55 PSI | Not a heated kit | 2 / 2 gal | 76 in | 15 lb shipping | Lifetime body, 2 yr motor |
Why pros use heated spotters with a clear-view hand tool
Home carpet cleaners are built to push a wide head across a floor. Upholstery is a different job: seats, bolsters, sofa arms and stairs need a small tool you can hold, a hose long enough to reach and a machine you can carry to the next room or the next car. That is what a spotter extractor is. It sprays solution through the tool and pulls the water straight back into a recovery tank, so the fabric ends up damp instead of soaked.
Five specs matter more than the rest.
- Heat. A heated spotter has an in-line heater, listed in watts. The S-300H carries a 600 W heater, the 8070 a 1,000 W one and the HP90 a 1,200 W one. Heat helps the detergent loosen oily soil. Mytee's manuals pair it with one wet pass followed by two dry passes so the fabric is not over-soaked, and pre-testing matters on natural fibers and rayon, which can shrink or brown when wet. A cold-water machine like the S-300 works from the tap, and one S-300 owner says to start with hot tap water since it has no heater.
- A low-moisture hand tool. Several of these machines ship with a small tool, 4 inches wide, with a clear head so you can see the soil lift. The clear-view tool is how you judge when a seat is done.
- Water lift. This is the vacuum's pull, rated in inches of water. The Tempo spotters list 85 inches, the EDIC Bravo 106 inches and the 8070 and HP90 130 inches. Higher lift helps pull water through dense fabric and long hoses. Read it next to airflow (CFM) and keep the tool flat on the fabric so it seals.
- Tank size. A 1 gallon recovery tank is easy to carry and fills fast. A 4 or 5 gallon tank costs weight and money and saves trips to the sink.
- Hose length. The S-300H ships with an 8 ft hose, the 8070 with 15 ft and the Sandia 3-gallon kit with 15 ft. A longer hose lets you leave the machine on the floor while you work a whole sofa.
Pump pressure matters less on upholstery than it does on carpet. Our eight picks run from 55 to 120 PSI (the Mosquito offers up to 220 PSI), and a hand tool on fabric does not need the high end, because more pressure puts more water into the cushion.
Check the fabric cleaning code first
Before you pick a machine, check the fabric. Furniture makers use a cleaning code, usually on a tag under a seat cushion or along the frame. It is a convention among furniture makers, not a law. Mytee's manuals also say to check the furniture maker's cleaning instructions before you start.
| Code | What it means | Spotter extractor? |
|---|---|---|
| W | Water-based cleaners are fine | Yes, with a pre-test |
| S | Solvent cleaner only, water can mark the fabric | No |
| W/S | Either water-based or solvent | Yes, with a pre-test |
| X | No liquids, vacuum or brush only | No |
A W code does not mean the fabric is machine washable, so keep the tool moving and the fabric damp, not wet. Test a hidden spot first. For the steps once you have confirmed the fabric, see our guide on how to clean upholstery, and for car seats see how to clean car upholstery.
Best overall: Mytee S-300H Tempo
Best overall
Mytee S-300H Tempo Heated Spotter Extractor, 1 gal., 55 PSI
$967 · 5.0 from 4 reviews
The heated 1 gallon spotter most pros should start with.
The S-300H is a 28 lb spotter with a 55 PSI pump, a 600 W heater, 1 gallon tanks and 85 inches of water lift. It draws 13 A at 115 V on a 25 ft cord. Mytee lists auto, boat and plane detailing, upholstery, spots and spills as its uses. Mytee backs it for 1 year on parts and labor, 2 years on the pump, heater and vacuum motor and 10 years on the roto-molded housing and tanks.
“Super useful for my husband’s mobile car wash business. He loves it and says it makes detailing way easier.”
Mytee S-300H Tempo Heated Spotter Extractor owner · 5 out of 5 stars
Pros
- Heater, 55 PSI pump and 85 inch lift in a 28 lb machine
- Four reviews on our product page, all 5 stars
- Compact 20 x 10 x 16.5 inch body on four 3 inch casters
Cons
- 1 gallon recovery tank fills quickly on sofas and carpet
- Draws 13 A at 115 V, and Mytee's manual calls for a 20 amp wall outlet with no extension cord
Skip it if you clean carpet as well as seats most days. A 1 gallon tank turns into a lot of trips to the drain.
Best lower-priced pick: Mytee S-300 Tempo
Lower-priced pick
Mytee S-300 Tempo Upholstery Spotter,1 gal., 55 PSI
$859 · 4.9 from 9 reviews
Same body and vacuum as the S-300H without the heater.
The S-300 shares the S-300H's 55 PSI pump, 1 gallon tanks, 85 inch lift and 25 ft cord. The differences are no heater, 27 lb of weight and an 8 A draw at 115 V. That lower draw is useful on a job where the outlet is shared. It has 9 reviews on our product page averaging 4.89, level with the 8070 for the most among these picks.
“You can tell this is well made. Small but extracts great and leaves upholstery and carpet dry. Love the clear nozzle and accurate spray, no mess.”
Mytee S-300 Tempo Upholstery Spotter owner · 5 out of 5 stars
Its one 4 star review names the catch.
“Works great, got solid power for its size. Was super skeptical at first. Only downside is the 1-gallon dirty tank, gotta empty it a lot on big jobs.”
Mytee S-300 Tempo Upholstery Spotter owner · 4 out of 5 stars
Skip it if you want heat built in. Pair it with hot tap water or buy the S-300H.
Best for detailers doing seats and carpet: Mytee 8070 Mytee Lite
Best for detailers
Mytee 8070 Lite Heated Carpet Extractor, 120 PSI, 4 gal
$1,475 · 5.0 from 9 reviews
Our best-selling heated detail extractor, with 4 gallon tanks.
The 8070 is the machine to move to when a day is full interiors. It has a 120 PSI diaphragm pump, a 1,000 W heater, 4 gallon tanks and 130 inches of water lift, with a 15 ft hose included. It weighs 45 lb and has 6 inch rear wheels and 2 inch locking front casters. It is the top seller of the machines in this guide and in our carpet extractor range. It has 9 reviews on our product page, all 5 stars.
“Replaced my aging unit with this. Nice improvements like the dirty water drain, which means one doesn’t need to lift the lower unit off the ground to empty it. Also the water fill feature is an improvement. Same good suction.”
Mytee 8070 Lite Heated Carpet Extractor owner · 5 out of 5 stars
Pros
- Four gallon tanks and a drain for the recovery tank
- 130 inches of lift and a 1,000 W heater
- Handles small carpeted rooms as well as seats
Cons
- Draws 19 A at 115 V, and Mytee's manual calls for a grounded 20 amp outlet with no extension cord
- No automatic vacuum shut-off, so watch the recovery tank; the HP90 adds a float switch
- 45 lb is a lot to carry compared with a Tempo
Skip it if you only do spots and sofas. A Tempo is lighter and costs less. If you also run a mobile rig, our mobile detailing setup guide covers the rest of the kit.
Best for long days: Mytee HP90 Stingray
Bigger tanks
Mytee HP90 Stingray Heated Automotive Detail Extractor, 120 PSI, 5 gal
$2,070
5 gallon tanks, 1,200 W heater and a recovery tank float switch.
The HP90 keeps the 8070's 120 PSI pump and 130 inches of lift and adds 5 gallon tanks, a 1,200 W heater and a stainless steel float switch that shuts off the vacuum when the recovery tank is full. It has molded-in lift handles and four locking 3 inch casters. At 65 lb and 20 A at 115 V it is the heaviest and hungriest machine here, and Mytee's manual says it runs off a single grounded 20 amp outlet, with no extension cord. After the 8070 it is the best seller of the machines in this guide. It has no reviews on our product page yet.
Skip it if you carry the machine up stairs. The 8070 is about 20 lb lighter and costs less.
Best with a longer warranty: EDIC Bravo
Longer warranty
EDIC Bravo Carpet Spotter and Upholstery Cleaner
$984
19 lb spotter with a 5 year parts and labor warranty.
The Bravo weighs 19 lb (27 lb shipping weight), 9 lb less than the S-300H. It has a 3 gallon solution tank, a 3.5 gallon recovery tank, 55 PSI, 106 inches of lift and an adjustable 22 to 37 inch handle on 6 inch non-marking wheels. EDIC lists 5 years parts and labor and a lifetime warranty on the housing. The base machine is $984 with no heat and no hose. The kit with a hose and upholstery tool is $1,193. Heated 1,500 W versions start at $1,808 with a detailing tool, and the heated kit with a detailing tool and a carpet wand is $2,046. The cold machine draws 12 A and the heated ones 15 A.
Its pros are weight and warranty. Its cons are that the heated version costs far more than a Tempo and that it has no reviews on our product page. Skip it if you want a heated machine on a budget. The S-300H costs well under any heated Bravo version.
Best with pump and heat options: Mosquito Spotter 3-Gallon
Pump options
$1,243
Choose 55, 120 or 220 PSI and heated or not. Made in the USA.
The Mosquito comes in six versions: 55, 120 or 220 PSI, each heated or cold. Prices run from $885 for 55 PSI cold water to $1,284 for 220 PSI heated. The heated versions use a 201°F stainless steel in-line heater. Every version has 8 ft vacuum and solution hoses and a 20 ft cord, and the vacuum is rated at up to 82 inches of lift and 97 CFM. Mosquito lists a 4 inch acrylic clear-view tool on non-heated models and a stainless steel one on heated models, so check the tool before you order. Tanks hold 2.9 gallons of solution and 2.6 gallons of recovery. The body is epoxy-coated stainless steel, made in the USA, with a lifetime warranty on the body and 1 year on the pump and motor.
It has no reviews on our product page. Skip it if you work long sofas from one spot. The 8 ft hoses keep the machine close.
Best 3 gallon heated kit: Sandia 50-4100
3 gallon heated kit
$1,262
100 PSI pump, 15 ft hose and a 4 inch stainless upholstery tool.
The Sandia 50-4100 is a heated kit with a 100 PSI pump, 3 gallon solution and recovery tanks, a 15 ft solution hose and a 4 inch stainless steel upholstery tool. It runs on 115 V with a 20 ft cord. Sandia lists a 600 W in-line heater rated to heat solution up to 200°F, a 2-stage vacuum rated at 100 CFM and 76 inches of lift and a 42 lb shipping weight. It is made in America. It has no reviews on our product page, so judge it on the specs.
Skip it if you want owner feedback or long cover on the electrics. Sandia covers the body for life, the motor and pump for 2 years, electrical parts for 1 year and tools for 90 days.
Best budget kit: Sandia 50-2000
Best budget kit
Sandia Spot Extractor 2-Gallon Kit - 55 PSI Pump With Clear View Upholstery Tool - 50-2000
$643
2 gallon tanks, 55 PSI and a clear-view upholstery tool.
The 50-2000 is the budget kit in this guide, with a 55 PSI pump, 2 gallon tanks, 7 ft vacuum and solution hoses and a 4 inch clear-view upholstery tool. Sandia lists a single-stage vacuum rated at 76 inches of lift and the 9 inch stainless steel wand as an option. It uses 804 W on 115 V with a 20 ft cord and ships at 15 lb. It has no reviews on our product page.
Skip it if you work on large sofas. The 7 ft hoses keep you close to the machine.
How to choose by job
| Job | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spots, chairs, single car seats | Mytee S-300H or S-300 | Light, 1 gallon, one 25 ft cord |
| Full car interiors with carpet | Mytee 8070 or HP90 | 4 to 5 gallon tanks and 130 inches of lift |
| Sofas and sectionals | Sandia 50-4100 or an EDIC Bravo kit | 3 gallon solution tanks and an upholstery hand tool |
| Tight budget | Sandia 50-2000 or Mosquito 55 PSI | Under-$1,000 prices in this guide |
| Mixed jobs with changing needs | Mosquito Spotter | Choose pump and heat to match |
If you are cleaning a lot of carpet on the same day, see how long it takes to dry in our guide to how long carpet takes to dry after cleaning, and for the method behind these machines see hot water extraction vs encapsulation.
Video: how the Tempo spotter operates
Mytee's own film shows how to set up and operate the Tempo spotters.
Price bands
| Band | Machines |
|---|---|
| Under $1,000 | Sandia 50-2000, Mytee S-300, Mosquito 55 PSI cold, EDIC Bravo machine only and the S-300H |
| $1,000 to $1,500 | Sandia 50-4100, the other five Mosquito versions, the cold EDIC Bravo kit with hose and tool and the Mytee 8070 |
| $1,500 to $2,000 | Heated EDIC Bravo with detailing tool (339MH-HT) |
| Over $2,000 | Mytee HP90 and the heated EDIC Bravo kit with carpet wand |
Frequently asked questions
Which machine is best for upholstery?
For most pros it is a heated spotter extractor such as the Mytee S-300H. It has a heater, a small hand tool and a tank you can carry. If you clean full interiors, step up to the 8070 or HP90.
What machine do professional upholstery cleaners use?
The machines in this guide are the kind professionals use: spotter and small detail extractors with a hand tool, a built-in heater on most models and a recovery tank. The makers list upholstery, auto interiors and spot cleaning as uses.
What is the best machine to clean sofa fabric?
Check the cleaning code first. If it reads W or W/S, a 3 gallon machine with an upholstery tool, such as the Sandia 50-4100 (4 inch stainless tool, 15 ft hoses) or an EDIC Bravo kit with the hose and upholstery tool, handles a sofa without constant tank trips.
What do professionals use to clean upholstery?
A spotter extractor with a clear-view tool, matched to the fabric's cleaning code. Fabrics coded S or X are not suited to a water-based extractor.
What is the best fabric vacuum cleaner?
For dry soil, use a vacuum with a small upholstery tool before you extract. An extractor is not a fabric vacuum: it sprays solution and pulls it back out. On X-coded fabric, a dry vacuum and a brush are the only safe tools.
How do you clean upholstery with a machine?
Check the code, vacuum the dry soil and pre-test a hidden spot. Then follow Mytee's method: one wet pass followed by two dry passes, with a low-foam detergent. Our upholstery cleaning guide has the full steps.
What is the best way to clean upholstery in your car?
A compact heated extractor with a hand tool, such as the S-300H or the 8070, works the seats and carpet with little water. See how to clean car upholstery for the method.
Which carpet cleaner do professionals use?
Carpet cleaning companies run truckmounts or portable box extractors for wall-to-wall carpet and carry a spotter for upholstery and spots. In our range the 8070 and HP90 cover small carpeted rooms as well as seats.
What is the best fabric cleaner for upholstery?
Match the cleaner to the fabric code and pre-test it. In an extractor, Mytee's manuals call for low-foam or non-foaming detergent only, because excess foam can damage the machine.
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