Best Steam Cleaners

Review & Comparison, Last Update December 27, 2023
If you want to spend your time wisely, not wasting it on cleanups, we'd recommend you to turn your attention to a steam cleaner, a household appliance that will not only reduce the time and effort needed on cleaning but also banish all bacteria that might have accumulated in your living space. We've scoured through tons of models and would like to offer to your consideration this selection of five best steam cleaners available out there. ...Read more ...Read less
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BEST 2024
PROS
CONS
OUR VERDICT
TYPE
POWER
HEAT UP TIME
WATER TANK VOLUME
MAX STEAM TIME
PRESSURE
STEAM CONTROL
ACCESSORIES
POWER CORD AND STEAM HOSE LENGTH
CONVENIENCE
Warranty
 
PROS

As the power of this steam cleaner is 1500 Watts, it can heat the water in 8 minutes with the steam pressure about 43 PSI and the temperature of 200 degrees F.

CONS

The sound of pressured steam may be rather loud.

OUR VERDICT

The McCulloch MC1275 steam cleaner is a real powerhouse in the industry. With heavy-duty performance and a great number of attachments, it's a perfect offering for any owner of a large house.

detailed parameters
TYPE
Floor
POWER
1500 W
HEAT UP TIME
8 min
WATER TANK VOLUME
48 oz
MAX STEAM TIME
45 min
PRESSURE
43 PSI
STEAM CONTROL
Yes
ACCESSORIES

Carrying handle, Steam jet nozzle, 2 x Extension wands, Mop head, 2 x Microfiber pads, Water funnel, Measuring cup, Squeegee, Triangle brush, 5 x Nylon utility brushes, Brass utility brush, Scrub pad

POWER CORD AND STEAM HOSE LENGTH

Power cord: 15.7"

Steam Hose: 9.8"

CONVENIENCE

Steam Lock Switch for producing continuous steam without a need to press the steam button constantly 

Warranty

2 years

PROS

With the steam blaster function, this Shark steam cleaner can remove even the toughest dirt within seconds, reducing the mopping time to the minimum.

CONS

The power cord could be more flexible.

OUR VERDICT

Due to the highly powerful and maneuverable construction, the Shark S5003D is a great tool for cleaning and sanitizing floor and other surfaces effortlessly. Plus, it comes with two reusable Dual-sided pads that you can attach and detach with a press of a single button.

detailed parameters
TYPE

Floor

POWER

1200 W

HEAT UP TIME

Less than 30 seconds

WATER TANK VOLUME

11.8 oz

MAX STEAM TIME

~ 20 minutes

PRESSURE

n / a

STEAM CONTROL

Yes

ACCESSORIES

1 x Genius mop head, 2 x Dirt grip pads

POWER CORD AND STEAM HOSE LENGTH

Power cord: 22"

CONVENIENCE

Steam blaster technology, Touch-free technology, Direct steam channeling system, Water fill flask included

Warranty

1 year

PROS

It comes with a unique Wallpaper Steam Plate that pumps highly pressurized steam directly into the wallpaper, thus, dissolving the adhesive and allowing you to remove it with ease.

CONS

There is no water-level indicator. 

OUR VERDICT

With a large water chamber, multiple accessories, and a large pad for wallpaper removal, the Wagner 915 On-demand Steam Cleaner is awesome. It would be a great deal for people that often do all the jobs abound their house themselves.

detailed parameters
TYPE
Floor
POWER
1500 W
HEAT UP TIME
12 min
WATER TANK VOLUME
48 oz
MAX STEAM TIME
45 min
PRESSURE
41 PSI
STEAM CONTROL
Yes
ACCESSORIES

Floor cleaning brush, Nylon utility brush, Brass brush, Wire brush, Window squeegee

POWER CORD AND STEAM HOSE LENGTH

Power Cord: 6"

Steam Hose: 8"

CONVENIENCE
LED indicators alert when the water is heated and the steamer is ready for use.
Warranty

1 year

PROS

Owing to the double-sided microfiber pads that come in the box, mopping with this steam cleaner adds more convenience to the process allowing you to tidy larger areas faster.

CONS

Filling the water tank might seem inconvenient.

OUR VERDICT

High power, capacious water container, and affordable price are only a few pros of this portable floor steamer. Another advantage of this model is that it has a telescopic tube which you can adjust in length to fit different cleaning tasks. 

detailed parameters
TYPE

Floor

POWER

1550 W

HEAT UP TIME

30 sec

WATER TANK VOLUME

15 oz

MAX STEAM TIME

About 30 min

PRESSURE

N/A

STEAM CONTROL

Yes

ACCESSORIES

2 x Rectangle cleaning pads, 2 x Triangle cleaning pads, Steam duster cleaning pad, Carpet glider

POWER CORD AND STEAM HOSE LENGTH

Power cord: 20"

CONVENIENCE

Soft-grip handle and comfortable design, Quick-release cord, Power-on blue light

Warranty

1 year

PROS

The Bissell handheld device is extremely small and lightweight, so it won’t pull too much on your wrist in use. With that, the tool is still very comprehensive.

CONS

It takes a reasonable time to cool down.

OUR VERDICT

Even though the BISSELL 39N7A doesn’t have the cleaning power of a full-size steamer, it packs a steamy punch for the models of its size. It's well-featured and offers plenty of tools for smaller jobs.

detailed parameters
TYPE
Handheld
POWER
1000 W
HEAT UP TIME
3 min
WATER TANK VOLUME
6.6 oz
MAX STEAM TIME
15-20 min
PRESSURE
≈ 40 PSI
STEAM CONTROL
No
ACCESSORIES
Nozzle, Extension hose, Flat scraping tool, Grout brush, Fabric steamer, Window squeegee, Angle concentrator, Detail brush
POWER CORD AND STEAM HOSE LENGTH
Power Cord: 20''
CONVENIENCE
Convenient lightweight construction, Operation control
Warranty

1 year limited

X

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McCulloch MC1275

Heavy-Duty Steamer

If you are looking for a heavy-duty steam cleaner, the McCulloch MC1275 is one of the best models you can choose. It's a real powerhouse in the industry that cleans about everything.

To begin with, the McCulloch floor steamer has been designed to deliver exceptional cleaning performance and could become an amazing choice for any owner of a large house.

In brief, this appliance will enable you to disinfect your kitchen or bathroom, as well as dissipate various unpleasant odors from your clothes or furniture. The cleaner can perform a deep tidying of the overwhelming majority of surfaces, household appliances, countertops, etc.

With an extra-large water reservoir, the steamer excels in its ability to provide long-lasting steam. The 48 oz. water reservoir gives you up to 45 minutes of steam, making this unit ideal for large spaces or difficult cleaning jobs. The steam rate is 33-37 g/min, which is more than enough to disinfect just anything around your house.

As the power of this steam cleaning system is 1500 Watts, it can heat the water in 8 minutes with the steam pressure about 43 PSI. Reaching 200-degree F temperature, the steam flow will easily cope with grease and neutralize harmful bacteria.

Review of McCulloch MC1275 Heavy-Duty Steam Cleaner with 18 Accessories

A Variety of Attachments

This heavy-duty steam cleaner comes with an ultra-wide variety of attachments and accessories, so cleaning won't be limited to your floors only.

When you unbox the package, you'll find a steam jet nozzle, two extension wands, mop head, two microfiber pads, squeegee, water funnel, measuring cup, triangle brush, brass utility brush, five nylon utility brushes, and a scrub pad. All these nozzles are interchangeable depending on the surface you're going to clean. The unit is capable of sanitizing carpets, upholstery, boats, vehicles, floor mats, barbecue grills, and a whole lot more.

Since the cleaner has a long 15-foot power cable, you will be able to move the unit around without plugging into different power outlets. And owing to a wide cleaning path and long steaming time, this appliance will enable you to tidy up your place faster than ever before. Fewer interruptions - quicker results.

All in all, the McCulloch MC1275 all-in-one cleaner is a perfect investment. With heavy-duty performance and a great number of attachments, it's a perfect offering for any owner of a large house.

McCulloch MC1275 Heavy-Duty Steam Cleaner with 18 Accessories in the use
Last updated price $139.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B0000DF0RB

VIDEO
Review of the McCulloch Heavy-Duty Steam Cleaner PART I: Product Overview and Setup
 

Shark S5003D

GET THE JOB DONE FROM THE FIRST TIME

The best thing about most steam cleaners is that they remove the toughest dirt from the surface after a single pass. That is to say, you won’t have to scrub the floor twice or more to make it clean. The S5003D Shark steam mop is the best proof of that. It is made to save users’ time on cleaning so that they have more time for themselves.

So, what does this model offer? Actually, a lot! Not only can you mop hardwood, laminate, or marble floors with this mop, you can also freshen your carpets and rugs, sanitize your furniture, grills, toilets, etc. In other words, there are very few things that this steamer couldn’t clean. Such efficiency is achieved thanks to the Shark’s innovative mop head design and microfiber pads that catch almost any dirt, old or new, at once. Like many other latest steam mops produced by this company, the S5003D comes equipped with the genius mop head that makes the replacing of mop pads a hassle-free process.

This model also features steam blaster technology that we’ve loved so much. The mop head is designed with steam channels that spread steam evenly throughout the mop so that you could clean from both sides of the pad by just flipping it. And if you need to apply more steam on a tough spill that has already dried out, you can use the steam blaster located behind the mop body beneath the handle. It blows steam directly on a dirty spot to soften and remove it entirely.

Review of Shark S5003D Genius Hard Floor Cleaning System Pocket Steam Mop

DUST, MOP, SCRUB

Aiming to save your nerves, time, and your floor from damage, Shark engineers have equipped this mop with the steam control function. It includes 3 modes: LOW, MED, and HI.

The LOW mode is great for light cleaning and dusting because the temperature of the steam is rather low. So if you need to remove light dirt from hardwood or laminate which is more sensitive to high temperatures than stone, etc., this mode will be absolutely safe for your floors.

The MED setting is for harder tasks and sealed surfaces. It is also suitable for everyday cleaning, sticky spills, and different small messes.

As for the HI setting, it's designed for tough and deep cleaning. This mode can help you deal with the most stubborn dirt and grime.

Finally, talking about the usability of this mop, we can’t avoid mentioning its water container. The best thing about it is that you don’t have to wait until the mop cools down - you can add water while mopping, whenever you need it. Undoubtedly, with this Shark steam blaster, keeping your home tidy will be a pleasure.

Shark S5003D Genius Hard Floor Cleaning System Pocket Steam Mop in the use

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $129.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B01KU4BSGK

 

Wagner 915

The Bestseller

The Wagner 915 On-demand Steam Cleaner is currently one of the bestselling steamers because it's moderately priced, well-balanced, and versatile.

Using a powerful jet-nozzle on the end of a long 8-foot hose, the Wagner steamer easily blasts away dirt and kills bacteria without any harmful chemicals. It does it all using just the power of pressurized steam.

The water tank capacity of the Wagner 915 On-demand Steam Cleaner is about 48 ounces. Such an amount of water will be enough to perform a 45-minute cleaning or disinfection session. The jet-nozzle is fitted with an on-demand trigger, giving you control over the job - it allows you to select either continuous or intermittent steam depending on surfaces to be cleaned.

Due to the high power of 1500 Watts, the unit turns water into steam within just a couple of minutes (the red light will come on as soon as the water temperature reaches 135 degrees F). And the steam pressure of 40 PSI will let you easily remove stains from your furniture or dirt from your kitchen without breaking a sweat.

Overall, the 915 Wagner steamer is really easy to setup, convenient to use, and it does a great job on most of the projects. This wonderful cleaner can cope with rapid removal of grease from barbecue grills, cleaning of automobile wheels, and disinfecting various surfaces in your apartment or house.

Review of Wagner 915 On-demand Steam Cleaner

What’s Included

Designed to be an all-inclusive type of deal, this device comes supplied with a variety of accessories. They include a tile/window squeegee, floor-cleaning cloth, large cleaning brush, measuring cup, two extension tubes and a fill funnel. Moreover, the kit contains assorted utility brushes, which further extend its use.

The device features a jet nozzle that is great for cleaning grease off the concrete, lawn furniture, tires, camping equipment, and more. A brass nozzle is perfect for a bathtub and shower cleaning.

But what really makes this model a standout is a Wallpaper Steam Plate that pumps highly pressurized steam directly into the wallpaper, thus, dissolving the adhesive and allowing you to remove old wallpaper with ease.

Finally, we would like to point out that users can interchange accessories right during the process of cleaning. All they need to do is hold a nozzle over a bucket and pull the trigger until the water stops flowing.

As you see, you can do so much using the Wagner 915 On-demand Steam Cleaner. With a large water chamber, multiple accessories, and a large steaming surface pad for wallpaper removal, it just has everything needed for a regular clean-up. It would be a great deal for people that often do all the jobs around their house themselves.

Wagner 915 On-demand Steam Cleaner in the use
Last updated price $119.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B003PGQI3Y

 

Shark S3501

Reasonable Choice

The Shark S3501 Steam Pocket Mop is way cheaper than many newer models by Shark, but against the common belief “the cheaper - the worse”, this model proves the opposite. It features a capacious water tank that is enough for cleaning pretty large areas on one fill. Besides, the mop is equipped with a soft-grip telescopic handle and a steam generator of 1550W that will deliver a super-heated vapor in just 30 seconds after starting. The steam intensity is adjusted by shifting the control upward or backward. In such way, you can easily set the amount of steam you need.

A double-side microfiber pad of this steam mop allows you to cover twice the cleaning area with a quick flip of the mop head. If you wish to expand your cleaning options, the manufacturer offers a pretty good variety of accessories for a reasonable price. Thus you can opt for a rectangular mop head with all-purpose cleaning pads, steam duster cleaning pads, and a triangular mop head for cleaning of corners or curvy items. The carpet glider is another handy tool available. It is made to clean your carpet or sofa, protecting it from the concentrated blast of steam.

The easily adjustable handle is another but not the last asset that makes this model so attractive to a user. You can change its height by sliding it forward and backward, thus customizing the mop height for each member of your family. Plus, it’s handy when you need to clean above-floor areas. Without a doubt, this Shark steam mop for laminate floors does its job very well for a lovely price.

Review of Shark S3501 Steam Pocket Mop Hard Floor Cleaner

Things to Avoid

How great and effective a steam mop is, it can have an opposite effect when used incorrectly. The thing is that there are several types of materials and finishes that can be damaged by moisture and excessive heat.

Unsealed wood and many porous items

It is not recommended to apply steam on unsealed wood surfaces in order to prevent warping, cracking, mold formation, and many other unpleasant effects that may occur when you moisturize brick, marble, stucco, unsealed wooden surfaces, etc. Yes, you may find the information on the Internet that some users sanitize their wooden floors with steam. But, in most cases, it is not clear whether they have been sealed or not. So it is better to make sure that the surface you are going to steam clean is suitable for that or at least work up a small sample area first.

Delicate surfaces and fabrics

Silks, velour upholstery, treated wool products, lace, vintage linen, leather, waxed surfaces, etc. can be ruined with steam. There are many ways to care for even very delicate fabrics without steam.

10 seconds rule

Whatever kind of surface you treat with your steam mop, it is better not to linger on one spot for longer than 15-20 seconds. If you apply steam for longer, it may damage even very tough and solid surface. 10-15 seconds is more than enough to clean any spot and kill bacteria.

Shark S3501 Steam Pocket Mop Hard Floor Cleaner in the use

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $59.33
Stock In stock
ASIN B0028MB3HM

VIDEO
Shark Steam Pocket Mop Review
 

Bissell 39N7A/39N71

Handheld Model

Look for a compact cleaner for smaller steaming jobs? Then the BISSELL 39N7A/39N71 Steam Shot Deluxe is worth a shot. It's an efficient hand-held unit for detail steam cleaning, which can cover almost every small steam-cleaning job, thanks to a complete suite of additional tools that come included in the kit.

Despite being extremely compact in size, the BISSELL 39N7A/39N71 produces an impressive amount of steam. Plus, it works significantly faster as compared to similar handheld steam cleaners - the warm-up time makes just 30 seconds.

Speaking of performance, the steam coming out remains fairly constant during the entire operation, even after prolonged use, which is a big plus. However, take note that on long steams (over one minute), the steam shot sometimes might lose a little pressure. That said, this is a minor issue since a quick pause for a few seconds can easily fix this problem.

The operation time of the BISSELL 39N7A/39N71 is neither long nor short. Taking into consideration that the water tank capacity of the unit is 6.6 oz and the water pressure is able to reach up to 40 PSI, you will be able to perform a non-stop cleaning session for 15-20 minutes, which is an average runtime.

The steam it generates is safe on virtually all hard surfaces (sealed), including ceramic, vinyl, granite, marble, laminate, and hardwood. That is to say, there is virtually no surface that can’t be cleaned with this handy steam cleaner.

Importantly, this little device is safety-certified, meaning it can't harm you if used correctly.

Review of Bissell 39N7A/39N71 Hard-Surface

Convenience of Use

Moving on, we would like to emphasize that despite the small size, the Bissell 39N7A is a high-quality and stoutly built device. Operating it is easy and trouble-free. Largely thanks to its smaller weight and dimensions, the unit won't cause fatigue or strain in your wrist during use. In addition, the tool is quite comprehensive. For example, you can use a mounting cone bare for a direct, concentrated jet of steam, or push on any of the attachments supplied in the kit to perform other jobs.

An angled concentrator nozzle will be good for reaching all nooks and crannies in your apartment, while the trio of grouting tools with a row of stiff bristles will do a great job at tile cleaning. A wider, flat tool with five steam outlets is intended to steam clothes; using this nozzle, you will be able to freshen up and remove creases out of your clothes. If needed, it is also possible to clip a window squeegee tool over the fabric tool for cleaning glass and mirror surfaces.

Lastly, the steamer comes supplied with a small measuring cup to help you fill the steam shot without spillage - a small thing but very handy.

Summing up, we would like to say that even though the Bissell 39N7A doesn’t have the cleaning power of a full-size steamer, it packs a steamy punch for the model of its size. It's well-featured and offers plenty of tools for smaller jobs. It's ideal for grouting, window cleaning, and even steaming creases out of your clothes.

Bissell 39N7A/39N71 Hard-Surface in the use
Last updated price $29.99
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B001EYHAGS

VIDEO
Bissell Steam Shot demonstration and review
 

Infographics

Comparison of Steam Cleaners

What Is a Steam Cleaner?

Initially, a steam cleaner was invented to be used in medical institutions. It did not only remove dust, dirt and grime from different surfaces but also sanitized them. A little later, a steam cleaner started being widely used by people for household purposes and was soon completed with a variety of additional attachments for cleaning a greater number of surfaces. This way, a steam cleaner turned out to be a universal device ideally suitable for most cleaning jobs. The distinguishing feature of a steam cleaner is that it is an environmentally-friendly device as it doesn't use any harmful chemicals for cleaning, and it doesn't require any replaceable parts, so it can save you money in the long run. It is also a perfect solution for asthmatic or allergic people since not only does it not use any chemicals which may trigger allergies but also it is able to neutralize harmful pollutants lurking in the air, making the indoor environment healthy and bacteria-free. For this review, we've gathered five top-selling steam cleaners from a different price range, so everyone can find something suitable for their needs.

Should you need something more powerful than a steam cleaner, we suggest you also take a look at our reviews of conventional vacuum cleaners and canister cleaners.

What Features to Compare

Types

Before you buy a steam cleaner, first things first, you should decide on how and where you plan to use it. Based on this decision, you can opt either for a handheld steam cleaner or a full-sized model.

Handheld steam cleaners are compact in size, convenient in use, and easy to store. Many of them look similar to a garden watering can and weigh just as much. However, in spite of the lightweight design, you will still need to hold it in hands, which might be rather taxing at times.

In regard to full-sized cleaners, those look like regular conventional vacuums. They have more functions and, as a rule, provide a longer operation time as compared to handheld models. With a full-size steam cleaner, it is possible to clean a fairly large apartment or several rooms in your house and do that within a short period of time.

Performance

Heat up time, water tank capacity, and pressure are important technical characteristics that define the performance of the device. The average power of handheld vacuums is about 700 - 1200 Watts; for full-sized ones, it is 1300 - 1800 Watts. The heat-up time ranges from 2-12 minutes and can be minimized if used with already warm or hot water. Water tank capacity defines the operating time of the device. For example, an average capacity of 70 ounces is enough for 2 hours of operation. Knowing this, you can opt either for a smaller or bigger water tank. Also important is vapor pressure, the intensity of which defines the kinds of contaminants a steam cleaner can handle. Cleaners with a low-pressure yield are effective at cleaning delicate surfaces, such as windows, doors, wall trim etc. as well as disinfecting floors. However, they won't help eliminate stains, grime, and grease. For these purposes, it is best to select a steam cleaner able to generate at least 40 PSI and more.

Accessories and Convenience of Use

The presence and variety of accessories included in a kit determine the convenience and ease of use of the device. With the help of a vacuum nozzle, you can remove hair and debris from upholstered furniture, toys and carpets as well as clean your car. Brush accessories are best used for ceramic and glazed tiles cleaning. Nozzles with microfiber pads are ideal for cleaning windows and mirror surfaces. Some steam cleaners may also include an iron nozzle - this one will come in handy for de-wrinkling hanging clothes, linen, and curtains. In addition, we recommend considering whether or not the steam cleaner you choose has a steam control system. The ability to control the steam intensity can come in very useful when you need to switch from a wet mode to a dry one when cleaning different surfaces.

How to:

Sources:

1. Steam cleaners: a buying guide, The Guardian.

2. SARAH INGRAMS How to buy the best steam cleaner, Which?

3. Kristen Hicks How to Choose the Best Steam Cleaner [Buyer’s Guide], CompactAppliance.

4. Lynn Wright How to choose the best steam cleaner, Saga. May 25, 2016.

5. Andy Vandervell 6 Best Steam Cleaners and Best Steam Mops, Trusted Reviews. June 4, 2015.

6. Rebecca Ciaramidaro Steam mop buying guide, Choice. August 8, 2016.

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