When it comes to really deep-cleaning your floors, nothing beats a steam mop. Like a carpet cleaner, these powered devices are designed to use hot steam to loosen dirt and sanitizer hard surfaces. 

But with so many options on the market, it can be hard to determine the best steam mop for your needs. There is a wide range of steam mop brands, price points, features, and other points of differentiation.

Read on for our guide to the best steam mops, and you are sure to find a steam mop that will fit your needs and budget. 

Shark Company has come up with a new steam mop which is an absolute favorite. Once you realize how inexpensive it is, you will be impressed by how it works efficiently. In case you are wondering, this is the best steam mop when it comes to tile floors. There’s a whole load of reasons why everyone should fall in love with this steam mop. It comes with cleaning pads which are really stellar. These cleaning pads have lots of nap which is perfect for cleaning the grout between tiles. This steam mop comes with grippy rows that work perfectly with Rubbermaid cleaning cloths. They will scrub the surface as you move to the head. This ensures users don’t have to keep running back and forth in the same area.

The Shark Genius Stream Mop comes with a unique spray feature which blasts steam from the whole pads. This helps clean the grout between tiles easily. It helps users tackle a problematic spot without having to make puddles. Users never have to touch dirty cleaning pads thanks to the unique release system. You simply have to drop them off the mop into the laundry to wash.

Key Features
  • Comes with scrubbing pads that have enough scrubbing action to even clean tile grout
  • 3-sided intelligent steam control
  • Comes with grippy rows that work perfectly with Rubbermaid cleaning cloths
  • Touch-free scrubbing pad removal
Specifications
  • Steam Control : Yes
  • Water Tank Capacity: 12 oz.
  • Power Cord Length: 22 ft.
  • Surface Type: Hardwood
  • Washable Pads: Yes
  • Brand: Shark
Pros
  • Comes with a large water tank which makes cleaning large areas fas
  • Has steam blaster technology which makes cleaning grouts between tiles easy
Cons
  • Steam blaster shoots directly onto the floor and could the floor
  • Not as agile as most would expect

With pets around, there’s no doubt they love making a mess of the house. If you are looking for a steam mop which helps make quick work of pet messes, you’re covered. Pet stains such as urine stains can be hard to scrub off. One of the best options the market has to offer is the Bissell Symphony Pet Steam Mop Steam Vacuum Cleaner. This cleaning machine does two jobs at the same time. It can vacuum and steam your floors. By doing this, it saves users a lot of hassles of picking dust and pet hairs. Cleaning floors is made easier by the Bissell Symphony Pet Steam Mop.

This steam mop is able to pick up debris and hair left by pets with ease. The steam helps to sanitize and shine the floors. It comes with a hand-free emptying system meaning you don’t have to touch the grime left by pets. This steam mop can also be used with disposable pads which help deal with pet messes. Most users say this is the best steam mop for pet owners. It makes it easier and fast to pick clumps of fur left floating around the floor. The Bissell Symphony Pet Steam Mop comes with a powerful cyclonic vacuum which helps capture pet hair. Don’t forget its warm up time is around 30 seconds.

Key Features
  • It can vacuum and steam your floors
  • This steam mop is able to pick up debris and hair left by pets with ease
  • The steam helps to sanitize and shine the floors
  • Comes with both reusable and disposable pads
Specifications
  • Steam Control : Has No steam Control
  • Water Tank Capacity: 12.8 oz.
  • Power Cord Length: 25 ft.
  • Surface Type: Carpet, hard floor, hardwood
  • Washable Pads: Yes
Pros
  • Can vacuum and steam at the same time
  • Has an easy to use manual
Cons
  • Some complain water does get hot enough to steam

Thanks to its unique design, this is a favorite thanks to being light and maneuverability. This is a great choice to make your laminate floors look brand new. With laminate floors, they have a tendency to get sticky when there’s huge traffic. The LIGHT ‘N’ EASY steam mop is a great way to clean up nightly messes seamlessly. This is a steam mopping tool which is light and easy to use. It comes with a carpet tool which can be used to refresh other areas of your home. It can also be used on tiles, carpet, sealed wood, and more. Handling this machine requires little effort, making cleaning hard stains easy and fast.

Users need to pump the handle for nearly ten times for the mop to generate the correct steam. This usually takes between 20-30 seconds which means, the faster a user moves, the more steam it releases. It can be used in homes as well as the office which makes it a good fit for any environment. It can clean all types of floors thanks to the included washable microfibers. These microfibers can be replaced easily making this type of mop a favorite for homes with large traffic. For tile and hardwood floors, cleaning can be done 20 seconds after power has been turned on.

Key Features
  • The LIGHT ‘N’ EASY steam mop is a great way to clean up nightly messes
  • It comes with a carpet tool which can be used to refresh other areas of your home
  • Steam action works within 20 seconds
Specifications
  • Steam Control : No
  • Water Tank Capacity: 10 oz.
  • Power Cord Length: 25 ft.
  • Surface Type: Hard surface, hardwoods, carpet
  • Washable Pads: Yes
Pros
  • Heats quickly
  • Can spot-steam carpet
  • Lightweight

The Bissell PowerFresh Deluxe Steam Mop Cleaner is the best-selling steam mop on Amazon. With a reasonable price, it’s one of the least expensive recommendations on our list. This steam mop comes with a 3-setting control with two pads which are scrubby and soft. It should be noted that it does a pretty good job on all types of floors. This steam mop has smartly designed mop pads that wrap around the head. They have used Microban technology for additional antibacterial properties.

Thanks to the padded Microfiber cloths, this makes the Bissell PowerFresh Deluxe gentle for hardwood floors. These padded microfiber cloths are soft which aid in protecting your floor’s finish. The microfiber also helps to polish the wood as your go on with mopping. This type of steam mop is versatile than your average mop thanks to scrubber brush and special scrubbing mop pads. And this makes the Bissell Deluxe steam mop ideal for tiles. As we earlier said, this type of mop is ideal for all types of floors. It has a long power cord of around 23 feet long.

This steam mop is reliable and quality control is top notch.

Key Features
  • Comes with a 3-setting control with two textured pads
  • Uses Microban technology for additional antibacterial properties
  • Soft padded microfiber cloths aid in protecting your floor’s finish
Specifications
  • Steam Control : Yes
  • Water Tank Capacity: 16 oz.
  • Power Cord Length: 25 feet
  • Surface Type: All Surfaces
  • Washable Pads: Yes
Pros
  • On board spot boost brush helps to remove tough and sticky messes
  • Users can easily fill water thanks to the inclusion of a measuring tank
  • Cleans the floors without having to use harsh chemicals making it environmental friendly
Cons
  • Leaves behind a lot of water, potentially damaging hardwood floors

Tile floors get fairly dirty especially in high traffic areas such as bathrooms. This should not be a problem anymore as you can now keep your tile and grout looking fresh with Steam Mop Cleaner ThermaPro 10-in-1. There are several features that make this steam mop worth every penny. It’s fast and effective and can clean most types of floors. It has a built-in handheld steam cleaner which makes cleaning the house easier and fast. The Steam Mop Cleaner ThermaPro 10-in-1 provides around 99 percent sanitation and doesn’t use harsh chemicals. This ensures your loved ones are kept safe. It's especially a favorite for hardwood floors.

Being light and maneuverable lets the user mop confidently and easily. This steam mop cleaner comes with a tank which can last nearly 30 minutes of cleaning. With this model, you can use tap water to steam off dirt. This helps users to eliminate the need of having to buy detergents. This product comes with a free replacement policy and a 2 year warranty. This is a totally risk free mop. It offers three levels of steam output and one button to choose levels. Handling this mop is easy enough to understand by just looking at it. Users should not forget it gives a modicum of control.

Key Features
  • Fast and effective and can clean most types of floors
  • Has a built-in handheld steam cleaner which makes cleaning the house easier and fast
  • Provides around 99 percent sanitation without use of harsh chemicals
Specifications
  • Steam Control : Yes
  • Water Tank Capacity: 11.5 oz.
  • Power Cord Length: 16 ft
  • Surface Type: All surfaces
  • Washable Pads: Yes
Pros
  • Washes all types of floors and users can clean the whole house with a single wash.
  • Uses environmental cleaning power which is safe for kids
Cons
  • Takes time to clean hard floors with sticky messes.

The LIGHT ‘N’ EASY Steam Mop Cleaner is a great all in one steam cleaner that excels at pretty much every type of floor. Unlike most all in one steam mops, you can store most of the tools on the mop itself. This steam cleaner comes with a detachable handheld steamer for clothes. The Light ‘N’ Easy steam mop has a steam nozzle that is tough for cleaning the kitchen floors and other surfaces, such as cabinets or hoods. It comes with a smart digital steam control which helps users with the different levels to fit your needs. What excites most users is the friendly design the Light N’ Easy mop cleaner has. If placed in an upright position, it automatically shuts off the power.

It has a tank which is located at the base which the company claims helps to deliver better steam penetration. The Light N Easy comes with a smart sensor that releases steam automatically if pushed faster. The handle rotates at an angle of 360 degrees which helps to increase versatility. It also comes with pointed corners which are ideal when reaching tight areas. Also have microfiber clothes which allow more steam to reach the floor. Thanks to their advanced technology, the mop is well known for creating streak-free surfaces.

Key Features
  • This steam cleaner comes with a detachable handheld steamer for clothes
  • Steam nozzle cleans kitchen surfaces like stove hoods
  • Comes with a smart digital steam control which helps users with the different levels to fit your needs
Specifications
  • Steam Control : Yes
  • Water Tank Capacity: Medium
  • Power Cord Length: 22 Ft
  • Surface Type: Hardwood. Tiles, Laminate floors
  • Washable Pads: No
Pros
  • Great for hardwood floors
  • User friendly and easy to understand and operate
Cons
  • Cleaning pads are not reusable

The iwoly is a highly effective steam cleaner which helps clean floors without any chemical added. It's suited for carpet floors and almost all types of flooring. Together with the carpet glider, it’s known to thoroughly clean steam dirt away and remove lingering odors in carpet. The easy-to-understand manual makes the steam mop easy to use. It comes with a 2-setting intelligent steam control which allows the steam mop to control the amount of steam for each setting. This is an important feature for those trying to preserve their hardwood floors finishes.

This mop can automatically shift to standby mode when the main body is placed vertically. The power cord can also be wrapped around the hooks making storage easy. This steam mop heats up in just less than 20 seconds and comes with a pointed design. It has machine washable microfibers and steam levels can kill over 99 percent of bacteria. Most users recommend this steam mop on laminate floors as it ensures the floors are streak free. This is an affordable cleaning tool which is lightweight, making it easy to use. It also comes with a carpet tool used to refresh other areas of your home. This is a great choice to clean those house messes seamlessly.

Key Features
  • The iwoly is a highly effective steam cleaner which helps clean floors without any chemical
  • I’s known to thoroughly steam dirt and odors away
  • It comes with a 2-setting intelligent steam control which allows the steam mop to control the amount of steam for each setting
  • Freestanding
  • Comes with a rug cleaner attachment
Specifications
  • Steam Control : Yes
  • Water Tank Capacity: 13.8
  • Power Cord Length: 16.6 ft
  • Surface Type: Hardwood, tiles, and carpet
  • Washable Pads: Yes
Pros
  • Has a water reservoir which gives 15-20 minutes of cleaning time
  • Uses safe method of cleaning, no hard chemicals used
Cons
  • Might leave puddles of water that take awhile to dry

The Bissell PowerFresh Steam Mop Floor Cleaner 1940 is one affordable option. It comes with fragrance discs which leave your home smelling fresh. It’s known to kill 99.9 percent of germs and comes with a flip-down scrubber. This makes quick work of dried-on messes on floors. It’s light and easy to steer and is surprisingly effective on all types of floors. It can remove tough messes such as dirty grout lines. This is a welcome addition to your cleaning arsenal.

This steam mop is known to power through any messes with thanks to the flip-down easy scrubber. It’s one of the best steam mop cleaners thanks to light weight, maneuverability, and having an uncomplicated operation. This is one of the most flexible cleaning mops we tested. It has a removable water tank which is easy to refill and uses a continuous stream of steam which is less complicated to operate. This steam mop takes up a bit less room in a cleaning closet than most steam mops. It weighs less and reaches under things far easily than most steam mops. Thanks to the easy scrubber, it makes it useful in getting down into grout.

Key Features
  • It comes with fragrance discs which leave your home smelling fresh
  • It’s light and easy to steer and is surprisingly effective on all types of floors
  • It can remove tough messes such as dirty grout lines
Specifications
  • Steam Control : Yes
  • Water Tank Capacity: 16 oz.
  • Power Cord Length: 23 feet
  • Surface Type: All floors
  • Washable Pads: Yes
Pros
  • Helps eliminate over 99% of germs on floors
  • More versatile as it cleans every type of floor
Cons
  • Not ideal for textured vinyl

One of the biggest selling points of this steam mop clean is the versatility. With the Shark Steam Pocket Mop hard floor, the mop head is able to flip over. This means users can use both sides of the pad. Make sure to customize the steam settings to accommodate your specific floor type. This steam mop is ideal for both hardwood and tile floors. When it comes to the cleaning coverage with this mop, the Shark Steam pocket Mop has it all. It has a larger footprint than many other steam mops. This steam mop can clean 12” length capacity. When it comes to the tank, it also matches the length of cleaning. This ensures users can cover lots of ground quickly without needing any refills.

This steam mop comes with two sets of pads meaning users can cycle them through laundry. The mop pads also have a unique feature as they are double sided. This means users are able to cover twice as much ground in one cleaning session. With this advantage, users save both money and time. Another interesting feature is the durability of this steam mop cleaner. The steam on this mop is adjustable which enables users to turn it down. Turning down the steam ensures users to protect their floors and turning up helps remove tough stains. It also does a positive job when cleaning tiles.

Key Features
  • Ready to use in 30 seconds
  • Large cleaning radius
  • Comes with two sets of pads
Specifications
  • Steam Control : Yes
  • Water Tank Capacity: 15.2 oz.
  • Power Cord Length: 20 ft.
  • Surface Type: Hard floors
  • Washable Pads: Yes
Pros
  • Reliable and versatile as it lasts long and cleans most types of floors
  • Thanks to having a big tank, mopping becomes efficient
  • It’s adjustable which means users can turn off the steam power to their preferred settings
Cons
  • Only works on sealed floors
  • Not easy to maneuver

This is for people who are after a handheld steam cleaner for tackling all floors. The Shark Lift-Away Pro Steam Pocket Mop is a fine choice because of being a versatile cleaner. It comes with an upright mop which users can handle with ease. It comes with a great set of well-designed tools which include a grout-scrubbing brush. This steam mop comes with a steam jet in the middle and a flat scrubber attachment. The product comes with a carpet groomer and two double sided multi-purpose cleaning mop pockets. This steam cleaner is known to clean efficiently, making light work of tiles and any fusty carpets.

It has a 300ml reservoir which will last for about 20 cleaning minutes of steaming. This is a good timeline considering setting is on the lowest setting. One of the biggest advantages is that it can use tap water alone to steam off dirt. This helps users to eliminate any need of buying any pricey detergents. It has three levels of intelligent steam control which helps it easily dust, mop, and steam floors. Also comes with a dual-sided dirt grip pads which aid in a faster cleaning experience. The steam itself is powerful and variable making it a perfect tool for lifting any ingrained stains. It also has a detergent tank which is built into the handle.

Key Features
  • This steam mop comes with a steam jet in the middle and a flat scrubber attachment
  • This steam cleaner is known to clean efficiently making light work of tiles and any fusty carpets
  • Has a removable handheld steamer
Specifications
  • Steam Control : Yes
  • Water Tank Capacity: 10 oz.
  • Power Cord Length: 18 ft
  • Surface Type: Carpet, floors, tiles
  • Washable Pads: Yes
Pros
  • Thanks to their long handle, it makes cleaning easy and fast
  • Can be used to mop any type of floor
  • Has well designed tools which make scrubbing difficult-to-reach areas easy
Cons
  • Steam can come out of the nozzle and can give users some burns
  • Sometimes the clean blaster option does not remove tough stains

Steam mops are an amazing tool which should be in all homes. The best steam mops can kill germs and removing tough stains without using any chemicals. If you’re planning to refresh your tiles or wash old windows, you need the a steam mop cleaner.

A good question to always ask is whether steam mops live to the hype. When shopping online, it becomes hard to tell which steam mop best suits your needs. As online shoppers ourselves, we understand your frustrations and how choosing can be confusing. For a thorough investigation, we spent time looking for the best steam mops the market has to offer. This review compared dozens of models while considering floor types and house messes.

Another vital detail we looked out for was features, specs, user reviews, and expert’s opinion. In the end we know we found solid choices that live up to their hype. The secret is finding the right one for your individual floors. This guide will help you narrow down your search to what steam mop best works for you.

How to pick the best steam mop cleaners

If you have a house with multiple types of floor surfaces —hardwoods, tile, laminate— you'll want to chose a cleaner that will work on each of them.

Besides the cleaning quality, how easy a steam cleaner is to use was also another notable feature. How simple is it to refill the water chamber? How can the steam mop be used in a variety of situations? Is it easy to change the attachments? Another aspect we looked at is how long each cleaner lasts with a full tank. This gives users an idea on the amount of area that can be cleaned at once.

How Steam mops work

If you are not sure of which steam mop to use, this cleaner buyer’s guide will help choose which the best choice is.

We hope you get the steam mop which works best for you and your floor. After all, a clean surface is what everyone is after.

Resources— Steam Clean, Trusted Reviews, The Spruce, Wirecutter

FAQ

Q: What is the principle behind steam mops?

Steam cleaners can use less than a gallon of water in a single cleaning exercise. This little water is turned into low moisture vapor that brings heat to the surface being cleaned. A combination of this heat and slight agitation is the force behind the elimination of any dirt.

Steam mops come with several accessories that create a system that can be used for different applications. Whether cleaning carpets or ovens, steam mops will eventually get rid of all unwanted materials. A single wash eliminates all chemical residues and sanitizes the surface. The cleaning system produces less noise, and the vapor doesn't go beyond the consignment.

Q: How effective is the steam cleaner?

The level of steam mop effectiveness comes second to none. The cleaner removes germs, bacteria, and stains from all the recommended surfaces. As long as the instructions are followed, steam mops will eliminate nearly 100 percent of the contaminants from the surface.

They are also effective when it comes to cost as well as the environment. The cost-effectiveness comes in where you don't have to acquire any other materials to aid in the cleaning process. All you need is water, and it is readily available. It is also easy to maneuver around without necessarily causing allergies among sensitive users.

Q: Are steam mops the same as vacuums or carpet cleaners?

Steam mops look very similar to vacuum cleaners. However, they are two separate entities, each with a different working principle. A steam mop is different from your conventional cleaner because it requires little or no pressure. Just as the name suggests, steam cleaners make use of vapor while the latter uses a vacuum to exert pressure.

Unlike vacuum cleaners, steam mops are designed to use less water and electricity to clean. While they all serve a common purpose, steam mops chart a different path in that no chemicals are required. Their functioning principle is also different.

Q: Which surfaces can withstand steam mops?

The system can be used on any surface except those that are heat sensitive. Some surfaces, such as silk and thin plastics, usually need to be treated with great care. Steam mops are versatile and can be used nearly everywhere on any surface.

The system cannot be used on waxed or unfinished floors. Steam mops can be used to clean most surfaces and materials at home and industries. However, it is advisable not to leave it on one spot for too long because high temperatures can burn the surface.

Q: How are steam mops better than the traditional cleaners?

Steam mops do not require much physical effort. Also, they do not expose the lungs and the skin to toxic fumes. The heat and the fine water particles penetrate through the pores of the surface and remove contaminants. This leaves the surface free of residuals, unlike the traditional cleaners.

The vapor system sanitizes areas that are hard to clean chemically. The heat does the work efficiently in a very short time while traditional cleaners need more time. Steam mops do not introduce any chemicals to the environment since the system uses water only. They do not leave toxic residue or stains on surfaces.

Q: What cleaning products do I need for my steam mop?

Steam cleaning is one of the few activities that will not require additional cleansers or other products. At the same time, you will have to stay away from tap water and go for distilled water instead. Tap water could damage the machine or cause buildup.

The lack of a specialized means of sanitization is the reason why alternative forms of cleaning advocate for the use of chemical detergents. This is the direct opposite of steam mops since the heat power is enough to destroy germs and bacteria while still removing stains. Any attempt to use additional products is likely to corrode your cleaner.

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