The 7 Best Steam Cleaners for Every Surface in Your Home
Updated: Feb. 07, 2023These multitasking best steam cleaner picks make cleaning with chemicals a thing of the past.
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Whether you’re looking to create a regular cleaning schedule, learn how to clean carpet or read up on how to clean a mattress, the best steam cleaner will help get you started in all of these areas. It wouldn’t hurt to snag the best carpet stain removers or best vacuum cleaners, either.
A steam cleaner is a device that uses steam vapor to dry, clean and sanitize surfaces. It works with heated water that comes out as pressurized steam through a nozzle, brush or other attachment. The vapor works to loosen dirt as it cleans, removing dust, mold and other particles.
Steam cleaners are versatile tools that can be used on numerous surfaces without any chemicals—only water. “They preserve the integrity of grout and porous tile, and are not as labor intensive as manually scrubbing,” says professional cleaner, Amy Landers, in San Diego, California. Here are the best steam cleaners on the market, so you can start cleaning your house the all-natural way.
Best overall steam cleaner
PurSteam Steam Mop Cleaner 10-in-1
The PurSteam 10-in-1 goes beyond being a surface cleaner—it can also be used to steam garments, like business suits and dresses. Three adjustable modes mean you don’t have to worry about scuffing your hardwood floors. Got a lot to clean? On the maximum mode, this best steam cleaner provides 25 minutes of power. It comes with a slew of attachments, so from hardwood floors to windows, you can properly tidy up every inch of your home.
“This device is a great option for all types of flooring, especially my vinyl,” writes Amazon reviewer, Monica Andrea Moreno. “I use it once every week and the floors had acquired a clearer appearance and smell very clean.”
Pros
- Comes with a range of attachments for different surfaces
- Has a 12.8-ounce water tank and long run time
- Includes three replacement pads
- The cord is 15 feet 9 inches long
Cons
- May have trouble accessing corners
Best budget steam cleaner
Hoover Complete Pet Steam Mop
The Hoover Complete Pet Steam Mop is the best steam cleaner for households on a budget. It’s a 10-in-1 cleaner that works well in hard-to-reach places, including behind your cat’s litter box and in the corners where your dog’s hair piles up. Speaking of which, check out the best vacuums for pet hair.
This steamer is safe to use on different surfaces, including hardwood, sealed floors, ceramic, stone, tile and grout. “This product will cover large and small areas and works great on windows, too,” says Landers. However, she warns that, “It doesn’t get as hot as I would prefer.”
Pros
- Wallet-friendly price
- Includes 10 multipurpose tools
- Comes with two machine-washable scrubbing pads
Cons
- On the heavier side at 11 pounds
Best steam cleaner for a deep clean
Dupray Neat Steam Cleaner
Dog and cat hair is no match for the Dupray Neat Steam Cleaner. It features 17 accessories and up to 50 minutes of cleaning time with one fill-up. Plus, you won’t need to worry about purchasing special pads to go with the cleaner, because it works with any standard towel or cloth you already have in your home.
“It is easy to move around since it has wheels, is easy to store and easy to set up and take apart,” says Kellsie Zapata, a professional cleaner from Thomasville, Georgia.
Pros
- Kills 99.99% of bacteria and viruses without chemicals
- Steam gets up to 275 degrees Fahrenheit
- Works with any standard towel or cloth
Cons
- Takes a while to heat up
Best compact steam cleaner
Shark Steam Pocket Mop
The Shark Steam Pocket Mop stows away effortlessly alongside your mop, broom and vacuum-mop combo. The swivel head can flip over, so you can use more of the same cleaning pad to get the job done. This compact choice includes the steam mop, two washable microfiber pads, filling flask, quick-release swivel cord wrap and rectangle mop head. Plus, the 18-foot power cord lets you move freely from room to room.
“It’s great for lifting grease, grime and hard water,” says Grace Reynolds, a professional cleaner in Walla Walla, Washington.
Pros
- Has a non-bulky design
- Large mop head for large surfaces
- Affordable price point
Cons
- Attachments sold separately
Best steam cleaner for quick cleans
Bissell PowerFresh Deluxe Steam Mop
The all-in-one Bissell PowerFresh Deluxe Steam Mop works with a two-mop-head system: a standard soft mop head and a separate mop head for scrubbing. A detachable SpotBoost Brush helps tackle difficult, stuck-on messes with ease, and the included measuring cup makes refilling the water tank a snap. In just 30 seconds, this steam cleaner will be warmed up and ready to use. This is a purchase you can feel good about, because a portion of the proceeds goes to Bissell’s homeless pets foundation. See why it’s one of the best steam cleaners?
“It’s not as versatile as the Dupray steamers, but it can sanitize your floors and clean your grout lines,” says Zapata.
Pros
- Takes just 30 seconds to warm up
- Has a 25-foot power cord
- Has low and high steam settings
Cons
- Power cord doesn’t automatically rewind
Best handheld steam cleaner
Puetz Golf Handheld Steam Cleaner
The Puetz Golf Handheld Steam Cleaner is the best steam cleaner to pack a punch in a compact design. Powerful 230-degree steam lasts from eight to 12 minutes, and can be used to clean virtually any sealed hard surface. The nearly 10-foot power cord offers tremendous range. The 12 included accessories will help you get in all those nooks and crannies. “This is huge for a professional cleaner,” Landers notes.
Pros
- Weighs less than 4 pounds
- Includes 12 accessories for different surfaces
- Has a safety cap lock to protect from heat
Cons
- Hose attachment may be difficult to get in some areas
Best versatile steam cleaner
McCulloch Deluxe Canister Steam Cleaner
This canister steam cleaner from McCulloch comes with 23 accessories for every cleaning job under the sun. The variety of different sized brushes help you reach the toughest spots in your home. While it does take 12 minutes to heat up, it’ll be worth the wait when you have 120 minutes of steam time. Think you can tackle all your home’s dirty spots in that amount of time?
“After reading the instructions thoroughly and setting up the machine, I put it to work, going through two 64-ounce tanks of water back to back,” writes five-star Amazon reviewer, Mike V. “I’m honestly impressed.”
Pros
- Includes 23 accessories for different spaces
- Provides up to 120 minutes of steam
- Has variable steam settings
Cons
- On the expensive side
How we chose the best steam cleaners
As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.
FAQ
What surfaces should not be steam cleaned?
There are a few surfaces that should not be steam cleaned, including:
- Wood: High heat and moisture from hot steam can cause warping or damage.
- Unsealed flooring: Steam can penetrate the surface of unsealed hardwood or laminate floors and damage them.
- Delicate fabrics or upholstery: High heat and moisture can cause shrinkage or damage.
- Painted or waxed surfaces: Hot steam can strip away the paint or wax or cause surface bubbling.
Where does the dirt go when you steam clean?
Is steaming floors better than mopping?
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