Credit:
Bissell
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Credit:
Bissell
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Because of the cordless Tineco Floor One S7's self-cleaning system, you won't have to touch any more dirty mop heads after steam cleaning. Read More
Ready to use in 30 seconds, the Bissell PowerFresh Steam Mop has three steam settings to give you the right level of power for the task at hand. Read More
This steam cleaner's water tank will need to be refilled after about 25 minutes of cleaning, but reviewers love its versatility and ease of use. Read More
This full-featured steam mop from Shark comes with a number of useful accessories as well as a 16.9-ounce reservoir. Read More
You can detach this steam mop to turn it into a handheld cleaner for windows, pet sleeping spots, microwaves, and other small, hard-to-reach spaces. Read More
While traditional mops can do a great job cleaning floors, they rely on chemicals to get things clean, which can be a concern for people with children or pets or those who are sensitive to smells.
For people looking to sanitize their floors easily without chemicals, steam mops are a great alternative. The best steam mops clean hard surface floors—vinyl laminate, tile, sealed hardwood—by heating water to create steam, which loosens tough stains and grime. With a mop head, you can wipe up the mess and pop it into the washing machine because many are reusable.
Our cleaning experts, who have recommendations on everything from how to clean your shower grout to washing your pillows, relied on their testing knowledge to choose the best steam mops available, whether you have laminate, tile, or hardwood floors. In addition to testing experience, we looked at steam mop specifications, features, and user reviews to come up with our recommendations. Some of our favorites transform into handheld devices so you can clean windows, countertops, and curtains.
By using your steam mop just once a week, you can get rid of dirt or stains, kill germs, and keep your home looking great. Here are some of the best steam mops you can buy online now.
Detaches from stick for handheld use
Machine-washable Dirt Grip pads
16.9-ounce water tank
Other options may work better for tile
Detaches for handheld use
Versatile
Easy to use
Questionable durability
Heavy
Ready to use in 30 seconds
Comfortable design
Water tank can be a hassle to refill
Hard to clean with
Steam mops can be a great way to clean hard-surfaced floors without chemicals. Just fill the device with distilled water, plug it in, and wait until it starts steaming. (Manufacturers suggest distilled water instead of tap water because it will extend the life of the steam mop.) When shopping for the best steam mop, there are a few things to consider.
Cord length isn’t something that should be ignored when shopping for a steam mop—a short cord can be a real hassle. A long cord means you’ll be able to clean a larger area with your steam mop without hunting for an additional outlet. If you do have a steam mop with a short cord and decide to use an extension cord, take care. Because you’re cleaning with water, you should be careful to limit the chance of shock. (As a precaution, you should also fill up the water tank before plugging in a steam mop.)
When considering the weight of a steam mop, think about your needs. If you plan on transporting it from floor to floor, a heavy steam mop could become cumbersome. Conversely, if you are looking for a heavy-duty cleaner with multiple uses, a light steam mop may not be powerful enough. Most of the steam mops we evaluated were about 5 pounds, with the PurSteam 10-in-1 Steam Mop the lightest, coming in at 4.4 pounds.
Tank capacity is one of the most important things to consider when shopping for a steam mop. Too small of a tank and you won’t have enough steam to tackle your cleaning task. Too large and the steam mop may be too heavy to easily maneuver. Think about how you plan on using the steam mop and the area you plan on using it. If you have a smaller space, you may want to consider a steam mop with a smaller capacity to reduce costs. Most of the steam mops we evaluated had a tank capacity between 12 and 16 ounces. Online reviewers complained about smaller tanks because they had to be refilled frequently.
Some steam mops may only include a mop head, which can be great for cleaning different types of floors. However, additional attachments will increase versatility. If the main mop head isn’t designed to deal with edges and corners, look for a crevice device.
If you want to use your steam mop for more than just floors, consider a 2-in-1 cleaner that detaches from the handle, such as the Shark Lift-Away Pro and Bissell Powerfresh Lift-Off Pet Steam Mop. You may also want to consider a steam cleaner like the McCulloch Deluxe Canister Steam Cleaner, which can clean floors and other surfaces.
You should take care when cleaning with any tool that relies on steam. It’s easy to burn yourself with steam, and the risk goes up when you’re cleaning with handheld tools
Regular mops use chemicals to clean floors. A steam mop heats water, creating steam to clean floors. Both will get your floors clean, but people with children or pets may be concerned about harsh chemicals remaining on their floors.
Also, these cleaning agents often come with strong scents, which can be bothersome to those who are sensitive to smells.
Steam power is great for cleaning, but it comes with its own dangers. It’s quite easy to burn yourself with steam. Also, some steam mops require the cleaners to be depressurized before they can be emptied.
First, vacuum or sweep your floor before using a steam mop. Then, attach a mopping pad to it. Once you do so, check to see if your tank is filled with water before plugging it into the wall to ensure you don’t get shocked.
Turn on your mop and wait for the water to heat to the appropriate steam level. To release steam, some models require you to simply press the steam button to eject steam. With others, you may need to pump the mop handle back and forth to eject steam.
You can sanitize using a steam mop, but you'll need to follow the manufacturer's directions and leave it over an area for longer than usual.
Steam mops are primarily designed to clean. By the CDC definition, that includes removing most of the dirt and germs from a surface.
Sanitizing is a step up from cleaning in terms of germ removal. It is important for food preparation areas or if someone in your household is sick. However, cleaning is good enough for the majority of homes and surfaces.
At Reviewed, we hate messes, and we're passionate about finding the best ways to get rid of them! We also know a thing or two about cleaning, from showers cleaners to washing machines. We've been testing vacuums for years, and we even make our own dirt to find the best vacuums.
All of this knowledge helped us choose the best steam mops. While we didn’t personally test all the steam mops we recommend, we know what features are important to look for when finding the best steam mops.
Alex Kane is a senior editor at USA Today’s Reviewed and the author of the Boss Fight Books volume on Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. He has written for Fangoria, PC Gamer, Polygon, Rolling Stone, StarWars.com, and Variety. He lives in west-central Illinois.
Lily Hartman
Staff Writer, Search
Lily Hartman is a staff writer who also enjoys writing magazine articles about health and outdoor recreation. In her free time, she likes to hike, camp, run, and lift weights.
A journalist for more than 25 years, Ben Yoder uses his news, editing, and search experience to help consumers find the best products possible as an SEO & Updates Editor with Reviewed. Based in Iowa, his work has appeared in the Des Moines (Iowa) Register, HawkCentral, and Cyclone Insider, among other websites.
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