Steam cleaners are an eco-friendly home appliance. Here are our picks.

Steam cleaners can be an easy and eco-friendly way to deep-clean your home. Instead of using chemical-based cleaning products and disposable cloths, they dissolve dirt and sanitize surfaces by heating up plain or distilled water to about 220 degrees. Steam cleaners are also versatile; you can use them on floors, upholstery, and clothing.

“Steam mops are more efficient for cleaning larger areas without leaving much water behind. They’re also excellent at tackling tough stains on floors, especially tile. The high heat of the steam helps kill bacteria and remove grime,” says Toby Schulz, the CEO and cofounder of Maid2Match, an Australia-based home cleaning service.

When shopping for the best steam cleaners, Schulz says it’s important to consider the surfaces you’ll be cleaning. Not all materials can withstand the high heat and water penetration of steam cleaners. You should also evaluate the weight of the steamer, reservoir size, steam output, and portability. 

There are many steam cleaners on the market, ranging in price from under $100 to close to $200. Our top pick for the overall best steam cleaner is the PurSteam 10-in-1 Steam Mop. It’s affordable, heats up quickly, doesn’t weigh much, and has stellar reviews. We also looked at steam cleaners in other categories, from handhelds to uprights. Here are all of our top picks.

The best steam cleaners of 2024

Best overall steam cleaner: PurSteam 10-in-1 Steam Mop

Buy it now on Amazon

Why we like it: The PurSteam 10-in-1 Steam Mop is loaded with features, including an adjustable steam level and multiple attachments, such as brushes and squeegees. It’s also lightweight at just 2.2 pounds when empty (5 pounds when the reservoir is full). It heats up in 30 seconds, according to the company, and it easily converts to a handheld for smoothing wrinkles on clothing. The PurSteam is also a top pick for Schulz. 

Keep in mind: Some reviewers note that the cord doesn’t have an automatic reel option, which can be frustrating to manage. They also note that the rounded edges prevent this steam cleaner from getting into corners. 

Product details: Type: Multiuse mop and handheld | Weight: 2.2 lbs | Cord length: 15.9 feet | Tank capacity: 12.8 ounces | Compatible surfaces: Sealed flooring, tiles, grout, carpet, upholstery, clothing, glass

Best Handheld Steam Cleaner: Bissell SteamShot

Buy it now on Amazon

Why we like it: Bissell cleaning tools, including the company’s steam cleaners, have a solid reputation for quality. With nearly 50,000 reviews on Amazon, the Bissell SteamShot handheld is popular for cleaning jobs an upright may not be able to handle, like stove tops, spot-treating stains, and cleaning grout, sinks, tile, and other surfaces. It also comes with 10 attachments, including a clothing option. Reviewers rated this steamer highly for getting into awkward corners in cars, too, thanks to the steamer’s 20-foot cord. 

Keep in mind: This handheld steam cleaner holds 6.6 ounces of water, requiring refills for bigger jobs. There is no automatic cord organizer. 

Product details: Type: Handheld | Weight: 4 pounds | Cord length: 20 feet | Tank capacity: 6.6 ounces | Compatible surfaces: Tiles, grout, carpet, upholstery, clothing, glass

Best Upright Steam Cleaner: Black & Decker 7-in-1 Steam Mop with Steam Glove

Buy it now on Amazon

Why we like it: The swivel design on this upright steam cleaner makes it easy to maneuver around the house. It also comes with a unique glove attachment that lets you steam-clean mirrors and showers. We also love the flexibility of adjustable steam levels, the large tank, and attachments that let you clean a wide variety of surfaces, from curtains to barbecue grills. 

Reviewers appreciate that you don’t have to hold down the trigger to get a continuous stream of steam, making it easy to clean large areas without tiring out your hands. Bonus: It heats up in 20 seconds, according to the company.

Keep in mind: Some reviewers gave this clean steamer a low score for spot-treating stains and cleaning upholstery. It’s pricey at $171.63. 

Product details: Type: Mutliuse/upright | Weight: 10 lbs | Cord length: 20 feet | Tank capacity: 19.5 ounces | Compatible surfaces: Sealed flooring, tile, grout, clothing, glass, metal grates 

Best Budget Steam Cleaner: Shark S1000 Steam Mop

Buy it now on Amazon

Why we like it: At just under $60, the Shark S1000 ranks high on reviewers’ lists as an affordable yet efficient steam cleaner. The reservoir is removable so you can fill up quickly in the sink. Plus it’s compact and heats up in a respectable 30 seconds. 

Keep in mind: The Shark S1000 doesn’t have automatic continuous steam (you must hold down the button). It doesn’t come with attachments and the small water tank capacity requires frequent refills for larger jobs. 

Product details: Type: Upright | Weight: Listed at under 5 lbs | Cord length: 18 feet | Tank capacity: 12.8 ounces | Compatible surfaces: Sealed flooring, tile

Best Steam Cleaner for Upholstery: Pure Clean XL Rolling Steam Cleaner

Buy it now on Amazon

Why we like it: With 17 attachments and a gentle steam setting, the Pure Clean XL Rolling Steam Cleaner offers plenty of options for different types of upholstery. It has both a continuous steam switch and a steam button, so you can choose how you want to use it. A high-pressure setting lets you deep-clean denser furnishings like mattresses and car seats. Because this canister-style steamer is on wheels, you can easily pull it all around the house. We also appreciate the five-year warranty. 

Keep in mind: Due to a large reservoir, this steam cleaner is slow to heat up; it takes about eight minutes for full steam. Some reviewers felt the Pure Clean XL wasn’t very effective at pre-treating stains.

Product details: Type: Canister | Weight: 9.3 pounds | Cord Length: 16 feet | Tank capacity: 50 ounces | Compatible surfaces: Sealed flooring, upholstery, drapes, glass, mattresses, sealed kitchen countertops, kitchen appliances and countertops, baseboards, bathrooms, doorways, tile, laminate flooring, vehicles, car seats, bicycles, motorcycles, outdoor grills, toys

Best Steam Cleaner for Tile:  Bissell PowerFresh Deluxe Scrubbing & Sanitizing Steam Mop

Buy it now at Best Buy

Why we like it: The 1806 model of Bissell’s PowerFresh line turns into a portable brush tool. We like this feature because you can scrub tough stains and grime without having to change attachments. Just step down on the pedal at the base of the clean steamer, then pop off the main body. You can also adjust the steam power from low to high.

Keep in mind: Some reviewers note that the cap for the water tank is difficult to remove. 

Product details: Type: Upright | Weight: 6.2 pounds | Cord length: 25 feet | Tank capacity: 19.2 ounces | Compatible surfaces: Tile, sealed floors, grout

Most Versatile Steam Cleaner:  Dupray Neat Steam Cleaner

Buy it now on Amazon

Why we like it: The Dupray Neat Steam Cleaner is our top pick for the most versatile steam cleaner. It has 17 attachments and a retractable handle for easy lifting. We like that you can use microfiber towels or regular towels, which are easy to attach to the steamer head. You can also attach extra tubing to extend your reach, plus different precision heads and brushes to get into cracks and crevices. It has one of the largest reservoirs of any steam cleaner on this list, which lets you steam continuously for up to 50 minutes before refilling, according to the company. 

Keep in mind: Some reviewers note that the hose doesn’t detach from the canister, making it difficult to store in smaller spaces. The large base may not fit under the faucet in smaller kitchen sinks. And while this cleaner isn’t the heaviest on this list, the large reservoir, when filled, makes it heavy.

Product details: Type: Canister | Weight: 9 pounds | Cord length: 16 feet | Tank capacity: 54 ounces | Compatible surfaces: Sealed floors, tile, grout

Best Lightweight Steam Cleaner: Bissell PowerFresh Scrubbing  & Sanitizing Steam Mop

Buy it now on Amazon

Why we like it: Bissell’s popular 1940 model isn’t the lightest steam cleaner on this list. Yet its many features combined with its 6.2 pounds makes it a top pick for a lightweight steam cleaner. There’s a flip-down brush at the rear of the mop, so you can quickly tackle caked-on messes and dirty grout. You can run the steam on high, medium, or low, and with a relatively good-sized reservoir, you’ll get plenty of cleaning done. Plus, the tank is small enough to fill at the sink.

Keep in mind: Some users note there are no assembly instructions. Others say that the brush attachment doesn’t always reach the floor. 

Product details: Type: Upright | Weight: 6.2 pounds | Cord length: 23 feet | Tank capacity: 16 ounces | Compatible surfaces: Sealed floors, tile, grout

Our review process

There are many great steam cleaners on the market. For this review we took the following into consideration: 

• Third-party reviews: Efficacy, ease of use, and reliability are important factors when shopping for a steam cleaner. We looked at reviews conducted by a number of well-respected outlets, considered our expert’s input, and perused ratings and reviews on Amazon and manufacturer sites. 

• Brand Reputation & Reliability: Brand reputation matters when it comes to eco-friendly steam cleaners. Big brands like Dupray, Bissell, and Black & Decker offer a variety of warranties and return policies, plus a reputation for reliability. Bissell donates portions of every sale to its Bissell Pet Foundation, which supports animal welfare foundations across the country.

• Cost: Steam cleaners can range from under $100 to close to $200, so weighed cost against features for this list. 

Tips for buying steam cleaners

Steam cleaners come in many styles and with tons of features. Whether you’re looking for an upright or lots of flexibility for big jobs, here’s what to look for.

• Types of steam cleaners: There are three types of steam cleaners: upright, canister, and handheld. Each comes with its own set of features and cleaning options. When deciding what type of steam cleaner to get, consider the amount of storage space you have, as well as your cleaning needs. Upright steam cleaners tend to be more compact than canister-style versions, so they may be better options for smaller spaces.
  
  
• Materials and surfaces: Steam mops can be used on sealed surfaces like sheet vinyl, ceramic, and porcelain tile floors. Before you purchase, make sure areas can withstand high heat. In some cases, steam cleaning porous surfaces (unsealed stone, wood, etc.) will void the warranty and ruin floors, countertops, or painted surfaces. Steam cleaners can also further damage areas that are already cracked or peeling. Most steam mops don’t whiten grout; you’ll need a brush or a high-pressure steam wand for that. If you’re planning to clean upholstery, check the label to make sure the steam is safe for the fabric. 
  
  
• Continuous or on-demand steam: Continuous steamers release vapors at a steady rates. On-demand steam cleaners typically have a trigger that you pull or press to pump out a shot of steam.
  
  
• Steam settings: Some steam cleaners come with adjustable steam settings (low, medium, high). This can be a key factor for different materials and flooring. 
  
  
• Attachments: Many steam cleaners come with attachments. Check that these tools are right for your cleaning needs. “Look for steam mops that can tackle a variety of floor materials, or that come with attachments that can help tackle different materials,” says Schulz.

Frequently asked questions

Can you use a steam cleaner on wood floors?

Although some manufacturers say it’s safe, you shouldn’t use a steam cleaner on wood floors, even on the lowest steam setting. Steam can cause cupping and curling on wood floors. Never use a steam cleaner on waxed or unfinished wood floors. Use steam cleaners only on sealed floors. 

Can you use a steam cleaner on carpet?

Yes, however, there is only one consumer-grade steam carpet cleaner on the market. Be careful not to saturate the carpet when using a steam cleaner as doing so can damage under-flooring.

Where does the dirt go when you steam clean?

Steam cleaners don’t have suction, so they don’t pick up debris. Steam cleaners are designed to produce water vapor at high heat to disinfect and kill germs, bacteria, dust mites, and mold. The steam loosens dirt on the surface so you can wipe it away. Most steam mops come with a cloth that captures some of the grime while you steam clean.

Does steam cleaning really sanitize?

Yes, the high heat can kill up to 99.9 percent of germs, bacteria, mold, and viruses.

What is the best steamer to remove stains?

The best steam cleaner for you will be able to handle all your cleaning needs. We think the PurSteam 10-in-1 Steam Mop offers the best overall features for the price.