Buying guide for Best steam mops
If you’re looking for the quickest way to deep clean your hard flooring, a steam mop might be the answer. It has an internal heating element that converts water to steam to loosen dirt and residue. The cloth cleaning pad on the mop’s head then gently buffs away the mess. You don’t have to get down on your hands and knees to scrub or strain your back emptying buckets of dirty water. That makes a steam mop a particularly smart investment if you have back or joint issues.
A steam mop eliminates the need to use harsh chemicals to get rid of dirt, making it a good option if you have children and/or pets. It also gets floors cleaner than traditional mopping because the steam is usually hot enough to kill germs. Best of all, floors dry more quickly, so you don’t have to worry about keeping people and pets off wet floors.
When shopping for a steam mop, focus on the features that make cleaning floors easier. The size of the water tank affects how often you’ll need to refill it, while the length of the cord determines how far you can move around a room without having to change outlets. You can even find steam mops with adjustable steam settings to target a specific type of mess or flooring.
We’ve tested and compared the best steam mops available to see how their features stack up and what types of messes they work best for. The Shark Genius Steam Pocket Mop is our favorite because it’s easy to set up and its touchless design means you can avoid handling dirty cleaning pads. For bargain hunters, the Shark Steam Pocket Mop has an extra-large water tank that can clean a spacious room without needing a refill.
EXPERT Tip
Washing your steam pad in between uses is very important so that you're actually cleaning and not just moving the dirt around.
BestReviews Cleaning Expert
Steam mops
If you want a steam mop that’s easy to set up and use, this model is at the top of our list. We were impressed by how quickly it could be assembled and filled, taking just a couple of minutes to get it ready for mopping. You can choose from three intelligent steam settings that produce the right amount of steam for different types of cleaning. The Steam Blaster feature gives you a burst of targeted steam to loosen stubborn stuck-on dirt.
The Shark Genius has a 12-ounce water tank that provides up to 15 minutes of steam on the highest setting without refilling. We also found that its 22-foot cord is long enough to completely clean a large room, making it an excellent model if you have a lot of hard flooring to cover.
Another top model from Shark, this steam mop is the most affordable on our list and ideal if you’re on a budget. It is lightweight, weighing just over 4.5 pounds, but it still has a large 15-ounce water tank that cuts down on refills. The 18-foot cord works well for midsize rooms.
This Shark steam mop’s swivel head lets you easily maneuver around furniture and other obstacles when mopping. The dual-sided design means you can use both sides of the cleaning pad without stopping to flip it around, increasing the surface area for big jobs. The pads are also reusable and machine washable.
If you have a large home with plenty of hard flooring to clean, this powerful steam mop can handle the job. It has an extra-long 25-foot cord with automatic cord rewind and a 16-ounce water tank that lets you clean even the largest of rooms with ease. It also has two steam settings to choose from, depending on your cleaning needs, and a SpotBOOST brush, built to tackle stubborn stains and messes.
A unique feature of the Bissell Sapphire PowerFresh Deluxe is the built-in tray that holds a fragrance disc that releases a fresh scent as you clean. It is easy to fill, and the swivel steering makes maneuvering around furniture a breeze.
If versatility is what you’re after, look no further than this Bissell steam mop. Unlike the other mops on our list, it’s designed for both indoor and outdoor use and comes with more than two dozen accessories. It also has an impressive 25-foot cord that makes it easy to cover large areas. In addition to your interior flooring, you can use it to clean your garage, workshop, boat, ATV, patio furniture, windows and more.
The 8-ounce water tank is on the smaller side, but you can also use the mop as an upright, handheld and extended-reach steam cleaner. It offers variable steam modes and an on-demand trigger, giving you precise control.
The lightest steam mop on our list, this model weighs just over 2 pounds, making it one of the easiest to maneuver around furniture. It also offers three adjustable steam settings and takes less than 30 seconds to fully heat up. The 15.9-foot cord can easily handle midsize rooms, and the nearly 13-ounce water tank can produce up to 12 minutes of steam on the highest steam setting.
If you’re short on storage space, we like that the handle folds down to make the mop more compact when not in use. It works as a handheld steamer and comes with seven accessories to clean multiple flooring types and messes.
If you have children and/or pets that often make big messes, this steam mop has a scrubbing head that can take care of the most stubborn dirt. Its 22-foot cord and 16-ounce water tank can handle large rooms with ease. You can choose from three steam modes, including a light setting for spot cleaning and a deep setting for stuck-on dirt. The scrubbing head delivers 150 scrubs per minute, allowing for quick, effortless cleaning in a busy house.
We also like this mop’s LED headlights that illuminate the floor under furniture so you don’t miss hidden debris or residue. The four scrubbing pads are washable and reusable.
Maximize your cleaning time with this unique steam mop that lets you steam clean floors and vacuum up pet hair and dirt at the same time. It has two steam settings and a vacuum-only function, all controlled with easy-touch digital controls. The water tank holds 12.8 ounces, enabling you to clean for over 10 minutes on the highest setting. The 25-foot cord reaches easily around large rooms.
Depending on the messes you’re cleaning, this versatile two-in-one cleaning tool is compatible with both disposable and washable mop pads. A hands-free feature means you won’t get your hands dirty when emptying the vacuum.
Get more bang for your buck with this Shark steam mop that has a removable handheld steamer for above-floor and garment steaming. It features an Intelli-Mop head with a touch-free pad attach-and-release feature to keep your hands clean. It also offers three levels of steam control to dust, mop and scrub.
The 3-foot above-floor accessory hose lets you clean areas that would otherwise be hard to reach. The mop works for homes of all sizes too. The 22-foot cord lets you clean large rooms without changing outlets, and you won’t have to refill the extra-large 17-ounce water tank very often for big jobs.
If you want to steam-clean multiple areas and surfaces in your home, this steam cleaning system is versatile enough to tackle the job. This Black and Decker mop works on multiple flooring types just like other steam mops, but it also has a detachable handheld steamer for cleaning above-floor surfaces like countertops and windows. It comes with six attachments for specific cleaning tasks, including a grout brush, nylon scrub brush and metal grate brush.
It takes just 30 seconds to heat up and offers continuous steam. The 26-foot cord works well for medium to large rooms, and the extra-large 17-ounce water tank limits refills.
How we tested
After researching what each steam mop offers, we tested the Shark Genius Steam Pocket Mop to see how it did in the following areas.
Ease of use
- Setup: We tested each step of the setup process from taking it out of the packaging to filling the water tank to plugging it in for use.
- Weight: A steam mop’s weight plays a big role in how easy it is to maneuver around your home. We paid careful attention to how heavy it felt with the water tank empty and full.
- Heat-up time: We evaluated how long it took for the mop to heat up to each steam setting.
Convenience
- Cord length: We paid close attention to the steam mop’s cord length for the mop’s use in rooms of various sizes.
- Steam settings: We tested all three of the steam settings on the Shark Genius to see how long they took to heat up and how effectively they cleaned.
- Maneuverability: We considered how easy it was to maneuver the Shark Genius over floors and around furniture when cleaning.
- Drying time: We evaluated how long it took for flooring surfaces to dry after using the steam mop.
Quality
- Steam production: We tested how long the steam mop produced steam on each setting before the water tank was empty.
- Cleaning performance: We tested the Shark Genius on several types of flooring to evaluate how well it cleaned and which steam settings were most effective based on the floor type.
- Mop pads: We considered how well the mop pads cleaned dirt and residue from flooring as well as how easy they were to clean after use.
Expert Tip
Take the steam pad off after each use. Also, you'll want to use up all of the water in the tank so that water doesn't sit inside the water tank in between each use.
BestReviews Cleaning Expert
What to know before buying a steam mop
Size and weight
It’s important to choose a steam mop that’s comfortable to handle. Some models weigh as much as 15 pounds without any water in them, while others weigh as little as 5 pounds with water inside. If possible, test the weight and feel of a steam mop before you purchase it. If you’re buying it online, check the reviews to see what others think about the mop’s ergonomics.
In terms of storage, a model that has a folding or telescoping handle is easier to tuck into a closet or cabinet. If you have furniture that sits close to the floor, choose a mop with a low profile that will easily fit beneath items with low clearance.
Water tank
The water tank, or reservoir, is one of the most important components of a steam mop. Consider the size of the tank first: the more water the tank holds, the less often you’ll have to refill it while you’re cleaning. Keep in mind, however, that the more water the mop holds, the heavier it will be.
A removable water tank is a convenient feature. It allows you to refill the tank in the sink. If the tank doesn’t detach, you’ll have to fill the mop with a container or funnel. It’s also a good idea to choose a model with a tank you can refill without having to turn the mop off and cool down.
Controls and settings
Controls: A steam mop with digital controls is the easiest to use. Those with trigger controls can cause hand fatigue fairly quickly and are a poor option if you have arthritis in your hands or another condition that affects dexterity.
Steam settings: The most effective, versatile steam mops have adjustable steam settings. With adjustable settings, you can control the steam output to best match the type of flooring and mess. Look for a mop that has at least three settings for the most control. You should also pay attention to the mop’s maximum steam temperature. For deep cleaning, you want a model that reaches at least 140 to 180 degrees.
After you plug in and turn on the mop, you must wait for it to heat up and start producing steam. Note that a steam mop can take anywhere from 30 seconds to several minutes to heat up.
Head type
The shape, size and maneuverability of the head on a steam mop determine how easily it will clean your home and what areas it will be able to reach. There are three basic head types:
Rectangular: This works best if you have large areas of open floor to clean.
Triangular: This is ideal for cleaning nooks and crannies, such as around a toilet or in the corners of a shower stall, but a small triangular head isn’t practical for cleaning a large area.
Swivel: A mop head that swivels comes in handy when you need to maneuver around furniture and other items. Look for one that turns 180 degrees for the most versatility.
Cord
It might seem like a small detail, but the cord on a steam mop is important. You want to choose a model with a long cord that makes it easy to move around a large room without having to unplug the appliance and risk it cooling down. Look for a steam mop with a cord that’s at least 20 feet long. If you have very large spaces to clean, choose a model with a cord that’s around 30 feet.
Accessories
Many steam mops come with additional accessories or attachments that make cleaning various surfaces easier, such as a brush for scrubbing grout or squeegee for cleaning mirrors and windows. Some steam mops come with a carpet glider to freshen up rugs and carpets. Others include tools for cleaning blinds, drapes, car interiors and countertops. A mop that comes with a tray or landing pad is great for catching any drips during and after use.
Tips for using a steam mop
- Vacuum or sweep the floor before using your steam mop to remove any loose dirt.
- Wash the cleaning pad between uses. Leaving it dirty will reduce its efficiency
- Loosen stubborn dirt. If there’s a particularly dirty spot on the floor, allow the steam mop to sit on the area for 8 to 10 seconds so the steam has time to loosen the dirt.
- Fill the tank with distilled water. This is particularly important if you live in an area with hard water.
- Empty the water tank after each use. Do this before you store the mop. Remove the cleaning pad to prevent mildew.
FAQ
Q. How much do steam mops cost?
A. In general, they range in price from as little as $50 to as much as $300. For a durable, effective mop, you can expect to pay $80 to $150.
Q. What type of flooring can I clean with a steam mop?
A. Always consult the owner’s manual for your mop to ensure that it’s safe for use on your flooring. That said, most steam mops can be used on marble, ceramic, stone, linoleum, vinyl, laminate and sealed wood flooring.
Q. Are the steam mop’s cloth cleaning pads reusable?
A. Most steam mops use reusable pads that must be cleaned regularly. Most can be machine washed on the delicate cycle with a mild laundry detergent, but consult the owner’s manual for the proper washing procedure for that mop.
Q. What maintenance does a steam mop need?
A. Limescale can accumulate in the water tank, particularly if you’re filling it with hard water. Be sure to empty and wipe down the tank after each use. It’s also a good idea to periodically clean the steam nozzle with a pin to remove any limescale deposits that collect there.
Q. How long does a steam mop last?
A. The lifespan of a steam mop depends on the model you buy and how often you use it. Budget-friendly models sometimes wear out after a year, while high-end mops can last for 5 years or more. Keep in mind that the more often you use the mop, the sooner it will break down. If you use your steam mop once a week or less, it will last longer. If you use it daily, it might start to show signs of wear and tear after about a year.
