Investing the time to get the best steam cleaner for your household will save you a lot down the road. If you’re looking for a device that will help you cut down the time you spend on household chores, then this is the right page to be on. With our steam cleaner reviews, we are here to help you choose the best product for your needs.
Are you searching for a tool that can clean those stubborn soiled surfaces, while sanitizing them at the same time? Is the fear of those tough to clean carpet stains ruining your mood every time you have friends over? If the answer is yes, worry not because we got your back. Now, let’s see what kind of features, pros, and cons you can expect from these powerful devices!
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What Can You Use a Steam Cleaner For?
As previously mentioned, many steam cleaners have more than one use and are applicable to most of the surfaces in your home. Only the heat-sensitive objects and materials, such as silk, should not be exposed to them.
You can use a steam cleaner on your living room floors and carpets. Removing wax from your table or floors after a romantic dinner with candles is no trouble with a machine like this. You can even clean your furniture or your pet’s bed.
It finds great use in your kitchen as well! It will help you clean your oven and sticky pots with ease. Surfaces such as countertops and cabinets are being restored into their old glory by just one use of a good steam cleaner.
The whole bathroom can be cleaned and sanitized with a strong steam cleaner. Shower stalls, toilet seats, tiles, mirrors, all can be refreshed and sanitized without the use of harsh chemicals. These machines are safe to use on walls and ceiling vents as well as on your car’s interior surface. All in all, there is very little these machines can’t be used for.
Is Steam Cleaning More Effective?
Most of the surfaces around your house are porous and those pores can hide some mean bacteria and dirt within them. When it comes to carpet cleaning, there are huge differences between dry cleaning and steam cleaning. No matter how well you scrub and clean or how much of the cleaning products you use, nothing can penetrate those pores and clean more thoroughly, while sanitizing them, than the hot steam.
Using a steam cleaner on your pillows and duvets can help you a lot if tackling an allergy or acne problem. Did you know that a study, led by Dr. Arthur Tucker, confirmed that up to a third of the weight of a pillow is dead skin, bugs, dust mites, and their feces? Imagine just how many of them find their home in your duvets!
Even if you’re not allergic to anything, simply getting rid of all that’s in them will make you sleep a lot better. A strong steam cleaner can tackle that problem very effectively for you. Now, we think that is effective!
Best Steam Cleaners Comparison Chart
| PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
|---|---|---|---|
 | McCulloch MC1275 with 18 Accessories |
| View On Amazon |
 | PurSteam Handheld Pressurized |
| View On Amazon |
 | Bissell Spinwave 2039A |
| View On Amazon |
 | Bissell PowerFresh Slim 2075A |
| View On Amazon |
 | Steam Mop – Steam Cleaner Multifunctional Steamer |
| View On Amazon |
 | Bissell PowerFresh 1940 |
| View On Amazon |
 | Steam Mop – with 7.4 Ounces Tank |
| View On Amazon |
 | Lovin Product Handheld |
| View On Amazon |
Best Steam Cleaner Reviews
1. McCulloch MC1275 with 18 Accessories
With its elegant design and as many as 18 accessories, there is very little this device can’t do. Some of these accessories are mop pads, a brass brush, nylon brushes, a scrub pad, a squeegee, and many others. Equipped with such a heavy arsenal of cleaning gadgets, this product can tackle almost all types of dirt, germs, and stains on various surfaces. With its 15.7-foot power cord and over 9-foot-long steam hose, previously hard-to-reach spots will no longer be a problem.
Using harsh chemicals can be dangerous, not just for those with children but for grownups as well. With this tile steam cleaner’s 48-ounce water tank that heats up in less than 8 minutes, you get 45 minutes of pressured steam to deep clean and sanitize almost all surfaces in and around your home.
McCulloch is perfectly suited to be used on your laminate or sealed wood flooring as well as on ceramic tiles, grout or granite, without damaging the surfaces. It’s the tool to own when faced with heavy grease on your grill or a dirty vehicle. Basically, nothing is too dirty of a job for this machine. To top it all, this versatile, heavy-duty steam cleaner comes with a 2-year hassle-free warranty.
Pros
- This steam cleaner is extra-mobile, with its size and a long 15.7-foot power cord you will be able to reach more places.
- The larger than average tank provides prolonged cleaning sessions
- Alongside the main unit, you will get 18 extra extensions to adapt he cleaner to the task at hand
Cons
- Some plastic parts are a bit clunky, so be careful while setting up
- The steam produced may be a bit too strong for some more sensitive surfaces. Make sure to spot test first
2. PurSteam Handheld Pressurized
This small in size, heavy-duty handheld steam cleaner definitely has its perks. Light and small, it’s easy to carry and even easier to store. What makes this unit stand out is its specially designed handle that allows for a good grip and easy maneuvering.
Are you afraid of bed bugs? Who isn’t! With the PurSteam handheld pressurized steam cleaner, you will be able to address that problem. This unit produces 30% more steam flow than most steam cleaners on the market in its price range. Even those are two times expensive. The best thing about this model is that it does all that in only 3 to 4 minutes. You’ll be able to sanitize your mattresses with the same device you use to iron the sheets.
Its 9-piece accessory set turns this unit into a multifunctioning household tool.
It is suitable for ironing, cleaning heavy grease of your pots, removing hard stains of your carpets, washing your car and much more. It has a 9.8-foot long cord and is therefore convenient for use on larger surfaces, both indoor and outdoor. However, this unit was made for household use and you may have to refill the tank a few times if you want to cover larger surfaces while cleaning.
Pros
- This steam cleaner is exceptionally easy to carry around, and its handheld body will give you a lot of range
- 9 additional extensions will help you tackle any cleaning job
- Due to its smaller size, this steamer heats up pretty fast
Cons
- This particular steamer is not made for heavy-duty cleaning
- Not suitable for longer cleaning sessions, due to its smaller tanks size
3. Bissell Spinwave 2039A
What matters when you’re buying a household tool is that you know exactly what you plan on using it for. This unit stays true to its name and simply does exactly that what it’s called. Bissell does its job well. It weighs 9.5 pounds and it is easy to move around the house. It comes with a set of washable soft touch cleaning pads and a set of scrubby pads, for those sticky surfaces that require more attention.
This Bissell steam cleaner has a 28-ounce water tank and an on-demand spray option. You choose when to press and spray the solution onto your floors. With this device, you can clean underneath the furniture without hurting your knees to get to difficult spots. Its swivel steering makes it easy to maneuver and reach those sticky tiles underneath the kitchen cabinets.
This unit is not a heavy-duty machine and is not suited for heavy cleaning. However, it is of great help around the house. This is the tool to have when you’re having guests over. After a busy day at work, mopping those floors and getting your house ready will go much faster with a tool like this.
Pros
- Ergonomic handle shape and size make this cleaner beginner-friendly
- Quick heat up module enables you to use the cleaner almost immediately
- Mop holder shape helps you reach under counters and furniture easily
Cons
- The main pad is a bit hard to wash after the cleaning is done
- The water tank of the unit is slightly smaller than average
4. Bissell PowerFresh Slim 2075A
If you’re looking for a safe and cost-effective way of cleaning your home, then a steam cleaner is the thing you’re looking for. Bissell Powerfresh Slim Steam Mop has an onboard toolkit that follows as you move around the house. Cleaning, sanitizing or ironing, this device can change its purpose on the go. It has a variety of functions, a handheld portable steam cleaner being just one of them.
Adding its extended reach wand, you get one of the top-rated steam mops that can reach on and above the floors, underneath the furniture and much more. The hot steam can eliminate 99.9% of germs and bacteria without the use of any harsh chemicals. With its flat surface tool, you can clean larger surfaces above floors, such as kitchen cabinets or tables.
With the clothing steamer tool, you can steam clean your shirts, curtains, furniture, and others.
It also comes with a grout tool that leaves your bathroom tiles looking brand new. It weighs 6 pounds and doesn’t take up much space. This unit is not a heavy-duty tool and the steam pressure may be stronger when used as a handheld steam cleaner than when used as a steam mop. Nonetheless, this unit is a good home tool and does what it’s made for. It comes with a 2-year limited warranty.
Pros
- A combo steam cleaner that can act both as a mop and a handheld steamer
- It has 9 accessories provided with the main unit
- Works well when aimed in any direction
Cons
- Due to the combo design, the water tank is smaller than average
- The mop mode is a bit weaker than the standalone steam mops
5. Steam Mop – Steam Cleaner Multifunctional Steamer
This product is a 5-in-1 tool that is well built and worth the money.
Weighing only 6.3 pounds, it’s light and easy to carry around and maneuver.
Steam Mop has a 340ml/11.5Oz tank that is good for 20-25 minutes of steaming on the lowest setting. That is enough for your regular mopping session around the house. It will refresh your home and give a shiny, new look to your floors, all with less effort than with a regular mop.
This transformable device can be used as a handheld steamer, with which you can iron your drapes or your garments as well as steam clean your windows and mirrors. It can remove stains from your carpets or serve as a steam cleaner for coach, without having to use harsh chemicals. No need to fear to ruin the fabric anymore. This unit works in 3 adjustable modes, meaning that you get to control the steam pressure and adjust it to your specific needs.
It takes only 30-seconds for this unit to be ready for use. With the super-heated steam, you can kill all the germs in your children’s pillows while being sure no chemicals were involved.
The company has a free replacement policy, without any costs for the buyer, and the unit itself comes with a 1-year warranty.
Pros
- Combo steam cleaner that can fulfill a lot of roles
- Automatic power-off feature when placed in the upright position
- The steams power can be changed through the user interface
Cons
- The steam mop module is a bit weaker than the other modes
- Some users report that you need to put in some extra muscle during a floor cleaning
6. Bissell PowerFresh 1940
Bissell is a leading company in the homecare business and stands out for paying attention to the needs of their consumers. All their products are adapted to suit your everyday cleaning needs.
This Bissell product has a built-in easy scrubber that helps you get rid of the sticky spots on your kitchen floors and does that fast, with no chemicals involved. The special pockets on mop pads were designed for Febreze spring breeze fragrance discs that leave your home smelling fresh and clean. The unit is suitable for use on hardwood, ceramic surfaces, granite, and marble, as well as linoleum floors.
You get to control the steam pressure by choosing one of the 3 modes (low, medium, high).
This steam cleaner comes with a removable tank with a 16-ounce capacity and the steam warm-up time is just 30 seconds. To maintain the device clean and working, it is recommended that you use distilled or demineralized water. It is easy to maneuver and designed to help you tackle the dirt in those hard to get spots, such as underneath the furniture or kitchen cabinets. It comes with a two-year warranty.
Pros
- Lightweight and easy to control around the house
- It has an air refreshing module if you want your house to smell nice after you’re done with cleaning
- 3 installed steam modes that help you adjust the power to the floor type
Cons
- Stronger steam levels this unit provides can damage more sensitive floors. Make sure to test it.
- The pads provided do not wash out easily
7. Steam Mop – With 7.4 Ounces Tank
LIGHT ‘N’ EASY is a company that has been around for over 60 years, manufacturing high quality, affordable devices for your homes. This particular unit offers to replace all regular cleaning products and mops, leaving behind just clean and fresh floors.
How much time do you spend on preparing your regular mops and cleaning supplies before you can actually start cleaning? With this unit, the super-heated steam is ready in only 30 seconds. Now, that’s a timesaver.
This high power, wide cover range unit will help you clean those hard to reach surfaces with ease.
No more scrubbing stains on your knees and elbows, no more extra water everywhere.
Its total weight is 4 pounds, making it easy for carrying around and maneuvering.
With this unit, you get to save time, enjoy your everyday cleaning tasks and expect great results.
If you have small children or are a pet owner, you surely want them away from harmful, strong chemicals generally used for cleaning. The hot steam eliminates 99.9% of bacteria and germs and is safe for both, your floors and those playing on them.
With a snap-on glider, that can be purchased separately, you can even give your carpets a fresh clean look while sanitizing them as well.
This unit comes with a one-year warranty and a free replacement policy.
Pros
- The ergonomic design makes it easy to clean floors without having to apply extra muscle strength
- The faster you move the mop, the more steam it will release
- The pump which adds extra pressure is easy to master
Cons
- Designed for floor maintenance only, not for attacking stubborn stains
- The mop pads need to be secured tightly because they sometimes detach during cleaning
8. Lovin Product Handheld
One of the perks of owning a steam cleaner is that no use of chemicals is necessary to sanitize your home. With this handheld steam cleaner comes an accessory kit of a total of 9 pieces. With one of the attachments, you can even use it for some light ironing. There is also an attachment with which you can sanitize a variety of surfaces.
While it can be used for some mid-duty cleaning around the house, its performance is as good when faced with more delicate tasks, such as cleaning your car’s interiors. This versatile steam cleaner has a tank capacity of 350 ml and a steam pressure of 0.25-0.30 MPa.
It is easily portable, only 3.84 pounds heavy, and comes with a 9.5 feet power cord for better mobility. The unit heats up fast and can resist high pressure. It also has a safety lock and cap on the handle, so no harm can come to children or the elderly from the hot steam.
This product is not a heavy-duty tool that can handle long cleaning sessions, but it is suited for some light-duty cleaning tasks around the house. Energy-saving and user-friendly is what best describes this unit. For a good price, you get a versatile, small household tool that is easy to store and handy to own.
Pros
- One of the more potent steam cleaners in the handheld group
- The provided attachments are useful for various types of situations
- This steamer is one of the most affordable out there
Cons
- Doesn’t do well with older and heavier stains
- You will have to refill often if you plan to clean for a longer time
What Is Steam Cleaning?
Let’s start with the steam cleaning basics. Since most of you are probably still using regular mops and detergents for everyday cleaning around the house, we’ve prepared a detailed explanation as to why steam cleaners are a safer and better choice.
Naturally, the first question is what a steam cleaner is and how it functions. Steam cleaners are cleaning units that, within their own tanks, have a boiler that heats up the water up to 300 degrees Fahrenheit, forming a low moister steam vapor. As it reaches the tip of the cleaner the steam vapor cools to something over 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
That temperature is more than enough for the hot steam to disintegrate all dirt and sticky spots, killing germs and bacteria, softening and making it easy to swipe away.
The best part is that steam cleaners have multiple uses and are suitable for various surfaces.
These machines, if used by the instructions in their user manuals, will clean stubborn stains, dirt, grime, kill bacteria, without damaging your floors, carpets, garments or windows.
What Can A Steam Cleaner Clean?
Many steam cleaners offer a variety of functions. Some are designed only for cleaning floors, but many can transform from a floor steam cleaner into a handheld steam ironing device, just by changing one of its parts. Some can be used to clean furniture or even clean the most stubborn carpet stains. What they do the best, whatever material or surface you use them on, sanitize and kill 99.9% of bacteria and even some viruses.
Safety first!
If you have kids or are a pet owner, one of your biggest worries must be all the chemicals they get in contact with after you mop the floors with regular detergents. Those heavy chemicals can affect your child’s health in many ways.
Eczema, airway irritation, eye irritation, allergies, and poisoning are just a few things that can be caused by chemicals used in everyday cleaning. Sometimes kids and even grownups may experience some health issues, not knowing that the cause of those issues is the very thing they use to clean their living spaces.
Steam cleaners are arguably the safest way to clean your home. They use only water, no chemicals whatsoever, sanitize the space and leave behind fresh-looking surfaces. Neat!
Can The Steam Hurt You?
As we’ve previously mentioned, the steam is very hot. However, the moment it hits a cold surface it starts evaporating and losing temperature. Therefore, unless you point the cleaner in the general direction of your face or any other body part and release the hot steam, it cannot hurt you. Most of the steam cleaners on the market have a safety lock so that no harm can come to curious children or pets playing around.
Dirty Carpets, Shampoo or Steam?
There is a huge difference. Shampooing and dry cleaning are not the best ways to clean your carpets. Most of the dirt and grime is just being smushed deeper into the fabric, leaving space for more mold and bacteria to thrive in there.
Some shampoos, due to the chemicals in them, can cause your carpets to change color or turn yellow in time. With a proper steam cleaner, dirt is being dissolved and removed from the fabric. It removes mildew spores and mold without damaging the carpet.
If you want to clean your carpets properly and prolong their life, simply invest in a home carpet cleaner.
Steam Cleaner Buying Guide
Now that we’ve gone through the basics, it is time to get into the details that different models bring to the table. Steam cleaners, as you might have noticed, come in a lot of shapes and sizes, and each type has something unique and different to offer.
So, we encourage you to use this guide part as a checklist of sorts. Read through each feature and guideline, and factor everything to decide which features you want, and which are not that relevant.
Let’s dive in!
1. Portability
A mighty and powerful steam cleaner is always welcome, yes, but what good is a steam cleaner that you cannot freely move around the house. If you are aiming at cleaning smaller stains daily, or have a spot that is used often, you might want to look for a model with a lower total weight. There are models out there that are almost handheld, so if maneuvering is what you aim for, think about it. You can check our handheld steam cleaner reviews for that.
On the other hand, you can get yourself a heftier model that usually brings a lot more, and is often significantly stronger. The weight can be a problem if you have any movement difficulties, or the space you want to clean is small and crowded with furniture.
But lower total weight usually means a smaller water tank, which brings us to another feature to keep in mind.
2. Tank Size and Water Usage
If you want to limit your choice on lighter models, you should mind the tank size. Why? Well, water tank size can roughly be translated to the amount of time you get to clean without interruptions.
Smaller water tanks are made for models that tackle smaller stains and everyday dirt problems, while larger containers support long-cleaning steam systems.
Plenty of steam cleaners are good with regular tap water. However, some may require you to use only distilled or demineralized water. It is very important to stick to the rules. Follow the instruction manuals and you won’t be disappointed.
There is no strict rule about water tanks. You have to remember to factor in both the weight of the steam cleaner AND the water tank size. Lately, various manufacturers have begun to make models that use less water overall or have some “low water usage” mode.
3. Warm-up Time
Some people value time convenience over portability. When we are talking about steam cleaners, their biggest time-consuming process is vaporizing the water from the tank and turning it into the steam we utilize for cleaning. Every steam cleaner out there, no matter the price range, will need some time to heat the water. But it doesn’t depend only on its power.
Models with smaller water tanks will naturally need less time to heat the water, but they will also run out of the water faster than the other models. So, to make the safest bet is looking for a versatile model, try factoring in the warm-up time.
Faster steam cleaners are especially useful for people that have toddlers or pets inside their homes. For a quick cleaning session, you would want to have the fastest option. But, if you are looking for a steam cleaner that can support you through more extended and more thorough cleaning challenges, you should not pay that much attention to the warm-up time.
4. Temperature Regulation
Some professionals out there might consider temperature regulation as an essential feature of a steam cleaner. And we would have to agree with them. Proper thermal management is critical for sensitive floors and delicate surfaces. Let us not forget that a steam cleaner is no ordinary mop or cloth and that these machines pack a powerful punch.
If you have more than two different surfaces to clean at your home, with the same cleaner, of course, you should look for a steam cleaner model that offers at least two separate heat modes. Hitting hardwood with really hot steam may damage it, but it may be just suitable for tiles or other ceramic surfaces.
Steam cleaners that give you the power to choose how much pressure and heat is used will undoubtedly prove to be better allies in fighting stubborn stains.
5. Additional Extensions and Bonus Features
Boiling water is not a feat of engineering, but utilizing the steam in the best possible way is. That’s why you should always be on the lookout for additional features and extensions that come with the steam cleaner. Now, just checking if the number of additions is high is not enough, and to be honest, it is not a good strategy. What you should probably do is take a tour of the space you will be cleaning and see what kind of extensions would fit the situation best. Here’s a shortlist of additional features that are always welcome alongside the steamer:
- Extension hoses and tight hose ends – When it comes to tackling those small but stubborn stains, the narrower the steam output, the more steam power you get to utilize. Steam hoses and tight nozzles are there to provide that kind of cleaning.
- Squeegees and glass-cleaning extensions – Have you ever seen a steam cleaned window? No, you haven’t, because steam cleaned windows are entirely transparent. Squeaky clean windows are achieved with a steam squeegee that works similarly to a car window wiper.
- Mops and microfiber cloths – For delicate surfaces, you will always want to have access to softer materials. Some steam cleaner models come with mops and towels made of high-quality microfiber.
- Brush heads in various sizes – Lastly, brushes that allow steam to go through are valuable in tackling the hardest of stains. There are circular, rectangular and angled brushes out there, so make sure you get the set that fits the space you want to clean.
6. Safety
Lastly, what you want to factor into the steam cleaner feature list are the safety measures. If you have kids, or you are generally worried about mixing water with powerful heating motors, always look for models that have an auto-shutdown feature (although the majority has some kind of auto-safety).
Some models have low-water indicators, which can be helpful if you intend to use your steam cleaner for extended cleaning sessions.
Wrap Up
Carpet Cleaner Lab team tried to cover all possible questions that you might have in our steam cleaner reviews about these cleaning machines. After all that we’ve said, it’s safe to conclude that every household should have its own steam cleaner. They are reliable when it comes to cleaning, easy to use and much safer for children and pets than the chemicals we all so frequently use.
Best steam cleaners can come in all shapes and sizes and in all price ranges. We’ve shown you that there are plenty of good units and manufacturers for you to choose from. However, the best steam cleaners are those that fit your needs perfectly.
