The 8 Best Steam Cleaners of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

Black+Decker 7-in-1 Steam-Mop

$127 At Amazon $160 At Wayfair $155 At Home Depot

Our Ratings

• Ease of Use
  3.5/5
• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Ease of Cleaning
  5/5
• Maneuverability
  4.5/5
• Value
  3/5

Of all of the steam cleaners we tested, the Black+Decker 7-in-1 Multipurpose Steam Cleaner stands out as the best overall. It can clean just about anything, thanks to its long list of attachments and flexible design. In our lab, it earned a perfect score in key performance areas like usability, versatility, and portability. It can be used as a mop and handheld appliance, and we were especially impressed with how intuitive and beginner-friendly the design is (although, the plethora of attachments could overwhelm if you're not used to them!). We had no complaints about the setup process and were even pleasantly surprised that the steam cleaner-steam mop combo heated the water nearly instantly.

We tested this machine on both hard surface stains and soft surface spills. On tile, the cleaner lifted a soy sauce stain in about three minutes—requiring multiple passes, a little agitation, and some excess water to be wiped up. However, the maneuverability of the mop head made up for the extra time we spent treating this stain, and we feel that the steps required of us were reasonable for the results achieved. On a similar note, we did deal with some drips from some of the attachments, too.

On a soft surface, the handheld iteration loosened a caked-on ketchup stain in about a minute. We found the glove attachment to be the best route for cleaning this mess, but we wish it came with a scrubbing tool because we think that would have been even easier. Though, speaking of the glove attachment, that was a feature we very much appreciated for its overall convenience and effectiveness. The performance on a soil stain was pretty unremarkable compared to everything else we saw in this machine, and if you're considering using your next steam cleaner on upholstered furniture, a heads-up that this one is probably best for spot cleaning and freshening up your furniture rather than tackling serious messes on a couch or upholstered chair. Still, the sheer variety in attachments and efficient performance make this multipurpose steam cleaner a great addition to your cleaning arsenal.

How It Performed Long-Term

We tested this combination steam cleaner-mop in a home environment for two months. While we didn't end up needing the additional attachments during our testing period, we regularly steam-mopped the home's tile, hardwood, and poured concrete floors. We found it performed best on tile. We confirmed that it feels lightweight and easy to maneuver in real-life situations, especially because the mop has a low-enough profile to slide under furniture. Just know the tank does sometimes leak a bit. But, on the plus side, the mop pads are a cinch to attach and wash—just keep in mind that if you plan to mop frequently, you may need to purchase additional pads to keep in rotation between laundry loads.

_{Dimensions: 25.6 x 7 x 12.8 inches | Weight: 6 pounds | Tank Capacity: 19.6 ounces | Cord Length: 20 feet | Heat Time: 20 seconds | Run Time: Not listed | Surface Type: Flooring, appliances, tile, grout, glass, metal, and fabric}

Best Budget

Costway Multipurpose Steam Cleaner

$100 At Amazon $100 At Walmart

Our Ratings

• Setup
  4/5
• Effectiveness
  4/5
• Portability
  4.5/5
• Noise Level
  5/5
• Value
  5/5

If you want to deep clean just about anything in your home, but don't want to spend a ton on a steam cleaner, the versatile Costway Multipurpose Steam Cleaner is the way to go. It comes with 19 accessories, so you can use it on everything from floors to furniture. We were most impressed by how quickly the cleaner heats up, compared to other picks. Setting up the cleaner also met our expectations.

Our first challenge for this cleaner was the soy sauce test on a tile surface. It took a little less than three minutes to dissolve the spill. We found that it takes a pass or two to remove a wet stain, and you may need to use a sponge as well. The machine performed just as well on soft surfaces, lifting ketchup from an upholstered cushion in just one and a half minutes and soil in a mere 45 seconds.

While some steam cleaners can become hot to the touch or drip water, this Costway appliance has neither of those shortcomings. The buttons are easy to navigate and in an ideal location. For these reasons, we gave this machine top marks for usability. This steam cleaner is also powerful but quiet (another perfect rating). You can use the cleaner while having a conversation or listening to music without struggling to hear over the pressure of the steam.

With 19 accessories, it’s obvious that this steam cleaner is designed to help you clean every nook and cranny in your home, garage, outdoor space, and car. While we wished the cleaner head with extension tubes pivoted better, it wasn't a dealbreaker for us. It's just something to be aware of if you have large areas of flooring you plan to clean at once.

_{Dimensions: 20.4 x 12.4 x 11.9 inches | Weight: 12.9 pounds | Tank Capacity: 51 ounces | Cord Length: 10 feet | Heat Time: 5 to 6 minutes | Run Time: 30 to 45 minutes | Surface Type: Flooring, appliances, countertops, tile, grout, glass, and upholstery}

Best Heavy-Duty

Poulan PRO PP270 Power Steam Cleaner

$120 At Wayfair $110 At Home Depot $110 At Walmart

Looking to tackle tough jobs around your home? The Poulan Pro Portable Power Steam Cleaner is designed for big jobs on a multitude of surfaces. Weighing just 6 pounds, it's also easy to carry around with you as you tackle the messes on your oven, car, floors, and even kids' toys.

When we tested this Poulan Pro steam cleaner in a home setting, we noted that the setup process was a total breeze. Heating the water took around seven minutes, and the machine was able to run for 15 minutes, as compared to the advertised half hour. We were incredibly impressed with how effortlessly it removed dirt from grout—just swiping it back and forth, then wiping away the dirty water with a rag did the trick. It doesn't get much easier than that.

This pick can also be used as a mop, and we attached the mop pad to continue our testing chores. We noticed that this model doesn't come with any wheels, but it does have a carrying strap that adds to its maneuverability and portability. In addition, the Poulan Pro comes with a squeegee tool (which is a rare find!), a variety of brushes, and a tote bag for storing. We think this makes it a particularly great choice if you're planning to use and store the steam cleaner in a garage.

_{Dimensions: 10.9 x 5.25 x 11 inches | Weight: 6 pounds | Tank Capacity: 25 ounces | Cord Length: 15 feet | Heat Time: 5 minutes | Run Time: 30 minutes | Surface Type: Carpet, ceramic tile, concrete, granite, hardwood, laminate, marble, metal, porcelain tile, upholstery, and wood}

Best for Tile

Pure Enrichment Rolling Steam Cleaner

$140 At Amazon $140 At Walmart $140 At Target

Our Ratings

• Setup
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  4/5
• Portability
  5/5
• Noise Level
  5/5
• Value
  5/5

Sanitizing tile and cleaning grout lines can seem like a chore, but the Pure Enrichment Multipurpose Steam Cleaner offers an easier way to enjoy fresh floors. Of all the steam cleaners we tested, this model has one of the largest water tanks (it holds almost 61 ounces of water), making it perfect for cleaning many square feet of tile flooring. It also features oversized wheels so it can easily roll behind you on your cleaning conquest, in addition to a handle for better grip when going up and down stairs in your home. In our tests, it earned a perfect score for portability and also for the simple setup process, which took just under eight minutes.

When we tested the Pure Enrichment Multipurpose Steam Cleaner on tile and grout, it removed a soy sauce spill in two minutes flat. The large trigger was easy to use, and we found it maneuvered smoothly. This cleaner lacks variable steam control, so it’s a better pick for durable tile than for a sealed hardwood floor. However, it did remove sticky ketchup from an upholstered cushion very well. While its performance on dirt was less impressive, it still garnered solid ratings for overall effectiveness.

We loved the triangle-shaped mop head. It proved much more effective for reaching into corners and is a good pick if you’re keen on making every inch of your tile floors shine. Compared to others, this steam cleaner also put out an impressive column of steam—but you’ll want to watch for a bit of spray—and was one of the quietest steam cleaners we tested, earning it another standout rating for noise level.

_{Dimensions: 21 x 13 x 13 inches | Weight: 9.3 pounds | Tank Capacity: 50.6 quarts | Cord Length: 16 feet | Heat Time: 8 minutes | Run Time: 45 minutes | Surface Type: Flooring, appliances, tile, grout, glass, metal, and fabric}

Best Mop

PurSteam 10-in-1 Steam Mop

$80 At Amazon

If you're looking for a steam cleaner that's also a mop and a window washer, the PurSteam 10-in-1 Steam Mop Cleaner could be your go-to cleaning tool. This steam mop blew us away with its fast heating time—less than the advertised 30 seconds—and easy-to-maneuver handle and attachments. It easily cleaned stains off of tile and concrete, and the attachments allowed for detailed cleaning on grout lines and tight corners. The water tank also signals—through beeping and vibration—when it has run out of water.

This mop has a widely sweeping head, so it's not always ideal for detailed cleaning jobs, but it makes a quick mopping job out of any large floor plan. We found that it's easy to swivel around and under furniture, too, despite the larger mop head. The mop head did sometimes get caught and flip up when running over sticky stains, such as chocolate syrup, which is one potential downside of its design.

You can easily change out the cloth mop heads, especially after cleaning sticky messes. And, good news, they are machine washable! We enjoyed using the handheld steamer, and the attachment was intuitive to remove from the larger unit. It easily clicks back into place, and the larger mop handle folds in half for convenient storage. Overall, this mop's performance and affordable price make it a great option for homeowners looking for a convenient steam mop that can do it all—in some ways, it even rivals our best overall pick, though with a less hardy design, shorter cord, and different accessories (notably, there is no glove attachment with this machine).

How It Performed Long-Term

Over the course of two months, we put this steam mop to the test in a home setting. We used it once per week for roughly 30 minutes to clean all kinds of messes. We found that it performed great on both hardwood and tile flooring, effectively cleaning up coffee, spilled food, and more. However, you might have to use one of the scrubbing attachments to get the grout clean on tile floors. Using the attachments, we've also used it to eliminate water stains on glass surfaces in a bathroom. The water tank is spacious enough to run for 30 minutes. It's also easy to adjust the steam settings using the dial, but it would be nice if this model had an indicator light to let you know when it's fully heated. We also wish some of the attachments were sturdier, as the bristles of brush attachments tend to fall off. Still, we found this model easy to use on a wide range of surfaces and a handy cleaning tool for everyday messes.

_{Dimensions: 8.07 x 9.45 x 23.94 inches | Weight: 2.2 pounds | Tank Capacity: 12.8 ounces | Cord Length: 15.9 feet | Heat Time: 30 seconds | Run Time: up to 25 minutes | Surface Type: Laminate, carpet, hardwood, tile, and garments}

Best Mop, Runner-Up

Bissell 1806 PowerFresh Deluxe Steam Mop

$103 At Amazon $103 At Target $103 At Macy's

Our Ratings

• Ease of Use
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Ease of Cleaning
  3.5/5
• Maneuverability
  4.5/5
• Value
  5/5

The PowerFresh Deluxe Steam Mop is a fantastic lightweight steam cleaner that may not have wide cleaning versatility but is perfect for anyone looking to keep kitchen floors sanitized.

When we tested this model in the lab, we noted that it excels at delivering quick and maneuverable steam cleaning, since it can heat up in just 30 seconds and weighs a mere 6 pounds. Its mop head can be fitted with either soft or scrubby re-washable mop pads (one of each is included), but even cooler is the ability to detach the mop head entirely, revealing a coarse scrub brush for scouring tougher stains. We were impressed by this mop's effectiveness, noting that it easily removed a dried syrup stain in just three passes, a task which took most other mops we tested at least 12 passes. The optional fragrance discs are a game-changer for making a home not only feel, but also smell clean. Don't be surprised if you find yourself tempted to steam mop more frequently, just to freshen up your space and leave it smelling great.

There are also several other small but useful design touches in this mop, like water cup storage on the handle and a small tab on each mop pad that prevents you from touching the dirt and grime. With a 12-inch-wide cleaning path and a 25-foot cord, the PowerFresh makes it as easy as possible to steam clean lots of floor space, while the swivel steering lets you easily clean around corners. The bulkier middle piece on this unit made cleaning under low-profile furniture a challenge, but it still navigates tight turns with ease.

_{Dimensions: 9.5 x 13 x 46 inches | Weight: 6.2 pounds | Tank Capacity: 19 ounces | Cord Length: 25 feet | Heat Time: 30 seconds | Run Time: Not applicable | Surface Type: Hardwood, tiling, marble, linoleum, and other sealed surfaces}

Best for Carpet

Dupray Neat Steam Cleaner

$150 At Amazon $150 At Home Depot $150 At Walmart

Not all steam cleaners are recommended for use on the carpet, due to the available settings or attachments for the appliance. If you struggle with stains on your carpet or rugs, a steam cleaner offers a way to remove them with just the power of water. The Dupray NEAT Steam Cleaner has what it takes to clean carpets, rugs, upholstery, and more.

When we tested the Dupray NEAT Steam Cleaner at home, we found it easy to operate and use right away. After filling the 40-ounce tank, a glowing icon on the front of the cube turned orange, providing a visual notification that the boiler inside is hard at work. In all actuality, it takes about eight minutes to heat the water, which is one minute longer than advertised but isn’t a dealbreaker.

Once the icon turns green, you can use this cleaner on carpet stains, grout lines, or other messes. In our testing experience, the triangular attachment with a microfiber bonnet proved to be an excellent tool for cleaning carpet stains. The stains disappeared with just a few passes, translating to just seconds in real-time. One thing to keep in mind is that the steam cleaner sometimes spits out water rather than steam, so you should expect it to take a couple of hours for the carpet to dry completely. But seeing your carpet look practically new when it dries is certainly worth the wait.

The other attachments included with this steam cleaner make it versatile enough to tackle other trouble zones in your home. We especially liked using the steam lance with the nylon brush for cleaning the shower. There are no wheels to maneuver it from room to room, but it only weighs about 9 pounds and has a retractable handle that stows away inside the cube when not in use. The 7-foot hose gives you plenty of reach but unfortunately doesn’t wrap or stow anywhere on the steam cleaner, so hose management is a bit of a challenge. Otherwise, we gave it very good ratings across the board.

_{Dimensions: 9.5 x 10.5 x 10.5 inches | Weight: 9 pounds | Tank Capacity: 54 ounces | Cord Length: 16 feet | Heat Time: 7 minutes | Run Time: 50 minutes | Surface Type: Flooring, appliances, tile, grout, glass, metal, and fabric}

Best for Hard Floors

Steamfast Deluxe Canister Steam Cleaner

$190 At Amazon $190 At Wayfair $190 At Home Depot

When we tested the SteamFast SF-375 Steam Cleaner, it offered an easy way to clean hard floors. This canister-style cleaner has a 48-ounce water tank that produces up to 90 minutes of steam. Ideal for homes with many square feet of tile, stone, or sealed wood floors, it offers variable steam levels to treat your floors right. As you transition from one type of hard floor to another, you can adjust the steam with the controls located on the handle of the steam cleaner. The appliance comes equipped with 18 attachments, as well. However, the mop head with wet-dry cleaning pads is the ideal option for cleaning hard floors.

This steam cleaner earned top marks for simple and fast assembly. Once the SteamFast SF-375 was ready to go, we tackled a soy sauce spill on tile and grout. The sponge pad appeared thick but wasn’t as absorbent as we anticipated. After six to eight passes on the floor, the spill disappeared. In total, the process took about two minutes. Though we were satisfied with the results, we did wish it took a little less elbow grease.

The large surface area of the mop head does give you the ability to clean big rooms with fewer passes, though. The 17-foot power cord and 10-foot hose provide better reach than some other steam cleaners. It’s also not the noisiest model on the market, but we also wouldn’t say it’s the quietest. The listing says it sits at 30 decibels, which is about as loud as a ticking clock. We consider it to be noticeably noisy but not disturbing to other activities.

_{Dimensions: 9.5 x 19 x 12.5 inches | Weight: 10.7 pounds | Tank Capacity: 48 ounces | Cord Length: 17 feet | Heat Time: 10 minutes | Run Time: 90 minutes | Surface Type: Flooring, grout, and glass}