If you’re new to the steam cleaner world, experts often consider steam mops, which are easy to use and take care of, the best place to start. While a regular mop uses water to remove dirt and grime wooden floors, tile and laminate, a steam mop, emits hot vaporized water to take things further and give you a deeper clean.
To find the best steam mops on the market, I spoke with cleaning experts about what to look for in a mop and which ones are the most effective to use for cleaning different floor types.
SKIP AHEAD How I picked the best steam mops | The best steam mops of 2024 | How to shop for a steam mop
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Best cordless steam mop
$499.00
$799.00
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$319.99
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When building this list I consulted experts about what to look for in a steam mop.Here’s what they recommend I keep in mind:
- Heat level and retention: Steam mops need to heat water quickly and maintain that heat, according to Rueven Noyman, the owner of On Time Steam Cleaning in New York City. This way, it can continuously clean at the same level and/or thoroughness. Noyman recommends machines that can reach 200 degrees or higher for tough messes.
- Water tank capacity: How much water your steam mop can hold also plays a role in how efficiently you can use it. If your steam mop only holds a small amount of water you won’t get far cleaning a large surface area before it runs out, according to Will Cotter, the owner of a cleaning services company. “You don’t want to have to keep refilling it every five minutes, so make sure you find a model that can hold enough water to clean for as long as you need,” he says. Typically, the larger the appliance, the more water the tank can hold.
- Versatility: Models will have different features and functions that you can explore. Look for mops that have detachable handheld attachments so that you can use them to clean upholstered surfaces, like couches and curtains, or elevated areas such as window sills and crown molding.
- Run time: Similar to vacuums, steam mops are available in both corded and cordless options, each of which have benefits and drawbacks. Since the power sources are different, it can affect how thorough the mop is, according to Cotter. Cordless options are great if you plan to move around large spaces, but they tend to have a difference in power and steam pressure since they rely on battery power, according to Cotter.
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All of the recommendations below are either direct recommendations from our experts or highly rated options with at least a 4-star average rating from 500 reviews or more on Amazon. I mostly focused on corded options since they have more varied price points and are more reliable andconsistent than cordless ones.
PurSteam 10-in-1 Steam Mop
What we like
- Converts into a handheld model
- Has grout attachments
- Can use it on clothes
Something to note
- Nothing to note at this time
You can use this steam mop, which has a 4.2-star average rating from 51,489 reviews on Amazon, for cleaning smudged hardwood floors or stains on carpets. (When steam cleaning a carpet, be sure to use the carpet glider attachment and increase air circulation in the room by running a fan or opening windowsto speed up the drying process and prevent mold from forming). The middle compartment detaches and works as a handheld steam cleaner, which makes it easy to use on elevated surfaces such as crown molding and upholstered furniture. You can also use it to clean glass surfaces like mirrors and glass sliding doors and even to remove wrinkles from certain clothes. It comes with a window squeegee, a straight nozzle and a set of nylon brushes which are great for cleaning grout on floors or walls. At 4.4 pounds, this is the lightest option on our list.
Type: corded | Cord length: n/a | Water tank capacity: 12.8 fl. oz. | Handheld option: yes | Weight: 4.4 lbs. | Safe on: hardwood, tile, laminate and carpet | Max temperature: up to 212 degrees
Bissell PowerFresh All-in-One Vacuum and Steam Mop
What we like
- Also works as vacuum
- Has a reusable mop pad
Something to note
- No handheld option
This steam mop works as both a steam cleaner and a vacuum. (You can use both functions either at the same time or separately.) This means you can pick up solid debris such as dirt and food crumbs while also using steam to remove stuck-on stains. There are buttons with easy-to-follow symbols under the top handle so you can alternate between the different modes. You can also easily remove the reusable mop pad by flipping a switch on the pad tray at the bottom with your foot. Then, throw it in the wash with the rest of your clothes and bedding. It has a 4.2-star average rating from 10,041 reviews on Amazon.
Type: corded | Cord length: n/a | Water tank capacity: 12.8 fl. oz. | Handheld option: no | Weight: 13.61 lbs. | Safe on: hardwood, tile, linoleum, ceramic and marble | Max temperature: 194 degrees
Bissell CrossWave Hydro Steam Wet-Dry Vacuum
What we like
- Two water tanks
- Long cord
Something to note
- Heavy
Cotter previously recommended this appliance in our guide to the best steam cleaners for cleaning pet-related messes. Think of it as a vacuum and steam mop in one: It can pick up solid debris like food crumbs, pet hair and dirt, mop up spilled drinks and steam clean hardwood and tile. It also comes with three scented cleaning solutions for different floor and mess types, including one for pets. Plus, it has two water tanks: one for clean water and another for dirty water, that way you don’t have to worry about accidentally pushing messes around your floors.
Type: corded | Cord length: 25 ft. | Water tank capacity: 28 fl. oz. | Handheld option: no | Weight: 12.5 lbs. | Safe on: hardwood, tile, laminate, marble, vinyl and more | Max temperature: 131 degrees
Steam and Go 10-in-1 Steam Mop
What we like
- High maximum temperature
- Can use as a handheld option
- Steams clothes
Something to note
- Corded
This steam mop comes with multiple attachments, including small brushes and upholstery pads for cleaning grout, furniture and curtains. The triangular mop head makes it easy to clean up corners and edges, and the middle compartment detaches and so you can use it as a handheld steam cleaner. The mop, which has a 4.1-star average rating from 2,148 reviews on Amazon, has a 30-minute runtime and works as a personal clothes steamer, too.
Type: corded | Cord length: 20 ft. | Water tank capacity: 11.8 fl. oz. | Handheld option: yes | Weight: 5.2 lbs. | Safe on: hardwood, tile, grout, clothing | Max temperature: 356 degrees
Bissell PowerFresh Deluxe Corded Steam Mop
What we like
- Long cord
- You can adjust steam pressure
Something to note
- Fragrance disc not included
With this steam mop, you can choose how much steam to emit to clean messes of different levels and types. It’s effective at removing tacky food and drink spills and debris like dirt and mud, according to the brand. The end of the mop, which has a 4.4-star average rating from 19,886 reviews on Amazon, also has a small compartment above the mop pad to put a fragrance disc (not included), so you can release a scent onto your floors when cleaning.
Type: corded | Cord length: 25 ft. | Water tank capacity: 11.5 fl. oz. | Handheld option: yes | Weight: 6.2 lbs. | Safe on: hardwood, tile, laminate, marble, vinyl grout and stone | Max temperature: 194 degrees
Tineco Floor One S7 Steam Cordless Wet Dry Vacuum Steam Mop
What we like
- Cordless
- Large water tank
Something to note
- Somewhat heavy
Tineco’s Floor One brings together the best parts of a vacuum, mop and steam cleaner in one lightweight appliance. It heats water to 284 degrees to help clean stuck-on solid and liquid messes, according to the brand. Since it’s cordless, you can charge overnight and then have up to 40 minutes of runtime the next day. It also has dual water tanks to separate dirty water from clean, and an LED display to make using the appliance’s functions and cleaning modes simple.
Type: cordless | Cord length: n/a | Water tank capacity: 50 fl. oz. | Handheld option: no | Weight: 21.4lbs. | Safe on: hardwood, tile, laminate, marble, vinyl | Max temperature: up to 284 degrees
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In addition to heat retention and bar pressure our experts recommend considering the following aspects when shopping for a steam mop:
Take safety precautionsSteam cleaners are effective for deep cleaning hard surfaces and upholstered furniture, especially compared to using a vacuum or scrub brush. That said, they’re also potentially dangerous if you use them improperly, for example, using it on clothes while you’re wearing them or steam cleaning unapproved surfaces.
Since it’s also possible to get small burns from using a steam cleaner, make sure you read the instruction manualbefore using one. You should also never put your hand in front of or near where the appliance emits steam and make sure it’s not facing toward you, such as near your legs or feet, or another person or pet.
Consider the size of your spaceLike all steam cleaners, steam mops come with a water tank. Many models have different capacities, which means that the more water they hold, the longer they can emit steam without you having to refill it. This is more critical to considerif you plan on using one to clean a large house or room.
Meet our expertsAt NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Rueven Noyman is the owner of steam cleaning company On Time Steam Cleaning in New York City.
- Will Cotter is the founder of cleaning services company Fresh Space Cleaning.
I’m a commerce editor at NBC Select, where I write stories on the best home appliances like steam cleaners as well as explainers on how to clean clothes, window air conditioners and mattresses. I spoke with two cleaning experts for this story.
Catch up on NBC Select’s in-depth coverage of personal finance, tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.
Cory Fernandez
Cory Fernandez is a commerce editor for Select on NBC News.
