14 Of The Highest-Rated Steam Cleaners — And Which Model Is The Best Value?

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If you aren't a big fan of the harsh chemicals found in household cleaning products and want a safer alternative for your family, you might be thinking of investing in a steam cleaner. Their high heat eradicates most germs, easily sanitizing your home. Plus, you won't have to put in a lot of effort to erase dirt, dust, grease, and grime from hard surfaces. However, there's a caveat: You can enjoy these benefits only if you purchase a dependable model.

But how can you pick a good unit from the hundreds available? It's simple — you don't take the manufacturers at their word. Instead, rely on the customer reviews (both positive and negative) of units you're interested in for an unbiased take. Not sure where to start? Here's a list of the highest-rated steam cleaners. While it includes models from well-known names, like Shark, Karcher, and Bissel, a lot of lesser-known units made the cut, too. To understand how we picked these products, check the methodology info at the end.

Bissell's Steam Shot Omni Pressurized Portable Steam Cleaner is a budget-friendly model retailing for under $40 on Amazon. Customers like it because the handheld device heats up in three minutes and gives off pressurized steam that's hotter than 215 degrees Fahrenheit. They also appreciate its 16-foot-long cord and the associated strap that keeps the cable mess-free. Plus, they attest that it can clean multiple things, including greasy gas stovetops, dingy tile grouts, dirty shower curtains, and messy countertops. Moreover, many say that cleaning baseboards is a breeze with this tool. That being said, remember that this portable steam cleaner has a small tank capacity (10 ounces) and can only provide non-stop steam for 10 minutes before requiring a refill.

With over 8,200 reviews, the steam shot model has an average star rating of 4.0 and 60% 5-star reviews. Admiring the item, one reviewer divulged, "It was the most recommended at its price point. ... It works as it should, and it doesn't take long to heat up." 

PurSteam's 10-in-1 Steam Mop is lightweight at 4.4 pounds and easily maneuverable. Its slim design and 180-degree swiveling mop head will help you clean out of sight, out of mind places you may be forgetting otherwise. Additionally, the extra-long cord ensures you can cover sufficient ground. Plus, you can turn it into a handheld device when needed. Regarding its steaming capacity, the manufacturer claims that the unit can let off steam for 25 minutes, but customer reviews suggest that the 12-ounce tank may need a refill after 10.

With over 54,300 reviews, the steam mop has an average star rating of 4.1 and has received 61% 5-star reviews. Appreciating the product, a user wrote, "It is lightweight, easily maneuverable, fairly easy to fill with water, almost instantly produces steam, and easy to store." Alas, some reviews mention that the carpet glider gets stuck in rug fibers sometimes.

ScrubWiz's Steam Mop with Detachable Handheld Steam Cleaner stands out from other similar devices because it heats up to 248 degrees Fahrenheit within 10 seconds. Alas, its tank can only hold about 10 ounces of water at once, so you get steam continuously for 15 minutes on the low mode and 12 minutes when used on high. However, it's equipped with an anti-dry-burn feature to alert you when the tank is about to empty. The water canister is detachable, too, making refills easy.

This rapidly heating steam cleaner has close to 2,300 reviews and sports an average star rating of 4.3, with 69% of users giving it 5 stars. A reviewer noted, "This ScrubWiz steam mop works great and heats up really fast, ready in about 10 seconds. The steam is strong enough to remove tough dirt and grease, and I love that it uses only water, making it safe for kids and pets." The cord is small, though, and customers had to plug it into different outlets several times while cleaning their home.

McCulloch's MC1275 Deluxe Canister Steam Cleaner has received good reviews from customers for its ease of use, with several reviewers mentioning that the setup is mostly effortless. Using the device doesn't involve a learning curve, either. Its big tank (48 ounces) is a big draw as it provides about 45 minutes of non-stop steam. It also features a lockable trigger if you'd like to save some steam while moving around different areas of your home. However, given its tank capacity, water takes about eight minutes to heat up.

With close to 43,900 reviews, the steam cleaner has an average star rating of 4.3, thanks to 67% of users giving it 5 stars. One such reviewer said, "It was very easy to set up and use right out of the box. ... The steam power is strong and effective, and it made deep cleaning feel quick and manageable ... It worked great on floors, windows, countertops, and toilets." However, a few people mentioned that this cleaner can't break through mineral buildup on its own.

Phueut's Pressurized Handheld Multi-Surface Natural Steam Cleaner comes with 12 accessories, each meant to clean a specific part of your house. For instance, you can slip on the fabric-cleaning accessory when using the device on your upholstery. Similarly, the glass-cleaning part will come in handy while steaming your window and door panes. The pack also includes a round, detailed brush for tough messes and an angle concentrator tool for tight spots. The handheld device has about a 12-ounce water tank that takes about five minutes to create 230-degree Fahrenheit steam. And given the tank size, expect a runtime of 8 to 12 minutes.

With more than 9,600 reviews on Amazon, the handheld cleaner has an average star rating of 4.2 and 65% 5-star reviews. Liking its accessories, a customer noted, "Great steam output, lots of nozzles for different jobs that easily come on and off, right size so it isn't too heavy when using but not so small that it quickly runs out of steam." Although a minor inconvenience, a few people have mentioned that they faced issues while twisting the water tank open.

According to customer reviews, Labigo's 10-in-1 Steam Mop with Detachable Handheld Steamer is best for cleaning different kinds of floors, including hardwood. Several users also rave about its ability to shine up dingy, soap scum-covered bathroom tiles within minutes. They appreciate its over 4-foot-long handle, as they don't have to bend at awkward angles or scrub a spot relentlessly during their cleaning sessions. The detachable mop works well on carpets, too. It has a tank capacity of about 10 ounces that turns water into 248-degree Fahrenheit hot steam within 10 seconds. But you only get about 12 to 15 minutes of use per refill.

Over 1,900 people have reviewed this detachable steam mop, with 72% giving it 5 stars and bringing its average star rating to 4.4. Explaining the reason they like this model, a user shared, "The steam cleaner is very effective for floor cleaning. ... I'm glad that it's lightweight and compact since storage space is short at my place." However, a few people noted that they would like a more spacious tank.

While primarily marketed as an efficient cleaner for automobiles, several people have put the Wagner Spraytech AutoRight Multi-Purpose Steam Cleaner to use in their homes. They use it to get rid of stubborn gunk stuck in the shower, shine dingy kitchen floors, or to restore the original color of grout. They especially like that the cleaner is compact and comes with wheels, making it easier to drag it around. Plus, it has a large tank that has a capacity to hold 40 ounces of water. So, you get around 40 minutes of steam heated up to 212 degrees Fahrenheit. You'll just have to wait nine minutes for the steam to be ready.

This steam cleaner has over 19,900 reviews and an average star rating of 4.3, with 67% users giving it 5 stars. Happy with their purchase, a user wrote, "I've never used one before – it was easy to use, heats up in 9 minutes, and the steam quality was perfect — it cleaned gunk in my shower that has literally been there for years, despite my constant scrubbing." But reviewers suggest you have earplugs handy because this device can be quite loud.

Bissell claims that its Little Green HydroSteam model uses trademarked technology to steam clean your dingy upholstery, offering about 50% better cleaning than comparable units. This allows it to tackle set-in stains, oily spots, accidental spills, pet urine, and stuck debris on your carpets, curtains, and upholstery. The pack also includes a 5-inch tough stain tool to help eliminate dust and dirt from tile grout. The unit has a spacious tank that can hold 64 ounces of water, so users don't have to worry about refilling it often.

More than 3,200 users have posted their reviews of the Bissell HydroSteam, out of which 73% have given it 5 stars. So, it sports an average star rating of 4.3. Relating their experience with the device, an individual explained, "Works great. Removed all stains and left a very clean appearance on our lobby furniture. Easy to use. Lightweight, even filled with water. The steam feature was amazing." But don't expect it to perform miracles — it may take you a few passes to get out especially stubborn stains.

Ticyack's Handheld Steam Cleaner is best if you want a portable steam cleaner to handle small messes around your home. For instance, you can use it to clean your countertops, give your toilets a refresh, shine mirrors, steam clean your smelly mattress, or wipe down your range hood. Switching out between accessories is simple, too. The manufacturer advises filling the tank with about 11 to 15 ounces of water at a time. Considering this, it takes approximately five minutes to heat it to 230 degrees Fahrenheit. But the steam only lasts about 10 to 15 minutes on a single refill.

With more than 1,200 customers reviewing it, this steam cleaner has an average star rating of 4.2 and 67% 5-star reviews. Finding the device fit for their needs, one person wrote, "This Handheld Steam Cleaner exceeded my expectations, offering hand-held and automatic steam functions that actually worked well with my arthritic hands. Plus, all the tools made it easy for cleaning hard-to-reach areas and in different areas of my home and auto!" Despite this, a few users wish that the cleaner had a longer runtime.

Shark's Steam Pocket Mop can be a good alternative to a Swiffer sweeper or WetJet for cleaning floors. This is because it's compatible with multiple types of sealed floors, including marble, tile, natural stone, hardwood, vinyl, and laminate. Weighing about 5 pounds, the mop sports dual-sided Dirt Grip pads so you can extend your cleaning sessions. They're textured to trap dirt well, and they're reusable since they're washing machine-friendly. The mop comes with a 15.2-ounce tank that takes about 30 seconds to turn water into hot steam.

The steam pocket mop has over 43,600 reviews and has received 5 stars from 68% of them. Consequently, it has an average star rating of 4.3. Delighted with the tool, a user stated, "I enjoy the steam mop more than the conventional mops. This one works extremely well. Cleaning power is top-tier. Steam quality is great, and you control how much steam would be released." However, remember that this mop can only handle regular messes and isn't meant for deep cleaning.

Vapamore's MR-100 Primo Steam Cleaner is ideal for cleaning up tight corners, like the narrow alcove under your staircase, air vents in unreachable spots, or the dead space beside your bookshelf. It's because this cleaner comes with a triangle corner brush and two extension tubes to help you target all of the nooks and crannies you otherwise miss. It also comes with 18 other attachments, such as a jet nozzle tool, carpet slider, and water level dipstick, so you can use one that suits the job at hand. Regarding its performance, the manufacturer mentions that its over 50-ounce tank offers 220-degree Fahrenheit hot steam for an hour. This unit also comes with a lifetime warranty. 

This tool has been reviewed close to 1,200 times and has an average star rating of 4.2 and 67% 5-star reviews. Listing its pros, a customer shared, "It produces plenty of steam to get the job done. The smaller attachments are great for getting in nooks and crannies, or irregularly shaped items." 

SteamFusion's Pressurized Handheld Steam Cleaner is a handy tool you can use to clean your bathroom, floors, upholstery, windows, stovetops, countertops, cookware, and toilets on a regular basis without exerting yourself too much. The compact device can belt out high-pressure steam (320KPa) that's heated up to 221 degrees Fahrenheit for about 12 minutes. Given this, a few reviewers even mentioned using this to deep clean their kitchen appliances, grout, and bathroom fixtures. 

This cleaner has over 1,700 reviews, out of which 71% of users have given it 5 stars, bringing its average star rating to 4.3. Satisfied with the device, a customer wrote, "The Pressurized Handheld Steam Cleaner is a compact powerhouse for everyday cleaning chores. This little steam cleaner heats up fast and delivers strong steam pressure that easily tackles grime, grease, and buildup on countertops, grout lines, bathroom tiles, and stovetops." That being said, you'll have to continuously press the "on" button while using the cleaner, and this can lead to cramped fingers if you plan on sanitizing multiple surfaces at once.

Unlike other portable steam cleaners on this list, Bissell's PowerSteamer Heavy Duty 3-in-1 Steam Mop and Handheld SteamShot comes with a 25-foot-long power cord and extension wand. Plus, the brand designed this heavy-duty device to clean both indoor and outdoor surfaces. Customers like it for its variable steam modes and on-demand trigger. These allow users to control the steam's potency and adjust it per the area they're cleaning. The steam cleaner can hold 11.8 ounces of water and takes 30 seconds to heat it to 200 degrees Fahrenheit.

This portable model has garnered over 15,500 reviews, with 64% of users giving it 5 stars. This brings its average star rating to 4.2. Describing why they like this device, one user said, "It functions as both a steam mop for large areas and a handheld steamer with the SteamShot attachment for targeted cleaning in tight spaces or on stubborn stains." However, the cord is reportedly a bit heavy, so factor that in before purchasing this unit.

The Kärcher Multi Purpose Power Steamer offers the best value. It retails for $260, but it can clean as well as sanitize a variety of surfaces, including different kinds of floors, windows, doors, upholstery, appliances, and bathroom fixtures. It can reach into tight spots, too. Users also note that it's easy to maneuver and comes with a variety of attachments. Additional ones can also be purchased to expand the steamer's uses. The water canister holds over 30 ounces of liquid and can be refilled without waiting for the cleaner to depressurize first. Plus, it only takes 40 seconds to heat it up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. 

With over 31,100 reviews, this steam cleaner has an average star rating of 4.3, courtesy of 70% users awarding it 5 stars. Impressed with its performance, a reviewer noted, "The Kärcher SC3 Steam Cleaner is an incredibly effective and reliable tool for deep cleaning without the use of chemicals. It produces strong, continuous steam that makes it easy to clean grout lines, kitchen grease, hard floors, bathroom tiles, and more." Others are also happy with its ease of use, though some wish the power cord were slightly longer.

To find the highest-rated steam cleaners, we started by looking at the top-rated steam cleaners on popular online sites, like Amazon, and narrowing down our list to ones that had at least 1,200 reviews and a 4.0 average star rating. Then, we went through each unit's customer reviews to understand their pros and cons better. After careful consideration, we selected 14 models that had promising reviews with at least 60% being 5-star ratings.