The 12 Best Steam Mops Reviewed

Some of the other mops you can buy have square-ish or even triangular cleaning heads, but this one features an extra-wide, slim, rectangular shape. On the one hand, this means you can cover more surface area more quickly. On the other, since each spot on the floor is underneath the head for a shorter time, you might also have to move your mop more slowly to get the full benefit of the steam’s effect. Where this characteristic comes in handy, though, is in tight spaces. Simply turn the cleaning head sideways and slide it right in.

The thick pile (meaning the hairy part of a fabric, as you’d see on a towel) of the pads themselves is very gentle on floors and reduces the likelihood of leaving unsightly streaks behind. It also helps grab up dirt and dust, trapping it inside so you can use the same pad for longer. There is a tradeoff to this, though: the soft working surface is not the best option for difficult, sticky messes like dried-on juice spills and mud. For these kinds of stains, you’ll generally need something stiffer or risk damaging your floor through over-steaming. A nozzle on the front does allow you to use a blast of high-powered steam on problem areas, and you can always kneel down and use an old-fashioned brush when the occasion demands it.

Nice, Double-Sided Mop Pads

Double-sided, washable pads let you get twice the cleaning out of a single pad before having to toss it in the laundry basket. This is also the case with the other Shark mops we’ve featured here. This extends the total lifetime of the pads and, again, makes it less likely that you’ll see streaks or dull patches once you’ve finished cleaning. The design even allows you to flip it over without bending down or touching the dirty pad with your hand.

All About Steam

This mop can be set to one of three steam intensity settings. This by itself place it above others such as the Hoover Twin Tank, Bissell Symphony, and Shark Steam Pocket Mop in terms of flexibility, especially if you’re worried about damaging your flooring. Simply add more steam for tougher messes and use less on hardwood floors with delicate finishes.

No-Touch Attach and Detach

People with bad backs might well find this to be the very best feature of all. To attach the cleaning pad, simply lay it on the floor, press a button on the handle, gently push the end of the staff onto the Velcro portion, and you’re ready to go. Reverse the process to remove the pad after use.

Most people think stains on carpets and upholstery are the most difficult to remove, but water stains, your three-year-old’s crayon art, and a variety of foodstuffs (once dried) can also become near-permanent features of even a tile floor. Once something like that settles in, you might think you’ll need a paint scraper and some concentrated acid to get rid of it. Thankfully, the 1940 PowerFresh has a special scrubber designed to cut through these kinds of stuck-on messes and allow the steam to pry them away from the surface.

With Extra Scrubbing Power and Fragrance Discs

In normal use, the scrubber brush isn’t in contact with the floor, but it’s easy to flip down using a convenient foot pedal. Once you’ve dealt with whatever sticky mess you’ve just found, just flick the pedal up with a toe and keep going. The extra-long bristles on the scrubber are also helpful for getting into cracks and grout lines, something which not all steam mops are good at.

Only one of two mops on this entire list to feature “fragrance discs”; the Bissell 1940 sets itself apart by not only leaving the floor clean but making the room smell nice too. These discs fit into a tiny mesh pocket within the steamer pad. The heating and steaming action of the mop gradually releases its contents. The downside, though, is that these discs run out over time and have to be re-ordered. Some people like their smell, others hate them; but the steam mop works perfectly well without them, too.

Regular and Pet-Friendly Options

When ordering this appliance, you may notice that it comes in two different styles – a regular blue mop and a pet-friendly purple model. However, there is really only two real difference between the two (aside from one being blue and the other purple). The distinction is only that one releases a pleasantly crisp scent, while the other is supplied with odor-eating discs specially designed to kill the smells associated with pets.

Since the discs are sold separately and both types work equally well in either color mop, it really doesn’t make that much of a difference which one you choose. Pick whichever color you like: nothing says “fashion-conscious” like color-coordinating while you do housework.

A Removable Water Tank, but With a Caveat

Some steam mops are equipped with a removable water tank, others come with a measuring cup that’s supposed to prevent spills when filling, while a few actually require you to balance it over the sink. In our opinion, removable tanks are easiest, and the other models we like that have this feature are the Hoover TwinTank, Bissell PowerFresh Lift-Off, Hoover FloorMate Deluxe, and HAAN SI-70. Unfortunately, though, the Bissel 1940’s has a major design flaw: the reservoir’s cap breaks easily, and you won’t be able to use your mop at all until a replacement arrives.

Removable tanks are still best, though: pouring water over an electrical appliance has obvious drawbacks involved, while “easy pour” cups are sometimes anything but, even in this 21^st century. The tank is plenty large enough for cleaning most homes, but do take care with that cap.

*** SPECIAL NOTE *** We chose to feature the 1940 PowerFresh over the newer 1806 PowerFresh Deluxe (which you can find here on Amazon) because we actually prefer it. The new version has a larger scrubbing brush, but the brush is much more difficult to use, since you’re supposed to take the entire mop head off every time you encounter a stubborn patch of dirt. It also has only two different steam intensity settings, and the water tank is not removable.

The twin tank system built into this mop allows you to use it as an ordinary steam mop, but with the option of injecting a purpose-designed detergent solution when the cleaning gets tough. Mostly, you simply set the dial to “Steam” and clean as normal. When working on difficult stains, or to give carpets a deeper scrub, you can switch to the solution tank for extra oomph. As much as we all love the chemical-free way that steam mops work, we must also remember that dirt itself can be a health hazard, too. Sometimes, the better choice is the lesser of two evils.

Adjustable Solution Ratio

You can adjust the ratio of solution to water depending on the task at hand. The manufacturer-supplied detergent is 100% biodegradable and contains no harsh chemicals, making it much safer for you, your family, and your pets than many supermarket-shelf alternatives. There is a little catch, though: although some people use off-brand cleanser instead, or even something like white vinegar, doing so instantly voids your warranty. The twin tanks are removable and quite large enough to do most floors without needing a refill.

User-Friendliness: A Mixed Bag

At the top of this mop’s handle, you’ll find a trigger, which happens to be one of those little design choices that end up being a major source of irritation. Some steam mops run continuously as long as they’re plugged in and/or switched on, but this model requires you to hold the trigger down to dispense steam and (if set to use) cleaning solution.

This is fine in theory, since you can stop working for a moment without worrying that your mop will blister a patch of your floor. Moving furniture or dealing with unexpected interruptions can be annoying if you have to walk to the outlet to unplug the mop every time. A trigger mechanism is also a near-must when using a steamer as a handheld device on things other than floors, although that isn’t possible with this product anyway.

There is a little snag, though, which makes this machine a poor choice for anyone with arthritis, carpal tunnel, or other hand problems. Pulling the trigger is easy enough, but holding it down for 10 or 20 minutes at a stretch becomes taxing. If this could be a problem for you, rather look into something like the O-Cedar or the Shark Professional Steam Pocket Mop that have actual on/off switches to control their otherwise continuous stream of steam.

On the other hand, though, this mop with its triangular head is no trouble to push around, even on carpet. The twin tanks are also easily removable, which is nice since they contain a combined 34 ounces. So, it scores a fair-enough B for ease of use, and the trigger can probably be jury-rigged with a strong rubber band.

Actually the least expensive mop on our list, the Dirt Devil 3-in-1 is further distinguished by its detachable handle and ultra-light weight. From all the models we’ve reviewed, only the Bissell PowerFresh Lift-Off Pet Steam Mop also features this sort of incredibly versatile, multi-functional design. (Models like the Oreck Steam-It are also technically multi-purpose, but not nearly as easy to use). The two appliances are, however, very different in nearly every other way.

In our view, very few options short of calling in a professional beats steam for keeping your floors sparkling, but this is far from the only thing these two steam mops can do. If things like disinfecting kitchen and bathroom surfaces, ironing drapes where they hang, and giving couches and car interiors a quick once-over sound like something you’d like to try, a multi-function device is almost certainly what you want.

Versatile Yet Affordable

Covering a large floor area with this mop’s swiveling diamond-shaped head will take you some time, but it does allow you to get into tight corners with ease. It’s also nice that the cleaning pad doesn’t cover only the bottom surface. With the reversible Shark Genius and Professional being exceptions, rectangular-headed mops usually do not feature scrubbing pads that come up over the lip of the head. The triangular mops we have listed here are also good for corners, but they don’t work as well in all cases since they only have one 90-degree angle to use. This Dirt Devil, on the other hand, can get into those difficult corners with either a forward or backward swipe.

Glides with Ease

Though most of the other mops on this page are capable of cleaning carpets, only the Hoover TwinTank, O-Cedar, Bissell PowerFresh Lift-Off, HAAN SI-70, and this Dirt Devil come with carpet glide attachments to make that a simple task. (Some of the others offer it as a separately purchasable add-on).

If you push your steamer across a carpet using only the mop pad, it will get stuck every foot or so, as you’re actually trying to drag one plush fabric over another. A carpet glider is simply a plastic spacer that clips over the edges of the mop pad and reduces this friction. Getting this attachment straight out of the box means you can use it right away and reduces the total cost – ten or twenty dollars extra might not seem like much, but it does make a difference.

Why So Affordable?

Of course, you’re probably asking yourself why this Dirt Devil is about one-third the price of the Bissell PowerFresh Lift-Off Mop, which is also a good multi-use option. Although both are pretty versatile, this Dirt Devil doesn’t have quite as many impressive qualities as the Bissell. If you’re okay with sacrificing multiple nozzles and cleaning heads, a push-down scrubber brush, and fragrance discs, but still want the functionality offered by a hand-held steamer, this Dirt Devil is probably a much better choice for you than the Bissell Lift-Off.

At no more than 3 pounds, this is also by far the lightest steam mop we’ve chosen to include. This expands its usefulness immeasurably, but entails one drawback: the plastic construction feels just a little bit flimsy. We’re not saying that it will inevitably break, but slamming it against the wall will probably have that effect.

If you haven’t already picked up on this, you will soon realize that Bissell is one of our favorite creators of steam mops. From the 1940 PowerFresh listed further up this page to the PowerFresh Lift-Off you’ll see further down and, of course, this one right here – we’ve chosen more steam mops from Bissell to review than with any other manufacturer.

Why is that? The answer mainly comes down to quality. Just like the other two Bissell mops we discussed, this one is very well built and it is this assurance that sets most Bissell products apart.

Twice the Clean in Half the Time

Obviously, we wouldn’t have included three steamers from the same brand unless each offered something unique to people with different needs and budgets. While the 1940 PowerFresh should satisfy anyone who wants a somewhat basic and affordable yet high-quality mop, and the PowerFresh Lift-Off is a good option for people who often need to clean up tough spills, the Symphony (this one) is pretty nice for people who don’t particularly like household chores.

If most of your house is carpeted or, at least, covered with area rugs, a steam mop/vacuum combination probably isn’t your best buy: a good vacuum and perhaps a purpose-designed carpet shampooer will be far more effective. If, however, you have a large house and most of it has hard flooring, a dual-function steam mop can be a godsend. Usually, cleaning with a steam mop means first vacuuming or sweeping to get loose dirt and hair out of the way, and only then using the steamer to accomplish something like what you would with a brush, sponge, and bucket or water. At least theoretically, you can cut your cleaning time in half by using the Bissell Symphony to do both jobs at once.

Small Dirt Canister

An easy-empty dirt tank can be removed from the mop and held over a garbage can; press a button and the contents fall away. Since the focus is primarily on the steaming component, you’ll find that the dirt cup is much smaller than dirt canisters on typical vacuums. Luckily, it’s easy enough to empty.

This two-in-one vacuum-meets-mop is very similar to the regular Bissell Symphony (listed here on Amazon), except that the “regular” model features an adjustable handle (this one does not) and this “pet” model has longer bristles on the vacuum portion designed to pick up pet hair.

It’s a Vacuum Cleaner, But Also Not

The basic idea of this device is that you can pick up loose as well as ingrained dirt in one pass, using the vacuum and steamer functionality simultaneously while singing your happy song. In practice, though, this will only work well if your floor is already relatively clean.

Some users complain that the vacuum isn’t actually all that good at picking up pet hair. You can’t, after all, expect a device this size to excel at both its intended jobs, and the vacuum’s performance suffers. If you simply run it over a really grimy floor, you’re likely to need several passes, having to pick clumps of hair from the front bristles as you go. If your little Cuddles has hair like that of a steel brush, or you allow dirt to build up before cleaning, this is likely to be an issue. For the most part, though, people are quite happy with it. Do know, however, that a dedicated vacuum does suck more, usually not figuratively.

Like the Dirt Devil 3-in-1 and the Bissell Lift-Off steamers, this mop is for more than just floors. If you detach the mop head, you can affix any of four different attachments to convert this machine into a window washer, a drape steamer, and a shower grout cleaner. It won’t spill if you turn it upside down and projects a fairly powerful jet of steam once the head is off. This is fine as it goes, but watch out: at nine and a half pounds with a full reservoir, don’t plan to use it in this way for hours at a time.

Corners and Baseboards

Despite the fact that most rectangular steam mops struggle to get right into corners, this one is better than some, thanks to the fact that it comes with bonnets instead of pads. These microfiber bonnets wrap all the way around the bottom of the steamer, meaning that the sides are also cleaning surfaces. This is a definite plus when it comes to baseboards, usually only found on triangular mops.

Other Notable Qualities

If it wasn’t for the fact that the Bissell PowerFresh Lift Off is much easier to use above floor level, we would have considered awarding this steamer the title of Best Whole House Clean. If, however, you don’t mind using it like a wand (which may actually be a plus for anyone who likes to clean very high up,) the slightly more affordable price of this steamer may be appealing.

A full tank (40 ounces) is said to produce about 40 minutes of steam, which should be more than enough unless you live in a palace. The actual design, including that of the water tank, is pretty sleek, which makes it easy to store in an upright closet or slip into a problematic cranny.

Just about half the price of similar mops, including the other Shark appliances we’ve selected, this impressive mop packs a lot of punch for a small price. Like most high-quality mops, this one reaches full heat within 30 seconds of being turned on. This is an unexpectedly satisfying feature if you just want to clean quickly before rushing to work or when guests are about to arrive.

Reversible Mop

This manufacturer seems to love reversible mop pads. The Shark Genius (the very first steam mop we discussed) and the Shark Professional (an upgraded version of this mop) both feature reversible mop pads, as does this one. Sadly, though, of the Shark products you’ll find reviewed here, only the Genius features a “blast” feature to target a small area in front of the mop when coming across tough stains.

With an effective surface area twice as large as the head, you can simply flip over the head when one side gets dirty, turning the top into the bottom. The fact that the pad wraps all the way around the head also makes it easier to clean baseboards and right into corners. The pad attaches with velcro, so removing it for washing isn’t hard.

Weighing in at 5 pounds before filling the 13.5 oz tank, this is not one of the lightest mops on our list. It’s still quite easy to maneuver, though, and it also offers a number of features that make it a good, budget-friendly option.

One aspect that sets it apart is its adjustable steam flow. Simply turn the knob on the handle to choose between three steam settings that alter the amount of steam released without changing the temperature. Supposedly, a lower setting allows safe cleaning of almost all hard floor surfaces, although it still wouldn’t be wise to try it on cheap laminate flooring or poorly-sealed hardwood. The medium setting is used for regular cleaning duties on tile, linoleum, laminate, and hardwood floors that have been treated with a modern sealant. If and when you need it, you can also pump up the power to (hopefully) dislodge tougher spills.

Floor and Carpet-Friendly

Its microfiber pad is plush enough to pick up most dirt and dust as you move along, but too thin to ensure even contact with the floor: you’ll find that there are three spots on the pad that always get dirty first, corresponding to the head’s pressure distribution. Vacuuming or sweeping the floor before steaming is highly recommended. Also, the lack of a more abrasive scrubbing pad prevents you from clearing up tough messes. This steam mop certainly sterilizes and cleans, but unlike more expensive machines, it doesn’t deep clean.

Like most of the other mops we like, this one’s pads are completely machine washable, making it a more environmentally-friendly choice than the cold-wash scrubbing mops like the Swiffer Wetjet (see here on Amazon). You can wash each pad approximately 25 times before it will begin to disintegrate and has to be replaced.

The carpet glider is a special plastic attachment, resembling a billiards rack, which snaps easily onto the bottom of the head. It encases the outer edges of the mop pad and lifts it slightly above the carpet fibers so you can push it across smoothly and without damaging either. This attachment allows you to take your floor steamer onto carpets and rugs to freshen and de-stain them while doing the floors, but doesn’t substitute for vacuuming.

Added Bonuses

Unlike some economy models, the O-Cedar has an on/off switch – you don’t have to unplug it every time you need to move a couch. Other features that some other manufacturers should really think about copying are the switch that locks the handle in a vertical position for storage, the velcro attachment for the pad, and the head which swivels just enough for comfort without sacrificing control. There’s no fill level indicator on the fixed water tank, though, so you’ll have to pay attention to know whether you’re still cleaning – or just pushing your mop around for fun.

This isn’t just a floor steamer. Thanks to its lift-off “steam pod” (which contains most of the working parts), you can clean almost any surface, including countertops, sofa cushions, draperies, and many others. This steam pod easily separates from the handle and mop head and comes with a hose and several small attachment heads. These range from a grout cleaner to a window squeegee (which leaves no streaks!) to a steam-powered scraper – just about anything that can be cleaned with steam can be done right with one or the other of these.

Multi-Function Magic

To give a few other examples, a tiny, hard-bristled scrubber attachment helps you clean in difficult-to-reach places and around the edges of faucets. A wide, flat steamer wand allows you to use steam to lift away stuck-on messes from countertops, while the large scrubber brush lets you get a really intense clean where you need it. With this manufacturer’s strong focus on producing steamers for pet owners, they’ve even included a fabric steamer to deodorize and sanitize dog beds as well as human upholstery.

Apart from an “angle tool” we’re not really sure what to use for, the above is what you can expect to come in the box. However, Bissell carries 13 different attachments which will work with this steam mop and pod, if what’s already included somehow isn’t enough and you’re willing to fork over a little extra cash.

Better Compared to Others

Just like the Bissell 1940 PowerFresh we talk about further up the page, this steamer is equipped to dispense deodorizing chemicals or fragrances as you work. Again like the 1940, it comes equipped with a scrubber brush attached to its mop head. You just step down on a little lever to push it toward the floor, scrub away as you would with a normal spaghetti mop, then lift the lever with your foot to retract the brush and focus back on steam mopping.

This portable, lift-off cleaning pod, along with the large variety of attachments, make this machine special. As is the way of the world, though, this extra functionality is reflected in its price: you might want to look for a second-hand unit if you decide this model is for you.

Let’s immediately say what will soon be obvious: this appliance doesn’t use steam at all. One look at the photo to the right is enough to see that it resembles a carpet shampooer much more than a steam mop. So, why did we include it on a page that’s all about steam mops?

Six of One, Half a Dozen of the Other?

The truth is that this unit, while not actually capable of steam cleaning, will leave your floors at least as clean and dry as any steam system. The main difference is that it relies on mechanical power to clean and chemicals to disinfect. In terms of how you use it, though, it might as well have been a steam appliance in several ways.

How It Works

The Hoover Twin Tank uses two tanks: one for pure water and another for the cleaning solution. This system also has a dual-tank system, but they are for a water/detergent mix and dirty, used water respectively.

While washing, motorized scrubber brushes work to break up almost any kind of mess, even the grime between tiles. An interesting feature compared to similar machines is that two of the four scrubbers motion spin clockwise and the others counterclockwise. This double action, tackling dried spills from all angles, seems to work pretty well even on stubborn patches and – importantly – on uneven surfaces such as slate.

Once you’ve used the FloorMate’s “Wash” mode to dislodge the dirt from all or part of the floor, it’s time to flick a switch to “Dry”. On this setting, the brushes stop turning (making it a little harder to push) and a vacuum activates. Please note that this vacuum isn’t intended to suck up dry dirt by itself; rather, it draws up the dirty water from the floor into a storage tank. It does this job fairly well, though: just like with a steam mop, your floor will air-dry in a matter of minutes.

Highs and Lows

One of the principles we abide by here at All the Stuff is that one person’s dream appliance may be no more than a pain in the neck for his neighbor. A Ferrari might be fun to drive, but you can’t fit a family of six in the back, and so on. This is why we try not to select the products which are “best” by some arbitrary set of criteria, but actually think of what different people will actually use appliances for, then find the best option(s) for each use case.

You may end up deciding that a steam mop isn’t actually what you need, which is why we’ve included the FloorMate for balance. This is a very good choice for grimy, hard surfaces, and may actually be safer on delicate flooring like antique hardwood (we’re not 100% sure, though). If you have carpets, though, it will be of no use on these. It needs to be pushed fairly slowly for best results, but the same is true for steam mops. This machine is much heavier than most mops, though, and doesn’t offer the 99.9% germ kill rate of steam. Finally, it needs detergent to work, which eventually winds up in the drain, making it a less environmentally friendly option.

If you like the idea of steaming upholstered furniture to freshen it up, ironing your curtains as they hang, or finally getting rid of caked-on limescale and soap stains in your bathroom, you will be happy to hear that this steam mop is able to do all of those things. To use this as a handheld steaming tool, simply remove the top part of the handle and pop the middle portion off of the mop head. Then, connect one of the cleaning attachments and you’re ready to go.

Compared to the Bissell PowerFresh Lift-Off, this mop takes a little bit longer to disassemble and reassemble when you want to switch from mop to handheld steamer. Also, unlike the Oreck Steam-It, which keeps the entire handle on even when acting as an all-purpose steamer, this one may require a little extra stretch on your part in order to reach those difficult corners in the shower or at the top of your windows.

Removable Water Tank

The removable water tank is one of those features that doesn’t seem all that important, and actually, it does matter less than versatility and performance. It is, however, a great bonus when added to a steam mop from a manufacturer with a reputation for building excellent machines. We wouldn’t suggest purchasing a steamer solely based on the reservoir type, but in this case, it’s the icing on the cake.

Additional Notes

Like the Hoover Twin Tank, the Dirt Devil 3-in-1, and a few others on this list, this one comes with a carpet glider included. Anyone who has ever tried to push a regular steam mop across carpeting will understand how important this is, even when the manufacturer claims it’s not necessary.

Though we talk about this steamer’s head being rectangular (because, technically, it is), it is actually quite close to square in shape, which means that it won’t go into tight spaces the way slimmer options such as the Shark Genius are able to do. The cleaning pad remains in contact with the same spot on the floor for longer, though, making it easier to achieve the 5-second figure recommended for effective sterilization.

Floating somewhere in the middle of steam mops’ typical price range, this mop by Shark is the upgraded version of another model we’ve looked at – the Shark Steam Pocket Mop. The regular Shark Pocket Mop is just over half the price of this Professional version and doesn’t feature quite as many impressive qualities. It’s only more expensive than some of its competing products because it performs its basic functions better than they do.

Better Than Average

This “professional” version of the pocket mop has a two-sided mop pad (like the regular version) that wraps all the way around from the bottom to the top of the head, so that you can simply flip it over instead of installing a fresh pad. Though this is feature is no different from that of the regular Pocket Mop and even the Shark Genius, it is a cut above many others which require you to wait several minutes for the head to cool, take the pad off and replace it with a different one when cleaning large areas.

Unlike the regular Pocket Mop, which supplies steam when in motion, the Professional version incorporates “Intelligent Steam Control”. This system means that you don’t have to keep a trigger depressed for however long you need to work (as with the Hoover TwinTank). Three levels of steam intensity are available, allowing you to choose depending on the cleaning task and how durable your floor surface is. Only a few other mops allow you to choose between multiple steam intensity settings, meaning that these are only really suitable for fairly durable types of flooring.

Basic Functionality, But Still Does the Job

This appliance disperses steam evenly throughout the entire head so that you can cover a larger area effectively. It doesn’t, however, boast the targeted action of the Shark Genius, which can shoot steam out of a nozzle protruding from the front of the mop head. This is regrettable, as this “steam blast” function is really helpful when you’re working with difficult stains in low-pile carpet or really stuck-on slops on hard flooring.

On the other hand, though the carpet glider has to be purchased separately, this does come with both a wide rectangular head to cover large surfaces, as well as a smaller triangular one for corners and niches. Still, there is relatively little to make us prefer this mop over its much cheaper cousin.