Mold, grease, dust, and germs aren’t a good look, but they have a way of accumulating in your home’s most unexpected corners. And, no matter how obsessed you are with cleanliness, these common pollutants can easily evade your efforts. Thankfully, you’ll no longer have to waste time on vacuums, manual brushes, and mops because steam cleaners are more convenient and effective.
A steam cleaner’s high-pressure heat cleaning system will disinfect the surfaces and eliminate gunk with a single wipe. Now, we know the prospect of effortless cleaning has got you buzzing to buy one. But, with so many options, finding something that suits your needs can seem difficult. That’s why we’ve rounded up the highest-rated steam cleaners in 2023 to help you out!
All of them produce steam! All of them clean grime! But, then the question of which steam cleaner is the right fit for you arises. When deciding on a steam cleaner, you’ll need to determine the type of equipment you need and make some other important considerations. To make the process a little easier, we’ve put together this detailed buying guide. Let’s take a look!
So, you want to know why you should purchase a steam cleaner for your home. Well, we know that heat kills germs and invisible microbial growths. From that perspective, investing in a good steam cleaner is a wise investment. Secondly, these cleaning tools are extremely versatile, which considerably cuts the cleanup time to a minimum. Then, there’s the fact that they’re an eco-friendly, hygienic solution for keeping your home clean and disease-free.
Additionally, steam cleaners operate on distilled or tap water, not harmful and toxic detergents and chemicals. As such, these cleaning tools are perfect to use in a home that has children or pets.
Nowadays, many kinds of steam cleaners are available with different specs and mechanisms. As a result, finding a good steam cleaner depends on selecting the right type based on your needs. Below, we’ve broken down the four major types of steam cleaners you can choose:
If you’re on a budget and tight on storage space, I recommend getting this type of steam cleaner. It only takes a small amount of space in your home and makes dusting and wiping surfaces effortless. And, because of its size, a handheld steam cleaner can reach tiny corners that big steamers cannot. That said, I’d suggest avoiding handheld steam cleaners if your goal is to clean enormous floors.
This affordable, easy-to-use type steam cleaner usually comes with an attached stick. Cleaning with an upright steam mop is easy, and it takes minimal storage space. Best of all, you can wipe and sanitize your home with just the flick of your arms — all without hurting your back. Keep in mind, however, that reaching hard spots will require additional accessories and attachments.
This steam cleaner is a treat for obsessive cleaners, as it’s perfect for almost every cleaning job that there is. This versatile device comes with multiple attachments and has large water tanks that allow for a steady stream of heat.
One downside, however, is that this type takes too much space and is difficult to move around a small house. It’s quite heavy and boasts a heavy price tag as well.
When you want an extremely fast-drying steam cleaner, opt for a vapor steamer. This type instantly turns heat to vapor, resulting in fast cleanup and zero drying time or dampness. A vapor steam cleaner is similar to a cylinder model in design, but elevated in terms of mechanism — that’s why it’s expensive as well.
There are certain specs and features that should on your checklist when you’re on the market for steam cleaners. Here are a few to look out for:
If you want to buy a steam cleaner, there are a few things you should think about. Here are some tips that I believe are essential to consider before you make a purchase:
Carefully research and identify your needs before purchasing your steam cleaner. Always thoroughly read through the reviews.
Choose the right type of steam cleaner. For instance, if you want to mop large floors and halls, handheld steam cleaners are not your answer. You will need a vertical steam mop.
A steam cleaner’s cost depends on its mechanism and functionality. A more sophisticated model will cost you more but it will also have better specs. But, if you don’t have much space, investing in a cylindrical steam cleaner would be a waste of money.
Pay attention to the water tank capacity. If you find constant refilling a hassle, opt for a bigger steam cleaner with a larger tank.
One of the biggest attractions of investing in the Pure Enrichment Steam Cleaner is that it can clean, anything and everything. From hardwood, tiled, and cemented surfaces to materials like metal, glass, ceramic, marble, and granite, this nifty steam cleaner is your go-to companion. Not only that, it can handle all your dirty upholstered furniture, mattresses, and household accessories. Honestly, I think the word multipurpose is an understatement here — this steam cleaner will wipe clean anything that you can imagine.
If your home has hard-to-reach nooks and crannies or dark, congested areas that are hard to wipe down, this steam cleaner is the tool for the job. Because the 16-foot long cord enhances the moveability and multiple attachment options will reach the toughest spots that you cannot. And, with a 1.5-liter water tank, you’ll get a consistent steam shower at 98 degrees Fahrenheit for 45 minutes. Versatile, effective, and easy to use, this product has everything I’d look for in a steam cleaner, which is why it’s the best on our list.
Invest in Wagner’s Spraytech Steam Cleaner if you’re tired of manual cleaning tools and ordinary vacuums. It can give a new life to any dirty and grimy surface or object. Within 10 minutes it can reach 29 degrees Fahrenheit, upon which it’ll sanitize your surfaces and cut through gunk like magic.
Armed with a long steam hose and 11 different attachments, this pick will heat up and dissolve dust and stains like they never existed. You can use the nozzles to concentrate steam on specific areas and brushes to scrub away stubborn stains with the help of hot steam. All in all, I think it’s safe to say that this steam cleaner is extremely versatile.
Have you been a victim of streaky floors and dust-filled crevices, even after busting your muscles with manual mops? Then you need the Shark Steam Cleaner. It’ll give you stainless, sparkling floors that look like they were laid out yesterday. How does this steaming mop do that? It contains a dual-sided microfiber cloth pad reinforced with hot steam that wipes away dust and grime without a fuss.
This cleaner is designed with washable pads that can be used multiple times and are released with just a flick of a button. So, you don’t have to worry about touching and handling gross, dirt-soaked pads. Meanwhile, the circular handlebar and a long wand at the top of the mop make it extremely easy to use. Simply put, this steam cleaner will give a new life to your hardwood floors.
When you want streamlined design and reliable functionality in one product, the Dupray Steam Cleaner should be on your wishlist. Capable of producing steam up to 275 degrees Fahrenheit, this product speeds up the cleaning process with its flexible steam hose and retractable handle.
With the continuous steam shower, 16.4-foot cord, and rolling wheels, this product is both functional and convenient. It has a pretty generous capacity, too, and can clean for 50 minutes every time you fill it up. So, if you’re looking to refresh and sanitize your home, you may want to pick up this steam cleaner.
With so many options available, you’ll appreciate the McCulloch Steam Cleaner for its sturdy build and amazing mobility. Putting the 23 accessories aside, this steam cleaner gives new meaning to power cleaning and design aesthetics. With a 64-ounce capacity, this “mean” machine releases 120 minute minutes of fine-mist of steam to wipe any germ and dirt.
Even better, this safety-approved steam cleaner can exterminate unwanted organisms and microbial growth. And, since its temperature goes over 200 degrees Fahrenheit, you know you’re getting the best clean possible. From mopping floors to wiping surfaces and scrubbing grime, this steam cleaner is your all-in-one answer.
Affordable and portable, the BISSELL Steam Cleaner is the effective, chemical-free cleaning tool that I’ve been dreaming of. Whether it’s bedbugs, fleas, mold, or bacteria, this steam cleaner will eliminate all, which gives it a passing grade in my book. It is extremely adaptable for precise and focused cleaning, meaning you can easily reach annoying, hard-to-reach spots.
Best of all, this steam cleaner heats in a matter of minutes. This means that, once you fill-up the tank, you’ll be cleaning in no time. And, despite its limited-capacity water tank, this steam cleaner still achieves a decent run time of 12 minutes — talk about getting bang for your buck!
Dreaming of a steam cleaner that mops floors, wipes surfaces, and steam irons your clothes? Well, the efficient, multipurpose PurSteam Steam Cleaner may be a dream come true. Even better, this pick can be used as a standing mop or handheld device as well; so, whether big or small, no surface is unreachable with this nifty tool.
Unlike many other brands that specifically require distilled water, the steam cleaner can easily function with tap water. Most importantly, from sticky carpets to slippery hardwood and laminate floors, this pick cuts the cleaning time in half. And, as the cherry on top, it doesn’t use any chemicals.
A: The distilled water in tanks heats and releases steam onto dirty surfaces. Then, the pressurized water vapor or steam melts dirt and kills germs.
A: Compared to conventional vacuums, steam cleaners are quieter. That said, they do produce some level of noise, which varies from model to model. If noisy steam cleaners bother you, then look for a variant with lower decibel levels.
A: Steam cleaners can work on a majority of surfaces, including hardwood floors, countertops, laminate surfaces, vinyl floors, ceramic tiles, upholstery fabrics, and leather.
A: Yes, steam cleaners do have some disadvantages. For one, they're generally more expensive than other forms of cleaning. Steam cleaners are also less straightforward when compared to most cleaning methods and also require more maintenance.
A: While steam cleaners are great for cleaning in general, they're especially effective for stubborn grime, mold, bacteria, and dust mites, among other things.