8 Best Steam Mops, Tested by Cleaning Experts
These devices use hot water vapor to rid your floors of dirt and germs without harsh chemicals.
We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.
Once the go-to secret weapon for the hotel industry, steam mops are now becoming more widely preferred over traditional mops by homeowners everywhere. They deliver sparkling floors without harsh chemicals, messy buckets or back-breaking scrubbing. Using bursts of steam, these clever appliances loosen grime, lift stuck-on messes and even sanitize surfaces with nothing more than water.
At the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, we’ve tested dozens of the best steam mops on everything from grimy grout and greasy grill grates to car interiors, windows and even wrinkled fabrics. The models featured here rose to the top, earning the highest scores in a series of standardized tests, proving they’re truly worth the investment for spotless floors.
Reliable Steamboy 300CU Steam Floor Mop
Pros
- Stands up on its own
- Easy to carry and maneuver into corners
- Includes a scrub brush head
Cons
- Some users said the anti-scale cartridge for the water tank is a pain to replace
This model's triangular swivel head makes it especially well-suited to cleaning in corners, and it even comes with a scrubber brush to plow through stuck-on messes and clean dirty tile grout better than steam alone can do. We like that the package includes two attachments — a carpet glide and a triangular scrub brush — plus four microfiber pads so a clean one is always at the ready. It also comes with a glide that snaps onto the head for freshening carpets.
The slim design and large handle make it easy to carry up and down stairs and the on-demand steam button is easy to access. You'll barely lift a finger. Our only real complaint? Some users said the anti-scale cartridge for the water tank is a pain to replace. On the upside, in between uses, the hardworking mop stands up on its own for neat storage.
Water tank capacity: 2.5 cups | Steam output: On demand | Cord length: 21 ft | Adjustable steam: No | Attachments: Yes
RELATED: The Best Carpet Cleaners
Pros
- Easy to operate
- Stands upright for storage
- Removable water tank
Cons
- Only one steam level
Shark’s updated steam mop is a solid starter model that's perfect for new homeowners or anyone looking for an easy, affordable way to get cleaner floors. Setup is a breeze — just snap the pole and handle into place, fill the removable water tank and you’re ready to go. Steam is released on demand with a button on the handle, though it only offers one heat setting, which may feel limiting compared to more advanced models.
We love that the 18-foot cord ensures no corner is out of reach, and the mop locks upright for hassle-free storage. Overall, our Lab testers agree: Shark’s steam mop is simple, effective and budget-friendly, making it a dependable choice for everyday cleaning.
Water tank capacity: 1.6 cups | Steam output: On demand | Cord length: 18 ft | Adjustable steam: No | Attachments: No
Pros
- Converts to a handheld steamer
- Variable steam settings
- Attachments for countertops and shower glass
Cons
- Water tank is not removable
If you want a steam mop that does more than just floors, the Black+Decker excels. The attached handheld steamer pops off easily, letting you tackle grills, kitchen surfaces, appliances, shower walls, doors, grout and even glass with the included squeegee. It impressed us by removing stubborn shoe scuffs from our ceramic tile and vinyl lab flooring, and the extension pole works for both tall and short users. Bonus: It even has a mini mop head for counters and tiled walls, which is something we’ve never seen before.
In our tests, the mop was easy to use across all tasks, even though the water tank isn’t removable. And its maneuverability rivals that of modern stick vacuums. We also liked that the easy-to-access fingertip controls include variable steam settings and the soft-grip handle made it comfortable to hold during longer cleaning sessions.
Water tank capacity: 1.5 cups | Steam output: Continuous | Cord length: 25 ft | Adjustable steam: Yes | Attachments: Yes
Bissell Symphony Pet All-in-One Vacuum & Sanitizing Steam Mop
Pros
- Vacuums and steam mops separately or simultaneously
- Multiple levels of steam
- Lightweight and easy to use
Cons
- Some users said the vacuum occasionally clogs
The Bissell Symphony Pet caught our attention as a two-in-one appliance that vacuums and steam cleans at the same time. Use it as a vacuum for dry debris like pet hair, a steam mop to sanitize or together for maximum efficiency. Since dry pickup and steam remain separate, you don’t have to worry about creating a messy mix inside the machine (though some users reported occasional clogs when vacuuming).
The dust cup empties easily without dirtying your hands, and in our GH Cleaning Lab tests, we found it lightweight, comfortable to hold and simple to maneuver. It comes with both reusable microfiber pads and disposable pads — great for tackling extra-gross messes — and offers multiple levels of on-demand steam for added flexibility.
Water tank capacity: 1.6 cups | Steam output: On-demand | Cord length: 25 ft | Adjustable steam: No | Attachments: No
RELATED: The Best Vacuums for Pet Hair
Pros
- Attachments pop on and off easily
- Retractable carry handle
- Large water tank
- Good stain-busting power
Cons
- Tricky to store, since the hose is not removable
The Dupray Neat Steamer is simple to operate, with attachments that click on and off effortlessly. We especially liked its sleek, modern design, retractable carry handle and the fact that it weighs only 9 pounds — light enough to move around easily, even when the tank is full.
Its 54-ounce water tank delivers up to 53 minutes of continuous steam, and the pressurized output provides powerful bursts that excelled at tough jobs in our tests, from scrubbing grout to lifting crayon and ink stains off ceramic tile and quartz. The only downside is storage. Because the hose isn’t detachable, the unit takes up more closet space than some other models.
Water tank capacity: 6.75 cups | Steam output: Continuous | Cord length: 16 ft | Adjustable steam: Yes | Attachments: Yes
RELATED: Black+Decker's Steam Cleaning System vs. Dupray's Neat Steam Cleaner: How They Compare
Euroflex M4S Hybrid Steam Mop
Pros
- Has an internal boiler to produce high-pressure steam
- Converts to a handheld steamer
- Has steam jets in front for tough stains
Cons
- Need to wait for it to cool before refilling
Sturdy and designed for heavy-duty jobs, the Euroflex uses a built-in boiler to generate hot, dry, pressurized steam. Remove the two wands, and it quickly converts into a handheld steamer — perfect for grills and other hard-to-reach areas. It also includes a dedicated grout brush that attaches to the wands for deep-cleaning floor grout.
In our tests, it delivered excellent cleaning performance. The front steam jets helped loosen stuck-on messes, while the drier steam meant floors dried more quickly than non-boiler models. A heated bottom plate adds extra cleaning power, and the handle controls let you choose between continuous or on-demand steam. We also liked the thoughtful extras, including a parking pad for cooling (you’ll need to let it cool before refilling) and a wide range of attachments.
Water tank capacity: 2.5 cups | Steam output: Continuous or on demand | Cord length: 23 ft | Adjustable steam: No | Attachments: Yes
RELATED: The Best Grout Cleaners
Bissell PowerFresh Deluxe Steam Mop
Pros
- Slim design
- Easy to store
- Can add fragrance
- Built-in brush
Cons
- Some users said the water tank and tank cap can be hard to remove
We like this model's slim body design for streamlined storage and its large cleaning head to cover more ground with each pass. Though some users said the water tank and tank cap can be hard to remove, once you get it going, it's easy to tackle tough stuck-on dirt with the all-in-one SpotBoost scrub brush. Simply step down on the foot pedal to remove the steamer from the head revealing the SpotBoost brush underneath. Yes, other steamers have scrub brushes included, but we like that you don't have to swap attachments here, especially when cleaning grout.
For added freshness, this model also comes with fragrance discs. Slip them into the head or microfiber pad to add a subtle, yet noticeable scent to your room.
Water tank capacity: 2.4 cups | Steam output: Continuous | Cord length: 25 ft | Adjustable steam: Yes | Attachments: No
Shark Steam & Scrub With Steam Blaster Technology
Pros
- Easy to use and maneuver
- LED headlights help reveal hard-to-see dirt and debris
- Large water tank with three steam levels
Cons
- Not the longest cord length
Part buffer, part steamer, this Shark model uses rotating microfiber pads combined with steam to scrub floors clean. In tests, we were super impressed by how easy it is to use. It has such excellent maneuverability that it practically moves itself across the floor. All you have to do is guide it.
The machine-washable pads are a cinch to attach and remove and held up well to laundering. The water tank is large and with three steam levels — light, normal and deep clean — even the stickiest, stubborn stains are history. It even has LED headlights that help reveal hidden debris and stuck-on spots lingering on your floors.
Water tank capacity: 11.83 oz | Steam output: Continuous | Cord length: 18 ft | Adjustable steam: Yes | Attachments: No
How we test steam mops
When we test steam mops in the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, we allow stubborn stains to set for 14 hours, then pass the mops across them until the stains are clean or we reach a maximum of 30 strokes, whichever comes first. In our last test of 17 steam mops, that added up to over 1,000 forward and backward mopping strokes! Since then, we’ve tested new steam mops from four brands.
We base our tests on industry-standard protocols established by ASTM International, an industry group of appliance engineers and technical experts. For steam mops, we time how quickly they heat up, measure how much steam they produce and assess how thoroughly they remove dried-on sticky foods and beverages like orange juice, cola and spaghetti sauce and greasy messes like salad oil, along with regular dust and dirt, from ceramic tile and vinyl test floors. We time how quickly the floors dry and how easy the mops are to fill, use, clean and store.
Instead of traditional chemical cleaners, steam mops turn plain water into hot steam to dissolve grime, remove tough, dried-on stains and zap everyday dust and dirt with the help of washable, reusable microfiber pads, so there's nothing to toss. We launder the reusable pads multiple times to gauge durability and we check extra parts, like brushes or attachments. Any special features, like scrubbing brushes or handheld attachments, are also evaluated.
Do steam mops really work?
In our tests, we've found they do a great job deep cleaning certain types of floors without cleaning products, a lot of work or a big mess. When you shop, be aware of your steaming options:
✔️ On-demand steam mops have a trigger or button that dispenses steam on cue. These require a bit more effort, but it is nice to have some control over the steam output and to be able to give an extra burst of steam when you come across a stubborn stain or scuff.
✔️ Continuous steam mops keep pumping steam. These require less effort but may require extra passes on particularly grimy spots.
✔️ Adjustable steam mops offer low, medium and high steam levels to suit the cleaning job at hand.
Is steaming floors better than mopping?
A steam mop has more power than a regular mop and could be a dream helper in a busy household with lots of foot traffic. It can streamline your routine and save you from having to buy bottle after bottle of floor cleaner. If you want to cut down or eliminate some products in your home, switching to a steam mop is an easy fix.
Unlike just about every other type of floor mop, steam mops reach temperatures high enough to kill germs and bacteria on hard surfaces. Just pass them slowly over areas to sanitize — for 20 seconds or 15 passes — so the steam has time to do its job. The powered mops can also provide a deeper clean in rooms where kids or pets play and lie on the floors. Because the steam kills germs, you gain peace of mind.
A steam mop is an all-in-one system. No cleaners to store or heavy buckets to fill and empty. Steam mops have a reusable microfiber pad or disposable cloth attached to the head that helps disperse the steam. As the steam penetrates and softens grime, the pad picks it up and traps it. Then you either toss the cloth or wash the pad, so these mops are neater and easier to store than messy, drippy string or sponge mops.
Is it worth getting a steam mop?
It may be, especially if you want to clean without chemicals. But consider these factors:
✔️ The type of floor you're cleaning. Steam mops are generally safe to use on sheet vinyl, ceramic and porcelain tile floors, but it is always a good idea to check with your flooring brand to be sure using steam won't void your floor's warranty. (Do not use on peeling or glued vinyl tile.) And keep in mind that most steam mops alone likely won't whiten dirty or stained grout lines. You'll need a powerful steam blast or a brush or scrubber for that.
✔️ The mop's design. Look for removable, easy-to-fill water tanks with large openings, a swivel head to more capably navigate around corners and table legs, a low profile design to maneuver under cabinet toe-kicks and low furniture, an extra-long cord for extended reach and multiple cleaning pads so you always have a fresh one.
✔️ The power cord and outlet are required. To heat to the high temperatures needed to produce steam to clean and sanitize, these mops need a cord and electricity. Don't be fooled by online reviews that claim to compare cordless steam mops: Once you read them, you'll find out that cordless mops don't produce steam, and steam mops all have cords.
Should steam mops be used on hardwood floors?
Even though mop manufacturers claim it is safe, we do not recommend using steam mops on wood and laminate floors, even on the lowest steam settings. Few wood floors are completely sealed and in the pristine condition needed to keep the steam from penetrating the finish and warping the wood. Never use a steam mop on waxed or unfinished wood floors.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
After spending more than 20 years on the ASTM vacuum cleaner committee, Carolyn Forté is a floor cleaning expert. She heads up Good Housekeeping's Cleaning Lab and has tested and written about every type of floor-cleaning appliance imaginable, including steam mops. And she practices what she preaches. All she uses to clean the vinyl and ceramic tile floors in her home is steam (and she never lets it get near her hardwood floors).
Carolyn Forté brings more than 40 years of experience as a consumer products expert to her role as executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Lab. Using deep analytical testing and writing expertise in appliances, cleaning, textiles and organizational products, she produces cleaning and home care advice for GH, has authored numerous books and bookazines for the brand and partners with the American Cleaning Institute to co-produce the Discover Cleaning Summits. She holds a bachelor's degree in family and consumer sciences from Queens College, City University of New York.
