The 8 Best Steam Mops That Clean And Sanitize

If you want to clean and sanitize your home’s hard flooring in one easy step, it’s worth investing in one of the best steam mops. These mops use hot steam to kill off bacteria while lifting dirt and grime, leaving your floors fresh and clean without the need for any chemical cleaners. Our top pick for deep cleaning is the Bissell Powerfresh Deluxe Steam Mop, which offers multiple power levels and has a built-in brush for scrubbing off tough stains.

While the best steam mops are great for tile, laminate, and other hard floors, it’s important to note that these cleaning accessories don’t work for every home. “While steam mops are amazing tools for cleaning tile floors, they aren’t compatible with all floor types,” says Mallory Micetich, home expert at Angi. Steam mops can damage vinyl floors and certain types of hardwood, so you’ll want to check if your floors are suitable for steam cleaning.

Once you’ve confirmed that a steam mop is suitable for your home, explore the following options—these are the best steam mops you can buy today.

• Best Steam Mop Overall: Bissell PowerFresh Deluxe Steam Mop
• Best Value Steam Mop: Shark Steam Mop
• Best Lightweight Steam Mop: Shark S3501 Steam Pocket Mop
• Best Splurge Steam Mop: Tineco Floor One S7 Steam Mop
• Best Steam Mop For Tile Floors: Hoover Complete Pet Steam Mop
• Best Steam Mop For Pet Owners: Bissell Symphony Pet Steam Mop
• Best Steam Mop On Amazon: PurSteam Steam Mop Cleaner 10-in-1
• Best Steam Mop With Attachments: McCulloch MC1375 Canister Steam Cleaner

Best Steam Mop Overall

A Unique Design To Tackle The Toughest Messes

Dimensions: 9.5 x 13 x 46 inches | Weight: 6.2 pounds | Water tank: 19 ounces | Cordless: No | Attachments: None

Pros:

• Multiple levels of steam
• Built-in scrub brush for tough stains
• Includes washable two pads for different surfaces
• Scent disc releases a pleasant odor

Cons: 

• Distilled water is recommended

Get your floors looking like new with the Bissell PowerFresh Deluxe steam mop. This versatile cleaning tool offers two levels of steam power to handle any task, and its unique design features a built-in scrubber brush, perfect for cleaning grout lines and removing tough, dried-on stains.

The Powerfresh Deluxe also has swivel steering for easy maneuvering around furniture, and it comes with two washable pads—a soft one for delicate surfaces and a coarser one for scrubbing. You can even insert a scent disc in the floorhead to leave a fresh fragrance as you clean, and the unit’s measuring cup conveniently stores in the handle, so you never misplace it.

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Best Value Steam Mop

A Simple, Budget-Friendly Option For Your Floors

Dimensions: 11 x 7.4 x 46.1 inches | Weight: 5 pounds | Water tank: 12.8 ounces | Cordless: No | Attachments: None

Pros:

• Budget-friendly
• Lightweight design
• Locks upright for storage

Cons: 

• No on/off button
• Doesn’t include extra pads

If you’re looking for a simple and affordable steam mop, this model from Shark is as budget-friendly as they come. Just plug it in, and the mop starts heating up, ready to use in about 30 seconds. It includes a machine-washable microfiber pad that’s safe for all hard floors, and its swivel head makes it easy to navigate around furniture and other obstacles.

This steam mop is lightweight, compact, and locks upright for easy storage. However, it only comes with one mopping pad, so you might want to purchase a few extras to keep on hand.

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Best Lightweight Steam Mop

An Easy-To-Handle Design With A Double-Sided Pad

Dimensions: 5.9 x 12 x 51.2 inches | Weight: 4.9 pounds | Water tank: 15 ounces | Cordless: No | Attachments: None

Pros:

• Affordable price point
• Double-sided mop head
• Swivel steering for cleaning around obstacles

Cons: 

• No on/off switch

If you prefer a lightweight option, the Shark S3501 makes your cleaning tasks more manageable. Its 180-degree swivel steering allows you to easily reach tricky spots, and it heats up quickly, ready for action in just 30 seconds. The soft-grip handle and padded neck add comfort during use. A standout feature is its fully covered mop head, which lets you flip it over during extended cleaning sessions without needing to change the pad.

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Best Splurge Steam Mop

A Wet-Dry Vac With Steam To Clean Your Floors

Dimensions: Not listed | Weight: 10.8 pounds | Water tank: 0.8 liters | Cordless: Yes | Attachments: None

Pros:

• Cordless design with long-lasting battery
• Vacuums, mops, and steam cleans
• Self-cleaning design

Cons: 

• Heavier than other mops
• Pricey 

The Tineco Floor One S7 Steam is a premium all-in-one cleaning solution that lets you vacuum, mop, and steam clean your floors simultaneously, justifying its higher price point. This versatile vacuum-mop combo uses steam as hot as 284 degrees to effectively remove dirt and grime from hard floors, and its cordless design provides up to 40 minutes of run time per charge. While it’s slightly heavier than other mops, the self-propelled design glides effortlessly across the floor, and the LED headlights help you see where you’re cleaning. When you’re done, the unit features a self-cleaning cycle that rinses off the brushroll, so you don’t have to.

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Best Steam Mop For Tile Floors

Special Technology Helps Target Stains On Tiles

Dimensions: 8.25 x 11 x 45.25 inches | Weight: 6.8 pounds | Water tank: 12.8 ounces | Cordless: No | Attachments: Small and large plastic brushes, steel wire brush, grout brush, squeegee, scraper nozzle, detail nozzle, upholstery tool, concentration nozzle

Pros:

• The triangular mop head reaches into corners
• Doubles as a handheld steamer
• Includes multiple attachments, including a grout brush

Cons: 

• The trigger must be held down for the steam function.

The Hoover Complete Pet Steam Mop features “SteamClean” technology, designed to target stains on tile and grout before mopping them away. Its unique triangle-shaped head allows you to easily glide into corners and over uneven tiles without the mop head spinning or getting stuck. This mop comes loaded with extras, including 10 multi-purpose tools that let you clean upholstery, carpet, windows, and even appliances. Pet owners will appreciate that this Hoover model not only cleans but also deodorizes pet messes, keeping your home smelling fresh. It’s suitable for use on carpet, tile, sealed hardwood, and other hard, sealed surfaces.

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Best Steam Mop For Pet Owners

Disposable Pads For Pet Messes And A No-Touch Dustbin

Dimensions: 11 x 9.75 x 46 inches | Weight: 9.74 pounds | Water tank: 12.8 ounces | Cordless: No | Attachments: None

Pros:

• Vacuums and mops simultaneously
• Can use washable or disposable pads
• No-touch dustbin emptying system

Cons: 

• Floorhead doesn’t pivot

Compared to other models, the Bissell Symphony is on the pricier side of steam mops, but that higher cost might be justified. What sets this mop apart is its unique ability to vacuum and steam your floors simultaneously, a feature pet owners will find particularly useful. The “Drop-It” tank emptying system allows you to dispose of debris without getting your hands dirty, and disposable pads are included for cleaning up pet messes. You’ll also receive washable microfiber pads for everyday use, while odor-fighting scent discs help freshen up your home after pet accidents. This device is suitable for use on sealed hardwood, ceramic, linoleum, granite, and marble floors.

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Best Steam Mop On Amazon

An Amazon Bestseller With Tons Of Unique Perks

Dimensions: 8.1 x 9.45 x 23.9 inches | Weight: 4.4 pounds | Water tank: 12.8 ounces | Cordless: No | Attachments: Small/big brushes, angled nozzle, grout brush, scrape tool, steamer jet, squeegee, carpet glider

Pros:

• Variable steam control
• Doubles as a handheld steamer with a variety of attachments
• Works with tap water
• Collapsible handle for storage

Cons: 

• Short power cord

The PurSteam Steam Mop Cleaner 10-in-1 is a longtime Amazon bestseller that excels on sealed hardwood, tile, marble, ceramic, and porcelain floors, and also works effectively on clothes and glass. It heats up in just 30 seconds and offers three adjustable modes, allowing you to choose the perfect level of steam power for any task. A convenient feature is that this mop uses tap water, so there’s no need to keep buying detergent. It comes with useful attachments, including a window squeegee and various nylon brushes. Plus, the handheld steamer detaches from the main unit for added versatility.

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Best Steam Mop With Attachments

A Canister-Style Unit With An Impressive Array Of Tools

Dimensions: 10.5 x 15.55 x 12.13 inches | Weight: 10.78 pounds | Water tank: 48 ounces | Cordless: No | Attachments: 20 accessories

Pros:

• Includes a wide range of attachments
• Oversized water tank
• Canister-style design is easy to wield

Cons: 

• Takes longer to heat up

The McCulloch Canister Steam Cleaner lets you clean virtually any surface in your home with its 20 versatile cleaning tools. Designed with a canister-style build and an oversized 48-ounce water tank, this unit allows for extended cleaning sessions before needing a refill. It also includes two extension wands, making it easy to clean tall windows and other hard-to-reach areas. The steam cleaner comes equipped with a variety of tools, including brushes, scrapers, and grout cleaners. However, note that it takes about 8 minutes for the water tank to heat up due to its larger capacity.

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How We Chose The Best Steam Mops

To find the best steam mops for deep-cleaning your home, we searched for top-rated options, using the guidance of our expert to narrow down our top picks.

• We looked for best-selling products from cleaning brands that we know and trust, such as Shark, Bissell, and Tineco.
• While evaluating each product, we considered factors like the mop’s water capacity, heat-up time, range of motion, and ease of maintenance.
• We aimed to include both standard upright mops and more versatile units that double as handheld steam cleaners, selecting options at a wide range of price points to suit all budgets.
• We carefully combed through dozens of user reviews for each product, selecting options with a minimum average rating of at least four stars.

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What To Look For In The Best Steam Mops

Functions

Some models, such as the budget-friendly Shark Steam Mop, are solely designed to steam clean flooring, but if you want a more versatile tool, you may want to look for a product with multiple functions. For instance, the PurSteam Steam Mop can be used to mop your floors but also doubles as a handheld steamer for cleaning other areas around your home. There are also vacuum-mop combos like the Tineco Floor One S7 Steam, which vacuum, mop, and steam clean all at the same time.

Water Capacity

Steam mops work by heating up water to high temperatures, which turns the liquid into hot steam. For this reason, all steam mops have an onboard water tank, and you’ll want to consider its size while comparing different units.
Models with small water tanks will need to be refilled more often while cleaning, but won’t be as heavy to carry. On the other hand, products like the McCulloch MC1375 Canister Steam Cleaner have larger water tanks that let you cover more ground before needing to stop and refill, but they take longer to heat up before use.

Attachments

If you want to use your steam mop to clean other areas besides your floors, you may want to look for a model that comes with different cleaning tools or attachments. For instance, the Hoover Complete Pet Steam Mop comes with accessories like scrubbing brushes, grout cleaners, and a squeegee, allowing you to clean areas like the kitchen, bathroom, and windows.

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Is It Worth It To Invest In A Steam Mop?

For most buyers, yes. But the answer to this question ultimately depends on the various types of flooring you have within your home. “Steam mops are a great option for people who have tile flooring,” Micetich says. “They’re convenient, quick, thorough, and fast-drying, making them an ideal way to clean tile floors.”
These mops can also be helpful for people who have trouble repeatedly bending over to wring out traditional mops, she points out. Finally, as Wilson adds, steam mops are also “great for cleaning and sanitizing floors,” along with removing stains and some discoloration.

Should Steam Mops Be Used On Vinyl Floors?

No, they shouldn’t. Steam mops are specifically not recommended for these types of floors: “The hot steam released by a steam mop can penetrate vinyl and cause damage,” Micetich comments. Specifically, the steam can bend and warp vinyl and even loosen the glue that holds the flooring together. Keep in mind that this is true for all types of vinyl floors, including vinyl planks. While steam mops can generally be used on sealed floors, Wilson says you should be wary of using them on hardwood as well.

Is It Ok To Use Pine-Sol With A Steam Mop?

Despite its popularity as a multi-purpose cleaner, Pine Sol products aren’t designed to be used in steam mops. In fact, the manufacturer specifically warns against it. When in doubt, follow the product recommendations that accompany your steam mop purchase.

Is Steaming Floors Better Than Mopping?

A lot depends on your goal and how much work you’re willing to put into cleaning. “Steaming is typically better than mopping,” Wilson says. “It is less labor-intensive, as well as quicker and more efficient.” As Micetich adds, “Steam mops are gaining popularity because they’re convenient and easy to use, but they don’t always do a better job than mopping the old-fashioned way.” Again, steam mops are not compatible with all floor types; however, they do allow you to sanitize your floor without any harsh chemicals.