The Best Steam Cleaners, Tested and Reviewed

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Eliminate years of dirt, dust, pet messes, and other gunk from carpets and upholstered furniture with these powerful steam cleaners.

Steam is a superior cleaning agent. It can be used on a variety of household surfaces, including carpets and upholstery, to release stains and odors, banish caked-on messes—all without the use of chemicals. To harness the power of steam, however, a steam cleaner, which rapidly heats water into its vapor form, must be employed.

Choosing the best steam cleaner to help restore dirty or dated carpets and furniture isn’t so easy, as there are a host of options and features to consider. However, we selected the Pure Enrichment PureClean XL Rolling Steam Cleaner as our best overall pick. We like it because it works on both hard and soft flooring, comes with an 18-piece accessories kit, and includes a 16-foot-long cord for maneuvering.

We gathered more of the most popular products, listed below, and put them through their paces with our hands-on tests. Read on to learn how to shop for the best steam cleaner and the pros and cons of the quality models listed below.

1. BEST OVERALL: Pure Enrichment PureClean XL Rolling Steam Cleaner
2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: PurSteam 10-in-1 Steam Cleaner Mop
3. BEST HANDHELD: PurSteam Handheld Pressurized Steam Cleaner
4. BEST UPHOLSTERY: Steamfast SF-370 Multipurpose Steam Cleaner
5. BEST MULTIPURPOSE: Bissell 2747A PowerFresh Vac & Steam Vacuum and Mop
6. BEST SPOT CLEANER: McCulloch MC1275 Canister Steam Cleaner
7. BEST FOR TILE: Shark Genius Steam Pocket Mop System
8. BEST FOR CARPET: Dupray Neat Steam Cleaner

How We Tested the Best Steam Cleaners

We tested each steam cleaner according to established rubrics that included water-tank capacity, weight, portability, accessories, and cleaning performance on hard and soft surfaces. We rated each steam cleaner based on these rubrics on a scale between 0 and 4 to determine their score.

We first determined how much assembly was required for each model and also looked into the ease of storing its cords and accessories. Next, we added the required amount of water and tested to see how easy it was to move and maneuver. We tested the steam cleaners on engineered flooring, tile, upholstered furniture, windowsills, porcelain, and carpet. We used the various accessories to determine how easy they were to attach and how well they functioned.

Our Top Picks

The products below represent some of the most popular steam cleaners on the market. We tested them all in real-world conditions and found them to be effective and durable machines in their respective categories. It’s likely that one of these models will fill the bill for your steam-cleaning needs.

Best Overall

Pure Enrichment PureClean XL Rolling Steam Cleaner

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Product Specs

• Type: Canister
• Water-tank capacity: 1.5 liters
• Weight: 9 pounds

What We Like

• Large rear wheels make it easier to roll; great for carpets
• 16-foot-long cord with built-in cord wrap allows for organized storage
• 18-piece accessory kit; suitable for multiple cleaning tasks

What We Don’t Like

• Lots of accessories to store

To tackle a host of cleaning chores, consider the Pure Enrichment PureClean Steam Cleaner. This canister model dispenses pressurized steam to help break down and release stains, spots, and deep dirt on an assortment of hard and soft surfaces, including carpets, furniture, tile, and vinyl flooring. The 1.5-liter tank is ample enough to enable up to 45 minutes of steam cleaning before it requires a refill. It rolls on wheels, comes with an 18-piece accessory set, and its 16-foot power cord makes it easy to move around and spot clean sections.

In testing, this Pure Enrichment model proved to be a powerful machine, effectively cleaning hard and soft surfaces with ease. The wide wheelbase and long power cord made it easy to maneuver and access hard-to-reach areas. The plethora of accessories came in handy, and we especially appreciated the scrub pad and utility brush attachments that made getting dirt and grime from grout and window tracks easy.

However, we found the triangular mophead attachment to be a bit too small, which made it take longer than anticipated to clean our laminate living room floor. Though we appreciated all the attachments, we believe they could present a storing challenge to folks with limited space.

Get the Pure Enrichment steam cleaner at Amazon or Lowe’s.

Best Bang For The Buck

PurSteam 10-in-1 Steam Cleaner Mop

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Product Specs

• Type: Upright and handheld
• Water-tank capacity: 11.5 ounces
• Weight: 2.2 pounds

What We Like

• Water heats up in 30 seconds; ideal for quick cleanups
• Folding handle for compact storage
• Includes multiple accessories plus detachable handheld unit

What We Don’t Like

• Cannot stop steam flow without turning machine off

The versatile PurSteam 10-in-1 works as an upright steam mop and a handheld steam cleaner with various accessories. It features a detachable handheld unit that doubles as the steam mop’s water reservoir. The corded machine is designed primarily to clean hard surfaces but can be used to refresh carpets and upholstery.

This steam mop has two standout features. First, there’s the folding handle, which allows for compact storage in tight spaces. Second, the water heats up in just 30 seconds, a blessing when a quick cleanup is required. Switching to handheld mode is simple: Pop it out of the upright stand, and it’s ready to go! Although it proved easy enough to control the intensity of the steam via a dial on the water reservoir, the only way to stop the flow of steam entirely is to turn off the machine. Overall, this PurSteam performed well as a steam mop and handheld unit, and its economical price is hard to beat.

Get the PurSteam mop steam cleaner at Amazon.

Best Handheld

PurSteam Handheld Pressurized Steam Cleaner

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Product Specs

• Type: Handheld
• Water-tank capacity: 5 ounces
• Weight: 5.24 pounds

What We Like

• Easy to swap out accessories
• Safety lock on handle; great for homes with kids or pets
• Comfortable handle helps reduce user fatigue

What We Don’t Like

• No place to wind the cord; makes for untidy storage
• Heavy for a handheld; not ideal for extended use

The PurSteam Handheld Pressurized Steam Cleaner is a lightweight and portable option that makes short work of spot cleaning throughout the house. This corded steamer can safely be used on many surfaces, including cotton and wool carpets, bedding, upholstery, laminate, granite, and wallpaper. It comes with a nylon brush, an ironing brush, an extension hose, and six other accessories to simplify a host of cleaning tasks.

This small but powerful machine heats up fast, producing steady steam that effectively softens built-up grime. We found it to be easy to use and particularly favored the bent nozzle and extension-hose accessories, which made tackling tough chores such as cleaning window tracks and tight, hard-to-reach areas on our grill a breeze.

At just over 5 pounds, the unit did start to feel a bit heavy after prolonged use. There’s also no dedicated place to wrap the cord for storage—it must be wound around the machine’s body. Nonetheless, it’s a handy tool to help make your cleaning tasks easier.

Get the PurSteam handheld steam cleaner at Amazon.

Best Upholstery

Steamfast SF-370 Multipurpose Steam Cleaner

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Product Specs

• Type: Canister
• Water-tank capacity: 48 ounces
• Weight: 8.42 pounds

What We Like

• Steam-on-demand trigger with continuous-steam locking switch
• Integrated power cord wrap; great for tidy storage
• Integrated carrying handle; easier to tote around the home

What We Don’t Like

• No onboard accessories storage

The Steamfast SF-370 steam cleaner features a variety of useful attachments, but it’s best for upholstery thanks to the wide mophead attachments and corner scrub tools. It’s equipped with a 64-inch flexible steam hose and easy-stick microfiber pads to naturally clean hard and soft surfaces. Its 48-ounce water tank heats up in 8 minutes and then provides 45 minutes of continuous steam.

This machine proved to be the most powerful steam cleaner tested for this guide, and its steam-on-demand trigger with a continuous steam locking switch made it easy to control and direct the steam, especially when paired with the steam jet nozzle. This feature allowed us to aim the steam onto stubborn stains on mattresses and fabric-covered chairs. It even helped to break up old gum residue on an area rug. Too bad it does not allow the user to increase or decrease steam intensity.

This corded machine maneuvered smoothly, and we appreciated the integrated carrying handle that made bringing the machine up and down stairs easier. Though it stores away easily because of its low profile, this model does not come with an onboard cubby for the various accessories. This steam cleaner is perfect for keeping upholstery fresh and clean, and it’s suitable for cleaning floors and other hard surfaces as well.

Get the Steamfast steam cleaner at Amazon or The Home Depot.

Best Multipurpose

Bissell 2747A PowerFresh Vac & Steam Vacuum and Mop

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Product Specs

• Type: Upright
• Water-tank capacity: 12.8 ounces
• Weight: 9.74 pounds

What We Like

• Vacuum and steam simultaneously or separately; great versatility
• Vacuum feature easily captures dirt and debris
• Simple digital controls allow users to switch modes during use

What We Don’t Like

• Expensive compared to similar options

The Bissell 2747A PowerFresh Vac & Steam is designed to cut down on cleaning time. This single tool vacuums and steams simultaneously, eliminating the need to tackle the same area with two machines. The cleaner features digital controls to select vacuuming mode or steaming mode, or both modes at the same time.

The microfiber soft pad and microfiber scrubby pad can handle a host of hard floor surfaces, the former ideal for cleaning laminate flooring and the latter for tile floors. Switching between the pads or taking them off for cleaning is easy with the detachable mop pad tray, which eliminates the need to flip the mop over to put on a clean pad. This product features dual tanks, one for dry debris from the vacuum and a wet tank to hold the water for the steam mop feature.

Although many multipurpose tools tend to excel in only one area, with mediocre performance in others, this Bissell worked extremely well as a vacuum and as a steam mop in testing. The vacuum mode sucked up pet hair and debris with ease, and it was super convenient to switch immediately to the steam mop mode to clean the floors without the need to stop and get another cleaning tool or mop. The vacuum mode and steam mop mode can be used separately or simultaneously. The only downside we found to dual mode is that the vacuum tank is small and will need to be emptied several times if cleaning a large area.

This product is designed to primarily clean hard surfaces, but the steam mop can refresh short-pile carpeting. Overall, we were most impressed with its performance for picking up small debris that got missed after sweeping hard surfaces—but we do think the price tag is a bit steep.

Get the Bissell steam cleaner at Amazon.

Best Spot Cleaner

McCulloch MC1275 Canister Steam Cleaner

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Product Specs

• Type: Canister
• Water-tank capacity: 48 ounces
• Weight: 9.95 pounds

What We Like

• Steam lock switch provides continuous steam
• Extra-long hose allows for excellent reach
• Large-capacity water reservoir; great for long cleaning sessions

What We Don’t Like

• Lots of accessories to store
• No onboard cord wrap; untidy storage

While it’s true that the 48-ounce water tank on this heavy-duty McCulloch canister model can dispense hot steam for up to 45 minutes—enough time to clean large areas—it’s most impressive for the 18 attachments that make short work of stubborn stained spots on a variety of surfaces. The steam jet nozzle effectively loosened caked-on dirt in grout and greasy crevices in our oven. We particularly like the five utility brushes, including a brass brush, for removing rust and other debris from an outdoor grill. There’s also a 15.7-foot power cord and a 9-foot steam hose for reaching all the nooks and crannies where dirt can otherwise hide.

In testing, this steam cleaner took 8 minutes to heat up, proved easy to maneuver due to its low profile and large front wheels, and had plenty of steam to go the distance. However, there is no onboard location to wind the lengthy power cord—an unexpected flaw on an otherwise well-designed machine.

Get the McCulloch steam cleaner at Amazon or Sylvane.

Best for Tile

Shark Genius Steam Pocket Mop System

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Product Specs

• Type: Upright
• Water-tank capacity: 11.8 ounces
• Weight: 5.77 pounds

What We Like

• Double-sided dirt-gripping pads are washable and reusable
• Touch-free pad removal; users avoid getting their hands dirty
• Removes tough dirt with ease; great for heavy-duty cleaning

What We Don’t Like

• Doesn’t stand upright on its own; can be annoying to store
• No on-demand steam control

The Shark Genius steam mop is designed to work efficiently while minimizing physical effort. A large microfiber pad wraps around the top and bottom of the mophead, giving users double the cleaning capacity with one pad. When the bottom of the pad becomes dirty, the user can easily flip the mophead over to continue cleaning with the fresh side of the pad.

The steam cleaner also features three settings for customizing the steam level and a steam blaster to break down dried or sticky stains that can be a bane on tile, laminate, and other hard surfaces. Then, after the cleaning is done, the mophead opens with the push of a button to release the reusable dirty pad into the laundry without having to touch it—a terrific feature!

In testing on our tile floor, the thick microfiber pads easily picked up and held onto dirt and grime, even cleaning down into the grout. We also really like the ability to flip the mophead to use the other side of the pad. However, we would have appreciated on-demand steam control. And though we found the ergonomic circular handle comfortable to hold, we didn’t like that the mophead design prevented the steamer from standing upright on its own.

Get the Shark steam cleaner at