Investing in one of the best steam cleaners will help to streamline your cleaning routine. They save you time and effort, whilst elevating your cleaning results to a stand-out sparkle rather than an everyday clean. In order to help you decide which one is right for you, we tested a wide range of steam cleaners available from popular brands including Vax, Kärcher, Bissell and Beldray.
Lots of people ask us, "are steam cleaners worth it?" and do they really work? Having used them for years, all of our expert testers will tell you that they can help to save you from scrubbing; getting into grouting; and lifting any stubborn stains that pets might have left behind. Then, you can give mirrors, glass, and kitchen tiles a final flourish, without the need for harsh chemical-based cleaning products.
In our testing, we assessed the performance of both corded cleaners with impressive power, and handheld models, whose lightweight designs make hard-to-reach areas that bit easier to tackle. We also made sure to look at models from a range of price points, starting from less than £30, so there's a steam cleaner for everyone on this list, as well as expert tips and tricks, including the everyday things you should never steam clean
The best steam cleaners, tested for certified sparkle
Best overall
This is the steam cleaner that will leave every spot in your home sparkling. With onboard tools, practical storage, and a handy brush, it can reach even the tightest corners. Plus, when you need a deeper clean, there's a detergent add-in option.
Best for hard floors
Perfect for polishing your floors and getting into the grout, the Karcher comes with plenty of accessories that will do your deep clean for you. The flexible mop pads are brilliant at lifting dirty and drying floors and we found the slim accessories to be very satisfying when cleaning the bathroom.
Best for pet homes
Whether you have hard or soft floors, pets put an extra load on how deeply and how often you'll need to clean. Pet hair won't tangle and the tools will let you move between tiles, laminate, wood, and rug floors to leave them refreshed and shining.
Best upright
Multi-purpose and reasonably-priced, this is the steam cleaner that'll replace and upgrade your mop. You can use it as a handheld model, but the slim, lightweight design makes it perfect for tackling everyday messes with complete ease.
Best budget
Inexpensive, but nevertheless effective, this gave impressive results in our tester's home. The simple pads betray that this is cheaper, but if you don't need the accessories and just want a deeper, easier clean, this is nothing short of perfect.
Best handheld
A steam cleaner that covers all bases, the Beldray can refresh curtains, lift dirt from sofas, clean tiles, and reach the other nooks and crannies in your home. It comes with a whole host of accessories for cleaning your windows and your mirrors too.
Best steam cleaner overall
Vax is iconic when it comes to home maintenance appliances and its Vax Steam Fresh Total Home is a perfect example of why the brand is so revered. The perfect all rounder, it can tackle cleaning everything from carpets and upholstery through to bathroom grouting and kitchen grime: perfect for integrating into your daily cleaning habits. You might wonder whether it casts its net too wide with 14 different tools and functions, but the reality is impressive: a complete clean that's good across the board.
The cleaner itself is super simple to assemble: it literally clicks into place. You've got the option to use natural steam, but also add in any detergent when you need some extra sanitization. We found the detergent element helps to account for the product having one of the smaller water tank capacities of the products we tested. Vax claims the detergent is ‘2x better’ than steam on its own, particularly at breaking down grease and grime, and can reportedly kill 99.9% of bacteria and ‘keep it away’ for up to seven days, and we can attest to this.
We tested it as a handheld device on a range of kitchen details (tiles, faucets, and the oven door); we also tried the steam mop on a bathroom floor and liked how easy the angular mop head made getting into tricky and grimy corners, such as behind standing storage. The results were fantastic, leaving our home sparkling, as was the fresh, zesty scent left by the detergent.
The Steam Fresh Combi Classic is a little on the bulky side for carrying from room to room but the 8m cable certainly helped to reduce the amount of lugging required during our testing. Overall, the Vax Steam Fresh Total Home is great value for money and is efficient, too (it heats up in just 20 seconds), which is why it's our pick for the best steam cleaner overall.
Our experts have formally (and informally) been testing this steam cleaner for 4 weeks, so a review will be coming soon.
Best steam cleaner for hard floors and bathrooms
Promising to remove 99.999% of enveloped viruses and kill 99.9% of household germs, Kärcher’s SC3 EasyFix steam cleaner isn’t to be under-estimated. The latest model, the EasyFix Extra comes with a full array of accessories, ranging from two spare steam pipes and a detail nozzle through to a window tool and carpet glider. The summary of them is this: if it can be steamed, the Kärcher will do it.
You have two options for steaming, which let you tackle lighter and more substantial tasks with the thoroughness of cleaning like a professional. One stand-out feature of the SC3 is its bespoke approach towards different water types: the intelligent water hardness setting results in a cleaning experience that’s tailored to the hardness or softness of your water supply for a more personalized approach to steam cleaning. Its decalcification cartridge, which can be repurchased via the Kärcher website, promises to minimize limescale too, which is a great bonus feature.
Our tester found that the Kärcher was particularly impressive at lifting dirt from her hard floors (which see a lot of wear and tear from her cats and dogs), but also found it satisfyingly effective at cleaning the grout in her bathroom. Unlike other models, this isn't one to use chemicals, so it's brilliant if you want a natural, but effective way to have your home sparkling.
The flip side of a natural approach is that it isn't quite as thorough on the tough fabric tasks. Our expert wouldn't recommend it for stubborn stains on your carpets or curtains: it's good for a hygienic refresh, but not for getting wine out of your cream rug. Although expensive, the Kärcher certainly stood out during our testing as efficient and adaptable to all kinds of hard flooring and bathroom tasks.
You can find out more in our dedicated review of the Karcher SC3 Steam Cleaner.
Best steam cleaner for pet homes
If your home is full of furry friends and different types of flooring, this is arguably the best and only steam cleaner for you. It gives the deepest clean thanks to the two-in-one build, which will let you vacuum before you steam, meaning no hair or mud affects your steam cleaning.
the simple controls will let you toggle between three different modes: SteamWash, Hard Floor, and Area Rug mode. We found that there is a slight delay when switching between steaming and vacuuming, but it's no more than 10 seconds and the lights and triggers make it easy to avoid making a messy mistake. We love that you can dry any area you've steamed after cleaning too, which is brilliant if you'll have dogs or cats pottering over the area mid-clean.
A point or two is lost for the sheer weight of the device; it definitely sits on the heavier side of the spectrum at over 4kg, so is a little more awkward to carry around the house. However, with its impressive dual functionality and long cord, we reckon it's a small price to pay.
Overall, this is perfect for getting an extra, deeper layer of cleaning done in what feels like a simple vacuum. It's hard to beat, especially if you're a pet owner who's looking for tips on how to keep your home clean. Many brands have tried to compete, but it's rare that you find a model which executes both functions to the same level, cleanliness, and calibre as the Bissell Crosswave HydroSteam Steam Cleaner.
Our experts have formally (and informally) been testing this steam cleaner for 4 weeks, so a review will be coming soon.
Best upright steam cleaner
Taking just 15 seconds to fully heat up, Vileda’s classic Steam Mop is the upgrade that your home mop needs. Not only did it leave our hard floors sparkling clean, it's also great for carpets and rugs.
Our favourite feature is absolutely thee slinky steam head, which is designed to swivel its way into even the tightest and most awkward of corners to ensure a thorough clean. We tried the Steam Mop on three types of flooring (tiles, lino, and carpet) and were impressed, with the product requiring minimal force to see results. You’ve also got full control over the steam setting, meaning you can change it according to whether you’re cleaning delicate rugs and carpets, or studier wood and tiles (which it also works very well on).
The six-metre cable is great for working between rooms without the need to keep unplugging, and we were able to get almost half an hour of cleaning time out of the tank which is fantastic. Whilst it lacks the all-singing, all-dancing multi-function options that other models offer, this steam mop is brilliant at what it does do. Its Carpet Glider attachment, designed to revitalise (you guessed it) carpets, is ideal for shifting unwanted grime, whilst the included microfibre pad can be easily washed after use which is handy.
Our experts have formally (and informally) been testing this steam cleaner for 4 weeks, so a review will be coming soon.
Best budget steam cleaner
Compact and affordable, the Russel Hobbs Steam Cleaner and Mop is perfect if you want a quick, inexpensive way to get some extra sparkle to your floors. At 2.3 kgs, it's one of the lightest models on this list - and you really feel it. This moved effortlessly across our hard floor tests and was one of the few mops that we felt we could clean all day with (although it only offers a 25 minute steam time). Russell Hobbs does supply a glider attachment for your carpets too, but as with the Karcher, it's more of a refresh for fabrics, rather than a deep clean.
Even better, when it comes to the end of cleaning, this is easy to disassemble and store in a small cupboard, making it perfect for flats and small homes that don't need a steam regularly. We loved that it could warm up in about 30 seconds (which is fast for a steam cleaner) and that it automatically steams as you clean. When you account for the price tag, it's a brilliant place to start.
As you might expect from a cheaper model, this needs a little more muscle behind it when you have stubborn stains on the floor. We found dry mud and sauces to be harder to shift, but if you're shopping on a budget, this is brilliant.
Our experts have formally (and informally) been testing this steam cleaner for 4 weeks, so a review will be coming soon.
Best handheld steam cleaner
Our pick for the best handheld steam cleaner had to be Beldray’s 10-in-1 Steam Cleaner, a product that not only offers ten different functions but also comes at a very respectable price-point, too. The huge range of accessories means you really feel like you’re selecting the right tool for each job, and also means it’s arguably the perfect product for a steam cleaning newbie.
It’s also incredibly portable; unlike some of the ‘traditional’ steam cleaners that we tested, the Beldray 10-in-1 Steam Cleaner is very easy to carry around the home. However, a shorter power cord does mean you have to flit between plug sockets if you’re planning to use it in several rooms. The steam cleaner's water point is very small, but the product comes with both a jug and a funnel to make filling it up straightforward. It's not for the impatient thought, the steam cleaner takes its time to initially heat up (around three minutes) and we found you need to wait five minutes for it to cool down prior to refilling, as it retains heat.
While we found this option lacks the power of some of the other models, it's a great all-rounder product that offers a satisfactory clean for a range of settings, at a budget-friendly price.
Our experts have formally (and informally) been testing this steam cleaner for 4 weeks, so a review will be coming soon.
How we test the best steam cleaners
In order to ensure we could bring you only the most honest reviews of the steam cleaners mentioned, our experts tested them in a real-life home over a period of one month.
In the interest of fairness, each steam cleaner was tested against a range of materials, including kitchen floors, soft furnishings, and brassware, as well as on car seating, walls, and more. Factors that influenced our views on each steam cleaner included:
- How easy it was to put together.
- How the cleaner and any attachments performed on a range of surfaces.
- The aesthetics of the product.
- How quickly it heated up and how often it needed refilling.
- How easy it was to move around the home.
- The value-for-money of each steam cleaner, to ensure they offer good performance for the investment.
If you're interested in finding out more about what goes on behind the scenes, you can visit our dedicated page on how we test steam cleaners.
How to choose the best steam cleaner for you
A steam cleaner can make cleaning a lot easier, but which one is right for you will depend on your routine, and how you plan to use it. Important specifications to consider when choosing the right steam cleaner for you include:
- How and where you plan to use it? Will you be using the steam cleaner primarily in one room—or are you planning to take it up and downstairs, as well as use it in your car? If the latter, you’ll want to consider a lighter-weight model, or perhaps even a handheld steam cleaner.
- How much storage space you have? Where will you keep it when it’s not in use? Do you already have somewhere you can safely store it, or will this require further consideration?
- Any extra accessories you need it to have? Some steam cleaners perform just one function, however, others have additional accessories specifically designed for grout, windows, or inside your car. Decide if you want/need these extras?
FAQs
Are steam cleaners worth buying?
If you’ve ever wondered ‘do I need a steam cleaner?’, the answer for many is ‘yes’. Steam cleaners are worth their weight in gold if you’re keen to keep surfaces around your home in a clean and germ-free condition, with minimal fuss. Whether you need to clean grout, freshen up your kitchen floor, de-grime your shower curtain, or lift old dirt and stains from your sofa, a steam cleaner can often help to do these tasks easily and without the need for excessive scrubbing.
With many of the best steam cleaner products offering multiple functions, they can also provide fantastic value for money. Steam cleaners can also reduce the need for chemical-based cleaning products—all you need is tap water. Purchasing a steam cleaner can help you save a significant amount of time on cleaning and it is also more eco-efficient. Consider investing in a high-quality model with multiple functions, as this will be useful for different jobs, such as freshening up carpets and soft furnishings or hard flooring.
Remember that you should always ideally hoover or sweep a floor before steam cleaning it—that way the machine is less likely to get bogged down by crumbs or pet hair, making it more efficient. And for the ultimate hybrid, there are even products on the market that can combine a vacuum and a steam cleaner—see our review of the Bissell Vac & Steam above.
And if you're keen to deep-clean all the items in your home, why not see our guide to the best oven cleaners, that'll leave your machine sparkling?
What should you not steam clean?
For all of their uses in our kitchens and as part of our bathroom cleaning routines, there are some surfaces and materials that you shouldn't use even the best steam cleaner on.
You should not steam clean:
- Paper or cardboard surfaces
- Porous surfaces, such as brick and marble
- Delicate upholstery or fabrics
- Bamboo products
Can steam kill mould?
Due to the high temperatures they can reach (anywhere between 66-149°C), steam cleaners can kill mould, with many steam cleaner models promising to destroy 99.9% of germs and bacteria. Carpets are particularly at risk of mould growth, with causes including water damage, spillages, humidity, and a lack of ventilation, which is where steam cleaners can come in handy.
However, using steam on mould will not kill an ongoing mould issue, as it does not get to the root of the issue. To prevent mould problems, you should consider draught-proofing, which could prevent moisture from entering your home.
To keep the potential for mould at bay, ensure your carpets are kept clean and dry at all times, and if you do encounter a mould problem, take a look at our guides on mold removal and black mold removal.
Where does the dirt go when you steam clean?
Whilst the intense heat of the steam will help to break down dirt and particles, it doesn’t just magically disappear into the machine. It's important to note after using a steam cleaner, you should wipe down the area with a cloth or use a steam mop in order to remove the dirt completely.
On that note, keeping the cloth attachments of a steam mop clean is crucial—many can be thrown into a standard washing machine cycle to get them looking as good as new. These cloths can be used to finish the job the steam cleaner has got well underway for you.
If you're looking for tips or better ways to deep clean your home, a steam cleaner should be one of the core cleaning accessories that you're using. Not every model was made equally, which is why it's important to chose carefully, picking the perfect one for your floors, home, and cleaning needs too. With one of these in hand though, you're set-up for a sparkling home.