What’s worse than stepping on a sticky spot on your beautiful, authentic hardwood floors? Nothing. Yet, with kids and pets, it can be impossible to keep everything clean. Enter: a steam mop. These little workhorses can swiftly remove stains and scuffs from your floors—and you don’t need to lug heavy buckets or excess cleaning supplies while you’re mopping. So below, find the 10 best steam mops money can buy, plus everything you need to know about how to use one.
The 10 Best Steam Mops That Will Take Your Cleaning Game to the Next Level
TikTok says it’s time to invest in a shark scrubber
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Published May 28, 2024
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Sydney Meister for PureWow
The Best Steam Mops of 2024 at a Glance
1
Best Steam Mop Overall
Shark S7201 Steam & Scrub Mop
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2
Best TikTok Viral Steam Mop
Schenley Steam Mop Cleaner
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3
Best Vacuum + Steam Mop
Tineco Floor One S5
read more
4
Best Steam Mop Under $65
Shark S1000 Steam Mop
read more
5
Best Deep-Cleaning Steam Mop
Dupray Neat Steam Cleaner
read more
How I Chose the Best Steam Mops
First, I vetted the top-rated steam mops on the market through TikTok, YouTube and website customer reviews. Then, I made sure each one had convenient features, like reusable mop pads and attachments for crevices and corners. I also kept an eye out for mops with multiple steam settings, so they’re safe on sealed hardwood and laminate floor types (and won’t cause warping).
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After seeing this mop go viral on TikTok with more than 1.2 million views, it makes sense why people are raving. What makes it stand out is the fact that it combines heavy-duty sanitizing steam with the pressure of a rotating electric scrubber. You can use it on vinyl and hardwood flooring—with the 'light' setting as recommended for wood and laminate floor types—and the 'normal' setting is strong enough to remove surface stains on tile, marble, and stone in one pass. Take it from Danielle Moss, a lifestyle influencer who says the mop has been a lifesaver for keeping up with three kids and a dog: “I had to use a lot of force to get my last steam mop to scrub, but this steam mop has powerful rotating heads, so it does all the hard work for you. It glides across our floors so smoothly and delivers more than 150 scrubs per minute. The 18-foot cord also gives you plenty of freedom to cover most rooms without having to relocate your adapter…The mop also has little headlights to illuminate dust and debris, so it makes it easier to find the areas that need to be cleaned”
Another selling point is the fact that it comes with reusable and machine-washable Dirt Grip cleaning pads, which eliminate the need for disposable pads. You also won't need any additional cleaning supplies or chemicals, just water, which keeps things simple and cost-effective. “Each microfiber pad is easy to remove and wash…the mop also removes 99.9 percent of bacteria with steam, which is completely safe and natural for kids and pets. Between spills and a dog, I am always mopping something and I love how I don’t need to throw away a disposable pad every time I clean the floors,” Moss adds. Bonus: The wires wrap neatly around the body for easy storage, keeping things tidy.
Fast Facts
- What’s included: 1 steam mop, 1 water filling flask, 4 dirt grip soft scrub washable pads
- Steam settings: light, medium and deep clean
- Scrub time: 120 scrubs per minute
With more than 2.2 million views on TikTok, there’s a reason why this Schenley mop has gone viral on the app. Not only does it heat water up to 248 degrees Fahrenheit in just 15 seconds, but it also offers three steam modes to melt away grime, grease, dirt, stains and spills—all without ruining laminate or hardwood floors (on the lowest setting). The most impressive feature, however, is that it converts into a handheld steam cleaner, which you can use to sanitize upholstery, bathtubs, windows, mirrors, sinks, stoves and virtually any above-floor surfaces. It also comes with two microfiber mop pads, a measuring cup for easy water filling, and numerous attachments, including nylon brushes, a grout brush, a jet nozzle, a sponge head and a metal brush.
Need convincing? Take it from TikToker Amber Audrey, who posted a before, during and after video to show how well the mop works on LVP floors. “I’m actually shook. I didn’t think it was going to work that well but holy crap,” she notes at the end of the TikTok. Plus, another TikToker raves in a video showing how the grout tool works on moldy bathroom tile. “We live in a really old house, and the mold that builds up in our bathroom is disgusting. I’m so grateful for this grout tool because [you don’t even have to apply that much pressure] for it to take all of the mold off.”
Fast Facts
- What’s included: 1 steam mop, 2 microfiber pads, 1 measuring cup, 1 glass squeegee, 1 jet nozzle, 2 nylon brushes, 1 grout brush, 1 metal brush, 1 sponge head
- Steam settings: low, medium and high
- Run time: 12-15 minutes of continuous steam
I’m not exaggerating when I say my jaw dropped after watching a TikTok of this vac/steamer in action. (The video shows how it can clean mustard, mayonnaise, cereal, and eggshells in a single pass—no eggshells left behind.) This is because it uses smart tech to combine vacuuming and steam mopping into one machine—and it’s the only cordless option on this list. The first standout feature is that it can convert water to hot steam in under a minute, and the dual-tank system keeps clean and dirty water separate for continuous cleaning with fresh water. You also have its ‘iLoop Smart Sensor,’ which detects where dirt and debris are on the floor, and it automatically adjusts the suction, roll speed and water flow for bigger messes. As you move the vacuum across your floor, the LED light on the screen will show you where to concentrate your effort. If the light is red, it’s detecting more dirt, so it’ll tell you to make a few more passes. If it’s blue, it’ll signal that the area is cleaned.
Plus, while the device starts in auto mode by default, you can switch to ‘steam,’ ‘mop’ or ‘vacuum’ only mode by pressing a button. It has high-powered suction on the vacuum with an exclusive brush head design that offers edge-to-edge cleaning—and you can easily reach baseboards and corners with the included crevice attachment. But the absolute coolest feature? The motorized head pulls the device forward, meaning less of an arm workout for you, and it has voice prompts that’ll let you know when it’s time to charge and when the steam temp reaches 100. “It’s unsettling at first how tech-savvy this vac-mop combo is, because you’re basically just guiding its path as it cleans the room for you,” says PureWow VP of editorial Candace Davison, who owns the device. “It’s cleaned everything from tumbleweeds of dog hair to red wine spills in one pass, eliminating the need to vacuum, then mop. Even when my floors seem clean, I’m shocked at how gray the water is. It works better than traditional mopping, in my opinion.”
Fast Facts
- What’s included: 1 vac/steam mop, 3 brush rollers, 1 bottle of Tineco cleaning solution, 2 dry filters, charging base, 1 crevice tool, 1 cleaning tool, 1 adapter
- Steam settings: automatically adjusts to floor type
- Run time: 35 minutes on one charge
With more than 42,000 glowing five-star reviews on Amazon, this steam mop is the absolute best bang you’ll get for your buck. The main thing to note here is that it’s incredibly easy to use—it doesn’t require any special solution or complicated controls and it weighs just under five pounds, making it lightweight and easy to maneuver. All you have to do is add water to the removable water tank, attach the mop, plug it in and you’re ready to clean 30 seconds later. Plus, it comes with comes with two machine-washable mop covers that you can flip and/or change when cleaning heavy traffic areas. Take it from one Amazon reviewer, who raves: “It quickly, completely, and effortlessly loosens the dirt out of textured flooring and the soft terry mop cover absorbs it completely. I was surprised at how clean the tile looked (I had quite literally forgotten just how light the tile really was)…I was also really surprised at how long the steam lasted. The first reservoir produced 12 continuous minutes of steam. You generate steam by ‘pumping’ the handle, but you actually end up generating adequate steam simply by the back-and-forth motion (like when you use a vacuum cleaner). And because the Shark is lightweight, you don't have to worry about tiring out your arm.”
Yet, while the steam mop is also safe to use on all types of sealed wooden floors, including wood and laminate, it’s worth mentioning this reviewer’s warning: “The steam will soak the wood and will quickly damage unsealed floors. I used my Shark on one section of oak hardwood floors, and once again, I was amazed to see the dark lines that I thought were just part of the aged wood grain—but it turned out they were just areas where dirt had settled into the natural wood grain texture of the floor (sealant wears unevenly, especially in high traffic areas over such a lengthy period of time).” Still, this person summarizes, “No matter how often you clean your floors, and no matter how difficult your textured floor is to clean, you will be astounded at the dirt that the Shark will remove.”
Fast Facts
- What’s included: 1 steam mop, 2 dirt grip pads, 1 removable water tank
- Steam settings: only one heat option
- Run time: approximately 12 continuous minutes of steam
Yet another TikTok-approved option that deserves your attention? This portable, heavy-duty steamer, which has amassed more than 1.1 million views in a video. The most obvious feature that sets this one apart is its massive 1,600-milliliter water tank with a 16-foot cord (fit with an adjustable 6.5-foot hose length). That, coupled with easily portable wheels—and numerous included attachments—is what sets Dupray apart in the deep cleaning category. It comes with a large area scrub brush for big stains, five little brushes for smaller stains, and a copper-bristled brush for precision cleaning. The included power nozzle also allows you to target powerful steam at especially stuck-on messes, and the adjustable hose— which can be set to three different lengths—accommodates all of the included tools. What’s more, it includes three thick, Velcro-secured mop pads that won’t shift while the mop head pivots from side to side.
“It's very easy to use, it's powerful and its tank is large enough to let you steam clean for an hour straight,” Davison says. While that's more time than you may want to spend cleaning, it's enough that you can steam clean the sofas, every window and glass door and floors in a two-story house without needing to refill. That was really impressive to me, though I will say it's a little heavy to haul up and down stairs.” Plus, another Dupray reviewer adds: “It glides easily over all types of flooring, from smooth synthetic surfaces to textured tile and deep grout. The pads stay on far better than other Velcro-attached models, barely catching any edges or rolling off the mop head. It's easy to clean every surface as you encounter it, quickly swapping between attachments made to scrub grimy grout and a general mop head to wipe away the leftovers.”
Fast Facts
- What’s included: 1 steam mop device, 1 floor tool, 1 steam lance, 1 triangle tool, 1 window tool, 2 extension tubes, 1 brass brush, 5 nylon brushes, 3 microfiber mop pads, 1 microfiber cloth, and 1 microfiber bonnet
- Steam settings: only one heat option
- Run time: up to 60 minutes of continuous steam
Perhaps you’re noticing that our best steam mop picks come from TikTok—and this one is no exception. The Newbealer harnesses pressurized steam to effectively eliminate dirt, grime, and grease from a range of surfaces—particularly with tile floors, glass showers and stone countertops in the bathroom. This is thanks to the variety of attachments it comes with, like an extension pole (plus an extra-long power cord of 16 feet), squeegee, triangular brush, jet nozzle and grout cleaning tool. It can be transformed into a handheld device, making it easy to tackle hard-to-reach areas between the sink and toilet, and the 180-degree swivel mop head adds easy maneuverability. Not to mention that it takes just 20 minutes to heat up to 249 degrees Fahrenheit—and it has three adjustable steam modes that make it safe to use on sealed hardwood floors.
“I do a lot of mopping with three large dogs who dig and swim. This mop has some really nice characteristics—it’s super lightweight, has a long cord, easy-to-attach mop pads (flat with Velcro on the back), an easy-to-fill reservoir and a very flat rectangular-shaped mop head that fits nicely into corners and under furniture. None of the steam mops I have used are as flat as this one or get under [sinks] as well. Plus, while you do see steam coming from the mop head, it leaves only the lightest layer of water on the floor…Most of the mops I’ve used leave a lot more water on the floor and take a lot longer to dry,” one Amazon reviewer writes. And aside from how well it works in the bathroom, another reviewer notes: “The fact that you can break it down and make it more portable is an added plus. You're just not limited to your floors, and I even used [the included upholstery tools] on the car seats yesterday.”
Fast Facts
- What’s included: 1 steam mop, 2 extension poles, 1 mop head, 1 carpet glider, 2 washable microfiber pads, 2 nylon brushes, 1 brass brush, 1 squeegee, 1 triangle brush, 1 steam jet nozzle, 1 gap brush and 1 water fill flask.
- Steam settings: low, medium and high
- Run time: 10-25 minutes of continuous steam
Cleaning laminate floors can be tricky due to the risk of warping from excessive heat and moisture. Thankfully, this steam sanitizes without leaving streaks or haze—which is a must for wooden surfaces—and you can customize the temperature with heavy, medium and light settings. The unit also comes with a 'gentle mop' and a 'scrubby mop' in the box, and it has six levels of scrubbing intensity: gentle light, gentle medium, gentle heavy, scrubby light, scrubby medium, scrubby heavy. That means that it’ll leave synthetic surfaces like laminate and vinyl shining, even on the low setting, where it can glide smoothly over dried mud and remove stubborn stains like ketchup and coffee grounds (without ruining your floors). The reusable mop pads also do an excellent job of absorbing dirt, although they may need frequent cleaning during heavy use—a testament to the mop's effectiveness.
What really sold me was this Amazon shopper’s glowing review: “I'd sleep with this thing if my wife wouldn't get jealous! There's no on or off switch—you just plug in. A little blue light blinks, and about a minute later, it's ready…it cleaned MONTHS OF FILTH in minutes. What was a solid hour of mopping is about 25 minutes with the Bissell.” Plus, this reviewer notes that it cleans in under five minutes for smaller spaces: “Old school mopping—which used to make me so tired, I refused to clean the upstairs bathroom—in two minutes. (This is when I poured the wine for the Bissell and dimmed the lights a little.)” Oh, and did I mention that it comes with fragrance discs that will leave your kitchen smelling like a fresh spring day?
Fast Facts
- What’s included: 1 steam mop, 1 microfiber soft pad, 1 microfiber scrubby pad, 2 spring breeze fragrance discs and a carpet glider
- Steam settings: light, medium and heavy
- Run time: up to 20 minutes of continuous steam
This versatile ten-in-one cleaner is a fantastic option for car interiors—or as a garment steamer—and it’s just under $80. With three adjustable steam settings, you can tailor the intensity to each area, and the 11.5-ounce reservoir provides 20 to 25 minutes of continuous cleaning on the lowest setting. It can also easily convert into a handheld device, which makes it perfect for hard-to-reach nooks and crannies in your car, and it includes a nozzle that’s directly attached to the steamer. This not only offers a more powerful steam release (compared to other models with long hoses) but it makes it particularly effective at removing road grime, asphalt, and even dried paint from wheels.
One Reddit reviewer backs this, writing: “Not only does it really get the floors clean but has helped remove dried paint off hard surfaces…I've also used it on my vehicle's wheels, wheel wells and part of the body where road grime and asphalt tend to collect. The steam mop removes it with relative ease compared to full-strength rubbing with a towel and solution.” Plus, another Amazon reviewer notes: “I wanted something lightweight that would fit in my car…I love that the mop heats up fast and as soon as you plug it in it is ready to go…There is also a collapsible handle that allows you to fold the steamer in half for easy storage. You can also use the mop as a handheld steamer, or you can attach the many accessories that the steamer comes with.”
Fast Facts
- What’s included: 1 steam mop, 2 steam mop cleaning pads, 3 nylon brush attachments, 1 built-in handheld steamer, 1 nozzle attachment
- Steam settings: low, medium and high
- Run time: up to 25 minutes of continuous steam
Need a steam mop that's perfect for pets, kids and beyond? Look no further. This model combines a powerful cyclonic vacuum with 1,100 watts of steam to clean up pet hair and debris while making your surfaces shine. On the handle itself, you can control whether you want to steam, vacuum, or both—choose HI or LO for the steam and press the VAC button to vacuum simultaneously. Then, to release the steam, you simply squeeze the handle you're holding on to. This easy-to-use control system makes it a breeze to switch between functions, and when used as a steam mop, it effectively cleans floors without leaving any residue. Plus, the vacuum function is equally as impressive for pet hair, where it can effortlessly suck up fur balls and debris. While the canister may look small, it has a whopping 12.8-ounce capacity that can hold dirt and hair (aka perfect for pet owners dealing with constant shedding).
“For the steam mop portion, it definitely cleaned my floors, and although you can see the steam out the sides of the mop, I was never concerned about my kids/pets touching or being near the mop and getting burned. My toes never got burned when my feet were too close to the machine (which has happened with other products I’ve tried!). I also couldn’t believe what the vacuum sucked up. I was trying to vacuum around the large plastic pieces on the floor that we planned on picking up but I accidentally sucked some up…it just WHOOSHED up there like a dream,” Crystal, a lifestyle blogger, reports. She also notes: “One quick tip I learned was not to drag the mop back through the dirt—make sure you push the machine through the dirt pile for the vacuum to suck everything up.”
Fast Facts
- What’s included: 1 steam mop/vac, 1 microfiber soft pad, 1 microfiber scrubby pad, 1 detachable mop pad tray, 1 detachable steam boost tray and 10 BISSELL steam boost disposable pads
- Steam settings: HI and LO
- Run time: up to 15 minutes of continuous steam
Simplicity is written into the design of this steam mop, where it can be assembled and ready for action in just five minutes. The cleaning pad takes about 30 seconds to get wet enough to glide smoothly across the floor—and the lightweight build is easy to maneuver than heavier steam mops. It also features three different intensity settings—high, medium and low—and a touch sensor that stops the steam immediately if needed (preventing potential warping). One Amazon reviewer notes, "I mopped all my floors in less than 10 minutes, including setup and storage. The amount of dirt it pulled up with just steam was astonishing. It kills 99.9 percent of germs and bacteria, and you only need water. The reusable pad is also easy to wash and reuse."
The mop can also offer up to four hours of straight steam, using less than a gallon of water. That said, it’s worth noting another reviewer’s warning on heat settings: “I've been using this mop at least once a week for the past two months and I would recommend this to anyone looking for a multi-use steam mop. So far, I haven't experienced any quality issues and it does a good job getting stains off laminate flooring. Just be careful not to set to max heat/steam on laminate; you may start to strip the top coating (the pad turned gray from stripping the floor).”
Fast Facts
- What’s included: 1 steam mop, 1 microfiber pad, 1 fabric cleaning tool, 1 flexible hose, 1 jet nozzle and 1 filling cup
- Steam settings: low, medium and high
- Run time: four hours of steam per gallon
Is Steaming Floors Better Than Mopping Floors?
I’ll answer your question with a question: How does a hamburger taste without a bun? The answer is “incomplete,” and it’s the same school of thought for a traditional mop. The key difference between the two is that steam mops use heat to kill bacteria and remove spills and stains. On the other hand, traditional mops simply absorb dirt and dust (and have zero disinfecting properties). Plus, steam mops spare you from lugging around a massive bucket of water, and most come with several settings and disinfection options that give regular mops a run for their money.
What Floors Do You Use a Steam Mop On?
- Low Steam (120-140°F): It’s best to use a low setting on sealed hardwood, laminate, vinyl, and sealed cork floors. This is because these materials can be sensitive to high temperatures and prolonged exposure to steam, which can cause them to expand, warp or weaken the adhesive bonds. Low steam provides enough cleaning power to remove dirt and grime without risking the structural integrity or finish of the floor. (Hot tip: Always test the steam mop on a small, hidden section of the floor first to ensure it doesn't cause damage.)
- Medium Steam (150-180°F): For tile, stone and linoleum, you’ll want to go with medium steam. Mainly because it’ll provide a balanced amount of sanitizing heat and grime-removing moisture without causing damage. While low steam isn’t enough to penetrate and loosen the dirt embedded in the grout lines, high steam can be too intense and damaging the sealant, potentially leading to discoloration or erosion over time. Medium steam offers a goldilocks cleaning solution that is strong enough to clean while still being gentle enough to avoid damaging the surface.
- High Steam (200-220°F): High steam is ideal for grout lines, tough stains and outdoor areas because it delivers the highest temperature and pressure to eliminate stubborn dirt, grime and bacteria. It penetrates deep into grout, breaking down accumulated debris and mildew—dissolves and lifts tough stains like grease and oil—and efficiently sanitizes heavy, ingrained dirt on patios, decks, and garage floors.
How Do You Use a Steam Mop Correctly?
- Check Floor Compatibility: Make sure the surface you are about to clean is suitable for steam cleaning. Avoid using on unsealed wood, waxed floors or delicate materials. (More on that below.)
- Vacuum or Sweep: Remove loose dirt and debris from the floor to prevent scratching and ensure the mop can clean effectively.
- Use Distilled Water: This isn’t a must, but if your area has hard water, it’s best to use distilled water to prevent mineral buildup in the mop.
- Attach the Mop Pad: Secure the appropriate cleaning pad to the mop head. While most steam mops include reusable/washable pads these days, you can also use your own microfiber pads for general cleaning and scrubby pads for tougher stains.
- Select the Steam Setting: Choose the appropriate steam level (low, medium or high) based on the type of floor—mentioned above—and the level of dirt in the area you’re cleaning.
- Steam in Sections: Clean small sections at a time, moving the mop slowly to allow the steam to penetrate and lift dirt thoroughly.
- Use a Back-and-Forth Motion: You also want to use a gentle back-and-forth motion as you’re cleaning. Avoid leaving the mop stationary on any spot for too long to prevent damage from excessive moisture.
- Spot Clean: For stubborn stains, hold the mop over the spot for a few seconds to let the steam loosen the grime, then scrub gently. Plus, there are a slew of options available that allow you to add extra ‘pumps’ of steam for especially sticky messes.
- Use Attachments: Take advantage any included attachments for specific tasks, like grout cleaning tools for tile grout or squeegees for windows.
- Empty and Clean: After you finish cleaning, empty any remaining water from the tank and clean the mop pads. Most mop pads are machine washable, so this should make them easy to reuse.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should you not use a steam mop?
Steam mops should not be used on unsealed or unfinished wood floors, waxed floors, or delicate fabrics, like silk and velour. This is because the moisture and heat can cause damage that can’t be reversed. Laminate floors can also be tricky, as excessive heat and moisture might cause warping; always be sure to use a low heat setting here. Plus, you should also avoid using steam mops on unsealed vinyl floors and porous stone surfaces like limestone, which can be damaged by steam. Electronics and painted surfaces should also be kept away from steam mops to prevent short-circuiting and paint stripping. And for flooring with gaps or cracks, the steam can seep in and cause further damage, so it’s best to repair these areas first.
In general, always refer to the manufacturer’s recommendations for both the steam mop and the surface you're cleaning. When in doubt, test a small, inconspicuous area first or consult with a flooring professional to ensure safe and effective cleaning.
Is a Steam Mop Worth It?
The short answer: Yes. Not only is a steam mop a must-have for large families or homes with constant foot traffic, but its steam can kill pathogens like COVID-19, according to Paula Cannon, Ph.D., a professor of microbiology at the Keck School of Medicine of USC in Los Angeles. “Viruses come ‘shrink-wrapped’ in a layer of fat that helps them to survive in our bodies by acting as a type of stealthy covering,” Cannon told Consumer Reports. “Because heat and steam will kill viruses, such mops will certainly be able to kill viruses…think of it as being melted, if you like, by high temperatures…Once that happens the virus particle is no longer intact and can no longer infect anything.”
Furthermore, these mops come in clutch when it comes to cleaning large messes quickly. They’re designed to be an all-in-one solution that eliminates the need for lugging heavy buckets and excess cleaning supplies. All you have to do is press a button and swap out a dirty mop pad to rid your home of sticky floors and tough stains.
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