Best steam mops

Use a steam mop to make home cleaning that little bit easier. Tackling dirt and stains head-on, steam mops are smart and innovative household cleaning devices. How do they work? In short, rather ingeniously. Dirt and stains are wiped away using hot water vapor, leaving you with spick and span floor surfaces. 

The Bissell Powerfresh Deluxe Steam Mop will make a radical difference to how clean your hard floors are, to the point that you'll be shocked to discover what your floors actually should look like. The spot removal scrubber brush is very, very powerful at removing even tough stains. In fact, we think that this steam mop is maybe a bit too powerful: if you leave it on for too long in one spot, it can remove whatever finish is on your flooring, so be careful.

The PurSteam ThermaPro 10-in-1 Steam Mop is good for cleaning so much more than your floors: the handheld section of the device detaches to form a steam cleaner that, with all the attachments provided, can tackle just about any surface, including kitchen surfaces, tiles, stoves, and even clothing that needs a refresh. It kills germs as it cleans, too, for added peace of mind. We do wish it was a bit better at cleaning carpets, though: it refreshes them a bit, but won't tackle a dirty rug.  

For a wallet-friendly option that does the job well, this LIGHT 'N' EASY Lightweight Steam Mop is perfect. Multi-functional, it can be used on plenty of different floor types, whether that's hardwood or ceramic. A super-light design, this is a smart alternative to lugging heavy mops around your kitchen and living room. Plus, you can wave farewell to chemical-based cleaning products, and say hello to a more healthy method of cleaning – yep, it just uses water. Oh, and we should also mention that the microfiber pad it comes with can be washed, so you'll be saving money, too.

The Shark Genius Steam Mop is up to the task of scrubbing your dirty floors clean, however large a surface you're working with. The pads are the star of the show here: these are thick, heavy-duty, large mop pads that get your floors really clean. And, thanks to the no-touch technology on this mop, you can swap them without needing to touch the dirty ones. We think the tank could be a bit bigger for such a hardworking device, and an on/off button would be handy. 

The LIGHT 'N' EASY All-In-One Steam Mop is a great choice if you have lots of different types of flooring in different rooms. It has three different steam heat levels suitable for different flooring materials, including a low setting for wood floors. We also like the fact that this mop will never damage your floors if you accidentally leave it on: the smart switch automatically switches off the steam when the mop is in upright position. There's also a handheld option for cleaning all around the house.

Our verdict

Our all-time favorite, the Bissell Powerfresh Deluxe Steam Mop, is a trusty choice indeed, killing 99.9 percent of bacteria. Looking for a true all-rounder? There's little the PurSteam ThermaPro 10-in-1 Steam Mop can't clean. Dealing with wooden floors? The LIGHT 'N' EASY All-In-One Steam Mop provides multiple settings to suit the different needs of different flooring types.

Tackling large surfaces? This Shark Genius Steam Mop can handle it. Finally, if you can't part with too much but won't skimp on performance, this LIGHT 'N' EASY Lightweight Steam Mop is a no-brainer.

Do I need a steam mop?

Steam mops are a fairly new invention when compared to traditional mops. Shopping for a steam mop can be daunting with so many options. So, to help take some of the guesswork out of your search, we've drawn up a list of some of the benefits and some drawbacks to look for.

Benefits: Steam mops not only clean stubborn, ground-in dirt, they also sanitize as the hot steam kills bacteria. They are also safer to use as the hot water evaporates quickly, leaving your floors dryer sooner.

Drawbacks: The biggest drawback is the type of surfaces you can use a steam mop on. While tile and linoleum are just fine with steam, laminate floors are a huge no-no. Even hardwood floors are a concern as the pressure and steam can penetrate the wood, causing it to warp.

Deciding on what mop to choose will depend on what type of flooring you have, so keep that in mind before you buy.

Why trust us?

At Real Homes, we only want to recommend the best possible products to enhance your life. Before recommending a product, our writers spend time looking for the best all-around product. This includes time spent testing products, reading reviews, recommending products they have personal experience with, and looking at the opinions of other outlets. 

We aim to deliver details on the products consumers are looking for and balance objective information with subjective opinions to help consumers make the best choice for their homes and lifestyle.

With all the pets and small humans in my house, we have to mop most days. I've spent a lot of time trying different mops, including steam mops, to find the best, many of which I've tested to death.