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Best steam cleaners to buy 2024, as tested by Mumsnetters
From uprights to cylinders and even handhelds, there’s a steam cleaner out there for you and your home. Here's our pick of the best.
By Laura Cooke | Last updated Mar 27, 2024
As most of us know all too well, cleaning and parenting often go hand in hand. The best steam cleaners can make light work of carpets, floors and even fabrics, and are considered household heroes by many Mumsnet users.
Steam cleaners can reach the places where robot mops can't, so when you find out what else they can clean - ovens and taps, we’re looking at you - you’ll be completely sold. To get you started, we've investigated the very best models on the market, taking note of the cleaners our trusted army of Mumsnet users love, alongside options vetted by home experts and tested by Mumsnet Editors.
From popular brands like Vax and Shark to the coveted Kärcher, you'll find the most (ahem) esteemed cleaners in our roundup.
To keep on top of household chores, we've also got handy guides to the best vacuum cleaners, the best cordless vacuum cleaners, the best robot vacuum cleaners, the best floor mops, the best carpet cleaners, the best Dyson vacuum cleaners, the best Shark vacuum cleaners, all featuring reviews and recommendations from Mumsnet users.
Read next: Bag a bargain with our roundup of the best budget vacuum cleaners
Best steam cleaners at a glance
Large water capacity means a longer steam
Comes with a kit for cleaning hard floors
Great safety features
Some reviewers have found the cord length too short
Price: £195 | Type: Cylinder | Heating time: 30 seconds | Steaming time: 23 minutes | Variable steam? Yes | Water tank capacity: 1L | Cord length: 4m | Weight: 4.6kg | Limescale filter: Y | Wattage: 1900W | Included accessories: Floor cleaning kit, EasyFix and extension tubes, nozzles, brush microfibre floor cloth, cover for manual nozzle, descaler cartridge, accessory storage and parking position, steam hose (from Amazon) | Guarantee: Two years
The Kärcher S3 EasyFix Steam Cleaner is a cylinder model. This means that, rather than an upright steam mop, it's a wheeled cleaner with a cleaning wand, similar to a traditional hoover.
If you're a fan of a good, regular deep clean, the S3 is for you. It has capacity for a lot more water than most and, as a result, has a longer steam time before you need to refill. Other features include an indicator light when the descaling cartridge needs replacing, a hard floor cleaning kit and, vitally, safety valves and locks to prevent any unintended steaming sessions. These extra features, along with the high water capacity and long steam time, are why we have awarded the Kärcher best overall steam cleaner.
We must also mention the Kärcher Window Vac which comes highly recommended by Mumsnetters: “But even better is the Kärcher window cleaner. It is amazing. Just fantastic. Our windows are spotless and take about 30 seconds. No rubbing or shining needed. We have ceiling to floor windows along two sides of a room at the back of the house and they are spotless after years of streaks and looking very grubby.”
Large water tank
Loads of accessories
Hard surfaces will need time to dry afterwards
Price: £60 | Type: Handheld or upright | Heating time: 30 seconds | Steaming time: 11 minutes | Variable steam? Not specified | Water tank capacity: 380ml | Cord length: 5m |Weight: 2.8kg | Limescale filter: N | Wattage: 1500W | Included accessories: Microfibre floor cloths, carpet glider, extension nozzle, upholstery attachment with elasticated cloth, worktop surface attachment, window cleaning attachment, angled jet nozzle, round brush, crevice brush, plastic scraper, jug and funnel |Guarantee: Not specified
No doubt, handheld cleaners are a lifesaver. The Morphy Richards 12-in-1 Steam Mop is an upright steam cleaner that includes a built-in detachable handheld steamer for those hard-to-reach areas. This function, combined with the mop's all-round efficiency at most cleaning tasks, makes it our most recommended handheld steam cleaner. Another big plus is that it has a large water tank (380ml) without being bulky, so you don't have to refill it as often.
It also includes a similar host of accessories to the Vax Steam Fresh Combi Classic Steam Mop (see below), complete with microfibre cloths and upholstery and worktop surfaces attachments.
Swiveling triangular head means dirt and grime has nowhere to hide
Microfibre mop head is machine washable
You may find yourself running out of mop heads - bit these can be bought separately
Price: £90 | Type: Steam mop | Heating time: 15 seconds | Steaming time: 28 minutes | Variable steam?: Three different settings | Water tank capacity: 0.4L | Cord length: 6m | Weight: Not specified | Limescale filter: N | Wattage: Not specified | Included accessories: Carpet glider, machine-washable microfibre pad | Guarantee: Not specified
Tested by MNHQ: Read our in-depth Vileda Steam Mop Plus review
This upright steam cleaner is great value for money. It heats up in only 15 seconds so you can get to work almost immediately, and makes short work of any grime on hard-sealed floors such as tiles, wood, vinyl and laminate.
It also comes with a carpet glider that allows you to clean carpets with ease. Included in the box is a machine-washable microfibre cleaning cloth. We like the triangular head which makes it easy to clean in corners of rooms, and in any nooks and crannies.
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Shark S6003UK Klik n' Flip Automatic Steam Mop
Easy to use
Extra long cord
Can flip over to a new mop head mid-clean
Short steaming time
Price: £170 | Type: Steam mop | Heating time: 30 seconds | Steaming time: 15 minutes | Variable steam? Yes | Water tank capacity: 380ml | Cord length: 8m | Weight: 2.7kg | Limescale filter: N | Wattage: 1200W | Included accessories: Two double-sided machine-washable Dirt Grip cleaning pads, filling flask | Guarantee: Two years
What separates the Shark from its other upright competitors is some impressive fancy features. This steam mop comes with double-sided pads that have 'Dirt Grip Technology'. The 'klik n' flip' feature is being able to flip the mop head to the fresh, clean side, which is efficient as well as satisfying. It also has three different steam settings and a 'steam blaster mode' which uses a concentrated blast of steam to get rid of particularly stubborn stains (baby vom, we're looking at you).
All this contributes to the fact that it “eliminates 99.9 percent of common household bacteria”, according to Shark. It also has one of the longest cords of all the products we recommend (eight metres), if that's important to you.
Great range of accessories
Heats up quickly
Powerful
Water tank leaks in handheld mode
Price: £139 | Type: Upright and handheld | Heating time: 30 seconds | Steaming time: 15 minutes | Variable steam?: Yes | Water tank capacity: 260ml (Solution tank capacity: 160ml) | Cord length: 7m | Weight: 4.6kg | Limescale filter: Y | Wattage: 1600W | Included accessories: 250ml Vax steam detergent, 3 microfibre pads, carpet glider, hose, flat surface tool, 4 x small flat steam cleaning pads, large scrubbing brush, deep scrubbing brush, window tool, detail nozzle, grout brush, replacement filter, accessory bag | Guarantee: Two years
Tested by MNHQ: Read our full Vax Steam Fresh Home review
The Vax Steam Fresh Home is a 15-in-1 upright steam cleaner that boasts a handheld mode as well as 10 accessories – from a grout brush to a detail nozzle. Mumsnetters even recommend it for cleaning your hob.
If you're short on time or don't want to spend ages on housework, this steam cleaner is a great choice. It heats up and is ready for use in just 30 seconds and, depending on the setting you use, it can leave floors clean and dry within three minutes. Compared to other similar models, the Steam Fresh Home has a smaller water capacity, so you'd need to refill it often. However, it does include another tank which you can add detergent into if you like. It also includes a limescale filter, meaning you can use with any tap water - hard or not.
It's a steam cleaner and vacuum in one
Quick to heat up
Short steaming time
Price: £199 | Type: Vacuum and steam cleaner | Heating time: 30 seconds | Steaming time: 15 minutes | Variable steam? Not specified | Water capacity: 400ml | Cord length: 7.6m | Weight: 4.8kg | Limescale filter: Y | Wattage: 1600W | Included accessories: Not specified | Guarantee: Two years
Choosing between a new vacuum or steam cleaner? With the Bissell Vac & Steam you don't have to – and it saves on storage too. With one touch you can move between using the cyclonic action hoover to steaming away and, just in case you were concerned with how it works, the dry-tank technology keeps debris dry and separate from the steam at all times.
As a steam cleaner, the specs are similar to the Shark S6003UK Klik n' Flip, with a big tank and moderate steaming time. It is a heavier model though, which is unsurprising due to its vacuuming capability. The vacuum element also has two washable filters – foam and pleated – to trap fine dust and allow clean exhaust air out.
Lots of handy accessories
Speedy heating time
Generous cord length
You may find a long cord gets in the way
Price: £189 | Type: Steam mop | Heating time: 30 seconds | Steaming time: Not listed | Variable steam?: Yes | Water capacity: 500ml | Cord length: 6.5m | Weight: 2.8kg | Limescale filter: Not listed | Wattage: 1200W | Included accessories: Concentration nozzle, scrubbing tool, copper brush, crevice tool and handheld surface cleaning pad | Guarantee: Two years
Shark vacuum cleaners are a Mumsnet favourite and its steam cleaners are also hugely popular with good reason. There are many of them on the market, but this S6005UK Floor & Handheld Steam Cleaner is a great buy. It’s both an upright and a handheld cleaner so, as well as keeping all your floors sparkling clean, it can also be used to clean hobs, showers, kitchen surfaces, and inside the oven.
It comes with a concentration nozzle, a scrubbing tool, copper brush, crevice tool and a handheld surface cleaning pad to help with every little job you can think of, and it has two automatic steam settings as well as a steam blaster for any really stubborn dirt.
Like the Shark Klik n' Flip, the Floor & Handheld Steam Cleaner boasts 'klik n' flip technology that means when one side of the mop pad gets dirty, you can just flip it over and continue before popping it in the wash. A generous 6.5m cord means you don’t have to worry about unplugging it as you move from room to room.
Super-speedy heating time
Comes with plenty of useful accessories
Heavier than other steam cleaners on our list
Price: £160 | Type: Cylinder | Heating time: 7 seconds | Steaming time: 50 minutes | Variable steam? Not specified | Water capacity: 1.6L | Cord length: 5m | Weight: 4kg | Limescale filter: No | Wattage: 1500W | Included accessories: 17-piece set including: microfibre pads, window tool, extension tubes, lance, triangular tool, brushes | Guarantee: Two years
The Dupray Neat multi-use steam cleaner makes very short work of tiles in the kitchen and bathroom, cutting through grease and dirt easily, and deep-cleaning grout lines and even porous tiles.
But it’s a bit of a showstopper in a whole range of situations. If your family has allergies, it’s useful for steam-cleaning mattresses to get rid of bed bugs, and it’s great for furniture, soft furnishings and baby car seats too. The 17-piece accessories kit means you have the nozzle, brush or cloth for every job you can imagine around the home - from cleaning an oven or barbecue, to doing the floors or curtains. Its large tank means fewer trips back to the tap to refill.
The Dupray heats steam up to 135°C and kills 99 percent of bacteria, so it’s also ideal for cleaning around the loo and other difficult-to-reach areas of the bathroom. The heat of the steam means you can sanitise and deodorise as well as simply clean.
Really powerful
Good safety features
On the pricey side, but some would argue it's a great investment
Price: £400 | Type: Cylinder | Heating time: 3 minutes | Steaming time: Not listed | Variable steam? Yes | Water capacity: 1.5L | Cord length: 6m | Weight: 8.66kg | Limescale filter: Yes | Wattage: 2200W | Included accessories: Floor cleaning kit, EasyFix and extension tube, nozzles, brush, microfibre floor cloth, cover for manual nozzle, descaling powder, accessory storage, steam hose with gun | Guarantee: Two years
A big favourite among Mumsnetters, Kärcher is a leading light in the steam cleaner market and the SC5 is its most powerful model, albeit very pricey.
If you want a steamer that does a lot more than just floors, this is it, killing 99.9 percent of common household bacteria as it goes. While it powers through both hard floors and carpets and rugs easily, it also has attachments that allow it to clean bathrooms, around taps, inside the oven, wall tiles and mirrors, to get every inch of your home sparkling clean with nothing but tap water. The VapoHydro function adds a spray of hot water to your steam clean to help you shift even really dried-on dirt and stains. And a child lock on the steam gun gives you added peace of mind.
Lengthy runtime
Can mop, vacuum AND steam clean
Charging base keeps wet floorhead away from newly cleaned floors
Precise battery power display
Quite heavy to move around
Expensive
No attachments
Price: £749 | Type: Cordless vacuum and steam mop | Weight: 5.7kg | Capacity: Clean water tank 820ml, Dirty water tank 720ml | Charge time: 4 hours | Runtime: Up to 82 mins in smart and suction mode, 15 mins in steam mode | Dimensions: (H)117.8 x (W)27.8 x (D)25.4cm | Warranty: One year
Tested by Mumsnet: Read our full eufy Mach V1 Ultra review
Is it a mop? Is it a vacuum cleaner? Is it a steam cleaner? It’s all three, actually! This clever product can shift dust and dirt from carpets and give hard floors a thorough clean too. It has an impressive run time (up to 82 minutes) compared to other cordless vacuum cleaners and a handy app lets you know when your vac/mop/steam cleaner is in need of some maintenance.
The steam mode is recommended for cleaning sealed hard floors, including sealed hardwood, marble, tile, and stone floors. For extra cleaning power when using the mop, just flick the switch and the Mach V1 Ultra will mix the cleaner and water using super fancy Tesla Valve Mixing.
It’s on the heavy side and it isn’t designed for stairs at all, but if you're looking for a quality all-rounder for your carpets and hard floors, then the Mach V1 Ultra ticks a lot of boxes. Check out how it performs in a busy family home in our detailed review.
Read next: The best robot vacuum cleaners to buy, as recommended by Mumsnetters
How does a steam cleaner work?
The water in the tank of a steam cleaner is heated past boiling point, forming pressurised steam. The high temperature of this steam lifts dirt, so it can be wiped away, and also kills harmful bacteria as well as dust mites.
Read next: The best robot floor mops, as recommended by Mumsnetters
How to choose a steam cleaner
It's worth considering whether you want an upright steam cleaner (or steam mop) or a cylinder version. The main considerations are the type of cleaning you do, the areas you want to clean and also your budget.
Read next: Get sparkling clean floors with our pick of the best floor cleaning products
Cylinder steam cleaners
These are wheeled models (similar to a traditional vacuum cleaner) and are heavier, mainly due to their larger water tanks. They're better for large houses or deep cleans as they can steam for longer and are usually more powerful – but also more expensive. They’re great if you want to spend some time steaming your carpets or curtains or maybe giving the bathroom a really thorough going over to rid it of germs.
Read next: Revive and refresh tired looking carpets with the best carpet shampoos
Upright steam cleaners or steam mops
These are lightweight and fairly compact in size. They heat up quickly, but are designed for short cleaning sessions like a quick scoot round the kitchen floor.
Read next: The best budget vacuum cleaners under £200
Key steam cleaner features to look out for
Consider first what you mainly want to use the steam cleaner floor, for example, carpets, hard floors, general cleaning or upholstery. It might be that you want it to a bit of everything and that’s definitely possible, but might cost you a bit more.
Working out what you want to use it for most should help you choose between a cylinder, upright or handheld (see above), which will narrow your choice down significantly. Some also have a handheld mode to tackle hard-to-reach areas.
Check that the cleaners you’re looking at have the accessories you want. So for carpets you’ll need it to come with a carpet brush or glider. For doing around taps and in tiny nooks and crannies you’ll need one with a selection of thin nozzles. And if you want to clean an oven with it, something with a hot water shot might be a good option to lift any really stubborn, baked-on grime.
Have a budget in mind. We’d all love a fabulous do-it-all model for £300, but having champagne tastes and Carlsberg purse won’t get you there. Besides, there are lots of really excellent models at around the £50 mark so you should be able to find what you want without breaking the bank.
Factors to consider before choosing a steam cleaner are:
Size and weight - look and the dimensions and weight before you buy, and think about where you might store your steam cleaner when not in use.
Cost - how much you spend will be dependent on the type of steam cleaner you choose. Steam mops will be cheaper than cylinder steam cleaners, for example.
Attachments - think about what type of attachments, such as nozzles or brushes, will be useful to you. Some steam cleaners come with a multitude of accessories to tackle different parts of the home.
Water capacity - the larger the water tank, the less you have to refill it. But a big water tank will mean a heavier and more bulky steam cleaner.
Pressure and steaming time - this will be an important factor in the type of steam cleaner you choose. The higher the pressure and the longer the steaming time, the deeper the clean you'll get.
Heating time - look at the time it takes for your steam cleaner to heat up.
Cord length - the longer the cord, the more surface area you can cover, depending on the position of your plug socket.
Limescale filter - if you live in a hard water area, such as London and much of the east of the UK, you'll need a limescale filter or else have to fill your steam cleaner with distilled water.
Read next: The best steam irons, according to Mumsnetters
Are steam cleaners really worth it?
Steam cleaners can be good news for those suffering from allergies as most claim to eliminate dust mites. Some Mumsnet users have found using a steam cleaner physically easier than elbow grease, as it lessens pressure on the wrists. The lack of chemicals is also kinder to the environment and household surfaces. And, in general, steam cleaners are known for providing fast and intensive cleaning.
It's worth noting that steam cleaners aren't for everyone. Mumsnetters themselves are divided on the subject and, if you’re planning to use them on your floors, you need to be very sure your floor is suitable as some woods and laminates in particular will ‘lift’ if you use steam on them.
Read next: Are robot vacuum cleaners worth it? Everything you need to know about hands-free hoovering
What steam cleaner accessories do I need?
Some models of steam cleaners come with a multitude of different accessories and, while they're not all necessary, the variety can be helpful if you're wanting to complete a number of different cleaning tasks around the house.
Think about the requirements you have for a steam cleaner; are you planning to use it for different surfaces? Is it just for pristine floors or do you want to use it on upholstery too? If it's the latter, you may want a cleaner that comes with attachments suited for those awkward spaces around the house.
It's also worth checking if accessory storage is included too, as a handy bag can keep everything neat and tidy in one place.
Read next: Shift dirt and grime from your family car with the best car vacuum cleaners
What's the best steam cleaner to buy?
We think the Kärcher SC3 EasyFix Steam Cleaner is the best steam cleaner to buy. It offers the most in terms of design and features for a reasonable price, and can turn its hand to almost any task. It’s a cylinder cleaner, so if you’re short on space you might instead like to look at the Shark S6003UK Klik n' Flip Automatic Steam Mop.
How we chose our recommendations
Expert guidance
We spent extensive time researching the latest and best cleaners on the market, taking into account household expert opinions, particularly from the likes of Which? who have thoroughly tested almost all the newest models around. We also made notes of which brands had won trusted awards and accolades along the way.
Opinions from real Mumsnet users
Armed with that long list, we turned to the Mumsnet Talk boards and trawled the threads for comments, both positive and negative, from real Mumsnetters who had bought steam cleaners and put them through their paces over the years.
Honest consumer reviews
We also investigated various retailer sites, combing through authentic customer reviews to see what the people who tried and tested each product thought. From this analysis we were able to ensure the steam cleaners we picked were the best of the best, and weigh up the merits and disadvantages of each one.
We compiled all of our in-depth research into a shortlist and from there chose 10 that we thought would offer something for everyone, no matter what their needs or budget.
About the author
Laura Cooke is a Content Editor at Mumsnet, with a special focus on home care content.
Laura started writing Swears By articles for Mumsnet in 2021 and has recently taken over responsibility for floor care and laundry content. She writes buyers guides, including what to consider when buying a robot vacuum cleaner, cleaning articles and tests products, including the Henry Quick vacuum and the Beldray 60m Rotary Airer, to help Mumsnetters make informed choices when it comes to parting with their pennies.
Laura has also written articles for publications including the Daily Mirror, the i, Metro, Stylist and Happiful magazine.
Why you should trust us
In order to provide honest and independent advice you can trust, we spend hours scouring the Mumsnet forums and online bestseller lists to find products that real parents rate.
We write about products that we feel offer the best value to most parents – the ones that our users would recommend to their own friends and family.
Times are according to the manufacturer. Weights are calculated when tanks are unfilled.
Prices correct at the time of publication.