In addition, consider what’s going to work for your individual home, lifestyle, and upcoming messes. “Look for a steam cleaner that is best suited to the job at hand,” suggests Kathy Cohoon, Operations Manager at Two Maids & A Mop, so it’s actually going to help you. “Cleaning lots of carpeted spaces? Find one that has a big water tank. Just steam cleaning a couch every year or so? Look for a more compact model that won’t take up too much storage space.” We purchased and tested dozens of steam cleaners in The Lab and at home. We timed each cleaner’s setup process, evaluated its ability to clean fresh stains on a tile floor and caked-on and sticky stains on an upholstered cushion (if it was designed to do so), and noted the versatility of its features. After all our testing, we came to the conclusion that no steam cleaner is perfect, and you should pair yours with other cleaning tools to tackle messes. However, the BLACK+DECKER 7-in-1 Multipurpose Steam Cleaner is versatile, heats quickly, and is a great option for new users and advanced users alike. Here are the best steam cleaners, backed by our testing. Of all the steam cleaners we tested, the BLACK+DECKER 7-in-1 Multipurpose Steam Cleaner stands out as the best choice for anyone looking for this type of appliance. It can clean just about anything thanks to its long list of attachments and flexible design. In our lab, it accumulated a perfect score in key performance areas like usability, versatility, and portability. It can be used as a mop and handheld appliance. Either way, we had no complaints about the setup process and were surprised that the steam cleaner-steam mop combo heated the water nearly instantly. To prove its merit as a multipurpose steam cleaner, we tested this machine on hard surface stains and soft surface spills. The overall effectiveness of this steam cleaner proved to be good and worthy of a solid rating. On tile, the cleaner lifted a soy sauce stain in about three minutes—requiring multiple passes, a little agitation, and some excess water to be wiped up. However, the maneuverability of the mop head made up for the extra time we spent treating this stain. On a soft surface, the handheld iteration loosened a caked-on ketchup stain in about one minute. We found the glove attachment to be the best route for cleaning this mess, but we believe a scrubbing tool would’ve tackled this task in no time. The performance on a soil stain was pretty unremarkable. Our tester noted it’s probably a better option for freshening up your furniture rather than cleaning serious messes from a couch or upholstered chair. Still, the sheer variety in attachments makes this multipurpose steam cleaner a great addition to your cleaning arsenal. Price at time of publish: $199 Our first challenge for this cleaner was the soy sauce test on a tile surface. It took a little less than three minutes to dissolve the spill. Our tester noted that it’ll take a pass or two to remove a wet stain, and you may need to use a sponge as well. The machine performed just as well on soft surfaces, lifting ketchup from an upholstered cushion in just one and a half minutes and soil in a mere 45 seconds. While some steam cleaners can become hot to the touch or drip water, this COSTWAY appliance has none of those shortcomings. The buttons are easy to navigate and in an ideal location. For these reasons, our tester gave this machine top marks for usability. This steam cleaner is also powerful but quiet (another perfect rating); you can use the cleaner while having a conversation or listening to music without struggling to hear over the pressure of the steam. With 19 accessories, it’s obvious that this steam cleaner is designed to help you clean every nook and cranny in your home, garage, outdoor space, and car. Our tester wished the cleaner head with extension tubes pivoted better. It wasn’t a dealbreaker, though. It’s just something to be aware of if you have large areas of flooring you plan to clean at one time. Price at time of publish: $120 This mop has a wide sweeping head, so it’s not always ideal for detailed cleaning jobs, but it makes a quick mopping job out of any large floor plan. Our tester noted that it was easy to swivel around and under furniture too, despite the larger mop head. The mop head did sometimes get caught and flip up when running over sticky stains like chocolate syrup, which is one potential downside of its design. You can easily change out the cloth mop heads, especially after cleaning sticky messes, plus they are machine washable. Our tester enjoyed using the handheld steamer and said the attachment was intuitive to remove from the larger unit. It easily clicks back into place, and the larger mop handle folds in half for convenient storage. Overall, this mop’s performance paired with its affordable price make it a great option for homeowners looking for a convenient cleaning tool that can do it all. Price at time of publish: $70 Our tester noted that the setup process was a total breeze. Heating the water took around seven minutes, and the machine was able to run for 15 minutes, as opposed to the advertised half hour. “As I cleaned with a slight back and forth motion, I could see dirt being pushed out of the grout,” our product tester said. “I would do a few tiles, then wipe them with a rag to collect the dirty water. It worked like a miracle.” This pick can also be used as a mop, and our tester attached the mop pad to continue their chores. They did note that the canister doesn’t come with any wheels but does have a carrying strap that adds to the model’s maneuverability and portability. In addition, the Poulan Pro comes with a squeegee tool (which is a rare find!), a variety of brushes, and a tote bag for storing. This makes it a particularly great choice if you’re planning to use and store it in a garage. Price at time of publish: $119 Right away, our tester found this product easy to operate and use. After filling the 40-ounce tank, a glowing icon on the front of the cube turned orange, providing a visual notification that the boiler inside is hard at work. In all actuality, it takes about eight minutes to heat the water, which is one minute longer than what is advertised but isn’t a dealbreaker. Once the icon turns green, you can use this cleaner on carpet stains, grout lines, or other messes. In our tester’s experience, the triangular attachment with a microfiber bonnet proved to be an excellent tool for cleaning carpet stains. The stains disappeared with just a few passes—“literally in seconds,” according to our tester. “The carpet was left wetter than I expected—sometimes the steam cleaner spits out water instead of steam—and it took a couple of hours to dry completely, but when it did, it looked good as new,” our product tester added. The other attachments included with this steam cleaner make it versatile enough to tackle other trouble zones in your home. Our tester especially liked using the steam lance with the nylon brush for cleaning the shower. The 7-foot hose gives you plenty of reach but unfortunately doesn’t wrap or stow anywhere on the steam cleaner, so hose management was a bit of a challenge for our tester. Otherwise, they gave it very good ratings across the board. Price at time of publish: $150 When testing the Pure Enrichment Multipurpose Steam Cleaner on tile and grout, it removed a soy sauce spill in two minutes flat. The large trigger was easy to use, and our tester described its maneuverability as smooth. It should be noted that this cleaner lacks variable steam control, so it’s a better pick for durable tile than for a sealed hardwood floor. However, it did remove sticky ketchup from an upholstered cushion very well. While its performance on dirt was less impressive, it still garnered solid ratings for overall effectiveness. In addition, we loved the triangle-shaped mop head. It proved much more effective for reaching into corners and is a good pick if you’re keen on making every inch of your tile floors shine. Compared to others, this steam cleaner also put out an impressive column of steam—but you’ll want to watch for a bit of spray—and was one of the quietest steam cleaners we tested, earning it another standout rating for noise level. Price at time of publish: $140 This steam cleaner earned top marks for simple and fast assembly. Once the SteamFast SF-375 was ready to go, we tackled a soy sauce spill on tile and grout. The sponge pad appeared thick but wasn’t as absorbent as we anticipated. After six to eight passes on the floor, the spill disappeared. In total, the process took about two minutes. Though satisfied with the results, our tester did wish it took a little less elbow grease. The large surface area of the mop head does give you the ability to clean big rooms with fewer passes, though. The 17-foot power cord and 10-foot hose provide better reach than some other steam cleaners, too. It’s also not the noisiest model on the market, but we also wouldn’t say it’s the quietest. The listing says it sits at 30 decibels, which is about as loud as a ticking clock. We consider it to be noticeably noisy but not disturbing to other activities. Price at time of publish: $190 Our tester noted that this model excels at delivering quick and maneuverable steam cleaning since it can heat up in just 30 seconds and weighs a mere 6 pounds. Its mop head can be fitted with either soft or scrubby re-washable mop pads (one of each is included), but even cooler is the ability to detach the mop head entirely, revealing a coarse scrub brush for scouring tougher stains. Our tester said the optional fragrance discs were a game changer for making her home not only feel, but also smell clean. “The best part about this model was that I was able to use the built-in scent pad drawer, instead of letting it disintegrate in the pad,” she said. “I’d be tempted to steam mop all the time—just so my house smelled like this every day!” There are also several other small but useful design touches in this mop, like water cup storage on the handle and a small tab on each mop pad that prevents you from touching the dirt and grime. With a 12-inch-wide cleaning path and a 25-foot cord, the PowerFresh makes it as easy as possible to steam clean lots of floor space, while the swivel steering lets you easily clean around corners. The bulkier middle piece on this unit made cleaning under low-profile furniture a challenge, but it still navigates tight turns with ease. Our tester was also impressed by this mop’s effectiveness, noting that it easily removed a dried syrup stain in just three passes, a task which took most other mops we tested at least 12 passes. Price at time of publish: $103 We tested each pick on a tile surface and an upholstered cushion—not testing products on a surface if they were not compatible with it. We rated overall effectiveness after seeing how many passes it took to rid the surfaces of a variety of fresh and sticky spills and stains and noted which models were suited for each kind of task and which ones could handle multiple tasks. After navigating their features and attachments, we rated each cleaner’s versatility and usability. While one machine might have a larger water tank than another, we wondered if that might make it too heavy to use easily. We additionally tested portability and noise level, so you don’t have to. All the same attributes were tested and rated in real-world scenarios for the products that were tested at home, and we judged overall value based on our experience with the product and the price you’d pay for it. After using each of the devices, we analyzed the testing insights carefully to formulate our recommendations.

What to Look for in a Steam Cleaner

Type

The type of steam cleaner that’s best for you depends on what type of cleaning tasks you plan to use it for and your personal preference. Most steam cleaners fall under one of three categories: canister-style appliance, handheld pick, or steam mop. Of the three types, canister-style cleaners are usually the most versatile by design. They typically include a variety of attachments and a hose that extends the reach of the steam cleaner, allowing you to get into the nooks and crannies of your space. Sometimes, canister steam cleaners will also have wheels or a carrying strap, so you can easily carry the product from room to room. Steam mops—on the other hand—are typically more portable and comfortable to use and maneuver. They’re also a great fit for homes with hard floors, as these picks aren’t always designed for cleaning upholstery. While you can find steam mops with a variety of useful attachments—like our best overall pick, the BLACK+DECKER Multipurpose Steam Cleaner—most are fairly simple and a great option for beginners to steam cleaning. Handheld steam cleaners are great for cleaning detailed areas, like grout, ovens, and sinks. They can direct steam to these areas and are smaller in design, so they can easily be maneuvered into nooks and crannies. For that reason, though, they aren’t the best option for cleaning floors and large areas of your home unless you plan on targeting specific spills. No matter which you pick, plan to use your steam cleaner alongside other cleaning tools, including a vacuum, standard mop, stain remover, or dusting wand. In our experience, this appliance is one of many tools you can and should use to tackle a mess properly.

Compatible Surfaces

Steam cleaning is a powerful way to freshen up many different surfaces, but not all steam cleaners are compatible with hard and soft or sensitive surfaces. The steam output can be too powerful for specific surface types, like flooring that becomes easily saturated. “Steam cleaners utilize two things that can damage certain materials: heat and water,” says Cohoon. “Avoid using steam cleaners on porous surfaces as they can be water damaged.” In addition, you will want to “be mindful of using steam cleaners near anything with a water-based paint [finish] or [on] ultra delicate surfaces like velvet or silk.” Most steam cleaners can be used on tile, grout, bathroom fixtures—like toilets, sinks, and showers—and appliances. “While you’re cleaning your floor tiles with your steam cleaner, baseboards are also a good area to tackle with a steam cleaner,” says Lauren Simonelli, Cleaning Expert and Co-Founder of ThreeMain. “[They’re] otherwise often forgotten or tedious to clean on your hands and knees.” Some steam cleaners can also be used on upholstery and carpets, such as the Dupray NEAT Steam Cleaner, with the proper steam setting or once you connect the right attachment.

Included Attachments

Attachments expand on what a steam cleaner can clean. Common attachments you will often find in your cleaner’s box are a scrub tool, brush, fabric steamer, crevice tool, and a floor head attachment. Much like a vacuum cleaner, you may find that bulkier steam cleaners can include hoses or extension wands to improve the reach of the appliance, too. When cleaning, keep in mind that some of the attachments concentrate steam, like a steam lance or grout brush. Other attachments are made to diffuse steam to prevent over-saturation or burns. Read the instructions for your appliance ahead of cleaning to learn what attachment can be used on each surface in your home and how.

Standout Features

Rolling Wheels

The addition of wheels to a steam cleaner makes it easier to maneuver the appliance around a room as you’re cleaning. It’s a feature worth considering if you plan to use your steam cleaner for big jobs and don’t want to pick the cleaner up frequently to position it. Rolling wheels also might make a steam cleaner easier to use if you or someone in your household’s mobility is limited or if you need to avoid lifting or carrying the cleaner for an extended distance. (A steam cleaner with a full water tank can get heavy.) You’ll usually find this feature on canister-style steam cleaners that are mainly made for cleaning floors.

Squeegee Attachment

A squeegee attachment lets you use a steam cleaner on mirrors, windows, shower doors, and more. It combines the effectiveness of a squeegee tool used to wipe down smooth surfaces in your home with the cleaning power of steam. If you plan to use your steam cleaner for window cleaning or have a glass shower enclosure, this can be a great accessory to look for when picking out a steam cleaner. However, it is a rare find. (We found it in our best heavy-duty pick, the Poulan Pro Portable Power Steam Cleaner.) In addition, Katie Berry, a member of The Spruce’s Cleaning Review Board, warns that steam can shatter windows on cold days. So, if you opt for this tool and use your steam cleaner on your windows, make sure it’s a warm, temperate day.

Why Trust The Spruce?

Having tested dozens of steam cleaners both at home and in The Lab, we considered features, price, design, and real-world scenarios when recommending the best steam cleaners. We scoured product listings, third-party reviews, and user manuals before deciding which products to test. For additional insight, we consulted with Lauren Simonelli, cleaning expert and co-founder of ThreeMain. We also spoke with Kathy Cohoon, Operations Manager at Two Maids & A Mop, who offered insight on what to look for when purchasing steam cleaners and how to use them properly in a standard home. “Be sure not to overdo it on steam cleaning as you can damage fabrics and materials under the fabric,” says Cohoon. “When cleaning, be sure not to oversaturate the material and allow ample drying time to avoid water damage or water marks.” If you’re using the steamer to release wrinkles on clothes, hold the steamer roughly six inches from the surface and use quick, up-and-down sweeping motions until it appears clean. Then allow the fabric to dry completely. “A steam cleaner that is easy to clean and rinse after use is always a plus,” too, says Cohoon. That way, you can use it regularly without having to put too much maintenance in. “For high-traffic rooms or cushions, make sure to steam clean once a year, more if there are many visible stains or dirt,” advises Cohoon. Erica Puisis is a freelance writer specializing in content about cleaning and home appliances. She’s contributed to The Spruce since 2017 and is always looking for new gadgets to make the task easier and faster. For this list, she considered each steam cleaner’s size and attachments as well as what type of surface it would be used on. She also considered insights from our thorough testing.  Marisa Casciano is a senior commerce editor for The Spruce and was in The Lab for our tests. She has first-hand knowledge of how our tests were both developed and performed and how products look, feel, and work in real life. Emma Phelps, writer for The Spruce, also updated this piece to reflect our latest testing and most up-to-date picks.

What Is Spruce Approved?

Here at The Spruce, we want to ensure we fully stand behind every product we recommend, and that when we say something is the best, we mean it. You might have noticed The Spruce Approved badge next to the products on this list. Every product with this badge has been rigorously tested in person and carefully selected by our expert team of lab testers and editors. In most cases, we buy all these products ourselves, though occasionally we get samples provided to us directly by companies. No matter how we procure products, they all go through the same tests and must meet the same strict criteria to make the best-of cut. We also pride ourselves on transparency and will always let you know if we received a product for free.