The 4 best steam mops of 2026, tested and reviewed
Just add water! Then watch as these cleaners tackle the stickiest messes with no chemicals required.
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A good steam mop is a valuable tool for removing stubborn soap scum and mildew from bathrooms, as well as sticky spills in the kitchen. Because they rely on hot water to loosen grime, you don't need any chemicals, which makes them particularly appealing for those with children and pets. The best steam mops are not only effective, but also nimble, with streamlined silhouettes and attachments that make it easy to get around.
In this story
As a home writer who tests cleaning products for a living, I've tried almost everything in your cleaning arsenal — from mops to handheld steamers . For this guide, I tested 10 steam mops on ceramic and vinyl tile floors, evaluating their performance against pasta sauce, chocolate syrup, honey and grape jelly. I even let some spills dry overnight to see how well the mops could tackle tougher jobs. I also considered factors like ease of use and speed of operation to determine each steam mop's overall value. Note: While many of the steam mops I tested are marketed as safe for a range of surfaces, experts advise against using them on hardwood floors , as well as laminate, luxury vinyl planks (LVP), unsealed grout and natural stone.
Best steam mops of 2026
Size:8.07"D x 9.45"W x 23.94"H | Weight:4.4 lbs. | Capacity:12.8 oz. | Steam settings:Three | Accessories:Two mopping pads, steamer cloth, carpet glider, pitcher and funnel, plus seven handheld attachments
Topping my list is the PurSteam 10-in-1 Steam Mop, which hit the sweet spot in my testing for both effectiveness and versatility. It also offers incredible value when you consider all the accessories.
How it works:Despite this steam mop's somewhat intimidating design, it’s fairly straightforward to set up. The body of the steamer clicks into the cleaner head (or base), no tools required, and the mop pad (it comes with two) sticks to the bottom.
To operate it, simply fill the water reservoir (the device comes with a mini pitcher and a funnel), plug in the machine and turn the steam dial to your desired setting. The body detaches from the larger frame and can be used as a handheld steam cleaner with the included attachments.
Why it's great:When plugged in and with the power dial turned up, this mop wasted no time letting off steam. It started releasing vapor within seconds and glided across sealed vinyl like a dream, lifting dirt and leaving the floor looking clean and shiny.
While I tend to suggest traditional mops for goopier messes (more on that in the FAQ section below), this steam mop lifted pasta sauce, chocolate syrup, jelly and honey from a kitchen floor with ease. Unlike most steam mops, the PurSteam includes an attachment that lets you steam-clean carpets, a process I found just as streamlined and effective.
In addition to the two mop pads, this steam mop comes with a full suite of attachment tools, including an angled nozzle, large and small brushes, a squeegee and a scraper, to target dirt, soap scum and more in corners and small grooves. I’ve also used this gadget to steam clothing: Even the most pronounced creases relax easily.
At just over 4 pounds, this steam mop is fairly lightweight when fully configured, with its detachable handheld portion offering additional freedom. Despite the mop's compact size, its water reservoir is pretty generous (12.8 ounces), so you shouldn't have to keep refilling it.
Minor criticisms:The sloped wand isn't necessarily uncomfortable to hold, but I'd take a more traditional handle for a sturdier grip. And while rounded cleaner heads and mop pads are common on steam mops, I tend to prefer those with straight edges for getting right up against baseboards.
- Can be used on hard or carpeted surfaces
- Doubles as a handheld
- Machine-washable mop pads
- Comes with seven attachment tools
- Sloped handle doesn't provide the sturdiest grip
- A straight mop head would be better for edge cleaning
Size:811"D x 7.4"W x 46.1"H | Weight:4.6 lbs. | Capacity:12.6 oz. | Steam settings:One | Accessories:Two mopping pads
For an even more affordable, no-frills steam mop, this Shark model is a shoo-in. I loved how practical and agile it was, especially for the price.
How it works:Like the PurSteam, this steam mop was intuitive to set up. You click the handle into the wand, then click the wand into the main body and finally attach the cleaner head, ensuring the visible arrows on the pieces are aligned. Then, affix a pad (there are two) to the bottom.
In this case, the water reservoir is like a small squeeze bottle (similar to many spray mops) that you remove to fill. With the water replenished and the steam mop plugged in, you pump the wand downward to get the steam going.
Why it's great:This steam mop gets to work quickly, releasing vapor within the first few pumps and reaching full steam in seconds. It had no issue removing pasta sauce, chocolate syrup, jelly and honey from ceramic tiles, and it lifted all the sticky jelly I'd left to dry on vinyl tile in just a few passes.
The mop's compact silhouette and 4.6 pounds make it really easy to move around. And I like how the cleaner head and mop pad have a straight edge for getting right up against ledges.
Aside from its effectiveness and maneuverability, I appreciate that the reservoir can be removed for easy filling and emptying (versus having to tinker with a pitcher or leave water in the reservoir, which could calcify when not in use). I often think about which products I'd recommend for different people in my life when testing, and I could see my grandmom really liking this.
Minor criticisms:As this steam mop is a manual pump model, you need to press the wand down to get the steam going. Aside from the two cleaning pads, there are no attachment tools for detailing.
- Streamlined, compact design
- Removable water reservoir for easy filling and emptying
- Cleaner head and mop pads are rectangular for better edge cleaning
- Comes with two washable mop pads
- No attachment tools for detailing
- Need to manually pump the wand to release steam
Size:7.56"D x 9.65"W x 24.61"H| Weight:5.97 lbs. | Capacity:16.91 oz. | Steam settings:Two | Accessories:Two mopping pads, plus pitcher and built-in scrubber brush
This Kenmore steam mop is another that really impressed me during my testing. It heats up in seconds and features a built-in scrubber — in addition to a traditional mop head — to double down on stubborn stains.
How it works:The wand screws into the body where the setting buttons and water reservoir are located (the screw is included). The mop can be used with the scrubber attached to the base or the mop head. A mop pad (two are included) fits over the mop head.
Unlike the Shark, the water reservoir does not detach and therefore must be filled using the included plastic pitcher. With the water replenished and the steam mop plugged in, you just press the power button and select from two steam settings to get things going.
Why it's great:Kenmore's steam mop started working almost immediately. You could hear the water heating within a few seconds, and within 10-12 seconds, the machine was ready to go. With the mop head in place (and the highest setting selected), the Kenmore lifted pasta sauce, chocolate syrup, jelly and honey faster and more efficiently than any other steam mop I tried. It removed caked-on jelly from vinyl tile in a few passes, leaving no residue.
The scrubber worked wonders for power-cleaning the grout in my tiled bathroom and ceramic bathtub. (The tub typically requires a good scrubbing with a cleaning paste to polish it off, but I didn’t need any additional product in this case.) I opted for the higher steam setting, but found the lower setting almost as effective for these purposes and sufficient for removing caked-on dirt and scuffs from floors. At under 6 pounds, this steam mop is easy to maneuver, and with a nearly 17-ounce water reservoir, it can handle larger rooms and tougher jobs.
Minor criticisms:As the water reservoir doesn't detach from the tank, it can be difficult to empty completely. Aside from the two mop pads and pitcher, this steam mop doesn't come with any accessories. The mop pad is slightly oversized, which allowed me to get up against baseboards, but every once in a while it would get pulled under the cleaner head (mostly when tackling stickier substances or when the floor wasn't as wet).
- High capacity
- Two steam settings
- Comes with two washable mop pads
- Cleaner head has a straight edge for getting right up to edges
- Built-in scrubber for tougher substances
- Can't detach the water reservoir
- No attachment tools
Size:11.6"D x 7.1"W x 28.6"H| Weight:6 lbs. | Capacity:16 oz. | Steam settings:Three | Accessories:Two mopping pads, plus cup and built-in scrubber brush
For large areas, the Bissell PowerFresh features a generous water reservoir, plus an oversize cleaner head. Bonus: It comes with a scent-boosting pod (hence the “fresh” in the name) and, like the Kenmore, has a built-in scrubber for stubborn spills.
How it works:You screw the wand into the main body, and the body clicks into the base. You then affix one of the included mop heads — there's one for polishing and one for scrubbing. A plastic attachment helps hold it in place.
The water reservoir is built into the body, and therefore needs to be filled via the included plastic pitcher. In this case, there are three steam settings to choose from: light (for refreshes) to high (for caked-on dirt and stickier substances).
Why it's great:Using this steam mop felt a lot like using the Kenmore steam mop in terms of its form and function. The scrubber mop head was similarly impressive at cleaning up pasta sauce, chocolate syrup, jelly and honey from a ceramic floor and caked-on jelly from vinyl floor tiles. The built-in scrubber did an equally good job cleaning grout and uprooting soap scum. And in this case, you have a bit more customization, with three steam settings to choose from.
What's more — and why I like this steam mop best for tackling larger areas — is that it has a high water capacity (16 ounces) and a larger cleaning head than many others I tested. That means fewer refills and fewer passes when mopping wide, open spaces.
Minor criticisms:The cleaner head on this steam mop isn't as shallow as some others, so it may have a harder time getting under low furniture. Although the scent pod (a common feature with Bissell vacuums) is a nice bonus, it doesn't come with any attachment tools.
- Large water reservoir
- Comes with two washable pads, a scent pod and a pitcher
- Features three steam settings
- Oversized cleaner head with a straight edge
- Built-in scrubber for tougher substances
- Cleaner head isn't as shallow as some
- No attachment tools
Best steam mops specs comparison table
| Model |
Size |
Weight |
Capacity |
Steam settings |
Accessories |
| 8.07"D x 9.45"W x 23.94"H |
4.4 lbs. |
12.8 oz. |
Three |
Two mopping pads, steamer cloth, carpet glider, cup and funnel, plus seven attachments |
|
| 811"D x 7.4"W x 46.1"H |
4.6 lbs. |
12.6 oz. |
One |
Two mopping pads |
|
| 7.56"D x 9.65"W x 24.61"H |
5.97 lbs. |
16.91 oz. |
Two |
Two mopping pads, plus pitcher and built-in scrubber brush |
|
| 11.6"D x 7.1"W x 28.6"H |
6 lbs. |
16 oz. |
Three |
Two mopping pads, plus pitcher and built-in scrubber brush |
Factors to consider when choosing a steam mop
✓ Size:The more streamlined and compact the steam mop, the easier it will be to move around your space. Look for cleaner heads that are slim enough to slide under low furniture so you can get into tight spaces.
✓ Weight:Heavier steam mops can be clunkier to maneuver, but they usually come with higher-capacity water tanks. If you're using a steam mop only for your bathroom and kitchen, you may be able to get away with a lighter, smaller model. Otherwise, look for swiveling or pivoting cleaner heads to help you move the mop around.
✓ Water reservoir capacity:Larger water reservoirs are great for bigger jobs and homes, though they can make the steam mop heavier. Some reservoirs are built into the mop and need to be filled with a narrow-spout pitcher, whereas others can be detached and filled in the sink. (I prefer the latter, because they're easier to empty and help me ensure water isn't left sitting in the tank between uses.)
✓ Number of steam settings:Many steam mops offer at least two different steam settings — the more intense the steam, the better the cleaning power. For everyday cleaning, use the lightest steam setting possible.
✓ Accessories:All of the steam mops I tested came with at least one mopping pad, and most came with two (one for general polishing/sanitizing and another for scrubbing). Otherwise, look for steam mops with triangular cleaner head attachments and other tools for getting into corners and grooves.
How we test steam mops
I tested 10 steam mops on both ceramic tile and vinyl tile (linoleum) to challenge their steaming and deep-cleaning abilities. The nitty gritty:
-
Steam lap:I set up each steam mop and tested its various settings on a ceramic floor to gauge its overall steaming performance and agility.
-
Kitchen course:I blobbed chocolate syrup, pasta sauce, honey and grape jelly, obstacle-course-style, on the ceramic floor to gauge how each mop could handle a variety of spills and stains.
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Jelly tile trials:I spread jelly on vinyl tile and let it dry overnight to see how well each steam mop handled more stubborn messes.
I also considered factors such as speed and ease of operation, water reservoir capacity and accessories when assessing a steam mop's practicality, versatility and overall value.
The Shark Steam Mop gears up for my kitchen course.
Other steam mops we tested
Amazon Basics Steam Mop :At just under 4 pounds, this is the lightest of all of the steam mops I tested. It's easy to assemble and use, and it heats up almost immediately. I ultimately went with the Shark for my budget pick because I liked the straight-edged mop head and the ability to fill the water reservoir separately. The Amazon mop's plastic build also looked a little cheaper.
Black+Decker 7-in-1 Steam Mop : This steam mop worked really well in both my obstacle course and jelly test. You can dial up the steam level to optimize for different jobs and surfaces. The cleaner head has a straight edge for getting right up against baseboards, and the mop comes with a bunch of useful attachments. The body rocks from side to side, which was great for turning, but — and this is the only reason it didn't get a top spot — it didn't lock in center position. As a result, it couldn't stand on its own, so I always had to prop it up against a wall when not in use.
Hoover Steam Complete Pet Steam Cleaner : Like my overall pick, this steam cleaner features a removable body that can be used as a handheld for detail cleaning and fabric steaming (with a dial for customizing the steam setting). It was almost as effective, aside from needing an extra pass or two in the jam test and leaving a little residue. The triangular cleaner head was great for getting into corners, but I ultimately went with PurSteam because it also comes with a rectangular cleaner head, plus a few other, handier attachment tools.
Bissell PowerFresh Pet Lift-Off : This steam mop is similar to PurSteam and Hoover in that the body is detachable, and it comes with a bunch of attachment tools. I liked how the cleaner head has a straight edge for getting up against trim, and the mop removed all the substances in my testing. But I found the attachment tools that came with the PurSteam more useful, plus it's a less expensive machine.
McCulloch MC1385 Deluxe Canister Steam Cleaner : With a 64-ounce water tank and a suite of pro-level accessories, this steam cleaner had me feeling like a professional cleaner in my own house. Given its size, I like that its hub has wheels and a handle for easy maneuvering. I could see this being helpful for someone looking to do a lot of detail work, especially when tackling several rooms at once, but I found the cleaner head a little bulky, and the mop heads a little finicky (detaching at a few points) for everyday steam mopping.
I smeared linoleum tiles with jelly and let it dry up to see how well these steam mops could handle sticky stuff.
Steam mop FAQs
What's the difference between a regular mop and a steam mop?
A traditional mop is typically used in conjunction with water and a cleaning solution. I'd recommend using a two-bucket mop system where clean and dirty water are kept separate, and to opt for a string- or vacuum-style mop for capturing wet messes, especially in sizable proportions (versus a flat mop pad, which I've found to be sufficient for washing floors but can have a tendency to drag blobs of sauce, for example).
A steam mop heats water and uses it to loosen caked-on dirt and grime, making it particularly effective for tackling soap scum, grease and stickier spills. Because they don't require cleaning solutions, you don't need to worry about wringing out a mop pad (or rinsing floors to ensure no suds are left behind). They're also a popular choice for families with kids and/or pets looking for chemical-free sanitization.
Are steam mops safe for hardwood floors?
Experts recommend steam mops for cleaning and sanitizing sealed ceramic and porcelain-tiled surfaces (they can also be a powerful force for de-gunking grout). Outside of these situations, experts caution that using a steam mop isn't necessary and may damage hardwood, laminate, luxury vinyl planks or wax- or oil-finished floors.
​Are steam mops safe?
Yes, but be careful. In addition to making sure your steam mop is safe for the intended surfaces, you'll want to exercise caution when using and cleaning it. Remain at a comfortable distance from the steam, use the lowest setting you can get away with, and avoid touching any hot surfaces (such as the floor or heated parts of the steam mop frame). Wait for the mopping pads to cool down before changing them. Always turn off your steam mop when not in use, and be sure to read the instruction manual before operating it.
Update, Oct. 12, 2026: We confirmed prices and product availability. Our No. 1 pick for the best steam mop overall remains unchanged.
We received complimentary samples of some products and purchased others ourselves, but we reviewed all products using the same objective and unbiased criteria.
