The Best Editor-Tested Steam Mops That You Can Buy Right Now

Take a quick inventory of your cleaning tools, and what do you see? A vacuum? Of course. A broom? Sure. A wet mop? Probably. But if you don’t have a steam mop, your lineup is incomplete. No matter how effectively your other reliable favorites do their jobs, they can’t replace the benefits of a steam mop. These wonders remove caked-on, soaked-in dirt, grease, grime, and bacteria from bathroom tile, living room rugs, and nearly anything in between — with no detergents or chemicals. With steam cleaning, all you need is water, heat, and the right tool to make a world of difference in your space.

How do you know which steam mop is right for you? That’s where we come in. Our team of testers has been busy trying some of the most popular options on the market to bring you the best of the best recommendations. Whether your space (or budget) is large or small, hardwood or carpet, greasy from cooking or stained from pets, you’ll find your match on this list. Check out the winners below, and keep reading for tips on what to look for before you buy.

• Best Overall: Shark Genius Pocket Mop
• Best Budget-Friendly: PurSteam ThermaPro 10-in-1 Steam Mop
• Best Multipurpose: BLACK+DECKER Steam Cleaner
• Best for Pets: BISSELL PowerFresh Lift-Off Pet Steam Mop

The right steam mop depends on your specific needs. Do you have a particular job in mind? Do you plan to use it on multiple types of flooring or surfaces? How heavy is it? How easy is it to operate? Does it have a cord? How much storage space does it occupy? These criteria can vary greatly from model to model, so it’s helpful to think about what you’re looking for at the very start of your search.

You want a steam mop that will clean effectively and function in every way you need it to, especially if your lifestyle (pets, kids, lots of cooking) lends itself to particular sorts of messes. If you need one that can tackle a range of jobs around the house, look for something with attachments that work on a variety of materials. If you’d rather have an option that’s simple to use, choose one without the bells and whistles. And while most steam mops heat water to 212 degrees Fahrenheit, you’ll want one that gets hotter if you think your home needs extra cleaning power.

Are you low on storage space? Do you have stairs? Does your home have large rooms? The answers to these questions should also inform your steam mop decision. Be sure to look at the dimensions and weight of the model you’re considering, as well as the capacity of the water reservoir, length of the cord, and number of attachments.

Steam mops run the gamut when it comes to pricing, typically falling somewhere between the costs of a broom and a vacuum. Before you buy, make sure you know exactly what your choice comes with — there’s no need to pay for features you don’t need.

We tested a wide range of steam mops and judged them on the following criteria:

• Performance: How easy is it to assemble and use? How well does it clean? Are there many surfaces on which you can’t use it?
• Versatility: Does it serve multiple functions? What attachments are included? How much storage space does it occupy? Is it cordless or corded?
• Efficiency: What is the water reservoir capacity? How quickly does it heat up? How hot does the steam get? Are the cleaning pads washable?

Our pick for the best overall steam mop is simple to use, highly effective, durable, and affordable: Meet the Shark Genius Pocket Mop. Before AT contributor Erin found this gem, grease from the stove and city dust coming in through the window made her whole space feel dirty nearly all the time. But ever since her grandmother gifted her the Shark Genius, Erin has been able to keep her apartment feeling and looking clean. “I’ve found this helpful in my kitchen to get up food stains, clear out corners, and even clean my grout.” Erin says. “I can honestly say I look forward to cleaning my floors now with how simple this steam mop is to use, from set-up to clean-up.”

With the Shark Genius Pocket Mop, getting to work is as easy as locking the cleaning pad onto the mop head, filling the water tank (using the included pouring tool), plugging it in, and turning it on. “I was surprised that the mop was instantly ready after filling with water and turning it on, as other mops I’ve tried sometimes required heating up,” says Erin. You can switch between three modes that apply different amounts of steam, and for truly stubborn stains, the Steam Blaster feature releases a targeted burst of steam directly where you want it.

As for the mop’s effectiveness, Erin says “the pads are large and thick, capable of collecting a ton of dirt and grime.” When you’re done cleaning, just release the dirty pad from the mop head, toss it in the dishwasher, and tuck the rest of the system away for storage.

Read our full review of the Shark Genius Pocket Mop.

Specifications:

• Measures 9.84″ x 7.72″ x 26.65″; weighs 6.4 pounds
• 22′ cord; 220 mL water reservoir
• Includes steam pocket mop, genius mop head, two dirt drip pads, triangular head, triangular pad, and fill flask
• Dishwasher-safe cleaning pads

Whom It’s Best For: Those who can never seem to get their floors truly clean.

Good to Know: This winner comes with a one-year limited manufacturer’s warranty.

If you’re shopping with a budget in mind, every purchase has to deliver as much functionality as possible — and that’s certainly the case with the PurSteam ThermaPro 10-in-One Steam Mop. This beauty comes with eight attachments — an angled nozzle, a scrape tool, a double brush tool, a big brush tool, a small brush tool, a steamer jet, a steamer attachment, and a squeegee attachment — plus two reusable microfiber cloths, a steamer cloth, a carpet glider, and a funnel and cup for filling the water tank. With all of these tools, this multitasker is at the ready to clean floors, rugs, blinds, glass, mirrors, grout, and upholstery. It even converts into a handheld clothes steamer! And at just 2.2 pounds, it’s by far the lightest option on our list. AT’s proudly frugal commerce executive director, Mark, tested and loved it, so you know you’re getting great bang for your buck with this one. (More than 27,000 five-star Amazon reviews don’t hurt, either.)

The PurSteam ThermaPro is easy to assemble and folds for compact storage. It heats up within seconds and provides 12 minutes of steam with a full water tank, although Mark found that in just five minutes, his hardwood floors were “literally gleaming and looked like new — even some of the small scratches in the floor were hardly noticeable.” It works just as well on grout in the bathroom and limescale on the sink knobs, and he’s even used it to remove wrinkles from his clothes. “I have been wowed by how useful it is and how it makes cleaning my apartment so much faster and easier.”

Read our full review of the PurSteam ThermaPro 10-in-1 Steam Mop.

Specifications:

• Measures 8.07″ x 9.45″ x 23.94″; weighs 2.2 pounds
• 15.9′ cord, 380 mL water reservoir
• Includes steam mop, built-in handheld steamer, angled nozzle attachment, three nylon brush attachments, three steam mop cleaning pads, steamer jet, and window squeegee
• Machine-washable cleaning pads

Whom It’s Best For: Those who have a variety of cleaning needs but not a lot of money to spend.

Good to Know: Several Amazon reviewers report being frustrated with the short cord length.

With six attachments — a floor mop pad, countertop mop pad, squeegee, grout brush, small detail brush, and metal grate brush — the BLACK+DECKER Steam Cleaner can handle nearly any household cleaning chore you throw its way. Best List editor Britt first put it to the test cleaning her once-white rug, and she was astonished at how well it worked. “I went over the rug a couple of times — it really needed it — and when my family came to visit later that day, their first comments were all about how bright my rug looked!” she says. “That’s what really sold me on recommending this BLACK+DECKER wonder.”

While Britt was initially overwhelmed by its many pieces and functions, it wasn’t long before she was operating this multipurpose steam mop all over the house. “The head pivots so you can move the machine smoothly, and the detachable top can be used with the floor extension or as a handheld steamer,” she says. The corded machine takes less than a minute to warm up to temperature, and its only settings are High and Low, making it a cinch to use. And thanks to the convertible design, you can clean hard-to-reach places without contorting yourself. Adds Britt, “Yup, I’ll be turning to this steam mop as often as I can.”

Read our full review of the BLACK+DECKER Steam Cleaner.

Specifications:

• Measures 32.75″ x 12.5″ x 5.25″; weighs 9.43 pounds
• 20′ cord, 500 mL water reservoir
• Includes steam mop, floor extension, microfiber steam mop pad, pivoting mop head, floor mop pad, countertop mop pad, squeegee, grout brush, small detail brush, and metal grate brush
• Machine-washable cleaning pads

Whom It’s Best For: Those who have a wide range of surfaces and stains to clean.

Good to Know: This model easily converts to a handheld steamer.

Pet owners have their own, ahem, breed of issues when it comes to keeping a clean house. Britt, a proud parent to a feisty pup, took the BISSELL PowerFresh Lift-Off Pet Steam Mop for a spin to see if it truly lives up to its name. The easy-to-assemble, easy-to-use appliance scored top marks, giving Britt’s space the coveted combination of being filled with puppy love while still looking, smelling, and feeling clean. “What I love about this steam mop is that it’s highly effective in cleaning up after my pets,” she says. And since the machine easily converts to a handheld device at the push of a button, it’s great for pet messes on both the floor and higher surfaces.

Not only does the BISSELL work beautifully on pet-related stains, but it also comes with a bag full of tools and attachments for other functions, including odor-eliminating fragrance disks that leave a slight aroma behind. Says Britt, “I didn’t find that using the whole disc caused an overpowering scent, but it can be broken up into smaller pieces or not used at all, if preferred.” The cleaning pads are machine washable, and the cord measures 25 feet, the longest of all of our winners.

Specifications:

• Measures 13.2″ x 11.14″ x 44.7″; weighs 10.6 pounds
• 25′ cord, 380 mL water reservoir
• Includes steam mop, flat surface tool, fabric steamer, bristle tools, angle concentrator tool, grout tool, flat scraper tool, tool storage bag
• Machine-washable cleaning pads

Whom It’s Best For: Those who battle pet-related messes.

Good to Know: Every purchase supports the BISSELL Pet Foundation and its mission to help save homeless pets.