When it comes to cleaning your home, few things are as valuable as a multi-surface steam mop.
After all, it sometimes makes up the work of a vaccum cleaner for multiple floors and leaves them looking and smelling great – and stops you from having to use an old school mop and bucket, or worse, get down on your hands and knees to clean them.
What Exactly is a Steam Mop?
A steam mop uses hot steam in order to deep clean hard surfaces. Unlike a traditional mop and bucket, that tend to require harsh cleaning agents like detergent or bleach, a steam mop simply uses heat from steam as a way to disinfect the floors.
Depending on the kind of steam mop, one might have to place a microfiber pad directly underneath the steam jet which then catches the dirt.
Our Top 5 Best Steam Mops
Here is a list of 5 handpicked best steam mops on the market today. Before you dive into the details, the summery table below may help give an overview and you can click the title to navigate to the detailed review.
At a Glance
| Bissell 1544A Lift-off Steamer | Shark Genius Steam Mop | LIGHT ‘N’ EASY Detachable Steam Mop | BISSELL PowerFresh Steam Mop 1940 | LIGHT ‘N’ EASY Lightweight Steam Mop | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 10 lbs | 6 lbs | 6.4 lbs | 6 lbs | 4 lbs |
| Cord length | ~26 ft | 22 ft | 20 ft | 23 ft | 20 ft |
| Steaming level | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| Tank size | 13.5 oz / 400ml | 12oz / 350ml | 11.5 oz / 340ml | 16 oz / 470ml | 8 oz / 230ml |
| Accessories | 7 ps + 2 pads | 1 pad | 2 ps + pad | Carpet glider + 2 pads | 1 pad |
| Features | ● Handheld steam cleaner ● Easy scrubber ● 13 accessories | ● Direct steam jet ● Touch-free technology | ● Handheld steam cleaner ● Smart sensor ● Smart switch | ● Large water tank ● Easy scrubber | ● Low price ● Light weight |
1. Bissell PowerFresh Lift-Off Pet Steamer 1544A
Bissell PowerFresh Lift-Off Pet Steamer is a well-known 2-in-1 steam mop. It has a classic design and can easily transition between different kinds of hard floors, including tile, vinyl, and hardwood.
- Powerful heater
This steam mop features a detachable steam pod, as well as a 1500 W water heater, which allows users to clean even elevated surfaces with piping hot steam.
It also requires very little set up time, and is ready to go within 30 seconds of being turned on.
- A range of tools
Bissell pet steamer comes with 13 attachments, including the extension hose, glider, fabric tool, window squeegee, flat surface tool, angel tool, grout brush and more.
It also comes with several machine washable mop pads, that can be used over and over again.
- Ready to go
It is also easy to use. The steam mop has simple on and off controls, and a 25ft power cord that makes it easy to clean large areas.
- Two-in-one design
Bissell steamer provides you a removable steam pod, which works like a mini steamer. I guess you want to steam your window glasses? No problem – just lift off the pod, attach the window squeegee tool you need, then there it is.
This handy speratable steam pod will also do the trick when you want to clean and sterilize your kitchen counter.
Things that may trigger a second thought
- The Bissell Pet Steamer has a higher price point than many other steam mops on the market.
- Another draw back to the product is that it does not have a retractable cord. After every use, the 25ft cord has to be rolled up by hand.
- It is slightly heavier than the average steam mop.
While the Bissell Pet Steamer does reduce the amount of heavy cleaning tools you need to give your home a thorough clean, the weight of it can become bothersome to those who have to transport it up and down stairs.
Bottom line
Bissell PowerFresh Lift-Off Pet Steamer is an excellent option for anyone who has to clean a multitude of hard surfaces in a short amount of time.
Although it is considered to be quite costly, the many attachments and added features make deep cleaning significantly more manageable, and far less of a chore, making it, in many customer’s options well worth the money.
Because it is a Bissell product, there is a manufacturer warranty; additional retail warranties vary by store.
2. Shark Genius Steam Mop
This is a popular, compact, and well-designed steam mop.
- Direct steam jet
Shark Genius steam mop features an electronic steam control system, which makes it possible for the steam mop to be used on various kinds of sealed floors, including marble, ceramic, sealed hardwood and laminate.
One of the neatest features is that the Shark Genius offers the ‘Steam Blaster’ feature. This feature allows direct steaming of stubborn stains, messes and stains.
- Touch-free pad change
Shark Genius uses two-sided mop pads that are machine washable. The mops scrubber heads are based on Shark’s Touch-Free technology – you don’t even have to touch the dirty pads.
- Intelligent steam control
The steam mop has an Intelligent Steam Control. This electronic steam control system provides the user with three different steam settings to best meet your needs.
This level is recommended for dusting and light cleaning. It is excellent for loosening and cleaning up any light dirt from floors such hardwood and laminate.
This setting is best for regular, everyday cleaning. This setting is safe on surfaces like stone, wood, laminate, and tile.
The high level is recommended for deep cleaning. You can switch to this level to clean up large messes and dry stains from various surfaces
- Lightweight
Unlike some other steam mops on the market, Shark Genius Pocket Mop is considered to be quite lightweight, coming in at only 6 lbs.
Things that may trigger a second thought
- There is no automatic cord retraction, so the 22ft cord has to be rolled manually.
- Some might consider this steam mop to be relatively costly
Bottom line
Shark Genius Pocket Mop has a lot of interesting features to it and is designed to tackle even the most stubborn messes.
It does not come with a bunch of attachments. However, the intelligent steam control is a neat feature that makes the job significantly more comfortable.
3. LIGHT 'N' EASY Detachable Steam Mop S3601
The steamer cleaner is an easy to use product. Users can clean their sealed hard floors effortlessly. Additionally, the detachable handheld accessories make it easy to clean other surfaces like tiles and window glasses, as well as sofa cover and your shirts.
- A fast steam sanitizer
Using 110 degree Celsius (around 230F) hot steam jet, LIGHT ‘N’ EASY steam mop has a guarantee to kill nearly ALL germs it passes, without the use of harsh chemicals.
The good news is you don’t have to waite a long period of time becaust it heats up and is ready to go in 30 seconds.
- A garment steamer
Unlike Shark Genius or Bissell Lift-Off Pet, this steam mop comes with fewer accessories. However, it does has a better fabric steaming head with bonnet pad. Covered in the brand’s one year warranty, this tool makes it easy for users to steam shirts, sofa cover or other fabric surfaces.
- Smart digital steam control
LIGHT ‘N’ EASY steam mop’s Smart Set Digital Steam Control that helps you cater the mop’s steam level to your specific needs.
The removable cleaner has a sensor on its handle. You cover it with your finger, it starts to release hot steam. You remove your fingers, the steaming stops.
Likewise, as you push the mop forward and put the stick at an angle, the steam comes out automatically. Once you put the stick upright, the steam stops.
Things that may trigger a second thought
- Less accessories (tools)
- The price tag may be on the high side for some customers
- You have to remove the dirty mop with hands after use
Bottom line
The LIGHT ‘N’ EASY steam mop is a practical option for anyone who has multiple kinds of flooring throughout their home. Although it does not come with many accessories, its bonnet pad can be used to clean multiple surfaces. The detachable lightweight cleaner helps a lot for many ladies.
4. BISSELL PowerFresh Steam Mop 1940
This mop has the appearance of a traditional stick vacuum. However, unlike a stick vacuum, it deep cleans by creating hot steam to sanitize the area and leave your floors sparkling.
- Scrubbing clean
Bissell PowerFresh has a unique flip-down scrubber that is designed to help lift stubborn and stuck-on messes.
Like many others, it also has three different steaming level: low, medium, and high, to sanitize and clean hard flooring surfaces – killing 99.9% of germs and bacteria – with environmental-friendly steam.
- Attractive design
Although the appearance of a steam mop is not typically a deciding factor, this Bissell steam mop has a sleek and visually pleasing blue and white color scheme.
It is also a relatively lightweight option, coming in at 6 lbs.
- Two pads for different surfaces
The Bissell PowerFresh does not have fancy accessories and parts in order to work. However, the steam mop does come with two microfiber cleaning pads. One is soft while the other has a more scrubby and rough texture.
You can attach the carpet glider that comes with the mop to help it move smoothly across carpets and rugs.
- Fragrant floors
These washable Bissell mop pads also comes with two small fragrance disks. You insert a scent disk into a small pocket within the cleaning pad, and steam will bring a lovely fresh scent to your freshly washed floors.
You can also use these nice disks, as well as the pads, on Bissell Lift-Off Pet Steamer, and get more replacements easily from online stores.
Things that may trigger a second thought
- You can't use this steam mop for other tasks other than floor cleaning
- Some may want a bigger water tank
- The tank cap tends to crack
Bottom line
The Bissell PowerFresh steam mop is designed in a way that combines powerful performance and convenience at a lower cost.
Overall, the maintenance, maneuverability, cleaning performance, and ease of use makes it one of the better options available to date. If you’re looking to add an inexpensive steam mop to your floor care lineup, this could be an option.
5. LIGHT 'N' EASY Lightweight (best price)
This is an incredibly cost effective steam mop that does work well. It’s been on the marekt for years.
- Clean water only
Like other steam mops on the list, this one is also designed to clean all kinds of floors and has the ability to remove a wide range of stains and messes, while sanitizing the floor.
It does not use any harsh cleaning agents, meaning that it is safe for children, pets, pregnant women, and anyone else who might have a negative reaction to traditional cleaning chemicals.
- No need to worry pad falling off
Some may wander if the pad fall easily when used for long-time cleaning. The answer is no. The mop head has four velcro contact areas to “grab” the microfilber pad firmly.
In fact, one of the things that we don’t like about this modle is that, unlike Shark Genius, you have to remove the dirty pad manually.
- Pumping needed? Not Really
Honestly, you need to pump it for a few times to increase the steam volume at beginning; but once you start mopping, the steam comes out when you move the stick forward.
- Start fast, dry fast
Once turned on, the machine is ready to start working in 30 seconds. After you have cleaned an area, it takes about 30 seconds for the floor to dry
- Price
This lightweight mop (4lbs) is considered to be one of the most affordable steam mops on the market today, and has the lowest price here in the list. At the time when this was written, it costs only a few dozen bucks on Amazon.com.
Things that may trigger a second thought
- Only one power level;
- The water tank (12oz or 220ml) is not removable and could be bigger;
- It may leave streaky marks on hardwood floors; but we'll talk about this below;
Bottom line
Overall, this mop is a good helper for anyone who has simple but straight need to steam clean their floors. Its affordable price point makes it a more accessible tool than a lot of others on the market. Combined with it’s easy to use design, the LIGHT is an easy choice.
Why Use a Steam Mop?
More and more, people are opting to use steam mops instead of traditional mops and buckets, and brooms for a few reasons, perhaps the biggest being simply because it is easier.
Steam mops are designed to be used on a wide array of flooring, meaning if you have vinyl in your entry, hardwood in your dining room and tile in your kitchen, your steam mop can clean it all – without your having to switch from one tool to the next.
Another reason is that using a steam mop is easier on human body. Anyone who has gotten down on their hands and knees to scrub their floors can attest to how sore it makes you afterward.
But when you use a steam mop, you are able to get a similar effect without having even to bend over (aside from plugging it in).
Finally, steam mops are safer for the majority of people. Harsh cleaning agents and chemicals that have traditionally been used can be extremely hard on some peoples allergies, not to mention children, expecting moms, and pets who really shouldn’t be near them.
Steam mops only use water. Some come with the option of adding scent disks to improve the smell of the area that was just cleaned, but there are no chemicals or agents required in order to get rid of 99.9% of the germs and bacteria on your floors.
Can I Let Go of My Vacuum Cleaner?
So, you want to use steam mop only because we said it’s great? Well, we are so flattered if you agree with us that a steam mop is useful. However, we don’t recommend that you use a steam mop instead of your vacuum cleaner. Our suggestion is you should keep them both.
While steam mop works great when cleaning and disinfecting your floors, it’s an undeniable fact that steam mops can not pick up larger debris like cookie chips, seeds, and cheerios, or longer fibers and hairs.
If you want to use a steam mop first without vacuuming, chances are you find yourself pushing wet fiber knots and chips around your floor, and you need a broom and a dustpan whatsoever to get rid of them.
Our solution? We vacuum first and use the steam mop to take way extremely fine dust that escaped from vacuuming; and sanitize the floor at the same time. Yes, that sounds like the work is doubled, but your home will be way more cleaner.
That said, you can also opt to a vacuum steamer, a state-of-the-art combanition of the above two.
We invite you to read our in-depth review of Crosswave® Pet Pro (2306A) and All-in-One (1785A) to learn more.
Please also note that, although some brands provide you a carpet glider designed for gliding your mop on carpet, we want to say that it barely cleans the carpet. Yes, it does take away dirt on the surface, but you need a vacuum to suck out debris and dust covered under the fiber.
Are There Any Potential Safety Risks I Should Know About?
As with anything, there are always safety risks that ought to be considered. Perhaps the most prominent safety concern with a steam mop is that it gets incredibly hot.
Because of this, it is essential that you do not touch any area on the mopping pad that heats up until after it has been unplugged and had proper time to cool down.
Also, it’s a good idea to keep your dear toddlers and pets away from the mop as you steaming because, as we said above, the temperature of steam goes as high as 110 degree Celsius, that’s about 230F.
In Conclusion
While there is something to be said about a hand-scrubbed floor, the reality is that for most people that is just a time-consuming pain that just doesn’t get done as often as it should.
Not only that, but using traditional methods to wash your floor – be mop and bucket or hands and knees – also involves the use of harsh cleaning agents that are not only dangerous for the environment but for those with severe allergies. Steam mops don’t involve any of these and get rid of basically all of bacteria and germs without any of the pain or harsh chemicals.
In terms of what kind of steam mop you should get, it really depends on what you are hoping to accomplish, your budget and the type of flooring that you have in your home.
For example, if you live in a house with lots of stairs, a lightweight steam mop like Shark Genius is probably going to be more appealing than a larger, heavy one with tons of attachments.
If you are looking for a steam mop that you can use to clean other surfaces in your home such as kitchen or bathroom counters and drapes, a steam mop that has a lot of attachments, like Bissell PowerFresh Lift-Off Pet Steamer 1544A, might be the right choice for you.
Whatever model you choose, you can expect to have a cleaner home, more free time, and less back pain from cleaning. We hope this guide has helped you narrow down your choices. Thanks for reading and good luck!
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