The 6 Best Steam Mops of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

PurSteam 10-in-1 Steam Mop

4.8

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Our Ratings

• Ease of Use
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  4.8/5
• Portability
  5/5
• Ease of Cleaning
  4/5
• Maneuverability
  4/5

The PurSteam 10-in-1 Steam Mop Cleaner is our top pick because it's efficient, can be used on many surfaces, and comes with multiple attachments and cleaning pad replacements. It earned perfect scores in our lab test for ease of use, portability, and value since we noticed that all stains were completely removed and the model took less time than the manufacturer noted to heat up—under 30 seconds. We appreciated the lightweight design too, since it's easy to use and move around your home. We even found things to like about the manual; it's short yet effective, and we liked the images next to the instructions further detailing how to use the mop.

Notably, this pick works on flooring and fabric, so you can use the detachable handheld steamer on all your upholstery, curtains, and even clothes. The replacement pads make it easy to switch out the cleaning pad if you've steam cleaned through a muddy spot on the floor and then would like to switch to a different task. When we tested in our lab, we found that the large head easily turned on flat surfaces, though the size could make it difficult to maneuver into tight spaces—but this could also be a benefit since larger spaces could be cleaned more quickly. The pump inside the tank makes a sound and vibrates when the tank runs out of water, too, which struck us as a helpful feature.

The only potential problem we encountered during testing was a minor one: The mop kept flipping up when passing over sticky stains. We also think the cord, which is shorter than that of other models on this list, could be a nuisance in rooms with limited outlets. However, the other positive features and price tag of this pick outweigh this negative, making this steam mop our top one overall.

How It Performed Long-Term

We were pleased to see that long-term testing confirmed our initial positive impression of the Pursteam 10-in-1. It has performed very well in a home setting, proving to be easy to use on multiple surfaces (including hard flooring, windows, grout, and even clothing) outside of the controlled lab environment. We've also found that the mop pads hold up to washing in the washing machine. The 12.8-ounce mop tank has also been plenty large for regular cleaning, and we haven't needed to refill it during a cleaning session (only in between). In our at-home testing, we've found that the cord is long enough to clean a room but requires switching to a new outlet each time we moved to a different room. Fortunately, we've found that the mop heats quickly, so periodically turning it off when switching outlets hasn't posed a problem. We continue to hold this steam mop in high regard and don't hesitate to recommend it.

Price at time of publish: $81

_{Dimensions: 8.07 x 9.45 x 23.94 inches | Weight: 2.2 pounds | Water Tank Capacity: 12.8 ounces | Cord Length: 15.9 feet}

Best Runner-Up

Bissell 1940 PowerFresh Scrubbing & Sanitizing Steam Mop

4.5

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Our Ratings

• Ease of Use
  4/5
• Effectiveness
  4.9/5
• Portability
  4.5/5
• Ease of Cleaning
  3.5/5
• Maneuverability
  4/5

The Bissell 1940 PowerFresh Steam Mop works on most hard floors including sealed hardwood, marble, granite, ceramic, linoleum, and laminate floors. It produces three levels of steam on demand (unlike many other models that produce continuous steam). That feature, combined with the flip-down easy scrubber brush, earns this option top marks for getting out tough, dried-on messes. Plus, it delivers this powerful performance at a reasonable price that came in less than the median of those that we tested.

Aside from an included scrubber brush, this steam mop doesn't come with any extra accessories, except for Bissell fragrance discs to leave your floors smelling fresh. So while it's not the most heavy-duty, feature-filled option on the market, it does have an extra-long cord (several feet longer than that of the PurSteam 10-in-1 Steam Mop, our best overall choice) and a 16-ounce water tank that will get you through all of your messes. And it really does clean well. It took less than 10 passes to remove spills on tile and concrete. For cleaning grout, we needed to give a bit of a boost with grout cleaner, but it still performed admirably.

While the lack of directions left a bit to be desired (none were included), if you're looking for something that's affordable, reliable, and easy to use, this Bissell mop is a great and effective option.

How It Performed Long-Term

So far, Bissell 1940 PowerFresh Steam Mop has breezed right through light, everyday cleaning in our home testing environment. We haven't tasked it with any big spills or spots thus far, but our laminate floors shine a bit extra after we use it on them. It continues to maneuver well, though it does feel a bit bulky in a home setting. With that in mind, we recommend taking your storage situation into account before buying. On the plus side, the large tank is handy—it holds plenty of water to get through cleaning tasks without needing a refill in the middle. Overall, we still see it as an easy and efficient choice.

Price at time of publish: $93

_{Dimensions: 11.6 x 7.1 x 28.6 inches | Weight: 6 pounds | Water Tank Capacity: 16 ounces | Cord Length: 23 feet}

Best Lightweight

Bissell 1806 PowerFresh Deluxe Scrubbing & Sanitizing Steam Mop

4.6

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Our Ratings

• Ease of Use
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Portability
  4.5/5
• Ease of Cleaning
  3.5/5
• Maneuverability
  4.5/5

Having a lightweight appliance in your household turns cleaning from a workout into a task that's satisfying–and maybe even fun. "This mop made steam mopping enjoyable, if it can be believed," one member of our team raved. It was a standout for effectiveness, taking only three slow passes to completely remove sticky, dried-on maple syrup in The Lab, a task that took some other models up to 60 passes. The 12-inch cleaning path also ensures you can move quickly over your floors.

Another perk? The on-off button. While this doesn't sound like it should be an exception, as it turns out, not every mop offers it, and we very much appreciated the ability to turn the mop off while still keeping it plugged in. We also liked how the accessories were built right into the mop so you don't have to find extra storage or make cumbersome adjustments when you're in the middle of cleaning. The included scent discs were also a big hit and left a lovely smell in our testing space.

Ultimately, this mop rivaled and even outperformed more expensive models. While it doesn't come with a multitude of extra attachments, the smart design choices, efficient cleaning, and easy maneuverability still make it a standout.

Price at time of purchase: $103

_{Dimensions: 9.5 x 13 x 46 inches | Weight: 6.4 pounds | Water Tank Capacity: 12 ounces | Cord Length: 25 feet}

Best for All Floor Types

Bissell 1544A PowerFresh Pet Lift-Off 2-in-1 Scrubbing & Sanitizing Steam Mop

4.5

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Our Ratings

• Ease of Use
  4.5/5
• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Portability
  4.3/5
• Ease of Cleaning
  4/5
• Maneuverability
  4/5

Steam isn’t just helpful for floors—it also can be used to clean numerous other areas of your home, which is why you may want to consider a feature-packed pick like the Bissell 15441 Steam Mop. We wanted to keep cleaning with it even after testing wrapped because it was so rewarding to use.

This versatile tool includes a lift-off pod, essentially transforming it into a handheld steamer. It comes with 13 additional attachments that allow you to use it on everything from curtains to grout, including a window squeegee, a fabric steamer, a grout tool, a flat scraper, an extension hose, fragrant discs, and more. These attachments make it easy to reach a lot of small areas other mops might miss.

While this is slightly above the median cost of the steam mops we tested, the mop ultimately performed better than many other higher-priced models. Just take note that at 10 pounds, it's a bit bulkier and harder to store than more lightweight models. You'll likely need to keep it in a dedicated space in your laundry room or utility closet. Another important note: While this steam mop is marketed for pet owners, some experts warn against using steamers on untreated pet urine because the heat can further set the stain and odor into your carpet. Of course, as most pet owners know, our furry friends can get into plenty of other messes to make this a worthy choice.

How It Performed Long-Term

The home setting in which we're long-term testing this mop includes a white tile floor, and we're pleased to say that it leaves the floor super shiny—just what you'd want from a steam mop. It slides over floors with ease and has proven equally effective with soda, coffee, and mud stains. The pads are also easy to use and maintain since they can be tossed in the washing machine. We still highly recommend it, as long as you have the space to store it.

Price at time of publish: $145

_{Dimensions: 13.2 x 11.14 x 44.7 inches | Weight: 10 pounds | Water Tank Capacity: 12 ounces | Cord Length: 25 feet}

Best for Tile Floors

Hoover Steam Complete Pet

4.6

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Our Ratings

• Ease of Use
  5/5
• Effectiveness
  5/5
• Portability
  3.5/5
• Ease of Cleaning
  4/5
• Maneuverability
  3.5/5

The Hoover Steam Complete Pet Mop is another great choice, especially if you have tile floors in your home. We were impressed with this model's performance when steam cleaning grout, and we also appreciated the variety and usefulness of the attachments in general. It's effective for tackling windows, upholstery, stovetops, and more. It also proved efficient with heating and cooling; in fact, its cooldown felt practically immediate.

Like other picks, this steam mop does take some getting used to as you're using it around your space, and we did find it tricky to to maneuver around a chair in lab testing because the mop head kept stretching out. The weight of the steam mop and overall design made it very portable, though, even with the two tanks completely filled. And yes, two tanks means extra water capacity—it holds up to 18 ounces in total.

All in all, we think this mop is a great value. It heats up quickly, cleans stains in grout effectively, and comes with a great set of attachments. The mop head issue felt minor in comparison to the rest of the perks it offers.

How It Performed Long-Term

We've tested this steam mop around the home and found it helpful above and beyond just flooring. It did an excellent job at loosening up dried messes around the microwave and stovetop before wiping them clean—a great method if you prefer to avoid cleaners where you handle food. We enjoy using it with the squeegee attachment on mirrors. The steam mop also proved helpful at cleaning the grout in a tile shower, but we wouldn't equate it to professional-grade cleaning (or, perhaps, even the results of using one of the best grout cleaners). Still, we see it as offering great value as a go-to cleaning tool for tile and other surfaces.

Price at time of publish: $110

_{Dimensions: 10 x 8.25 x 45.25 inches | Weight: 6.8 pounds | Water Tank Capacity: 12.8 ounces, 2 tanks | Cord Length: 26 feet}