9 Best Steam Cleaners for 2024

Updated: Feb. 01, 2024

Keep your home clean and virus-free. Check out our handy pro-vetted guide to the best of the best steam cleaners to find the right fit for your home.

Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.

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Steamer
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How to Choose the Best Steam Cleaner

All steam cleaners use water plus heat to clean and disinfect. But how do you know which one is the best steam cleaner for you?

Start by choosing the right category of steam cleaner for the surfaces you want to clean. A handheld steam cleaner is great for kitchen counters, but not the right choice for floors. And if all you want to do is clean hard floors, you don’t need a steam cleaner with lots of attachments. Do check the best deals on cleaning supplies!

Key features to look for include unit weight, storage space, cord length, heating time, steam settings, attachments included and warranty length. Read on to learn about the best steam cleaners in nine categories.

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Steamer via amazon.com

Best Steam Cleaner for Hard Floors

You can’t beat a steam mop for quick and easy cleaning of hard floors. Lightweight and easy to store, the Shark Genius Steam Pocket Mop makes quick work of cleaning floors with its big mop head. Three steam settings let you release the right amount of steam for various floor types.

Top-of-class features also include a steam blaster for stuck-on grime, a reversible (and washable) mop pad with a hands-free system for removal, quick heat-up time (it’s ready to go in just 30 seconds!) and a 22-foot power cord.

For easy and fun cleaning, also give these Amazon mop slippers a try.

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Steamer via amazon.com

Best Budget-Friendly Steam Cleaner for Floors

You can purchase the Shark Steam Pocket Mop (same brand, different model) for about two-thirds the price of our top pick for steam cleaning floors. The cord is shorter, the water tank smaller and the steam release is manual versus electronic. But you get the same quick heating time, washable pads and excellent performance.

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Steamer via amazon.com

Best Handheld Steam Cleaner

To blast away grease, gunk, mold and more, look no further than the top-rated handheld steam cleaner on Amazon. The PurSteam Handheld Steam Cleaner is a lightweight, powerful cleaner at a great price, and it’s built to last. With nine accessories, you’ll find lots of uses indoors and out, from cleaning your oven and barbecue grill to killing bed bugs and dust mites on mattresses.

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Steamer via amazon.com

Best Heavy-Duty Steam Cleaner

There are three main features to look for in a heavy-duty steam cleaner and the McCulloch MC1275 Canister Steam Cleaner has them all. The large-capacity water tank heats up in less than eight minutes, providing up to 45 minutes of continuous steam. With 18 accessories, including extra-long power cord and steam hose, it can power-clean everything. It’s also highly rated and durable, with a two-year warranty.

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Steamer via amazon.com

Best Value Steam Cleaner

For less than $70, you can get a multi-functional, whole-house steamer with the Steam Mop 10-in-1 by PurSteam. This No. 1 Best Seller on Amazon can clean floors and carpets with three adjustable modes. Remove the handheld steam cleaner to tackle mirrors, furniture and steam clean clothing. This powerful little cleaner heats up in less than 30 seconds, runs for 20 to 25 minutes and comes with a two-year warranty.

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Steamer via amazon.com

Best Steam Cleaner for Bed Bugs

To kill bed bugs, you need steam heated to at least 200 F. The Dupray Neat Multipurpose Steamer features low-moisture, super heated steam (up to 275 F) plus attachments for every cleaning job imaginable. The hose is 6-1/2 feet long with a built-in funnel. Once filled, the large-capacity tank (with rollers) provides up to 50 minutes of continuous cleaning.

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Steamer via kaercher.com

Best Steam Cleaner Splurge

The Karcher SC3 EasyFix Steam Cleaner is designed to deliver the ultimate clean. Unlike other canister units that take eight to 10 minutes to heat up, the SC3 is ready in just 40 seconds. Continuous steam with refill convenience is another great feature. When the low water level indicator comes on, just refill the system with water — no need to wait until the unit cools enough or the water reheats.

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Steamer via amazon.com

Best Steam Cleaner for Pet Messes

The Bissell PowerFresh Lift-Off Steam Cleaner is a two-in-one steam mop with a lift-off handheld steamer. Attachments include a glass cleaning tool for removing nose prints from windows, a fabric steamer tool to kill fleas on pet bedding, and a handheld steamer that cleans messes on any surface. It features two steam settings (low and high) and scent disks to leave your home smelling clean and fresh.

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Steamer via amazon.com

Best All-Around Steam Cleaner

The Steamfast SF-370 Steam Cleaner is a strong performer and an Amazon’s Choice. Powerful and versatile, this go-anywhere cleaner rolls easily and includes 15 attachments for your toughest jobs. Once heated, the 48-ounce water tank provides up to 45 minutes of continuous steam to tackle whole-home cleaning and disinfecting. This one cleaner does it all, and at a reasonable price.