7 best steam mops for every floor surface in 2024
Households are ditching the old bucket and mop for steam cleaning. Here are the gadgets they're using for "spotless" floors in no time.
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If you have hard floors in your home, from timber to tiles, you’ll know that vacuuming alone just doesn’t cut it.
Sure, the high-powered models can do a pretty good job of picking up general debris, but there always seem to be a few little specks that get left behind – and when it comes to spills or stains, they can’t help at all.
It’s at this point that you usually have to bring out the ol’ faithful mop and bucket, and go through the effort of soaking your floors with suds then rinsing them clean … but who has the time?
Steam mops are a much more efficient means of attacking those stubborn bits of dirt on your hard surfaces, with the added benefit of killing germs and omitting the need to wipe down floors when you’re done.
“Steam mops are more expensive than a mop and bucket, but the benefits outweigh the cost,” says Daniel Grossi, National Sales Manager at Euroflex Australia.
He also calls them a “real time saver”.
Looking for a bargain? One deal to check out is the Shark Steam Mop, which is currently just $119 (down from $259.99). Fans say it leaves floors "immaculate" and makes steam cleaning "so much easier", partly thanks to the flippable pad that lets you tackle double the area without having to change the mop head. It also has a 'push and pump' design, so you're hands won't get tired after holding down a trigger.
OUR TOP PICKS
BEST OVERALL STEAM MOP
Shark Steam and Scrub Mop S7001*, $199.99 (down from $449.99) at Shark
PROS:
- Easy to set up and use.
- Slim and self-standing design makes it simple to store.
- Can scrub and sanitise floors at the same time.
- Safe to use on all types of sealed flooring.
- No chemicals needed.
- Comes with multiple cleaning pads.
CONS:
- Difficult to hard to corners and other hard to reach areas.
Water tank capacity: 350ml | Weight: 3.1kg | Cord Length: 8m
Tried and Tested by Tahnee-Jae Lopez-Vito, news.com.au checkout Shopping Writer
It's always a bittersweet moment when you try a appliance for the first time and get smacked in the face with the reality of how dirty your floors truly are, despite cleaning daily. But with the #sharksteamandscrub hashtag garnering more than 250,000 views on TikTok, many of which come with the same horrified (but also very satisfied) reactions, it's understandable why shoppers have gone wild over this Shark steam mop.
The setup is unbelievably easy since the mop pads quickly snap to the bottom, and the filling flask makes it easy to pour water into the machine. There's also an extra pair of mop pads, which is handy for when you forgot to wash the other set or just need a refresh mid-clean.
You can expect three steam settings to suit different levels of soiling, plus a sanitise mode for deep cleaning. If you're planning on doing a deep clean, Shark recommends slowly going over the area eight times.
When it came to tiles, it immediately removed a heavily dried-on stain that I gave up on a while ago and left the floors looking pretty shiny and feeling clean. I was nervous about using the steam mop on hardwood floors but the results turned out just as well. It has taken me some time to learn a good technique, but since writing my review I've now nailed it and can get a much less wet finish.
The main downside is that the rounded edges on the mop heads make it difficult to target hard to reach areas, mainly tight spaces and corners.
Overall, I'm really impressed with the Shark Steam and Scrub Mop. It's easy to use and maintain, and the floors look and feel noticeably cleaner.
Check out our full in-depth review of the Shark Steam and Scrub Mop.
*Product has been provided by Shark Ninja for a 100 per cent independent, honest review.
BEST BUDGET-FRIENDLY STEAM MOP
Shark Steam Mop S1000 at Amazon Australia
PROS:
- Lightweight.
- Heats up within 30 seconds.
- Can be used on all types of sealed flooring.
CONS:
- Can't stand on its own.
Water tank capacity: 375ml | Weight: 1.8kg | Cord length: 5.5m
What You Need To Know
Got hardwood floor at home? This Shark steam mop doesn't need a harsh cleaning solution to sanitise surfaces, helping you avoid damage the flooring and still get cleaner floors.
It has a removable water tank making it easy to refill and empty out, plus it’s lightweight and easy to use.
Simply pop on one of the reusable microfiber pads, use a manual pump action to get the steam going, and you’ll experience a streak-free clean. It can be used on all types of hard sealed floors and will keep your floors clean without any chemical residue.
“This appliance changed my life. It takes a few minutes to warm up and be ready to go, but once it is, it cleans the floor incredibly well. I have a tiled floor that now is immaculate. Hasn’t looked like that since move in day. So quick and easy," praised one fan.
“Love it! I am so glad I bought this, cleans like a dream. SO much easier than wringing out a dang mop," agreed another.
Shark Klik N’ Flip Steam Mop, $199.99 at Shark
PROS:
- Two-sided cleaning.
- Fast heat up time.
- Two steam settings (manual and Steam Blaser).
- Quick-drying machine washable microfibre pads.
CONS:
- Some reviews say the steam power is not great.
Water tank capacity: 350ml | Weight: 2.7kg | Cord length: 8m
What You Need To Know
Unlike most steam mops, the Shark Klik N' Flip manual steam mop lets you steam clean and sanitise double the area by simply flipping the cleaning pad over. It also doesn't have a trigger button, and can instead create steam with the simple 'push to pump' design.
It has a short heat up time of just 30 seconds, and comes with two machine washable microfiber pads that don't require harsh chemicals for deep cleaning floors. The steam channels through the mop head for a streak-free clean and if you’re after a more targeted clean, you can easily switch the mode to Steam Blaster to get rid of any stubborn stains.
“Love this steam mop! It’s so easy to use, leaves no streaks behind and the pads are super easy to wash and reattach,” a reviewer wrote.
“It’s a great steam mop, powerful and cleans like a dream,” agreed another.
BEST USER-FRIENDLY STEAM MOP
Bissell CrossWave HydroSteam, $499 at The Good Guys
PROS:
- Can vacuum, wash and steam at the same time.
- Offers three cleaning modes (Hard Floor Mode, SteamWash Mode and Area Rug Mode).
- Multi-Surface Pet Brush Roll is designed to minimise hair tangling.
- Has LED headlights to help see dark areas.
- Has separate clean and dirty water tanks.
- Includes a washable filter and storage tray.
- Comes with the Multi-Surface Pet Formula and Hard Floor Sanitise Formula (sample sizes).
- Includes a self-cleaning cycle.
CONS:
- On the heavier side.
Water tank capacity: 828ml (clean water tank), 620ml (dirty water tank) | Weight: 5.6kg | Cord length: 7.6m
What You Need To Know
Light up hard to see areas under low-lying furniture and other dark areas with the LED headlights on this Bissell steam cleaner. The brand's HydroSteam Technology also lets you vacuum, wash and steam sealed floors, pressed wood flooring, laminate, linoleum, rubber floor mats as well as refresh low-pile area areas to cover all bases.
The Bissell cleaner additionally contains a dual tank system to prevent any dirty water, pet hair, dirt and debris from releasing back (and spreading) onto your floors.
"WOW, my floors have never been so clean. The crosswave is like a magic wand that just went 'whoosh' over my floors... I would never use anything else," raved a shopper on The Good Guys website, rating it five stars.
BEST STEAM MOP FOR HARDWOOD FLOORS
Bissell PowerFresh V Steam Mop, $299 at The Good Guys
PROS:
- Shoppers agree the steam mop scrubs well and heats up quickly.
- Has a self-standing design.
- Includes a White Mop Pad for everyday use and delicate flooring (such as hard wood and laminate).
- Includes a Scrubby Mop Pad for heavily soiled floors and tougher messes.
- Comes with a SpotBoost Brush for cleaning grout, crevices and sticky messes.
- Uses a trigger button for releasing steam.
- Includes Spring Breeze scent discs (can cut in half for a lighter fragrance).
CONS:
- Some critics say holding the trigger button can get tiring.
Water tank capacity: 561ml | Weight: 2.81kg | Cord length: 7.62m
What You Need To Know
The Bissell PowerFresh V is another hard floor friendly steam mop that can give sealed surfaces a deep clean without the need for harsh chemicals. It's lightweight design and long cord length make it easy to manoeuvre around the home.
"I had no idea how dirty my floors actually were! I use this product weekly. It's so smooth and easy, I love using it. I have a (traditional) mop I use to clean messes up during the week, but I use this product religiously on the weekends to give my floors a healthy deep clean," an impressed shopper posted on The Good Guys website.
"Much better than the old mop and bucket, and so much quicker," another wrote.
"Works great on tiles, wooden and vinyl flooring. Scented tablets that go into the cloth lining smell great! Great long cord, although can get a bit tangled and in the way when doing small rooms like standalone toilets/bathrooms," a third commented.
BEST STEAM MOP FOR TILE FLOORS
Euroflex Vapour-M2R Floor Steam Cleaner, $379 at The Good Guys
PROS:
- Shoppers say it's "easy to use" and "glides smoothly on hard floors and carpet".
- Sensitive Choice approved, making it suitable for people with allergies and asthma.
- Handle is height adjustable.
- Has an Extra Steam function for stubborn stains.
- Includes a carpet sledge for refreshing and deodorising carpets.
CONS:
- Some critics say the water tank may be sligthly small, especially for cleans longer than 20-30 minutes.
Tank capacity: 600ml | Weight: 3.1kg | Cord length: 7m
What You Need To Know
Struggle with overly wet floors after mopping? Shoppers say this upright steam cleaner from Euroflex does a great job at handling the problem, partly thanks to the built-in pressurised steam generator which produces a super hot, dry steam that quickly and easily loosens dirt without leaving excess moisture. This is also said to help leave a super glossy finish without water marks or streaks.
There are also frontal steam jets to reach into all the edges and corners, while the steam booster function and thermostat control helps with efficiency. This appliance additionally includes a carpet sledge for refreshing and deodorising carpets.
Reviewers praise the Euroflex steam cleaner as "easy to use" and "value for money", saying it "removes dirt, grease and grime in no time at all".
“I am so impressed with this mop, it dried within minutes and has cleaned my floors so much better and easier,” wrote one shopper, rating the steam mop five stars.
"I have young children that I cannot keep off my tiles while I am mopping and they don’t slip over like they did with my previous mop. The floors aren’t completely saturated with water and you definitely know it is clean.”
"The floors are absolutely spotless after use and dry quickly. I have been using this brand of steam mop for many years (and) just love it," another posted.
BEST STEAM MOP FOR CLEANING GROUT
Black+Decker 1600W 15-in-1 Steam Mop with Autoselect, $225 at Amazon Australia
PROS:
- Many reviewers praise the steam mop for being easy to use, and love how the floors dry quickly.
- Shoppers also love the long cord as well as the price and quality of the steam mop.
- Has multiple modes to suit different surfaces.
- Safe to use on all sealed hard floors.
- Comes with four microfibre pads.
- Some attachments include a carpet flider, window squeegee, steam shot brush, SteaMitt, adjustable nozzle and small brush.
CONS:
- It's on the heavier side, which can make it tiring for longer cleaning sessions.
Tank capacity: 500ml | Weight: 4.69kg | Cord Length: 6m
What You Need To Know
This Black+Decker steam mop is a winner for versatility, packing a wide variety of attachments to clean everything from tile floors and walls to grout and even kitchen benchtops and the bathroom sink. The quick heat up time also means the appliance is ready within 15 seconds, plus it's safe to use on all sealed floors.
"I thought it was just going to be good for mopping the kitchen floor, but I did all the mirrored wardrobes, windows, bathtub and all the bathroom fittings. I went on a cleaning frenzy this machine is fun to use," raved a reviewer.
"It is a bit heavy to push, but my floors feel incredible afterwards. I’ve also used some of the attachments to steam clean our glass pool fence to remove caked-on grime, our shower tiles to remove mould, and our sink taps to remove calcium deposits and stains," agreed another.
"I have had a few steamers and this one is amazing. It works wells on floors, (and) cleans and disinfects every corner of your home. I have been recommending it to all my friends as it has helped make cleaning easier and less use for harmful chemical products," a third posted.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:
Bissell SpotClean Carpet Cleaner, $219 at The Good Guys
PROS:
- Reviewers love how "easy to use" it is.
- The soft grip handle, slim and lightweight design makes it very portable.
- Heatwave technology maintains the warm temperature.
- Fits into small cupboards for storage.
- Has a removable water tank.
CONS:
- Not suitable for large cleans.
Water tank capacity: 1.09L | Weight: 3.86kg | Cord length: 4.5m
What You Need To Know
Say goodbye to stained carpets with the SpotClean Carpet Cleaner from Bissell. Combining the power of warm water and the Bissell Spot and Stain formula, the steamer uses suction to quickly remove spots and stains from carpets, rugs and upholstery.
With an average customer rating of 4.5 stars, reviewers love how the Bissell steam cleaner is “easy to use”. Some also say the “size of (the machine) is what (they) love best”.
“Works great for stains on fabric couches and dining chairs. Amazed with the amount of dirt that gets sucked out!” wrote one impressed customer.
Kärcher FC 7 Cordless Hard Floor Cleaner, $799 at The Good Guys
PROS:
- Can sweep up dry debris and clean wet messes at the same time.
- Has two cleaning modes to suit different surface types.
- Has separate clean and dirty water tanks to prevent cross contamination.
- Can use a cleaning agent.
- Can adjust the roller rotation and volume of water.
CONS:
- Water tank sizes are fairly compact so might require frequent emptying, especially for larger homes.
- Some critics complain setting up can be a bit difficult, partly due to unclear instructions.
Water tank capacity: 400ml (clean water), 200ml (dirty water) | Weight: 4.3kg | Cord length: Cordless (45-minute runtime)
What You Need To Know
After a heat-free option? The Kärcher FC 7 Hard Floor Cleaner uses fresh water to sweep and mop at the same time for shining floors without steam. It’s suitable for all hard floor types and collects both dry and wet debris – eliminating the need to vacuum before mopping and save time.
"(The) Kärcher FC 7 makes cleaning my floor a breeze! The machine glides effortless over my laminate and tile floor and is even easier to use than my regular vacuum cleaner," a happy reviewer wrote.
"There is no need to vacuum my floor before or after mopping to pick up crumbs, hairs, or other dirt from the floor since this hard floor cleaner 'vacuums' and mops at the same time. I only pick up larger items which could potentially damage the machine, such as paper clips, and the machine does the rest. You’ll be surprised how much dirt you’ll find in the dirty water compartment after each use!"
WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING A STEAM MOP
When choosing steam mops to include in our list, we evaluated several factors:
Budget
Prices can truly vary when it comes to a steam mop, depending on what kind of features it has and whether it's cordless or not. But don't feel you have to break the bank to get hard working steam mop.
One downside of steam mops is that there isn't as much of a large offering compared to vacuum cleaners. But they're much more affordable and you can always venture into steam cleaners, which are essentially the same but with more functionalities.
Type of floor/surface
Steam mops can't be used on all types of surfaces. A steam mop can only be used to clean carpets and rugs if it's designed as a steam cleaner. If you have hardwood floors, you will need to make sure they're sealed. The moisture from the steam mop or steam cleaner can make the unsealed surface more prone to damage, such as swelling and warping. Steam can also potentially create bubbles on painted floors.
This is why you can only use the lowest steam settings (and never turbo or boost modes) on delicate flooring such as laminate and hardwood.
Water tank capacity
The water tank capacity can vary between steam mops and steam cleaners, and a higher capacity means you won't have to fill it up with water as often. Anything between 1L and 2L hits the sweet spot, although a 2L option is ideal.
Weight
Steam mops generally weight between 2kg and 4kg. If you plan on mainly using the steam cleaner for whole house cleaning, it might be better to opt for a lightweight model to make it easier to manoeuvre when using it for an extended period.
Cord length
If your willing to spend more cash, a cordless steam mop is great. But if not, look for one with a longer cord to get you around your home.
HOW WE CHOOSE PRODUCTS
To help you find the best steam mop for your needs and budget, we asked Daniel Grossi, National Sales Manager at Euroflex Australia, for his expert advice and recommendations on what to look for when buying a steam mop. In addition, our shopping team read hundreds of customer reviews and looked at test results and ratings from product review sites to find the best steam mop from premium to budget to help you find the right one.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT SURFACES CAN YOU STEAM MOP?
Steam mops are suitable for most hard floors, including sealed timber, vinyl, ceramic tiles, linoleum, marble, and stone. However, steam mopping can do more harm than good on certain surfaces like cork tiles and unsealed or waxed timber, so double check the instruction manual to avoid any accidents.
“To overcome excess wetness, look for steam mops that use a more commercial method of steam production using a boiler,” says Grossi.
“A boiler, also known as a steam generator, elevates the water inside the boiler to a higher temperature with the resulting steam being drier and better for water sensitive floors.”
It's worth noting that unlike steam cleaners, steam mops also can't be used on non-floor surfaces like tiled walls, furniture or windows.
CAN A STEAM MOP BE USED ON CARPETS OR RUGS?
Steam mops do not clean carpets and rugs according to Grossi. But he notes that some steam mops may have a carpet attachment that helps the steam mop to glide over the surface of the carpet to refresh and remove odours in the carpet piles.
“Some steam mops promote that they can kill dust mites in carpets, but the temperature of the steam is usually not hot enough,” Grossi says.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I STEAM CLEAN FLOORS?
It varies depending on the traffic in the areas you’re cleaning and how much mess you generally accumulate. If you’re considering an area like the kitchen, which sees a lot of traffic and plenty of spills, once a week or once a fortnight is suitable. In other areas, once a fortnight or once a month will suffice. That said, there’s no rules – you can clean your floors as frequently or infrequently as you like.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF USING A STEAM MOP?
According to Grossi, steam mops have many benefits over the humble mop and bucket.
“The biggest benefit of owning a steam mop is the time savings and the reduced cleaning effort, that no one can put a price tag on,” says Grossi.
“One benefit often mentioned about steam mops is their ability to kill germs, bacteria and other nasties in the home.
“The killing of germs and bacteria requires a good supply of heat from a steam mop to kill them effectively.
“Steam mops that use a boiler to produce steam have higher heat associated with the steam and are more effective at killing germs and bacteria up to 99.99 per cent.”
IS STEAMING BETTER THAN MOPPING?
Steaming and mopping are both effective methods of cleaning, however steaming can be a more efficient and sanitary way to clean your floors. Due to the heat, steam mops can more effectively lift and absorb dirt, while also killing most of the bacteria and germs on your floor. Plus, as many have low-moisture designs, they won’t leave your floors soaking wet – so you can avoid slips and walk on your floors soon after cleaning them.
CAN A STEAM MOP LEAVE STREAKS OR RESIDUE ON THE FLOOR?
“When steam mops are first used on floors that have been washed with a floor detergent, chemical steaks may continue to appear for some time,” says Grossi.
But don’t freak out.
“This is due to the chemical residues that have hardened on the floor from previous mopping, that are released when a steam mop is used.
“Over several uses with a steam mop and more frequent changing of the pads, the chemical streaking will cease.”
He also notes, “steam mops that leave too much water will cause water marks and streaking if the floors are not manually dried.”
This is why Grossi emphasises the importance of built-in boilers because the higher heat and the low moisture content in the steam ensures water streaking is avoided.
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