cleaning & laundry

Best Steam Cleaner

Melissa
30th June, 2022 | 22 minute read

Looking to buy a steam cleaner to help with the cleaning?

This review guide will discuss the top steam cleaners on the market and explain what a steam cleaner is, how it works, and the different types, such as:

  • Handheld steam cleaner
  • Cylinder steam cleaner
  • Convertible steam cleaner
  • Vapour steam cleaner

Who is this guide for, exactly?

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This guide will prove useful for those wanting to know more about steam cleaners and if you’d like to figure out what the best option is for you.

Without further ado, let’s look at what steam cleaners actually are...

What is a Steam Cleaner?

First, let’s explore what a steam cleaner actually is...

Vapour steam cleaners (a.k.a. Steam cleaners) are home cleaning devices that employ steam to rapidly dry, clean, and disinfect or/and sterilize surfaces. In some cases, though, it may only lightly sanitize a surface.

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But that’s not all…

Either way, though, steam cleaners are an effective means of refurbishing a home and giving its surfaces a new lease of life. Homeowners may use steam cleaners to revamp their household in a quick and practical manner.

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How Does a Steam Cleaner Work?

These appliances work by heating water beyond 100°C (i.e. boiling point). It is then sent through the device’s brush, nozzle, or a similar component in the form of pressurized steam.

This moisture removes dirt/debris from the surface, as well as killing mould, staph, bacteria, dust mites, along with additional allergens. In addition, this moisture dries rapidly, meaning that suction is unnecessary.

Let’s now break down the steps required to use a steam cleaner.

Using a Steam Cleaner Step-by-Step Guide

  • Clean water is added to a container and heated up to boiling point (in some cases, detergent will be added to a separate tank).
  • Once ready to go (e.g. as signalled by an indicator), the steam cleaner will transfer stream through a nozzle or hose attached to the steam cleaner.
  • The steam cleaner can now be used.

Types of Steam Cleaner

There are various types of steam cleaner, which we’ll discuss in this section. We’ll also lay out their differences and pros & cons.

Handheld Steam Cleaner

Portable/handheld devices tend to be smaller than conventional steam cleaners. They are fairly compact and tend to be cheaper than many other options. With that being said, they aren’t well-suited for cleaning large spaces.

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Cylinder Steam Cleaner

These bulkier cleaners feature wheels, larger tanks and offer more power than most options. You can even find two-in-one cylinder steam cleaners. These perform as if steam mops while featuring detachable handheld elements, so there are quite a few options within this category in general.

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Convertible Steam Cleaner

This type of steam cleaner tends to come with a handheld component that can be ejected from the central area of the upright cleaner. This would make it somewhat, in essence, a stick cordless vacuum cleaner. For this reason, it can’t stand up on its own, nor is there a carpet glider.

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Vapour Steam Cleaner

While comparable to regular steam cleaning, dry vapour steam cleaners use only a tiny quantity of water, which is in turn heat up to around 115°C. Therefore, it leaves behind no dampness/moisture due to the low levels of water and high temperatures involved.

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Best Steam Cleaner

We’ll now explore the top steam cleaners on the market based on category. This will help you find the most suitable outstanding steam cleaner based on your preferences, needs, and budget. We’ll discuss several options per category. The following products also have some good steam cleaner reviews backing them.

Best Handheld Steam Cleaner

Quest 41980

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Perhaps one of the best value for money handheld cleaners on the market is this product from Quest. While it’s a fairly straightforward appliance, it’s effective at what it does. You can get 1000 watts of power from the Quest 41980, and it features a 250ml water tank capacity. In addition, this steam cleaner can produce up to 130°C of steam temperature.

In addition, the Quest 41980 is free of chemicals, has a runtime of twenty minutes and includes nine multi-purpose accessories. However, it is not clear whether it comes with a warranty and the lead length is fairly short, which could be limiting.

Things we liked
  • Good bang for your buck
  • 1000 watts of power
  • No chemicals
  • It runs for 20 minutes
  • Nine multi-purpose accessories
Things we didn't like
  • Unclear if there’s a warranty
  • Short lead length
View Prices for this Product

Bissell SteamShot 2635E

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This is a luxury, high-budget choice when it comes to handheld steam cleaners. However, it’s lightweight, compact, and features a long five-metre head, making it a flexible option. It’s powered by 1050 watts and comes with an above-average 360ml-capacity water tank.

You get roughly ten minutes of hot steam for a given tank. The SteamShot also has a two-year warranty. With that being said, its trigger can be somewhat stiff, and there have been consumer reports of the nozzle detaching too easily.

Things we liked
  • High-quality
  • Two-year warranty
  • Five-metre cable length
  • Substantial water tank capacity
  • 1050 watts of power
Things we didn't like
  • The trigger can be a bit stiff
  • The nozzle may detach too easily
View Prices for this Product

MLMLANT New Pressurized Multi-Purpose

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This standout handheld steam cleaner from MLMLANT is a great accessory kit option. It too comes with a 350ml water tank capacity and 1050 watts of power. Beyond that, it features a thirty-day money-back guarantee.

This steam cleaner also has a safety lock to protect children, nine additional cleaning tools, and suitability for use on a wide range of surfaces. On the other hand, it’s not suited to large spaces or for extended use, and it must remain plugged in continuously.

Things we liked
  • Powerful performance
  • Nine cleaning tools free
  • Suited to various surfaces
  • 30-day guarantee
  • Safety lock for children
Things we didn't like
  • Must remain plugged in
  • Unsuitable for large spaces/extended use
View Prices for this Product

Yright Multi-Purpose

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This handheld steam cleaner can be used effortlessly, features a 350ml water tank capacity, and comes with an extra-long three-metre cord. Further, the Yright Multi-Purpose has a one-year warranty and nine accessories to allow multi-surface cleaning.

As for the downsides, this steam cleaner can have inconsistent pressures, and with approximately five to seven minutes of use per tank, this can be considered too little for some consumers.

Things we liked
  • Three-metre cord length
  • Twelve-month warranty
  • Powered by 1050 watts
  • 350ml water tank capacity
  • Nine accessories for multi-surface cleans
Things we didn't like
  • Inconsistent pressures can arise
  • The runtime can be short
View Prices for this Product

Best Cylinder Steam Cleaner

Kärcher SC 5 EasyFix Premium

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This top-of-the-range cylinder steam cleaner can remove about 99.999% of enveloped viruses as well as 99.99% of normal domestic bacteria. In addition, there is a whopping 1500ml removable water tank. This allows for continuous cleaning.

This Karcher steam cleaner also features additional components, such as a power nozzle, floor cloth, and carpet glider. It’s powered by 2200 watts, and its cable is six metres long.

Things we liked
  • 1500ml water tank capacity
  • 2200 watts of power
  • Six metres long cable
  • Highly-effective and powerful
Things we didn't like
  • Relatively expensive
View Prices for this Product

Kärcher SC3 EasyFix

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A more budget-friendly choice is the SC3 EasyFix from Kärcher. It’s significantly cheaper than the SC 5 EasyFix Premium and provides decent value for money. You get a 1000ml water tank capacity and 1900 watts with the SC3 EasyFix.

Beyond that, it has plenty of accessories (e.g. a floor nozzle, hand nozzle, and two extension tubes), heats up rapidly, and it’s pretty lightweight too. The SC3 is fit for use after only half a minute of heating up (the SC5 takes about three minutes). One notable disadvantage of this steam cleaner is, however, is that it lacks steam pressure.

Things we liked
  • Relatively inexpensive
  • Still offer 1900 watts of power for a cheap option
  • Fairly lightweight
  • Heats up quickly
Things we didn't like
  • Not as powerful as other options
  • Relatively low water tank capacity
  • Lacks steam pressure
View Prices for this Product

Polti Smart 40 Mop

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This relatively low-costing cylinder steam cleaner is a particularly popular choice. It can kill/eliminate 99.99% of germs, bacteria, and viruses. It has a 1600ml water tank capacity, a strong 3.5 bar steam performance, and ten useful accessories (along with a compartment to store these accessories).

Beyond that, the Polti Smart 40 Mop has been certified by the British Allergy Foundation for its effective use against dust mites. It also has good manoeuvrability. With that said, there are more powerful Polti choices (like the Vaporetto Eco Pro 3.0 Steam Cleaner), it has a fairly low steam adjustment/output, and it takes up to eight minutes to heat up. It should be noted, though, that this is relatively average among the competition.

Things we liked
  • Fairly cheap
  • Effective option
  • Certified by the British Allergy Foundation
Things we didn't like
  • Kind of low steam adjustment/output
  • It takes eight minutes to heat up
View Prices for this Product

Best Vapour Steam Cleaner

Lumemery High-Pressure Steam Cleaner

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This easy-to-use steam cleaner offers 360 degrees cleaning, and water can heat up fast. As a result, it can save time and energy. The surface it cleans should dry after just 15 seconds. This steam cleaner is known for being reliable and multi-functional.

Things we liked
  • 360 degrees cleaning
  • Energy- and time-efficient
Things we didn't like
  • Not too much information available online (e.g. lack of many reviews)
View Prices for this Product

Best Budget Steam Cleaner

Vytronix 10-in-1 Multifunction Steam Mop STM01

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This low-costing steam cleaner is compact, well-suited to dealing with regular spills or large clean-ups, as well as being lightweight. This mop from Vytronix has a 450ml water tank that can be removed. You also get a good range of steam outputs with this cleaner.

Further, it can heat up rapidly. The STM01 provides 1300 watts of power and a one year guarantee.

Things we liked
  • 1300 watts of power
  • One year guarantee
  • Ten components in the accessory kit
Things we didn't like
  • Fragile handle clip
  • Small tank
  • It only features a single pad
View Prices for this Product

Vileda 157171 Steam Mop

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Another strong budget candidate is this steam mop from Vileda. Despite being cheap, it’s very easy to use, comes with a small number of buttons, and it can heat up in just 15 seconds (before giving you 15 minutes of use). The Vileda Steam Mop has a 400ml water tank capacity, 1550 watts of power and a one year warranty. Its cord length is six metres.

Things we liked
  • Especially cheap
  • Easy to use
  • Heats up in 15 seconds
  • Six-metre long cord
Things we didn't like
  • Small water tank
View Prices for this Product

Hoover SteamJet Express SSNH1000

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With 1000 watts of power and a water tank capacity of 400ml, the SSNH1000 is an inexpensive product that nonetheless offers good value for money. It has an operating radius of four metres, can run for up to 12 minutes at a time, and is also lightweight, compact, and portable.

Unfortunately, the SSNH1000 has a steam volume that’s difficult to regulate, and its cable is pretty short.

Things we liked
  • Good value for money
  • It runs up to 12 minutes
  • Brush is included
  • Particularly lightweight
Things we didn't like
  • The cable is fairly small
  • Challenging to regulate the steam volume
View Prices for this Product

Best Value Steam Cleaner

Beldray 12-in-1 Steam Mop

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This 1300 watt powered steam cleaner has a 330ml water tank and a five-metre long cord. Given its structure and design, it can clean beneath furniture with ease. However, this Beldray steam cleaner has a pausing function that can be a bit tricky. Also, the 12-in-1 title could be seen as a bit misleading.

Things we liked
  • Decent power
  • Five-metre cord
  • Can clean below furniture easily
Things we didn't like
  • The pausing function can be difficult to use
  • Small water tank
View Prices for this Product

Hoover CA2IN1D Steam Cleaner

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Part of what makes this steam cleaner such great value for money is how suited it is to many different jobs. Firstly, it is a sturdy build and features three steam settings as well as a wide array of add-ons, such as a window squeegee tool.

It has a 3500ml water tank capacity, a seven-metre-long cord, and it acts as a 2-in-1 steam mop.

Things we liked
  • Not too costly
  • Well-suited to various jobs
  • 3500ml water tank capacity
  • 7m cord
  • Many tools included
Things we didn't like
  • The hose is a bit awkward to use
  • More suited/limited to short cleaning jobs using handheld mode
View Prices for this Product

Quest 41940 Handheld Steam Cleaner

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Not to be confused with the Quest 41980 we reviewed earlier, Quest’s 41940 is a standout handheld cleaner that offers great value for your cash. It’s light, easy to use, and like the CA2IN1D, comes with many helpful accessories.

It’s powered by 1000 watts but has just a 250ml water tank, meaning it would need a refill fairly often.

Things we liked
  • Easy to use
  • Lightweight
  • Various accessories
Things we didn't like
  • Small water tank
View Prices for this Product

Best Compact Steam Cleaner

Polti Vaporetto 100B

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This compact cylinder steam cleaner comes with a 2000ml water tank capacity, 1500 watts of power. Similar to the Beldray 12-in-1 Steam Mop, it can clean beneath furniture without much hassle, if any.

You also get a pretty modern look with the 100B, and it has seven and a half metres of reach. The 100B is rated Energy Class A. This cylinder steam cleaner takes about two minutes to heat up.

Things we liked
  • Sizeable water tank
  • Powerful steaming
  • Can clean below furniture pretty easily
  • Modern design
  • 7.5 metres of reach
  • Energy Class A
Things we didn't like
  • Loud
  • The steam dial isn’t particularly clear
  • Bulky steam cleaner to use for simple jobs
View Prices for this Product

Kleeneze KL0573

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This small but effective steam cleaner from Kleeneze is a fantastic compact choice. It comes with 1000 watts of power, and it can work for twelve minutes straight. There are attachments with the KL0573 designed to clean grout, tiles, ovens, barbecues, and more. Its multi-use purpose is a particularly stand out advantage of this steam cleaner.

This compact steam cleaner has a four-metre cable, and you may swap around window attachments and mop heads at will for flexibility. However, its water tank capacity is just 250ml.

Things we liked
  • Great appearance
  • 1000 watts of power
  • Works for 12 minutes
Things we didn't like
  • Small water tank
View Prices for this Product

VonHaus 1050 Watts

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This inexpensive steam cleaner is powered by 1050 watts, has a 250ml water tank and can work for eight minutes in a row. Unlike most of the best steam cleaners, it has a two-year warranty.

Beyond that, the VonHaus 1050 Watts has a three-metre lead, ready indicator light, and it is both lightweight and powerful. However, some consumers have reported that the filler lid sticks. Further, the runtime is fairly short.

Things we liked
  • Compact and light
  • Powerful choice
  • Two-year warranty
  • Three-metre lead
  • Ready indicator light
Things we didn't like
  • Relatively short runtime
  • The filler lid can become stuck
  • Only 250ml water tank
View Prices for this Product

Vax Compact Power Carpet Cleaner CWCPV011

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This light 5.7kg carpet washer contains twin tanks to ensure that dirty and clean water do not mix. With a compact design and a narrow floor head, it’s well-suited for use in small spaces (e.g., under a sofa).

This Vax steam cleaner has an aquaspin brushbar that can deal with regular stains and pet messes alike.

Things we liked
  • Twin tanks
  • This steam carpet cleaner is lightweight
  • Narrow floor head
Things we didn't like
  • Not the cheapest compact option
View Prices for this Product

Best Powerful Steam Cleaner

Polti Vaporetto SV440 Double Steam Mop

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This powerful steam cleaner has 1800 watts backing it, offers variable steam, 2-in-1 mop, 7.5-metre cord length, and a two-year guarantee. The SV440 also comes with a carpet accessory, small nylon brushes, and a funnel.

The tank heats up in only 15 seconds, although you’d need to wait another handful of seconds before it works (even if the ready light is on), albeit its tank has a capacity of just 300ml.

Things we liked
  • Long cord
  • 2-in-1 mop
  • Ready to use in 20 seconds or so
  • Various accessories
Things we didn't like
  • Small 300ml tank
View Prices for this Product

Hyundai 3000W Triple Motor 3 in 1 Wet & Dry Electric Vacuum Cleaner

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For an especially powerful choice, you could avail of this 3000 watt-powered electric vacuum cleaner. This is suited to a large space and is probably not a smart option in most cases, particularly given that it’s an expensive and large option.

There are three tank options available: 20,000ml, 30,000ml, and a whopping 100,000ml. This vacuum cleaner also has an anti-static prevention system.

Things we liked
  • Massive amounts of power
  • Great for large spaces
  • Several large tank options
  • Anti-static prevention system
Things we didn't like
  • Expensive
  • Bulky
  • Not suitable for in most cases
View Prices for this Product

Best Versatile Steam Cleaner

Moolan Steam Mop 12-in-1 Steam Cleaner

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This highly versatile 1500 watts steam cleaner is ready to use in just 15 seconds; it offers professional steam clean, comes with a two-year guarantee and the flexibility to use in bedrooms, toilets, living rooms, and kitchens alike.

Among its 12 attachments are brushes, a filling jug, nozzles, and a microfiber pad.

Things we liked
  • 1500 watts of power
  • Ready in 15 seconds
  • Many attachments
  • Two-year guarantee
Things we didn't like
  • Not that cheap
View Prices for this Product

Shark Floor & Handheld Steam Cleaner S6005UK

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The S6005UK from Shark weighs a mere 2.8kg, has 1050 watts of power, and a water tank capacity of 500ml. It can go between handheld and upright as you see fit. With that said, despite having seven accessories, there’s no onboard storage available with this shark steam cleaner.

Things we liked
  • Powerful
  • Good bang for your buck
  • Lightweight
Things we didn't like
  • Pretty small tank
  • Costly
View Prices for this Product

Morphy Richards 12-in-1 720512

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This flexible 1600 watts steam cleaner offers variable steam, a 380ml water tank, and plenty of attachments, such as a squeegee. It can fit under furniture with ease thanks to its rotating head, and the 720512’s hose may be bent in half before being stored away snugly. However, this Morphy Richards steam cleaner is not well-suited for use on carpet, unfortunately.

Things we liked
  • 12-in-1 steam cleaner
  • Provides variable steam
  • Six-metre cord
  • 1600 watts of power
  • Can clean beneath furniture
  • Two-year guarantee
Things we didn't like
  • Not that suitable for carpets
  • Low water tank capacity
View Prices for this Product

Best Steam Cleaner and Vacuum Combo

Bissell Vac & Steam

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This powerful steam cleaner is powered by 1600 watts, the water tank is easy to fill, and it comes with a three-year guarantee. It also has a 7.6m cable. Despite this, the Bissell Vac & Steam, unlike most of the steam cleaners discussed in this guide, lacks handheld tools.

Things we liked
  • Easy to fill the water tank
  • 7.6-metre cable
  • Three-year guarantee
Things we didn't like
  • Doesn’t have handheld tools
View Prices for this Product

Best Carpet Steam Cleaner

Beldray BEL01097 Rectangular Detergent Steam Cleaner

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This flexible steam cleaner from Beldray can be used on a wide range of surfaces, from stone to laminate to tiles. It’s powered by 1300 watts, is ready to use in under half a minute, and can be put to work for fifteen minutes at a time. The BEL01097 features a five-metre cord as well as a rotary angel steam mop head (ideal for getting into areas that are difficult to reach). It comes with a 350ml water tank and a 200ml tank for adding a detergent of choice. Among its accessories are a carpet glider, measuring cup, and microfibre mop pad.

Things we liked
  • Can work on many surfaces, including carpets
  • Five-metre cord
  • Works for 15 minutes straight
  • Inexpensive
Things we didn't like
  • Small water tank
View Prices for this Product

Polti Vaporetto Pro_95 Turbo Flexi

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This fancy-named steam cleaner, while quite dear, is perfect for cleaning carpets along with other soft furnishings. The Pro_95 Turbo Flexi’s special turbo function offers a powerful five bar steam variable for as much as 120 grams per minute. There’s also an eco function. This steam cleaner has a 1300ml water tank, 1100 watts of power, a 3.75m long cord, and a one year guarantee.

Things we liked
  • Powerful five bar turbo function
  • One year guarantee
  • 1300ml water tank
  • 1100 watts of power
Things we didn't like
  • Expensive
View Prices for this Product

Vax Steam Fresh Power Plus

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This fantastic multi-function steam mop is not only fairly cheap, but it provides 1600 watts of power. The Vax Steam Fresh Power Plus has a maximum steam pressure of 3.5 bars, a decent range of accessories (e.g. carpet glider and detergent), and an eight-metre long cord. On the other hand, its water tank capacity is only 300ml.

With this steam cleaner, you get a one-year warranty. All in all, this is one of the best steam cleaner for carpets.

Things we liked
  • Low-costing
  • 1600 watts of power
  • 8m cord
Things we didn't like
  • Small water tank
View Prices for this Product

Best Steam Cleaner for Floors

Shark S6003UK Klik n’ Flip Automatic Steam Mop

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This steam mop is easy to use and can work on a wide range of floors. It’s powerful, fast at work, has straightforward controls, and steam may be used to loosen tough stains through blasts. There’s three options available; an automatic, manual, and 3-in-1 steam cleaner. This steam mop is especially good for hard floors. It can, though, only be used on floors, and it can’t stand up on its own. The S6003UK steam mop has a 380ml water tank capacity.

Things we liked
  • Powerful floor steam cleaner
  • Fast steam cleaner
  • Three products to choose from
Things we didn't like
  • Small water tank
  • Not especially cheap
View Prices for this Product

Vax Steam Fresh Combi

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This steam cleaner has a triangle brush that is ideal for cleaning floors. The Vax Steam Fresh Combi has 1600 watts of power, 460ml water tank capacity, and is lightweight. It is also ready to use in just half a minute. With that said, it has a bulky and somewhat unsightly design.

Things we liked
  • 1600 watts of power
  • Lightweight
  • Ready to go in less than 30 seconds
Things we didn't like
  • Not the best aesthetic
View Prices for this Product

Morphy Richards 72022 12-in-1 Steam Cleaner

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The 72022 steam cleaner has 1600 watts of power, a five-metre cable, and heats up in only 30 seconds. This 12-in-1 product is, of course, very versatile, as well as being easy to store. It is suited for use on carpets, hard floors, tiles, BBQs, windows, grout, worktops, and more.

Things we liked
  • Relatively cheap
  • Versatile
  • Heats up in about half a minute
  • Ease of storage
Things we didn't like
  • The water tank of just 400ml
View Prices for this Product

Best Car Steam Cleaner

Dupray NEAT Steam Cleaner

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With this perfect steam cleaner for cars from Dupray, its steam can reach 135°C; however, it does take seven minutes to reach this temperature. Among some other positive attributes of the Dupray NEAT Steam Cleaner, it has a retractable handle, contains a 17pc kit of accessories, and comes with a two-year guarantee.

Things we liked
  • Steam can reach 135°C
  • Retractable handle
  • 17 accessories
  • Two-year guarantee
Things we didn't like
  • Seven minutes to heat up
  • Costly
View Prices for this Product

Comforday Handheld Car Steam Cleaner

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This budget-friendly handheld steam cleaner can heat up in only three to four minutes before offering 20 minutes of continuous use.

The Comforday Handheld Car Steam Cleaner also has nine accessories, weighs only 1.78kg and is powered by 1050 watts. It is one of the best handheld steam cleaners out there, especially for cars.

Things we liked
  • Cheap
  • Heats up in three to four minutes
  • Nine accessories
Things we didn't like
  • Not as powerful as other options
View Prices for this Product

Bissell SteamShot Multi-Purpose Steamer

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This steam cleaner is versatile and ergonomic and features a long 4.8m cable (long for a car steam cleaner), a two-year warranty, and a built-in safety cap. It has a water tank capacity of 360ml. Despite its benefits, it is a little dearer than its Comforday rival. Overall though, it’s a solid product.

Things we liked
  • Flexible
  • Ergonomic
  • 4.8 cable
  • Two-year warranty
Things we didn't like
  • A little more expensive than the Comforday steam cleaner alternative
View Prices for this Product

SIMBR Car Steam Cleaner

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This steam cleaner can heat to a whopping 200°C in just five minutes. It also has a substantial 1500ml, as well as a 4.8m cable, and the steam lasts for three-quarters of an hour! There are also 17 accessories with this steam cleaner.

Surprisingly, it is not overly expensive, especially given what it has to offer, making it good value for money.

Things we liked
  • Good value for money
  • 1500ml water tank capacity
  • 4.8m cable
Things we didn't like
  • Not always the best choice
View Prices for this Product

Best Upholstery Steam Cleaner

Thane H20 HD

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This steam cleaner from Thane weighs only 3.4kg, and it has 1500 watts of power, a 30in extension hose, and it can fold away with ease. It also has a fairly long power cord but just a 450ml water tank. So, it takes around 30 seconds to get going.

Things we liked
  • 1500 watts of power
  • Lightweight
  • It folds away with ease
Things we didn't like
  • Some problems reported
View Prices for this Product

Polti Vaporetto Pro 85 Flex Steam Cleaner

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The Pro 85 is perfect for deep cleaning, comes with various accessories, and has received the British Allergy Foundation Seal of Approval. It has 1100 watts of power, a 7.5m cable, 1000ml water tank and takes about six minutes to heat up. It is, however, an expensive steam cleaner.

Things we liked
  • Powerful
  • Ideal for deep cleaning
  • Various accessories
  • 7.5m cable
  • 1000ml water tank
Things we didn't like
  • Costly
View Prices for this Product

What to Consider Before Buying a Steam Cleaner

There are many points worth taking into account before making a purchase. In this section, we’ll break down some prominent examples.

Type of Steam

There are two primary types of steam used in steam cleaners; variable and powerful. Variable steam is simply that which can have its level of steam adjusted at will. If you have wooden floors, this is the right choice for you since the lowest setting would be needed to prevent damage to the flooring.

Powerful steamers are ideal for loosening grime, such as on oven grills or bathroom taps.

Cord Length

The cord length may be relevant to your choice, although it will depend on where your power sockets are located. It’s worth measuring out the length of the cord necessary to pull off the cleans you’d have in mind.

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Accessories or Lack Thereof

You may or may not need plenty of accessories. So, it’s worth considering what appeals to you and what you may need, depending on the type of surfaces you plan to clean.

Hire or Buy?

It’s also worth considering if you’d like to buy or hire a steam cleaner. Of course, you’d want to purchase a steam cleaner if you’re planning to re-use one over time. On the other hand, steam cleaner hire might make sense if you wanted a high-quality job for a one-off job. That way, you could get better value for money.

FAQs

Can you use a steam cleaner on upholstery?

Some steam cleaners are suitable for use on upholstery (in fact, some products are specifically designed for said use) while others are not. It’s important to check the details of a given product before purchasing.

How do you use a steam cleaner?

The exact steps will depend on the manufacturer’s instructions. However, broadly speaking, water is added to a container (possibly detergent to another), the water is heated up to produce steam, and then the steam cleaner is good to use.

How long do steam cleaners last?

These last for about 5-8 years in total.

Are there surfaces that I cannot clean using a steam cleaner?

In general, steam cleaners should not be used on porous surfaces, particularly sizeable areas of carpet, cardboard and water-based painted walls/ceilings, among other surfaces. However, you can always confirm with a manufacturer if you’ve any doubts.

Where can I buy steam cleaners?

Plenty of homeware and hardware stores sell these products. You could also look into buying an Argos steam cleaner or take a look at the products available online from websites like eBay.

Sources

  1. https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/product-reviews/house-garden/g27450351/best-steam-cleaners/
  2. https://www.thisoldhouse.com/tools/21017662/the-dirt-on-steam-cleaning
  3. https://learn.allergyandair.com/handheld-vacuum-benefits/
  4. https://www.kaercher.com/uk/home-garden/steam-cleaners/sc-5-easyfix-premium-15125560.html
  5. https://www.lookagain.co.uk/products/10-in-1-handheld-steam-cleaner-kl0573-by-kleeneze/_/A-35S645_
  6. https://www.4car.co.uk/best-car-steam-cleaner/