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Nov 09, 2024

Best Steam Mops of 2024 - Consumer Reports

These models put the squeeze on traditional sponge mops when it comes to hassle-free floor cleaning When you shop through retailer links on our site, we may earn affiliate commissions. 100% of the

These models put the squeeze on traditional sponge mops when it comes to hassle-free floor cleaning

When you shop through retailer links on our site, we may earn affiliate commissions. 100% of the fees we collect are used to support our nonprofit mission. Learn more.

Steam mops promise an easier, more convenient way to clean tile floors than ordinary squeeze mops. Unlike the traditional approach, which involves dragging around a bucket of water and a drippy sponge or string mop, a steam mop heats water inside a refillable tank and applies the steam produced directly to the floor. But our tests have shown that, while handy to use, not all steam mops are equal in cleaning ability.

In general, steam mops do a better job of cleaning up messes such as coffee stains, mustard, and ketchup than stickier spills like jam. And we’ve noticed an improvement in their cleaning performance over the past few years. We’ve also recently broadened our testing to include more models from established European brands alongside options from familiar names like Bissell and Shark. The reason? “Brands like Kärcher and Euroflex, which are available at many major retailers like Amazon and Home Depot, have shown us excellent performance at competitive prices,” says Allie Chilicki, a CR market analyst. “By including these brands in our testing, we aim to help consumers explore a wider range of great options when choosing the best steam mop for their needs and budget.”

Below, you can read reviews of five of the top steam mops from our tests, listed in alphabetical order, as well as one of the worst (which just might send you searching for that bucket and sponge mop). CR members can check out more options in our complete steam mop ratings.

You can also read our steam mop buying guide to learn more about helpful features and how the mops work. For other cleaning jobs, check out our buying guide and ratings for vacuums and carpet cleaners.

The top steam mops in our ratings do a superb job at cleaning stains. Most feature a ready light, which indicates when the steam has reached the optimal temperature and is ready for use.

Bissell PowerFresh Slim 2075A

In our tests, the Bissell PowerFresh Slim does an excellent job of cleaning various stains off ceramic tiles and has a decent steam rate. It comes with a 25-foot cord, which makes it easier to maneuver, and a ready indicator light. There are two steam levels you can use: a high steam level for stickier messes and a low one for lighter, everyday cleaning. It can also be converted into a handheld steaming device for targeted cleaning on your windowsills, kitchen appliances, countertops, grout, and more. Like other Bissell models, this one includes a two-year warranty for repair and replacement.

Bissell Symphony 1543A

The Bissell Symphony 1543A is excellent at removing stains and earns top marks for convenience. The mop’s nifty features include a 25-foot-long cord and a ready indicator light. With a full tank of water, the steam mop can produce steam for 20 minutes, longer than many of the other models in our ratings. Though it’s both a steam mop and a vacuum, in our testing, we only tested its steam mop abilities.

Euroflex Vapour M2R

In our tests, the Euroflex Vapour M2R is outstanding at cleaning stains off tiles and adequate at producing steam. Its convenience score, however, is on the lower side because the model takes longer to heat up its water than the other models in our ratings. Once it’s fully heated, this steam mop is capable of producing high-temperature steam.

Karcher SC 3 Upright EasyFix

The Kärcher SC 3 Upright EasyFix is currently the top-rated steam mop in our ratings and is an all-around high performer. The model impresses with both its cleaning performance and its steam production. Our testers also deemed it easy to use, giving it a very good rating for convenience. This steam mop comes with a ready indicator light and has three steam levels you can choose from.

Steam & Go Housekeeper 10-in-1 SAG806D

The Steam & Go Housekeeper 10-in-1 SAG806D earns a stellar rating in our cleaning tests, though its steam production is only mediocre. It comes with a 20-foot power cord but lacks an indicator light to let you know when the mop is ready to be used. You can also use it as a detachable handheld steamer and pair it with different cleaning attachments to clean counters, sinks, and grout, and even steam clothes and curtains.

The lowest-rated steam mops in our ratings are hard to use and leave a considerable amount of debris behind in our tests. Here’s the worst offender.

The Shark Steam Pocket S3501 is at the very bottom of our steam mop ratings because it does an awful job at cleaning stains and producing steam. It’s the only mop we tested that lacks a motorized pump, which means you have to constantly pump the handle yourself to create steam. Not surprisingly, our testers gave this model a near-bottom score for convenience.

How CR Tests Steam MopsTo test how well a steam mop cleans, CR’s engineers apply a mess of ketchup, mustard, and jam to ceramic tiles. After that dries, we take photos, and then a machine pushes the steam mop over each tile in 10 even back-and-forth strokes. We use photo-imaging software to see precisely how much soil is removed.

To gauge how much steam a mop produces, we fill up the water tank, measure its weight, use the mop for 5 minutes, and then weigh the mop again. We calculate the amount of water that’s disappeared to extrapolate the amount that’s been converted to steam.

For our convenience rating, we consider multiple attributes that make a steam mop easy to use, such as its steam time, run time, cord length, steam rate options, and whether or not it has an indicator light that shows when the mop is ready to be used or needs refilling. Other factors we look at include how easy it is to refill or empty the mop’s water tank, remove its mop head, and store its cord when not in use.

Mary H.J. Farrell

As a senior editor at Consumer Reports for more than 15 years, Mary H.J. Farrell reported on all manner of vacuums and cookware, as well as microwaves, mixers, freezers, and fans. Starting in the mid-1990s, she held senior positions at People.com, MSNBC, and Ladies’ Home Journal. One of her earliest jobs was at Good Housekeeping.

Pang-Chieh Ho

Pang-Chieh Ho is a senior content creator at Consumer Reports who writes about the intersections of home products and health. She has been working in the media industry for almost 10 years. Books are her first love, but movies come a close second. You can send tips to her at [email protected].