Best steam cleaners 2025: tried and tested for spotless floors

The best steam cleaners take the hard work out of refreshing your floors and surfaces. 

We tested models from Black & Decker, Karcher, Polti, Vax and more to find out if they'd be any good at cleaning your home, plus how easy they are to use.  

The high temperature a steam cleaner generates kills harmful bacteria and can eliminate the dust mites that cause asthma and allergies.

Because steam cleaners use steam to tackle dirt and germs, rather than harsh chemicals, they're better for the environment and your home.

Best steam cleaners

Only logged-in Which? members can view the steam cleaner test results below. 

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The steam cleaners we tested

All the steam cleaners we tested are listed in alphabetical order below.

Only logged-in Which? members can view the steam cleaner test results. 

Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations.

Bissell Vac Steam 1977N

Available from Bissell (£159.99)

Handheld mode No

Heat-up time 30 seconds

Accessories Water cup, scent disks

Need to know 0.4-litre non-removable tank, 5.1kg, 8-metre cable

Black & Decker BHSM15FX08-GB

Available from Very (£99)

Handheld mode Yes

Heat-up time 47 seconds

Accessories pivoting mop head, squeegee, grout brush, small brush, metal brush, accessory attachment, mesh bag

Need to know 0.5-litre non-removable tank, 3.2kg, 6-metre cable

Black & Decker BHSM1610DSM-QS

Handheld mode Yes

Heat-up time 16 seconds

Accessories Hose, squeegee, steam jet nozzle, small brush, grout brush, carpet glider

Need to know 0.5-litre non-removable tank, 3.5kg, 8-metre cable

Dupray Neat Steam Cleaner

Handheld mode No

Heat-up time 28 seconds

Accessories Floor nozzle, triangle tool, squeegee, steam lance, multiple small brushes, extension tubes

Need to know 1.7-litre non-removable tank, 6.7kg, 4-metre cable

Karcher SC1 EasyFix

Handheld mode No

Heat-up time 150 seconds

Accessories Carpet glider, floor nozzle, hand tool, measuring cup

Need to know 0.2-litre non-removable tank, 2.5kg, 4-metre cable

Karcher SC2 EasyFix

Handheld mode No

Heat-up time 399 seconds

Accessories Brush nozzle, descaler cartridge, extension tube, floor tool, hand tool

Need to know 1-litre non-removable tank, 4.7kg, 4-metre cord

Karcher SC3 EasyFix

Handheld mode No

Heat-up time 150 seconds

Accessories Brush nozzle, descaler cartridge, floor nozzle, extension tubes, hand tool

Need to know 1-litre non-removable tank, 5.1kg, 4-metre cord

Karcher SC1 Upright

Handheld mode No

Heat-up time 50 seconds

Accessories N/A

Need to know 0.2-litre removable tank, 2.5kg, 5-metre cable

Karcher SC2 Upright

Handheld mode No

Heat-up time 50 seconds

Accessories Floor nozzle

Need to know 0.3-litre removable tank, 3.2kg, 4-metre cable

Karcher S3 Upright EasyFix    

Available from Karcher (£129.99)

Handheld mode No

Heat-up time 23 seconds

Accessories Carpet glider, floor nozzle

Need to know 0.5-litre removable tank, 3.2kg, 5-metre cable

Polti Unico MCV85_Total Clean & Turbo PBEU0101

Handheld mode No

Heat-up time 355 seconds

Accessories Multibrush floor nozzle, brush nozzle, mini brush nozzle, 2-in-1 squeegee and upholstery tool, 2-in-1 lance, steam concentrator, suction nozzle, tube and flexible hose

Need to know 0.8-litre non-removable tank, 14.2kg, 5-metre cable

Polti Vaporetto 3 Clean PTEU0295

Handheld mode Yes

Heat-up time 28 seconds

Accessories Flexible steam hose, small brush, steam lance, squeegee, upholstery tool, grout nozzle

Need to know 0.3-litre removable tank, 5.8g, 6-metre cable

Need a different cleaning solution? Find the best carpet cleaners

Polti Vaporetto Eco Pro 3.0 PTEU0260

Handheld mode No

Heat-up time 649 seconds

Accessories Floor and carpet brush, squeegee, small brush, steam concentrator, steam lance, funnel, anti-limescale solution

Need to know 2-litre non-removable tank, 9kg, 4-metre cord

Polti Vaporetto Lecoaspira FAV50 Multifloor PVEU0083

Handheld mode No

Heat-up time 333 seconds

Accessories Floor nozzle, brush tool

Need to know 0.8-litre non-removable tank, 11.9kg, 6-metre cable

Polti Vaporetto Pro 85 Flexi

Available from Polti (£299)

Handheld mode No

Heat-up time 330 seconds

Accessories Carpet glider, floor nozzle, squeegee, small brush, steam concentrator, anti-limescale solution

Need to know 1.3-litre non-removable tank, 8.2kg, 4-metre cable

Polti Vaporetto Pro 95 Turbo Flexi PTEU0280

Handheld mode No

Heat-up time 335 seconds

Accessories Squeegee, floor nozzle, three different brush tools, carpet glider, steam concentrator, anti-limescale solutions

Need to know 1.3-litre non-removable tank, 8.2kg, 4-metre cable

Polti Vaporetto Smart 100B

Handheld mode No

Heat-up time 195 seconds

Accessories Extension tubes, floor nozzle, small brush, steam concentrator, squeegee, spatula

Need to know 1.9-litre removable tank, 8.5kg, 4-metre cable

Polti Vaporetto SV440 Double

Handheld mode Yes

Heat-up time 13 seconds

Accessories Carpet glider, squeegee, flexible steam hose, steam concentrator, steam lance, grout nozzle, small brushes

Need to know 0.3-litre removable tank, 2.7kg, 6-metre cord

Polti Vaporetto SV460 Double PTEU0296

Handheld mode Yes

Heat-up time 25 seconds

Accessories Carpet glider and floor nozzle

Need to know 0.3-litre removable tank, 2.7kg, 6-metre cable

Tineco Floor One S5

Handheld mode No

Heat-up time 29 seconds

Accessories Cleaning solution, cleaning tool, charging base

Need to know 0.7-litre removable tank, 7kg, 8-metre cable

Vax Steam Fresh Total Home Steam Cleaner CDST-SFXT

Handheld mode Yes

Heat-up time 42 seconds

Accessories Carpet glider, flexible hose, surface tool, two scrubbing brushes, squeegee tool, grout brush, detail nozzle, cleaning solution

Need to know 0.2-litre removable tank, 3.9kg, 8-metre cable

Which? Don't Buy steam cleaners

Our tests uncover the best and the worst. If a product performs so poorly that we think you should avoid it, we call it a Don't Buy.

We've tested three steam cleaners that we've named Don't Buys. They don't shine at cleaning and, for the most part, fail our endurance test, meaning they're probably not reliable for long-term use.

To find out which ones they are, and which steam cleaners earned our Best Buy and Great Value recommendations, log in or join Which?.

How we test steam cleaners

We buy the best-selling and most searched-for steam cleaners from UK retailers.

We buy every steam cleaner we test – no freebies from manufacturers – meaning our reviews are honest and unbiased.

Cleaning performance

We test each steam cleaner on various surfaces, including hard floors and, when applicable, carpets. We intentionally dirty the surfaces and track how many strokes it takes to clean them. Three experts then rate the cleaning experience and results after one cycle and again after five cycles.

For crevice cleaning, we test how long and how far the steam cleaner can remove stubborn, cooked-on food and soil from a kitchen.

When cleaning windows, we count the number of strokes it takes to achieve spotless results, and three experts assess the outcome.

Ease of use

We evaluate several factors to determine how easy each steam cleaner is to use. These include assembly, ease of cleaning, and the clarity of the controls.These various tests are given ratings.

Endurance

We run the models for different vaporisation cycles, depending on the type of steam cleaner. Cylinder steam cleaners are run for 252 hours and upright models for 152 hours. If the model fails to reach the designated time, they fail the test. This would suggest it's not built for the long term. 

Why you can trust us: at Which? we're free from manufacturer and retailer influence. Find out more about our impartiality and how your support helps us to stay editorially independent.

How to use a steam cleaner

Will they ruin your beautiful parquet floor? Can you use them to clean your rugs? And do they get rid of bedbugs and fleas? We answer the most popular steam-cleaner questions.

While steam cleaners can effectively clean sealed hard floors, using them on unsealed wooden or parquet floors is not recommended, as the moisture can cause swelling and buckling. 

• Pour a small amount of water onto your floor; if the water beads up and doesn't penetrate, the floor is likely sealed and safe for steam cleaning. Always start with the lowest steam setting and mop up any excess water.

When it comes to fabrics and carpets, steam cleaners can refresh and help lift stains. But they aren't substitutes for dedicated carpet cleaners, which wash and extract dirt more effectively. Some steam mops include a carpet glider attachment, allowing for gentle steaming of carpets. 

• Regardless of the attachment, always test on a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure the material can withstand the heat, and avoid over-wetting any section.

Beyond floors and carpets, steam cleaners are versatile tools that can tackle various household tasks. They can effectively clean ovens and hobs by loosening baked-on grease and food residues, reducing the need for harsh chemicals. Also, steam cleaners can be used to defrost freezers quickly by melting away ice build-up, making the chore more efficient.

• Always consult your appliance's manufacturer guidelines before using steam to ensure compatibility and prevent damage.

Will a steam cleaner damage my floor?

For the most part, no. However, using a steam cleaner on certain types of flooring can cause damage due to the combination of heat and moisture. Here's a quick guide:

Read 5 surfaces you shouldn't use a steam cleaner on to find out more

How to clean a rug with a steam cleaner

To find out which steam cleaner worked best on carpets, log in or join Which?

Does a steam cleaner kill bed bugs?

The best way to eradicate bedbugs is through prolonged heat exposure. Bedbugs cannot survive temperatures above 45°C (113°F) for more than 30 minutes. Use a steam cleaner on mattresses, furniture and other areas where bedbugs may hide. Make sure the steam reaches a temperature of at least 45°C.

If your efforts don't seem to be working, or if the infestation is widespread, it's wise to consult a professional pest control service. It will have the tools and expertise to handle severe cases effectively.

Get more advice on battling a bedbug infestation