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Best steam cleaners 2026: tried and tested for spotless floors
The best steam cleaners take the hard work out of refreshing your floors and surfaces.
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.
We tested models from Karcher, Polti, Shark, Vax and more to find out if they'd be any good at cleaning your home, plus how easy they are to use.
How our test finds you the best
Cleaning performance
A steam cleaner has one job - does it do it? We test every model on different surfaces with multiple stains, and analyse the results.
Ease of use
A steam cleaner should be a dream to use, not a nightmare. We check every steam cleaner for ease of movement, intuitive controls and more.
We also test...
whether a steam cleaner can clean carpets, glass and tight spots.
The steam cleaners we tested
The biggest brands and the most popular steam cleaners are listed below.
Only logged-in Which? members can view the
Join Which? to get instant access to our test results and Best Buy recommendations below.
| Steam cleaner | Price | Score | Type | Hard-floor cleaning | Crevice cleaning | Manoeuvrability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sign up to reveal Get instant access to this and all our scores and recommendations Unlock tableDigital £8.99 per month, cancel any time. Already a member? Log in | 98% | Cylinder steam cleaner | ||||
| 91% | Cylinder steam cleaner | |||||
| 89% | 2-in-1 steam mop | |||||
| 84% | Cylinder steam cleaner | |||||
| 79% | Cylinder steam cleaner | |||||
| 78% | 2-in-1 steam mop | |||||
| 69% | 2-in-1 steam mop | |||||
| 63% | Cylinder steam cleaner | |||||
| 58% | 2-in-1 steam mop | |||||
| 58% | 2-in-1 steam mop |
Sign up to reveal
Get instant access to this and all our scores and recommendations
Unlock tableDigital £8.99 per month, cancel any time.
Already a member? Log in
Date tested: January 2026. Page last checked: February 2026. We are not able to show every retailer and cheaper prices may be available.
Great Value is given separately based on the type of steam cleaner because the different types vary in price. For instance, cylinder steam cleaners tend to be more expensive than 2-in-1 models.
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.
Dupray Neat Steam Cleaner
Handheld mode No
Heat-up time 8 minutes
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
Ewbank SC2000 STEAMDYNAMO+ Cleaner & Sanitiser
Handheld mode No
Heat-up time 12 minutes
Accessories Jet nozzle, jug, hard brush, squeegee, extension tubes, funnel
Need to know 1.5-litre non-removable tank, 4kg, 2.5-metre cable
H20 HD 5-in-1 Steam Mop & Foldable Handheld Steam Cleaner
Handheld mode Yes
Heat-up time 23 seconds
Accessories Jet tool, mop covers, handheld hose, squeegee, carpet glider
Need to know 0.45-litre removable tank, 3.4kg, 6-metre cable
Karcher SC2 EasyFix
Handheld mode No
Heat-up time 6 minutes 30 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 30 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
Need a different cleaning solution? Find the best carpet cleaners or look at our hard floor cleaner reviews instead
Lakeland 2-in-1 Steam mop
Handheld mode Yes
Heat-up time 30 seconds
Accessories Jet tool, mop covers, handheld hose, squeegee, carpet glider
Need to know 0.45-litre removable water tank, 4.5kg, 6-metre cable
Polti Vaporetto Pro 95 Turbo Flexi PTEU0280
Handheld mode No
Heat-up time 6 minutes
Accessories Squeegee, floor nozzle, multiple brush tools, carpet glider, steam concentrator, anti-limescale solutions
Need to know 1.3-litre non-removable tank, 6kg, 6-metre cable
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
Shark Floor Mop & Lift-Away S6005UK Steam Mop
Handheld mode Yes
Heat-up time 30 seconds
Accessories Mop pads, filling flask, handheld hose, jet nozzle, scrubber tool, crevice tool
Need to know 0.5-litre removable tank, 2.8kg, 6-metre cable
Vax Steam Fresh Combi Classic Steam Mop
Handheld mode Yes
Heat-up time 20 seconds
Accessories Brush kit, crevice tool, jet tool, lance tool, squeegee, pads, grout brush, detergent
Need to know 0.45-litre removable tank, 3.7kg, 7-metre cable
How we test steam cleaners
We buy the bestselling steam cleaners and put them through our tough tests. We don't accept freebies from product manufacturers or retailers.
We regularly revisit the steam cleaners on sale to see if there are any more popular models that need testing, and when we find them we do.
Hard floor cleaning
We test each steam cleaner on various hard floor surfaces, including ceramic tiles and, when applicable, carpets. We intentionally dirty the surfaces and track how many strokes it takes to clean them.
And when applicable, we check how well each steam cleaner deals with stains on carpet compared with a dedicated carpet cleaning machine.
Crevice cleaning
For crevice cleaning, we test how long and how far the steam cleaner can remove a stubborn food stain from a tight gap. The best can blast the food away in half a minute, while the worst will still leave a bit of the stain behind.
We also clean shower screens, which all steam cleaners can do a good job of, but some may be easier than others due to their portability.
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. But most important is the manoeuvrability.
To assess the mobility of the device, we factor in how well the steam head glides across the floor and how easy it is to move around and clean countertops. This isn’t so much portability as it is how well you move the steam head or hose while cleaning.
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 a steam cleaner to clean your carpet? And do they damage hardwood floors? We answer the most popular steam-cleaner questions.
Alongside our information, always consult your appliance's manufacturer guidelines before using steam to double-check compatibility and prevent damage.
| Type of floor | Can you use a steam cleaner on it? | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Carpet flooring | Yes | There should be no issues with steam-cleaning carpets, but avoid excessive cleaning, as high temperatures can shrink or damage fibres. |
| Hardwood flooring | Limited | Avoid use on unsealed hardwood floors. Sudden shifts in temperature and moisture levels can cause your wood to warp. |
| Laminate flooring | Limited | Some manufacturers would advise against it, but if you use it on low to medium power or use it for a short while without excessive steam, you should be fine. |
| Stone flooring | No | Steam can strip the stone sealer, which increases the risk of mould. |
| Floor tiles | Yes | A steam cleaner is a great option for cleaning tiles and grout lines. |
| Vinyl flooring | No | Vinyl is plastic, meaning exposure to high temperatures can cause it to lose shape and loosen the glue. This includes any LVT flooring (luxury vinyl tile), such as Karndean flooring. |
Read 5 surfaces you shouldn't use a steam cleaner on to find out more
What are the different types of steam cleaner?
If you’re thinking of getting a steam cleaner, it’s important to know the differences between the types on offer.
Steam mops
Upright steam mops are designed mainly for cleaning floors and look similar to traditional mops or upright vacuum cleaners. The water tank and steam head are built into one slim unit, making them lightweight and easy to handle.
They’re best for quick, regular cleaning of hard floors such as tile, laminate, vinyl and sealed wood. Upright steam mops are simple to use and store, but they’re limited to floor cleaning and don’t usually come with extra attachments for other surfaces.
2-in-1 steam mops
2-in-1 steam mops combine a standard steam mop with a detachable handheld steamer. This means you can clean floors and also remove the handheld unit for smaller cleaning jobs such as sinks, worktops, mirrors, taps and tiles.
They’re a good choice if you want more flexibility than a basic steam mop offers, without the size or cost of a cylinder cleaner. They also heat up more quickly, but they aren’t as good at deep cleaning as the cylinder models.
Cylinder steam cleaners
Cylinder steam cleaners are the most powerful and versatile type of steam cleaner. They have a separate main unit that holds more water, which is connected to a hose and various attachments. This design allows them to tackle many different cleaning jobs around the home.
They’re ideal for deep-cleaning hard floors, tiles, grout, bathrooms, kitchens, ovens, windows, and even upholstery when the right tools are used. Because they usually have larger water tanks and stronger steam pressure, they’re well suited to whole-house cleaning. But they do tend to be bulkier, heavier and more expensive than steam mops.
How to clean a rug with a steam cleaner
You shouldn't have any difficulty steam-cleaning rugs, but avoid overcleaning, as high temperatures can shrink or damage fibres.
Also, bear in mind that although steam cleaners can clean rugs and carpets, they're nowhere near as good as dedicated Best Buy carpet cleaners.
Carpets in need of a refresh? Find the best carpet cleaners
Steam cleaners vs steam mops
A steam mop is a type of steam cleaner, but it is more limited in its capabilities. Its primary purpose is to clean hard floors, making it a replacement for a traditional mop.
Other types of steam cleaner are more versatile, as they can be used to clean crevices, grout and worktops, which steam mops are generally not designed for.