The best steam mops
Clean hard floors with nothing but water and heat: the steam mops worth buying, from a light everyday mop to 2-in-1s that also do grout, windows and sofas.
A steam mop cleans sealed hard floors with just water and heat, so there's no bucket, no floor cleaner to buy and nothing sticky left behind. Most are ready in well under a minute, and the pads go in the washing machine.
Use one only on sealed floors, such as tiles, sealed wood, laminate and vinyl, and test a small hidden patch first, as Vileda advises, especially on wood. A 2-in-1 with a detachable handheld will also steam grout, windows and upholstery.
What matters
- Heat-up time: 15 to 30 seconds is typical.
- Tank size: bigger means fewer refills.
- Weight, if it's going up and down stairs.
- A detachable handheld for grout, windows and upholstery.
#1 of 5
Best overall
Shark Steam Mop (S1000UK)
£64.99 RRP
Light at 1.8kg and simple to use: fill the 375ml tank with the flask, wait 30 seconds, then pump for steam just where you want it. It's the no-fuss choice for everyday kitchen and bathroom floors.
A closer look: Go easy on the pump on wood and laminate so they don't get too wet, and give tiles more. Register it with Shark for the two-year guarantee, and keep the second pad clean for the bathroom.
- 30-second heat-up
- 375ml tank
- Manual pump steam control
- 2 washable Dirt Grip pads
- 5.5m cord
Best for: Everyday hard floors
- Heat-up
- 30 seconds
- Water tank
- 375ml
- Weight
- 1.8kg
- Handheld steamer
- No
#2 of 5
Best 2-in-1
VonHaus 10-in-1 Steam Mop and Handheld Steamer (1500W)
£54.99 RRP
A floor mop that turns into a handheld steamer with a click, with three steam levels and tools for grout, windows and upholstery. The 7m cable and 180° swivel head get it round table legs and into tricky spots.
What owners say: Owners say it works wonders on window frames and awkward corners, steams strongly and is easy to switch between floor and handheld.
A closer look: It stands up on its own and the handle folds, so it stores in a slim cupboard. Pop the pads in the washing machine after each clean.
- Floor mop and handheld steamer
- 3 steam levels, up to 120°C
- 350ml tank, 20 minutes' steam
- 7m cable
- Squeegee, crevice and brush tools
Best for: Floors plus grout and windows
- Heat-up
- 30 seconds
- Water tank
- 350ml
- Weight
- 3.2kg
- Handheld steamer
- Yes
#3 of 5
Fastest to heat
Vileda Steam Mop Plus
£77.99 RRP
Ready in 15 seconds, with a triangular head that pushes right into corners and under furniture, and three heat settings so it can go gently on wood and harder on tiles. The name comes from the German 'wie Leder', like leather, after Vileda's first window cloth in 1948.
What owners say: Owners are surprised how much dirt it lifts, say it leaves floors really clean and heats up in no time, and think it's well worth the money.
Heads up: Vileda advises distilled water in hard-water areas, so keep a bottle next to it if your kettle furs up.
A closer look: With the handle off it's just 69.5cm tall, so it stores in a small cupboard. Test a hidden patch first, as Vileda recommends, then pick the heat setting to suit, and slip the carpet glider on to freshen rugs.
- 15-second heat-up
- Triangular head for corners
- Three heat settings
- 400ml tank, 6m cord
- Carpet glider included
Best for: Corners and quick jobs
- Heat-up
- 15 seconds
- Water tank
- 400ml
- Weight
- 2.1kg
- Handheld steamer
- No
#4 of 5
Best for clothes too
PurSteam 10-in-1 Steam Mop with Detachable Handheld
£50–£75 Price range
Take the handheld off and it's a garment and upholstery steamer as well as a mop: hang a shirt up and steam the creases out, or freshen the curtains and the sofa. On the floor, the head swivels round furniture and the handle collapses for storage.
What owners say: Owners find it much easier than an ordinary mop, heating quickly and drying fast, and like having attachments for rugs and windows too.
A closer look: A measuring cup and funnel come in the box, which makes filling less splashy. Slip the carpet glider on to freshen rugs between proper cleans.
- Steam mop and handheld steamer
- 30-second heat-up
- Swivel head
- Carpet glider
- Collapsible handle
Best for: Clothes, curtains and floors
- Heat-up
- 30 seconds
- Water tank
- –
- Weight
- 3kg
- Handheld steamer
- Yes
#5 of 5
Best budget
Russell Hobbs Upright Steam Mop (RHSM1001-G)
£20–£30 Price range
A simple, light upright mop from a familiar name, ready within half a minute, with a tilting head and two machine-washable microfibre pads. Good for tiles and vinyl in a kitchen or bathroom.
What owners say: Owners find it easy to use and light, say it cleans floors well and heats up quickly, and think it's good value.
Heads up: Register it with Russell Hobbs to get the free second year of guarantee.
A closer look: Start at the far side of the room and work back towards the door, so you're not walking on the damp floor. With one pad in the wash, the second means you can carry straight on.
- Ready within 30 seconds
- 380ml tank
- Tilting head
- 2 washable microfibre pads
- Free second-year guarantee
Best for: Small kitchens on a budget
- Heat-up
- Within 30 seconds
- Water tank
- 380ml
- Weight
- 2.3kg
- Handheld steamer
- No
How they compare
| Feature | #1Shark S1000UK | #2VonHaus 10-in-1 | #3Vileda Steam Mop Plus | #4PurSteam 10-in-1 | #5Russell Hobbs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Best 2-in-1 | Fastest to heat | Best for clothes too | Best budget | |
| Picked Rating | 8.9 | 8.8 | 8.7 | 8.6 | 8.0 |
| Price | £64.99 RRP | £54.99 RRP | £77.99 RRP | £50–£75 Price range | £20–£30 Price range |
| Heat-up | 30 seconds | 30 seconds | 15 seconds | 30 seconds | Within 30 seconds |
| Water tank | 375ml | 350ml | 400ml | – | 380ml |
| Weight | 1.8kg | 3.2kg | 2.1kg | 3kg | 2.3kg |
| Handheld steamer | No | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Best for | Everyday hard floors | Floors plus grout and windows | Corners and quick jobs | Clothes, curtains and floors | Small kitchens on a budget |
| Check price | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
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