The Best Steam Mops in 2023

1. Bissell PowerFresh Slim

A convenient steam cleaning wand for speedy clean ups

Our choice for the best steam mop in Australia this year is the Bissel PowerFresh Slim, a versatile and convenient steam cleaning wand that reaches all over the home (with an added extension cord) and stores neatly in a compact design. Exceedingly popular reviews agree that this mini-but-mighty cleaner is an excellent refresher for family homes.

This cleaner is extremely versatile, as you can clean almost any surface in your house with the extra accessories from the set. Safe for most types of hard floors: hardwood, ceramic, linoleum, granite, and marble, but also for the kitchen and bathroom sinks, countertops, stovetops, microwaves, upholstery, pet and children’s toys.

At under 3kg and with a water tank of 350mL, expect regular refills to cover large spaces, but thanks to the slender design and extension options, it is a suitable option for fast clean ups for the whole house. That said, it will be difficult to reach higher areas as you might with a vacuum, because the heavy end requires more body strength to lift.

The Smart Set Steam Controls design allows you to choose between high or low steam as you need it, 1600 or 1350 watts accordingly. It has an extension tube and an extra-long 7.6m power cord for all those places that are hard to reach. Practical storage for all accessories and tools mean you can change on the go, and it comes with a 2 year warranty.

2. MAXKON 13-in-1 Steam Mop

Inexpensive device for those who are wanting to give steam mopping a go

The MAXKON 13-in-1 Steam Mop is a versatile and affordable cleaning tool that is perfect for keeping your home spotless, and it’s recommended for those who are on a budget.

With a 400ml water tank, this steam mop can run for up to 30 minutes without interruption, and it only takes 30 seconds to heat up. The steam mop also comes with a chemical tank, allowing you to add detergent for an even deeper clean.

It is suitable for most floor types, including hardwood, tile, and laminate. It's also great for steaming clothes and has multiple attachments and accessories that can be used for steam cleaning in other areas of the home, such as the kitchen and bathroom.

At only $90 when on sale, this steam mop is an excellent value for the money. Not only is it affordable, but it also gets the job done quickly and effectively. The 13-in-1 feature is a great addition, allowing you to use the steam mop for a variety of cleaning tasks, making it a versatile tool for your home cleaning needs.

3. Kärcher SC3

Effortless deep cleaning of small homes and kitchen

The SC3 steam cleaner from Kärcher offers many options for cleaning the entire home, from the living room to the bathroom to the kitchen floor, and removing tough grease from oven doors and hobs. It’s suitable for tiles, stone, wood or laminate floors, as well as for windows, taps and basins, or for stubborn stains from upholstery and carpets.

The extra attachments and brushes are all you need for getting a high quality clean from your machine. The best feature of this cleaner is that the device is ready for use and heat-up in just 30 seconds. The heat pressure is excellent, perhaps too good on some older paint jobs, so you’ll want to be careful to avoid any mouldy or flaking walls.

This isn’t really a steam mop designed for the largest homes, as the power cord is a little on the short side and does not retract. The water tank has a capacity of 1L of tap water, which does not need to be removed for refilling. Just pour water in the cylindrical tube and she’s ready to go, no chemicals or manual scrubbing of surfaces needed. Removing dirt is thankfully simple, and does not require touching the cloth. 

4. Kärcher SC 4 EasyFix Premium Iron

Multifunctional kit for cleaning all kinds of surfaces

If you're looking for a professional and durable machine, The Kärcher SC 4 is a versatile steam cleaner that is great for refreshing carpeted floors and furniture, but also easily takes on cleaning hard floors, tiles, wash basin and taps, mirrors, and cleaning the interior of your car. It can even be used for ironing curtains or other fabrics!

Though this cleaner is pleasantly lightweight and compact for carrying around the house, it is also powerful, with a 2000 watt 3.5 bar steam pressure system. Apart from removing dirt, the Kärcher SC4 kills 99% of all common household bacteria and germs, and comes with a suite of accessories that can be easily adjusted to clean a range of surfaces without using any chemicals.

Other convenient additions include an integrated cable storage compartment, accessory storage compartment, and a parking position for the floor nozzle that make the cleaning process easier. It has a hook-and-loop system for attaching and changing the floor cleaning cloth, which means zero contact with dirt for your hands. 

The water tank is conveniently designed and easy to refill, but at a capacity of only 1.3 litres, expect to refill regularly and wait at least 3 minutes for it to heat up each time. 

5. Vax VX24S Steam Fresh Combi Steam Cleaner

Superior blend of steam and detergent for extreme cleaning efficiency

The Vax VX24S is our favourite steam mop for cleaning sealed hard floors and for deep cleaning carpets. A combination of steam power and detergent that ensures a clean home with 99.9% efficiency in removing harmful bacteria. 

The best part is that you won’t need any buckets to obtain best results, as the 500mL water tank is a decent capacity and heats up water in 20 seconds thanks to 1600 watts of power. Some users have encountered difficulties starting the steam cleaning process. It is important to read and follow instructions carefully before initiating the cleaner for the first time. Be cautious and make sure there is an appropriate amount of water and detergent in the tank, secure the water tank and check the temperature. Then once the green light turns on, the machine is ready to start cleaning.

Practically speaking, the design of this combination cleaner has several positive key aspects. The triangular mop shape enables you to reach and thoroughly clean in all your corners and small niches. The included cleaning tools and additional brushes feature a carpet glider and 2 microfibre cleaning pads, and we are grateful to see a lovely long 8 metre cord that allows coverage of huge areas. 

6. Bissell Select Steam Mop

A simple slender steam mop that’s easy to use and store

The Bissell Select Steam Mop is our favourite steam mop for ease of use. An inexpensive mid-tier option that is slender and simple. The steam trigger is easy to work with and the modest footprint makes this mop useful in multiple areas of the home as well as easy to store.

The triangular steam mop head is fairly small and flat, 30cm across the base of the triangle and 18cm from top to bottom, making it better for corners and around furniture rather than large areas. 

This steam mop comes with two microfibre pads, one soft pad that you’ll use for most regular cleaning, and a pad with scrubbing strips for stickier messes. The pole is situated at the back to allow maximum room for the head to snake under appliances like fridges.

Using the steam function by squeezing the trigger on demand is easy and allows excellent control over the mop, as it’s quite lightweight and smooth to manoeuvre. The small size allows the mop to heat fast and work fast.

The removable water tank is easy to fill and lasts longer than expected. This is because the mop is sparing with the steam, and you may find you need to keep the trigger held down for the entire duration of cleaning. This will be a plus for people who are nervous to oversaturate older floorboards or more delicate finishes.

7. Haan SI-A70 Multi Steam Mop Cleaner

Smart technology steam mop that leaves surfaces dry in seconds

Similar to a stick vacuum, the Haan SI-A70 Multi Steam Mop Cleaner is suitable for use on multiple surfaces such as carpets, tiles, walls, timber flooring, and many more. The additional parts (brush and nozzle) enable you to clean even the hardest-to-reach places, making this our best mid-tier steam mop that is both effective and affordable.

We find this steam mop best for primarily cleaning floors, as it dries really quickly and gives great results. It can be difficult sometimes to remove deep stains or grease, and though the water in the tank heats up in 20 seconds, it has to be refilled quite often for larger jobs. However, that more compact design makes it lightweight and easy to manoeuvre around thanks to its ergonomic handle.

You won’t need to use any chemicals since the high-temperature steam system cleans and sanitises by killing 99.9% of household germs and bacteria. It has quite a long cord of around 7.6m and a water tank suitable for tap water with a capacity of 350mLs. The Ultra-Microfiber pads have 4 layers and create a streak-free, quick-drying and effortless cleaning.

8. Maxkon 2.1L High Pressure Steam Cleaner Mop

Very powerful machine with a large water tank

The Maxkon is one of the best steam mops for hard flooring and removing stains from upholstery or carpets, and even limescale and mould from tiles and taps. This versatile machine delivers extraordinary cleaning performance with just tap water and no additional chemicals. It is very effective for cleaning bathroom or kitchen floors, windows, shower cubicles, glass, grouting, ovens or other heating elements, ceramic hobs, and more.

The Maxkon 2.1L High Pressure Steam Cleaner Mop is a very powerful device with 2000 W heating and a powerful 4.0 bar of pressure. It heats up in one minute and has a continuous steam technology and a dual-tank system. With the smart system, you can add water anytime in the refill section during cleaning, which is extremely time-consuming.

Bear in mind, it is a bit bulky, and people find it sometimes difficult to move around the house. But on the other hand, the water tank is quite large and you won’t have to constantly refill it. A disadvantage might be that you cannot see how much water you have left. However, with the warning light indicates a low water level as well as an auto switch-off feature, you won’t have to worry about any of those safety issues.

9. Shark S1000

Lightweight steam mop for those with mobility issues

The Shark S1000 is a lightweight and effective steam mop that is well-suited for those looking to make mopping a more efficient and less strenuous task. The mop is particularly useful for individuals with mobility issues, as it eliminates the need for using a traditional mop and bucket.

One of the key features of the Shark S1000 is its 375ml water tank, which provides up to 15 minutes of continuous cleaning. While this is suitable for small apartments, those with larger spaces to clean may find the need to frequently refill the tank. Additionally, the cord of the steam mop is 5.5 metres in length, providing ample reach and flexibility.

The Shark S1000 operates by manually pumping the handle to release steam, which some users may find awkward at first. However, many users have reported that this becomes more comfortable and natural with use. It is important to note that the Shark S1000 is an entry-level product and is not intended to tackle extremely dirty floors. Instead, it is best used as a quick and efficient way to sanitise floors that are already relatively clean.

Overall, the Shark S1000 is a solid choice for those looking for an affordable and efficient way to keep their floors clean. It is lightweight, easy to use, and well-suited for small spaces. However, those with larger homes or heavily soiled floors may find that the Shark S1000 does not meet their needs.

The steam cleaner has evolved into a safe and comprehensive device suitable for quickly cleaning the entire home, removing 99.9% of household bacteria and mites without chemicals.

With this goal in mind, you should look at some features that would best suit your cleaning needs and the hot steam power will not damage your inventory.

Type of flooring. The most important thing to check is whether the type of steam mop that you like is suitable for your choice of flooring. Most of the options on the market are designed to work well on tile and laminate floors, but hardwood or timber floors are more delicate and you should be cautious with them. Also, if you want to clean your carpets with the steam mop, check whether this possibility is available.

Tools included. If you want a device that will enable you to clean more surfaces than just a mere mopping tool than you should consider the products with more accessories included in the kit. The powerful steam will enable you to remove grease out of the oven, clean your bathroom to perfection, and even clean your windows or car. There are extremely practical scrubbing brushes and pads, as well as some upholstery tools and carpet gliders that will instantly refresh your home without spending money on expensive professional cleaners. The mopping pads are usually machine-washable, but it is best if you have at least two of them for your best convenience.

Water tank size and Heating time. Most of the products have an average water tank of around 0.5 l or less. You will probably have to refill the tank a couple of times, and if you are using the deep cleaning option you’ll do the refill quite often. But there are also some options with larger water tanks if it causes you a problem to do it. It is very useful to know whether you can use tap water, as not to cause additional expenses, and all of the products on our list are designed for tap water use. The heating time is also quite optimal, and it is desirable to be under a minute.

Mop design. It is nice for the steam mop to be lightweight so that you can easily manoeuvre it around the home and clean with it. Also, if you have a lot of heavy furniture at home it is good to have a steam mop with a suitable head shape for reaching and steaming those places. It also depends on your budget, as the cylinder steam mop types are the most expensive but most efficient as well.

Cord length. A very important thing to consider, which I usually undermine, is the length of the cord, especially if you want to clean stairs or far-reaching places. There are also some cord-free options on the market, but they would require recharging. We would recommend you know the average cord size that you need for cleaning your home when comparing products.

Steam power. This is an important feature, as there are also some less powerful devices on the market whose power is equal to a regular cleaning mop. If you are looking for a good steam cleaner, make sure it is powerful enough to remove dirt and clean deep stains, otherwise, you will have an average product and still have to do the hard work manually.