12 Best Steam Mops for Every Floor Surface in 2023
If you have hard floors in your home, from timber to tiles, you’ll know that vacuuming alone just doesn’t cut it.
Sure, the high-powered models can do a pretty good job of picking up general debris, but there always seem to be a few little specks that get left behind – and when it comes to spills or stains, they can’t help at all.
It’s at this point that you usually have to bring out the ol’ faithful mop and bucket, and go through the effort of soaking your floors with suds then rinsing them clean … but who has the time?
Steam mops are a much more efficient means of attacking those stubborn bits of dirt on your hard surfaces, with the added benefit of killing germs and omitting the need to wipe down floors when you’re done.
“Steam mops are more expensive than a mop and bucket, but the benefits outweigh the cost,” says Daniel Grossi, National Sales Manager at Euroflex Australia.
He also calls them a “real time saver”.
Our current pick is the Shark Steam and Scrub Mop S7001 which reviewers say is “effortless to use” and the “best mop you’ll ever own”.
We also really like the Shark Steam Mop S1000, not only is it more affordable than other models, but it has earned a great reputation among shoppers with many saying it “cleans like a dream” and “changed [their] life”.
HOW WE CHOSE THE PRODUCTS
To help you find the best steam mop for your needs and budget, we asked Daniel Grossi, National Sales Manager at Euroflex Australia, for his expert advice and recommendations on what to look for when buying a steam mop. In addition, our shopping team read hundreds of customer reviews and looked at test results and ratings from product review sites to find the best steam mop from premium to budget to help you find the right one.
OUR TOP PICKS
In this article
BEST STEAM MOP
Whether you’re in the market for a cheap model to zip around your home, a convertible unit you can use on everything from your windows to your oven, an all-in-one sweeping and mopping machine or just need convincing that steam mops work, we’ve rounded up our picks of the best steam mops for you to buy.
BEST STEAM MOP OVERALL
Shark Steam and Scrub Mop S7001, $299.99 (down from $449.99) at Myer
What You Need To Know
This is the steam mop that TikTok users swear by. The Shark Steam and Scrub Mop features two rotating circle pads that can remove layers of tough stains like dust, residue, grease and bacteria when combined with steam. It provides chemical-free sanitisation (all you need is water) that removes 99 per cent of bacteria from your floors and the steam is evenly distributed throughout the mop head for a streak-free finish on all hard sealed floors.
It comes with four extra scrubbing mop pads that are reusable, machine washable and quick drying – so you’ll always have a fresh pair ready to go.
“The shark steam mop has been by far my best purchase for cleaning my tile floors. It makes mopping so easy. It used to take one and a half hours to manually mop my floors. Now with the steam mop, it takes about half an hour. No more bending! It is effortless to use … Highly recommend!” wrote one five-star review.
Not to mention, the #sharksteamandscrub hashtag on TikTok has over 250,000 views.
@abby.otterson shared a video showing the “disgusting” amount of dirt the Shark Steam and Scrub Mop managed to pick up the first time she used it.
“I had no idea my floors were this freaking dirty, that’s disgusting,” she said. “But it goes such a good job, look at that.”
In another video that got over 20,000 likes, TikTok user @jade.oneal said: “My Shark steam mop has changed the game! Love that it cleans and sanitises without any harsh chemicals and I don’t whine nearly as bad when I have to mop my floors.”
“The best steam mop you’ll ever own,” another user @allthingsnat said in another review video.
BEST USER-FRIENDLY STEAM MOP
Shark Klik N’ Flip Steam Mop S6001, $199 (down from $299) at The Good Guys
What You Need To Know
Speaking of Shark, this is another steam mop that people simply love. The Shark Klik N’ Flip offers a chemical-free deep clean on all hard floors, sanitising 99.9 per cent of bacteria. What makes this model different is its ability to clean twice the floor area thanks to its double-sided microfibre dirt grip pads, which are machine washable and reusable – all you need to do is flip the mop pad when one side is dirty!
The steam channels through the mop head for a streak-free clean and if you’re after a more targeted clean, you can easily switch the mode to Steam Blaster which effectively cleans up dirt that’s stuck.
Once you’re done, you flick a switch and the dirt grip pads will be released so there’s no need to touch the dirty pads.
It holds a 4.2-star rating on Big W and Google with shoppers praising it for being “easy to use”.
“Love this steam mop! It’s so easy to use, leaves no streaks behind and the pads are super easy to wash and reattach,” one wrote.
“It’s a great steam mop, powerful and cleans like a dream,” another wrote.
BEST BUDGET-FRIENDLY STEAM MOP
Shark Steam Mop S1000, $99 (down from $249) at Myer
What You Need To Know
Clean all manner of hard floors using this Shark floor cleaning steam mop. All you need is water, no cleaning solutions, but be assured this steam mop sanitises 99 per cent of bacteria. It has a removable water tank making it easy to refill and empty out, plus it’s lightweight and easy to use.
Simply pop on one of the reusable microfibre dirt grip pads, use a manual pump action to get the steam going, and you’ll experience a streak-free clean. It can be used on all types of hard sealed floors and will keep your floors clean without any chemical residue.
Boasting a 4.3-star rating from 3.9k reviews on Google, one shopper left five stars and wrote, “This appliance changed my life. It takes a few minutes to warm up and be ready to go, but once it is, it cleans the floor incredibly well. I have a tiled floor that now is immaculate. Hasn’t looked like that since move in day. So quick and easy.”
Another said, “Love it! I am so glad I bought this, cleans like a dream. SO much easier than wringing out a dang mop.”
BEST MULTI-PURPOSE STEAM MOP
PRINETTI 15 in 1 Steam Mop, $71.97 (down from $119.95) at Harris Scarfe
What You Need To Know
Complete with 11 multipurpose attachments, an extendible handle, 25 second heat up and adjustable steam control, this PRINETTI Steam Mop packs plenty of useful features into its low price tag. It has a 370ml water tank that offers 15 to 20 minutes of continuous steam, as well as a 240ml dispensable detergent tank if you’d like to add some extra power to your clean. It also has an extendible height that makes it incredibly versatile and manoeuvrable – perfect for getting into all the nooks and crannies, and machine washable mop pads.
Sitting at a 4.5 star rating on Harris Scarfe, one reviewer wrote that “it’s awesome for all floors and cleaning bathroom tiles, even cleaning the inside of your car”.
“I have had this steam mop for almost 12 months. Does a really good job, I can whip around my entire home in 15 minutes. It is easy to use and a godsend for houses with lots of tiles,” another wrote.
BEST STEAM MOP FOR TILES
Bissell Steam Mop Select, $118 (down from $169) at Amazon Australia
What You Need To Know
Perfect for hard floors like tiles, this steam mop is able to clean and sanitise while remaining 100 per cent chemical free. Featuring a triangular head to get into hard-to-reach areas. The microfibre pads are also great for tackling tough, sticky messes.
“It cleans my tiled floor very well, leaving very little moisture behind,” said one five-star review.
“I even used it successfully on the rough, unsealed tiles on my balcony which had multiple stains from the barbecue and pot plants,” they continued.
BEST CORDLESS STEAM MOP
Kärcher FC 7 Cordless Hard Floor Cleaner, $799 at Bing Lee
What You Need To Know
After a heat-free option? The Kärcher FC 7 uses fresh water to sweep and mop at the same time for shining floors without steam. It’s suitable for all hard floor types and collects both dry and wet debris – eliminating the need to vacuum before mopping and saving you so much precious time.
Tried and Tested by Dani Maher, Former Shopping Writer
The FC 7 boasts a 4.6 star average rating, but I was able to give it a test run myself, in case you needed further proof of its excellence.
The Kärcher FC 7 is fairly lightweight and surprisingly easy to manoeuvre around – the head rotates in every direction and the handle can fold back almost parallel to the floor so I could reach under the couch and TV unit with ease. When I came across a few stubborn spots, I hit the boost button to speed up the rollers and watched the dirt be whisked away effortlessly.
A single charge got me through all of my hard surfaces – even the stairs – but I will say that the compact sizes of the fresh and dirty water tanks meant I had to empty them out three times during the clean. That said, I was equal parts impressed and disturbed by the contents of the dirty tank – the FC 7 really picked up an impressive amount of muck that I never even realised I’d been living in!
BEST STEAM MOP FOR WOOD FLOORS
Kärcher Steam Cleaner SC 2 EasyFix, $296 at Bing Lee
What You Need To Know
Designed for hard surfaces, this steam cleaner is perfect for wood floors. Featuring a 1L tank capacity, it heats up in 6.5 minutes and offers optimal cleaning results on all types of floors thanks to the lamella technology. The floor cleaning cloths and cover are made from high quality microfibre to better loosen and remove dirt, and they can easily be removed with the hook-and-loop system – so you won’t have to worry about coming into contact with the dirty cloth.
One five-star reviewer hailed it “extremely versatile and effective”.
“Extremely versatile and effective. We bought this after trying a cheaper version by a different maker … The other brand was returned the same day and we decided to go with Karcher,” they wrote.
“We have been rewarded 10 fold by our choice. The equipment is very easy to use, very effective at the cleaning we wanted and has more variations than we are ever likely to use all of but doesn’t clutter up the cupboard with excess parts.”
BEST COMPACT STEAM MOP
Bissell SpotClean Carpet Cleaner, $218 at The Good Guys
What You Need To Know
Say goodbye to stained carpets with this SpotClean Carpet Cleaner from Bissell. Combining the power of warm water and the Bissell Spot and Stain formula, the steamer uses suction to quickly remove spots and stains from carpets, rugs and upholstery.
It has over 700 five-star reviews on The Good Guys. Reviewers love how “easy to use” it is while others say that the “size of (the machine) is what (they) love best”.
“Works great for stains on fabric couches and dining chairs. Amazed with the amount of dirt that gets sucked out!” wrote one impressed customer.
BEST SCRUBBING STEAM MOP
MAXKON 13-in-1 Steam Mop, $99.99 (down from $139.99) at Amazon Australia
What You Need To Know
This budget steam mop by MAXKON is suitable for use on windows, hardwood floors, laminate, tiles, glass, metal, and even fabric or carpet. Offering versatility in an affordable package, it’s multifunctional and comes with multiple attachments to help you reach every nook and cranny, and the 30 minutes of continuous steam time per tank will get you through the whole house with minimal refills.
One five-star reviewer wrote, “Never had a steam mop before, I have a puppy so noticed the floors just don’t scrub up as they used to with just a mop … this steam mop made my floors look brand new! Love it!”
“It’s easy to use, lightweight and can be a floor cleaner and a hand held steamer too. No need to iron troublesome clothes, floors fresh (I have a dog who lives indoors and this cleans brilliantly) I love my steam cleaner,” said another.
BEST STEAM MOP FOR GLOSSY FLOORS
Euroflex Vapour-M2R Floor Steam Cleaner, $379 at The Good Guys
What You Need To Know
The Euroflex Vapour-M2R is an upright steam cleaner that has a built-in pressurised steam generator that produces a super hot, super dry steam that quickly and easily loosens dirt without leaving excess moisture. This ensures the floor is left super glossy but without any water marks or streaks. Frontal steam jets reach into every edge and corner, and the steam booster function and thermostat control helps with efficiency. It also includes a carpet sledge for refreshing and deodorising carpets.
Reviewers are thrilled with the results, earning the Euroflex a 4.5 star average rating from over 100 reviews. “I am so impressed with this mop, it dried within minutes and has cleaned my floors so much better and easier,” wrote one five-star reviewer.
“I have young children that I cannot keep off my tiles while I am mopping and they don’t slip over like they did with my previous mop.
“The floors aren’t completely saturated with water and you definitely know it is clean.”
BEST STEAM MOP FOR PETS
BISSELL Symphony Pet Vacuum and Steamer Cleaner, $269 (down from $399) at Catch
What You Need To Know
The BISSELL Symphony Pet Vacuum and Steamer has a unique dual system design that allows you to vacuum, steam clean and naturally sanitise your hard floors at the very same time. You can switch between both functions with the press of a button and choose between high steam or low steam. It also comes with two reusable mop pads, scent discs, a measuring cup and a carpet glider.
We also love the addition of the Drop-IT tank – you can easily empty the tank with just a touch of the button, no dirty hands.
Plus, it is super lightweight, comfortable to hold and easy to use.
Many reviewers are raving about the dual system design.
“I’m pleased with this all in one steam mop and vacuum. We live in a small home and our family area, hallway, and bathrooms are all hard wood floors,” one wrote.
“Makes cleaning our hard floors so much easier. We have two indoor cats and they shed a lot after the winter/cold months.
“The vacuum definitely has a powerful suction to collect all the loose cat hair and other debris.
“I’m also loving this all in one because I am able to steam mop my floors at the same time … (it’s) made cleaning a lot easier for me.”
BEST STEAM MOP FOR CLEANING GROUT
Bissell Powerfresh Slim Steam Mop, $299 (down from $349) at Amazon Australia
What You Need To Know
This three-in-one Bissell steam mop features an upright steam mop, extension wand, and handheld steamer. It has a slim and rotatable mop head with two extra mop pads that can reach into every tight space and offers handy accessories like a grout tool, angle tool, bristle scrub brush and more to help you effectively clean everything from your shower and windows to your oven. You can control the amount of steam that comes out with the steam buttons and even use the fabric steamer to clean clothes and curtains. Once you’re done, you can easily store your steam mop on the included wall mount.
Shoppers rave about the steam mop’s “versatility” and love how well it works on tiles and grout.
“Bessel has removed scuff marks on my tiles that I have been trying to get rid of for ages,” wrote one five-star review. While another calls the grout tool “excellent”.
However, some claim that the Bissell steam mop is perhaps too “heavy”.
“Happy with this product. Great buy. Leaves floors clean and smelling fresh. Can be a bit heavy using with one hand,” one reviewer wrote.
IS STEAMING BETTER THAN MOPPING?
Steaming and mopping are both effective methods of cleaning, however steaming can be a more efficient and sanitary way to clean your floors. Due to the heat, steam mops can more effectively lift and absorb dirt, while also killing most of the bacteria and germs on your floor. Plus, as many have low-moisture designs, they won’t leave your floors soaking wet – so you can avoid slips and walk on your floors soon after cleaning them.
WHAT SURFACES CAN YOU STEAM MOP?
Steam mops are suitable for most hard floors, including sealed timber, vinyl, ceramic tiles, linoleum, marble, and stone. However, on some surfaces like cork tiles, and unsealed or waxed timber, they can do more harm than good – so double check the instruction manual on the unit you purchase, as each model may have different recommendations.
“To overcome excess wetness, look for steam mops that use a more commercial method of steam production using a boiler,” says Grossi.
“A boiler, also known as a steam generator, elevates the water inside the boiler to a higher temperature with the resulting steam being drier and better for water sensitive floors.”
CAN A STEAM MOP BE USED ON CARPETS OR RUGS?
Steam mops do not clean carpets and rugs according to Grossi. But he notes that some steam mops may have a carpet attachment that helps the steam mop to glide over the surface of the carpet to refresh and remove odours in the carpet piles.
“Some steam mops promote that they can kill dust mites in carpets, but the temperature of the steam is usually not hot enough,” Grossi says.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I STEAM CLEAN FLOORS?
It varies depending on the traffic in the areas you’re cleaning and how much mess you generally accumulate. If you’re considering an area like the kitchen, which sees a lot of traffic and plenty of spills, once a week or once a fortnight is suitable. In other areas, once a fortnight or once a month will suffice. That said, there’s no rules – you can clean your floors as frequently or infrequently as you like.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF USING A STEAM MOP?
According to Grossi, steam mops have many benefits over the humble mop and bucket.
“The biggest benefit of owning a steam mop is the time savings and the reduced cleaning effort, that no one can put a price tag on,” says Grossi.
“One benefit often mentioned about steam mops is their ability to kill germs, bacteria and other nasties in the home.
“The killing of germs and bacteria requires a good supply of heat from a steam mop to kill them effectively.
“Steam mops that use a boiler to produce steam have higher heat associated with the steam and are more effective at killing germs and bacteria up to 99.99 per cent.”
CAN A STEAM MOP LEAVE STREAKS OR RESIDUE ON THE FLOOR?
“When steam mops are first used on floors that have been washed with a floor detergent, chemical steaks may continue to appear for some time,” says Grossi.
But don’t freak out.
“This is due to the chemical residues that have hardened on the floor from previous mopping, that are released when a steam mop is used.
“Over several uses with a steam mop and more frequent changing of the pads, the chemical streaking will cease.”
He also notes, “steam mops that leave too much water will cause water marks and streaking if the floors are not manually dried.”
This is why Grossi emphasises the importance of built-in boilers because the higher heat and the low moisture content in the steam ensures water streaking is avoided.
More Home Coverage
More Coverage
Ensure you get the best deal on every purchase by checking out news.com.au Coupons – there, you’ll find discounts on top brands from Target to Harvey Norman.
Lastly, never miss a bargain again – sign up to our free news.com.au checkout newsletter for all the latest shopping news.
Originally published as 12 best steam mops for every floor surface in 2023
Read related topics:Best Of: CleaningncG1vNJzZmivp6x7r7HWrGWcp51jrrZ7wqGcnKOfqsFwtM6mnGaZnpl6qK3RnZynZ5OhsqK6yKeeaKWfpb2qusZmmKecXajBpq3MoqWgZ5KawLV50q2cmqVdoryxe82erqxlo6m8s8WOb5hpnmBugHatwGtqnGuWba54fsBwmmxsZpp%2BdrKYamc%3D